S. N. D. T.

WomeN’S uNiverSiTy
Master of arts in education (syllabus 2015)

Name
ms. RUKHSANA KHAN

SUBJECT
Core course III (group a)
Learner and process of learning

Assignment Topic
Report on educational trip to shantivan

Professor
DR. REKHA CHAVHAN
INTRODUCTION:

Educational trips or
social visits offer an
opportunity for a rich
immersion experience
and a tremendous way
to facilitate learning. In
an educational trip,
learners have the chance
to experience and
explore much deeper
level than they ever
could in the classroom. It is for this reason and also as a part of the internal
assignment for the first year students of MA Education and M.Ed. students, our
professors conducted an educational excursion to visit Shantivan Ashram at Nere,
Panvel.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To create awareness among students about the neighbourhood
2. To sensitize students to social work
3. To sensitize students to the predicaments and problems of leprosy patients,
aged people, disabled people, and students from socially backward strata
studying in the residential school
4. To become aware of the joy of interacting and being with the less privileged

TOUR REPORT
On Thursday, 5th December 2019, a
detailed time schedule and itinerary was
sent to all the students in our class Watsapp
group. We all planned to meet at Andheri
Station at 7:30 a.m. on 6th December 2019.

On the morning of 6th December 2019, we

began our trip. We were a total of 24
students and 3 professors assisted us for
this educational trip. All of us were coming
from different places in and around Mumbai. The ones travelling from the western
suburbs decided to meet at the Andheri station and catch the 7:40 train to Panvel.
As fate would have it, the train to Panvel was cancelled! We contacted our
professors, Rekha ma’am and Pradnya ma’am, who immediately sent us the
alternate route maps and ways to reach Panvel. We went from Andheri to Wadala,
and then finally got a train to Panvel from Wadala station. At around 10:00 a.m.
we reached Panvel station and then from there caught autorickshaws to Shantivan
Ashram. The journey to the Ashram was a very pleasant one with lot of greenery
and small lakes on the way.

We were welcomed at the venue by Mr. Nilkanth Koli, the youth camp coordinator
at Shantivan. Before I move ahead, I would like to add few excerpts from the
newsletter Published in the WHO Goodwill Ambassador’s Newsletter for the Elimination of
Leprosy, Issue No. 59 (December 2012) about Mr. Nilkhanth.

Once a depressed young boy, Nilkanth Koli now radiates self-assurance.

Nilkanth Koli works as youth camp
coordinator at Shantivan. Mr. Koli was
just eight when his parents were
summoned to his school to be told their
son had leprosy, which had been
diagnosed following a routine examination
by a visiting leprosy technician. Within a
few months he was developing deformities
to his hands and feet, and had begun to
suffer from foot ulcers. His family could not care for him properly, so his father
decided he would be better off at Shantivan.

TRANSFORMING EFFECT

Several years before Mr. Koli arrived, Shantivan had begun organizing student
youth camps. Young people from Mumbai and surrounding areas would stay for
three days, learning about leprosy, doing voluntary work and spending time with
Shantivan’s residents. To date, some 200,000 students have passed through
Shantivan. They go on to spread awareness of leprosy, raise funds for Shantivan’s
activities and come back to celebrate personal milestones. “It’s a social
movement,” Koli says. “It makes me very proud that we have conveyed the
message that ‘leprosy is curable’ to so many students and have turned them into
ambassadors for Shantivan.”
 The Journey Began…..
We were first guided by Nilkanth Sir to the
village canteen to have our breakfast and tea. The
breakfast was a simple upma and tea but the
warmth with which it was served to us by the
village ladies made it very tasty. As most of the
work in the Ashram is done by the inhabitants, we
were also asked to wash our own plates and cups,
which we all happily agreed to.

After the breakfast, we were all led to an open

auditorium sort of place, where we were given a brief history about the Leprosy
Rehabilitation Center and the various other activities that were conducted with the
premises.

We were made aware about the Survey, Education

& Treatment Activity Government of India
adopted the Survey-Education and Treatment
programme (the SET programme) which involves
indentifying of patients by making house to house
surveys, educating the patient's family. The SET
work in the rural areas of Panvel Taluka
comprising 185 villages with a population of 2 lacs
was entrusted to the Kushtarog Niwaran Samiti by
the Govt.of India in November 1980. Through
repeated surveys - house to house, and in schools
and factories medical examinations were made
during the last 35 years. The paramedical workers
of the Samiti provide treatment to the leprosy
patients through 9 main centres and 36 clinics.
Samiti has detected 10000 cases and cured more
than 9900 patients so far. The Samiti carries out mass health education campaign,
slide shows and group talks by arranging various awareness activities. The Samiti
also engaged in prevention of deformity (POD) programme.

We were also informed about a few facts ABOUT LEPROSY:

 LEPROSY is like any other disease and it is the least infectious.
 LEPROSY is caused by a germ. It is neither hereditary nor a curse of the Gods.
 A pale or red patch on the skin may be leprosy. Do consult a doctor.
 LEPROSY is completely curable with regular treatment. Early detection and
regular treatment prevents deformities and disabilities.
 LEPROSY patients can continue to live at home and do normal work while under
treatment.
 Do not isolate leprosy patients. Accept them in the family and community.

Lastly, we were also specifically told that we have to visit the old age home before
lunch, as it is the nap time of the old age residents fondly called the “dada dadis.”

Finally, the moment we all have been waiting for arrived and our excursion
through the 120-acre spread Ashram began led by our camp coordinator, Nilkanth
Sir.

Our first stop was the Weaving Section

Leprosy Rehabilitation Center. The Samiti
produces different sizes of carpets, dusters,
bags, aasans, towels, napkins, etc, from cotton
yarn. Approximately 25 to 35 thousand sq.ft.
material is produced every year. The workers
are all Leprosy patients, cured, who work from
8 to 11 a.m. and then 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. earning
around 1.5 to 2 k monthly. The workers are
provided free food and accommodation in the
Center. The Samiti is selling these products
through various exhibitions arranged by various
organizations and also sell products to the
visitors at the Center. We all also purchased
many items from the Center. The lady at the
cash counter was a very sweet lady, who very
patiently attended to each one of us. I bought a
lovely
carpet,
which will remain with me as a souvenir of
my visit to reminisce about the memorable
and life-changing experience I had during
this visit.
 Then, we visited the Gaushala.
There are around 45 - 50 cattle
in the shed. The milk produced
from cows is provided to the
inmates of Shantivan at Rs. 15
per liter, and to the Leprosy
patients, the milk is provided
free of cost. Cow dung is used for fertilizer for
agriculture activities.

Our next destination was the Rajeev-Rajan

Adharghar. The Adharghar was established in
the year 1997. The inmates comprise of people
who due to a permanent disability of some sort
are unable to lead a normal life independently
and lack family support but the family can pay
part of their living costs. The capacity of this
Adharghar is 60 inmates. Currently, there are
60 – 65 inmates and 15 caretakers. This Aadharghar is supported by Rajeev-Rajan
Lad Trust. Admission fee of Rs. 1000, security deposit of Rs. 7500, and monthly
fee of Rs. 4500, and Rs. 2000 for personal expenses as shaving, haircut, medicines,
etc is charged from the inmate’s family. A medical doctor visits the facility twice
in a week. The inmates are provided with proper breakfast, lunch, evening tea and
snacks, and dinner and a very clean and hygienic environment.

Then we were taken to the Home for Senior

Citizen, Ramakrishna Niketan. Ramakrishna
Niketan was established in the year 1990.
Before entering the premises of the facility, we
were asked to remove our footwear for hygiene
purposes. It accommodates 40 people at
moderate cost. Adequate facilities such as
lodging, boarding, community hall, library,
entertainment equipments are provided. The
inmates were having lunch when we reached there. So, we did not bother them.
They were all very delighted to see us there and greeted us with their innocent
smiles and “Namastes.” We were all amused to hear that the oldest inmate in
the Home was a 106-year-old daadi !
We were then led to the Kushtarog Nivaran Samiti with ample instructions from
Nilkanth sir so as to not bother the patients there and also not to worry about
contracting the disease. We were also instructed to be friendly with them and not to
cover our nose or by any gesture hint the patients that we are scared of them.

We visited the women`s building. As soon as we stepped in, the women were
elated to see us. I joined hands and greeted them with a Namaste, I went along
shaking hands and interacting with a couple of them. One of the inmate invited me
to come back in May to eat “ambaa” (mangoes) !

The Kushtrog Nivaran Samiti has committed 65 yrs & has celebrated its diamond
jubilee in 2013-14. The Samiti works zealously for Leprosy Elimination
Programme, Rehabilitation of Leprosy afflicted persons and other social activities.

The Rehabilitation center

of cured leprosy patients
at Shantivan conducts
various activities such as
Agriculture, Horticulture,
Weaving, Tailoring etc.
to make them self-reliant
through gainful
employment. The work of
the Samiti is spread over
185 villages in Panvel
Taluka covering a population of over 4 lacs.
Under the Central Govt. Programme of Survey, Education & Treatment (SET),
more than 10,000 leprosy patients have been successfully treated and cured.

The various activities under the Samiti are:

Leprosy Referral Centres Activity

The Samiti established Leprosy Referral Centres in
Panvel city for counselling the leprosy patients.

Physiotherapy Dept Activity

The people affected by leprosy are provided physiotherapy treatment such as oil
massage, wax massage, stimulation, exercises, and providing equipments at
Shantivan as well as at the Public Health Centres.
Research Activity
The Samiti is engaged in research activity in leprosy with the
help of Bombay Leprosy Project, Hind Kusht Niwaran
Sangh, and Foundation for Medical Research.

Hospital Activity
The Samiti runs 40 beds hospital (gents & ladies wards) at
Shantivan under the supervision of a qualified medical
officer. OPD and Indoor patients are admitted for further
treatment in this hospital.

Snehlata Nisargopchar Kendra

Established in 1992 for providing naturopathy treatment. At present capacity of
inmates is 40. From all over Maharashtra patients suffering from Blood Pressure,
Diabetes, Athritis, Skin Disease, etc are treated with courses of naturopathy
conducted by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth in Maharashtra State Vocational
Training Center.

Balwantrai Mehta Panchayatraj Jagruti Kendra

Balwantrai Mehta Panchayatraj Jagruti Kendra was
established in 1999 to undertake an integrated rural
development programme along Gandhian lines in
tribal villages near Shantivan to make them self-
sufficient in areas of drinking water, health, education,
sanitation and self-employment. It conducts camps to
increase awareness among the Sarpanches, elected
members of Gram Panchayat and villagers about their
rights and duties under the Panchayatraj Act.

Nursery Activity
Approximately 30000 saplings is produced in a year as
per the requirements of villagers, govt. agencies and for
Shantivan.
Agriculture Activity
The Samiti has brought under cultivation 35 acres of land for rice paddy,
vegetables, banana plantation. 30 acres of land is under horticulture planting
Coconut, Cashewnut, Mango, Chikku etc. Under the social forestry scheme 60000
trees were planted.
Shantivan Co-Op. Society Activity
his society is registered with the State Govt. The
society was established in 1990 and run by
leprosy patients. The peoples from surrounding
villages purchasing provision materials, ration etc.
The society is running on no-loss
no-profit basis. The yearly turnover is
approximately 20 to 22 lacs.

Our last stop for the day was

Shri. A. S. Adivasi Ashram
Shala. Shri Annasaheb
Sahasrabuddhe Adivasi Ashram
Shala was established in 1994
to serve the needs of the
Adivasi community. The
Adivasi children belong to the
poorest strata of society, with a
unique distinction of being the
first generation to pursue
education. At present, the
school has 500 students - 400
residential scholars and 100-day scholars from class I to X. Shri Annasaheb
Sahastrabudhe Anudanit Prathamik / Madhyamik Ashram School Kushtarog
Niwaran Samiti Shantivan is surrounded by tribal area. The tribal from this villages
sometime migrate in search of work. The children also migrate with their parents.
Hence, they were not getting proper education.
Taking this situation into consideration, Kushtarog
Niwaran Samiti established Shri Annasaheb
Sahastrabudhe Anudanit Prathamik/Madhyamik
Ashram School in the year 1994. The School
provides all the facilities as per the state
government norms to the residential school
children. The school is recognised by the tribal
dept. of Maharashtra State. At present 400 tribal
students and 100 day scholar students are taking
advantages of educational activities free of cost. There are 10 class rooms, science
laboratory, two separate hostels (1 for boys & 1 for girls), big dining hall, English
language lab, Library, computer room available for the benefit of students. There
are 27 teachers and 13 non-teaching staff are available in the school. Apart from
education, Samiti encourages students to take part in
the sports and other cultural activities. Some of the
students have won many prizes while participating in
the various games organized at Taluka & District
level. The Samiti also gives scholarships to the
students to pursue further education. The committee is
trying their best to bring these Advasi students in the
main stream of the society.
We were given half an hour by Nilkanth sir to play with the students there. We all
enjoyed playing and interacting with them. We were informed that all the work in
the school is being done independently by the students, right from washing their
own plates to keeping their school campus clean. With a heavy heart, we bid
farewell to the students of the school pondering upon how blessed we were and
how in these adverse situations too, the children always had a smile on their faces
and hope of a better future in their innocent eyes!

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END……

We all gathered in the auditorium once again. We had a entertaining tribal dance
session arranged by volunteers and B.Ed college of Panvel students. Then a short
energizing session by Mr. Koli left us all refreshed and ready to embark back on
own journeys back to our worlds…

To wrap it up in simple words, it was a wonderful experience

and an opportunity to discover empathy within ourselves. The
trip showed me a side of life I could never have imagined. It
made me thankful for my plentiful life and optimistic about
India’s future. I recalled a beautiful quote by Lily Tomlin,

“I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I

realized I was somebody.”