While Puducherry with its famed Promenade Beach, French architecture, Ashram influence, holiday atmosphere and cheaper alcohol is a draw for adults, what does it hold for children in the town and visitors who want to make the most of their summer holidays?
Posters for summer classes and courses have sprung up across town. Sanjana (9), who studies at the Santha Bala Bhavan school, Villupuram, has a packed summer ahead with an abacus course, Bharatanatyam and music classes, says her mother, Maheshwari. “We haven’t planned any trips out of town because of her classes,” she said. The Alliance Francaise conducts French language classes, the Puducherry Thanjavur Arts Women Artisans Co-operative Society holds Tanjore painting classes and the Sita cultural centre conducts dance, art and cooking classes for children. Some of the hotels in town like Hotel Atithi and GRT Sunway are also offering coaching camps in swimming. For the more daring, Temple Adventures offers children who are 13 and above certified courses in deep-sea diving. The Romain Rolland library has extended timings for the children’s section during school vacations.
While some children have enrolled in summer camps, many have been heading to the parks and beaches with their families. Bharti, who works at the Dr. Pauls Engineering College, brought her son, Sujidharan (6), to the Government Park. “We are spending the day here at the park and are also planning to go to the Auro beach later,” she said.
A day outSelvi from Murungapakkam made plans for a day out with her son, Gautam, 5, to the park, beach road and temples. “As we have to vote for the elections, we will be going to our native place in Uthangarai this time,” she said. Many families can be seen near the old pier, taking a quick dip in the sea even though multiple boards with warning boards against venturing into the water are noticeable. Babul, who sells balloons and toys near the Gandhi Thidal, says sales have picked up over the last week due to the holidays.
Puducherry is also a destination for families from Chennai, Cuddalore and even those from Trichy and Thoothukudi. Lakshmi, Puducherry’s famous elephant is a draw for children at the Manakula Vinayagar Temple. “I like going to the beach especially,” says Sivasankar, who is studying in class 4 in Karaikal, whose older sister Devi says he spends a lot of time playing computer games.
Child psychiatrist Dr. Susan Solomon from the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences says that children with learning difficulties must structure their activities during vacations with some classes. “Regular children though must be allowed to enjoy their vacation as they are busy enough during school,” she says.
