Armed with shields of umbrellas and raincoats, a new batch of schoolchildren trudged through puddles and braved the torrential rain that marked the first day of the new academic year on Monday. While the grey city failed to match the spirit of the ‘Praveshanotsavam,’ teachers and seniors made up with a riot of colour and flurry of activities to welcome the little ones to the world of learning.
Festive mood
Naturally, teachers did have their quota of first day bawling to deal with. The singing and dancing did succeed in easing the transition from being cocooned in their homes with loved ones into an unfamiliar place with strangers. But some flatly decided they were against this uniformed existence and marched out in protest. Or at least they tried to, until teachers, prepared for such antics, shepherded them back. Sweets and small takeaway gifts served to pacify the little rebels.
While in most schools, concerned parents waited for their children to go through the first day, they were part of the festivities in schools such as the Manacaud Government Lower Primary School. This school also registered one of the highest figures in terms of admissions to Class I, with over 240 appearing on Monday.
Speaker G. Karthikeyan inaugurated the district-level ‘Praveshanotsavam’ at the Aruvikkara Government Lower Primary School.
Aruvikkara grama panchayat president A.A. Hakim and A. Sampath, MP, were present.
Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar inaugurated the Corporation-level ‘Praveshanotsavam’ at the Government Cotton Hill LPS. Mayor K. Chandrika presided over the function.
