Lived experience: A summer school on the ground

A 21-day tour of rural regions in Karnataka brought several lessons and learnings, writes Shrinidhi Adiga

Parents often explore distinctive activities to engage their young ones and encourage lesser screen time during summer vacations. A unique initiative, ‘Makkala Bhavishya Bandi’ provided several parents with an option worth considering. A 21-day travelling summer camp, it is undertaken by Parampare Parivara, an open learning community in Mysuru, in partnership with various like-minded organisations.

Featuring sports, agriculture and culture as its highlights, this tour sets out to discover the ‘real rural India’. This journey reflects the concept of the Kannada proverb, ‘Desha suttu, kosha odu’ (Explore the world and read books). The theme-based journey focusing mainly on sustainable development started with the idea that you have to see something to really understand it. It aims to expand the vision of participants, particularly those born at the end of Gen Z and the beginning of Gen Alpha. 

From May 5 to May 21 this year, the expedition explored 21 taluks of Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts with 21 students. The participants found that it was not just a journey across taluks, but a profound inward journey that taught them lessons beyond textbooks and classrooms.

Apeksha N, a first-year PUC student from Mellahalli in Mandya, says that the opportunity to visit B R hills helped her learn about the culture and traditions of tribal people. 

Glimpse into rural life

The participants discovered the real strength of rural India, through the lens of sustainable development, participatory governance and community engagement. The itinerary of the walking tours included experiencing the lifestyle, culture and tradition of an indigenous community in the tribal hamlets of B R hills; learning the importance of organic farming and seed banks with the local NGOs of Chamarajanagar; interacting with the entrepreneurs of cottage industries in K R Nagar; visiting local bodies like gram panchayats; discussions with organic farmers; travelling to heritage sites; a visit to a garadi mane, a military training camp and a goshale; getting hands-on experience in pottery in Nanjanagud; watching a community cricket tournament in Mysuru, and more. 

Supreeth M S, founder of Parampare Parivara, says, “This yatra was not just an event — it was a way of life. We have organised this for children and youths to travel, connect and raise awareness.” 

The effort is part of a larger campaign. “We believe by starting constructive efforts today, we can joyfully mark the year 2047 with a self-reliant, sustainable rural India, achieving re-migration and women’s empowerment in harmony,” Supreeth adds.

Janvi, a Class 9 student from Mellahalli, was excited by the ‘dawn chorus’ of birds. She has many things to share about the makkala bandi. She learned about different types of soil in their visit to Amrita Bhoomi, a space for farmers to build models of autonomy. The centre was conceptualised by farmer leader Professor M D Nanjudaswamy. 

Anusha A, who is in Class 7, says, “I found happiness in rare things in this camp, like interacting with new people, social service and visiting unexplored places.”

Mahatma Gandhi once said that the work of shaping an ideal village is a difficult task, in his book, Gram Swaraj. He goes on to say, “But if one man can produce one ideal village, he will have provided a pattern not only for the whole country but perhaps for the whole world.” These small attempts take us closer to this goal.

Cultural programmes from the 21-day tour across Karnataka.