Glimpses of Korba

Surfing through Facebook groups I see an opportunity in a college that does not believe in degrees. It was a short assignment for roughly three weeks. I ping on Watsapp, get interviewed and few days later I am on a train to Bilaspur to manage a center running a month long summer camp for 11/12 years old girls

Off to Chattisgarh

The train was fully AC. I was traveling with a family who was returning from Gauhati. Their daughter had participated in Karate national championship there and won a bronze medal. How cool is that? 

Picture Courtesy: A Fellow Teacher

When I reach Bilaspur three hours late, I missed my connecting train to Korba. The family was kind enough to proactively guide me to the waiting room and inform me about the gates (No 3) where my cab is likely to come.

Image Credit: A Fellow Teacher 

The cab was arranged within half an hour and I started gathering inputs of the place from the driver.

Bilaspur Station - A Tidy Spot (Picture Courtesy: A Fellow Teacher)

Off to Korba     

It was a good two hour’s drive and I enjoyed every bit of it. I just did not feel any anxiety about the work I came here for. In fact this drive had a soothing effect on me

This was a CSR initiative operational in over twenty locations and I land here to manage this center. While I gathered memories of a life time and as I have not sought permission from the little ones I taught to publish their photographs in public forums, it will remain protected in my drives.

Brahma Kumari Center

I had to buy a pair of bathroom slippers and I had been using my roomie’s since the time I came here. There was car at our disposal which we could use for personal purchases. I quickly checked the place when the evening session was in progress on my way to the market. It was a quite place.

A local Park - Dashsk Pratik

I paid a quick visit to this local park that was situated within the premises of NTPC township and very much in the vicinity of our learning center. I was guided there by one of the stakeholders of the program to assess if a Fest can be organized for the children. 

We finally chose to execute the fair plan in the courtyard right in front of our hostel because we could stretch the duration if wanted to, jump to bed when we got tired of all the fun and music.

Silver Jubilee Park

On the last day, after children were handed over to their parents, three of us (Faculty) moved to the guest house from the hostel and decided to spend some time in the evening in Silver Jubilee Park. We could let our hair down as the program concluded really well, we were happy to return home the next day. The grass felt so good under our feet. 

The other two with me did not miss the Sea Saw and climbing 

The whole of Korba began to feel home for me, right from the first day and it was not just about the place but the people that makes the place worth while. The last day here just added to that built in value in my mind

The Korba Taj Mahal

We had dinner at the Indian Coffee House and we ordered non veg which we were not served at the center. 

We walked back to our guest house.

The next morning, our cab arrived sharp at 5.00 AM and our sandwiches were already handed over at the Guest house reception by Indian Coffee House

I had done my research and was hoping to visit Chitrakoot Falls if time permitted. Well, that has to be next time.