Day 5 – Delhi Sightseeing & Return Journey (18th March 2025)👋🚂

 

We reached Delhi around 10:00 AM after an overnight bus journey from Kullu. Once we got down, we had time to freshen up and were served a light breakfast. After packing our luggage properly, we prepared for the final sightseeing and shopping experiences in Delhi.

Our first visit of the day was to the Qutub Minar, which we reached by around 1:00 PM. Due to time constraints, we were given only a limited amount of time to explore the area. Still, we were amazed by the beautiful architecture and historical importance of this towering structure. We quickly captured some photos to remember the visit.

After that, lunch was served in the bus as we continued our journey. Our next stop was the Sarojini Nagar Market, one of the busiest and most famous shopping areas in Delhi. The market was crowded and vibrant, filled with a variety of shops selling dresses, chappals, bags, watches, and other items—all at affordable rates. It was a great chance for everyone to buy souvenirs, gifts, and trendy clothes.

By evening, we headed to the Delhi Railway Station, where we boarded the Kerala Express at 7:00 PM for our return journey. With tired feet but happy hearts, we settled into our train compartments, ready to go home.

Conclusion – Return to Home Station (20th March 2025)

After two days and two nights on the train, sharing food, stories, and reflections, we finally reached Kollam Railway Station (our home station) around 7:30 PM on 20th March 2025. Thus, we completed our long and unforgettable journey, carrying with us countless memories, new friendships, and valuable experiences from Delhi, Manali, Kullu, and Chandigarh.

This educational tour was not just a break from routine—it was a beautiful blend of learning, fun, bonding, and exploring the vast culture and geography of North India.

Day 4 – Tibetan Monasteries, Van Vihar Park & River Rafting at Beas River (17th March 2025)🏞️🚣‍♀️

 

                                                                                       

                                

On this day, we wore layered warm clothes suitable for the pleasant but chilly morning. After having breakfast at 8:00 AM (toast, butter, omelet, and tea), we first visited the Tibetan Monasteries in Manali. We saw prayer wheels, colourful flags, and peaceful interiors that reflected Buddhist culture. We also shopped for woollen items, prayer flags, and handicrafts.

Next, we visited Van Vihar National Park, a serene forest area with tall trees and a peaceful lake. We walked along the wooden pathways, took part in boating, and clicked many pictures with our friends. After spending some time in the nearby park of the hotel and relaxing, we proceeded to Kullu, which we reached around 2:00 PM.

There, we decided to go for river rafting in the Beas River, which cost ₹900 per head. Each raft accommodated six persons, and many boys along with some girls, including myself, decided to participate in this thrilling adventure. We were provided with proper safety jackets and helmets. Our guide, Arun, gave us clear instructions before the ride and also clicked memorable photos of our group.

After completing the rafting, we enjoyed Hot Maggi noodles from a nearby shop, which felt especially comforting in the cold weather. Later we freshened up and returned our gear. By evening we began our overnight journey back to Delhi by bus. Dinner was served during the bus ride around  9:30 pm and we rested through the night carrying the excitment and joy of an unforgettable day.

Day 3 – Snow Adventures at Solang Valley & Visit to Hadimba Temple (16th March 2025)☃️❄️🌨️

 

We reached Manali by 7:00 AM, where we were greeted by chilly weather and misty hills. After a refreshing coffee break, we freshened up at Kullu, changed into winter clothes, and had breakfast consisting of puri, bhaji, and hot tea. Then we boarded three small buses and started our uphill journey to Solang Valley.

We rented winter jackets, gloves, boots, and snow pants (₹250 + ₹100) before entering the snow zone. The roads were slippery and narrow, but the view of snow-covered peaks kept our spirits high. Reaching Solang Valley was like entering a dreamland of white snow, tall pine trees, and blue skies. Some students went paragliding and snow sliding, while others played snowball fights or posed for endless photographs.

At around 4:00 PM, we enjoyed hot Maggi noodles  while admiring the snowy landscapes. As cold winds and light rain began, we returned our rented items and moved to visit the Hadimba Temple, a wooden temple with rich architecture surrounded by deodar trees. We reached the hotel by 7:30 PM, had a warm dinner, and overnight stay at manali.

                                                                        

                          

Day 2 – Taj Mahal, Delhi Red Fort, Shopping & Travel to Manali (15th March 2025)🥰

  

                                                     

We began our day early at 5:00 AM, dressing up in traditional attire to visit the Taj Mahal—a moment we had all been waiting for. Girls wore churidars and sarees, while boys wore traditional mundu.We reached the Taj Mahal complex by 6:30 AM. As we passed through the red sandstone entrance and caught the first glimpse of the white marble Taj, we were filled with awe and emotion.

We paid ₹200 for entry and were provided with shoe covers to preserve the monument’s cleanliness. Inside, we saw the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, admired the marble inlay work, Quranic inscriptions, and the perfect symmetry of the entire structure. Many students took beautiful photographs using high-end smartphones like the Samsung S24 Ultra. The cool morning breeze and serene atmosphere added magic to the experience.

Morning breakfast was arranged at nearby hotel and checked out from our hotel by 11:00 am. The lunch was arranged at redfort, which we reached at delhi by 1:30 pm. There we visited the Red fort, where we quickly explored the Diwan- i-Am, Rang Mahal and surounding structures due to time constraints. Then we went for a smallshopping nearby markets.

After a quick dinner break at 7:00 PM, we began our overnight journey to Manali by AC sleeper coach, stopping at a dhaba around 10:30 PM for a light meal of rice, dal, and sabzi, before resting for the night during the long mountainous drive.

Day 1 – Arrival at Agra & Visit to Agra Fort (14th March 2025)🥳😍

 

                      

After boarding the Kerala Express from Kollam on 12th March at 1:20 PM, we had a long yet exciting train journey filled with games, laughter, and shared food. We reached Agra Cantt Railway Station on the morning of 14th March at 10:30 AM. The Sky Holidays tour operator greeted us and arranged a push-back Volvo bus to take us to the hotel. After check-in, we freshened up and changed into casual wear like jeans, T-shirts, and sweatshirts suitable for Agra's slightly warm and dusty weather.

We had lunch at the hotel, which included North Indian items like aloo paratha, curd, and tea. After some rest, we had lunch with roti, dal, mixed vegetables, and salad. Around 3:00 PM, we departed for Agra Fort, a majestic red sandstone structure built by Emperor Akbar. As we explored the Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, and Musamman Burj, we felt transported to the Mughal era. From Musamman Burj, we could even see the distant silhouette of the Taj Mahal.

Since it was Holi season, our visit to Meena Bazaar was less exciting as most shops were closed, and only a few expensive ones were open. We returned to the hotel by 7:30 PM and enjoyed a hearty dinner featuring paneer butter masala, rice, chapati, and gulab jamun. After that we spent some time at the nearby park close to our hotel. It was a quiet, and refreshing break with laughter casual conversations, and photo sessions. After spending some quality time there, we returned to the hotel to relax.

"Trains, Temples & Snow Trails: A North India Tour to Remember"🚂🥳🎒

 

According to our B.Ed curriculum, an educational tour is included in the second semester to enhance our learning through real-life experiences. After several rounds of discussions, we initially planned a trip to South India, but later decided to explore North India instead. This decision required long planning, paperwork, and coordination. Over weeks, we worked hard to find the right tour agency, prepare permission documents, and book train tickets. After finalizing everything, our grand tour was set—covering Agra, Delhi, and Manali.

A total of 70 students, along with our beloved staff members Swathy Teacher, Sheeja Teacher, and Akhil Sir, and our local manager Fr. Jacob Achan, formed the travel team. The journey officially began on 12th March 2025 at 1:00 PM, as we boarded the Kerala Express (Train No. 12625) from Kollam Railway Station, heading to Agra.

We couldn’t get seats in a single coach, so we were divided into two—S5 and S6. Despite the separation, the 45-hour train journey turned into a beautiful bonding experience. We sang songs, played UNO and other card games, shared food, and laughed endlessly. Some students rested while others stared out the windows, enjoying the changing landscapes. Though the hot afternoon sun made things a bit uncomfortable, the experience of traveling together made everything worthwhile.

Throughout the journey, we encountered various people and witnessed different lifestyles. We were careful, stayed in groups, and helped each other.  Performers, beggars, and even transgenders moved through the compartments, adding a whole new layer of real-world exposure to our travel.

After three days and two nights on the train, we finally reached Agra Cantt Railway Station on 14th March 2025 at around 10:30 AM. There, we were welcomed by the team from Sky Holidays, our tour agency, who arranged a comfortable AC Volvo bus to take us to the hotel. It was the start of the next phase of our journey—a new set of adventures was about to begin in the majestic lands of Agra, Delhi, and the snowy hills of Manali.

"Learning Through Living: Life Skill Workshop Experience at BMM College"

 

The Life Skill Development Workshop held on March 6, 2025, at Baselios Marthoma Mathews II Training College (BMM College), as part of the B.Ed. curriculum, was an energetic and insightful experience. Designed to enhance personal growth and professional readiness, the workshop was divided into two sessions—a theory-based morning session and an activity-filled afternoon session.

The program began at 10:00 AM with a warm welcome by Ms. Sithusha, who introduced the resource person for the day, Mr. E.K. Jijan, a well-known trainer in soft skills and life development. To set the tone, the session started with a fun warm-up game that got everyone engaged. Mr. Jijan then introduced the concepts of life skills and soft skills, stressing their importance in managing challenges, building relationships, and growing in one’s career and personal life.

The morning session included various thought-provoking activities and models that encouraged self-awareness, communication, and emotional intelligence. Models like the Johari Window helped us reflect on how we perceive ourselves and others, while the concept of Kintsugi reminded us that our imperfections can become our strengths. Activities like the color-word reading challenge tested our cognitive flexibility, and the blindfolded paper-tearing task demonstrated the importance of clear communication and active listening. A memory game and a short talk on empathy further deepened our emotional understanding. Short, impactful videos were shown to encourage focus, self-reflection, and mindfulness.

The afternoon session brought a burst of energy through interactive group activities. The balloon coordination game challenged our teamwork and physical coordination, while the “Sell a Product” task let us showcase our creativity, confidence, and persuasive skills. Another engaging activity was a drawing and communication game, which focused on the need for clear expression and mutual understanding. A total of 11 groups participated, making the session vibrant, competitive, and collaborative.

The workshop concluded at 3:30 PM, with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Fr. Terry, Jesna Johnson, Neethu, and Jishnu, who appreciated the efforts of the resource person and participants.

Overall, the day was a perfect blend of fun and learning, leaving every participant with valuable life lessons, improved communication and thinking skills, and a renewed sense of confidence. It was truly a day to remember, reminding us that life skills are not just learned—they are lived.

"Managing Stress, Mindfully: Insights from the B.Ed. Workshop"😌

 

As part of the Semester 2 B.Ed. curriculum (EDU07), a Stress Management Workshop was held on March 4 at our college. The session, which began at 10:00 AM, opened with a prayer and a warm welcome speech by Ms. Nisha Nasim, Psychology faculty. The workshop was led by Dr. Sreejith, a renowned clinical psychologist, who shared valuable insights on understanding and managing stress effectively. 

 The workshop was conducted in two sessions – theory and practical. In the theoretical session, Dr. Sreejith explained the difference between the brain and mind, various types of stress such as acute, chronic, and psychological stress, and their impact on both mental and physical health. He introduced us to several effective stress management techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices, which can be applied in daily life. 

 The second session was more interactive and activity-based. We practiced mindfulness and breathing exercises designed to calm the mind and improve focus. The class was then divided into five groups to participate in a fun and engaging concentration game – the Ball-Picking Game. The matches were organized as Group 1 vs. Group 5, Group 2 vs. Group 4, and the final round featured the winners competing against Group 3. 

 One of the most meaningful parts of the session was a CBT-based self-journaling exercise. Using a five-column format—Situation, Thought, Feeling, Behavior, and Alternative Thought—participants reflected on their personal stress experiences and learned how to reshape negative thinking patterns. In addition, an assignment was given where participants were to apply CBT techniques to 8th-grade students and record their observations, creating a bridge between theory and real-world classroom application. 

 The workshop concluded by 1:15 PM, followed by heartfelt reflections from the participants. A series of vote of thanks were given by Father Terry (Social Science Department), Neethu (Malayalam Department), Sreelekshmi (Social Science Department), and Feba P.S., with the final address delivered by Union Chairman Albin K. Alexander. 

 Overall, the workshop was interactive, informative, and deeply beneficial. It not only provided practical tools to manage stress but also encouraged self-awareness and emotional balance, which are essential for both personal well-being and a successful teaching career.