Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Jun 2: Children of Keddalike government school in the taluk witnessed unique celebrations unfolding in front of their eyes on the first day of the new academic year. New entrants to the school felt honoured at the welcome they were accorded.
A group comprising dignitaries, teachers, parents and children gathered near the Anganwadi centre by the side of the school to accord rousing welcome to newly enrolled students of the school. Bantwal Rotary Club president, Prakash Karant, welcomed the tiny tots by garlanding them. Later, to the accompaniment of musical instruments including Chende, Dolu, cymbals etc and dancing of children dressed as puppets, the procession of children interspersed with colourful umbrellas proceeded to the school, their temple of education. At the school, teachers and senior students welcomed the children who came in a procession by spraying scented water and flower petals. Newly admitted children were accorded customary reception by performing Arati and presenting them with fruits. Parents who admitted their children to the government school this year were also thanked by presenting flowers to them.
Keddalike school has always been in forefront as far as community participation is concerned. This was again proved at this festival. The concept that villagers, parents and teachers should contribute something they like to the school a la Horekanike, which is like temple for the children, again got good response this year. Contributions came in the form of cucumbers, cluster beans, different vegetables, mangoes, banana bunches, papaya, coconuts, jack fruit, tender coconut and other things. Block education officer, Sheshashayana Karinja, inaugurated the 'Horekanike godown' erected out of coconut fronds in front of the school, where these items were stored.
The 'Akshara Ratha', a vehicle which enables students from far flung places to take a free ride in vehicle meant to take them to school and drop them off at homes, was also inaugurated on this occasion. Under this scheme, which has been drawn up by teachers in association with School Development and Monitoring Committee, the Maruti Omni vehicle owned by headmaster of the school visits far off places to pick students. Lecturer, Dr Shreesha Kumar, inaugurated this scheme by showering flowers on the vehicle.
Hundreds of earthen lamps lined up in the school premises were then lighted by the students along with their parents to create magical environment. At the meeting held later, students who have joined first standard this time were received, offered seats, and were presented with fruits in a plate. The mothers initiated their children to education by making them write the first letters in a rice bowl with their fingers. This programme took the gathering of parents and children through an emotional journey.
In the academic meeting held thereafter, dignitaries guided the children. Special student of the school, Deekshit, was felicitated, books were distributed to children, followed by serving of lunch under 'Akshara Dasoha' scheme. Addressing the children, lecturer and environmentalist, Dr Shreesha Kumar, asked the concerned to shed inferiority complex about government schools, and urged teachers too to send their children to government schools and infuse life to government schools. He expressed the fear that government schools will be relegated to become orphanages in course of time, if people do not support them. He urged parents to set aside one hour every day to educate their children.
President of School Development and Monitoring Committee, Diwakar Das, presided over the meeting. Taluk panchayat member, Padmashekhar Jain, block coordinating officer, Rajesh, former gram panchayat president, Yakub Saheb, education coordinator, Sujata, block resource person, Gangadhar, retired tahsildar, Lokesh, supervisor of Dharmsthala Rural Development Project, Bhavani, Yakshagana artiste, Dinesh Shetty Kavalakatte, and others were present.
Headmaster, K Ramesh Nayak Rayi, welcomed. Teacher, Sahasranama, proposed vote of thanks. Teacher, Chandappa, presented the programme.