Children have been busy since the turn of the year at School. There were unexpected holidays due to extreme cold in December and most of January which sidelined and pushed away various activities that children were waiting for and well likewise we, the teachers. One amongst which and everyone’s favourite was Picnic that could not happen either in December or in January.
Hence the first thing when Picnic dates di not match the weather, we decided to bring Parents in instead of taking children out for something that we called as ‘The Food Festival’, it was the first of its kind we organised at our small school. Here children got there own ingredients, spices and other things; prepared and cooked a few different snacks by themselves with the help of teachers of course, decorated their stalls, kept prices of them all and then sold various food items to the parents and other invitees. It was lovely and contagious to see their excitement enjoyed by one and all. It almost turned into a small lesson in business education.
The Food Festival at School
My favourite teacher is Hemlata mam, she is the eldest we have and mostly does the typing and printing work. In front of her, on the table are kept some beautiful Hand crafted small Pouch bags that were especially made by Kashmiri women(widows) whom I had met while I was working in Srinagar, Kashmir for sometime in 2019 (with the help of skill development organisation ‘Nari Jagran Shakti’ that mother runs, we were able to create 400 of them in collaboration with a local organisation called ‘Pamposh’ meaning a flower)
I will probably share these bags, those women with whom i was grateful two spend two evenings, filming and interviewing, and a few other products that they had created in another post. They can still be acquired at a reasonable price. So If anyone of you is interested, please contact me.
While at school, children cooked at ate no holds barred.
The Coming of PICNIC
Delhi is beautiful in Winter Times. It has many gorgeous parks, few lakes, Museums, historical monuments, Forts, Archaeological Marvels, beautiful temples and many more things for children to see and enjoy but over the years we have actually seen them all, and particularly me.
I have been the torch bearer of taking all the unlikely steps at school and so this year it was decided that we are not going to go to any museum or any place where we have been to already. Instead I wanted my children to experience some nature, ecology as it also was going to be our first outing since the forgettable Corona Days. So it was also a way for us to try making them aware of a world that lived beyond the busyness of Delhi.
The Deva Farms
On the Outskirts of Delhi, Deva Farm is an Eco Adventure Activity Park. They provide an all-in-one activities for children, teachers, be it rock climbing to swimming, Camel ride, to pottery, tunnel crossing to giving them a glimpse of yesteryears village life to eating all day long from various corner as its spread in a large area and small children keep something to nibble after every two hours or so.
So, it was a refreshing change for everyone, as we from the teacher’s side had not thought or experienced on any outing ever before that something so light will land on our fate, quite literally. And that was Freedom.
Their well trained volunteers took charge the moment we entered the camp, made separate teams and took equal number of children under them, and left. They left, Just like that. And we were told to go and eat. Those volunteers lead these teams of our children to all the activities there were in the park, including making them eat and taking them to toilet, whole day long. We actually did not see our children till the time they were all asked to come to the dance floor late in the evening.
So, It was not just the best Picnic, it was the most fun filled day that we and even the children experienced as they kept going gaga over how happy it made them to do all the activities, the freedom they enjoyed as they never heard from there teachers nagging them to not go there or come here or make a line, nothing. Above all to have enjoyed such activities that they had only seen on the Television.
Sharing some images of the day
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Very nice
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Thank you, GC.
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Hello Narayan, so good to see this post and I am sure, children had a great day, from their faces…
Experiential education is the buzz word now a days and slowly but surely the school authorities are taking a note of it.
Children learn more from their experiences than from the class room lessons, right?
Thank you for sharing!
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So long, dear Sree. Hoping that you are doing things healthily.
Yes, experimental education is what will bring evolution in education sector now. I do not see why we can’t liberate our children from boring ways of a classroom.
Thank you for suggesting and sharing your views on it.
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Hi Narayan, I can tell from the photos that it was a very enjoyable event. I imagine that what was said afterwards was “when can we go again?” Yes, learning outside of the classroom is excellent as long as it is safe, as it was on this day! PS. those pouch bags look amazing, so colourful! 👏🙋♂️
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Thank you, dear Ashley. You are absolutely right, all had only this thought of going there again.
Yes, they are beautiful and handy pouch bags. I will write and make images and structure a post on them, so you can see and it will be great if you decide on having one for yourself or even children.
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Indeed, my grandchildren might like them! 🙏🙏🙏
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Today’s post about the activities at Narayan’s school, is not only interesting but also deeply moving. The main reason being the effort put by Narayan, his extraordinary mother, and the teachers, to create the wonderful childhood for the lucky children studying there as this will provide at the end of the school time, young people happy and eager to do something worthwhile for others, and for their country.
The first activity details were about a brilliant idea of The Food Festival which unsurprisingly turned into a small lesson in business education. I loved the large poster beautifully drawn by Narayan with the Thought of the Day:
” Nothing brings people together like good food.”
It was a delight to see the excitement and happiness of children eating and preparing the dishes they could sell to the parents and visitors.
The incredible results of Narayan’s mother working with Kashmiri widows in the shape of the beautiful pouch bags, hand decorated with colourful flowers, were on display, and looking looking stunning. They sell at reasonable price and every one should have one.
As the children were taken many time to various places of interest in Delhi, Narayan decided that was high time for something new, and the place that would fulfill the expectations was the Eco Adventure Activity Park – the Deva Farms, just outside Delhi. The list of the activities was lengthy, and it fulfilled the most expectations! It was astonishing the care that was taken by people there to look after all children, especially the youngest.
The focus word of this adventure was the word Freedom, and looking at the photos it was evident in the children’s excitement and happiness. The last photo of all the children and the teachers is profoundly moving as they are standing under the huge sign: “I love Deva .”
If it was possible, I would nominate Narayan, and his beloved mother for the highest award for their beyond outstanding work with the children as when they finish school days, they will be eager to do something for others and for their country, India. Indeed, lucky children!
Thank you, Narayan for making me moved and happy that people like your mother and you are walking among us. The future of mankind is assured!
Joanna
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Thank you so much dearest Joanna, reading your uplifting words felt like Diwali to me. And by the way, the bag you received is one amongst them, made in kashmir.
Thank you again, mcuh dearest.
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Thank you, dearest Narayan, I didn’t mentioned that I have such a bag as it would imply that I have bought it (not true!) or that you gave it to me, which might make some readers think why was she given the pouch but we should buy it! Perhaps, I am thinking too much, as it is of no importance how I got it.
In this country, the UK, one can nominate people for various rewards when they have done something special for the community, and you and your extraordinary mother, certainly do amazing things at your school. I will have to check if it is possible from here to tell the authorities in India about your outstanding work.
Joanna
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Why should it imply anything dearest Joanna. It was a reward for so many things that you have done for our school. Your books and stories in them are a bank that generations of our children are going to learn so much from.
I also think now that individuals such as you and a few others over the years have done a lot more than any organisation which demands or expects something in return. So It’s the people who have stood behind us. It’s very kind of you to think of that Jonna, thank you again.
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Thank you, dearest Narayan, for your noble thoughts, I know that you are unassuming and modest man but the rewards I have in mind don’t expect anything of you, yet the recognition is important to your own wellbeing and brings the elevated status not only to you but also to your school. I will endeavour to see what can be done from so far, and I do hope I will succeed in my aim.
Joanna
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What fun for the kids! Kudos to the teachers for making it possible!
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Thank you Rosa, yes, its a collective responsibility.
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The kids sure look happy!!
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Thanks GP, of course they were, as you could see.
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I really like what you do for the children at your school! They are lucky! The day out at Deva must have been a great experience for them (and you?).
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Dear Stella, thank you for writing so warmly. Oh I enjoyed that responsibility was taken off me. I could move around freely and not commanding children to be in line or discipline even on a Picnic 🙂
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Also your writing like this tells me I should keep sharing more from my school here 🙂
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It is always good to read about good examples. It might give others good ideas as well 🙂
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That is true, that’s how ideas travel and like ripples comes back in some form 🙂 thanks Stella.
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When you send out positive, I guess positive will come back to you 🙂
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What a wonderful place for the children. I am sure they talked about it for days and I am sure all the adults must have enjoyed seeing them have so much fun. The children are so very sweet. I love their pictures. Those bags from Kashmir are very pretty. I remember so many lovely things I wanted to bring home. Beautiful painted lacquer ware and so much more. I so enjoy reading your posts because they bring back happy memories of an amazing country and wonderful people. Blessings.
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Oh yes, some used the word ‘awesome’ while tilting their heads many times over. It was pretty comfortable Caro. Thank you.
And thanks for writing such beautiful, helpful and uplifting words to me Caro, always means so much to me. I enjoy reading from you.
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Also your writing so warmly tells me that I should keep sharing more from my school times here 🙂
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Truly hear warming to see your efforts to introduce the kids to experiences outside the classroom, both practical and in Nature. Well done, Narayan. I think you’re doing stellar work in preparing these underprivileged children for a better life and a hope filled future.
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Thank you, dear Diti. Thinking of outdoing myself in the betterment department. I love Picnics too 🙂
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Also your writing so warmly tells me that I should keep sharing more from my school times here 🙂
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Yes, please do. It brings hope for a better tomorrow in a steadily deteriorating world.
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Yes, I guess it’s also a way to learn from the readers of how they feel about children studies and ideas that slowly take shape.
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How creative and wonderful! Beautiful children.
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Thank you, dear Cindy.
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What a wonderful story – gorgeous children.
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Thank you, yes a small part of this ongoing life with children and their growing up activities.
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Thanks for sharing these photos and activities of the children.
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Pleasure, dear Vanya. Thank you.
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Wonderful!
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Thank you!
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Such wonderful photos that capture the fun of the cooking adventure in school and the outdoors adventure outside of the city. I can feel how lovely it all was for children *and* teachers.
Alison
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Thank you dear Alison. Hope Don is doing better. I wanted to share with you that an invitation has come from Tiru, I should be leaving for the Ashram if things go as planned next month 🙂
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Don is much recovered thanks, almost completely back to his usual self. And you are off to Tiru. How wonderful for you.
Alison xo
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Good to know about Don,Ali. And yes, let’s see Idea is to be there for sometime atleast in Tiru
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Your interesting post reminded me of my days as a teacher (in the 80’s).
I can say it with experience that the students love outdoors.
You are absolutely right that children love outdoor activities. Not only does it help them to observe and experience the real things of life, but it also helps to develop practical problem solving skills. The interaction with teachers and fellow students is also beneficial in developing communication skills.
Moreover, they learn to value the nature, the environment and learn other social skills, which will help them in future.
Great post.
Thank you for sharing this.
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Thank you Chitrangada Ji for a lovely and profound comment that took me as well as you on a beautiful memory lane.
And you are so right in pointing which I must note down- to somehow impart that learning of valuing nature, along with other social skills.
Thank you so much and also apologise for taking some time to write back.
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The faces of these children, melt my heart, Nara💓
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Cindy, these images were many a heartbreaks just how they are presented.
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