Learning Math at a Diwali Mela

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, youll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

Sam Levenson, In One Era & Out the Other

One of the biggest and most popular festivals in the country has just been celebrated in fervour. The preparations for Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, were in full swing in the Capital, along with the other parts of India. Active minds and hands of students of class VIII at our School, too were busy preparing for the Grand annual Diwali Mela held on 25 October 2019 in the School auditorium.

The objective underlying this event was in sync with the festivity as the children wanted to do something for the society in their own little way. Simultaneously the teachers intended to encourage Financial Literacy among the students by providing them with a hands-on experience. Mathematical concepts relating to trade and commerce such as Profit and Loss, Discount and Percentages were learnt by correlating them in a real life scenario. The values such as empathy and compassion were also inculcated among the students as they happily agreed to contribute the proceeds earned, as their Shramdaan for less privileged children. The event an opportunity to learn to be better citizens as they better understood the value of money and hard work.

The activity also helped foster a spirit of team work and organization. A week before, all the students of the Middle School along with their class teachers joined hands and worked laboriously to prepare the Lucky Draw gift hampers. Teachers teaching Math were given the challenging task of organising the event- from preparing the coupons, delegating tasks and duties etc. to the arrangements for the final event. This was the ideal time for them to stock up on diyas, candles and other handicrafts, apart from, of course, planning games and food stalls.

The final day arrived faster than anyone thought! The preparations were complete. All the stalls adorned with colourful posters were ready in the auditorium by 8:30 am! The young vendors did not have to wait long for their potential customers as the classes started to line up outside the auditorium. The food stalls had a wide variety of cuisines ranging from street foods of Delhi, continental delicacies etc. to a full-fledged Italian menu! The game stalls were also a hit attraction among both teachers and children as they were visited by all age groups in big numbers! Handicraft stalls were inundated and the stock of diyas cleared within no time. A whooping 750 tickets were sold at the Lucky Draw counter which was a record by itself. It was no wonder then that so many Indianites of classes VI and VII flocked to the Annual Diwali Mela with their shopping list!

At the end of the day, the students and teachers awaited the announcements of the names of the lucky winners with bated breaths. Director, Mr Lal Raisinghani graced the occasion and announced the first five winners of the Lucky Draw. Lakshita of class VII won the first prize!

The message of Diwali was spread loud and clear as the event was a grand success. The contentment made every face gleam.

The activity, which aimed primarily at correlating mathematical skills learnt within the confines of the classroom, with real life situations, had been a truly uplifting experience for students and teachers together.

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