Annual college picnic

Picnics, tours, trips and excursions are part and parcel of a college goer’s life. They provide us complete opportunity to study the book of nature like Shakespeare says: “We find sermons in stones, tongues, in trees and books, and in running brooks.”

Amidst the camaraderie and frolic, the soul finds refreshment and the tired mind is rejuvenated.

The Bhawanipur Education Society college held its annual picnic on the 19th of February 2020. It coincided with the onset of Spring and was splendidly suitable for a day out.

A total of 300 students turned up for the picnic accompanied by eight faculty members of the morning department. The students gathered at the college campus from where they were escorted to their allotted buses which were parked outside the college campus. One couldn’t help but get the typical old-school picnic feel. Water bottles and orange peels, playing antakshari enroute and seating to the beats of popular hits. The journey to Ibiza Resort was fun packed and mirthful.

The Ibiza Fern Resort and Spa is in Joka, a 25-kilometre-long ride from the college. Six buses reached the venue at 9am. The students were directed to the breakfast corner as soon as they arrived. The best way to start a long day is with a good meal. The spread which was laid out was flavoursome yet healthy. Students gorged into mouthwatering sandwiches, potato chips and gulab jamuns. The luscious corn cheese cutlet was the most palatable item on the menu.

Once done with the gratifying meal, the students headed toward exploring the resort.

The place was picturesque. From colourful flower plants cultured on the sidewalk to the neatly mowed large stretches of green lawn, a fish bred pond with a wooden bridge to cross over to the other side and the occasional chirping of unknown birds who have made this abode their habitat. Students were seen capturing pictures at every corner, not missing out on any part of the striking milieu.

The Ibiza resort has several points of attraction and the most populated one was the disco. While most students grooved to the beats of Bollywood tracks there were several others who preferred to linger around outdoor near the pool side. Some didn’t mind getting into the pool for a swim either. It was a delight to watch them play handball, splash water at each other and pose for innumerable selfies which resonates the lines of the poet Thomas Gray: “Youth smiles without no reason, making it one if it’s chiefest charms ”

Time passed by gleefully and the students were summoned for lunch at around 1pm. They were served an assortment of scrumptious dishes which included flavoured rice, breads, salads and vegetable savouries. After the calories burnt in the discothèque and pool, the students didn’t mind indulging into the meal wholeheartedly.

Post luncheon, most of the students headed off to the boating area while there were others who choose to go for dual cycling. It seemed like the best way to shed those extra calories put on during the meal.

Some of them casually strolled down the sidewalk while there were a few active souls who headed back to the sports room. The Sports room accommodated several indoor games like table tennis, chess and carrom. It was a perfect spot for these energetic warmbloods.

As the sun began to set, it was time to make a move back to the eating zone. The students were given refreshments (tea served with biscuits and mouthwatering pakoras) and shortly after that they were escorted back to their respective buses. Departure from the venue was at 5pm. The journey back to college was more of repose and relaxation. Amidst the sound endless chatter and blithesome laughter, the memories of an eventful day slid down the lane of happy recollections to get embedded in the subconscious for eternity.