Date:11th May, 2015
Venue: Karm Cafe, Navjivan Trust, Ashram road, Ahmedabad
Time: 17:00 to 8:35
I have always tried my level best to be a good teacher whenever I got chance in my life. Recently I have started teaching Indian constitution and Indian history to UPSC students. Initially I thought going with traditional pattern of teaching will be fine but when I myself went through the content and certain names in making of Indian constitution, I realized that unless I will not create a platform, an environment of that time for students, teaching constitution has no meaning. So I changed my style of teaching and decided to arrange an event where History and my students meet face to face. That event was successfully celebrated yesterday at Karm Cafe, Navjeevan with my 6 student plus one sponsor (Mr. Tapan).
Jaydeep, Rajvi, Ishita and Tapan were there when I reached at place around 5:00 evening. Our two most favorite team members - Nividha and Kinjal reached little late, aournd 6:00. But finally our entire crew was there and we sat together to enjoy historical journey together.
Initially, I started telling my students about Karm Cafe and importance of this place in brief. By the time Mr. Arvind Shukla participated with us and told us lot many interesting incident about Mr. Ramesh Thakkar (Painter - whose paintings are showcased at Navjivan). Mr. Arvind gave us an album of 100 personalities who were in direct touch with Gandhiji. Mr. Ramesh Thakkar met all these personalities with one pencil sketch of Gandhiji and requested them to write some message about Bapu on the same with autograph. I would say it is real tribute to Mahatma. Students enjoyed this album very much. They came to know so many new names which were not known to them and I requested them to get the information about many people. They happily accepted the task and I hope they will surely come up with some information.
After photo journey we requested Mr. Arvind to be with us for 10-15 minutes so that student can know something more about his historical experience which he accepted. Mr. Sunil also joined our event told us about Gandhian philosopy, Mr. Arvind explained one incidence of Maniben (Daughter of Sardar Patel) regarding her practice of using small paper piece for various purposes. We saw Gandhiji in very different forms - what I liked very much in almost each photograph was his SMILE personally I would like to use the word - KIILING SMILE but as it is about Gandhiji, using KILLING word even will be violation of his principle of non-violence. The most amazing photo in all other photos was "Kasturba" so humble, so simple but so magnetic personality. Usually because of "Gandhi" movie, we can not imagine Kasturba other than Rohini hatangadi but now once I saw real face of Ba, I think no other can compete with Ba.
One more photograph which we all liked very much was Gandhiji sitting at one place by keeping napkin on his head - Cooooooolest photo. Each photograph at Navjeevan Trust was not only photo but freezed history which we felt yesterday.
After photo exhibition we saw, we touched, and we felt the vibrations of printing machine on which "Navjivan" was getting printed. It was old fashioned, old designed, huge sized and very complicated machine but I think it was telling us - Friends, I am a historical printer for you. We saw typewriter of Mahadevbhai Desai on which he used to type the dictation of Gandhiji. God knows how many documents must have been typed on this Ramington made type writer machine which all must have remained reason for our independence.
First time I think students saw "My experiments with truth" in 14 languages at one place. Additionally, we all read Gandhiji's will for Navjeevan Trust.
At the end, Mr. Vivek Desai share his valuable experience about photo journalism and students were very much excited after his talk on the subjects.
At last - together we enjoyed "Gandhi Thali"- Batata nu shak, Sev Tamatar nu shak, Khichadi, Bhakari, Kadhi, Marcha, Salad, Papad, Lasan ni chatni ane Ghee. Delicious dish.
We sat outside the "Karm Cafe" and took dinner together and before taking meal we expressed our thanks to God with evening prayer.
We took lot many photos and final group photo was memorable as all were holding "Navjivan" first publication.
We spent almost 4 hours but it was like a blinking of eye. I am happy that I did efforts and students received it well.
Happy to be teacher.
Venue: Karm Cafe, Navjivan Trust, Ashram road, Ahmedabad
Time: 17:00 to 8:35
I have always tried my level best to be a good teacher whenever I got chance in my life. Recently I have started teaching Indian constitution and Indian history to UPSC students. Initially I thought going with traditional pattern of teaching will be fine but when I myself went through the content and certain names in making of Indian constitution, I realized that unless I will not create a platform, an environment of that time for students, teaching constitution has no meaning. So I changed my style of teaching and decided to arrange an event where History and my students meet face to face. That event was successfully celebrated yesterday at Karm Cafe, Navjeevan with my 6 student plus one sponsor (Mr. Tapan).
Jaydeep, Rajvi, Ishita and Tapan were there when I reached at place around 5:00 evening. Our two most favorite team members - Nividha and Kinjal reached little late, aournd 6:00. But finally our entire crew was there and we sat together to enjoy historical journey together.
Initially, I started telling my students about Karm Cafe and importance of this place in brief. By the time Mr. Arvind Shukla participated with us and told us lot many interesting incident about Mr. Ramesh Thakkar (Painter - whose paintings are showcased at Navjivan). Mr. Arvind gave us an album of 100 personalities who were in direct touch with Gandhiji. Mr. Ramesh Thakkar met all these personalities with one pencil sketch of Gandhiji and requested them to write some message about Bapu on the same with autograph. I would say it is real tribute to Mahatma. Students enjoyed this album very much. They came to know so many new names which were not known to them and I requested them to get the information about many people. They happily accepted the task and I hope they will surely come up with some information.
After photo journey we requested Mr. Arvind to be with us for 10-15 minutes so that student can know something more about his historical experience which he accepted. Mr. Sunil also joined our event told us about Gandhian philosopy, Mr. Arvind explained one incidence of Maniben (Daughter of Sardar Patel) regarding her practice of using small paper piece for various purposes. We saw Gandhiji in very different forms - what I liked very much in almost each photograph was his SMILE personally I would like to use the word - KIILING SMILE but as it is about Gandhiji, using KILLING word even will be violation of his principle of non-violence. The most amazing photo in all other photos was "Kasturba" so humble, so simple but so magnetic personality. Usually because of "Gandhi" movie, we can not imagine Kasturba other than Rohini hatangadi but now once I saw real face of Ba, I think no other can compete with Ba.
One more photograph which we all liked very much was Gandhiji sitting at one place by keeping napkin on his head - Cooooooolest photo. Each photograph at Navjeevan Trust was not only photo but freezed history which we felt yesterday.
After photo exhibition we saw, we touched, and we felt the vibrations of printing machine on which "Navjivan" was getting printed. It was old fashioned, old designed, huge sized and very complicated machine but I think it was telling us - Friends, I am a historical printer for you. We saw typewriter of Mahadevbhai Desai on which he used to type the dictation of Gandhiji. God knows how many documents must have been typed on this Ramington made type writer machine which all must have remained reason for our independence.
First time I think students saw "My experiments with truth" in 14 languages at one place. Additionally, we all read Gandhiji's will for Navjeevan Trust.
At the end, Mr. Vivek Desai share his valuable experience about photo journalism and students were very much excited after his talk on the subjects.
At last - together we enjoyed "Gandhi Thali"- Batata nu shak, Sev Tamatar nu shak, Khichadi, Bhakari, Kadhi, Marcha, Salad, Papad, Lasan ni chatni ane Ghee. Delicious dish.
We sat outside the "Karm Cafe" and took dinner together and before taking meal we expressed our thanks to God with evening prayer.
We took lot many photos and final group photo was memorable as all were holding "Navjivan" first publication.
We spent almost 4 hours but it was like a blinking of eye. I am happy that I did efforts and students received it well.
Happy to be teacher.
So great experience of visit of such historical place... Never think that we even know Gandhi??? I am so grateful for wise words from Sunil bhai his ideology on thoughts ... Portraits of gandhiji really amazing the clarity of sketches at that time totally impressive... Great work by Ramesh thaakar sir... Managing trustee vivek Desai sir we are grateful to you for being such a good caretaker of navjivan so we could visit this place & knew Gandhi.That printing machine & type writer of mahadev bhai Desai have it's own place as medium of spreading spirit of Independence found attractive too.The Gandhi thali especially " Gol " Sunil sir adviced all the girls should eat Gol we took for granted.so much peaceful & positive environment made our mind so much enlightened & Thank you sir for taken us to such a wonderful historical place & made us know the Gandhian ideology of living & independence struggle. & thanks to all friends for giving such a group...
ReplyDeleteDear Kinjal, it is good to see that you liked Gandhiji and Navneevan visit. I appreciate your inclination towards such a great personality - Gandhiji. Be with me and I will enrich you all with many more good and great experiences which will help you to grow more and more. Amen
DeleteI know you will sir...we are all awaiting for the next visit & experience
DeleteThe great day from you.nice experience better than you told us before about navjivan.afterall we also joined the few who have the 1st issue of navjivan patrika :) I like history but 1st time I connected to the history by place by instruments attached to it & felt like history became present & repeated so much grateful for this trip, we still have a lot to learn.... Expected that the more like these are waiting for us all ...thank you sir
ReplyDeleteDear Harsh, History is matter of connectivity. It's good to know that now you feel connected with subject. Always try to connect with any subject and you will be master of that. Do not just go by books, pages and printed material but flow with content, try to imagine situation, all this will help you to explain any subject very accurately. I am sharing secret of my teaching. Good luck for future - bright future. Amen
DeleteYes sir I will try to connect with any subject onwards & glad to knew the secret :) now I can understand why only just go through books n materials ,we don't have that touch of real sense...We all will try to bright our ' name as well as your name as our mentor & path director...regards...:) & we all are awaiting...for next trip....
Delete