Essays

"Travel, in the younger sort is a part of education, in the elder, a part of experience". Sir Francis Bacon, the wise essayist, uttered these words and how true they are. Travelling indeed is one of the most pleasant things in the world. So when our school organized the educational tour to the Eastern India, 1 was delighted. We were to cover three delightful places—Kolkata, Darjeeling and Gangtok. The excursion was planned around the Diwali-break.

We were about 80 students accompanied by four members of the Teaching Staff. It was a long and tiring journey of 36 hours to Kolkata, But exhausted though we were, our spirits were not dampened. Singing, laughing, cracking jokes throughout our train journey - we reached Kolkata in full spirits. Kolkata - the City of Joy, the Land of Durga, the First Modern City of India and the Cultural Hub of India, is a city vibrating with energy, rich in its traditions and flamboyance, yet it is surprisingly calm and tranquil. Everything about the city was fascinating. People with friendly glint in their eyes and a warm welcoming smile on their faces, won our hearts. Women were beautifully clad in sarees and going around doing their daily chores- The city is a fascinating blend of the tradition and the modernity. Our first visit was to the Victoria Memorial Hall. "Travelling is almost like talking with Men of other Centuries", thus had said a wise man and the experience was truly enriching.

We next went to Eden Gardens, the famous stadium which has witnessed several memorable events of the idiosyncratic game - Cricket. The soulful experience of St. Paul's Cathedral will forever remain in my heart. The Birla Planetorium opened a new world of stars and planets to us and made us see the world beyond horizons. The visit to Kolkata remains incomplete and meaningless, unless one visits 'Nirmal Hirday' - the charity home established by the Blessed Mother Teresa. The peace that engulfed us there is beyond words. The disciplined and rigorous life of the Sisters of the Mission, the care and love they bestow upon the suffering ones, the l rejected and the downtrodden - to witness such selfless dedication had a deep I impact on the minds of all the students. It was indeed, a soul-searching experience.

Our next destination was Gangtok. We went there via Siliguri. Gangtok is a beautiful small hill station where nature has bestowed its bounties generously. The flora and fauna around, the snow clad mountains enlivened us and it was a beautiful sight for eyes. Despite the falling temperature, our spirits were high. , River-rafting, there, was quite adventurous.

From Gangtok, we went to Darjeeling which is at a greater height. It was like a walk in the clouds, with fog all around engulfing us. We plunged into playful mirth in the lap of nature. Next morning, we woke up early to witness sunrise at the Sunrise Point. It seemed like the dawn of creation itself. The people there, looked warm and welcoming. Nothing can be compared to the aromatic tea of Darjeeling i which produces export quality led. We also visited these tea gardens with young women plucking the tea leaves and singing the folk songs. From there we visited the Buddhist Monastery and experienced great spiritual calm and peace. We witnessed the daily routine of the Monks who seemed detached from the hustle and bustle of this world. Other spots worth visiting were the Rock Gardens and the Zoo.

All good things come to an end and so did our Journey, Time went by swiftly and we were soon on the train to Delhi from Siliguri. We halted briefly in Delhi where I we visited the Gurudwara at Chandani Chowk, Bidding farewell to such beautiful places was extremely hard. A journey like this not only gives pleasure to the heart but also enriches the mind and fulfils the soul. It gives life beautiful moments to (cherish and brings smile to our lips later when we open up the treasures of those lovely memories - the photographs.