As we started our tour we experienced a number of events which were quite funny, but indeed taught us a lot.Our bags had been too heavy as our mothers persuaded us to carry food.We were too lazy to wash our own clothes, so carried numerous pairs. We weren‟t sure if all three of us would be together when we would return home.Scorching heat was felt as we moved through Rajasthan.The people in Chittorgarh seemed to be quite humble.The tribals living there are not much different from us.Bhils celebrate most of the festivals we do like Diwali,Holi and so on.Most of them live around the palace and earn a living by gathering sandalwood and other herbs from the nearby jungles.They work at local saree and handicraft factories, wood articles and attar. Most of them are hindus.Navratri and “gavari” are celebrated with much pride and zest.Fairs are held and various poojas are done to please God. We were lucky enough to witness a tribal wedding.The male seem to definitely dominate over the women. Besides we got to know a lot about history and the sati system. They also practise rituals like animal sacrifice. Travelliing in train in general sleeper is nothing less than torture.It was summer and were all surrounded by stinking people sweating too much, seating on our seats without tickets.
In the whole programme of explorer‟s fellowship we learned different aspects of life. We tasted the different cultures of India. This would have been impossible without this programme. People adapt according to geography and resources of the place. Religion is given a huge importance in society. The beliefs of the people of same religion vary from place to place. At our personal level, we learnt to adjust with the situation. Money is a powerful resource and it was a constraint on our plans. We learnt to plan everything meticulously and make wise use of money. We had to come out of the protective shell that our parents have provided us and experience the evil and good in society at our own responsibility. Our perceptions about everything have changed significantly. It has added some new aspects to our personalities and we are changed persons now, probably better than what we used to be!
