My first visit to a village and my first experience with SSRC
Date: 21st Dec, 2005.
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Venue: Chande & Mulkhed
It was not as if I did not know what to expect but there is always that sense of anticipation when one has only heard about a place right? So off we went to Mulkhed which is a good 40 kms away from SIBM.
Notwithstanding the bumpy ride, it sure was quite an experience. It was amazing to see that there actually exists a place in and around Pune with a sparse population of less than 1000. All our notions about a typical Indian village were torn apart once we reached Mulkhed. I mean who would imagine that a village which has only 4 teachers in its lone school would be equipped with a Dishnet and a Maruti car? We first visited this school which is situated in the heart of the village. The lady principle we met had recently taken charge and seemed quite enthusiastic about co-operating with us for activities in the village. This is because the school usually acts as the focal point of different events happening all around the village. In fact the teachers even organize mid-day meals for the children without any Government support. It sure felt heartening to see these people doing some good work.
Our next stop was by the river which also has a temple nearby. A middle aged woman carrying a pot of water home brought back the point that there was still a lot of work to be done. Even though the village folk have access to drinking water and an intermittent supply of electricity, things like the Sarpanch alone calling the shots and fear of women to speak up at the village panchayat still exist. However, we realized that it is prudent to accept the culture and values of a society to which we are outsiders and concentrate our efforts on developmental activities.
On this note we headed back to college with the thought of the dreaded results weighing on our minds. All in all it was a visit which made us realize the immense potential which lies in these rural pockets. Given the level of enthusiasm of the village populace, SSRC sure has big plans for them!
Tasneem Lakkadghat
SSRC J-Team Member
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Venue: Chande & Mulkhed
It was not as if I did not know what to expect but there is always that sense of anticipation when one has only heard about a place right? So off we went to Mulkhed which is a good 40 kms away from SIBM.
Notwithstanding the bumpy ride, it sure was quite an experience. It was amazing to see that there actually exists a place in and around Pune with a sparse population of less than 1000. All our notions about a typical Indian village were torn apart once we reached Mulkhed. I mean who would imagine that a village which has only 4 teachers in its lone school would be equipped with a Dishnet and a Maruti car? We first visited this school which is situated in the heart of the village. The lady principle we met had recently taken charge and seemed quite enthusiastic about co-operating with us for activities in the village. This is because the school usually acts as the focal point of different events happening all around the village. In fact the teachers even organize mid-day meals for the children without any Government support. It sure felt heartening to see these people doing some good work.
Our next stop was by the river which also has a temple nearby. A middle aged woman carrying a pot of water home brought back the point that there was still a lot of work to be done. Even though the village folk have access to drinking water and an intermittent supply of electricity, things like the Sarpanch alone calling the shots and fear of women to speak up at the village panchayat still exist. However, we realized that it is prudent to accept the culture and values of a society to which we are outsiders and concentrate our efforts on developmental activities.
On this note we headed back to college with the thought of the dreaded results weighing on our minds. All in all it was a visit which made us realize the immense potential which lies in these rural pockets. Given the level of enthusiasm of the village populace, SSRC sure has big plans for them!
Tasneem Lakkadghat
SSRC J-Team Member
posted by The Mad Magazine at
10:34 PM
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