Classes 5,6 and 7 visit Bookaro, the children's literature festival

On 9 November 2024, students from casses 5, 6, and 7 of The Indian School had the opportunity of attending 'Bookaroo', the Children's Literature Festival at Sunder Nursery. The excursion included 35 enthusiastic students accompanied by 4 dedicated teachers, Ms Supriya Sahay Gupta, Ms Sushila Negi, Ms Shipra and Ms Varening Konghay. The event, open to children aged 6 and above featured over 30 interactive sessions led by speakers from across the country and around the world.

The students attended a session titled “A Forest Story” conducted by Lavanya Karthik, an acclaimed author and illustrator from Mumbai. With several children's books to her name, including the popular “Ninja Nani and “The Bumbling Burglars”, Lavanya captivated the students with an engaging storytelling experience. She shared insights from her book, “The Spring of Life: How Moirangthem Loiya Saved a Forest”, which highlights the inspiring journey of Moirangthem Loiya in restoring the Punshilok forest near Imphal. Lavanya described how Loiya’s love for nature and dedication that  helped to  revive a forest that had been lost to deforestation and urbanisation, inviting students to consider steps they can take to protect the environment.

To make the experience more interactive, Lavanya then led the children outside the tent to explore the garden. Each student gathered bits of natural from the ground, such as twigs, dried leaves, and berries. Using their imaginations, they created unique objects like trees, animals, and even faces, some adding their own unique twist by drawing and even composing verse. The session concluded with the speaker asking them to return the items to nature, fostering a sense of respect and responsibility for the environment.

The children had a memorable experience, blending creativity with environmental awareness as they built their own unique “forest". The session gave a life lesson which they will always cherish in their memories. The session was also enjoyable and educational, leaving them inspired to care for nature in new ways.