A morning of 15th August 2015.
Monsoon clouds in sky.
A day of much enthusiasm for school students,
as they prepared them self for the school early in the morning,
to go to school to mark it as their day of 'Independence Day celebrations'.
But this was a day for the elders too.
As they walk towards the school of their own village.
Of course to witness the proud some moments as their kids were performing in school, today.
And today they decided,
to have their 'village level elected civic body' (Panchayat) members,
to sit together here itself in the school,
to have only one agenda, i.e.
how they can put their combined efforts,
for the betterment of the education,
as per the needs and problems of the village.
The most remarkable thing was the participation of village women,
the mothers and grand mothers of these children.
They out numbered the male participants.
It was a real 'parents and family participation',
as they even brought their toddler kids to see the school.
It was a day,
with serious thinking, thought provoking session, ideas exchanged, get noted
and were put in the meeting for discussion and final decisions.
Marvelous was the scene,
as their faces with numerous lines given by the time,
so was their ideas and suggestions put forward,
so deep and so meaningful.
Never were so fruitful a meet in school, earlier to it.
Some were on the front chairs,
to observe and decide
the merits and performances of the school children.
Sparkling eyes, tricolor flag in hands !!
A girl addressing
while school children watch from the two floor gallery,
as the rain pours down !!
Children performing with their welcome song
and dance dramas they prepared for this day.
Village head talking to parent, teachers and children
Prizes were given to winning, performing and academically excellent girls and boys.
And the day closed with a solemn note of prayer for all;
Lead me from darkness to light (तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय)
Lead me from the Unreal to Real,
Lead me from Darkness to Light,
Lead me from Death to Immortality,
(Asato maa Sat gamaya
Tamaso maa Jyotir gamaya
Mrityor maa Amritam gamaya)
A verse from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, which beautifully captures the goal of both science and spirituality.
Note:
Thanks to Dr. Brajesh Pandey, Principal,
Government Higher Secondary School Parsa Ambikapur
for allowing author to cover this eventful day.
