On 3rd April, 5 pm, the 29 MSW 2011-2013 students and 2 faculty members started our study tour-"Prayan Marg" to Bangalore and Mysore.
With the blessings from our dear faculty members, poulose sir, fr saju, fr joseph, sr pushpa, and anish sir, we started from the college campus in the college bus driven by our dear melbin chettan...He dropped us at the Ernakulam junction railways station.
Now we are in the Ernakulam-Bangalore special train. Now...10 days of extravaganza....
Tour update....Had a happy and safe train journey and now We have Reached Bangalore....Now at Carmelaram...our place of Stay...Its a cool nice place to stay...But sadly..Boys are being separated into 2 rooms...!!!
The bus and the rooms which are arranged are really good...It was observable that the Bangalore Central railway station has really changed in its appearance...but still no change with the rickshaw and taxi drivers who come behind us to hire their vehicle...same as always...
My good old time memories...I am trying to remember my good old days in Bangalore...!!
Then, the bus proceeded to Azim Premji Foundation which is situated inside a huge I.T complex behind Wipro. We would never expect an ambiance of the foundation (in the middle of a forest) within an I.T complex. We had a very warm welcome by Jayashree Maam, had presentation about the organization by Ms Jyothi. The students made it so interactive and lively...Luckily the no:of sleepers were less that half a percent, especially after the last night journey...:)
Then, under Mr. Cyril the Center for Social Action (CSA) team engaged us with the orientation on the projects they are undertaking, Rural camp for the students, rejuvenating the nearby slum areas etc. Then, the team visited the project areas inside the campus which included project "Parivarthan"-waste management unit where they recycle the huge amount of dry and wet waste within and outside the university campus...The team also visited the paper recycling unit where the women group from the nearby slum is organized and are provided with an Income Generation Program. Then the students visited the water treatment unit, biogas plant etc.
Mr. V.C Joseph gave the team an orientation about the NIMHANS hospital, PSW department, the structure and functional framework of the organization. It was a round chair interactive session. Then Fazeela ma'am took the team to the various departments of the organization which included open and closed blocks, child psychiatric block, occupational therapy, de-addiction center etc. It was really a tiring and fruitful experience
Then, the team went to the malayalee hotel named MAS at Madiwala and had a homely lunch...ofcourse I was on a diet and had a glass of juice only...:):) After the lunch, the team went to the Bennarghetta Biological Park. In the forest safari ride, we saw white and yellow tigers, bears, deer etc. which was followed by the zoo visit which lasted until 6:20 pm.
In the bus, the cultural committee was more active...All of us was engaged in cracking jokes/valips especially by me and our dear kiran sir....actually we are on a competition to see who will win the crown of making maximum valips...:):)
On 6th April, the Prayan Team proceeded towards the next organizations. Learning from the previous days mistakes, the team took off early to avoid traffic conjunctions. The 1st organization was Kidwai Memorial Hospital for Oncology-an organization deals with the cancer patients. The team reached the organization by 9.30 am and the session got started by 10 am as per schedule. Ms Janet Paramenshwarn, Social Welfare officer confirmed the permission for the visit which was granted through online communication. Ms Jyothi, Asst Social Welfare officer gave the team a complete orientation about the various departments, policies, schemes, projects etc of the hospital. Madam took the team for visiting all the departments including the palliative care unit, OP and IP, Therapy center including Radio Therapy unit etc.It was a fruitful experience in terms of understanding the medical field, understanding the role of a social worker in the field of oncology.
After the visit, the team had lunch from the Kerala Restaurant "MAS" which is situated at Madiwala. Followed by having a good meals, the team proceeded to the organization named Snehadaan which is located near to the place of stay at Sharjarpur Road. The team had a warm welcome by the organization. 1st, there was a session on various activities and departments of the organization. The organization is functioning for HIV/AIDS patients and basically for palliative care. Earlier, NACO was supporting the organization with a project named "Samastha". But later, the funding stopped and still the organization is continuing with the activities. Then visited the Sneha Care Home which is for the children with HIV.AIDS. There are a total of 100 HIV infected children. They are in an open school system were an integrated approach of learning by doing is initiated by the organization. The most important and un-denying fact is that the project was launched by the alumnis of Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Mr. Sigil, Mr. Manoj and their team. We are very much proud of you. The project is a model which was presented in the international conferences held in Boston university and other international organizations.
Then, the team had a final evaluation session about the organization. The visits ended by 5.30 pm.
This day is memorable because of the birthday celebrations we had for our friends Justin, Mini, Pinky, Joshy and Sithara. We cut the cake. Also, the cultural committee organized a very wonderful cultural night with games, songs, mimicry by our dear kiran sir, performance by our Suni Rose Ma'am, Dumbsharads game etc. The team had a very good dinner and after the Evaluation, off to Bed....Goodnight...!!!
Today is 7th April.....Now the time is 6 am....I am updating this blog on our way to Mysore..We started our journey by 5 am. .Its is gonna be a very long journey and half of the team is already asleep...:):)...Let us don't forget the bus drivers for taking us safely to the various places...I think the tour coordinator is trying to put up a movie inside the bus when many are sleeping so beautifully....:):)....!!!
We reached Sraavanabalagola by 8.30 am. After having "poori" and curry from the nearby hotel, we proceeded towards the tourist spot at Sraavanabalagola which is situated up above a rock mountain. The place is important for the Jain believes and their religious rituals. It was one "hell of a" trekking to climb up the mountain. But really a wonderful experience and could learn about an other religion which we have just heard of it. A huge statue of naked Mahavira Theerthankara is erected on top of the mountain. There are scriptures on the rocks. When we went there, their religious practice was going on and the chief priest was blessing the people.
Then we came to the place of stay which is almost 80 km from the tourist place. It is called "Benny Mandap" which is located in the heart of Mysore city. After checking in, had lunch and then proceeded towards Mysore Palace. It was a mind-blowing experience to see the architectural perfections, history of mysore palace, temples attached with the palace, durbar hall, king's seat etc.
The team also was engaged in small shopping and I could observe the bargaining skills of my friends...:):)...!!
The christian students had Holy Mass at St. Josephs Cathedral from 6 to 7 pm. Then the team went to Chamundi Hills and on the way, we could observe the scenic beauty of Mysore City from Hill top. Chamundeshwari Temple is the highlight of the hills. There also some of the students had shopping and ended up in fine for returning back late to the bus..:):)
We had dinner from a Kerala restaurant (Chappathi and curry). Then, returned back to the place of stay and after the evaluation and discussion about the next days plan of action, time for bed...!!!
Goodnight...!!
On 8th April, Monday it was a highly charged and adventurous journey to the organization VGKK and Karuna Trust which is located on a district in mysore which is almost 1 1/2 hours from the place of stay. After a long journey, the team reach the Karuna Trust Office and visited the various departments like PHC which is run by Public Private Partnership which includes even the assessments and diagnosis of Mental Illness. Then visited the weaving unit and then the team proceeded towards BR Hills (a truly high mountain), which is a forest area where the VGKK is located. On the way, we saw wild animals, dry trees etc. After a long time, by afternoon, we reached VGKK. Taking Karnataka Meals from the nearby hotel named "Giridarshana", then we went to the organization. The team was first given an orientation by the organization, followed by campus and project visit, then went to the tribal area and interacted with a few tribes, CDPO and other government officials. A campaign for voting rights was held with the tribe children.
After the visit, we went to the Vrindavan Garden and saw the scenic beauty of the garden and experienced "Wave Dance" which was held with different songs.
After having dinner, we returned back to the place of stay and had a fruitful and critical evaluation about the day, the visits and even the functions of the organization rather than just evaluating the management aspects of the visit.
Now...Off to Bed with the prayer song "Njaanurangaan pokum munpaayi"...Goodnight
Today is 9th April... Today, We went to MYKAPS-The Spin off Organization of MYRADA which is located at H.D Kote near Handpost....Near to Wayanad District...
With the blessings from our dear faculty members, poulose sir, fr saju, fr joseph, sr pushpa, and anish sir, we started from the college campus in the college bus driven by our dear melbin chettan...He dropped us at the Ernakulam junction railways station.
Now we are in the Ernakulam-Bangalore special train. Now...10 days of extravaganza....
Journey Continues...
My good old time memories...I am trying to remember my good old days in Bangalore...!!
On 4th April, Thursday our visit to the organizations began. We had a dosa of karnataka (in Kerala we call it as appam) from a vegetarian hotel. It was really good..not too spicy, the curry..and after a very long time, I had a chance to drink half tea of bangalore...
We could in future, apply to the foundation for availing job prospects. The organization had arranged tea and snacks after the interaction. After taking a group photo, left the agency.
In the afternoon, we went to the Kairali Restaurant and a very good Kerala Meal. Then went to the good old campus of Christ University and witnessed the architectural excellence. It was also a time for me to regain my beautiful memories about the university. There was a bit of confusion with the security guards, I was able to deal with it effectively. All of us spent some time in the cafeteria. By 1:45 pm, Dr Beno Thomas, HOD, SW Department of Christ University welcomed the team "PRAYAN". We also had the chance to meet an old student of Rajagiri, Ms Sreeja.The team from Rajagiri, the staff members of Social Work Department of Christ University, and the students had a fruitful interaction with each other regarding the course, field placements, cultural specific social work practice, research papers, projects undertaken by the department etc. From their mouths, we could understand that they had great admiration for Rajagiri and we are the role model for Christ...!!
Even though communications were sent with regard to the slum visit, it was not arranged by the authorities as scheduled. Depending on the availability of time, it will be arranged.
Later, had tea and snacks, went for a small outing and after the dinner, returned back to carmelaram. The team had the 1st days evaluation and after the prayer, Bed time...Goodnight...!!
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On 5th April, learning from the previous days experience, the Prayan team started our journey by 8.30 am. After having our breakfast, proceeded to NIMHANS hospital and reached there by 10.30 am (not to mention the traffic block). Met an old senior friend Ms Fazeela Jaleel who is working in the PSW department of the hospital. Payment of orientation fees was one hell of a process. It was just like how we do things in the government settings in Kerala-A Long Procedure indeed...!!
All the students sang songs turn by turn, played anthakshari, danced etc...After having dinner from the same hotel, the team returned back to carmelaram, had a very effective evaluation of the days program. Off to bed with the prayer song...Goodnight...!!
On 6th April, the Prayan Team proceeded towards the next organizations. Learning from the previous days mistakes, the team took off early to avoid traffic conjunctions. The 1st organization was Kidwai Memorial Hospital for Oncology-an organization deals with the cancer patients. The team reached the organization by 9.30 am and the session got started by 10 am as per schedule. Ms Janet Paramenshwarn, Social Welfare officer confirmed the permission for the visit which was granted through online communication. Ms Jyothi, Asst Social Welfare officer gave the team a complete orientation about the various departments, policies, schemes, projects etc of the hospital. Madam took the team for visiting all the departments including the palliative care unit, OP and IP, Therapy center including Radio Therapy unit etc.It was a fruitful experience in terms of understanding the medical field, understanding the role of a social worker in the field of oncology.
After the visit, the team had lunch from the Kerala Restaurant "MAS" which is situated at Madiwala. Followed by having a good meals, the team proceeded to the organization named Snehadaan which is located near to the place of stay at Sharjarpur Road. The team had a warm welcome by the organization. 1st, there was a session on various activities and departments of the organization. The organization is functioning for HIV/AIDS patients and basically for palliative care. Earlier, NACO was supporting the organization with a project named "Samastha". But later, the funding stopped and still the organization is continuing with the activities. Then visited the Sneha Care Home which is for the children with HIV.AIDS. There are a total of 100 HIV infected children. They are in an open school system were an integrated approach of learning by doing is initiated by the organization. The most important and un-denying fact is that the project was launched by the alumnis of Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Mr. Sigil, Mr. Manoj and their team. We are very much proud of you. The project is a model which was presented in the international conferences held in Boston university and other international organizations.
Then, the team had a final evaluation session about the organization. The visits ended by 5.30 pm.
This day is memorable because of the birthday celebrations we had for our friends Justin, Mini, Pinky, Joshy and Sithara. We cut the cake. Also, the cultural committee organized a very wonderful cultural night with games, songs, mimicry by our dear kiran sir, performance by our Suni Rose Ma'am, Dumbsharads game etc. The team had a very good dinner and after the Evaluation, off to Bed....Goodnight...!!!
Today is 7th April.....Now the time is 6 am....I am updating this blog on our way to Mysore..We started our journey by 5 am. .Its is gonna be a very long journey and half of the team is already asleep...:):)...Let us don't forget the bus drivers for taking us safely to the various places...I think the tour coordinator is trying to put up a movie inside the bus when many are sleeping so beautifully....:):)....!!!
We reached Sraavanabalagola by 8.30 am. After having "poori" and curry from the nearby hotel, we proceeded towards the tourist spot at Sraavanabalagola which is situated up above a rock mountain. The place is important for the Jain believes and their religious rituals. It was one "hell of a" trekking to climb up the mountain. But really a wonderful experience and could learn about an other religion which we have just heard of it. A huge statue of naked Mahavira Theerthankara is erected on top of the mountain. There are scriptures on the rocks. When we went there, their religious practice was going on and the chief priest was blessing the people.
Then we came to the place of stay which is almost 80 km from the tourist place. It is called "Benny Mandap" which is located in the heart of Mysore city. After checking in, had lunch and then proceeded towards Mysore Palace. It was a mind-blowing experience to see the architectural perfections, history of mysore palace, temples attached with the palace, durbar hall, king's seat etc.
The team also was engaged in small shopping and I could observe the bargaining skills of my friends...:):)...!!
The christian students had Holy Mass at St. Josephs Cathedral from 6 to 7 pm. Then the team went to Chamundi Hills and on the way, we could observe the scenic beauty of Mysore City from Hill top. Chamundeshwari Temple is the highlight of the hills. There also some of the students had shopping and ended up in fine for returning back late to the bus..:):)
We had dinner from a Kerala restaurant (Chappathi and curry). Then, returned back to the place of stay and after the evaluation and discussion about the next days plan of action, time for bed...!!!
Goodnight...!!
On 8th April, Monday it was a highly charged and adventurous journey to the organization VGKK and Karuna Trust which is located on a district in mysore which is almost 1 1/2 hours from the place of stay. After a long journey, the team reach the Karuna Trust Office and visited the various departments like PHC which is run by Public Private Partnership which includes even the assessments and diagnosis of Mental Illness. Then visited the weaving unit and then the team proceeded towards BR Hills (a truly high mountain), which is a forest area where the VGKK is located. On the way, we saw wild animals, dry trees etc. After a long time, by afternoon, we reached VGKK. Taking Karnataka Meals from the nearby hotel named "Giridarshana", then we went to the organization. The team was first given an orientation by the organization, followed by campus and project visit, then went to the tribal area and interacted with a few tribes, CDPO and other government officials. A campaign for voting rights was held with the tribe children.
After the visit, we went to the Vrindavan Garden and saw the scenic beauty of the garden and experienced "Wave Dance" which was held with different songs.
After having dinner, we returned back to the place of stay and had a fruitful and critical evaluation about the day, the visits and even the functions of the organization rather than just evaluating the management aspects of the visit.
Now...Off to Bed with the prayer song "Njaanurangaan pokum munpaayi"...Goodnight
Today is 9th April... Today, We went to MYKAPS-The Spin off Organization of MYRADA which is located at H.D Kote near Handpost....Near to Wayanad District...
