Excursion   Trip   To   Surjivan   Farm  (2007) 

JAAI organised a one-day excursion trip to Surjivan Farm, Haryana on 21st January 2007. Surjivan Farm is located opposite Classic Golf Resort on New Delhi – Jaipur Highway.

The farm is about 60 km from Delhi and is based on the theme ‘Back to the Nature’. One can closely experience the activities and lifestyle of an Indian village with ethnic touch. Interesting experiences were made from the beginning of the journey itself when the bus took off from the highway onto the village kucha road, nestled between hills and valleys on both sides.

Set in a picturesque farm, Surjivan had everything that brings one closer to nature. Splayed with earthy browns, divine blues and lush greens, and spread over 50 acres, in the truest sense, it was the perfect retreat, a getaway for holiday makers, for peace seekers, for tired nerves for their relaxation and rejuvenation.

Surjivan's guiding principle is harmony with cosmos. The farm has been developed and even the trees have been planted conforming to the ancient shastra tenets, so you feel those energizing vibes every moment you spend there. In a way, it connects you to your soul.

Food took a whole new flavour at Surjivan. It was organically grown grains, pulses, oils and vegetables cooked slowly in earthen vessels on mitti ka chulha. The spices used to cook, the chutney served were all painstakingly ground on sil-batta (the mortar and the pestle). The outcome was a taste that people would never forget, not to speak of its nutrition value.

Surjivan's mud and straw huts depicted the headiest taste of rustic life ever. These are embellished with frescos using organic colours. The handmade sun-dried bricks, thatched roofs and jharokhas (windows) provide natural air-conditioning. One could hear the sound of the wind blown trees and the chirping of birds. It provided the perfect ambience to connect you with nature.

Through out the day the JAAI participants were involved with various activities such as croquet, gilli-danda, kanche, pitthu, teerandazi. They also went for a village safari on a tractor. Everyone would remember for a long time the bumpy ride through the interior of the village. Young and adults, irrespective of their gender, went crazy and enjoyed the camel ride.

The JAAI members also went for a herbal tour during which they were familiarized with numerous species of Ayurvedic plants (medicinal as well as cosmetic) that were being grown at the farm

Various activities like musical chairs were organised for the group (children, men and women) and prizes were given away for each category. Members also actively participated in tambola, which was organized twice on popular demand. Some were busy playing other games like football, volleyball, badminton etc. Not to miss out some important ones and of course, wiser of the lot who took this opportunity to lie down and just relax in the lush green lawn and enjoy the pollution free environment of a typical Indian village.

There was no end to what one could do to make the most of his/her time at the Surjivan farm. But then one might choose to do nothing at all. Either way it was an experience to remember -An Incredible India.