Budding journalists explore different places, cultures and food in Rajasthan

Education is one of the most important investments in an individual’s life. Moreover, the experiences gained during this process stand integral for one’s holistic development. One such experience is the study tour that not just helps in building academic capability, but also aims at nurturing life skills including teamwork, communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills, that are only obtained through life experience.

Therefore, with this vision of providing holistic education and believing that journalism students must see and experience India first hand, as travel is said to be the best teacher, School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Apeejay Stya University took its students to the twin holy towns of Pushkar and Ajmer along with Jaipur.

During this trip, journalism students experienced some wonderful learning that travelling offers.

It was a 3 days 4 nights trip and a total of 28 participants, including 4 professors and 24 students, went on this educational trip to Rajasthan. The first day was well-spent in  Pushkar, wherein journalism students explored the annual ‘Pushkar Mela’, which is globally popular for its livestock fair. 

Sharing about his experience from this trip, Dhairya Kapur, a third-year BJMC student, said, “We met people from different castes, different economic backgrounds, different cultures and religions, people with different food habits, etc. We got to see the real India. In Pushkar, we relished malpuas and kachoris. We were flabbergasted by the colours, the ornaments, and the culture. Such trips are crucial for journalism students as they get to explore different places, cultures and food. They get to make new bonds, and exposure that they look for, and of course, it enhances their knowledge.”

The next day, students toured Ajmer and explored Taragarh Fort and Ajmer Sharif Dargah. “We got to learn lots of stuff about that place. For some of us, it was our first visit to a dargah. After that visit, we all treated ourselves to the mouth-watering kebabs,” Dhairya excitedly added. 

The third day was all about exploring Jaipur, the pink city. Students went to Hawa Mahal and Albert Hall Museum. They also went to the markets of Jaipur and tried some of the scrumptious food.

This trip was organised by the students of SJMC and through this these budding media professionals got a  whole lot of different learnings as to: how to plan a trip, what can be the shortcomings, where we can improve next time, and what could have been done better.

Adding further about the trip, 2^nd year BJMC student Ashita Goel highlighted, “We started our “Rajasthani Adventure” with a bang from the king of pilgrim sites, Pushkar. It is an amazing travel destination to visit especially in the month of November because of its ideal weather conditions, bustling bazaars and great Pushkar Mela held around Kartik Purnima. Following it, we went to the home of the famous Dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti in Ajmer, which is the city of magnificent forts, beautiful lakes and amazing palaces.”

She also explained, “The last day, our eyes were blissed by the historic monuments, vibrant culture, marvellous forts and magnificent temples in Jaipur. There are many iconic food joints in the city that make a wide array of Rajasthani delicacies. We literally enjoyed and learnt a lot.”