Kachchh trip by KOJAIN Youths 2003-3004

____________________Comments By: Nirav Shah of Indiana__________________

Thank you very much for organizing the Kutch trip. Those were the most amazing 10 days I have ever spent in India and I would even say that the trip is one of my favorite vacations. In Raju's words I truly feel as though I experienced Kutch. I really got a feel for the Kutchi hospitality when my sister and I randomly started up conversations up with locals who then proceeded to buy us chai and invite us to their homes. My sister and I are feeling nostalgic about the trip and I have shown the pictures that I have taken to all of my friends at school. We both have agreed that the next time we go to India we will definitely spend the majority of the time in Kutch. I have also told all my relatives and Kutchi friends that they have to go next year if there is a trip.

Veeryatan and the medical camp are both amazing places that really stuck out for me. As for constructive criticism if there is a trip next year an overnight stay at Veeryatan would be nice. I believe Nisha was saying this all along. Also if you plan on seeing Anjar again next year you should try to see it the first day when you are making your way up to the camp from Gandidham. I believe that it was in between the camp and the train station. And if you could plan something with Abhiyan before the trip so that next year you can meet up with Shushma aunty, have the intro/question session, and then do something that might be of use to Ahbiyan I think it would be more rewarding. I really can't come up with more than the stuff that you already know.

I really liked Vijay Villas (the place where they shot the movies Lagaan and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam), the nature care center, Bhuj, VRTI, and the other areas of interest. But the thing that really made the trip for me was meeting everyone. Meeting the kids of Veeryatan (an orphanage of kids who have lost parents in the earthquake), the patients at the camp, the numerous volunteers at Bidra, the locals who worked at the camp and the Sanatorium (where we stayed), and most importantly the 8 other KOJAIN group members really made the trip. For me the trip was especially special because I am planning on becoming a physician. I am planning on rotating at the camp while in medical school and offering medical services there when I become a full fledged doctor. I strongly encourage every Kutchi youth to participate in future kutch trips. I realize that the camp is at an awkward time for most college students. I missed two weeks of college to go on this trip but it was well worth it. And on top of all of this my Kutchi has improved.

PS. Sorry for the 3 in 1. Don't have the time to write what this trip really means to me but hope this suffices. Bhavi uncle, Kala aunty, and Nisha: Thanks again. I really enjoyed the trip and I hope that you can do this again in the future so that others will be able to experience what we were able to.