The Annual Picnic

It was that time of the year again...the annual picnic. The kids were looking forward to it since the new year set in. This time my sister(Piali), my friend(Madhu), and the repairman went with me and we were joined at the Jasidih station by a volunteer(Sahil Patel) from Canada. Bhola came to pick us up and we all travelled to the project together. When we reached we had a cup of tea around the bonfire and sat around and had our dinner around the fire only. The repairman had come with us as the roofs needed repair and so he had to take measurements for the job to be done before the monsoon sets in with full force. All the preparations for the picnic was done before by the enthusiastic kids. The chulah(Clay oven) was dug in the back fields ready and waiting. Next day we all shifted to the back fields after a late breakfast. We had carried bar ones(chocolate bars) and gave them to the kids and then the fun and games started. Thanks to Madhu, Piali and Sahil there were lots of games like relay race, normal race, musical chair and other games which the kids enjoyed immensely and so did we. There were more bar ones as prizes which kept the kids happy. Bhola had brought her two kids who also joined whole heartedly. One one side there was serious cooking going on organised and executed by Bhola and helped by Haldhar, Premanand and Mongol. There were huge woks in which Khichri(mix of rice, different kinds of lentils, vegetables and spices) was being made. There was tomato chutney and papad fry also. It was quite late when the games and the cooking was done and the kids sat down to eat. The enthusiasm was infectious. After the kids were done we also had our late lunch on the plates made of leaves. In the evening we had different kinds of pakodas in the kitchen which was the warmest place in the very cold weather. We girls ultimately decided to bring the kitchen chulah(oven) to our bedroom at night! We also slept with our socks on and with hoodies, thermalwear etc. We left Sahil fortified with soup packets and bar ones to tide him over. He will be teaching English and try and help the kids prepare for their final exams in March.
One sad news is the Bruni has passed away. But I guess it was good for her as she no longer lived on the project and there was nobody to look after her.