Report on the Study Tour to Orchha & Gwalior
Dec. 07 – 09 2007
…. S. Balakrishnan
Intro: As part of the 2-week 45th Refresher Course for PAs, ISTM, New Delhi, organized a 3-day Study Tour to Orchha & Gwalior in M.P. from Dec, 07 to 09 2007. All the participants, except two, joined the study tour, conducted by Mr. AJK Menon, Asst. Director & Course Coordinator.
Objectives: I could realize the objectives of the tour, about which I was quite apprehensive at the beginning, as the tour progressed from day 1 to 2, to 3 and as we landed back finally at ISTM. They were, as I could visualize, – 1. to improve inter-personal relationship among the participants, 2. coordination/cooperation among the participants, 3. to gain knowledge about the socio-economic conditions and progress of our nation, 4. working of NGOs and 5. functioning of national-level institutions.
Working of NGOs: A visit to Technical Aid for Rural Advancement (TARA), an NGO working in Orchha, was our first programme on the first day of our study trip on 07/12/07 (Friday). This NGO has set up a unit where waste wood is converted into pulp to generate power; also, waste cotton from the far off Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu), the hosiery town, is converted into various handmade paper products, using non-toxic and natural vegetable dyes. These products are not only eco-friendly but also longer lasting. Such a venture has provided the rural people of this dry region (someone commented it had not rained there during the last four years) permanent alternative jobs with steady income, without solely depending on the unreliable and seasonal agriculture/farming jobs alone.
Other site seeing at Orchha:
* White water rafting in Betwa & Jamni rivers was a refreshing experience. It taught us coordination/cooperation among the rowers as well as to obey the commands (of the head boatman) to attain our goal.
* We worshipped at the Ram Temple, whose rule is still supreme in that town. Guard of Honour is given only to Lord Ram and none else, not even to President!
* The trip to the Orchha palace on the second day (Saturday, 08/12/07) gave a glimpse of the rich architectural heritage of Bundhelkhand Rulers. It was a mixture of Hindu (Rajput) and Muslim/Persian styles of architecture and interior designs/patterns.
* Shopping: Orchha is a rich source for antique/curio shopping and I could not resist indulging in some, with my money purse becoming thinner and thinner.
Rani Lakshmibhai National Institute of Physical Education (NIPE): After winding our trip in Orchha, we visited NIPE, Gwalior, in the afternoon of the second day of our tour. A top institute to train physical educators, it has all facilities for providing overall training in various sports, games (both indoor and outdoor), track events, gymnasium, martial arts like judo, body-building, swimming, etc. It has to be pointed out that the facilities are of the highest standard also. The fee for these fully residential courses is highly subsidized by the Union Government, which shows the importance the Government attaches to developing physical education in the country. It has courses at Diploma, UG, PG, M. Phil levels.
* To conclude the second day’s programme, we enjoyed the Sound-&-Light show organized at the Gwalior Fort, describing the history of the fort and its rulers.
Other site seeing at Gwalior:
* Sunday began with an appropriate visit to Sun Temple in Gwalior (Vivasan Mandir). It is said to be a replica of the world famous Sun Temple of Konark in Orissa, which I felt was not at all true. The Konark Temple cannot be replicated; because, even in ruins it is a master piece, more beautiful than Taj Mahal itself!
* We paid homage at the tomb of Tansen, one of the Nine Gems of Akbar’s court. Musician Tansen was buried in Gwalior, his native district, adjacent to his Muslim guru’s tomb. The annual Tansen Samroah was being organized there.
* A trip within the Jaivilas Palace of the Scindia royal family gave us an idea of the rich life style of our ex-rulers. The most striking piece was the massive chandeliers in the gold-plated assembly hall and artifacts from China.
* The last item in our schedule was a visit to the Gwalior Fort atop a hill, the Saas-Bahu temples and Guru Hargobind Saheb Gurudwara. Though in a hurry to catch the train back to Delhi, the guide took us around the important places within the fort. The intricate stone works, ventilation/lighting even in the underground chambers, decorations, etc. of the Maan Singh Palace attracted us very much.
Experience: The study trip offered some unique first-time experiences to me, like white water rafting, visit to a Gurudwara, etc. I felt proud to roam in the land of the brave Lakshmibhai, Jhansi ki Rani, who fought against the British and sowed the seed for our independence. It gave a close-up view of the working of an NGO and a national-level educational institution. My desire to travel by Shatabdhi Express also got fulfilled (both ways!). The tourism potential of the area was unbelievable. Like the squirrel that played its small role in building of the Ram Sethu, I carried out my minor role in the smooth conduct of the trip.
Conclusion: Our sincere thanks to ISTM for planning such a wonderful trip as part of the course, to Mr. Menon, for the flawless execution, to MP Tourism for the excellent planning of the visits, transport, and board & lodge both at Orchha and Gwalior. Last but not the least (to use the unavoidable cliché) to all my friends for making the tip a memorable one.
S. Balakrishnan
PA to ADG
(45th PAR Course)
Press Information Bureau
Min. of I&B, Govt. of India
Shastri Bhawan, Chennai – 600 006
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