ICCR Camp Experience

Applying for ICCR camp was a huge rush, as we had limited time for this. This was second gathering with international community, as first is my class itself, that has 40 International Students, and the camp had 36 International Students.





Our preference was something else, however we were selected for camp of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The day itself began when I had the dream of missing my train.

However, we got the train, and reached to Itarsi, the junction near to Bhopal. We stayed there, and next morning we moved to Bhopal. The ICCR camp would begin, but we had to wait others, and hence we waited till the lunch. I had Sri Lankan roommate, who was so keen about India and Australia test going on.  The group was completely different than we had in our college.

Me and Amish!!

There was majority of Afghans and Sri Lankans in our group. Nepalese were not minority too, there were eight of us. Three girls and a guy from Delhi, two girls from Chennai and two of us. It was kind of odd to get down from majority to minority, as the number of Nepalese students were more in my class compared to other countries.

However, the tour was not at all dominating. Good thing was we liked Afghan music and the way they danced too, and that was really interesting. Sri Lankan dance was good too. Bangladeshis taste of music was good and Nepalese have to be cool any way. And the glory of the camp was by this guy from Niger – Adams.

I was wondering if I would not taste winter a bit this year, but yes, I got to taste winter. There were three Word Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh, and I got to visit all of them. I seriously felt, those places were good and some just okay when compared to Nepal.

Faking Birthday: The best thing however was faking birthday of Afghani friend Kaif. Ahh! Everyone except Palpasa believed that it was his real birthday, and was celebrated. That is the best thing about short gatherings. You don’t know when one’s birthday is, and you can celebrate it whenever you want. All you need is a person who is willing to admit that it’s his birthday. Maybe it was Kesayat's Birthday as shown in cake but not of our friend Kefayat ;)

Birthday cake! Oops! We did not give incorrect name, did they find out it was fake? :o

No Confusion: When we got into the hotel, we found Joy and we entered almost at same time. And we were sent for same room. We didn’t know Joy before. Kaif joined us, and we four became a gang! So, there was a confusion, if all of us were from same place, same college. Kaif is from Uttar Pradesh, Joy is from Rajasthan and Amish and I, we are from Andhra Pradesh.  Kifayat (or Kaif) is from Afghanistan and Joy is from Sri Lanka!

No we don't study together!

                                                                          

Fun with Teasing: Teasing Chumki Rani with the name of Jhumki was another memorable part, that made her celebrity out of all. She was happy too. Teasing with no any bad intention should not be regarded bad anyway. Maybe that was one reason, that made the tour exciting one, and brought us so together with attachments.

Knowing New Nepalese: I feel it's easy to start talking to others, than Nepalese. Maybe because, you don't have fear what others would think of you. But, the Nepalese can meet you second time and maybe in Nepal. So, I admit I am a bad starter. But, by the end of the tour, I talked to all!

Best Moments: It is difficult to explain the best moments, as every moments are indeed memorable. However if I have to select few... during the entire trip for me was boating at Bhedetar. That was completely different experience to go for boating in between the rocks. And, to stay near fire, after that cool and chilling jeep safari was next best thing for me. And yes, Khajurao Temple was a good and a different temple! Maybe, one place where honeymoon couple must go!

Boating in Bhedeghat, between rocks

Fire kept us warm in that cold!

Had to say good bye:  The camp was filled with excitement; however, this had to end. The ending was really emotional. Antara and Chumki’s tear was the reason that made everyone emotional.  Bidding all of them farewell was our task, as we had train in the night of that day. Visiting around Gwalior was our entire task to be done then. The same hotel was so lonely without anyone of them.

There we are!! As a group! Afghans, Lankans, Bangladeshis, Nepalese and Nigers!!

Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) has made one great way to educate, foreign students in India about the country. Foreign students, who were in the camp must had a great opportunity to learn about India, and various places of India through this camp, and it is one great way for them to know about India.

Over all, I got to be social with few other peoples, whom I would probably never meet in my entire life, if there was no camp as such. It would have been great if we could join others towards Agra, but we had our classes running.

Yeah’, the post is dedicated to all, who were in the camp! If possible, we shall meet again!!

I will post the camp activities in the blog soon! Cheers!