by Vinita Fernandes and Fr Brian Moras for BIS Mumbai

That it will never come again, is what makes life so sweet said Emily Dickinson.  Taking a cue from this, “Chandigarh, Kullu-Manali Euphoric Calling”- is a good way to sum up our one week Industrial Visit cum outing experience, 18-25 February, 2025.

The journey commenced at Bandra Terminus, where 137 students from Don Bosco College of the Management, Finance and Mass Media Departments, accompanied by five faculty members and the Assistant Director, Fr Brian Moras, departed by train from Bandra Terminus to Delhi Station. The journey lasted 15 hours.

At Chandigarh the itinerary included three industrial visits, starting with Yakult Factory, followed by Verka Dairy, and concluding with Punjab Express Newspaper. The insights gained from these visits were remarkable, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications.

After an enriching educational experience, the group transitioned to the next exciting part of our trip—a mesmerizing overnight journey to Manali. Although the weather was frigid, the breathtaking scenery transported the group to another world, allowing them to immerse themselves in the present. The cosy accommodation, situated by the enchanting river, was serendipitously enhanced by fresh snowfall from the previous night.

Reminiscing the experience, one of the accompanying faculty, Miss Vinita shares thus, “We began our exploration at the famous Hadimba Temple; the students eagerly tried on local outfits and captured memories with Yaks and Rabbits. Following this, we headed to Mall Road for some window shopping and to savour local delicacies.

The next day, excitement filled the air as we visited the snow point in Solang Valley. Watching the students enjoy themselves in the snow brought back nostalgic memories for the professors. From building snowmen to engaging in snowball fights, we capped off the day with steaming hot Maggi.

The most adventurous part of the experience ensued on the final day where we transitioned from Manali to Kullu.  Here, they dived into paragliding and river rafting- an experience of a lifetime. While some students were exhilarated, others showed signs of apprehension and some anxiety. However, it was heart-warming to witness their mutual support and encouragement, as they cheered for one another and offered help when needed.”

As all good things must come to an end, so did the trip. The group returned to Mumbai with a treasure trove of memories, feeling bittersweet about returning, but grateful for the bonds they had formed and the myriad of enriching experiences they had.

Special thanks are due to those who made this trip possible: our dedicated Management Team, Principal Dr. Parvathi Venkatesh, and HOD Dr. Mamta D’Souza. Heartfelt appreciation extends to the very professional ‘Stephen World Tours’ and its proprietor Mr Robert Stephen for accompanying us with his team and for attending to every detail. Lastly, Prof. Dr. Yashesh Ranpura deserves special mention for meticulously planning the trip, supported by his team—Prof. Abhishek, Prof. Neil, Prof. Mahek, and Prof. Vinita.