“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Our journey with Enactus has just begun and we look forward to a sea of opportunities, wrought with challenges and abound with new experiences and learning. The first step we took to begin our promising new journey was visiting Project Kayakalp's community of puppeteers in Kathputli Colony, Shadipur Depot. Guiding us into the world of social entrepreneurship was the most fun loving senior, Kanupriya, which definitely added to our excitement.
We got off the metro, crossed the congested road and reached Kathputli Colony. Our excitement grew incredibly as we inched closer to our destination. With its open drains, narrow lanes and shanties, the colony resembled the thousands of slums that India harbors. Initially a bit wary of our surroundings, we trailed on, realizing that there is something unique about this dwelling and its residents.
As soon as we entered the room where the puppeteers were practising, we were greeted with broad smiles and pleasantries that immediately put us at ease. . We were welcomed with such warmth and happiness that all our initial apprehensions vanished into thin air. The puppeteers enthusiastically introduced themselves and were more than willing to know about us that was the beginning of a bond with our community that we hope will only get stronger with time.
The grey-walled room seemed unusually bright. It was a treat watching the puppeteers get on with their task. Doing, un-doing and then re-doing each step they worked with boundless patience, keeping in mind every single detail. Their zeal for perfection is truly inspiring.
We had to sit for two hours, just supervising the happenings but we never came across a dull moment. Such was the energy in that room. The training session for the day soon ended, much to our disappointment.
Kanupriya then requested one of the puppeteers to take us around the colony. Infused with new excitement, we began our tour. What followed next is difficult to put into words.
The children played around happily, lighting up those dingy lanes with their bright smiles. Grown-ups went about their daily chores busily. We walked through a series of interconnected narrow lanes that permitted only one person at a time. Dogs, hens, gutters, mud stoves (for cooking rice) over the gutters- all fit perfectly in those metre-wide gullies-we have no idea how!. It was a maze, which only the inhabitants of the colony could crack. It was a world that we would never have been able to fathom before joining Enactus.
Our journey with Enactus has just begun and we look forward to a sea of opportunities, wrought with challenges and abound with new experiences and learning. The first step we took to begin our promising new journey was visiting Project Kayakalp's community of puppeteers in Kathputli Colony, Shadipur Depot. Guiding us into the world of social entrepreneurship was the most fun loving senior, Kanupriya, which definitely added to our excitement.
We got off the metro, crossed the congested road and reached Kathputli Colony. Our excitement grew incredibly as we inched closer to our destination. With its open drains, narrow lanes and shanties, the colony resembled the thousands of slums that India harbors. Initially a bit wary of our surroundings, we trailed on, realizing that there is something unique about this dwelling and its residents.
As soon as we entered the room where the puppeteers were practising, we were greeted with broad smiles and pleasantries that immediately put us at ease. . We were welcomed with such warmth and happiness that all our initial apprehensions vanished into thin air. The puppeteers enthusiastically introduced themselves and were more than willing to know about us that was the beginning of a bond with our community that we hope will only get stronger with time.
The grey-walled room seemed unusually bright. It was a treat watching the puppeteers get on with their task. Doing, un-doing and then re-doing each step they worked with boundless patience, keeping in mind every single detail. Their zeal for perfection is truly inspiring.
We had to sit for two hours, just supervising the happenings but we never came across a dull moment. Such was the energy in that room. The training session for the day soon ended, much to our disappointment.
Kanupriya then requested one of the puppeteers to take us around the colony. Infused with new excitement, we began our tour. What followed next is difficult to put into words.
The children played around happily, lighting up those dingy lanes with their bright smiles. Grown-ups went about their daily chores busily. We walked through a series of interconnected narrow lanes that permitted only one person at a time. Dogs, hens, gutters, mud stoves (for cooking rice) over the gutters- all fit perfectly in those metre-wide gullies-we have no idea how!. It was a maze, which only the inhabitants of the colony could crack. It was a world that we would never have been able to fathom before joining Enactus.
- Ria and Samhita
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