Bengaluru bliss: Three months in India’s Silicon Valley

The overwhelming colours and scents of India proved a chaotic but wonderful experience for Asia New Zealand Foundation intern Jack Marshall. Jack travelled to Bengaluru in southern India, where he worked at the Deccan Herald for three months. 

Too many words have been written about smells and colours that hit you when you arrive in India. It’s cliche and overdone but by golly, are they true.

The world outside is forever duller after a spell on the subcontinent. Like an addict, I jumped at the opportunity to return to India to intern at the Deccan Herald and I spent three months in the heart of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), doing my best to work as an ordinary Indian journalist and understand life in India's “Silicon Valley”.  

India is very proud of its military. You’ll find tanks and warplanes displayed in many cities. Photo: Jack Marshall

I dived deep into every story I could find, no matter what the topic. From interviewing Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters during his visit in Delhi, to reporting on illegal wildlife sales and immigration issues I took every chance and learnt all I could. 

The experience was equal parts challenging and rewarding. I was prepared for culture shock, cultural differences and the heat, but what I found most difficult was actually life as an intern. 

I’ve been in the workforce for nearly 20 years but being an intern was my greatest challenge. In paid roles, there are clear expectations and requirements for output— you’re paid to do it. I quickly learned it was up to me to make the most of the role.

The first few weeks were hard. With minimal direction from my manager, I was responsible for finding stories and cultivating a network from scratch in an unfamiliar environment.

The Vidhana Soudha, the state legislature of Karnataka. Photo: Jack Marshall

However, these obstacles became opportunities for growth. The independence I was granted allowed me to explore topics I was passionate about, from covering local metal bands to urban farming.

Then I requested to move from the Sunday section to daily news. Immediately, things got better. With more interactions with other staff, I had the opportunity to collaborate and got feedback on my work. A younger version of myself probably would have stuck around in Sunday and missed out on a lot of learning. Working in both sections pushed me to refine my reporting skills and gave me a deeper understanding of how an Indian newspaper operates. I built a strong network of contacts that will undoubtedly benefit my future career.

One of the highlights of my internship was the chance to interview Winston Peters, New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, during his visit to India. This strange, but wonderful, opportunity - which would have been near impossible to secure from New Zealand - also led me to meet and connect with diplomats, giving me a behind-the-scenes look at the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Jack meeting Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Delhi. Image: Supplied

Another memorable experience was working a day in the life of a local restaurant and documenting the experience for the newspaper. As I was leaving India, an immigration officer began grilling me on my journalism in India until he realised I’d worked at his favourite restaurant and written about my experience doing a shift. “You’re the guy who worked at MTR!” He laughed and waved me through.

Work is nothing without the people and India is peppered with the most wonderful individuals. I met artists, bartenders and lawyers who were happy to answer every stray question I had about life in India. Corruption, murder, sex, caste, marriage, money. The thing I miss most about India is the conversations. Sit down at any table you’ll likely get into a 20-minute conversation with a stranger about the meaning of life or the weather. But India is not for beginners. 

Jack Marshall outside MTR for his shift in the famous restaurant. Image: DH Photo/Pushkar V

Poverty comes to you. Beggars, hustlers and the sick are in need and they’ll come to you asking. Five steps and the air perfumed with sandalwood will burn away with the smell of an open sewer. All my senses were running in fifth gear for three months. 

For anyone considering an overseas internship, I cannot recommend the experience highly enough. Anyone can book a flight and travel through Asia but to work as a local is another thing entirely. Without the Asia New Zealand Foundation I would have never had the opportunity to work at an India newspaper. India will not suit everyone but perhaps you’ll like Thailand or the Philippines.  You can be sure you’ll be a changed person afterwards.

Read some of Jack's stories from the Deccan Herald here:

The Tuesday Interview | ‘New Zealand keen on enhancing defence dialogue, cooperation with India’

I waited tables and became 'Jaguar anna'

Visa curbs on Indian students unlikely to affect Bengaluru aspirants

Passion for hockey drives SA women

Bus conductor thwarts trafficking of 218 endangered star tortoises in Bengaluru

Many Bengaluru metal bands regularly head for Europe

- Asia Media Centre