Hey, folks!
Grade 8 of Ekya ITPL had their field trip to a fantastic place called Janapada Loka and a bonus trip to the Channapattna Toy Factory on July 6th, 2023.
We were expected to arrive at school by 7 AM because the trip took a sloth-speed 4-hour journey. Then, after attendance and washroom breaks, we left in a bus with speakers, ACs(that didn’t work(for us, duh!), and disco balls.
As I got onto the bus, I found a convenient three-seater to sit with my friends. As the journey through Bangalore began, we gossiped about what we discussed. Then, one of our teachers connected their phone to the bus’s speakers, and the music melodies began! Me and my friends kept chatting, playing hand cricket, dancing, eating, and reading throughout the bus journey.
Once we spotted Janapada Loka next to a U-turn, we expected the bus to turn there. But that didn’t happen. We should go a little longer for the next U-turn(why, though?). But what I expected didn’t happen either! The bus took a few other turns, and we finally ended up at the Channapttna(pronounced chen-na-pat-ta-naa(according to the guide) Toy Factory!
There, a guide told us about the types of wood used to craft these toys and other things about the factory; we then went into the factory to get a glimpse of how each one of these toys was specially handcrafted. It was an astonishingly small room in a one-storey building. We got to see how the workers made the toys. Also, the floor was covered in sawdust. And I mean a LOT of sawdust.
Pictures of the Toy Factory and the trees from which the wood is obtained and a few carved pieces
Then, we were allowed to buy toys that a man outside the factory was selling. I bought a keychain(below). We then departed and made for the place whose entrance we had seen earlier: Janapada Loka(pronounced ja-na-pa-dha lo-kaa).
The keychain
Once we reached it, we formed a line and went to a nice open space for us(general visitors) to use later. We did some random clapping activity(I have no idea why) and then dispersed. We were told that there was an assessment in SST. So my friend grabbed his book and pen, and we got six and a half pages worth of notes(which turned out to be useless, as the assessment was cancelled… then that’s a story for later time)!
We then visited many small one-story buildings showcasing one aspect of Karnataka’s culture. The first one we entered had all the vessels(pots, pans, etc.), farming tools, storage containers, etc.
Grinding stones
Then, we went outside only to find ourselves crowded around a statue of a man. After the guide’s explanation, we discovered that the figure was that of Mr Nage Gowda, the founder of Janapada Loka. Then, we went into another one-story building (one was called Loka Mandira). We learnt about Mr Nage Gowda, how his interest in Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture created Janapada Loka, and how he even built that place—a room housed pictures of him and his belongings in a glass case.
Statue of Mr Nage Gowda
At one point, we reached a vast amphitheatre built into the ground. We quickly gathered there for a photoshoot and moved on.
After a while, we returned to the grassy spot to have lunch. My friend and I decided to go shopping and get keychains. I picked mine quickly, but my friend took ages, making us lose the rest of our class! Fortunately, one of our teachers awaited us, and we caught up with the rest.
We went through many houses recreated as closely as possible to the actual rural village houses, enabling us to visualise rural life. They included a lot of sculptures of women, men, and children. They didn’t allow pictures, but I managed to get some anyway. The lighting could have been better, though(my pics are shaky).
A collage of all the pictures I took
Oh, and I forgot to mention, we saw two cute little rabbits.
We were then taken to an auditorium where we were shown all the music and dance forms on a screen as a video. We then headed to our buses to return to school(mostly music(v bad/v good at the same time), dancing, fun, etc.)
It was a fantastic trip, and I will never forget it.
N.KHarishwar
Grade 8
Ekya Schools, ITPL
August is a month of gratitude to count our blessings for being citizens of a free and democratic country. Seventy-seven years to a hundred years back, freedom meant "being free" from colonial rule. What does freedom mean to the children of today? Our Grade 8 students have jotted down their thoughts on "What freedom means to them!".
"Freedom is not the right to do as you please; it is the liberty to do as you ought." True freedom goes beyond self-interest and having the liberty to adhere to a sense of duty with moral principles. Freedom cannot be given without some level of control, or it may be misused; it allows individuals to exercise their rights based on right and wrong. Freedom is both a gift and a curse. It's a gift as it will enable individuals to express themselves in any way they please and unlock the potential of each individual; however, it can also be a curse due to people abusing their power, making harmful decisions, creating conflicts, etc. To attain freedom, you must be self-aware of your choices, potential and limits. Respecting other people also plays a role in achieving freedom. After all, you can't attain your rights by abusing others.
Anvee Kallanagoudar, Grade 8, Ekya School, NICE Road.
Freedom means being accessible and having the right to speak, act and think as we like. Slack helps us express who we are and express our thoughts. It allows us to take risks; even if we make mistakes, we can learn from them and improve our skills. Freedom increases our creativity, productivity, skills and abilities.
"Freedom gives you the power to fly"-with our freedom, we can set our minds to what we want, Like birds want to fly and not be stuck in a cage. Instead of being stuck in others' thoughts, we should do what we feel suits us. We are not anyone's puppet. They can control us and do what they want us to do. We should be free, open up and do what we want.
Adithi B S, Grade 8, Ekya School, NICE Road.
Freedom means many things; for one, it may be the choice to eat before or after something; for others, it could be their entire careers. The ability to make one's own choice is freedom as it means you choose this for yourself, not anyone else. India has officially enjoyed 77 years of independence after 200+ years of British rule. On August 15 1947, we were a Sovereign nation and could finally pave our path as a country. Freedom is necessary as oppression leads to resentment, which leads to revolution, but too much space is as good as none, as there would be anarchy.
Mithun Dev, Grade 8, Ekya School, NICE Road.
India's unwavering curiosity about the universe has found new wings with the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission. Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, this mission is poised to propel India's lunar exploration efforts to greater heights.
Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, marked a significant milestone by confirming the existence of water molecules on the Moon's surface. In 2019, Chandrayaan-2 embarked on an audacious mission to achieve a gentle landing on the Moon's southern pole, showcasing India's prowess in interplanetary exploration.
Chandrayaan-3 represents the next chapter in India's lunar exploration saga. The mission is strategically crafted to assimilate the lessons from its predecessors. The primary objective is unequivocal: to execute a precise and safe landing on the lunar surface, mitigating the challenges faced during Chandrayaan-2's descent.
This mission encapsulates pioneering goals that promise to illuminate the Moon's enigma. The rover is poised to traverse the lunar landscape, meticulously analyzing soil and rock samples to unveil the Moon's geological narrative. Furthermore, Chandrayaan-3 aspires to augment our comprehension of the Moon's origin, history, and potential as a reservoir of resources.
The technological prowess of India takes centre stage in Chandrayaan-3. The mission integrates innovative landing sensors and components into its design, ensuring a secure and controlled touchdown. The rover, an engineering marvel, will be armed with advanced instruments, facilitating the meticulous examination of lunar surface materials.
Collaboration forms the heartbeat of Chandrayaan-3's expedition. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) actively engages with international partners, fostering a spirit of shared knowledge and expertise.
Beyond its scientific mandate, Chandrayaan-3 becomes a source of inspiration for future generations. By embarking on ambitious space missions, India aims to kindle the flame of scientific curiosity among the youth, beckoning them to explore the limitless expanse of space exploration.
As Chandrayaan-3 readies itself for its lunar odyssey, it symbolizes India's dedication to scientific advancement, innovation, and exploration. This mission serves as a reminder that every stride taken in unravelling the mysteries of the celestial expanse draws humanity closer to comprehending the universe's most fascinating questions.
By, Kishan Muralidhara Konagolli, Grade 9B Ekya School, JP Nagar
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