In the heart of Birmaharajpur block, Subarnapur district, Odisha, Bagbar Government Higher Primary School has sprouted a unique endeavor. Laxminarayan Sahu, a seasoned educator who has not only nurtured young minds but also a flourishing garden, has been a pivotal force since his arrival in 1991. As he took the reins of leadership in 2021, his vision bloomed, and a small patch of land within the school premises transformed into a vibrant tapestry of life.
Though space may be limited, the dedication knows no bounds. With resolute enthusiasm, Mr. Sahu and his team of four teachers toil diligently to cultivate an array of vegetables – tomatoes, eggplants, drumsticks, and peppers, standing tall amidst the vibrant foliage of papaya and banana trees. Their labor bears fruit in the form of nutritious produce that finds its way into the school’s Mid-Day Meal program, nourishing young bodies and minds alike.
While textbooks impart knowledge, the act of tending to the garden imparts lessons of responsibility, patience, and the intrinsic value of self-sustenance. A drumstick sapling and a banana tree, lovingly planted, stand as testaments to the school’s commitment to holistic education.
The students, not mere spectators, join hands in this green crusade during their leisure moments, fostering a sense of ownership and environmental consciousness. In a harmonious symphony of collaboration, 170 students from first to eighth grade share in the experience, each seed sown nurturing a bond that extends beyond the classroom.
Traveling westward, Gargadbahal village in the embrace of Redhakhol block, Sambalpur district, houses Loknath Baba High School. Here, a similar narrative unfolds, guided by the dedicated hand of Naveen Behera, the school’s principal and guardian of its cherished hostel. Amidst the walls that house knowledge seekers, a garden thrives, nurturing not just vegetables but a sense of unity and self-sufficiency.
Raindrops that kiss the earth breathe life into this garden, where bitter gourds, jhudanga, jahni, and ladies’ fingers sway in the wind, promising a harvest that will soon grace the students’ plates. This haven, once again, supplies the school with fresh ingredients for meals that satiate not only hunger but also a yearning for knowledge.
In the era before the pandemic’s shadow, a bountiful harvest meant procurement from local markets. Now, as the world awakens anew, these schools’ gardens offer a potent lesson in resilience and self-reliance.
Beyond textbooks and exams, these schools nurture a legacy of sustainability and connection to the earth. Their stories, woven together by teachers, students, and the soil beneath their feet, stand as a testament to the power of education that extends beyond the classroom walls. As the seeds of knowledge are planted and cultivated, so too are the seeds of a brighter, greener future.
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