Summary
More than 300 students from 50 schools in India camped on the premises of Bhavan’s Gangabux Kanoria Vidyamandir in Salt Lake to attend the 11th edition of the National Integration Camp, 2023
These students loved College Street, the taste of fresh rasogulla and the art of alpona-making. No, they are not tourists. They were in the city simply to attend the National Integration Camp, 2023, organised for Bhavan’s secondary and senior secondary schools.
More than 300 students from 50 schools in India camped on the premises of Bhavan’s Gangabux Kanoria Vidyamandir in Salt Lake to attend the 11th edition of the camp from May 7 to 12.
While it was the first-time in the city for many students, others also rediscovered their roots as they exchanged cultural notes with new friends.
“I learnt from my friends in South India how their kolam is as much part of their culture as our alpona or rangoli,” said Class IX student Samikshya from the host school as she and many others took part in an alpona-making (doodling) workshop. The students have also tried to learn some basic words from each other’s language.
Six students represented each of the 49 visiting schools, most of them from Classes IX to XI. The students came armed with their school flags that stood at the entrance to the Salt Lake school, along with many craft pieces handmade by the Calcutta students.
“Our school turned into a miniature India with the camp. The idea was to integrate children from different parts of the country through creative and cultural workshops and uphold local culture in the process. We tried to offer the best glimpse of Bengal in these six days,” said principal Arun Dasgupta of the host school.
Besides the auditorium and the activity rooms, the classrooms of the Salt Lake school had to be converted into dormitories for the girls and boys as well as exhibition and medical rooms.
The six days were packed with fitness, craft and several other workshops. There were talks on cosmos, rehabilitation of convicts, climate change and stress management in between. The evenings saw students from each school showcasing their culture through myriad performances. The students could attend workshops according to their aptitude.
“It was like exploring a different world. I will go back with so many stories,” said Rithwik Rajesh of Class X, Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir, Girinagar, Kochi.
In between, the students also managed to squeeze in some sightseeing and shopping, soaking in the older parts of the city, its history and landmarks.
“As a Bengali living outside Calcutta, I was delighted to taste traditional food here,” said Shaurya Bhattacharya from Bhavan’s Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir, Nagpur. The students got to taste doi potol, aam porar sherbet and even Berhampore’s jhurir doi among an assortment of Bengali delicacies offered every day.
The camp members were encouraged to keep a journal. It all ended on the last day with campfire music and bonhomie.
“The best part about the camp was the people connect that helped us hone our social skills. Meeting so many different people under one roof was an experience of a lifetime,” said Aarna Bhatnagar of Class XII, BVB Vidyashram, Jaipur.
Last updated on 18 May 2023
