News from India
Cobham Hall delegates report from the Round Square Conference in Rajasthan.
This year the Round Square Conference returned to the Indian sub-continent but this time to the desert state of Rajasthan. It was hosted by Mayo College, known as ‘The Eton of India’. It was certainly an impressive campus with large ornate buildings. Far more impressive was the wonderful warm welcome we received. We were treated as honoured guests for the whole duration of our stay. The opening ceremonies were held in a huge covered pavilion and Prince Andrew, a Patron of Round Square, was the guest of honour.
The theme of the conference was the prayer, ‘Lead us from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge.’ There were three keynote speakers. Aruna Roy is a civil rights campaigner who has campaigned for the people’s rights to transparency and information. Mrs Roy has chosen to live simply in a village and work to uplift her community. Aruna Roy’s humble but direct address was very powerful. Later two of our students visited her village projects on service day. We were also addressed by India’s youngest MP, Sri Sachan Pilot and the motivational speaker, Mr Shiv Kera.
During the course of the week, we were treated to a spectacular dance show. The pillars of Round Square were all illustrated using different international styles of dance. Another highlight was the trick riding and polo match.
We all took part in a Service Day. Some students visited the village projects while the rest of us worked on art projects which were later sold for charity. There was also an adventure day where we went to different places of interest.
After the conference, we joined the delegates from Windermere St Anne’s and Wellington for a six day tour of Jodphur, Jaipur and Ranthambore. Highlights were a visit to Meheregeh Fort, a spectacular structure dating back to 1459. It was described by Kipling as ‘the work of angels and giants’. It is amazing, and looks down over a Brahmin settlement known as the blue city, it was like a giant cubist painting. It was Diwali while we were there and we celebrated with fireworks and sparklers at the hotel. Jaipur’s Amber Fort was very ornate and beautiful. We wobbled up on the backs of swaying elephants. From Jaipur we went to Ranthambore. Sadly, we did not see any tigers, only spoor.
