January 2010 … one of the most happening months of my life

The year started on a very absurd note. I was not feeling that well as it was that part of the year when generally every one likes to be close to their near and dear ones and thus decided to try out something new. So with this view I kind of persuaded one of my colleagues to let me accompany him is his village. The name of the village was Morchu some 30 kms away from Ranchi. It was a wonderful moment wherein I decided to let go off things and just have fun. It was a picturesque view when I entered the village and it seemed that was probably the best way to celebrate the New year. Sitting beside the well, riding a cycle on the twisted path of the village and tasting the local cuisines made me realize that the kid in me is very much alive. I though these memories will be enough for me to reflect on for a month but there was more to come.


A couple of days later I came to know that I am moving to Orissa for a workshop which falls within the curriculum of my internship. This was my first trip to Orissa was very excited. I and Ram (my fellow volunteer) left for Orissa and the trip was quite interesting. We explored almost all possible means of conveyance. First train then bus and finally decided to take a small walk to reach our destination and there we were. Although, we were tired, but the energy was back after my fellow volunteers. The workshop went according to the expectation and the street play that we did at bolangir in front of some 500 people just took my energy at some level. It was during that performance that I was surprised at the confidence of one of my fellow volunteers. Her name is Payal and she seems to have undergone through a transformational process through the internship. The transformation has been incredible.


That was not it. January was not over and there was another trip that was coming along my way. I decided to use the five leaves that I was entitled to during my internship and decided to make a small trip to Delhi. The fact that it coincided with an event – a presentation by the volunteers who has gone to Narmada Bachao ndolan for a group exposure spurred me on. It was a challenging journey in the context that at that time of the year all the trains were late due to heavy fog and there were apprehensions if I could reach delhi on time for the presentation wherein I will also get a chance to meet my mentor whom I met during my internship at Narmada Bachao Andolan.

The journey started and like lost of the my journeys in the year 2009 it was a chance to interact with strangers on the most weirdest of topics. I must admit I had to do it a bit more proactively. It worked for while but when I came to know that the train is almost 24 hours I had almost reached the stage of regretting things. I really don’t know how things just changed.

The train started catching up with time and it felt someone wanted me to reach Delhi on time. So I reached on time and there were no further delays. Now the challenge was to reach the venue. Well one of my closest friends ensures that she was there to accompany me and helped me with the bus routes because basically i had forgotten them as I was away from Delhi since the last 3 months. I reached and it was see the reaction of the people. The one which I vaguely remember was “He has made it on time”.


There was a feeling of accomplishment. I tried out things I have been not tried before and not sure how will it help in my career but there was a sense of achievement. I will definitely remember Morchu, the street play, the conversations that I had with strangers, seeing people that I have made it to Delhi an the feeling that someone is helping me overcome all the changes. The month was full of wonderful experiences and strong challenges. It taught me a lot of things about life. Although you are happy when you reach the destination, the real fun is the journey and the excitement of it.

Another journey

I am more nervous... more excited and more curious. The reason ????..... I am another journey. However this journey is different from what I have witnessed earlier. This time I am travelling through the experiences, observations and most importantly journeys of 15 individuals. This is my opportunity to know more about 15 more stories and no matter what happens one thing is for sure. The journey will be intense. I have had the opportunity to interact with all these individuals and one thing that excites me is their passion, determination and openness. I am nervous .. but why ....

I think it is that positive nervousness that spurs the voyagers. Really looking forwrd to another journey. The journey just continues. What amazes me about these journeys is its coherence with life. Do we make these moments ????? or does these moments makes us. Well its good to leave some questions unanswered and at the same time not ignoring. This is what volunteering and life is all about.