Thotshots from Jodhpur

Nalanda Foundation used to spearhead the CSR activities of the IL&FS group of companies. I had the opportunity to see the idea of sustainable development in action during my brief association with Nalanda.

My work involved occasional visits to project sites to get a first-hand feel for all my writing. Beyond the official, my notes and camera would also capture whatever caught my interest. I would share these “Thotshots” (personal thoughts and random shots) with the team after every trip.
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Here are some thotshots from my visit to Jodhpur in October 2017.

An area extending about five kilometers on either side of the road and stretching 10 kilometers beyond the board was to be covered by solar panels.

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This was one of the few families who were resettled to accommodate the solar project. It was a task to get the wife to come out and be photographed. It was even tougher to get father, mother, and daughter to stand relatively close to one another. A wise soul whispered in my ear: “They consider it bad luck to be photographed.” Please take note, selfie-crazy world!

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He was a regular at all the meetings the project team had with the village elders. I wondered what he had in mind. “I do not understand what you guys are talking about in your strange tongue. But I have a feeling what you decide will affect my life when I am old enough to understand.” Perhaps?

They preferred to hide and panicked more than the four-legged kids did when I stepped in. He appeared to be in a bad mood and refused to smile. Then I showed him this very photo on the camera. Magic! He smiled!

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It is not unusual to find both mother and daughter(s) in the same class here. Most of them were married off when they were still children and became mothers before they could understand what marriage was all about. The project helped them resume education and regain confidence. Education apart, they were here for love and for togetherness without any discrimination.