Summer excursion to McLeod Ganj

63 students of classes VIII to XI arrived at School around 8 pm on 23rd May 2016 to set off on a trip to McLeodGanj in Himachal Pradesh. We were accompanied on the trip by our teachers Ms. Alka Kanwar, Ms. Deepali Gupta, Ms. Mithu Ghosh, Ma. Sunita Singh, Ms. Gandharvi Mukherji and Ms. Sahodara Pawaiya. Three coordinators from Explorers, the agency that organised our trip also escorted us.

McLoed Ganj is also known as Little Lhasa, or Dharamshala, because of its large population of Tibetans. The Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered in McLeod Ganj. In March 1959, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled to India after the failed uprising in 1959 in Tibet against the Communist Party of China. The Indian Government offered him refuge in Dharamshala, where he set up the Government of Tibet in exile in 1960, while McLeod Ganj became his official residence and home to several Buddhist monasteries and thousands of Tibetan refugees. Over the years, McLeod Ganj has evolved into an important tourist and pilgrimage destination, and has since substantially grown.

On the first day, 24th June, we arrived at our hotel which was in the midst of a crowded market. After getting dressed, we went down for breakfast where we were introduced to the Uleap thought for the day, a quote by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, Be kind whenever possible. Soon after breakfast, we left the hotel to visit the Dalai Lama temple, where we were told the history and difficulties faced by His Holiness and other Tibetan monks. After this, we visited The Common Ground, a popular cafe where you not only get to eat the most delicious momos but also learn how to make them! Without a doubt, it was an enjoyable experience!

At the end of the day, we had a Uleap Session. These interactive sessions were conducted by our tour guides each day. They made us chant the Words of the Day to make us get a feel of the place.

On the 25th, we started our day with a healthy breakfast and then left for the Tibetan Children Village where we were welcomed by the director. We took a tour of the place including the childrens rooms and classrooms. We met their foster mothers and got to see how the children lived whilst in exile away from their motherland. We spent a lot of time with these children and this was by far the best part of the trip. It was heartening to see these young ones smiling in spite of the separation they had experienced from their loved ones so early in life.

After the visit, we set off on a trek to the Bahl village. On the way, we participated in the Clean Upper Dharmashala Campaign. The campaign involved clearing the trekking route of plastics, glasses and other non-biodegradable items strewn around by passers- by. We completed the trek in two hours, after which, we were rewarded with hot, steaming bowls of Maggi by the side of a lake!

Our next stop was the Norbulingka Institute, an institute which aims to preserve and protect Tibetan art and culture. We spent an hour here viewing some interesting artefacts and soon returned to the hotel, where we had another Uleap session. Later, we sat down to eat a traditional Dham dinner. Eating on leaves with our hands made the whole experience even more special!

Finally, on the last day, we started our day with breakfast and with a brief discussion on the Uleap thought of the day. After breakfast, everybody gathered in the common area for a workshop, where we learnt how to craft beautiful journals and baskets wholly out of waste. The session was fun. Then we were taken for Tibetan lunch at The Common Ground Cafe once again, where foreign delicacies were served. We also viewed a paper recycling factory here where we were shown how paper is recycled Several of us had a go at it too! Towards the end, we were given a few hours to shop for souvenirs for home. Following this, we boarded the bus to depart for Delhi. Though we felt a trifle sad to leave such a lovely place, it was soon overcome by the fun we had on the bus. On the way, we stopped at Ropar Haveli for dinner and had a sumptuous meal there, after which we resumed our journey to reach School the next day at 5.44 am. Ms. Alka Kanwar.