Feature
A Bangladeshi teacher's training experience in India
Nazma Ali Punu
 It was a great feeling for me when I came to know that the Indian High Commission had selected me for the six-week training course on IT under their project named “Train the Trainer Program”. This training project on various IT courses was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, for the teachers and academic staffs of different levels of foreign nominees.
We were 68 people from different parts of Bangladesh nominated by the Indian High Commission for this training scheme. On a lovely afternoon we reached Indira Gandhi International Airport where we were welcomed by the management of the TATA Consultancy Services Limited.
Our classroom training was held in the training institute of TCS in Noida. Every day we started our journey for Noida at 7:30 a.m. in the morning from our hotels in New Delhi and our classes started at 8:30 a.m. in the morning. We completed our classes at 2:00 p.m. regularly and came back to our hotel between 3:00-3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.
In order to make learning a holistic one, we had a chance to visit the great Taj Mahal in Agra and magnificient palaces and forts in Jaipur as a part of our study tours. Besides all our training and official activities we did not forget about our shopping, going to cineplexes for watching current movies and above all exploring both the modern and ancient city of Delhi, capital of India.
 Delhi is like a canvas that reflects the complexicities, contradictions, beauty and dynamism of a city, where the past co-exist with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich with the architecture of the ear. Diverse cultural elements absorbed into the city daily life have enriched its' character. Exploring the city is a fascinating and rewarding experience in itself.
During our stay in central Delhi, we had ample time to explore places of historical importance, monuments of the past era and many other places of religious and tourist interests in the country. Most of us visited the Mazar Sharif of Nizamuddin Awlia, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Old Fort(Purana Killah), Humayun Tomb, Kutub Minar, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Birla House, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Complex, and Rashtrapati Bhawan. Some of us also visited Indian National Museum, Indira Ghandhi Museum, Teen Murti Bhawan, Diplomatic Enclave, Rajpath, Delhi University and Sanskrit School.
During every visit to these charming places we all had some funny experiences. In every entry point we had to speak in Hindi or do some tricks to prove ourselves as Indians so that we could get in paying the same rate as the Indian visitors paid. it was really a tough job for us, but we did it successfully everywhere.
One weekend some 36 members of the BSM 5th batch arranged a trip to Azmeer. On the other hand, some 16 members of our team, who belong to the Hindu religion took a trip to the Mathura to show their love and respect towards Shri Krishna.
 Most of the tourists around the world have interest for exploring the famous Taj Mahal, an exceptional architectural work of emperor Shah Jahan. The other city of Jaipur that we visited, also famous as the “Pink City” where pink stones are found everywhere. The city was first founded in 1728 by Raja Sawai Jai Singh (II). The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is 280 kms away from New Delhi and we visited the beautiful Hawa Mahal (The Palace of Wind), Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort, Birla Temple, and much more of this astonishing city of Raja Sawai Jai Singh (II), who was also known for his extraordinary knowledge of Mathematics and Astronomy. During our excursion,the management of TCS always arranged our night stay in the five star hotels.
India is also known for its' rich cultural heritage, customs, rituals, art, colourful costumes and handicrafts along with the diverse fauna and flora of aesthetic value. Besides our training session, we all had ample time to roam around the big and decorated shopping malls, attractive and lucrative mega marts, street markets, hawkers' markets for purchasing varietry of things ranging from shawls, stalls, sarees, salwar-kameez sets, cardigans, sweaters, and chappals to books, stationaries, sweets, spices, toys, hand bags, and ornaments etc.
The major shopping hubs in the city are, Cannaught Place, Janpath, Sarijini Nagar, Lajpath Nagar, Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Ansal Plaza, Dilli Haat, Chittaranjan Park, as these are the best places for actual bargaining. I had an opportunity to visit personally to Janpath, Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh Market, Gaffar Market, Pallika Bazar, and Dilli Haat and tried my level best to bargain with the shop-keepers to purchase some essentials.
On 16 December, we all celebrated our Victory day in a diferent manner. The day was Indian holiday. We all got up early in the morning, and went out of our hotel suits for shopping purpose.
After lunch, Shahnaz Kabir, Assistant Head Mistress of SV Govt. High School, Kishoregonj, proposed me to company her to watch the “Light & Sound Show ” of Red Fort in the evening. The show was amazing. Modern technology of light and sound was used to stage the ballad of Emperor Shah Jahan and his Red Fort.
When we came back to our hotel, a great surprise was waiting for us. Some members of BSM 5th batch invited our Project Head and arranged a cultural show on the roof-top of our hotel.
The authority of the TCS Limited organised a veledictory function at the end of the program. Certificates were distributed by the Head of the Indian Goverment Education Services to the participants of the program in the function. After the function, we all took photographs with our fellow participants, trainers, coordinators, and of course with the Head, Mr. Jagtar Singh.
My IT training trip in India came to an end on December 21, 2006. We woke up at 3:30 a.m. in the mornimg and after having a cup of tea we arrived at the airport at 6 in the morning.
It was really a pleasant and memorable trip for all of us. We learned a lot through sharing our experiences with all the participants, especially the IT experts.
The writer is Lecturer,
Northern University Bangladesh
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