We minted memories with the IAYP family

The Adventurous Journey section of the Award Programme is not just a platform for expanding the knowledge base of young adults; it’s an opportunity for participants to build human connections and develop their leadership abilities. Advaita Singh, an Award participant from Billabong High International School, Bhopal, narrates her experience of visiting Chandigarh, Manali and Delhi, highlighting how she made a new family in the process.

Here is the thing about an adrenaline rush -- there is nothing like it; the racing pulse, the thudding heart, the shaking of the feet in anticipation and fear and the doubt that constantly knocks against your once logical mind. So, we can proudly proclaim that the journey that we undertook to Chandigarh, Manali and Delhi as part of IAYP’s Adventurous Journey section was unmatched in terms of experience.

On 22nd December 2018, a bunch of exhilarated participants boarded the Bhopal Express to begin a journey that they would cherish forever. After hours of journeying through the plains and the hills, we arrived in Manali. With its snow-capped mountains, breathtaking landscape and starry skies, Manali had an air that made us push ourselves beyond our comfort zones. The temperature being sub-zero there, we realized the importance of sticking together, quite literally.

Having travelled for long hours, we were exhausted on the first day. However, with renewed zeal, the next day we trekked up to Solang Valley where we participated in adventure sports like zip lining, snow-mobile ride, skiing and snow tube ride. We walked back home before nightfall where a comfortable bonfire evening awaited us. We spent the evening under the stars, singing songs, playing games and planning our rafting trip, scheduled for the next day. River Beas was our rafting point in Kullu. We cut through the chilly breeze as our rafts raced across the snow-fed stream, bumping over the river rapids, leaving us with an enthralling experience.

Though our trip was amazing in its entirety, its highlights were activities like trekking, zip lining, rafting that challenged us to vanquish our fears. We not only developed as individuals but also learnt to move forward as a team. We have become more adaptable and receptive, learning to push our limits. The trip has brought us closer to our existing friends and offered us opportunities to make new ones. This week-long experience was one where we minted memories with people who had now become our family. Now that we have resumed living our normal lives and routines, we can say that the people who have returned are not the same anymore; they have undergone a complete transformation of their personalities and ideologies.

The Award helped me to discover myself

Srishti Agarwal, a Silver Level Award participant from Billabong High International School, Bhopal completed her Adventurous Journey at Rishikesh. Here, Srishti is sharing her experience of interacting with nature. 

I was born in the urban jungle. A silent addition to our modernized civilization hurling through chaos and drowning in the hoots and honks of the 21st century. The cement, the concrete, the bricks, the skyscrapers taller than trees, the pollution encasing the stars and a patch of grass that we called ‘nature’. The city ran in my veins deeper than blood.

But, years later when I turned 16, I was obliged to go to for my IAYP Adventurous Journey camp in Rishikesh and spend about a week there. It was actually a ‘back to nature’ initiative, which seems my worst nightmare, as I chose to describe it. Away from the city, completely detached from ‘life’ was not my idea of either a ‘frolic’ or a ‘serene’ outing. Yet, what has to be done, needs to be done. And so I left Bhopal for Hardwar, with a heavy heart and a weary sigh. The train journey was brimming with boredom but it was lesser of the two evils as the stay would surely be far more torturous.

The morning that we, the seventy Award participants along with 5 mentors, reached Haridwar was by far the most uneventful day for the remaining time was spent in commuting to the camp site -- beside the Ganges and surrounded by thick forests. I truly felt ‘caged’, like a person left in isolation, who can shout all they want, but in the end, it’s like speaking to a void. But as nightfall approached, something changed. Sitting by the fire, reading a book, (yes, indeed!) Waiting for the cell phone reception, I noticed for the first time in the sky, a constellation, Aries. The stars, those plain asteroids, shone brighter than any light and the moon was stupendously beautiful, bathing our camp site in the light I can only describe as ethereal. Not a sound was heard, apart from the easy wind and the rustle of leaves. There in that moment, I felt the closest to peaceful. Perhaps, it was the state of my mind, drunk with fatigue as I was or there actually was a connect that I could feel to that evening sky and the never-ending forest. Solitude… the absolute solitude that I had feared all my life, now seemed comforting. As if I was a child, being cradled by a mother. In Urdu, they talk of a deep soul connection that cannot be explained called ‘Roohani’ and for the first time, I could understand what my grandfather had been referring to as I recalled our past conversations. I could understand why Robert Frost found pleasure in the ‘dark and deep woods’ and why Wordsworth was so enamoured by Mother Nature.

All my time at Rishikesh -- everything and every day, passed like a whirlwind between adventure sports and team building activities. Rafting, rock climbing and even the nature treks were anything but generic. The thrill of braving through the roaring and rumbling Ganga in a measly raft and almost falling off on the raging rapids or descending down an almost vertical rock at a 90-degree angle changed my perspective towards life. Fragile and transient as it is, The forest walks were long, running over steep hills and ramshackle grounds; they left us gasping for air and thirsty as the Sahara, yet the picturesque landscapes and the sheer beauty of the morning sun were enough balms for all our wounds and bruises. Admittedly, the Flying Fox and Valley Crossing were my favourites. Hanging by a wire, cutting through the air at top speed and traversing between two hills while dangling in mid-air were as exhilarating and liberating as can be.

However, it was my late night rendezvous with myself that somehow made me feel ‘infinite.’ Even the Ganga seemed to hold more meaning to me and in its swiftly flowing waters, I could see clearly a reflection of my own life, passing me by. Those waters, sprinkled in every Hindu household on an auspicious/ joyous occasion are also the final resting places of a human being’s ashes. Only now could I fully comprehend the majesty and sanctity of that river.

But like all good things that must come to an end so did my sojourn at Rishikesh. Its memories, I shall carry with me forever. The Adventurous Journey experience proved to me how I had been a prisoner of my own device and how I had restricted definitions of the ‘world’, ‘life’, ‘home’. At 16 I discovered for myself that there are such brief instances, these small turnings in the weary road with no windings, such places which prompted the poet to declare “Hamin asto, Hamin asto, Hamin asto….” Click here for more pictures

Adventurous Journey to Rishikesh

Parth Athley, Bronze level participant from Billabong High International School, Bhopal, shares his experience of his Adventurous Journey which was organised from 10th - 15th January 2015.

I stumbled in the dark, my feet sliding on gravel, my hand trying to grab anything at my side, but finding only fragile grass. My back was killing me. Having overestimated the number of jackets I would need to fend off the cold, I had over-packed, and I was now paying the price as my rucksack dug into my shoulders and strained my back muscles. I peered ahead, aided by the dim light of the torches of my group mates, and took another step.

It was an hour past midnight. My group of 28 fellow students and 4 adults (read assessors) were walking down a rough path, cut into the mountain and barely wide enough for two men abreast, carrying our packs on our shoulders. To my one side were jagged rocks and grass growing between them; to my other side was pitch black darkness. In the distance, I could hear the rumbling of the mighty river Ganges, infinite gallons of water rushing past.

We were near Rishikesh, headed to camp at the banks of the Ganges. We had intended to arrive by late evening, but first our train from Bhopal had been delayed by a few hours, and then the bus ride from Delhi had taken almost 11 hours. Although it was late, most of us were well-rested, having spent part of the bus ride in deep slumber. We had had a lot of fun, singing songs and playing dumb charades and other games all night in the train, and all day in the bus.

After what felt like a long trek downhill, racing against time, we reached the bottom, miraculously without any casualties. After depositing our bags near the row of tents, we were shown around the camp. It was amazing. A covered dining area-cum-meeting hall was situated closest to the river, and apart from the camp, near the row of functional toilets, was a volleyball net. We promptly gathered for a delicious meal of paneer and egg curry. After satiating our hunger, we divided ourselves into groups and headed to our respective tents for a good night's sleep.

The next day, there was a palpable feeling of excitement rippling in the air. We were going river rafting.  Many of us were amateurs at it, while others, including me, had prior experience. There were four rafts to hold us, and we formed groups of eight. One raft contained all boys, while other groups were mixed: seven students and one teacher escort.

The rafting was physically taxing, but nonetheless incredibly fun. First, each group spent nearly an hour in relatively calm water learning the ropes: how to hold the paddle, proper sitting posture, basic paddling skills, etc. Then began the real adventure. We rafted through six rapids, the first of which was Good Morning, while others were called Crossfire, Black Money, Three Blind Mice etc. Some were Grade III rapids, meaning we encountered huge waves and a few rocks we had to navigate through. Thankfully, none of us slipped off the boat. However, we did seize the opportunity to jump into the river whenever we reached calm waters between the rapids.

In the evening, when we returned to camp, we had several games of volleyball, fully utilizing the last vestiges of light until the stars became visible. The night sky was absolutely brilliant. I could actually see the band of stars we call the 'Milky Way', and the stars were almost ten times as numerous as would be visible in the city. A bonfire was set up, and our entire group gathered around to warm ourselves. After another delicious dinner of paneer and chicken, we retired to bed.

On the last day of our stay, we travelled to the picturesque town of Rishikesh. Although much of our time was spent trying to avoid the monkeys, our group traversed the Lakshman Jhula. We then visited historic temples dedicated to Lord Lakshman and the Goddess Ganga. An excellent meal at the famous Chotiwala restaurant quieted our growling stomachs. On reaching the Ram Jhula, we opted instead to take a boat ride across the river. Then, we departed back for camp.

We had to get up early the next day to reach Delhi in time to catch our train; instead many decided to stay awake through the night. Lounging by the bonfire, we played more games. Highlights were Ghost (each player utters a letter until a word is formed) and 12 questions (one player decides on a well-known person and others have to guess by asking questions). A couple of girls demonstrated a telepathic magic game, and the rest of us tried to crack their trick (we never did).

As I journeyed back home, my body sore and aching (in a good way) I thought how the trip had been unique and rewarding. I visited a new place, experienced a different way of life, did things I hadn't done before, grew closer to my schoolmates, and enjoyed amazing food. It was definitely a memory to last me a lifetime! 

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