In scenic Russia, teenage student trio from T'Puram broaden their horizons

IMAGINE having a large circle of friends from different parts of the world — buddies who respect you and your culture! How about developing such bonds while being trained in your areas of interest? That is exactly what Aaaqil, Vishal, and Vaiga, three teenagers from Thiruvananthapuram, are experiencing, as they represent India at Artek — a globally renowned children's centre — on Russia's Black Sea coast.

- ASWIN ASOK KUMAR @T'Puram

Artek conducts annual camps for students from around the world. Children are trained in various domains according to their age and areas of interest on a campus spreads over 252 hectares.

Speaking to T'NIE by phone, Aaaqil M Aju, the author of a collection of horror short stories, termed his experience in the Crimean peninsula as refreshing. "I was surprised to see people turn more considerate and friendlier on coming to know that we are from India," exclaimed the Class 12 student of St Thomas Residential School, Mukkolakkal.