4S) GN-2A (13-Mar-2018) Bharghava Shyam- (A)

Date: 13-Mar-2018

Name: A.N. Bharghava Shyam

Admission Number: MAE15007

Question:

Write a brief (max 500 words) note reflecting on the school visit.   It should try to link the observations and understanding developed (though limited because it is just a few hours) at Puvidham with your Nai-Talim understanding developed during class discussions or readings.

Response:

Observations and Reflections: Marking a remarks through listening and watching based on my present understanding.

After seeing the surrounding areas near the Puvidham-School, I thought it look like a drought area in the ending of winter season only, then what happens in summer season? But in school through discussions, I heard about water harvesting in the school and village also; in our discussion process, Meenakshi mam told us, about some parts of architecture built by the school with mud, sticks, plastics, etc.

She gave her own appendicitis example how she get rid from disease by urine therapy, later she did research and built an environment for self-medicine. School curriculum is based the experiences and resources which are near to them (personal experiences, ex. Urine-therapy), not which are far to them (textbook).In this all I saw principle of Swaraj-Swadesh & Sarvodaya (restricting themselves to the near surroundings for most of the time and working for welfare of all). In her discussions she told her aim that “Human have to sustain happily when nothing is around me/you”, this also implies on Swaraj ideology.

While discussing with Meenakshi madam on love, I remembered Gandhi ideology on self-control than state/other-control. When one is loving other, teacher didn’t stop them, she tried to make them with some responsibilities like talking each other for 10 minutes; in urine therapy also self-control will come because they are not depending on hospitals. In punishments she is making students self-control through empathy feeling by giving by hypothetical situations in reverse psychological manner. Till now the passed out students are not addicted to smoking, drinking alcohol, this also comes under self-control/sacrificing the things.

I experienced alternative schools which are mostly focusing on upper-middle class and upper class only near urban areas, 1st time I experienced school for lower class and lower upper class in rural area.  Here school is there in typical rural setting which is focused on art education like painting, pottery, playing, gardening, etc. Gandhi Nai-thalim also focus in rural setting with art and craft education only.

I remembered William Shakespeare quote “What is in name, that which we call a rose by any other name, would smell as sweet” when she told about without knowing Gandhi Nai-talim, I am practicing that.

When I interacted and played with some children there, they told me here there are very happy, we have good friends and also don’t have pressure.

Gandhi Nai-talim main idea is create hope in life instead of frustration with the 3H coordination activities between head, hand and heart. Because of more activities and exposure like playing, nature-walking, painting/drawing, gardening (owning some plants and take caring of that plans) etc. they are good coordination between them and on some craft work in the school. Here boys and girls both are making sanitary pads (Craft) without any hesitations.  

Here she doesn’t like fixed curriculum also, Gandhi Nai-talim also shouldn’t focus on fixed curriculum. When there is fixed thing will be there, there we have expectations, I feel this is not a school, but as informal community focus on responsibilities by considering individual concerns.