At the Jaipur Literature festival, we spent some time on the last day writing and sharing our experiences of the 6 days we spent together. We sang some songs, played games and put our feelings onto paper. Here is what some students wrote:
“Being Human” was an amazing workshop. I learnt a lot here; from mixing with people from rural areas, making a connection with them, knowing about their dreams, to attending all the mesmerizing sessions. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend this mind blowing workshop. From the very first day, its been a great experience and today the workshop is ending and we don’t know if we’ll ever meet these people again. It feels sad now to depart! It feels great today to be born in this world which is full of different values and ethics!
“Being Human is what we should be, Good in everyone we should see,
Building bridges across yawning trenches, of differences and distance
But we gave it a chance, and it felt truly amazing!!”
- Kanupriya Bora, Mayo College for Girls School
“After meeting and making friends with well educated students from the city and speaking to them, my self confidence has really gone up and now I believe that even I can speak freely on a stage such as this. Gulzar Saab’s poem where he showed us how human beings behave through the imagery of trees was very touching and I have learnt to be more compassionate towards nature. I will try and educate my friends on all the things I’ve learnt here, especially the things about RTI and the NREGA.”
-Santra Devi, Barefoot College, Tillonia(translated from hindi)
“The past six days of my life have been quite interesting, enriching and informative. Meeting different people, getting to know their interests and hopes have always interested me. Coming from a world which is Utopian to some I realised that its not a right but a priviledge, for people who don’t have access to proper education, a platform like this is incredible! I would like to acknowledge the effort made by the Tehelka Foundation for bringing people from such different backgrounds together to explore, exchange and enhance their thoughts.”
- Rajsi Manrai, Sawai Man Singh Vidyalaya
“The workshop has been a wonderful experience for me. It was an amazing opportunity to get to know other people and their lives as well as mix around with others of our age. It was great fun, especially the personal sessions with Gulzar, Prasoon Joshi, Ruskin Bond and Gcina Mhlophe and Paro Anand. We spent a memorable 6 days together and actually did what the workshop wanted, built bridges! We connected not because of our similarities, but because of our differences. The “Being Human” workshop taught us on different levels and none of us will be able to forget the people we spent time with. “
“Respecting yourself first and then others is called Being Human!”
- Rumana Rahman, Mayo College for Girls’ School
“The first thing we did on reaching here was we mixed up and got introduced to each other. I really enjoyed playing all the games, we got to know each other and in the process also became a little comfortable and confident as well.I really enjoyed Gulzar Saab’s sessions and loved listening to his poetry on trees and life. I loved every bit of the past six days I’ve spent here.”
- Champa, Urmul Setu, Bajju, Bikaner(translated from Hindi)