India Intinerary

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Introductions of participants and of the program. Introduction to ‘education’ in India. Introduction to ‘Gandhian’ thought. Experiencing the reality of the slums of Ahmedabad. Experiencing the ‘spirit’ of service being lived and feeling the power of relationships, love, and positive thought. Becoming inspired. We will be staying at the Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI) campus.

Baroda, Gujarat

Agriculture and farmer issues in India. Organic farming. Potential of naturopathic treatment. We will be staying at the Vinoba Ashram where our meals will be provided. We will be staying at the Vinoba Ashram where our meals will be provided.

Sakad/Sendhawa, Madhya Pradesh

Exploring alternates in education. Create your own project. Active participation in farming, teaching, cooking, health treatment, etc. Experience of living in a village and exploring rural life. Adivasi (tribal) rights. Session with inspiring leaders pertaining to social justice issues and people's movements. Exploring various notions of development and progress. We will be working with and staying at Adharshila Learning Center

Melghat, Madhya Pradesh

Helping doctors fight malnutrition and disease during the monsoon season. Building toilets and running water system. Being introduced to a grassroots development organization. We will be working with and staying with Melghat Mitra

Delhi

Interactions with college counterparts involved in social work. Glimpse at social, environmental, and developmental concerns and inspirational work by people within their own communities. Experience of the reality of living on the streets. We will be staying at the International Youth Hostel where most of our meals will be provided as well. We will be working with the following organizations: Manzil, SWECHHA – We For Change, and Jamghat.

Ram Garth/Dehradun, Uttaranchal Pradesh at Bija Vidyapeeth Campus

In-depth look at farming issues in India through a series of workshops on India’s Green Revolution, farmer suicides, use of pesticides and fertilizers, the possibilities of organic farming and its benefits and environmentally sustainable living. Participation in organic farming, gardening, and composting. We will be staying at the Bija Vidyapeeth .

Kempty/Mussoorie, Uttaranchal at SIDH

Interactive sessions about decolonisation and Gandhi, and further exploration of the self, the other, society, nature and the inter-relations of each. Introduction to Jeevan Vidya philosophy. Supplementing this with exposure to village life and re-looking at the purpose of education. Exploration of our own sense of responsibility and contribution through daily, hands-on work (shramdaan). Tuning into our senses through activities such as rafting and trekking in nature. Holistic picture. We will be staying at the Society for Integrated Development of Himalayas (SIDH) campus, where most of our meals will be provided.

Delhi (August 1 – 3)

Debrief. Evaluation. Feedback. Planning for 'what next?' We will be staying at the Scholar’s House of Jamia University, where most of our meals will be provided.