STEER India: Day 10
Greetings from Bhuj! Us STEER trippers awoke to our last, chilly morning in Shilpgram. There was a sense of eagerness to leave for Ahmedabad after having spent our last four nights in Bhuj. We knew that hot showers, comfortable beds, and most importantly...WI-FI awaited us at our accommodation in Holiday Inn. After a quick breakfast and group photo at Shilpgram’s pretty entrance, we set off for the first item on our day’s itinerary- water walks guided by Shyam-ji and Gaurav-ji from Arid Communities and Technologies (ACT)!
Shyam-ji and Gaurav-ji from ACT
ACT is a not-for-profit organisation heavily involved in ensuring that water supply is consistent and sufficient to meet the needs of the people of Kutch. The Kutch region receives only 15 days of rainfall a year on average, which makes good water management practices imperative to the survival of Kutch.
The two gentlemen from ACT brought us around the outskirts of the main town of Bhuj to tour significant water sites of the area (including but not limited to a dam, ancient well and canal, and a geographical fault), as well as passionately explained to us the water management practices of Bhuj. It was a refreshing experience to be trekking through desert terrain. While it was tricky to overcome the numerous thorny branches in our way, finally reaching each destination was worth it!
We viewed about 6 different sites in total, and they were all interesting in their own right. The experience was all the more valuable as it was certainly exposure that we do not have in the highly urbanised and compact city-state of Singapore.
On our way down to one of the water management sites
A peek into a now-defunct well
Exploring a geographical fault
Charmaine says hi!
An old canal gate
Use of visual aids to explain water management in the Kutch region
After a much appreciated Western-cum-Chinese lunch in Hotel Prince, we set off for the railway station in Bhuj! As we were early we spent the time leisurely sitting at the train platform, playing Monopoly Deal or engaging one another in conversation.
It was with much excitement that we boarded the train to Ahmedabad. It was interesting to see how the average Indian commutes and to ourselves be commuters of India’s expansive rail network. The interior of the train was most fascinating and unlike anything that we have seen before. Beds were neatly organised into the small space of each carriage, with each section (roughly about the same size as a CAPT/RC4 room) able to accommodate up to 8 beds.
Handholds and footholds to help one climb up to the upper beds
Hello from one of the cabins!
Some of us also made friends with an Ahmedabad local Bagyesh, an 18-year old heading back home after two days of travelling for work. He shared with us tidbits about his personal life and hobbies, which made for much pleasant conversation. When asked about whether Indians indeed climb to the rooftop of trains should train capacity be full, he emphatically said no and explained that the overhead cable contained 25,000-50,000 watts of electricity. He even proceeded to show us a video of a man who got electrocuted from touching it. Now we know, friends! Myth debunked!
After the 7 hour train ride, we gratefully tucked into the McDonald’s dinner that awaited us at Holiday Inn, and the rooms that seemed luxurious in comparison to our Bhuj accommodation over the past four nights. And then it was just one more day before we leave Incredible India!