Day 2

Today we had our first role model visiit in Hubli.  We deboarded at Dharwad, the first time since we have been on this train. We then got onto a bus and rode to Hubli. 

We visited a school called Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya, a boarding school where students from extremely impoverished rural backgrounds study Indian classical forms of dance, music and drama. Ironically, the school was founded by a French couple.

Part of the visit was to interact with and learn about an organization called Selco. Selco are system integrators for solar energy solutions in six states in India. They are a social enterprise and have a very unique technical and financial customisation model for their customers. What I liked about them was how commited they are to actually listening to the needs of the people they serve. 

The role model visit was underwhelming. I did get some food for thought and it was nice to see a school where students as young as 12 are aspiring to be performing artists when they grow up. However, I am battling my own personality here and trying really hard NOT to get upset with the level of selfishness I am seeing around me in the girls' compartment. We have a serious bathroom situation happening for the girls' bogies. The level of hygiene and mess is ridiculously bad considering that we are only on day 4. During the role model visit,  there were participants barely listening to the founder of the school. I personally picked up at least 10 empty plastic bottles strewn around the beautiful campus. I saw a couple of other participants doing the same but the fact that we even HAD to do that was disappointing. 

There is a scarcity of resources on this train-water, charging points, space. Things we take for granted. How we behave in a situation when these scarce, precious resources need to be sustainably shared by many, reveals our very basic nature. The train becomes a metaphor for all of humanity.

On this Yatra, we talk about building the nation through enterprise. But what about personal values, a sense of community, good manners and a sense of responsibility towards fellow citizens? It IS every person's own responsibility to demonstrate these values but is part of that responsibility also to hold others accountable? I find with this large contingent of young, mostly urban girls, that accountability only comes with consequences meted out by a person with authority. 

This greatly disturbs me as an adult and of course, as an educator.