Community Living Camp: Day 3

CHIRANTHANA

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

14th February 2024 was the third day of the Community living camp - Chiranthana. Since the previous day's aerobic session was enchanting the students took much interest in it and were really excited to take part in it. The aerobics instructor Jithi Ma'am became friendly with us and she was very kind, considerate and flexible in her approaches. She never insisted us to do any difficult steps as she was aware that we were all beginners. She also gave us enough motivation for doing the exercises. After the aerobic session, we had our breakfast.

Since the camp news is an integral part a camp, the reading of the camp news was the next to follow. After the camp news, the first session of the third day started at 9:30 am. It was led by the famous motivational trainer Dr. Shaji N. Raj sir and the top of the session was "We can Change". The resource person was very simple in his approach and style and he was welcomed by Ms. Lekshmi of Physical Science department. It was an interactive session. Shaji sir brilliantly depicted all the stages in the life of a modern man through an action song and this was really interesting which made the students laugh but at the same time made this critically think about the dangerous life style we are following. He then shared his experiences, hardships and success story with us which motivated us and triggered us to change ourselves. He used four principles to change and inspire us. They are- my time is my responsibility, my behavior is my responsibility, my values are my responsibility and my happiness is my responsibility. At the end of the session Shaji sir provided us with a self-evaluation sheet which helped us to gain a better understanding about ourselves.

After the lunch break, some time was provided for the preparation of flash mob. By 2:00 pm, the student teachers got ready for the community survey. The community survey was conducted withthe objective of collecting information regarding the current knowledge of the community members on the topic “sustainability”. It also intended to spread an awareness regarding the concept, need and importance of sustainable development among the local people. The survey gave us opportunity identify the few sustainable practices adopted and practiced by the people there. Along with conducting the survey, the student teachers were also entrusted with the responsibility of selling the products - lotion and hand wash. After proper guidance from the teachers, we went for conducting the community survey. It was really interesting and gave us good and bad experiences alike. We also sold the products, lotion and handwash, which we made as part of SUPW on the first day.

By 5:30 pm, the student teachers reached the Karakulam junction after the survey. We then organized a flash mob which intended to grab the attention of the public towards sustainable development. We also distributed notices and awareness cards. After the flash mob, we went back to Grameena Patana Kendram and reached there around 6:30pm. After the tea break, an experience sharing session of the survey was organised in which the students shared various funny and scary moments they encountered. The survey was a real eye opener which broadened the mental horizon of student teachers. After this, time was given for the preparation of camp news. The day came to an end with the screening of the movie "Varanam Aayiram" and all these were really memorable for student teachers. Thus day 3 of Chiranthana was also a satisfying one.