Patna: As the excruciating heat saps their energy, students across the city are laying the groundwork to do something meaningful during their summer break from classes.

A second-year fine arts student at Arts and Crafts College, Patna, has decided to paint on her canvas how people suffered following the Centre's demonetisation decision in November 2016.

"I will paint to show the plight and suffering of the people during that time. The current cash crunch will also be showcased," the student, who did not wish to be named, said.

Patna's colleges have not yet announced their vacation dates but usually the institutions close for a month from mid-May.

Mass communication student Pragyan Agrawal said: "The time has gone when summer holidays were wasted is useless activities. Now, we want to use every moment to engage in career-oriented activities.

"Some of my friends have planned to join summer internships and short-term jobs. We are also interested in attending workshops on creative writing and media management during the holidays," said Pragyan, who studies in Patna Women's College.

The Telegraph found another group of JD Women's College students expressed concern at the rise in crimes against women in the state. "We need to protect ourselves on our own. We plan to learn judo and karate skills," said one of the girls.

Postgraduate student from Magadh Mahila College Sanjana said she has decided not to visit her ancestral village this time and instead stay back in Patna and learn new skills.

"We want to join a short-term course in fashion designing to get an idea of the opportunities in the fashion industry," she said.

Anshu Kumari, another student of Magadh Mahila College, however, plans to visit home in Gaya district to spend time with family and friends. "We should take some time out of this city's severely polluted environment. Our ailing lungs will rejuvenate in the rural areas," she said.

If students are making plans, the teachers are not far behind. "I am passionate about literature and writing but my job doesn't allow much freedom to follow it. I have various novels lined up to read during the summer vacation," said Atif Rabbani, economics teacher at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur.