GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AS SITES FOR MUTUAL LEARNING. An Indian Experience INTERIM RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT. - September 2011 by - Dr Lingam Raja - Research Consultant - Gandhigram Rural University - Tamil Nadu - India 1. Introduction. The main objective of this project is to investigate the link between Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK, and Goodwill Children’s Homes in Tamil Nadu, to strengthen the relationship with the organisations involved. Therefore this study may bring a lot of avenues for more interaction and exchange of programmes in the future. Mutual intercultural learning activities have been in existence between teachers of UK-India for over 10 years. The idea of conducting a joint study that there was no systematic research has been carried out to understand the intercultural exchange learning process in the globalized world. A number of student groups accompanied by the teachers have been visiting as part of their education and field work to the Goodwill Homes for the periods of one to two weeks for the last ten years. Groups from Canford, Canterbury Christ Church University and Margret School are regular visitors in addition to vocational, small and medium groups. About four years ago while interacting with the visiting groups it was suggested that a systematic research could be undertaken in order to find out the changes occurred among the visiting and visited groups both students and teachers as a result of stay work and interactions. That is how the present study has been crystallized. I became involved as researcher because I have been involved in an innovative and action research like these both at national and international level. I am interested in this subject to explore more on the concept of mutual learning at the global level. Since I have been having close association with the Goodwill Chiildren’s Homes, this project attracted me to take up this research. This is a kind of action research that involves study tour, group discussion, and interaction with children, teachers, students, staff and administrators. As a person involves in educational activities I am interested to understand the dynamics of changing behaviour, attitude with the children, teacher and society through intercultural and mutual learning. 2. Background information on India and Tamil Nadu. 2.1. About India India officially the Republic of India is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; Bhutan, the People's Republic of China and Nepal to the northeast; and Bangladesh and Burma to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and the Maldives; in addition, India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Thailand and Indonesia. Home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history.[13] Four of the world's major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism—originated here, whereas Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam arrived in the 1st millennium CE and also helped shape the region's diverse culture.[14] Gradually annexed by the British East India Company from the early 18th century and colonized by the United Kingdom from the mid-19th century, India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence which was marked by non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi. The Indian economy is the world's tenth-largest economy by nominal GDP and fourth largest economy by purchasing power parity (PPP).[9] Following market-based economic reforms in 1991, India has become one of the fastest growing major economies, and is considered a newly industrialized country; however, it continues to face the challenges of poverty, illiteracy, corruption and inadequate public health. A nuclear weapons state and a regional power, it has the third-largest standing army in the world and ranks tenth in military expenditure among nations. India is a federal constitutional republic governed under a parliamentary system consisting of 28 states and 7 union territories. It is one of the 5 BRICS nations. India is a pluralistic, multilingual, and multiethnic society. It is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats. 2.2 About Tamilnadu Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Puducherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It is bound by the Eastern Ghats in the north, the Nilgiri, the Anamalai Hills, and Palakkad on the west, by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Gulf of Mannar, the Palk Strait in the south east, and by the Indian Ocean in the south. Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in India by area and the seventh most populous state. It is the third largest contributor (as of 2010)[4] to India's GDP and ranks tenth in Human Development Index as of 2006.[2] Tamil Nadu is also the most urbanized state in India.[5] The state has the highest number (10.56%) of business enterprises and stands second in total employment (9.97%) in India,[6] compared to the population share of about 6%.[7][8] The region has been the home of the Tamil people since at least 500 BCE. Its official language Tamil has been in use in inscriptions and literature for over 2000 years. Tamil Nadu is home to many natural resources, Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[9][10] 2.3 Population of Tamilnadu Tamil Nadu is the seventh most populous state in India with a population of 72,138,958 (5.96% of India's population; census 2011 fig.).[50] It is the seventh most densely populated state in India with a population density of 555 persons per square kilometre as of 2011, having increased from 429 in 1991, significantly higher than the Indian average of 382 persons per square kilometre.[51] 44% of the state's population live in urban areas, the highest among large states in India.[52] Tamil Nadu's population grew by 15.6% between 2001 and 2011; the sixth lowest rate for that period amongst populous states (states whose population exceeded 20 million in 2011).[51] Although its decadal rate of population growth has declined since 1971, the population growth during the last decade (2001–2011) has increased.[51] The state has registered the lowest fertiliy rate along with Andhra Pradesh and Goa in India in year 2005– 06 with 1.8 children born for each woman, lower than required for population sustainability.[53][54][55] 2.4 Profile of Dindigul District Dindigul is a town and municipality in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. The name Dindigul comes from the Portmanteau of “Thindu” meaning pillow and “kal” meaning Rock and refers to the bare hill dominating the city’s both land and skyscape. While it is largely known as the “City of Locks, Textiles and Tannery", this piece of land sandwiched between the Palani and Sirumalai Hills has 200,000 hectares of cultivable land and agriculture continues to be the main occupation of its inhabitants. A reserved forest area of 85 hectares rich in flora and fauna enhances Dindigul’s appeal. Particularly the Kurinji flowers found on the rolling green hills of lower Palani range, which bloom once in 12 years is well known.[1] Dindigul - Fort On the hill at a height of 280 ft. In the year 1605 Madurai King 'Muthu Krishna Naicker' started the construction of this Fort. In 1623 to 1659 Mannar Thirumalai Naicker completed this. In 1755 Hyder Ali was escorting Fakhr-Un-Nisha his wife and Five years old Tipu to Dindigul. From 1784 to 1790 the Fort was under the rule of 'Tipu Sultan'. In 1784, the Tipu's commandant Syed Ibrahim, under whose care the Fort was, constructed many rooms in the Fort, strengthened the walls and also conducted repairs. During the year 1790 in the Mysore war Tipu was defeated and the Fort came into the hands of English. 2.5 Demographics As of 2001 India census,[2] Dindigul had a population of 1,96,955. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Dindigul has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 64.8%: male literacy is 84% and, female literacy is 74%. In Dindigul, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. This district is bound by Erode, Coimbatore, Karur and Trichy districts on the North, by Sivaganga and Tiruchi District on the East, by Madurai district on the South and by Theni and Coimbatore Districts and Kerala State on the West. It is spread over on area of 6266.64 km2. It comprises 3 Revenue Divisions, 8 Taluks and 14 Panchayat Unions 3. Theoretical Perspectives. The philosophy behind this project is essentially “Sarvodaya” and “Oceanic Circle” that is ever widening and never ending with a resultant ripple effect. The word ‘Sarvodaya’ is a compound Sanskrit word comprising Sarva (all) and Udaya (rising) – meaning all-round well-being or good of all. It is based on love nothing but love. As per the Bible commands: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”.