Uttarakhand
Art workshops on the foothills of the Himalayas.
This visit to Uttarkhand was in collaboration with 'The Walking School Bus'.
My role was to facilitate art workshops, and use them as a medium to connect with students from two different schools
located in Uttarakhand, Himalyan Public School (HPS) Suyalgarh and HPS Chopra both located close to Satkhol Village.
We used the Indian concept of ‘jugaad’ to focus on frugal innovation to address the enormous challenges they faced everyday. Despite abundant greenery, fresh air, clear water and picturesque views locals still face hurdles with regards to limited transport, drinking water, access to teaching materials across this terrain. We worked on developing local solutions to these problems. This led to the publication of a multilingual book called ‘How Himani solves a problem’ published by Pratham Books. My memories of this trip are punctuated by visuals of tall strong trees, clear green waters, cold misty skies and warm cups of tea.
On the way to Satkhol Village from Haldwain, near Nainitaal.
Small desolate Shiva Temple, spotted along the way.
View from Frozen Woods Homestay, which was home for the fortnight during the entire trip.
Art class taking place in a small art room we set up in the library.
Morning assembly taking place outdoors at the Himalayan Public School, Suyalgarh, Uttarakhand.
Drinking water
After the workshop, with two of my students Kanchanlata and Pushpa.
Peeking from the balcony of a 100 year old house that belonged to the headmaster of the school.
When nature decides to scribble.
Teal green house in the middle of nowhere.
Local tea stall.
Dhokaney Waterfalls.
In spite of clear water available in streams the schools struggle to provide filtered water to the children.
TWSB set up a rainwater harvesting system which would get filtered and turn into clean safe drinking water for everyone at school.
Wise words, behind a truck.
Walking up to Mukteshwar.
Rocky projections at Mukteshwar, which give a view of the deep valley below.
Sunset at Mukteshwar.
Garuda Taal
At the 'I Heart Cafe' in Nainitaal.
