 Early
morning on February 6, twenty-two students from five schools of Jaipur arrived at Sawai
Man Singh School. Best friends sat together, whispering and sometimes giggling, not sure
what's going to happen (OK, so I agreed to come to this workshop happy that I won't have
to go to school, but now what?!)
Introductions over, a funny bearded gentleman started drawing a cow on a piece of
paper stuck on the wall. (These guys do not even have a board, for god's sake!) But then
suddenly it grew interesting, strangers started talking about ecology, consumption and
cows!! (Do you know Jaipur is like a consuming cow?...producing gobar...err..waste and
all?)
| Discoveries... "Rich people are using filtered water in their homes and have
plenty because of bored wells in their homes. They are using up ground water and hurting
the poor"
PRIYANKA
MAHESWARI
"We went to a house and there was a man
who was gargling and spitting into the road and not even seeing where it was going. Water
was continuously dripping from a pipe and splattering the whole lane"
NANDIKA
KUMARI
"On the terrace of the Albert Hall, the
glasswork is incomplete. When asked, the curator answered it was just an experiment!
"
AKSHAY
SINGHVI |
Next came introduction to the newspaper industry (reporting, editing, designing,
photography - even newspaper delivery!!!)
Hey, get ready, you are going on the INTACH Heritage Walk. Why a walk when we
can just read about Jaipur?
"A walk is the best possible way to observe our rich heritage and take a
closer look at the city's rich architecture, its arts, its cultures and its
traditions", retorts John Singh, the convener of the Jaipur chapter of INTACH.
From Albert Hall, the walk took the GT reporters, photographers et al through New
Gate, Sanjay Sharma Sangrahalaya, Thatheron ka Rasta, Nataniyon ka Rasta, Natanion ki
Haveli to Choti Chaupar.
This was followed by two days of discovering Jaipur and wholesome reporting,
editing and designing. This Gobar Times edition says it all...and wishes a very happy
Virasaat Utsav to all.
THE ROAD WE TOOK |
|
Gobar Times meets the
Chief Minister
Divita Mathur |
 Students from five schools gathered at SMS School. Today's day
was devoted in meeting the people responsible for Jaipur. One student from each school was
selected to meet the most important person, Mr Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of
Rajasthan. Oh Great! It was a big event for us…a Golden Opportunity!!
 |
At 9:15 AM, eight of us just got in a car somehow and reached the residence. It
was crowded like anything!!! Our organiser asked if we could meet the CM as soon as
possible. Luckily! We went inside where again there was a long queue. Every now and then,
one person came and told us to shift a bit ahead. And then came in…the IMPORTANT
PERSON! The clicking of photographs began which blinded our eyes for a second. As he came
towards us, our hearts started pounding at a double speed. We introduced ourselves and
told him about Gobar Times. He was impressed! Our youngest reporter, who was very nervous
began, "Sir, how can we minimise the difference between the civic life of the walled
city and the outer town of Jaipur?" There was silence for a few seconds. "Well,
I can't do all things myself, I want people's contribution in breaking this
difference." That was all! Two more questions were to be asked, but he was busy.
Still we thank him for sparing some of his precious time for us. We got a message from him
soon after we reached the school congratulating us on our efforts. |
|
A Down To
Earth Supplement
