A Farm Fiesta

On 24 March'14 twenty six students of classes VII and VIII visited a farm owned by our School near Sohna which is being planned as an eco cum sports' park for us. We were accompanied by our teachers, Ms. Deepali Gupta, Mr. Anubhav Rai, and Subedarji Shri Hariram in our excursion.

It was a wonderful and new experience for us as we stepped out of the city for a breath of fresh farm air! We arrived at School as usual in the morning and proceeded on our journey towards S which took about an hour and 15 minutes. We passed several city sights before they receded and gradually got replaced by free expanses dotted with nig and small factories. Soon farmlands began to appear and to our delight we spotted the Aravallis as they seemed to line up, as it were, on our right! Dusty in the distance but clearer as we came close. The expanse of green on our left and the rocky elevation on our right with us cutting through upon a modern road made for an impressive imagery!

Soon we turn left off the main road and proceeded on a smaller but picturesque road nicely nestled between vast clumps of extravagant bougainvillea in hybrid hues. Beyond these clumps were farmlands on either side.

We alighted at a gate and entered our destination. The spring breeze was on our faces and the air seemed exuberant. Bed by bed of neatly nestling vegetable plants lay before us. Some looked young and recently planted while several looked ready and ripe. We soon got to work.

We could see cabbages, onions, garlic, coriander leaves, small glistening brinjals etc. Fennel seeds, or 'saunf ' was also grown. All the vegetables looked firm and fresh.

We surveyed the area and picked up small kitchen garden tools in groups of 4-5. We got on our knees in plum positions where we could pick the best produce! We even unearthed robust potatoes and onions. We hardly had a care that we were steadily getting layered with the soil we were so engaged with!

We munched moolis ( radish) and carrot. as we worked. Before long the time flew and it was time to get back on the bus. Alas we longed to stay but reluctantly obeyed. Ofcourse we were delighted to carry back all that we had picked!

We reached School and excitedly shared all we'd seen and done with our teachers and friends. We were specially excited to pack our 'harvest' and our heady experience to take home!