Ravinder Chadha
The word ‘Tour’ fills one’s imagination with fantasies about places of immense natural beauty, architectural splendor and historical significance. The prospect of stepping into such a world fills one with a sense of thrill and enthusiasm. The great English essayist Charles Lamb rightly says that a journey through desert may be dull and monotonous for one but it is equally enchanting for others depending upon the approach and attitude of the person. History reveals that journeys can bring about complete transformation in the life of a person to lead the world on the path of love, humanity and global peace.
Educational trips are a beautiful part of college life. Students and teachers alike get a chance to discover new places, new cultures and surroundings. Apart from fun and frolic that is associated with trips, educational trips are taken with a purpose to learn many things. The students eagerly look forward to these trips as they want to get some respite from the stressful and mechanical routine of the class work. Travelling opens a gateway of joyful and exciting experiences which refresh both body and mind. Learning becomes all the more a fun during an educational trip.
One starts his journey by cladding himself with heavy clothes to avoid the chill of winter but switches to lighter clothes after Jhansi, which makes him marvel the wonderful climatic pattern prevailing in our country. The phenomenon of language shifts after almost every hundred kilometers. Similarly change in dress, outlook and living style of the people after travelling every few miles reflect the unique color of enriched cultural and social fabric of our society. All these add to the blend of bitter and sweet experiences especially relating to food items which one either relishes or rejects and behavioural aspect of different shades of people with whom one interacts. Majority influence by their decent and cordial behaviour but some act in contrast for unjustifiable reasons. The everlasting memories, golden moments and experiences of the tour get enshrined in the inner niches of the minds of the students and surface out on suitable occasion to share with others.
The Ministry of Human Resources as well as Defense and Social Organization arrange Sadhbhavana trips for youth of our State and other backward eastern States to bring awareness among them. During the course of these trips, the youth get acquainted with the rich cultural heritage, homogenous characters and strong social bonding prevailing across the country. The concept of unity in diversity not only becomes an instrument in developing new vision among the youth but also instill in them a sense of patriotism. This renewed spirit with positive frame of mind establish them as the ambassadors of peace and fraternity in their respective areas in order to counter the malicious propaganga against the country raised by some anti-national and anti-social elements who are bent upon creating a wedge among the people on unfair and immoral grounds.
Around this time of the year, the college authorities must have finalized the itineraries of the tours mostly focusing upon places of scenic beauty, historcial importance as also cosmopolitan cities and sea-shores. I would draw the attention of concerned authorities that our State and neighbouring ones are considered as heaven on earth due to their natural beauty. Tourist not only from different States of the country but even from abroad love to have a glance of these innumerable worth seeing places. Many of our students do not get the opportunity to visit these places because of domestic or economic constraints. Why can’t we organize economical tours of short duration for them to make them familiar with their State to boost it before rest of the country.
The zeal of organizing tours in boys colleges is on decline which cannot be taken casually. This needs to be given serious thought because the purpose of conducting these trips is not only fun and enjoyment but quite deep rooted which is why it is incorporated as an important exercise in educational curriculum. The boys of this part of the region are not supposed to be kept in isolation rather they need to be given more exposure and opportunities to interact with people of other States. Through these trips, they should experience the advancement and development made by other States. These experiences may help some to become assets to bring the State in the category of developed States by raising its economy.
The economic aspect of the tour needs to be given serious thought as these tours are generally meant for the less privileged students who otherwise do not have much means to visit these places. These tours are generally accompanied by teachers, besides tour agents and his staff. Being fewer in number in the field, these tour operators exploit this situation by charging handsomely on the name of better facilities and services, which is mostly beyond the pocket of ordinary students, which is mostly beyond the pocket of ordinary students. So, authorities must do some meticulous arithmetical calculations of tour expenditure including the profit in order to avoid black mailing in the interest and welfare of the students. Since long, Government has been contributing at the rate of rupees thirty per student per day which is too meager an amount presently in view of the sky-rocketing prices of the commodities. This amount can only be sufficient for one time meal. There should be at least five fold increase in the grant so that the economically backward students can derive the benefits of these trips.
These trips should be conducted right from the day first of the vacation in order to save the precious academic days of the students. The tour operators after accepting orders, extend most illogical excuses for not conducting tours during Christmas days because of hike in hotel expenses. The question of yielding to their vague arguments and tricks does not carry any significance before the prime academic interest of the students.
Tour operator himself must be asked to accompany the tour to ensure facilities and security of tours as his subordinate staff cannot be believed or trusted for this task. Past experiences speak the stories of some mismanaged tours because of irresponsible of these people.
The tour operator who has been found guilty of breaching the norms and trust of one college, should not be entrusted with this job by all the colleges. For instance, the tour operator who organized the tour of Anantnag college five years back was allegedly involved in making the CDs of girl students for reasons best known to him. This was his second act of this sort. For none of the fault of authorities, it caused unnecessary embarrassment and problem for them in order to calm down the agitated parents and to save the prestige of the institution. Ultimately, it is the smoothly conducted, meticulously planned and well managed tour which brings about the real achievements.
(The author is former H.O.D., Dept of Chemistry W.C. Parade)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel