Week 2 already? Felt like I just landed in Hyderabad yesterday. Anyway, let’s reflect on week two. I delved into more of my research and learned about other global projects that included waterlogging (overshoot of water on crops) on vegetable crops. A study conducted by researchers from ScienceDirect investigated the effects of waterlogging on soybean plants and found that all the plant types showed they could tolerate waterlogging to some extent. This opened my eyes to the possibilities of how mungbean plants might respond to my experiment.
The study on soybeans was particularly enlightening because it highlighted how plants could adopt numerous strategies to prevent the effects of waterlogging. Some soybean plants activated multiple tolerance mechanisms, while others managed the stress with fewer changes. Specifically, this week was a huge learning opportunity at the WorldVeg center because I am starting to understand the value of different vegetable plants’ potential. The ScienceDirect publication linked above is definitely worth reading!
India is a semi-arid tropic country which means that the country encounters unpredictable weather patterns and inconsistent rainfall. This makes it even more important to develop crops that can handle both drought and flooding. I find this beyond amazing because this research could make a real difference in food security and stability for many communities across India.
Jewel #1: You read the title and definitely are wondering what I mean by the jewels of Hyderabad. This week, I also had a cultural experience in the city of Hyderabad. I have heard so many stories about Hyderabadi history and to to finally see these magnificent jewels in person was truly an honor. One of the first places we visited was the Qutub Shahi Tombs, a stunning architectural site that serves as the resting place for the rulers of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. Each tomb seemed to narrate a story of the dynasty’s rich history; the inside of each majestic tomb was quiet and it was a peaceful quiet. The sun was still rising so I got the chance to see the tombs in comfortable weather; the shade did help a lot too!
Jewel #2: The last time I visited India I saw the Taj Mahal for the very first time with my family. We also went to Agra Fort which was gigantic but was a great experience going to a fort for the first time. I would like to introduce one of the largest forts in India: The Golconda Forts. After a 720-step ascend, I could see the entire Hyderabad City with miles of streets winding like rivers through the urban landscape. On the Golconda Fort, I felt like I was connected to Hyderabad’s history. The old walls of the fort seemed to tell stories of kings and battles from long ago. But even with all that history, there was also a peaceful feeling up there, like the fort was a calm place despite all the excitement it had to offer. Almost forgot! The greenery with this fort was also just beyond breathtaking; there was a garden toward the bottom that I appreciated a lot!
Jewel #3: In my YouTube music playlist, Lana Del Rey rules with several tracks. One of my favorite tracks of hers is “Young and Beautiful” because of her magnificent and royal voice throughout the entire song. Actually, the first time I ever heard about LDR was through watching The Great Gatsby during my freshman year of high school. I fell in love with the timeless elegance and old-money aesthetic that the movie gave off. As I stepped into Chowmahalla Palace, the lyrics from this song immediately started playing in my head. The grand hall, known as the Khilwat Mubarak, ornamented with sparkling Belgian crystal chandeliers and a throne fit for the Nizam, was breathtaking. The Persian-style architecture and Italian marble details truly transported me back a couple of centuries. I really enjoyed walking through the palace and learning about the Nizam through old photographs and paintings.
Jewel #4: To end off the day, we find ourselves at one of India’s most iconic landmarks, the Charminar. ‘Char’ means ‘four’ in Hindi, and true to its name, Charminar crowns four graceful minarets that rise proudly above Hyderabad’s lively streets. It was a little after 3 pm that we had traveled to Charminar and I was expecting a couple of shops around the landmark with a good amount of tourists. I was completely wrong! There were countless different types of people from vendors to families to children. In the distance, the Charminar of the old city added to the excitement, making every moment appreciated and unforgettable. I would often go to Summerfest, which is the largest music festival in the US, and it always drew massive crowds, but this was something else. It was eye-opening to see how big and diverse Hyderabad is, especially around the Charminar.
Week 2 in Hyderabad has been a whirlwind of learning and cultural exploration. After this long adventure, I have to say that the Chowmahalla Palace was indeed my favorite jewel of Hyderabad so far. Palaces have always fascinated me from their rich historical narratives to exquisite architectural designs. The chandeliers and marble floors that made up the palace made me love it even more! I still don’t know how I survived 720 steps but one thing is for sure is that if I ever go to another fort, I am taking a hat, whether rain or shine! The jewels of Hyderabad that I visited were truly amazing and it would not have gone more perfectly. We even ended off eating Hyderabadi Biryani, one of India’s famous dishes. From organizing mungbean seeds to climbing 720 steps, I cannot wait for the future experiences both inside and out of campus.
R. Kalluvila