Prerna Girls School and Vidyasthali School participated in the Indra Global Congress 2015.Ms. Nishu Singh, Ms. Ruby Verma , Ms. Navratri, Ms. Kritika Maurya and Ms. Shreya Singh were part of the team that represented India at the Congress.The event was an opportunity for our girls to come together and share their experiences with the fellow students and school staff.

A conversation with the girls –

What did you learn from the week that you didn’t already know?

We used to think that western countries have no problems since they are developed countries but they also have problems. When we saw their performances, then we realized that they also struggling with similar problems like crime, etc. We also didn’t know that foreigners don’t follow a caste system.Which was different because in India we have learned to first see caste of a person, and then be friends with them. Also, nobody seemed to care if a person is smart or intelligent. Everyone was treated equally irrespective of all that.We also came to know that people actually follow traffic rules. And keep their streets clean. We got to see new technologies like lights with sensors, etc and learned new things like playing guitar, making puppets etc.

With whom did you particularly connect?

We connected very well with the students from Plymouth and Derry. They were staying near to us and we also had a party with them. We also connected with Damola, Jake, Martha, Maggi and David Sir.

Which of the art forms you encountered made the most impact on you?

The dance was interesting because all the steps were just taken from what we feel while we are at different places and are feeling different things. And were made into one dance.
We loved the play from Plymouth students. We also loved visual arts because the way it was presented was very different and beautiful.

Has the experience made you feel differently about (i) yourself, (ii) the world?

(i) Yes. We felt very different about us. We felt free.Because there was no restrictions on girls to look and behave in any particular way. Nobody cared about appearances and talked to each other nicely without judging on the basis of clothes etc. So all the time that goes in thinking what all is wrong in us, that didn’t happen there. Here we keep thinking this only. So that’s why we felt so free. Which made us feel equal. And now that feeling of being equal is still with us.
Girls there were much more free and were not conscious of themselves. This made us feel and be freer. Girls and boys were more comfortable around each other and nobody made a big deal out of that.

(ii) As Indians we had a lot of limitations. Because we discriminate among people on basis of caste and gender. But in Plymouth, it was different. We realized that the world can be more equal. If we drop caste and everything, then living peacefully is possible. We now don’t believe in caste and everything and will try to not continue it. Also we learned that we do not need to restrict girls and boys to be friends with each other and allow them to be free.

What would you change if you were organising the event?

We would not remove anything but would like to add a translator. We couldn’t understand a lot of things that were in different languages. A translator would be helpful. Also, we would like to have music workshop in which all students can participate.

Was there a special moment that will stay with you? If so, what was it?

The first and the last day of the workshop, when we presented our work. Also, the panel discussion because it was the first time that some of us were on a panel.