Delhi Public School R.K. Puram, New Delhi

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Monday, November 13, 2006

ANUBHAV GUIDED TOURS OF DPS (AGTOD)

At Delhi Public School (DPS), RK Puram, thanks to the painstaking efforts and imagination of Dr. (Mrs.) S. Chona, the Anubhav Shiksha Kendra (ASK), a haven for education of the less fortunate members of the community, has become deeply embedded in the social and moral consciousness of every Dipsite.

Like a true Dipsite, Priyamvada Gupta (Class XI Q), felt that for a complete experience (anubhav) of education (shiksha), which normally revolves around the centre (kendra) called the school, it is also necessary for the child to step out, reach out and breathe the free air of his or her surroundings and make friends with the environs, the monuments, the gardens, the temples and the sites in and around the city in which he or she lives.

Delhi is a historical city of ancient vintage. Founded and christened by the Pandavas as Indraprastha as early as in 1450 B.C., Delhi has had the unique distinction of having been almost invariably the capital of India. It has witnessed the rise and fall of many a Hindu and Muslim ruler before being left in its present form and shape by the British. In the course of history, seven medieval cities were formed to which the English architect, Sir Edward Lutyens, added his own admirable structures and spaces.

Our brothers and sisters at ASK deserve their own share of sunshine in the city of Delhi. We at DPS need to give a hand and draw them out to mingle with the neighbourhood. The ANUBHAV GUIDED TOURS OF DPS (AGTOD), conceived and founded by Priyamvada, is an attempt leading us in that direction.

AGTOD aims at taking out the pupils of ASK for a unique educational experience to the farthest environs, gardens and monuments of Delhi. It intends to bridge the gap between the old and the new Delhi in their young, fertile and impressionistic minds. It aspires to ignite their imagination and instil in them the passion to unravel and explore.

AGTOD is also an effort of Priyamvada to arouse and awaken and activise the little tour guide which is hidden in each one of us.

AGTOD shall conduct tours of Delhi, once every month, for the children at ASK under the leadership of Priyamvada acting under the guidance and patronage of Dr. (Mrs.) S. Chona and the teachers at ASK.

For details contact
Priyamvada Gupta, Class XI Q at DPS, RK Puram
Phones : 22773922, 22775199 or 9873178010
E-mail : priyamvada. gupta@gmail.com)

Sunday, November 12, 2006

AGTAD TOUR VII - REPORT RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

The Anubhav Shiksha Kendra students were to meet the President under the banner of AGTAD at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President had decided to meet us and celebrate Eid.

At 11:00 am, 15 children, 6 boys and 9 girls, met the His Excellency The President of India, under the banner of AGTAD on the pious occasion of Eid. The tour was planned for showing the children the lawns of the Rashtrapati Bhavan where the President had decided to meet us and celebrate Eid.

It was a pleasant October morning. The presence of our esteemed Principal, Dr. Mrs. Shayama Chona, who led us, filled our hearts with a special radiance as we reached the portals of the President’s house.

Scores of people had collected in the lawns of the President’s house to greet the President festival of Eid. We too stood in the long queue of visitors to meet and greet the symbol of our nation. Waiting in the sun for nearly an hour, just to catch a glimpse of the President was like a lifetime achievement for the children.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan is a huge estate by itself. It comprises of beautiful buildings and various gardens and open spaces. It was designed and built by Sir Edwin Lutyen in a combination of Mughal and Classical European architectural styles. Before Independence, it was known as the Viceroy’s House, since the Viceroy used to reside therein. After Independence, when India became a republic and its President, that is, the Rashtrapati started living in the estate, it was re-christened as Rashtrapati Bhavan.

We left the place after a good one hour with a box of ‘Eid Mubarak’ sweets from the President.
The students were back in school by 12:30 am.

AGTAD TOUR VI - SAFDARJANG TOMB & LODHI GARDEN

At 8:00 am, we took 16 students of different classes of ASK-7 boys and 9 girls- and a teacher on an excursion to the Safdarjang tomb and Lodhi Gardens. The Safdarjang tomb is the ‘memorial of Mirza Mukin Mansur Khan.

Mirza khan used to be the Governor of Qudh and the prime minister during the reign of the Mughal Emperor, MohdShah, in the 18th century. He was entitled as SAFDARJANG. That is why his tomb is called Safdarjang TOMB. The tomb was built by his son ,the Nawab of Avadh , in 1753. It is a national monument.

We proceeded to the main monument where lies the grave of Safdarjang. The monument is built with red stone. It was designed by an Abyssinian architect. It has four minarets and a huge protracting dome that is made of pure white marble apart from ornamental arches. Nearby there is also a ladies’ quarter (zenana).
The Safdarjang tomb stands on a high terrace surrounded by extensive walled gardens. The gardens have been designed in the typical ‘CHAHARBAGH’ style.

The tomb is comparable to TAJ MAHAL. All around the tomb their is greenery. There are also blossoming flowers, beautiful trees and lot of fresh oxygen.

We spent almost an hour at the tomb. The students of ASK were served with refreshments before they left for the next destination, LODHI GARDEN.

Lodhi Gardens are widely believed to be the lungs of Delhi. They are situated in the heart of Delhi.

In Lodhi Gardens, there is a lot of greenery. There are also different categories of flowers and plants, dense trees and various species of birds. There is also a beautiful, well maintained BONSAI PARK . The gardens are really well manicured.

In the middle of the gardens, there are two wonderful tombs of the Lodhi rulers, Ibrahim and Sikander Lodhi, who ruled Delhi during the 14th and 15th centuries.
The tombs face each other. They are surrounded on all sides with large and sprawling lawns and gardens.

There are quite a few rules which should be followed in the garden. For instance, there should be no littering in the parks, no playing of cricket or football, no damaging to any monument or other property .

We spent about 45 minutes at the LODHI GARDENS . The students of ASK were back in school by 11:00 am.