Visit to Arunachal … A memorable Experience !
By : Mrs.Sulabhatai Kulkarni –Prof. Mr. Vivekrao Ponkshe inspired the lecturers of our Nursery
Teachers Diploma School to accept a challenge to train Nursery
teachers in Arunachal Pradesh. Our teachers accepted the same and
returned with a lifetime experience of an achievement. This is how the
story began.Below is a short report by our teachers in their own words :
So far our familiarity to Arunachal was limited to the geography and maps
which we came across during our academic days.
Some how Shri. Vivekrao Ponkshe, Honorable Secretary – Jnan Prabhodhini
Solapur has a personal attachment and passion for childhood, people and the
region of Arunachal. He and his family visit Arunachal frequently and do maintain
good contacts over there. One day he suggested to us, we should try to reach
Arunachal and spread our knowledge, experience and expertise in the field of child
education for the betterment of children’s education there. Spontaneously I could
reply and said why only to Arunachal !. We should aim to take it to every corner of
our nation.
Helping Hands :The day came true, when Shri. Vivekrao called us and assigned the task to train
the Headmasters of Nursery Schools in Arunchal . We decided to depart for
Arunachal in July and started the preparation from June itself. All the teachers of
pre primary school got involved themselves in the preparation. Daily agenda and
plan was jotted down. We started conversing with each other in Hindi on daily
basis, however, language was not a barrier but could have posed a challenge for
us. We faced some difficulties while discussions and taking down the notes. Mrs.
Meghanatai Phadake, Mrs. Aparnatai Kalyani and Smt, Saraswatitai Shrigiri came
ahead and extended their support to overcome these difficulties. Simultaneously
Nursery School Teachers exanimation results were due and we also needed to
allocate time for the same. 24 x 7 was also proving less. Considering this Mrs.
Meghanatai Phadake arranged for the snacks to be taken along with us during the
journey. Shri Prashantdada Divekar ( Head Master - Secondary School ) kept on
reviewing the progress on timely basis and gave his valuable inputs to improvise
our preparations.
Everybody contributed by one or the other means. Their heartfelt best wishes were
with us taking thru preparations to our return from Arunachal.
“ I am not alone “ . :
We could experience the feel and inspiration of the motivational song “ I am not
alone, flock of birds accompany me ” coming in reality for us. Mrs. Meghanatai
Paranjape was nominated as my collogue for the tour. Mrs. Vaishalitai More ( Head
- Pre Primary Wing ) was assigned with the charge of Nursery School Teachers
Training Section. Mrs. Chitratai Kawathekar and Mrs. Suvarnatai helped us to book
our tickets. Incidentally Mr. Kailas Kanale our Ex full timer came to know about this
project and requested us to take his wife Mrs. Shwetatai along with us to gain the
experience of this venture. ( Mrs, Shwetati is presently working with us in nursery
school ).
Long Journey :Journey started on 7th July took 12th July when we reached the destination.
Mean while we had one halt in Kolkata. We could manage to visit and see Belur
Math, exhibition and Kalimata Temple at Daxineshwar during this halt. Then
followed a overnight journey from Kolkata to Guwahati. At Guwahati Shri, Atuldada
Jog, ( Senior Volunteer RSS ) received us with warm welcome. Our arrangements
were done in Mahila Welfare Ashrama. Smt. Fulamai Didi made us conversant to
the overall activities of the Ashrama. She also managed to take us to Kamaxxi
temple during the short span of time available with us. We resumed the journey in
the night from Guwahati to Itanagar. Mr. Rameshbabu ( Minister, Organizing
Comity – Arunachal Vikas Parishad ) was personally present to receive us at
Bandardeva. Completing 2 hours journey Bandardeva to Itanagar we reached to
office of Vikas Parishad at approximately 7.30 AM.
We received very cordial treatment from Shri. Rameshbabu’s family members.
Shri. Rameshbabu is blessed with two daughters. Younger one is Ranjeeta, who is
a very affectionate and caring type of personality. She attended us every minute
and took every care to provide what we required. His elder daughter is a student of
engineering. At the same time she is taking tuitions of 8th – 9th standard. We found
his wife was also occupied and engaged in social activities. Thus we were able to
witness a family dedicated to work, high moral and living with bare minimum
requirements. We visited Thani Nursery School and spend some time to
understand their systems, curriculum, training methods and also discussed about
any other beneficial changes that would be possible.
Road to Joy :We continued our journey from Itanagar to Zero. We were tired a bit due to
hectic journey but the beautiful nature, greenery, mountains, small but lively
waterfalls boosted us to forget our strain. For a moment we felt heaven has come
down to earth. Swetatai was engaged in taking numerous photographs. We were
listening to national devotional songs and enjoying nature simultaneously. We
reached Zero in an excellent and cheerful state of mind to make our endeavor
resulting in ultimate success.
Zero is a place which you can define it with the word none other than paradise.
Nature has bestowed every thing to make this place beautiful. Village is situated in
centre surrounded by green mountains and the covered with a calm deep blue sky
cooling your eyes. A cold breeze of wind keeps on touching gently delighting your
mind. This environment made our training sessions effective and result oriented.
Seminar Schedule and Execution :A common session was planned for Pre Primary, Primary and Secondary batch
on daily basis. Where we considered and focused mainly on work values of
teachers, development phases of students of pre primary, primary and secondary
age group and the progress mapping on psychological and social front. Importance
of necessity of variation in teaching methods etc. was also discussed. Need based
demonstrations were also made part of these sessions.
Training to participants of Pre primary care taker module was completely based
on demonstration. Intense participation was visible. They expressed their
confidence on the methods we thought to them. They felt the children would learn
more easily if they follow our system of reading and writing.
During the interaction in various sessions like handicrafts, games etc. we could
notice and got attracted towards their simplicity. Everybody was participating in the
pre preparation for handicraft training. Lady teachers used to be with us even in late
night, preparing various educational aids. They liked to sing the songs of devotion
towards the nation. Every body remembered the songs and had sweet voice. We
only could correlate this to the gift from the beautiful nature and God. After
concluding session, women of Arunachal Vikas Parishad invited us to participate in
their traditional dance. We managed few steps with them. This exchange of
knowledge and art helped Jnana Prabodhini and Arunachal Vikas Parishad to come
closer. We can say formation and strengthening of a bond of love and respect
between Prabhodhini and Vikas Parishad was one of the outcome of this project.
Other Interactions :We met many Government Officials during this tour. District Collector Mrs. Neela
Mohanan and Commissioner of Police Mr. Pushpendrakumar Mishra were present
on the occasion of inauguration ceremony of our seminar. We had an opportunity to
meet and conversing to them. We gave the introduction and presentation on
various educational and creative activities undertaken by Prabhodhini for proper
upbringing of students. We also briefed on importance of child education. Both the
officials captured the same link and expressed their views and shared their
memories in respect of contribution of teachers in building their personality. Mr.
Rameshbabu spoke about the Vikas Parishad and its efforts for bringing in social
reforms. Vice Principal Mr. Mihin Kane explained the importance of Teachers
Education and the difference of this seminar.
Bond of Love and Affection :When we visited Vivekanand Kendra we met shri. Anand Mohan Mishra ( Chief
Faculty Member ) and his wife. We were able to participate in the evening prayer in
a steady but cheerful environment. We could have a word with the teachers and
students. Mr. Ankush Desai - who is basically from Kolhapur and working as a
Gosha Teacher shared his experiences with us. We also met Shri. Sandeepji
Kavishwar who is from Vidharbha and now engaged in the Vikas Parishad activities
in Arunachal. We also visited to houses of women volunteers of Vikas Parishad. All
of them were present and participated the morning prayer organized to give us
farewell for our return journey. We started our return journey from Zero. We met
director of industries in Itanagar Mr. Leki Phuntsok. He is known by the name
Dipakji in Maharashtra. He is very calm and simple person. He was with Shri.
Sudhirji Phadake ( Babuji ) during his young age and was as like as a son to Babuji.
He gave the credit for his present identity to Shri.Babuji. In Thane we had our last
stop at the residence of daughter’s house of Mrs. Meghanatai Phadke.
We got the refresher by Marathi feel and food and returned to Solapur in different
joy of achievement and satisfaction.
For us visit to Arunachal was a unique experience and unforgettable moments of
our life.
