More than 700 people from Udaipur gathered on Sunday, 18th September at Vidya Bhawan B.Ed College, Dewali to celebrate learning and life.

Shikshantar  co-hosted this unique learning experience for everyone envisioning Udaipur as a Learning City. A learning city means that everyone shares their own gifts and also learn what they feel inspired too.

This unConference saw participation from more than 50 individual/ organizational stalls in which people shared their skills, interests and projects through Parichay Mela.  There were stalls related to Organic Food, Natural Healing, Up Cycled products, Youth Council, Meditation, Art, Plants, etc.

Learning at the event was not just limited to stalls, since there were more than 32 workshops ranging from Parenting, Art and Craft, Natural Dyeing, Urban Farming, Self Healing, building your own earthen home, Zumba, slow food, rain water harvesting and folk dance, etc.

All ages engaged themselves in workshops, mela, cooperative games,circular dances which went on throughout the day.

One of the main highlights was that the event was completely eco-friendly.  Each participant was given a dry leaf as the name tag and also a kulhad, which they used throughout the day to drink different drinks offered by people.  Lunch was also served in plates and bowls made of dry leaves.

People had deep reflections. One of our friends’ Ishu who was visiting from Mumbai shared that she hasn’t learnt so much in the last couple of months, as much as she learnt in that one day.

Many others who were a part of the day also felt that it was a day of pure joy and celebration where they met a lot of new people similar to their interests. Many parents shared that this was one of the most creative and fun days for their children and themselves as parents as well.

The unConference also shared interesting experiments like the Cycle Mixer, which makes juices and shakes when you cycle.  A cold pressed oil machine which produces virgin oil from peanuts, coconut,flax seeds etc.  There was a Dariya Dil Dukaan or The Shop of the Open Hearted, where people shared their stuff that they aren’t using without the use of money.

Additionally, there was a film festival that was screening films made by local film makers.  These films also highlighted different themes of sustainable living and learning.

There were also many You Lead Talks happening, where all participants were invited to share their life journeys and stories..

Overall the event created magic, relationships, fun and a commitment to many beautiful dreams for Udaipur.