On May 6 and 7, 2024, fourteen third-year Sociology-Economics Forum students, accompanied by faculty coordinators Associate Professor Cecilia F. Goveas and Dr. Kiran Prasad, embarked on an enriching educational tour to Madikeri, a picturesque hill town in Southern India. This trip provided the students with a valuable opportunity to engage with the region’s cultural and economic practices.
During the tour, the students visited local coffee plantations, where they received a comprehensive orientation on the journey of coffee from seed to cup. They were briefed on various stages, including coffee bean planting, harvesting, processing cherries, drying and milling beans, and the final steps of packing and marketing coffee. This hands-on experience offered insights into the intricate processes involved in coffee production, enhancing their understanding of agricultural economics.
In addition to the coffee plantations, the students visited several notable sites. They explored the Tibetan monastery, popularly known as the Golden Temple, at Kushalnagara. The Namdroling Monastery, established by Drubwang Padma Norbu Rinpoche in 1963, provided a glimpse into Tibetan culture and spirituality. The trip also included a visit to Raja's Seat, known for its stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Additionally, the students visited the birthplace of the sacred river Cauvery, located 46 km from Madikeri. A small shrine with a beautifully decorated silver Shiva linga marks the spot where this mighty river originates.
Overall, the educational tour to Madikeri was a fruitful and enlightening experience for the students, blending academic learning with cultural and spiritual exploration.
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