Indian wilds, here we come!
ROHINI RAMAKRISHNAN
Classroom: Deep in the Nagarhole Jungle.
Encountering black spiders with white spots, climbing hills with names like “motta parai” and “karadhi malai”, staying in tree houses that are complete with toilets with a flush to boot, discovering fresh pug marks that are almost warm to touch…This is what 40 children discover with Aavishkaar India every vacation — the wild adventures that the Indian jungles have to offer.
Nagarhole, Wyanad, Yelagiri, the Palani Hills especially Kodaikanal, the kids have trekked and travelled kilometres, staying away as much as possible from the “city’s bright lights”. Basic dorm facilities near the jungle area and hot meals under the trees are exciting like the camp fires that were the highlight of the experience.
Rule of the jungle
For some it was the first time “out” without parents while for the others it was the third or the fourth time with Aavishkaar. As one teenager said, “we learnt to do a lot of things that our mothers usually do for us.”
They learnt to live by the rules of the jungle, to be silent and observe things. There were funny and anxious moments like when they used highly perfumed soap, a swarm of bees buzzed in through the wide window that opened into the jungle. And so they learnt to avoid deodorants and bright clothing and not flash torchlight in the night, unless it was absolutely necessary. The Forest Department took special care and even had armed guards accompany them.
It was only five days together but when they left, they left making friends for life. They had learnt to live in hostile environments and deal with the rough side of life. Survival instincts were honed. They realised that they had changed, and for the better. “I know how to cope,” said one.
Each child was presented with a group photograph, a photograph with friends and a VCD recording the wild Indian tour that made responsible and independent youngsters.
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