“My college conducts a planet program and every year 30 students from various departments are selected for a three-day rural development camp. Last month, when I got chosen for the program, I was prepared for it, but I had never expected to return a changed person. We were all excited for the trip until we got to know that there won’t be any mobile signals in that area. It was a tribal region called Khond-Savara that spreads across the hill tracks of Srikakulam and Vishakapatnam districts.

We took plenty of pictures on our way to the camp but three days without internet? I really didn’t know if I could survive. We were divided into groups and alloted duties for each day as per the camp schedule. I am an avid mobile gamer, so I usually sleep late in the night and wake up late, but at the camp, our day started at 6 am! We had a cleaning campaign in the morning and after that we had to educate the kids in the village regarding sanitation and hygiene. After working so hard all day, we would be exhausted before bed every night but it was the best sleep ever! I couldn’t believe the lifestyle of those people, who were leading such a simple life, with out smartphones or the internet. They would all collect in the evenings and sing tribal songs and dancing around a bonfire. Even though they lacked basic resources in the village, they offered us food and wouldn’t let us leave until we ate. They even allowed us to sleep in their homes. It was so much fun, being around them.

Even though we were there only for three days, I knew that the lessons I learnt would stay with me through out my life. It made me realize that there are many things beyond a smartphone or internet in life which we must cherish!”

#Travel #Memories #Lifelessons #Planet #Tribals #Adventure #RuralDevelopment #Support #Education #Smartphones #Internet #Addiction #Andhra #HumansofAndhra