Landed in Mumbai and made it to Surat. I’m staying with family for a few days to adapt to the climate before going to Madhav Vidyapeeth, the school where I have been allocated.

At the moment all that I can think about is how hot 37 degrees actually is. More specifically it’s the affect of the heat on my feet. I currently have no site of my ankles! 🙂 It’s not a lovely sight so I’ll save you from a picture.

My first few days have had other challenges, to serious plane delays, my phone not working, no access to wifi, or access to another phone and no AC (haha). This has meant that plans to go to Kakadkui (where Madhav Viydapeeth is located) aren’t concrete as of yet. Still staying positive, hoping for a fan in my room at Kakadkui though! I’ve never realised how much I take the cold for granted in England. It’s so hot that my thoughts (other than that of my swollen feet) are for the working class of Bharat who are still indeed out working all the while gaining direct exposure from the Sun.

Whilst my feet have rendered myself unable to walk for long, I was doing some reading online regarding the school and came across this piece of good news:

Gujarat Information Bureau,
Government of Gujarat,
Ahmedabad

PRESS RELEASE

Gujarat Govt to set up Sainik School at Madhav Vidyapith in Bharuch district
“Proposed Tribal University in Narmada district to be linked to colleges in the remote tribal areas,” says CM Vijay Rupani

Ahmedabad, February 2, 2017: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today announced to set up Sainik School at the Madhav Vidyapith campus situated in the remote forest area at Kakadkui in Netrang taluka in Bharuch district.

Inaugurating the tenth anniversary of the Madhav Vidyapith, he said that his government will set up a series of Sainik Schools, Eklavya Schools, Medical College, Hostels and Skill Development Centres to develop the specific needs of the tribal youth. Donors from Surat have announced Rs.2-crore grants for the Sainik School. He said the proposed Tribal University to be set up in the Narmada district would be linked to colleges in tribal areas to uphold the tribal culture and heritage.

The Chief Minister said that it is the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream and imagination to build a strong nation for all round development of the tribal youth to ensure every school in the tribal areas earn the reputation of Taxashila.

He exuded confidence that with the sincere efforts of Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan would result in raising the educational standards of the tribal community, the efforts initiated by the then Gujarat’s Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The government has decided to give tablets to all college-going students in Gujarat after the HSC. He thanked the trustees of the Matrushri Godavariben Gandabhai Zadafiya Vidya Sankool affiliated to Vidya Bharati Vanvasi Shikshan Samiti for organizing the decennial anniversary of the Madhav Vidyapith.

Vidya Bharati Gujarat President Dr Subhash Dave gave details of the activities of the organization. Managing Trustee Dhanjibhai Zadafiya welcomed the guests. Sangh Sanchalak Mohan Bhagwat’s message was read out at the function.

The donors felicitated Mr. Vijay Rupani and Mrs. Anjaniben Rupani. They felicitated the Vidyapith founder and main donor Godavariben Zadafiya.

Those present at the function included Ministers of State Ishwarsinh Patel and Shabdasharan Tadvi, MP Mansukhbhai Vasava, MLAs Motisinh Vasava and Arunsinh Rana, and Gordhanbhai Zadafiya.
-x-x-x-

There are also a few YouTube videos about the school should you wish to look at it:

And this is where I’ll be located for the next five weeks, as you can see its 70km from Bharuch in the middle of a forest: