VARANASI UTTAR PRADESH

Varanasi, also commonly known as Benares or Banaras and Kashi, is a city situated on the banks of the Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres southeast of state capital Lucknow. It is regarded as a holy city by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the River Ganges and the river s religious importance. The city has been a cultural and religious centre in North India for several thousand years. The Benares Gharana form of the Indian Classical Music developed in Varanasi, and many prominent India philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians resided or reside in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi. People often refer to Varanasi as the city of temples , the holy city of India , the religious capital of India , the city of lights , the city of learning , and the oldest living city on earth. The workcamp at Varanasi will be organised with the cooperation of local NGOs for rural development. The workcamp will involve teaching children from poor and marginalized community in the formal and non-formal schools about basic English and Mathematics, Health and Hygiene, and Environmental protection through creative learning methods like art, music, games etc. There will also be house visits and meetings with local people as part of inter-cultural learning and to give awareness on health, education and hygiene. Volunteers can take the school children to places in the town like picnics and exposure visits. In addition, volunteers also will get a chance to take part in simple renovation work at local schools/orphanages and engage in activities like painting, making Kitchen garden, tree plantation, promoting rainwater harvesting etc. As part of the cultural exchange, volunteers will witness and participate in the cultural programs with local community.