Nostalgia brings Brazilians back to Jamshedpur after decades

Jamshedpur: The love for Jamshedpur, famously known as the Steel City, has drawn two Brazilians back to its streets after more than two decades. Juliana Baeza and Renata Madeira, former participants of the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Programme, have returned to revisit their cherished memories, reconnect with old friends, and relish the city’s unique flavors.

Juliana Baeza, who first visited Jamshedpur in 2002-2003, shared her excitement about being back. “It has been a long time, but I always missed this city and its people. I decided to return and spend quality time here,” said Juliana, now settled in Brasília, the capital of Brazil.

Reminiscing about her time in Jamshedpur, she fondly recalled, “My days here were some of the most precious of my life. I still remember relishing dosa and besan laddu. In fact, the first thing I did after landing was to eat them!”

Echoing her sentiments, Renata Madeira, who had visited Jamshedpur in 1998 as part of the same exchange program, expressed her joy at being back in the city that had left a lasting impact on her.

The Rotary Youth Exchange Programme has played a crucial role in fostering international cultural exchanges. District Counselor RYE PDG Ronald D’Costa highlighted that Rotary International District 3250 (covering Jharkhand and Bihar) is a certified district that facilitates student exchanges for those aged 15-18 years, offering both long-term and short-term programs across the globe.

“This program provides a unique opportunity for students to live abroad for a year, immersing themselves in a new culture, learning a new language, and making lifelong friendships. The core objectives are to promote international understanding and peace, develop leadership skills and self-reliance, and foster cultural awareness and exchange,” said D’Costa.

With participation from over 100 countries, the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme has played a pivotal role in bridging gaps between nations. Late PP Surender Sahni laid the foundation for this initiative in District 3250, which has since successfully hosted and sent students to various countries, including the US, Brazil, and Germany.

“This year, we are proud to welcome back Juliana and Renata from Brazil, nearly three decades after their first visit. Their return symbolizes the strong, lasting bonds that this program nurtures between countries. Additionally, another host mother,  Fernanda, has accompanied them to visit a recent exchange student who went to Brazil last year,” added D’Costa.

Under the leadership of District Governor 3250 Bipin Chachan, District Counselor RYE PDG Ronald D’Costa, and District Chair RYE PP Satnam Kaur Kapula, the program continues to thrive.

They extended an invitation to students aged 15 to 18 years to take advantage of this unique opportunity. “We encourage young minds to explore the world through this exchange, experience different cultures, and build lifelong international friendships,” said Chachan.

As Juliana and Renata walk through the familiar streets of Jamshedpur, reconnecting with their past, their journey stands as a testament to the impact of cultural exchanges in strengthening global friendships.