Activities of SIHI

May 21 : The SIHI group was invited as honoured guests at Mrs. Suchitra’s house. They were welcomed with the traditional tika ritual, then shared stories of their families, had a delicious lunch, and played some games. After this fun afternoon, they once again ventured out to Rajpur Road bazaar for an evening of shopping, circus visits, and religious observations. On the way back to Samagra, the students joined a jagran – an all-night prayer celebration – for a taste of local culture and festivities first hand. The students enjoyed the lights, canopies, decorations, and live music.

May 22 : The group viewed a presentation about Samagra’s current and past endeavours for the community, then spent the rest of the day packing, doing laundry, and preparing for their week at SIDH.

Activities of SIHI

May 19 : The SIHI group visited a school in Smith Nagar colony to observe and learn about their regular day school and their afternoon tuition classes, sponsored by Samagra for underprivileged children. After lunch, the SIHI girls got a change to try on Indian wedding jewelry.

May 20 :This day was a rest day in preparation for the group’s week at SIDH (Society for Integrated Development of the Himalayas). Some of the SIHI group students joined Akanksha at her dance class.

Activities of SIHI

May 18: The SIHI students visited Uttarakhand State Solar Park where several interactive exhibits introduced solar power, biogas, wind energy, and electricity generated by mechanical work (human movement). They also visited Indresh Hospital – a charitable hospital located in Dehradun that is committed to low cost, high quality care. There, the students met with an audiologist, an ear-nose-and-throat doctor, and a child psychologist.

Activities of SIHI

15Th May: The day was assigned for local site seeing in and around Dehradun. During morning SIHI visited the Tapkeshwar Shiv Temple which situated on the banks of a rivulet, in the Garhi Cantt. Area. and is named Tapkeshwar as water droplets, originating from a rock, fall on the Shivling placed in the shrine.

In evening SIHI went to the Mindrolling Monastery which is one of the largest Buddhist centers in existence today and exhibits architectural marvel. A center of excellence, this monastery is dedicated to learn the Buddhist scriptures and other fields of academic interest such as Tibetan lunar calendar, astronomy, Traditional Tibetan medicine and calligraphy.

16th May: SIHI started the day by collage making activity. Everybody used their imagination and creativity to portray their experiences in India till now. In the evening they had an interactive session with Dr. Dheeraj Goyal (Homeopath).

17Th May: SIHI visited two sewing training centers run by Samagra in Telpur and Baniawala, interacted with the ladies and also saw some samples made by them. Then they went to Gurukul situated in Pondha, Dehradun. There they learnt about the Gurukul system of education of ancient India. They also took part in the Yagya, which is performed by the students of the Gurukul daily followed by a dinner with the students.

Activities of SIHI

14th May: SIHI started the day by visiting the Forest Research Institute of India (FRI). First they met Mr. Ratoori from the NGO, Pramukh, which is involved in garbage cleaning activities around the city and learned about their activities in detail. Then they visited the Museum located at the FRI.

Activities of SIHI (13th May)

The SIHI visited to Mr. Ramlal's place. Mr. Ramlal is a social activist who is a part of the Jan Sanchar organization which is involved in spreading awareness in the society through the medium of puppetry, theater , folk dances etc. SIHI had an interactive session with Mr. Ramlal , learned about puppetry and also made a few puppets.

Activities of SIHI (12th May)

The SIHI started the day with the routine yoga classes followed by a hindi session after breakfast and then went for a short trip to the market. After lunch the group visited Ashoka's Edict situated at Kalsi. They also visited the tuition center located at Fatehpur in Herbertpur which is run by Samagra, the group interacted with the teachers and children and had a great time with them.

Activities of SIHI

10th May: The day was assigned for rest and cleaning for the group. After lunch the group had 2 hindi sessions, felicitated by Akanksha, Atreyi and Naveen followed by evening tea served with Bhelpuri. Everybody enjoyed the sessions and requested for a daily hindi session.

11th May:

Visit to Kurukshetra Kala Mandal: The group visited KKM weaving center, Nalapani Road. They met the chairman Mr. Pierre, one of the founder member Mr. Bangaria and members of the KKM family who work on looms.

Visit to Tibetan Handicrafts center: Post lunch SIHI group along with volunteers went to the Tibetan colony. They met Mr. Ksong, Principal of the Tibetan school and women who were making the handicrafts. They also visited the creche where the children of these ladies are looked after while they are busy in their job.

The Trip to Rishikesh, Haridwar and Chilla

On 6th May the SIHI group along with 2 volunteers Akanksha and Naveen started for the 4 day trip to Rishikesh, Haridwar and Chilla.

6th May: The group visited Vashishta's Cave and Brahmpuri in the morning. After lunch the group reached Parmarth niketan where they were to stay for 2 nights. In the evening the group experienced the aarti at the Parmarth niketan followed by a walk on the Ramjhula bridge and dinner.

7th May: The day began with the Community service for the Clean Himalaya Foundation. The group with the volunteers helped in picking up the garbage along the roads in Rishikesh. After lunch the group visited Sivananda Ashram and hospital followed by a meeting with Bill and Susan. The group then enjoyed a refreshing walk along the Ganges.

8th May: The group reached the holy city of Haridwar. They visited the Chandi Devi temple through a trolley ride and also some temples in the vicinity. After lunch the group reached Chilla , a national park, where cottages were booked for their stay.

9th May: This morning the group set out for a Jungle Safari scheduled at 6A.M. They saw Deers, Peacocks, elephants,langurs and wild boars. After the Safari they had breakfast and came back to Samagra Dehradun and took the day off.

Glimpses of the Trip

Fig.1: At Vashistha's Cave

Fig. 2,3,4,5: At Brahmapuri.

Fig.6: Lunch At Choti Wala, Rishikesh.

Fig. 7,8,9: Stay and Aarti At Parmarth Niketan.

Fig. 10,11,12: Community service for the Clean Himalaya Foundation, Picking up plastic garbage from the streets.