Short Interview

For my interview I chose to learn more about one of our peer mentors, Ilika. I wanted to know more about her life because she has experienced two vastly different Indias, namely where she is from, a tribe in a remote northeast area of India, as well as living as a student in Hyderabad, which is in southern India. Our interview session was done in English and for a few questions she preferred to type out the answer herself.

What is your full name?

Ilika Jimo, but I use “Happy Tribal Lady” as well

Where do you live? What does your house look like?

I am presently living in the University of Hyderabad, for my Ph.D. degree. But when I go home, I live with my parents in a small village. It is a beautiful hill station in the countryside.

My parents’ house is properly built, in a gorgeous location, with basic needs. These basic needs also depend on the climatic conditions. So I am talking from my own definition of basics. But these are not luxurious basics. More than anything, I must say that my parents’ house is a warm home that I always want to go back to.

What is your family like?

My parents have a big family with six daughters and two sons! I am the second youngest in the family. Our family is very close knitted, even with extended family members. Differences come up once in a while and we take that as one of the ingredients for re-bonding us! But generally out family is an easy going group. We are all respectful of each and other, love each other and support each other

How do you get around?

In my home state since we do not have trains I travel mostly by taxi or bus. But most of the time it is by taxi. If I am outside of my home stat, I usually take trains. Many of our people take flights; as for me I only take an only flight because trains can take several days to reach a destination.

For instance, if I want to come back to Hyderabad from my home state, Nagaland, inclusive of all the travelling days, it would take at least four days to reach the University. Overall I prefer the train if I have the time, I love the views and it is very economical.

What types of clothing do you like to wear?

Anything comfortable really, I wear a lot of Kutras as well as dresses with loose material pants.

What do you do in your free time?

I love nature so I love to explore. I go alone or with close friends. I like to read and catch up with my friends. It all depends on my mood.

What language(s) do you speak? How do you say “Hello” in your language?

 I speak; 1. Mother tongue (Sumi), 2. Nagamese (conversational common language of my state, Nagaland) 3. Conversational Hindi, 4. Little bit of Telugu (Andhra Pradesh), and 5. English. Some bits and pieces of some of the tribes’ dialects in our state, Nagaland. Nagaland State consists of 16 major tribes and many other sub-tribes, and each tribe has its own dialect. Some of the tribes have different dialects even within same tribe, depending on the region they belong to.

Well, ‘Hello’ in my ‘dialect’ cannot be specified, because, in literal sense, we don’t have. But since, we, as in the Naga tribes do not have script of their own, we use Modern alphabets, with a little change of sound in alphabets, and so, our, ‘hello’, would be ‘Hei’. But! We, Sumi (Tribe, I belong to) do not just say ‘hei’ when we greet people. It is generally and usually followed by a question, so… if I meet someone I know on the road, I would say, ‘Hello, how are you? Or where are you going to?’

So, here, for more clarity to you, let me assume that I meet someone I know and say ‘Hello, how are you?’

‘Hei, kishi aniye?’ or ‘hei, alo animo?’ or ‘kiu toi anikea?’ (More or less, same meaning with different intonations)

Have you traveled? Where have you traveled?

I have been around India as well as Bangkok in Thailand as well as Bremen in Germany.

What do you do for work?

I am a student, but I am involved in a part time job on and off. I will shortly be joining an internship in one of the International NGOs, starting the first of August through October.

What kinds of music do you listen to?

I listen to almost all kinds of music. Mostly English songs with countable and selective Hindi songs. Anything that has a tune and melody with tempos. It all depends on my mood, it plays a big role!

What are your favorite subjects when you were a child?

English and grammar but not so much anymore!

Is there anything else you would like to say to students in the United States?

Hmm, too many things to say but let me try to say it in a succinct way;

There are lots to explore and understand in the third world countries, in general, and Indian, in particular. It is a must to leave one’s assumptions and own lens, at home and come and try to understand from insiders’ lens and perspectives as well. If India is diverse, so, is every single state of India, in itself/ themselves, and I can strongly say that, no two different tribes, in a same state, leave alone, same state or same country, cannot be totally understood with the same lens. On that line, India is truly, in literal sense, ‘A Unity in Diversity’. So, would I would urge the students in the United States to go beyond the mainstream India and explore and understand the other side of India. This is a different India, you will surely experience. The best example would be Northeast part of India. You would be totally blown away to discover how totally different, almost all these states (8 states) are, from the mainland India in geography, physical feature, culture, religion, lifestyle, and customs.