Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

After working hard for exams in the month of March, children from Deepalaya schools live it up to mark the end of examinations. They spend their term break going for excursions, attending workshops and learning new crafts.

As part of their educational and cultural tours, children from different classes of Deepalaya School Sanjay Colony enjoyed a trip to Agra and Amritsar in March, even before they started afresh with the new academic year.

Wah Taj!

“The daylong bus ride to Agra was fun. We danced, played antakshari (a game that includes singing movie songs) and ate lots of eatables on our way.”, said Ajay, a student of class VIII.

The Taj, children had read was the pride of India, the ‘crown’ that adorns India’s glorious past. Getting to see this magnificent mausoleum awakened their interest in subjects like history. They gathered knowledge about Taj Mahal and the Mughal era by reading the information available at the historical site. Next stop over was at Sikandra, known as Akbar’s mausoleum Following that, a trip to Agra Fort was fascinating for the children. Taken back in time they were excited to see the rooms where the emperors stayed, the market places, the courtroom, the temple where Jodhabai, the Mughal Queen, offered prayers and the verandah where the kings would listen to the grievances of their subjects. Deewan-I-Khas (Hall of Private audience), Deewan-I-Aam (Hall of Public audience) and Sheesh Mahal were among other sights that the children got an opportunity to visit..

Trying to recall what his teacher said about Taj Mahal, Saurabh, a student of class IX was lost in the memories of the majestic Taj Mahal. He quickly recollects, “It was built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. I keep thinking how much he loved her!” No wonder Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.

Trip to Amritsar

While the trip to Agra was all about romance and history of the Mughal period, the children and teachers were filled with religious and patriotic feelings on their trip to Amritsar. It is an important seat of Sikh history and culture. Being the gateway for travellers the famous Golden Temple, Wagah border, Jalianwala Bagh and Khoo Kalianwala were some of the places children of Deepalaya School Sanjay Colony visited.

“I loved hearing shabads (devotional songs) at the Golden temple. I relished the langar (food served in Gurudwara) and enjoyed bathing in the pond during sunset” recalls Niranjan, a student from Deepalaya School Sanjay Colony.

The visit to Wagah, the international border between India and Pakistan was the most fascinating one for many. “Beating the Retreat” ceremony is a daily highlight at Wagah. Soldiers from both countries march in perfect drill, going through the steps of lowering their respective national flags, at sunset Anindita from Sanjay Colony was delighted to share her experience and feelings when she was at Wagah border. She said, “It was mesmerizing! Everything at Wagah, the soldiers, national flag, their march pass, Pakistani soldiers and the sand we were standing in…their salutes….I felt so proud to be an Indian”.

Enroute a visit to Jalianwala Bagh, where one of the major incidents of India’s freedom struggle took place, was memorable for children. They could relate what they had studied in their classrooms to the places where these historical incidents actually took place..

The educational trip to Agra and Amritsar was fascinating for children and it added to their knowledge. It was the first time they visited a place outside Delhi and got to see different places and different cultures.