It's horribly cold in Delhi, and we are told to carry not a lot
of sweaters as there is a pleasant weather in Jhansi, Madhya Pradesh (MP). All
of us are excited. Though, I am not a big fan of company-outings, but I have
agreed to go on this retreat. Basically for two reasons: First - it's
compulsory! Second -
I am sure it's going to be a different experience for me.
So, here we are - at the railway platform - a group of close to
100 fellows of Teach For India,
along with 30 odd students selected from all over Delhi, to accompany us in our
Mid-year retreat of Jan-2016! It is an entirely different momentum that
one can feel in the air, when all of us are together - at one place.
Fellows from all walks of life are ready to create another chapter in history.
I am, as always, feeling indifferent about the trip.
However, I look forward to the different activities we are going to do in
Jhansi and Orchha.
Day 1 -
As soon as we step out at Jhansi platform, we get inside
another bus eagerly waiting there to take us to Orchha. I knew this
is going to be a hectic day! How could I forget what happened in the training-institute
in Pune! For all the beauty, I loved the institute, I never loved the part
that I had no real time to enjoy it! "God - I shouldn't have come", I
kept thinking to myself.
After reaching at a dharmshala-cum-hotel, we have an hour
long break; and then we would leave for Taragram - a developed,
fully-furnished, kind-hearted and welcoming village in heart of India.
TARAGRAM - There is something very different in its air. I
have never been to a place so peaceful before in my life. Everyone is working,
busy in mundane tasks of life - yet nobody seems to be running in any race, as
we do here in Delhi. It's clean; it's pure; and it has a soul that I wanted to
meet always. There is creativity; there is culture; there is technology; there
is labor; and above all, there is peace!
We explored different work units of Development Authorities
(DA), a semi-govt. organization that works for the development of Taragram,
since 1996. The Arts-and-crafts unit, I found most amazing. I could not believe
the handmade items I see at most costly shops in Select City Walk mall are
created in the streets of a village, unknown to us all.
MANDOR VILLAGE -
After a quick visit to all four units of DA,
we have left for a visit to another nearby village - Mandor. They say it's the
largest village of MP, but I didn't find it very advanced or developed. However, I see
that DA is working great there. They are running literacy programs for women,
and also enabling their people for employment. I hope for more development for
the largest village of a state, but I need to realize that wherever they are
right now -however small it may look to me - it's a great achievement for them.
They have come a long way, from being nobody to being an entrepreneur
today! Salutes!
Now we have come back to our hotel in Orchha. As a miracle, we
have a couple-of-hours break to relax, or visit, or make friends. You see,
every time we have a get-together at TFI, there is always atleast one person
very interesting whom you meet, and you want to talk to, and you want to be friends
with - no matter how cold and indifferent you are! And that's the beauty of our
diversity.
We took a walk to the river side. Though it's not very fancy,
but I like to hear the sounds of its waves. They ask questions that you have
never thought about, and they also solve riddles that you could never
elsewhere do. You have to just sit here, either alone, or in some nice
company!
We come back to the hotel, and we have a surprise game-night. It
sounds wonderful. We have a chance to vent our feelings and frustrations out
here by role playing. It is fun, and we come closer to our groups by being our
true selves.
Day 2-
I am hoping for a great day, today. I had a good night
sleep yesterday, after the game-night. We have come to know that we are
going to a Gaushala today. I am really excited now.
GAUSHALA - We have
various different activities planned for today. An amazing job by our program
managers and retreat team! Of all the great things,
I found fodder-feeding activity most attractive. I signed up for it,
instantly.
It was great to go to farms,
cut fresh fodder, break it
into smaller pieces in a handmade chopper, and finally feed to the cows.
Nothing in the world can beat the smell and touch of fresh green leaves,
and the live experience of feeding the most
sacred animal of all.
We have no idea where the entire day spent on. Hopping from one
place to other, enjoying its beauty, and admiring its creativity and grandeur,
we went to attend our last session of the day - India - of my dreams!
Many of us, including our kids, shared our unique idea of
"India - of my dreams". I felt a little overwhelmed by the level of
openness with which people came and shared. But I'm happy to be a part of
discussion where we talk about India. It seems to be a lost word these days. We
are too busy in our daily-life work, career aspirations, personal life issues,
health, satisfaction, that we have forgotten our country altogether. We dream
of going to US, to places that are holiday spots, that have bigger and better
university, but we don't dream of our India anymore. Patriotism is the
least talked about thing in our
curriculum these days, I realized.
On reflection sessions, we are being asked many a times in TFI,
"What did you learn about yourself in last (few) days/
months?" Here it has been asked again. I find this question
always overwhelming, and sometimes annoying. How can you expect from someone to
learn something about herself in one or two days? It seems to me only a
formality sitting in those sessions and answering for sake of it. I came back home
with a lot of thoughts whirling around my head, but no answers to any of them.
ORCHHA FORT- The rest of the day was ours. We went to the Orchha fort, and saw
light and sound show. It was amazing to feel the history again, and to know the
great victory stories of our ancestors. We had food in one of the tourist-restaurants,
and some very nice time spent with some very nice friends.
Day 3 -
We are going to Taragram again today. We have to check out
from the hotel here, and leave for Jhansi platform from thereon. We have a couple of sessions,
and time to shop in Taragram. It's a relatively light and relaxing day. I am
enjoying this part very much.
JHANSI FORT- We have a
very small window between our train and Fort closing timings. We are rushing to
see the fort. I am very happy that I didn't miss this great opportunity. It’s a
privilege to witness a place which has given shelter to one of the bravest
women of our country - Rani Lakshmibai, grand-daughter of Peshwa Baji Rao. It
was great to learn about our history deeper, and explore it alive.
WAY BACK TO DELHI - For the
first time in the history of TFI, our multiple generations are travelling
in one train - alumni, staff, program managers, fellows and kids - all at one
platform. We did a small demonstration of our kids' skills at the railway
station.
One question has been occupying my mind all the time - is there
anything I learnt about myself in last 3 days? Is it even possible to do so in
such a short duration?
For some unknown reasons, I feel a lot more peaceful today. I
feel proud to be a part of the movement that is working for the country, for
our children, for fighting the crisis India is facing for decades now, for
trying to eliminate the education-inequity!
All I know at this
moment is that I am happy that I joined TFI; for there is a different peace and
content in my mind at this time that I never had in my life ever befor
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