Being a teacher by profession, the
summer break that lasts 6 weeks is something I look forward to. This summer my plans for a vacation were
spending time with a friend first and then going to visit family. However, the best plans can be derailed. The friend had a crisis and did not come as
planned. Family visit too looked
dicey. In the end I decided, instead of
twiddling my thumbs waiting for things to happen why not make things happen?
I had some time back connected with
Rachna Dushyant Singh, the moving force behind Ankuri, an acronym for agency
for non konventional urban rural initiatives.
Based in uttrakhand, a state known for its natural beauty their literacy
program and knitting program were of interest to me. I wrote to Rachna asking if it would be okay
for me to visit. She wrote back promptly
and said I should come and see how they work and stay for as long as I
like. The interns from university of
Michigan and Clarke university were there and I could help with a summer school
they were engaging in Dehradun.
Tickets
booked and en route to Dehradun, I must admit I had mixed feelings. I didn't know what exactly I was going to
do. Very rarely do I do things without
planning and this was one such no agenda project. However, I had no fear, even as I was
charting unknown territory, it was as if a higher force had taken control, the
reins were not in my hand and I did not mind that.
Once there I was struck by the beauty
of thikana, a rustic homestay, run by Rachna and her family at bharatwala, about
half and hour away from Dehradun. The
warmth and care with which her family opened their home and hearts to me was
something I will always treasure.
I learned so much from everyone I met
there. In Rachna I found the tireless
urge to do something, a single minded determination to work for others, to make
a difference and to speak her mind. She
always had a kind word to say to everyone, be it a young village lad who came
looking for work at the homestay, the village folk or the knitters who were
part ankuri's knitting program.
From the four interns I met I learnt
how determined and focused young girls can be( rather they should be). As young teachers their enthusiasm and energy
was impressive. Together we made lesson
plans, brainstormed and worked on posters for the school. Long chats in the gazebo and after meals gave
me insights into the person behind each one of them. I even ended up teaching 3 out of 4 of them
crochet.
Teaching kids in their early teens is
something I have not done. But I enjoyed
my time reading from the jungle book, playing games and indulging in craft with
my class. Assisting is different from
being in charge and for a change not being in charge was liberating.
Eight days went by too quickly. But at the end of it, left me richer!
Richer in terms of-
The friends I had made- Rachna and
her family and the interns
The children I met and interacted
with touched my life with laughter and pranks.
The knitters- women from the village
with their faces etched with smiles and the lines that life had imprinted-
reinforced my belief in the power of hand work.
In knowing that we are all
connected. Nothing is an accident. Everyone who comes in to your life is meant
to. A karmic connection as Rachna called
our bond.
