Rural exposure camp: A learning experience

  •   Fri, Dec 13 2013
  •   By Manohar Tigga

December 13, 2013

I must admit that initially I wasn’t thrilled about the rural exposure camp organized by St Aloysius College, Mangalore. Not because I did not wish to attend such camps but it turned to ashes all my vacation plans. However, it turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had.

We, a band of ten students were sent to a village named Katri Koppa which is situated about 10 to 12 km away from Hunegal. Our group consisted of students doing different streams of PG courses in the college.

I could not help but ask what my friends’ peak experiences were during the camp. Inslita Teles, a student of MCMS says, "The rural exposure was a great experience to learn the living of hardworking people whose monthly income is Rs 200 only. It taught me the value of money, food and water and to be content with the little things we possess."

Raveena Mascarenhas of first year MA English says, “It was an exposure to the real life."

"Rural exposure was a sort of invasion into the darker side of the moon that portrays the real India; being immersed in the comforts of urban life, the native dwelling was a curious phenomenon as well as a sense of solidarity with the poor and the marginalized. It was an opportunity to imbibe the rustic spirit and to assimilate the rich and beautiful culture and customs,” says my classmate Arvind Kispotta.

Aren’t these experiences tremendous and highly inspirational? It won’t be an exaggeration if I, being a part of rural exposure, express my sentiments in this fashion:   

With a dash of excitement and a pinch of anxiety
Deep within my heart
I placed my foot to face the reality
Fascinated by the chirping of the birds,
Grandeur of nature, spectacular view of sunset
And amidst the bizarre look of people
There I entered first

Getting rid of my rural life’s conception, I went to interact with people to go into deep
So expensive I thought myself but
Was so cheap.
Virtue of honesty, respect for elders, love for one another, unity and what not
Possessed they within themselves
Scattered was I reviewing my life there

Huge lake of suffering they pass by to sustain their lives
Still magnanimous to stranger like me
So difficult it is for them to make their ends meet
Yet, they carry their heavy crosses of daily life
Content and without much complaint

Terrible pain of poverty shatters their dreams, and hopes torn
Will they be able to acquire quality education, and superior life to play their parts? 
Comforts they do not know and riches obscure
Graces they have received, may be to accept Divine plan.

Teachers of life they were; I never expected them to be
Humility, contentment, profound love, and sincerity they imparted.
I now realize their strengths and desires are put in me
That one day I would assist needy to cherish a better future.

 

Manohar Tigga Archives:

 

 

 
By Manohar Tigga
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Comment on this article

  • Rural exposure camp: A learning experience, Viran Cleton

    Mon, Dec 16 2013

    I really appreciate the students of St.Aloysius College for taking participation to study about Rural Life. When i read this article and when I saw some of the beautiful pictures it reminded me my MSW days where I had gone for rural camp.

  • kurt waschnig, oldenburg germany

    Sun, Dec 15 2013

    Every student, if possible should attend a rural exposure camp. It can be very fulfilling and enriching. One student in this article says, “"The rural exposure was a great experience to learn the living of hardworking people whose monthly income is Rs 200 only. It taught me the value of money, food and water and to be content with the little things we possess."
    A great sentence of this student. We can say, if you change yourself you will change your world. If you change how you think then you will change how you feel and what actions you take. And so the world around you will change. Not only because you are now viewing your environment through new lenses of thoughts and emotions but also because the change within can allow you to take action in ways you would not have – or maybe even have thought about – while stuck in your old thought patterns. And the problem with changing your outer world without changing yourself is that you will still be you when you reach that change you have strived for. You will still have your flaws, anger, negativity, self-sabotaging tendencies etc. intact.
    And so in this new situation you will still not find what you hoped for since your mind is still sleeping with that negative stuff. And if you get more without having some insight into and distance from your ego it may grow more powerful. Without taking action very little will be done. However, taking action can be hard and difficult. There can be much inner resistance. So you really get where you want to go and to really understand yourself and your world you need practice. Books can mostly just bring you knowledge. You have to take action and translate that knowledge (rural exposure) into results and understanding.
    I appreciate the work of the St Aloysius College, Mangalore, a lot. Students are exposed to the reality of rural life in India. With their knowledge they can change a lot and in the same way getting aware how poor people live and work.


    Best regards


    Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg/Oldenburg

    email: oldenburg1952@yahoo.de

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi,Bangalore

    Sun, Dec 15 2013

    REAL INDIA IS IN RURAL AREA.YOU CAN FIND THE TRUE INDIAN TRADITION AND CULTURE IN THE RURAL AREAS WHICH IS STILL ALIVE.GOOD FOR CONDUCTING RURAL EXPOSURE CAMP AND MORE OF THIS NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED IN THE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.ALL THE BEST.THANK YOU.

  • John DSouza, Mangalore

    Sat, Dec 14 2013

    Perhaps, the rural exposure and experience lead to explore plenty of wonderful solutions.
    We have about 600,000 villages and 70% of population dwells in the rural areas with poverty.
    Metropolitan cities and urban areas are burdened to provide facilities to overcrowded people.
    Citizens all over the country are uncomfortable with the rising prices and high level of inflation.

    We are in the advanced stage of technology and electronic media, reaching to every corner.
    The unemployment is mounting due to continuous additions of graduates and professionals.
    Our resources are adequate to convert many of our villages into towns, with basic facilities.
    The opportunity is to attract the overcrowded population of fewer cities towards the villages.

    In fact, the rural life is peaceful with clean and cool environment, less pressure & tension
    Urban areas are burdened with overcrowding, traffic jams, pollutions, congestions and heat.
    The need is to spread and scatter the population with the basic facilities of comfortable living.
    Implementation an innovative idea can make a revolutionary change and world of difference.

    The huge population can make the real change with unity, cooperation and support.
    If we pull the cart, instead of carrying and moving the bullock cart on wheels, we can have a rapid revolution. The opportunity is to save 70% of fuel (billions of dollars), eliminate pollutions, reduce costs, increase capacities of vehicles and create enormous job opportunities.

  • vishal, mangalore

    Sat, Dec 14 2013

    nicely written Keep it up

  • Renita, mangalore

    Fri, Dec 13 2013

    A good article... Very truly picturised.


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