January 21, 2025

A Day of Learning and Play

Coming back from our first weekend off in Mysore, I didn’t think anything could top the grandeur of the palace—its intricate designs and historical richness left me in awe. And, of course, the amazing froyo we had before leaving the city. But as the new week began, I realized that while Mysore offered breathtaking sights, the moments that truly stayed with me came from unexpected connections closer to home.

Our day started like any other: setting an alarm for 6 am, hitting snooze too many times, and wondering how I was still late for breakfast. After our frantic morning, we headed to the Parikrma Humanity Foundation, an inspiring organization providing free, high-quality English-medium education to children from Bengaluru’s slums and orphanages. Beyond academics, the children receive meals, health care, and life skills training.

Walking into the school assembly, I was struck by the energy of the students as they performed skits and cultural dances. We then split up to visit different classrooms, and I joined the Venus class. The children were eager to talk, play, and share their world with us. Their excitement was magnetic—they would grab your attention by speaking directly into your face, pull you by your arm to show you something or light up with electrifying energy over the smallest shared joy. Playing with them reminded me of my nephews back home. I didn’t realize how much I missed them until I saw these kids, their mannerisms and spirit mirroring the little ones I’m so familiar with. It struck me how universal childhood joy is and how much of it we’re privileged to witness when we slow down and engage.

The day’s adventure didn’t end there. On the way back, some of us took an auto-rickshaw, which became unexpectedly memorable when we got into a minor crash. Thankfully, both drivers handled it calmly, exchanging smiles and moving on as if it were routine. To my surprise, the other auto wasn’t empty—it carried some of our GCIL group members! What could have been stressful turned into a moment of laughter. Reflecting on the day, I’m reminded that experiences aren’t always defined by grandeur or plans but by the connections we make, whether with children or in the aftermath of an unexpected crash. These moments make the journey truly meaningful.

By,
Nadia