I will be performing classical dance tomorrow after a break of around 4 years. Iam very excited about it and you know.. my brain is getting flooded with childhood memories of my dance performances, different places we visited for performances, different people we met etc.,
There was one children camp conducted by Junior red cross in Taradevi, Shimla. We were around 10 pupil selected from our school for the camp. This was the first trip for me outside Andhra pradesh, so i was very excited. I could say we learnt a lot from the camp. There were sessions conducted on health care, first aid techniques, preparing for disasters, voluntary service etc., Competitions were conducted on different areas like dance, music, painting, dairy reading etc.,(i received first prize in dance and second in dairy reading). Motto of JRC being HELP, SERVICE and FRIENDSHIP, all sessions or contests or activities were aligned to encourage humanity and voluntary service in children.
They organized trekking to Tara devi temple from our accommodation which is nearer to 'Tara devi' station. It might be around 4 to 5 kms distance and it was raining heavily from morning. Nothing could dampen our excitement and it was fun to see all students wearing rain coats, carrying umbrellas walking on very narrow muddy roads in the forest. Since the road was also slippery, it was not an easy job. After reaching the hill, it was just fantastic scenery you could ever imagine with clouds below your feet. The view of Taradevi temple and landscape from hillock gives breathtaking experience. This temple is dedicated to goddess Tara devi one of the ten personifications of Parvathi, wife of Lord Shiva. The next day, we went to Shimla town and have done some shopping in 'The Mall'. Green apples were dead cheap and very delicious. Train journey from Kalka to Shimla was unforgettable as train crawls through many tunnels and around valleys. We can view Himachal pradesh apple juice factory on the way.
Trip was for around 10 days and we missed our train while returning to Kalka from Shimla. Since there were no trains to Kalka from Taradevi station, we decided to walk through the tunnel between 'Taradevi' station and Shimla railway station to catch the next train to Kalka. It was a bit scary, but fantastic experience to walk through rails in the darkness.
This trip is very much close to my heart and closest encounter with the beauty of nature. Iam indebted to 'Radhamani' teacher who selected me for this trip and organized the trip very well and made it memorable in our lives.
Image courtesy: Google
There was one children camp conducted by Junior red cross in Taradevi, Shimla. We were around 10 pupil selected from our school for the camp. This was the first trip for me outside Andhra pradesh, so i was very excited. I could say we learnt a lot from the camp. There were sessions conducted on health care, first aid techniques, preparing for disasters, voluntary service etc., Competitions were conducted on different areas like dance, music, painting, dairy reading etc.,(i received first prize in dance and second in dairy reading). Motto of JRC being HELP, SERVICE and FRIENDSHIP, all sessions or contests or activities were aligned to encourage humanity and voluntary service in children. They organized trekking to Tara devi temple from our accommodation which is nearer to 'Tara devi' station. It might be around 4 to 5 kms distance and it was raining heavily from morning. Nothing could dampen our excitement and it was fun to see all students wearing rain coats, carrying umbrellas walking on very narrow muddy roads in the forest. Since the road was also slippery, it was not an easy job. After reaching the hill, it was just fantastic scenery you could ever imagine with clouds below your feet. The view of Taradevi temple and landscape from hillock gives breathtaking experience. This temple is dedicated to goddess Tara devi one of the ten personifications of Parvathi, wife of Lord Shiva. The next day, we went to Shimla town and have done some shopping in 'The Mall'. Green apples were dead cheap and very delicious. Train journey from Kalka to Shimla was unforgettable as train crawls through many tunnels and around valleys. We can view Himachal pradesh apple juice factory on the way.
Trip was for around 10 days and we missed our train while returning to Kalka from Shimla. Since there were no trains to Kalka from Taradevi station, we decided to walk through the tunnel between 'Taradevi' station and Shimla railway station to catch the next train to Kalka. It was a bit scary, but fantastic experience to walk through rails in the darkness.
This trip is very much close to my heart and closest encounter with the beauty of nature. Iam indebted to 'Radhamani' teacher who selected me for this trip and organized the trip very well and made it memorable in our lives.
Image courtesy: Google
Hi Ramya,
ReplyDeletenice one and i am not getting any words to express my feelings.Such a superb experience u had and i wish u will post ur wonderful experiences more and more.I wish u all the very best for ur reperformance.Infact i love dance and music a lot and lot.I have a big dream to give a stage performance and i am very happy that after marriage and having a child and in hectic schedule u are fulfilling ur dreams.All the very best.
thanks Sudha for taking time to read blog and posting a comment. it is difficult only to perform after marriage, as iam unable to get time for practice. Lets see how it goes :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the most beautiful experience of urs i heard about you....! Feeling like i missed such a trip... :)
ReplyDeleteI was just googling Red Cross Camp and I got the link to your blog.. I had been to the same Camp in October 2003 and your blog post refreshed me with all those wonderful memories.. I am still in touch with a couple of friends I had made there.. And thanks again for such a wonderful post ! :)
ReplyDeleteI attended 2 Junior Red Cross camps at Taradevi in 1955 and 56. 5 boys and 5 girls were chosen for each camp. The lovely times we had will live in my heart forever! What an experience - train from Bombay to Delhi then onwards to Kalka ( the base station of the narrow gauge line to Simla). The scenery on the final leg of the journey was so beautiful. Happy days indeed. Whenever anyone mentions Shimla now I immediately think of my happy days all those years ago. I also love Facebook posts on the lovely Simla. Best wishes from an ageing man (82). Still…. I dream on …..
DeleteThanks.. glad that it reminded you of the same camp :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience at the Red Cross camp in Tara Devi. I was there in 1955 and loved my experience. Like you I was one of 5 boys representing Bombay State and there were 5 girls with us too. I was lucky to be chosen again one year later at the same location. The rail journey from Kalka to Simla was superb! I took a couple of photos when we were stuck at the entrance to the Tara Devi tunnel. I felt so happy when I read your post! Best wishes from Ivan Deshmukh now living in London.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience Ivan. Iam glad this post brought your memories back.
DeleteI have never forgotten my happy days in Tara Devi. Second most remembered and loved time in my life. The most remembered is when I met and married my lovely wife Kumu. We have had 56 happy years together. Love to all your readers❤️
ReplyDeleteI attended two such Red Cross camps in 1955 and 1956. I was among 5 boys and 5 girls chosen from Bombay schools. I love your narrative as it reminds me so much about my own trips. We too went to Simla for a day and did some shopping etc. My face still lights up when I hear the word Simla. Sadly redevelopment has ruined the town. Still our memories cannot be erased. I understand that the Red Cross still has a presence in Tara Devi. Love from Ivan in London.
ReplyDelete