Blooming colours of India

Cradle of integration

Name a few schools that through their sheer existence teach as well as bring about national integration. Difficult, eh?
We may find such a school if we put two yardsticks: First, the school must represent all sections of the people – both in case of students and teachers. Secondly, it must give the children a chance to know about, celebrate and enjoy the festivals of people from different corners of the country.
The result will be a love for all and a love for the motherland.
This is what Shaurya Army Pre-School on Officers’ Training Academy campus in Chennai has achieved ever since it was established by the Army Wives’ Welfare Association (AWWA) in 1974.
Most of the pupils in the school are children of Army personnel who have come from different parts of the country, carrying various cultures with them. And all their festivals do get respected and celebrated in the school.
“We celebrate all festivals in the country, both in the south and north. It’s our way to help the young minds know about the cultures of different people. The students will love all. They will learn. Ultimately, they will consider each festival as their own,” said principal Ushma Gupta.
“Recently, we celebrated (the south Indian festival of) Pongal. Children from north India also took part in the celebrations with enthusiasm. Such celebrations would help children understand the oneness of the nation. And they would love the motherland,” she said.
Text and pictures: Salil Jose
Image: Students and teachers of Shaurya Army Pre-School.