My one week sojourn in Nepal

Arya Joy, Snehadeepam Balavedi

 Yendayar

My long cherished aspiration was to travel by air and go to a place, stay over there for few days and return. The moment I was declared winner of Talent Search 2013 organized

by V S S S I was double sure that my dream like desire was going to be fulfilled in the near future as it was announced to the contestant before hand that the top two will get a chance to participate in the 7^th Asia Girl Child Peace  Camp at Kathmandu – Nepal. The camp was organized by Bikalpa Ghyan Thatha Bikas Kendra from 4^th to 8^th October 2013.  

This windfall in life came on 12^th August 2013. Almost a gap of two months was unbearable for me and it seemed that days were going by very slowly. Within a week my travel documents were ready and Mr. Michael D’Cruz C D O (Education0 of V S S S briefed me about the details of travel and writing of required essays that had to be sent to the organizers of the camp. Required air tickets were procured and travel schedules were conveyed to me in advance. From Vijayapuram Social Service Society three of us were going to Nepal, two participants- Lishamol K D from Thiruvanchoor and me and an escort Smt. Annamma Thomas.

At last 2^nd October arrived with unusual slowness as for me it was the day to depart from home and reach Amalanilayam, the central office of VSSS. My mind was burbling with excitement. My mother accompanied me up to Kottayam. In the VSSS office the Director Rev. Fr. Dennis Joseph Kannamalil prayed for our safe journey and bid bon voyage. We all reached Smt. Annamma’s house and had early supper and retired for quick sleep. When the mind is bubbling with excitement, sleep remained aloof from us. Hurriedly, we got ready and our vehicle skidded away slowly towards Kochi International Airport.  Cool gentle breeze came in through open window and gave me a soothing touch all over. The curl on my fore head did a weird dance in front of my eyes. The light and shade conveyed an enigmatic message in Morse code which I never bothered to decipher. By 1.30 am the runway of Nedupasserry Airport appeared like a shining millipede in the distance  

At 5.00 am we were inside the airport and checked in at the Indigo counter. After security check we sat at the lounge with leisure and watched other passengers waiting for their flights. Intermittent announcement through the PA system woke me from my semi slumber.  Boarding announcements created some hustle bustle at times and the noise dies out as the passengers board the specific flight. The interior of the airport put me in a world of illusion and I made a quick run around different duty free shops.

Boarding notification for our flight started flashing across the screen and we three dashed to the terminal to get into the aircraft as first arrivals. Lovely airhostesses ushered us in and directed to our designated seats. At last I was in an aircraft which I used to see as speck in the distant sky. I thanked  Vijayapuram Social Service Society and Vijayabalavedi unit ‘Snehadeepam’ for the unique opportunity that I received and my gratitude multiplied many fold when I thought of my class mates who could not get a chance like this,  as some of them are from well to do families. I glued to my seat as I was not yet freed from the impact of the reality that I was about to experience- flying through the air like a bird. Announcement came to fasten our seat belt. A considerate airhostess helped me do it properly. Then I saw an air hostess doing some gimmicks which I could not follow at first.  Later I understood that those were the measures to be followed at the time of emergency.

After the initial description about the flight schedule the aircraft stated moving. It was 7 in the morning.  It turned around and roared out for the final surge. I didn’t know the moment when the plane lifted off from the ground. I remained stunned. A rush of emotion, which I could not explain, came in and I did not know whether it was fright or excitement or worry. But when I resumed my normalcy my ears were slam shut and the Nedumpasserry airport became a blurred image in the distance. Immediately Western Ghat loomed in and the high peaks I could not discern whether it was Anamudi or Ponmudy At the end of three hour non-stop flight announcement came that our plane was about land at Indira Ghandhi Internatioonal Airport at Delhi. A sort of relief came in as our plane came to a stand still we alighted.

Delhi air port is a superb one, far magnificent than the one at Kochi. We had to rush to international terminal to catch the plane for the next lap of journey to Kathmandu the capital of Nepal. The sleepless night and excited journey has drained our energy and zombie like three figures huddled on longue chairs and had forty winks. By 1 O’clock again we were ready to board our next plane.  There was no botheration of collecting our baggage at Delhi as our next flight was also in Indigo Airline. We were told in advance that in the next lap of flight we would cross over the highest mount in the world – Mount Everest. We were anxiously waiting for that moment to come.  But unfortunately Himavan decided to hide behind a shroud of fog. Our disappointment vanished when we reached Thribhuvan Airport at Kathmandu. From there the mighty Himalaya could be seen clearly with no hindrance at all. I stood flabbergasted at the sight of mammoth barricade between me and my country

Thribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu is a small airport. There is no chance of getting lost in that airport as there is only one exit. When we cleared our custom and emigration clearance members from Bikalpa were waiting for our arrival with all smiles on their face. They greeted us with usual ‘Namaste’ and gave us hearty welcome. They garlanded us with a stall and ushered us to a vehicle parked on the outskirt of the airport. When we reached Bikalpa complex after 20 minutes drive from airport it was drizzling and the atmosphere was bit chilly. October is the beginning of winter season in Nepal The path to our dormitory was paved with square stones cut neatly. They were wet and bit slippery. Lisha and I were housed in a dormitory called ‘Pragathi’ which means progress.

Next day 4^th October I woke up early. My watch showed 5,45. The clock on the wall showed 6.10.I opened the door and stepped out to the veranda. It was deserted. No one was seen around It was still raining. From where I stood I could see dinning hall, office annexure and Gol Ghar where the meeting was going to be held. Adjacent to the compound and on hill slop there were so many houses. After having a delicious breakfast at 9,00 am for what business  we came to Nepal commenced. 

Camp materials were provided to 34 participants and 8 escorts. Each one had to wear a tag around the neck through out camp period. The Participants were from India, Srilanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, Thailand, Philippines, Bangladesh and Nepal There were 4 girls from India, 2 from VSSS and another two from an organization in Kochi ; Stephy and Mohini. All the participants sat together and formulated the code conduct- what to do and what not to do. The 7^th Asia Girl Child Peace Camp was organized under the theme “PEACE AND SOLIDARITY”. The two facilitators for the camp were Mr. Ashok Sivakothi and Miss Helina Rai. The camp organizer was Miss Stella Tamang. The ice braking was conducted in such a manner that after writing the names of the participants a lot was taken and which ever name one gets, find that person ,get maximum information about that person and introduce that person to the entire group. I had the pleasure to introduce Miss Annestha Geethanjani Vimalrai from Srilanka. Groups were formed among the participants for reporting, reflection, management, entertainment and cleanliness. Warm up games conducted in between the activities of the camp helped the campers to remain vibrant.

On the first day after lunch the official opening ceremony was conducted. As was told earlier all participants appeared for the function in their traditional costumes. We two from VSSS wore silk skirts and matching blouses. The other two were in sarees.  All four from India sat behind a desk top National Flag of India. It was the proudest moment in my life. Get the feel that you are representing your own country in an international dais is something which would remain indelible in your memory until the last breath. A rush of patriotic feeling came in overwhelmingly and I blushed with pleasure and pride. The inaugural session was dabbed with hue of Napal customs.A sweet called ‘Shaku’ came around all of us and we were adorned with ‘Jamanthi’ garlands. Lamp lighting ceremony accompanied by chanting of folk songs from various countries extended to the small hours of the night.

Everyday the group responsibility got rotated. On second day each of us got a secret friend through a lot and without the knowledge of that person one will have to watch and write down two points about various aspects of that person and keep them in an envelop. The camp progressed with different activities and amusements. Afternoon of the second day we had a visitor from UNESCO. He described us about their activities to promote education in rural areas of Nepal. Music had no bounds and language was not at all a barrier for  the participants. I managed to assimilate two Nepali songs which I hummed through out camp days. Even while I jot down my memoirs my mind regurgitate the very same songs The highlight of the second evening of the camp was the festivity of lighting lamp all over the premises of  Bikalpa complex.  It was a gorgeous sight watch the building of Bikalpa in the flickering light from numerous lamps. Drawing exercise we had with colour pen revealed that Miss Yinlet from Myanmar was a good artist Post lunch session was set apart for shopping. We went to a shopping mall. It was very big. Experience in the mall was a wonderful one. 100 Indian Rupee is equivalent to 160 Nepal Rupees.

Fourth day was jam packed with wonderful events. After breakfast,  dressed up in traditional costumes, we went to the Secretariat of South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and met the Secretary . We had prepared a memorandum on ‘World Peace and Role of Girl Child’ and handed over to the Secretary.  Lishamol K D got the prestigious role of handing over the memorandum to the secretary. She was the pet of the camp. Her talkative nature, pleasing attitude and free mingling made niche in the hearts of all who came in contact with her. SAARC library was another attraction for we visitors.

Wall climbing was another activity that I feel like noting down here.  All the participants were given gears for wall climbing and asked to scale a wall 15 feet high. It was my first experience in climbing up. As I progress my leg started shivering like the leaves of Baniyan tree in wind. When I reached the top I felt giddy and wasw about to ease out. Luckily nothing happened. But this exercise has given me the confidence to face risky situation and surmount it with presence of mind. We prepared a number of posters  on women’s right and pasted them all over the compound walls Cultural night that we had was anchored by Steffy Ann Jacob and Mohini Mohandas from India.

On the final day a committee ‘Emerging Youth’ was constituted  and Miss Bea from Philippines was elected as the president The General Secretary was Steffy Ann Jacob From India. We all became members in that committee.  We all disclosed our friends and handed over the observation made by us in these days In the closing ceremony all the participants were given certificate and shield. We had gone from India with gifts for all the participants and it was elephant carved in Teak Wood. Our gift was well appreciated and we also had gift from other participants. Breaking up of the camp was a heat splitting experience. When participants  from other countries bid farewell in English a sort of detached feeling was there But when steffy and Mohini did the same in Malayalam I could not hold myself and I burst out crying. At that time I came to know the difference between foreign language and mother tongue. Mother tongue truly comes from heart whereas the other languages come from the intelligence with no emotion at all.  

The return journey first to Delhi and then to Koch and finally to Kottayam happened in a mechanical way. Only our body was undergoing this transit. In fact our spirits were lingering in Kathmandu – Nepal- Lumbeni the birth place of Sree Budha. One day I will have to return there to get true Enlightment.