| Our country is unique since its fabric is woven by diverse cultural, linguistic and religious threads which also tightly hold it together. To understand and appreciate the rich heritage, culture, customs and traditions unique to the state of Sikkim, Delhi’s paired state under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme, the students of classes IV to IX were given opportunities to explore, subject wise, various aspects impacting the vibrant lifestyle of people of Sikkim. Whether there were visuals of posters inviting people to a Sikkimese Food Fest’ at India Habitat Centre, Delhi, (Class VII activity) or a poster promoting tourism in Sikkim with an apt caption, (Class IX activity) or a collage on the places of tourist interest in Sikkim, or a website created by students giving information about the geography, demography, and culture of the - Sikkim, or an essay bringing out the difference in the culture, food, festivals, etc of the two paired states, each activity was witness to the students’ active and engaged participation. Display boards with visuals of places of tourist interest made by students of classes VI, VII and VIII was a visual treat in some of the presentations. No less are the videos of the students of classes IV and V, either reaching out in a Google Meet to exchange greetings with their peer group from APS, Gangtok in their respective language, or of their participation in a quiz show, vying with each other to answer questions on known and unknown facts about the state, or the tiny tots exploring the cuisine with hands on experiences or the news hour activity of class VII, in which students presented news on sports, weather, entertainment, and political news or the self introduction of students of Sanskrit in Sikkimese. The art integrated activities in science introduced concepts of sound, by a study of any one musical instrument of Sikkim. Speaking skills of students of class VIII were enhanced when the students explained the Thungka art form to a friend in Hindi. The entire project, being interdisciplinary, helped the students by making connections in the process of their learning. The activities tapped into their creative potential, as also worked towards them realizing a deep cultural connect with their partner state. Each student expressed their gratitude for being provided opportunities to know more about the state of Sikkim. With this, the activities listed under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme were brought to a close. |
