AMU Aligarh Students Contribution in Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission. (S B S I)

Students of AMU Aligarh said Lab-baik (I am at your service) to Mann ki baat by Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi of October 2nd, 2014.When he urged the youth of the nation to be a part of summer internship initiative and make their contribution to a clean India.

AMU Aligarh Students Team of Swachh Bharat Summer Intern ship in Village Mirzapur

This Swachh Bharat Summer Internship is an extension to the Swachh Bharat Mission of the Modi government.University has adopted a village Mirzapur (Block Jawan) in Disrtict Aligarh for Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission. Swachh Bharat mission is beyond politics, inspired by patriotism and not politics. 

This Swachh Bharat Summer Internship is an extension to the Swachh Bharat Mission of the Modi government.University has adopted a village Mirzapur (Block Jawan) in District Aligarh for Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission. Swachh Bharat mission is beyond politics, inspired by patriotism and not politics.

AMU Aligarh Students Team of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship in Primary School in Village Mirzapur

This programme provided not only a great learning experience to the students but also help in making India healthy and a clean country.

Dr Ali Jafar Abedi (Nodal Officer, Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Program) and Dr Naseem Ahmad Khan (Chairperson, Department of Social Work) guided the team members, Momin Ali (PhD ELT), Sanjida Parvin (Ph.D English), Sonveer Singh (M. Tech. Mechanical),Mirza Anam Beg (B. Ed), Neha Tiwari (B.S.W), Riya Tiwari (B.S.W) and Anupam Gupta (B.Sc hons Physics) Rajat Yadav(B.Tech) and Rajat Yadav (B.E) for carrying out the awareness campaign.

AMU .Aligarh Students of Swachh Bharat Mission playing Nukkad Natak in village Mirzapur

The Objective Of The Swachh Bharat Summer Internship

Swachh Bharat Summer Internship programme aims to engage the educated youth across the nation in this cleanliness drive, enhance their skills and introduce them to the sanitation-related work and unify the youngsters in community development work in the rural areas. It will also help in magnifying the mass awareness on the issue of cleanliness and will promote the people’s movement towards Swachh Bharat Mission.

AMU. Aligarh Students of Swachh Bharat Summer internship held a rally in village Mirzapur

Students of AMU Aligarh spread the message of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Village Mirzapur of Jawan Block.

The visiting members of AMU Aligarh students team of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission,Momin Ali (Ph.D- ELT), Sanjida Parvin (Ph.D English), Sonveer Singh (M. Tech Mechanical), Mirza Anam Beg (B. Ed), Neha Tiwari (B.S.W), Riya Tiwari (B.S.W), Anupam Gupta (B.Sc Hons. Physics),Vkram Parmar(B.E), and Rajat Yadav(B.Tech), ignited mind of villagers of Mirzapur the importance and need to take care of personal hygiene, open defecation and cleanliness in food.

Cleanliness is most important for physical well-being and a healthy environment. It has bearing on public and personal hygiene. It is essential for everyone to learn about cleanliness, hygiene, sanitation and the various diseases that are caused due to poor hygienic conditions. 

The habits learnt at a young age get embedded into one's personality. Even if we inculcate certain habits like washing hands before meals, regular brushing of teeth, and bathing from a young age, we are not bothered about cleanliness of public places. 

Message with Nukkad Natak, Street  Plays  Music and  Song

AMU Aligarh Students team of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission performed Nukkad Nataks, street plays, mimicry with music, music and dance in school campus and in village.Later they went door to door of village Mirzapur.

One of many Nakkad Natak and Street play was as such below.

Are bhaiya natak dekho, nukkad wala?

O! Khaike paan Banaras wala, khul jaey band aqal ka tala

Are Ramesh: Agar main apne gharka kuda,

Tere ghar men phenkun to

Main tera dushman, tu mera dush,

Main nagin tu sapera.

Aaj mere yar ki shadi hai

Mubarak ho Mubarak ho

Are kahe ki Mubarak,

Ladke walon ne shadi se mana kar diya

Keya! Par keyon?

Are bhai ladki walon ka kahna hai

Aapke ghar wale geela kuda neele dustbin men

 Aur sookha kooda hare dustbin men nahi phenkte

Jisse hoti hain beemariya aur gali men badboo

Badboo! Kaisi badboo, keya aapko nahi arahi hai badboo

Ab to adat si ho gayio hai aisey jeene men

Are chuppp: Meri shadi toot gayi hai

 Aur tum log maen le rahe ho.

Ey bhai zara dekh ke phenk

Aagey bhi nahi peechey bhi.

Upper hi nahi neechey bhi.

(Written by Rishi Yadav)

Message though Plantation

  The team members of AMU Aligarh Students of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission did plantations of Neem, Gulmohar, Sheesham and jamun at various points as advised by villagers that including a masjid cum madrasa complex and in cremation ground. Team Members explained villagers, benefits of planting trees.

They said that trees are important for health, environmental, economics and even psychological effects. Trees contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife.

Message through Wall Paintings. 

AMU Aligarh Students team of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission members painted many walls paintings at different points of village with message to maintain cleanliness and hygiene by using dust bin for waste materials. Spectacle of Gandhi ji was used as symbol for this message .

Hand Washing and personal Hygiene

AMU Aligarh Students team of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission gave the message worth repeating — Hand washing is by far the best way to keep us from getting sick and prevent the spread of germs.

Head Mistress of School distributing soap to school children

Team members gave this message to school kids of junior high school in Village Mirzapur — Hand washing is by far the best way to keep us from getting sick and prevents the spread of germs.They practically explained the right method of hand washing. Paper soaps too were distributed among them by Head mistress of school.

Message of brooming as a part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,

AMU Aligarh Students team of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission illustrated by self sweeping the roads, lanes and by-lanes of the village, to know them the importance of cleanliness, and Hygiene. One of the first signs of a well managed place —is its level of cleanliness.

The visiting team identified the main problems as Disposal of waste materials, development of infrastructure etc.The team also noted that water pollution has detrimentally affected the animals causing large number of deaths of cattle in recent years.

AMU Aligarh Students of Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Mission individually devoted 100 hours to this Swachhata Abhiyan from May 1 to July 31, 2018.

As organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, in association with Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

      Written photographed and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram

Itinerary Of Pondicherry “The Mini France In India”

Pondicherry called Mini France has always fascinated me. After dreaming the virgin beaches of Pondicherry the “Mini France” in it for many years,one fine day I packed my bags and boarded in GT.Express from Agra Cant at 21.45 pm.There is no direct train for Pondicherry from Agra.Nearest station to Pondicherry is Chennai.This train journey took 33 hour in travelling a distance of 2,100 Km and reached at 6.30 in morning.

At Paradise Beach

Road Journey From Chennai To Pondicherry: Sea, Coconut Groves, Salt Pans and Birds Hi Birds.

Next phase of journey was on a hired Taxi from Chennai to Pondicherry at a distance of 170 Km. This journey was along ECR (Eastern Coastal Road).Taxi was running along Bay of Bengal. Nice view of the beach and the Bay of Bengal all along on our left side and the paddy fields on the other. 

The drive was so picturesque that I didn’t notice the time flying by. The bright cloudless sky was above us.

Some where  on way from Chennai to Pondicherry, there were huge salt making set ups of huge mounts of pure white raw salt piled up contrasting with the dark chocolate brown mud surrounding it.These vast salt plans were formed as a result of the sea water evaporating. 

Street Vendors in Pondicherry

A Mini France in Pondicherry

A Mini France still exists in India in the French Quarter in Pondicherry, which has a history of being acquired and colonised by the French East India Company to set up a trading centre.

As we walked across the tree lined streets the French connection could be seen with the town boasting of a French architecture. Even some streets have French names.

Pondicherry was a French colony until 1962 and hence all over Pondicherry, French influence reflects in all facets of life. Pondicherry is famously known as the French Riviera of the East, and is one of the most mesmerizing and charming places in South India.

A Traffic  Police of Pondicherry

It was the largest colony of French India, whose marks can be seen on the city even today, be it the architecture of the houses, or the way the city has been divided. The town is divided into two sections, The French section and The Indian Section.

The buildings with yellow color are the French quarters and buildings with white color are the Tamil quarters. The road near the beach where the French colony is situated is marked as “Rue” which means “Road” in French language.

What We Saw in Pondicherry

We reached Pondicherry at 3.00 pm and settled in pre booked hotel.After a shower and a small nap, we were ready to explore Pondicherry.

Pondicherry has some great beaches I wished to sit by the beach side savoring the salty air permeating the ambiance. We saw some policemen in extremely attractive uniforms patrolling the streets. They had very interesting hats and many people took pictures with them, as did I.

A Street Shop in Pondicherry

Rock Beach and the Gandhi Statue Promenade Beach or Pondicherry Beach

Is a 1 kilo metre long sea shore stretch in the city of Pondicherry. The beach has also other tourist attractions such as French War Memorial, Mahatma Gandhi statue and The Promenade.There was Bay of Bengal spread far and across. The view of the sea was such as what I had not seen so far. The vast spread of immaculate water with thick.

Rock Beach-Pondicherry

A wave rushing towards the sandy shore was a real treat to the eyes. The evening breeze totally refreshed the tiredness and laziness.

Right in the middle of the promenade is the magnificent statue of Gandhi ji. This four-meter high statue made of black stone is surrounded by 8 granite pillars, which were supposedly brought from a small fort near Pondicherry, Gingee. The space in front of the statue plays host to various cultural and musical activities throughout the year. 

At Pondicherry Beach

We had tea on one of the benches placed all over the facility and then started getting ready for a visit the Pondicherry Beach.

Similarly, the Beach road of Pondicherry running down the Bay of Bengal is an interesting spot for an evening get-together when while enjoying the cool breeze, and lose yourself in your solitary thoughts looking beyond the Mighty Sea.

Rock beach,Gandhi Statue Promenade Beach

A sunset in Bay of Bengal was like a romance for me.The Sun was ready to set slowly. The Orange red blob rolled down the sky.The small crystals in the sand sparkle and glow brilliantly orange, with the sunrays.The sky was more purple than red now, highlighting the transition from day to night. A sunset was like a romance

We did some window shopping in the local market that has a variety of shops some selling interesting pieces of art. Also we found some bakeries that boasted of their French lineage.

LE CAFÉ

It was once the port office when the railway ran along the Beach Road from the South Boulevard to the old 240 meters iron pier. A cyclone in 1952 largely destroyed the pier whose remains can still be seen poking out of the water.

Lotus flower pond in lawn of  LE CAFE

 Le Cafe is a tourist haven.Hot espresso with a perfect crema top is best sipped along the back row of tables which look out onto the crashing waves. And ice cream, topped with strawberries and fresh mint, should be inhaled immediately before it melts.

Paradise Beach 

At a distance of 8 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, Paradise Beach, also known as Plage Paradiso, is an isolated beach located at Chunnambar. The tides at the beach are strong at times and it is not advisable to go deeper into the sea. 

Paradise Beach

 The only way to reach the beach is by a speed boat or by small ferries carrying 40 or 80 passengers at a time. We reached the pick point in a Taxi.Ferry takes up to 25-30 minutes to take you to the beach.

Paradise Beach

Around 9.00 in morning we reached the Paradise Beach located about 8 kilometers from Pondicherry near the mouth of the backwaters. A ferry sailed us to the sands through the backwaters. There were some tents pitched up on the beach where one can rest or just watch the sea or you could just walk up to the sea and play in the waters.

Paradise Beach of Pondicherry

The tides at the beach are strong at times and it is not advisable to go deeper into the sea.I’m at the beach, watching the constant ebb of the waves.The seagull’s ride with the wind, dipping in and out Of the Sea in search of food.

Paradise Beach

Back in town we had lunch and then went to our hotel. After a short nap we were ready again to go around the town. 

Aurobindo Ashram

The next we visited Auroville or the ‘City of Dawn’ about 8 km from Pondicherry. The bodies of Sri Aurobinda and the mother lie in rest here. People from all over the world visit this place to pay homage to the duo and those in quest for soul-searching peace. 

Aurobindo Ashram-in Pondichery

This city was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as "the Mother") the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. with the idea of a futuristic city where people of goodwill can live together in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. Around 2000 people live here with most of them being non Indians. 

History has it that during the inauguration ceremony of Auroville on 28th February 1968, soil from 124 countries was placed in a lotus-shaped urn and mixed to symbolize universal oneness. This urn is today sited at the centre of an Amphitheater in the Matrimandir Gardens. The light falling on the globe acts as a focal aid to concentration.   

Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Next we went to Sacred Heart Church which is a colossal edifice structured in Neo-Gothic style. Founded in 1902, the church has its interior decorated with beautiful stained glass paintings and terracotta motifs. All of the 28 windows have various depictions of Christ's life painted on them. The ambiance inside is very peaceful, perfect for making prayers and communication with God.

Thus ended a short but extremely tranquil trip of Pondicherry the “Mini France in India”: which I considered one of my most enjoyable trip.In last I realized that Pondicherry is one of the best places to settle down in.

At Dinner Table in Pondicherry

Here ends Itinerary Of Prondicherry “The Mini France In India”There are many more places in Pondicherry “The Mini France of India” to steal your heart .Due to time constraint I skipped those amazing points.My Camera was full of sweet memories of Pondicherry.

Written photographed and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram