In a similar search, I recently went to Northern Ireland to explore all shoot locations of the Games of Thrones series.
[caption id="attachment_73212" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
"I am not going to stop the wheel, I am going to break the wheel" - Daenerys Targrayen. She inspires so many women, the strongest character across all seasons - This castle was used to shoot a few scenes with her dragons.[/caption]
And I looked at it as a metaphor for how women in my age group are inspired by idea of unconventional adventurous trips and challenging stereotypes. I travelled for hours to photograph a castle which appeared on screen for 60 seconds, because that one photograph will have 10 interesting travel stories connected to it and that is what I crave.
Game of Thrones has multiple plots that keep its fans engaged. A large part of the show is simultaneously shot across Northern Ireland – Belfast, Spain, Croatia, Iceland and Morocco.
Just like the show, the twists and turns of this journey locked me in. I was intrigued by the effort that must have gone behind scouting for locations and pre-production planning. With narrow streets, unpredictable climate, dark alleys and a large number of tourists, it was clear that most of the locations I visited must have been difficult for the crew because to shoot at. I was lucky to meet someone who manages the official show permissions. “This is the only show which is shot with two units simultaneously for 120 days each. If one of the spokes in the wheel is missing, it will collapse. The show demands so much of each one’s personal endurance,” he said.
As a creative person, this journey led to a very complex yet fulfilling experience. It was crash course on how we need to constantly create things and excite our souls. It made me realise that we live once, why not live out loud and was symbolic of my freedom as a human being. This trip belongs to a 30ish woman who still has the courage to live for herself and be completely unapologetic. Next year I am going to visit Spain and Croatia and complete the GoT triangle
Here is a glimpse of Ireland. These images have been clicked using minimum camera equipment – dodging strong winds and extreme weather conditions. The locations include cliffs, steep mountains, forests, castles, etc. appearing in various episodes spread across all seasons.
"We don't get to choose whom we love" - Jamie Lannister
[caption id="attachment_73211" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
This is on the way to Belfast, spread across acres of land.[/caption]
"Fear cuts deeper than swords" - Arya Stark
[caption id="attachment_73210" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
These are Cliffs of Moher, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. The cliffs form the background of a many frames and fight sequences[/caption]
"Words are wind" - Brienne Of Earth
[caption id="attachment_73209" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
This is what Belfast looks like with no cold showers, snow and unpredictable winds. These locations are used to shoot the North.[/caption]
"I am the sword in the darkness, I am the watcher on the wall" - Jon Snow
[caption id="attachment_73208" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
This quote is symbolic of tough times -- everything dark is related to winters in the series. It is one of the most popular quotes across all seasons.[/caption]
"I am wolf and I will not be scared" - Arya Stark
[caption id="attachment_73207" align="aligncenter" width="666"]
Getting to this cliffs is extremely tough; explore at your own risk.[/caption]
"I will do what queens do, I will rule" - Daenerys Targaryen
[caption id="attachment_73206" align="aligncenter" width="666"]
Take a tour inside the castle and explore the dark pathways to get a feel of the era.[/caption]
"The only key to survival is your sword. Handsome armour. Not a scratch on it" - Ned Stark
[caption id="attachment_73204" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
These locations give so much character to each protagonist. They influence their screen personality and behaviour.[/caption]
“When you play a game of thrones - you win or die” - Cersei Lannister
[caption id="attachment_73203" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
Old castles are very interestingly included in the Game Of Thrones narrative - A door that leads to so many secrets. This location is situated five hours away from Dublin towards Belfast.[/caption]
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!
About the author: Pooja Kochar is the founder of 30ish (Blog) and PhotoblogHER (Photoblog). She combines art and activism to challenge stereotypes and talk/blog about issues related to women empowerment. A woman should be applauded not for the way she looks but for the way she thinks, loves, believes, stands strong and challenges life, this is what truly defines my vision as a blogger. Know more about Pooja at www.poojakochar.com. Find more pictures from her trip here.
He made a good start by collaborating with the government. Initially, Paliwal faced hurdles in the implementation of this plan. But the Piplantri village panchayat had received many awards for the execution of various government schemes and this motivated the villagers to try out this idea too.
To celebrate the birth of a girl child, 111 trees are planted by her parents, grandparents and relatives. The village panchayat takes care of these plants so that the efforts of the relatives do not go waste. Women self-help groups, elderly ladies, grandmothers, aunts etc. take care of its maintenance from time to time. This invaluable work is being done under the Kiran Nidhi Yojna, adopted by Paliwal.
Paliwal also made use of the Panchayat at your doorstep programmes to tour the villages and speak to women on empowerment. He got the women self-help groups and Bhamashahs to consider this scheme as unique from the perspective of the safety of girls. As the idea took off, the villagers realised that there was no need to worry about dowry because the trees they plant when a girl child is born will take care of her expenses in the future. (The Bhamashah scheme was started with the objective of bringing financial inclusion and empowerment of women. It is a family-based programme in which a bank account and a Bhamashah card are made in the name of the lady of the house. This empowers her to become the decision-maker in the family.)
Planting trees is just one part of Paliwal’s plan to empower girls and women in his village. At the time of the birth of a girl child, Rs 10,000 from the girl’s parents and Rs 31,000 from donors and Bhamashahs are collected and put in a fixed deposit (FD) account. The village panchayat keeps an account of this and on completion of the term, the FD is revised. The panchayat registers the information of the birth of the girl with the registrar. Along with this, all official formalities are completed for the Janani Suraksha Scheme and other beneficial government bond schemes.
There is also a letter of oath, known as the Kiran Nidhi Scheme, started by social worker Anna Hazare which Paliwal adopted in his village. Paliwal made many inclusions to the scheme to reflect the changing needs of the times and to ensure the comprehensive development of the girl child, not just at school, but at home as well.
The idea of celebrating the birth of a girl child by planting trees is what makes this scheme truly revolutionary. If you travel to Piplantri or any other part of the Rajsamand district, you would notice that there is very little land available for agriculture. This is mainly because of the handicraft industry in cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and others that deforestation has taken place after independence. Moreover, Rajsamand’s major white marble mines are located in the surrounding villages of Piplantri like Morwar, Umthi, Gogleta, Aarna, and others. Local representatives had destroyed the forest cover for mines, which has contributed to the drinking water problem. With more vehicles entering the villages, it has not only affected the environment but also the health of the villagers resulting in many ailments, loss in farming and poor wages that forced the youth to migrate to more promising lands, leaving the elderly, women and children behind.
Rajsamand, situated 67 km north of Udaipur and 350 km south of Jaipur, is a famous tourist destination known for its religious places, historical monuments and industrial regions. With Piplantri panchayat earning a name for itself through environment-friendly initiatives, it is bound to attract tourists with its herbal medicine park, watershed model, gram-swaraj, alcohol-free status, nirmal-gram, and more.
(Written by Moinuddin Chishty)
This has left its highly skilled Dokhra metal artisans below the poverty line as they are unable to produce enough of their craft. At present, the craftsmen can work only during daytime and do not have access to polishing machinery, which forces them to sell their craft at significantly lower margins. By electrifying the village, Happy Light Project will empower the villagers to transform their lives.
They have also partnered with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India's leading sustainable development think tank, who are providing solar technology assistance. Together, they will set up a solar micro-grid, 54 house lights, three street lights, and will also provide a polishing machine to the villagers.
The project will empower the villagers to earn more as they will be able to work longer, produce more and sell higher margin polished products. It will also improve the studying conditions of their children and will reduce the villagers’ dependency and expenditure on kerosene, thereby providing a smoke free and healthier environment. The initiative will also spur a reverse migration process as the youth of Gotiguda, who had previously migrated to other states to work as labourers, will return to Gotiguda because their village will have more opportunities to offer.
Also, the purpose of the project will become self-defeating if the villagers need to depend on external help for minor maintenance. To address these issues, Happy Light Project will set up an electrification committee comprising some of the villagers. The committee members will collect a small weekly charge for plant maintenance from each village household. The charge will not be a burden as it will be less or equal to what was being spent on kerosene. The committee members will be trained to handle minor grid operations, general maintenance and peripheral repairs. For slightly bigger issues, electricians from a neighbouring town are being specially trained. For even bigger issues, Mahashakti Foundation will be available with their onsite support team.
The Gotiguda project is expected to be completed by end-December 2016, provided it doesn’t run short on its expected funding.
Happy Light Project has launched a 
Parul Sharma, a member of the campaign said that the team plans to voice its concern with the government authority about the upcoming Airtel Delhi Half Marathon scheduled for November 20, where thousands of marathon runners will be at risk.
(Written by Aminah Sheikh)
I had no money but I was not to be deterred. I set off on my bicycle for a journey that took me from Rohtang Pass near Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Vivekanand Rock Memorial at the southernmost point of India.
Alone, without money or a sponsor, I sold my cell phone to arrange equipment for this tour. Finding food and shelter in gurudwaras and temples during the trip, I conquered the goal I had set for myself and lived a dream that I chased all alone.
Pedalling from Manali to Kanyakumari in less than a month and then sitting on the last rock in India, touching the seagreen waters of the India Ocean, I encountered the good, the bad, and the beautiful of India.
Self-inspired as I was, I again decided to venture on my next cycling expedition. Travelling through Ladakh on a saddle and two pedals, I lived this dream too with the same fervour.
By the time the trip was over I knew I wanted to explore the world. I had learnt a lot about India from the roads I had travelled but was thirsty for more adventures.
I had always dreamt of being a chef. I had grown up devouring food shows on TV and always wanted to visit the Middle East. But, sadly, that was out of the question as it meant having to cycle through Pakistan and Afghanistan. Not only was this dangerous, my parents would have scuttled my plans even before I took off. I then decided to plan my ride to South East Asia instead, via the great Himalayas. That would kill two birds with one stone - not only would the ride take me through some of the most amazing places on Earth but I would also able to immerse myself in culinary adventures far removed from the Rajasthani food I was accustomed to.
My endeavour has already begun. I will be pedalling through nine countries of South East Asia – India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. My plan is to not just witness some breathtaking landscapes and scenery but to indulge in and learn about the famous foods and traditional tastes of every region on my route. I can't think of any better way to make my dream come true – I will be gratifying my soul by traversing through spectacular landscapes and also my taste buds by indulging in delicious foods.
It was hard to explain my decision to my parents to take a break before I joined college and ride on a bicycle for a year. It took me five months to satisfy their queries and convince them that my journey would be a learning process, so essential for a young man on the cusp of adulthood.
But now, after having planned my dream ride to the last detail, I hit another pothole: where would the money come from? I started to look for sponsors. I met many people from different companies for help. I used to hitchhike as I did not have enough money to buy tickets. And most of the time I thought people would loosen their purse strings to support a noble venture but, alas, I was politely declined. I would make my way back home with disappointment written all over my face.
Somehow, goodwill worked and I got some sponsors for my trip – but no cash. I decided to set out anyway and see how I could manage and make my way on the road. Next morning, I had a lovely breakfast prepared by mom with lots of love and blessings for my continental adventure. After all, how many kids are crazy enough to venture on a bicycle to unknown lands? Here I was, taking off into the wild blue yonder with an undefined destination or time. There was only a vague plan to see the world and learn to cook Nom hua chuoi or the banana-flower salad in Vietnam.
It helped me when some friends decided to ride along for the whole day; their camaraderie and good wishes gave me the strength to reach Delhi where I was surprised to see a big welcome planned for me. There were around 100 pedal pushers from the cycling community, who had assembled to cheer me on. There, my jersey pocket became unexpectedly heavy – someone had slipped in an envelope containing Rs 3,000 with a note that simply read: 'Happy Journey!' My eyes were filled with tears; I couldn’t even thank the well-wisher who dropped it in my pocket as I did not know who he/she was.
The next day I crossed Ambala, deciding to leave the highway and taking the back roads. The ride was more interesting than I expected. A lady stopped me and asked me to spend some time with her family – she was the wife of a mukhiya of a village. I was lucky to witness a gram panchayat meeting and taste some local delicacies she had prepared for me. On my way to Kullu, I met with an accident and lost the only jacket I was carrying with me. I reached Manali and called a friend to ask him to loan me his winter wear as I did not have enough money to buy a new jacket. I stayed at a backpackers’ hostel in a small village called Jagatshukh, where I met people from different countries. We all stayed up late to watch the starry night and have some fun. My breakfast was not what I was used to having back at home. But I relished some fresh apples from the trees nearby. I trekked to a waterfall and visited a village to learn how to cook some local dishes. Soon after, I left for the Spiti valley – an amazing part of the world!
I went on to Nepal and finished exploring that country too. Next, I left for Kolkata to arrange for a visa and permits for Myanmar. This will take time since I am short of funds. In the meantime, I have left my bike behind in Kolkata and am currently walking and hitchhiking in South India to learn more about the cuisine here.
If you would like to help Mohit achieve his dream, you can contribute to his trip here: 
We have a no-TV rule at home on weekdays (I know, right?) So, after school, aside from my music, dance, and sports classes, and after playing with my friends, I read many books and write whenever I get some ideas. Writing a story is like exploring a dense jungle, climbing a mountain, or swimming across an ocean. You never know when you will reach the other side. You get so many ideas when you sit down to write. Your imagination runs wild and you can’t seem to catch it. It throws a hundred light bulbs at you, but you have to find the one that fits just right. It’s exciting to see it all come to life on paper and play before your eyes. My real life experiences, travels and the values I’ve been taught, trigger my imagination with the flow of my stories.
It's been an incredible adventure living in the world of stories and this is my first attempt to create that magic through 9 Chocolatey Bites. My book brings out the humour in each situation and can make readers laugh out loud. It consists of nine short stories that have wonderful positive messages and have been illustrated by me. Most of the stories are connected to real life experiences. That way it makes it easier for readers to be able to connect and appreciate the stories.
It took me around two months to work with publishers, edit, format, etc. The publishing process was really fun. It was exciting to wait for the end result.
She was very warm and kind and asked me to never stop reading and writing. I sure hope to follow that advice.
You can purchase the book 
He started this journey with the construction of a farmhouse on his family’s land – a house that is now known as Arulville and is considered to be a model for sustainable architecture.
Indigenous architecture is based on local needs and availability of construction materials. It reflects the local traditions and is about the beauty and benefits of native architecture. The technique involves minimal use of cement, steel, paint, etc. The use of electricity for cooling is also minimised.
The 61-year-old was inspired to take up this form of construction by Dr. Satyaprakash Varanasi, a former professor of architecture living in Bengaluru, who has been promoting eco-friendly, cost-effective architecture for years now. He wrote to Dr. Varanasi, requesting his help in building his dream house; Dr. Varanasi then introduced him to Dharmeshbhai Jadeja, an architect from Auroville.
Today, Arulville serves as a ‘model house’, an eco-tourism destination, and as an inspiration for many students and teachers of architecture. The construction has been documented by several architecture students. It also serves as a mini exhibition of sorts for the demonstration of the various materials and techniques used in indigenous architecture.
“Arulville brought me a lot of appreciation and encouragement. Many have visited us here. Some had the fortune to stay and enjoy the environment it is enveloped in,” says Anthony.
This is when he quit his job as the Executive Director of Shriram Group and set up the Centre For Indigenous Architecture (CFIA).
CFIA takes up one project at a time. This helps Anthony’s team members fully immerse themselves in every aspect of design and construction. Anthony’s second project, right after the farmhouse, was a centre called Vedapatashala where Vedic scholars teach and discuss Vedic practices.
Some of the traditional cooling techniques employed in tropical climatic zones include Madras terrace, rammed earth walls, sloped clay tiled roofs, etc. Such constructions are highly resistant to radiation and help in conduction of heat to bring thermal comfort to the occupants despite the heat and humidity. Additionally, most of these buildings have verandahs as buffer spaces that protect the external walls from direct sunlight. Shading the external walls up to 50% from the sun is necessary for those living in hot and humid climates.
Anthony says the discovery of this construction method was an inward journey for him. “I did not travel much for research except for a few visits to Auroville. Coming from Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu, I had seen traditional style dwellings when I was young. I had also seen many such houses in Kerala, erstwhile Bombay, and Bangalore. This is why I refer to it as the ‘grandfather’s house architecture’. My work is my tribute to the innate wisdom and practicality of our ancestors. It is a salute to their practice of building climate-responsive habitats over the centuries.”
“Strangely, I have never felt any fear. Not when I invested the family’s hard-earned savings in a crazy project like Arulville. Not by the fact that I am not a trained architect. In fact, this career after my voluntary retirement is a dream come true. The joy of designing for the specific needs of each client is only matched by the wonder and appreciation you see in their eyes at every stage of construction,” he says.
In the future, Anthony wants to empower young architects through the Centre For Indigenous Architecture, to study and collaborate with other architects on architectural projects, and to research different techniques and materials. His motto? "Leave the place better than you found it’,” concludes Anthony.
(Written by Rajasekar KS)
You can contact Anthony by writing to him at 
Given the love, the laughter and the music, you almost forgot that the Namma Pride march, which found hundreds of Bangaloreans take to the streets over the weekend, was about fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ community in India.You almost forgot that we still live in a society that has not accepted (let alone embraced) homosexuality. You almost forgot that there are still millions of homosexual and transgender people living in the closet due to fear of outright rejection and even violence from loved ones. You almost forgot that the Indian government in 2016 noticeably abstained from voting on a UNHRC resolution, which called for the institution of an office with an LGBTQ Independent Expert to prevent crimes against the community.
The march was about celebrating inclusion. It was about celebrating human beings of all genders and all sexual orientations and it was also about standing up to prejudice and bias. What better way to do it than with music and dance? It was an explosion of colours with several women carrying pride flags and many men looking resplendent in sarees. There was a lot of hugging; a lot of selfies were taken; and there was a lot of love. There was unconditional acceptance. It felt safe.
Growing up, I was no stranger to homophobia given that I was homophobic myself. A friend once told me that I needed to stop watching or talking about football because people might think I was a lesbian. At that time, I was genuinely scared that someone would think I was gay. I was so repulsed by the idea that I would slip into any conversation regarding football that I liked men (not so casually mentioning a crush on a random male football player used to be my not-so-smooth move). I am ashamed to admit now that it took me a long time to recognize my own bigoted and harmful ideas, and I could finally start my work on setting them straight (pun intended).
But how do you fight deep seated prejudice in a society where the fear of the “other” has been woven into its very fabric of existence? What happens when the task ahead is fraught with challenges, some so big that you fear that they might feel insurmountable? What happens when you are no longer sure if love trumps hate?
Last weekend, hundreds of Bangaloreans marched together schooling the rest of us in the importance of hope. Hope that one day everyone regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or race, gets to be honest about their own selves without fear of persecution or prejudice. Hope that world will come to embrace that love is love and people are people.
There was a moment during the march when everyone spontaneously burst out singing, Hum Honge Kamyab. One of the men marching ahead of my friend and I, turned around and asked us what the song was about. Apparently, he had somehow reached adulthood without having ever listened to the one song that has haunted every Independence Day celebration in Indian schools for decades now. Taken aback at first, my friend smiled and translated the first verse for him – we shall overcome.
That’s it. Right there is the message.
We shall overcome.
(Written by Aishwariya Subramanian)
Soon after popping the last set of pills in May 2016, I signed up for one of the most challenging treks in India – to the Stok Kangri Summit located at 20,000 ft. It is one of India’s highest non-technical treks (meaning no climbing equipment is needed) with a challenging path to the top. I chose this to be my next step forward as a way to fight depression, to mock TB, and to attempt the impossible.
My decision was greeted with a combination of discouragement and concern. People told me that many have been severely affected due to mountain sickness on this path, while others have had to give up due to lack of fitness. Why would a boy with two half lungs attempt this? Was he crazy? Just a handful of people supported my insanity.
This was no ordinary trek in the local mountains. This was at 20,000 feet where the oxygen level is 40% lesser, the air is thin, and the weather isn’t always your friend. The days are hot and the nights are freezing. There are no washrooms, beds, or water purifiers and there is limited food. Moreover, one has to climb with a bag-pack weighing 10 kg.
The preparation phase was tough. I suffered from a severe headache and dizziness the day I reached Leh. Fortunately, I had my brother who has been my strongest support all this while. We trained by climbing steps of the stupas and old palaces, slopes, and little mountains.
I was also fortunate to have a good trekking group with me. But the number of people in the group decreased as the days passed by. Finally, it was the summit day – perhaps one of the most challenging hours I have ever faced. We started at 9pm and got hit by a snowstorm at 3am midway on a 60-70 degree steep slope. Many returned while some stern heads like us waited for the experts to make a decision.
We decided to move forward and reached the summit at 9am. How did I feel? I wept. There is no feeling better than being able to breathe at that altitude and achieve the impossible. I owe my life to my mother, family, doctors, friends, and mentors.
For once I knew that I was absorbing and feeling the atmosphere and landscape more than anyone. I had tasted inspiration and the power it held. If I could do it, anyone could do it. There are so many others who need to believe they can overthrow their circumstances and not just survive but live the way they want to live.
One of my mentors, Chapal Mehra, taught me how I can and should reach out to people and amplify my learnings to help others affected by TB. We started an initiative called Survivors against TB, which is led by TB survivors like me. Our objective is to identify the issues faced by TB patients and help solve them. We recently wrote to the Prime Minister and the Health Minister with suggestions to achieve a patient-centric, stigma-free system of TB care.
Our hope is to speak up for those forced into silence because of TB -- those like us who stare death in the face. We hope the world listens because we are not going to give up.
(By Saurabh Rane)
The appointment is on the dot. Swift, brisk, and even polite as the lady tries with all her might to sweetly smile at my loud, agitated, 15-month-old baby.
"Hmm…including the self-addressed envelope, that will be £64," she says.
I hand out my carefully calculated cash, which is £55. I rummage in my bag and take out another £7, silently cursing myself for not taking into account the postal fare. "Errrr....I am short of £2, let me just whiz out to the ATM," I tell the lady. By now, my inner calm is slowly unravelling.
"Ma'am, we close in 15-minutes. You'll have to hurry up and the nearest machine is a seven-minute walk," she offers, almost apologetically.
I lug the kids and everything else back outside and ask the two embassy officials who are standing outside if there is another teller machine close by. "Why, ma'am, haven't you been able to pay?" they ask.
I tell them I just have to return a couple of pounds to a kind gentleman inside.
"And you want to go all the way just to do that! Here, take this if you have to pay him back," they say, offering me a couple of coins.
There is some kind of peaceful protest happening outside the embassy, with close to a hundred people from a religious group. There are plenty of cops around. It’s raining.
Amidst heavy winds, biting cold, and cranky kids...I begin to think, ‘No, I can't borrow again!’ and start walking in the direction of the ATM. Suddenly the gentlemen loudly and almost demandingly call me back, and then kindly advise me not take the trouble. "Please ma'am. It's only £2, paisa toh aata-jaata rahega. Here take these coins, pay the other guy. You don't worry about returning it back to us now!"
I keep walking and reach the Waterloo Bridge. The baby has finally fallen asleep in the pram; my five-year-old is excitedly watching the Thames and the city skyline. I turn back and I see the silhouette of India House. I am filled with pride, happiness and a lot of gratitude. Unknown people reaching out with kindness – they asked me not to bother paying them back, but I do know I have to pay it forward.
(Written by Anju Narayanan)
In January 2015, seven undergraduate students of IISER started working on a project with the aim of providing quality education to underprivileged children living in and around their college campus and in the nearby villages. Today, the project has turned into an on-going effort called Ek Pahal, under which college students teach children on a regular basis. The students conduct classes using modern tools and infrastructure available at IISER.
Started by Shubham Chaudhry, Prithvi Raj, Preethi Thomas, Abhinash Kumar, Sai Madhav, Rohit Bhagawat, and Jayshree Deheria, Ek Pahal is a team of over 100 volunteers now. The seeds of this idea were sown about two years back when the founders decided to celebrate Diwali with people living near the IISER campus. They distributed sweets and lit candles in the neighborhood and it was here that they came across numerous children. A brief survey of the area revealed that most of these children were not going to schools because they could not afford to pay the fees, or because they couldn’t understand what was being taught.
Ek Pehal has adopted a mechanism to educate children in a structured manner. Students between the ages of 10-18 years (Class 5-12) are welcome to join. First they sit for comprehensive Maths and English exams, after which they are sorted into courses depending on their marks. The courses include basics, intermediate, and advanced. The students are also divided into Bengali and Hindi medium batches. Volunteers conduct classes from Tuesday to Thursday for the Bengali medium batch and Friday to Sunday for Hindi medium batch. There is a game night every Monday for all kids to engage in games, dance, puzzles, origami, painting sessions, experiment demonstrations, computer workshops, etc.
From teaching the wonders of Vedic mathematics and ancient history, to organising science games and experiment sessions, the students do it all. Kids participate in fun learning games and are also taught about the importance of sports for self-development. They get a chance to utilise the smart classroom facilities of the college. Other than the general subjects taught at school, they are also taught astronomy and geological sciences. These are aside form classes on personality-development and communication skills.
Lessons taught by IISER scientists and researchers make the project one-of-its-kind and this helps. Currently, Ek Pahal has around 250 registered students. One of them is a girl who was unable to clear her Class 10 board exams for two consecutive years due to her medical condition and financial troubles. She joined Ek Pahal last year and has finally cleared her exams. She has regained her confidence and wants to continue studying.
They are also working on making communities aware of the need for education to fight poverty, for the economic growth of families, and to unleash the full potential children. Positive efforts like these coming from each and every citizen of the nation can indeed lead to a beautiful world tomorrow.
(Written by Abhilash Borah)
To know more about Ek Pahal, write to Abhilash at 