Field Report
On the drizzly morning of 5 February 2014, 155 students of class II visited Gandhi Smriti along with their class teachers. At the outset, the class teachers oriented the children about the life and times of the Father of the Nation.
A beautifully kept and tranquil site, awaited us. It immediately struck us as an opportune venue to imbibe the values of Bapu, chiefly, the timeless value named humanity! The grounds were spotlessly clean and the directions were detailed. Young group of men and women wearing khadi, lead us around. Gandhi Smriti, also known as Birla House, where Gandhiji spent his last 144 days and now a museum, is comprehensive and contains Gandhijis prized possessions.
[gallery columns="2"]Despite their years, the children displayed enquiry and animatedly chatted with the volunteers and their teachers about what they saw. At the memorial there is an interesting set of paintings and sketches made by children as homage to Bapu's vision. The children quickly identified with these.
The story of Gandhiji's assassination was told in a movie. Expectedly, several how's and why's filled our conversation with them afterwards!
On display were some of Bapu's belongings and inspirational quotes that our children were shown. The museum seemed to fascinate the children even a mural named, unity of tree depicted by a group of people holding hands, which would light up a pole- if any one broke the connection, the lights would go out!
Vaishnav janato played softly through the corridors as if to beckon back the values close to Bapu's heart, especially valuable amidst the challenges of the modern world.
Compiled by Ms. Supriya Saxena.
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