By Chittapala | Project Leader
Recently, I was in Bodhgaya and had the opportunity to visit Elsa Primary School. This turned out to be a very fulfilling and delightful experience. As I arrived at the outer gate, I was greeted by welcome messages on the ground created by the students. At the inner gate, two students respectfully applied a tilak (dot of red paste) on my forehead and placed marigold garlands around my neck. Following this, several students performed a colorful welcome dance accompanied by music.
The school has a total of sixty-two students, with an even number of boys & girls. I moved between three classrooms, engaging in conversations with both students and teachers. I inquired about their interests and aspirations. I also learned about the vocations of their fathers. Most were farmers, but some were laborers, tradesmen, or market sellers in the local area. A few worked in factories in other Indian states. In one classroom, I asked the students to calculate the average ages of the girls and boys in the class. Overall, the interaction was lively and enjoyable for everyone involved.
As my visit came to a close, I treated the students to traditional Indian sweetmeats. I was very pleased to observe that a culture of hygiene has been established at the school, with all students thoroughly washing their hands before eating.
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