India trip opens wider horizons
Kilgraston School pupils have just returned from an exchange programme with a school in India.
Three years ago the school near Bridge of Earn started an exchange programme with Unison World School (UWS), an all-girl boarding school at Dehradun in the Himalayan foothills.
Since then UWS has visited Perthshire three times and this year nine Kilgraston girls and two teachers, Mr Johnston and Mrs Ferry, went on the second exchange trip.
Earlier that day a group from UWS left Kilgraston to return to India, having spent two weeks’ experiencing life at the school, joining classes and visiting tourist sites.
Teacher Stephen Johnston said: “The India trip took months of planning but all the preparation was very worthwhile as our party was immediately embraced by the school’s madam principal [headmistress], staff and prefects at a welcome ceremony.
“During our stay we experienced a number of traditional Indian skills, including clay sculpture, textile creations, cooking, traditional Hindi and Bollywood dancing and sari draping.
“In return we offered our hosts a cultural performance of Scottish poetry, songs and Highland dancing.”
pupils also visited many tourist sites, including the hill station town of Mussoorie.
Mr Johnston said: “Mussoorie was once a British colonial retreat to help soldiers recover from serious illness and from here we enjoyed sensational views of the Himalayan range.
“In Rishikesh, a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand and the yoga capital of the world, an arti ceremony, taking place as the sunset, over the banks of the River Ganges, offered Kilgraston girls at the Taj Mahal an unforgettable moment for all of us.
“India’s so-called Golden Triangle of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi was the destination of our final few days.
“Jaipur afforded us the magnificent palace complex, still a royal residence, and a chance to explore the city, finding ourselves in eclectic outdoor markets, trying hard not to overfill our suitcases with scarves, spices and henna.
“The majesty of the worldfamous Taj Mahal in Agra, a city on the banks of the river Yamuna, was a truly indescribable experience, far more beautiful than any of us could have imagined and hugely thought-provoking for everyone.”
New Delhi, the capital city of India, was Kilgraston’s final destination.
Mr Johnston said: “Our group explored ancient temples, shrines and buildings, each more beautiful and busy than the last.
“Leaving this inspiring country, everyone had a new appreciation of its fascinating emotional spectrum.”