One month in Himachal, that was the only thing
which passed through my mind when I got in People’s Action for People in Need
(PAPN), for a month’s internship. But my experiences at PAPN
which passed through my mind when I got in People’s Action for People in Need
(PAPN), for a month’s internship. But my experiences at PAPN
turned to one of
the best times in my life.
Andheri is one of the most beauteous and
remote villages in Himachal Pradesh. Apart from all the noises of civilization,
Andheri stood on the top of Himalayan Mountains, elegantly like a queen. The villages
were magnificently arranged like a coniferous tree. It was beautiful but later
I realized the houses are arranged like this because of the extreme caste
hierarchy which still prevails among the community. All the lower caste communities
are living in the lower parts of the mountains, which restricts them from
getting all the basic facilities like, water, transportation, communication
etc. And the higher caste on the upper part of the mountains, near to the road
and enjoys all the facilities.
remote villages in Himachal Pradesh. Apart from all the noises of civilization,
Andheri stood on the top of Himalayan Mountains, elegantly like a queen. The villages
were magnificently arranged like a coniferous tree. It was beautiful but later
I realized the houses are arranged like this because of the extreme caste
hierarchy which still prevails among the community. All the lower caste communities
are living in the lower parts of the mountains, which restricts them from
getting all the basic facilities like, water, transportation, communication
etc. And the higher caste on the upper part of the mountains, near to the road
and enjoys all the facilities.
PAPN is an NGO which works for social welfare,
caste issues and child & women rights. The important thing to be mentioned
is that no burden was laid on us regarding the activities and works to be done
on behalf of internship. Instead it was up to each one of us to decide what we
can learn and do according to our area of interest.
caste issues and child & women rights. The important thing to be mentioned
is that no burden was laid on us regarding the activities and works to be done
on behalf of internship. Instead it was up to each one of us to decide what we
can learn and do according to our area of interest.
Considering this immense castediscrimination we interacted with two of the villages i.e. Sainj and Ranfua,
some of the govt. institutions such as Anganwadis, schools, and primary health
centres etc. and made a detailed report on the same.
Most of the days we took a walk
through this beautiful place and learned how human race have tied themselves on
some lunatic chains of religion, caste, race etc.. Time went really fast and
the same mountains looked very different each of the times I see them. One
month went quickly.
through this beautiful place and learned how human race have tied themselves on
some lunatic chains of religion, caste, race etc.. Time went really fast and
the same mountains looked very different each of the times I see them. One
month went quickly.
Thanks to PAPN for such a great
opportunity. And dear Andheri, hopefully I may come and visit you again. J
Rose Mary
Pursuing MA in Local Governance
Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development
Sriperumbudhur – 602105
opportunity. And dear Andheri, hopefully I may come and visit you again. J
Rose Mary
Pursuing MA in Local Governance
Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development
Sriperumbudhur – 602105