Spiti Report
9th June 2012 to 12th June 2012
The 15 day Gold Solar Project took off with an overnight journey to Shimla. All the participants were randomly divided into two groups to increase interaction among them and boarded two separate buses for Shimla. After reaching Shimla early in the morning the next day, we immediately took off for Kalpa in 3 separate taxis. Kalpa was our introduction to snow capped mountains. After an overnight stay in Kalpa, we left for Kaza, a part of the Spiti Valley the next day where we had an overnight stay as well. The next day we left for the Key monastery. After reaching the monastery in the later part of the day, we were given an informal orientation. Thus, after 3 days of travelling, we settled into our accommodation for the next 2 weeks.
13th June 2012 to 16th June 2012
We started with our first day of work. The participants were divided into groups and each group was given a separate task everyday. The tasks basically included farma work, mud work, path work, tank work and tractor duties. The groups were so formed that participants from different institutions were clubbed together in a group to enhance inter-regional interaction.
17th June 2012 to 20th June 2012
We left for our 4 day trek early in the morning on the 17th of June 2012. The first day was an 8km uphill trek to a village called Komik. It was indeed a difficult task for the participants as they weren’t acclimatised to high altitudes. After an overnight stay in Komik, we left for Demul the next day. This was a 12km uphill as well as downhill trek and we reached Demul late in the evening. The next day, we trekked upto the highest point called Bhalari. Later in the day, the villagers had organised a cultural event for all the participants. After staying overnight, we left for Lalung, a downward trek and visited the sarkang temple also.
We later left for the Key monastery.
21st June 2012 and 22nd June 2012
These were the last two days of our stay at the monastery. Much of the work being completed, we were left with only the plastering and painting and setting of the solar panel. This, according to the participants, was the fun part of the work.
The completed Solar Bath was inaugurated by the King of the Spiti Valley in a ceremony held at the monastery. Later, the participants performed various skits and songs as a part of the “closing ceremony”.
23rd June 2012 to 25th June 2012
The next day we left for Manali early in the morning. But, unfortunately, we got stuck due to a landslide and had to spend the night at a dhaba. The next day we crossed the landslide hit area on foot and went to the nearest bus stop sitting in the back of a truck. After the roads opened, we left for Rohtang Pass in our respective taxis but got stuck in traffic, again. We reached Manali in the evening on 24th June and left for Delhi immediately.