Once again, a small description for a new place of the country. It is some parts of Gujarat and Diu. This time the occasion was a village-cum-field visit as part of Foundational Training Program of Direct Recruit Assistants, which I coordinated from 29.8.11 to 18.11.11.
Diu, located in the southern region of Saurashtra, is an Island city, district and a part on union territory. Saurashtra region is the western part of Gujarat state in India. Separated from the mainland of Gujarat by a tidal creek, Diu has an area of 40 square kilometers.
At this stage of my life I feel at home only when I am integrated, especially when I am not at home. Thus, I requested my wife to accompany me on the trip, which she accepted, for half of the trip. So for whatever period my better half was there, I felt integrated.
The trip started on a bad note. We were to start from Delhi to Ahmedabad by Rajdhani Express but could not get 91 confirmed tickets. We also could not get air tickets. The only option was that we moved by bus.
The thought of travel of 1000 kms by bus sent shivers in all of us. The 87 trainees suddenly stood divided whether to go on the trip or not. Ultimately 76 trainees decided to travel, come what may. Two decided to catch us at Ahmedabad by travelling by air at their own expense.
Accordingly, we commenced our journey from Delhi by bus. The lady luck was seriously annoyed with us. We could not start from Delhi Border before 0030 hours of 5.11.11.
In the morning, the participants took more time than required for wash and change. We stopped for lunch at Chittorgarh. This time the participants stuck to the allotted time. After lunch we proceeded to our destination. However due to heavy jam at various places, we started to lose hope to catch train for Junagarh, and ultimately we missed it by half an hour. Of the two options to continue to travel and reach in by morning or to halt at Ahmedabad and recommence our journey next day morning, we chose the latter.
Next day we had to reach Gir by 3:00 PM as we had booked Safari for the forest. We however again got late due to many halts on way for one or the other participants natural call.
The lady luck started smiling on us as we reached Gir. The first enjoyable item of the trip was African Safari Dance with bone fire at the hotel in Gir. As the dance began the participants started joining the dance. It was a typical dance combining in it the jerk dance. They put kerosene in their mouth and ooze out fire with different postures. At the end it was difficult to distinguish between our trainees and the African dancers. Overall we enjoyed to the full.
The subsequent day we visited Devalia. There are two forests in Gir, one is a bigger one and another at Devalia, at a distance of 13 km but a smaller one. We had to be satisfied with the smaller one at Devalia. Here, not only Lions were sighted but we were also able to take a film of 11/2 minutes while the lions moved. The trainees felt thrilled on the sight of lions.
From Gir we moved for Diu. After quick lunch and checking in, we moved for a visit to JNV Diu. This visit proved to be an eye opener to the trainees with regard to punctuality. In fact we got late by 15 minutes in reaching the Vidyalaya, and were warmly welcomed by the small children who had been waiting for us in hot sun, for the past 20 minutes. The children later performed cultural activities for the guests.
This day had many more good things. Next was Nagoa beach of Diu. The trainees enjoyed their full at the beach. At 7:30, we gathered to return to our hotel at Diu. Before dinner, there was an arrangement for DJ. After the start in hiccups at 8:00 PM, it snowballed into a community dance. In fact at the end at 10:45 PM, the trainees had to be advised to stop and proceed for dinner.
For next day’s sunrise, the group was divided. Ultimately only 32 could manage to get up early to go for it. It was dark when we reached the Jalandhar beach. As day dawned clouds were visible at horizon. However, clouds later became a bit milder and sun-rise was visible, though slightly above the horizon. Soon the sun came up and turned orange.
On this day, we also went for local sight-seeing which included caves, fort, light house and church.
Diu Fort: Of all the places, the Diu fort has a prominent position in the places of tourist interest. It is a huge and impressive structure. Constructed between 1535 and 1541 by the Portuguese, the fort has gorgeous view of the sea and Panikotha.
St.Paul's Church: St.Paul is a beautiful church dedicated to Virgin Mary. Built in 1610, it is perhaps one of the most elaborated Portuguese churches in India. The architecture style is lot like the churches of Goa. It is known for one of the best craftsmanship on the wood. St.Paul church would attract those seeking peace and god.
As it was hot and sultry, we got very tired by the time we proceeded back to hotel for lunch. At hotel we not only took lunch but also got our dinner packed.
After lunch, we proceeded for Somnath. At Somnath, we visited both the new and the old temples. The new building of Somnath is on the sea shore. Owing to paucity of time, we could not see the sunset. After darshan, we proceeded for Veerawal Railway Station to catch Somnath Express for Ahemdabad.
At Ahemdabad, we were again put in the same hotel for wash and change. After Breakfast, we proceeded for Anand for a visit to Amul Dairy. At Amul dairy, it was a nice experience. First they briefed us about the development of the Dairy and then they arranged for our visit to the plant where we saw milk powder and butter being packed after it was cleaned and pasteurized. We also saw Dr Kurien’s life history. While proceeding to Amul Dairy I left my wife at Hotel as she had to catch a flight to Delhi at 12 noon.
After visit to Amul, we returned to the same hotel at Ahemdabad for our lunch. After lunch we proceeded to NICM where our stay was arranged by SIRD, Gujarat for three day’s village attachment.
Here ends the field visit for ADRs of 14th and 15th Batch.