26 Jan 2026Events
Hands-On Gandhian Thought: Ohana School’s Charaka Excursion
Grade 8 students of Ohana School, Bangalore, completed a four-day "Charaka Excursion" as part of the "Gandhi Pravasa" sustainable tourism initiative. Guided by Desi Trust Managing Trustee Ms. Sharada Ganesh, the trip introduced students to rural life, Gandhian thoughts, and hands-on learning across Karnataka. Highlights included participating in daily life at Charaka Shramjeevi Ashram, backwater adventures in Sharavathi, visiting historical and cultural sites like Ikkeri and Ninasam, and learning about ecological conservation, natural dyeing, and rural self-reliance.
Grade 8 students of Ohana, an alternative school in Bangalore undertook a four-day 'Charaka Excursion' as part of their curriculum. During the tour, the students were introduced to the various components of the charaka, rural life, nature and Gandhian thoughts.
The tour started from the Charaka Shramjeevi Ashram in Honnesara. The students were introduced to the various activities and the simple way of life there. They participated in prayers and witnessed the process of making naturally dyed fabrics. They tried their hand at tie-dyeing and block printing.
The next day, they took part in adventure activities in the backwaters of Sharavathi near Genasinakuni. They visited the house of Nagendra, a progressive farmer from Chipli, and learned about agriculture and bee-keeping. Later, they visited the historical sites of Ikkeri and Varadamula.
They participated in Shramdaan around the lake the next morning. They visited 'Chethana' of Prashanthi Foundation at Sirsi where mentally challenged people were employed in making products out of banana fibre. They visited the ancient temple of Banavasi and admired the splendor and the sculptures. In the evening, they visited the famous theatre organization Ninasam in Heggodu next door and also met the founder of Kinnara Mela, Shri. KGK who arranged a private viewing of one of their plays by his students.
On the last day, they visited the Sara Centre at Battemallappa and learnt about the various aspects of ecology, environmental conservation, and learnt about conservation of rice varieties. Later, they interacted with the Charaka President, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer and learned about various aspects such as rural employment, Khadi and self-reliance.
This was one of the first tours organized by Charaka under the "Gandhi Pravasa" sustainable tourism project and was a great educational experience for all the students, who took back rich memories and precious hands-on learning. The entire tour was conducted under the leadership of Ms. Sharada Ganesh, Managing Trustee of Desi Trust who had arranged to bring the students from Bangalore.