Student International Health Initiative (SIHI)

Tentative schedule

Core module (30 days)

Arrival 4^th May night, 8.15 pm at Delhi Airport; Two hours to freshen up, exchange currency, phone home etc. Then departure for SMTA hostel, Vikasnagar near Dehradun by road (7 hour journey)

5^th May: Rest and marketing: Purchase Indian garments and other supplies in Vikasnagar market

6^th – 8^th May: Local day trips to places of cultural importance

(6^th May - Haridwar, Rishikesh;
7^th May-Mussoorie, Dehradun;
8^th May - Paonta sahib, Asan Barrage, Asokan edict)

9^th May: Preparation for field phase (Marketing, documentation, rest)

10^th May: Travel from Vikasnagar to the Field center (Jakhdhar near Chakrata) and stay there till 31^st May; Visit to villages and other institutions of interest (health centers etc) as per feasibility/ availability. Schedule will be discussed and finalized once there. Around 28^th May: Fitness test for Eco-trek will be conducted and relevant details will be discussed.

June 1^st : Travel back to SMTA hostel, Vikasnagar

June 2^nd : Presentation of findings (for validation) and lessons learnt to a selected audience, if AI course requirements met. Else, the group can have an internal sharing.

June 3^rd : Core module ends. Dispersal. Travel back to Delhi or wherever students wish to go. Eco trek group will stay back in SMTA hostel.

(Eco trek group will have a final check up and rehearsal of their equipment, supplies etc on 4^th June in SMTA hostel)

Optional Eco-Trek Module

Ten days eco-trek in middle Himalayas.

5^th June, 7 am: departure by road for Uttarkashi; camp beyond Saura village

6^th June: camp at Belak Pass

7^th June: camp at Jhalla chatti

8^th June: Visit Budhakedar Temple, Binak khal village, camp in the meadow above

9^th June: Camp at Bhairo chatti; (half day for rest)

10^th June: Cross Ghuttu and camp near the temple

11^th June: Camp at Maatya bugyal (=pasture)

12^th June: Camp at Panwali kanta (half day rest)

13^th June: Camp near Maggu chatti

14^th June: Cross Triyuginarayan, Walk to road head at Gaurikund (near Kedarnath).

15^th June: Drive back from Gaurikund to Vikasnagar (10 hour road journey)

16^th June: Students give a photo-session on ecotrek in the morning and disperse in the afternoon.

NB: General situation in the country may change without notice due to strike or other kinds of unrest or events. In the mountains, there are other uncertainties like landslides which can block traffic for hours and sometimes, for days. Please keep these in mind while planning your movement or telling others about your expected time of arrival/ departure. Please get back if you have any questions.