Sunday, February 7, 2010

Day 24 - I've got company !!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Day 25 - Chit-Chat and Chai with Aakash



Damage for the day:
Samosa Rs 10
Chai with love free,

This morning I visited the village school at Falvadi to check on the progress of students computer education and gave them the some CD's Kalpesh had sent. Three months ago in our last visit, we had installed two computers here and trained the kids to use them for educational purpose. Unfortunately due to Panchayat Elections the school was closed. I decided to wait in Kalindri for my friend.

I stopped at a at a snack shop where a kid named Aakash, about twelve or thirteen years of age worked. Waving his hand he offered us a seat. As we sat down he went out of the shop to get some tea from the neighbouring shop. This was amuzing to us, we thought if he had to get the tea from another shop why did he have to call us here? We would have very well gone there and had it. Anyways.. we smiled at this and started chatting with him. Having the warm masala chai , we asked him the amount to be paid. He humbly replied, " I called you in to have tea, it is from me!" I was touched by his humble reply and warm smile. I wanted to clik his picture, to which he shyly refused. Now I gave him two choices, either money or picture! He smilingly chose to be clicked as he did not want the money! Got a lovely picture of this sweet little boy )


Coming home from we had an early dinner. Both of us put up at Kalpesh's(Neo_da1) house. Now I have a room mate! Next morning was an early wakeup as we had to go to school, be with the kids, and leave for Sojat 30 kilometers from Pali.

Chai with love free,........Akash...u touched my heart too

Nice click too...

You are an angel Aakash.
@Pankay, just Rs. 10 expense of the day on a samose. Do you live merely on a samosa ::

Ya thats the joy of riding...where we find love in such small angels

Hehe noo i was staying at kalpesh's(Neo_da1) house so had food over there buddy

Day 26 - Education in Rural India....???



Excitedly I rode my way to the school; zooming along as fast as I could. Packed in the backpack was my camera Kit and CD's Kalpesh had sent for the school. Eager I was, to be with the kids and see the progress they had shown in learning that took place over a period of three months.


Entering the school gates by 10.20 a.m. I saw a familar seen -- smiling faces clad in blue uniforms, the hussle bussle of mischief as they gaily played amongst themselves. I was happy to be acknowledged and generously being showered with their splendid smiles. As the school bell rang the children suddenly organised themselves in ques. Within minutes the place was silent, the noisy chirpiness was replaced with the serenity of group chantings of two hundred students, followed by a maun ( noble silence) for a few minutes! Perfect calmness prevailed in the school premises!



Entering the principals office, I saw the computers covered in plastic, this clearly indicated they had been sitting there on the table hardly used in months, this was a bit dissapointing at the first glance. Was I expecting miracles? Sometimes what our mind anticipates is far from reality.



We had work to do! Removing the dusty covers we started the computers. Installing the word encyclopedia CD, I eagerly started talking about the first image of a fire engine. The kids looked dazed, they had no concept of a fire engine... cant blame them they had'nt seen or even heard of one ever!!! The instructions and explanations given there seemed simple to me. But, I'm sure they were like Latin and Greek to them. It was all in English, a language they are not used to listening or reading. I struggled hard to explain simple concepts to them! All in vain!! I'm unsure and doubtful of how useful the efforts will prove. Will they ever use computers for enhancing learning of educational concepts? This as of now seems like a question mark! Im hoping for the best! Anyways.. it was a good learning experience for me.. when you teach you learn and grow!! I grew to understand that the level of education in rural India needs to be more simplified and practical oriented, apt to suit the educational needs in this environment. Educational concepts taught in urban areas are far different from the environment prevails in the rural sector!



The setup of the school did not fail to surprise me! Three teachers for two hundred students. What a ratio!! How do they function with three teachers and so many students. To be more descriptive, the school is divided into four groups of classes, of which rotationally one group at any given time is left unattended as there are only three teachers here. Standards 1-3 is group one, Std 4-6 is group two and Std 7-10 is one group. What are the students learning? Im unable to say anything!! Dumbstruck at the quality of education imparted to such diverse age groups! This is the bitter truth of the educational senario in rural India! Where is the path to development leading rural India? Sorry is the state of affairs here, the very foundations of education are questionable!






Wondering about all this and more I was out of the school, thinking about ways these situations can be addressed to the authorities to improve the very structure of prevailing educational system.




Riding homewards the flow of thoughts continued, untill the aromas of home made grandma's recipies distracted my mind. It was a fantastic mouth watering meal lovingly cooked by Kalpesh's grandma, I relished it to my hearts content till I was full and unable to get up. After a heavy meal like that all I needed was some sleep! Somehow I managed to pack my bags and leave for Sirohi to pick up my friends luggage from the hotel room. On arrival at the hotel we had a shocking surprise awaiting us!!




To be continued......in part II

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Day 26 - Part II - Om Banna - The Bike Temple

Vow.. Now this is what "Incredible India" is all about..
Pankaj, you riding through this unseen & unknown parts of our country is really mindblowing, but I respect you for the noble cause too. Teaching, giving computers in the school of this rural places. Seriously, its a wonderful thing mate..!!
Wish I could do such thing someday..!!!!

so less feedback for such a wondefull triplog

Almost a month into the trip & so much varied experiences...Kudos to you mate..

I would sure for once would like to visit the bike temple...

@Rachit ..u listening ?? let'z go

kudos.. yet again you bring the unexplored and unknown facts and places. countries/states/landscape no matter how big or small have their folk lore that are so immensly fascinating. And India being as diverse as it is... it is not surprising to see such trivia uncovered.

Rural education... No amount debate on the internet or chat shows or class room can bring about the change untill there are few who get their hands dirty like you. Even more important to have someone who keep this spirit going. I only wish there were people keen on using those computers. While I say this I feel guilty of not being one of them.

Thanks for your log.

Yes with my ears wide opened..!! Am sitting on my bike.. lets go..!!

Heyy thanks rachit Riding is my passion....but at the same time the innocent smiles of these kids make me do as much as i can for them I am sure if i had 3-4 xbhpians with me...we would have made hell lot of difference Its this satisfaction that fuels my desire to reach out to more and more places and explore as much as i can you certainly can do it we can make such G2G once im back

Heyy Darknight Thanks....you made my day....i too was wondering why i am not able to see too much of enthusiasm ? Last week when i was talking with my friend(who helps me edit the writeup as im not tht good in linguistics and secondly i dont have so much of time here) i told her i am stopping this updating and writing everyday thingy as i am not getting to see the enthusiasm i expected....but she was against it even kalpesh didnt like this idea and so i am continuing with the updating and not thinking on howmuch feedback i get.

But even you writing this is enough of a support it gave me that 'kick', its like activating the NOS Thanks buddy

Its true rockrider....debating is good, but nothing will happen until we really DO something

Fotos are something which garner more replies is my guess

But no worries once people will be reading this they will be hooked...

All the best man....& may you bring us more hitherto unseen & wonderful experieces

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Day 27 - Seeking the true story of Om Banna

I have recently been to Om Banna's temple and heard the same story you told, even written it in my blog! Thanks for clarifying and finding out the truth!

Good going.