The Award In Action—Billabong High International School, Bhopal

Report by Arayna Saxena, Billabong High International School, Bhopal

Laughter, Lessons and Memories Bronze Award Participants from Billabong High International School, Bhopal Walking down the stairs of the Rani Kamlapati Railway Station, I saw the platform covered with the colour purple with a myriad of students dressed in our school’s purple jackets. Having navigated our way through the station, we stood there eagerly welcoming the memories we were to make together with palpable excitement which highlighted the uncertainty and opportunity our journey had in store for us! After the roll call, the trail left by the wheels of our suitcases, which we had spent hours packing perfectly to use the small space to fit in everything that could guarantee us a convivial time, led to the train. In our hands was our ticket which we glanced at multiple times, nervously checking to see if it pointed to a seat somewhere closer to our friends. The journey was long, but time seemed to fly, with UNO cards and all kinds of snacks taking up more space than we did, and the sound of uncontrollable, infectious laughter ringing perpetually in our ears. The breath-taking scenery, the never-dull moments with friends and the enthralling stories marked the perfect beginning to the coming days. Upon arriving, we were taken to our tents for an unprecedented experience offering a perfect getaway to rejuvenate amidst the serenity of nature. Nestled in lush green foliage, the city had a mesmerising spectacle. Scrumptious meals that catered to every palate, panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and thrilling team-building activities made the Adventure Journey even more unforgettable. Our next day began with a wild and turbulent ride through the river rapids and currents and ended in the warm, golden glow cast by the flickering flames of a bonfire. River rafting was an adrenaline-fueled adventure as we put to use our skills, teamwork and strength to navigate through the propelling currents. It was truly an exhilarating experience as it demanded a level of courage and tenacity, making it a test of one’s patience and abilities. As the rafting journey progressed, we were treated to breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape, with lush greenery, rugged terrain, and towering cliffs. We were intrigued by the fact that each rapid had a unique and interesting name. The shared experience of navigating through the rapids created a sense of bonding which stayed with us till long after the adventure ended. The next day was packed with obstacle courses and adventurous activities including the giant swing and the reverse bungee which put our agility and endurance to the test. While the reverse bungee involved being shot upwards at a breakneck speed, the giant swing created a sense of freefalling with the wind rushing through one's hair and the force of gravity tugging at one's body creating a thrilling and surreal sensation. We then proceeded to attend the Ganga Aarti which had a spiritual and serene atmosphere, and we were enthralled by the beauty and the energy of the aarti. We ended the day with the leaping and dancing flames of the bonfire, sending sparks flying into the night sky, casting an ethereal light over the surrounding area. As we all sat around the fire, we sang our favourite songs and ended the day on a soothing note. On the final day, we embarked early in the morning on a trekking expedition. Our senses were engulfed by the beautiful sights and sounds – the rustling of the leaves, the chirping of the birds and the crisp air created an intriguing experience. As we ascended the steep slopes and rugged terrains of our track we finally reached a breath-taking waterfall. The beauty of the waterfall took away the initial feeling of fatigue. We then left for Nizamuddin Railway Station as our Adventure Journey had now come to an end. We returned to the RKMP Railway Station knowing that we had returned with precious memories, but more importantly, proof that we had tried new things, rejoiced amongst nature, learnt to enjoy the little things that made our days and built an increased confidence in embracing an independent and responsible attitude. Just like the storage of our cameras, our minds too were filled with contentment, knowing very well that we had learnt lessons we would embrace for the rest of our lives!