The Students’ Council of the College organized its Annual Study Tour for the students of the College from the 22nd to 27th October 2023. The destination of the tour was Gujarat, India. 33 students participated in the tour and were escorted by three staff members, Dr. Lira Menezes Gama, Mr. Sandesh Gaonkar, and Ms. Lizette D’Costa, along with a tour guide from the collaborating agent Travel Bug.
Day 1 of the journey began from Margao Railway Station on the 22nd October at 08:30 a.m. when the group left for Dadar by 10104 Mandovi Express and arrived at Dadar station at 09:00 p.m. The onward train 14808 Bhagat Ki Kothi SF Express departed Dadar at 12:05 a.m. and arrived at Ahmedabad junction at 08:45 a.m. on 23rd October 2023. The tour group was then transported by bus and checked in at Hotel Pragati- The Grand, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. After a quick freshen-up, the group proceeded to Anand, Gujarat, to visit the Amul Dairy plant and the Amul Chocolate plant. The visits to both places were highly informative with persons in charge providing detailed information on the production and processing of various products at each of the plants. The students were extremely enriched by this visit. Many products were also available for sale at the plant. The group returned to the hotel by 07:00 p.m. and was given time at leisure to explore the local area.
On Day 3 of the tour, after breakfast at the hotel, the tour group proceeded by bus to Modhera to explore the exquisite architecture of the Sun Temple. The temple was enriched with intense carvings depicting various legends of the past. The next visit was to Rani ki Vav at Patan, Gujarat. Another historic monument constructed by Rani Udayamati in memory of her late husband Raja Bhima. The unique, captivating site, surrounded by greenery, and featuring an intriguing well was a sight to behold. The new one hundred Indian rupee note depicts this monumental historic Rani Ki Vav on the reverse. Thereafter, the group headed for lunch at a local restaurant and then proceeded back to the hotel. The evening was free to explore the local Ahmedabad market where students did a lot of shopping and relished local cuisine.
Day 4 began with a good breakfast at the hotel and checking out, en route to Vadodara. The first visit was at the Hutheesing Jain Mandir, Ahmedabad. The beautiful temple embodies a blend of the old and new temple architecture elements in its designs and bequests an extremely calm and serene experience. The next destination was Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad, home to Mahatma Gandhi, and one of the main centres of India’s freedom struggle. The ashram possesses a museum displaying various articles, paintings, spinning charkha, etc. The group next visited Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition Centre, ISRO Science City, Ahmedabad. The centre focuses on rocket and space vehicles for India’s satellite programme. The last visit for the day was scheduled to the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, Gandhinagar. The beautiful temple depicting the life of Swaminarayan through many artifacts also contained a picturesque park in its premise. After an enriching and eventful day, the group headed for lunch and then proceeded on a two-hour journey by bus to Vadodara. Upon reaching Vadodara, the group checked in at the President Hotel, Vadodara for the night. Here too the group indulged in some street shopping after some sumptuous dinner at the hotel.
On Day 5 of the tour, the 26th October, after breakfast at the hotel, the group checked out and proceeded to visit Nilkanthdham, Swaminarayan temple, Poicha. This extensive religious complex with fountains, water ponds, statues of Gods and Goddesses, and numerous carved artifacts was a spectacular sight to behold. The premises also had a food court and many souvenir shops. After lunch, the group proceeded to the world’s tallest statue, India’s pride, the Statue of Unity. There were special buses to take the group to this point. The students savoured the breathtaking view of the huge Statue which was followed by a captivating laser show. At this point, the group also got a scenic view of the Sardar Sarovar Dam built on the Narmada River. Thereafter, the group proceeded for dinner and subsequently, to the adjacent Ekta Nagar railway station to board the train scheduled to depart Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, at 09:25 p.m. by 12928 Ekta Nagar Dadar Western Sf Express. The group arrived in Dadar at 05:30 a.m. on 27th October, day 7, and had a two-hour halt for its onward journey from Dadar to Madgaon on 10103, Mandovi Express.
The tour group reached Margao Railway station on 27th October 2023 at 09.30 p.m. The annual study tour was an extremely educative and enriching one, providing each student a great experience with priceless memories. The students appreciated and thanked the teachers and organizers for the wonderful experience.
