World Water Day

On 1.4.2023, the Department of History, in collaboration with the NSS unit of the Bhawanipur Education Society College, organised an Extension and Outreach Programme, at Shanti Rani Primary School at Bansdroni. The programme was organised to celebrate World Water Day (held each year on 22nd March). The faculty and the students had all assembled together in the college premises, boarded the bus, and reached the center at around 11 am. The premises contained lush gardens and opportunities for its residents to ensure all-round holistic development. A conversation with the headmistress and teachers made us marvel at the talent that is effectively honed by teachers, who are regular in engaging the students, not only in terms of education but also in co-curricular activities. As part of a plantation drive, the department had provided saplings (mango and rose) that were planted in the gardens, jointly by both our students and the young children residents. The planting of these saplings, metaphorically also seemed to be the early forging of interactions between our students and the children.

In the next schedule of events planned, our BA final year students conducted a quiz session in which the children participated with enthusiasm. Following this quiz session, our BA second-year students organised a skit, dwelling on water preservation- as the need of the hour. The skit was a balanced presentation- with research and amusing performances- both in equal measure, that was enjoyed en masse. Following the skit presented by our students, the children presented dance performances. The children had zealously participated in all of the events that had been scheduled. The skit and the children’s performances were an experience of bonhomie, ties of friendship, and mentorship between all of the students. These nascent ties of mentorship received fruition when in the convening of the drawing competition for the young minds, all students had a hands-on experience in interacting with the children. The drawings were to be based, on the overarching theme of bringing out the importance of water as a resource. Before the commencement of the event, students highlighted problems of potable water scarcity. Among the important points that were discussed with the children were notions that despite the easy and abundant availability of water on our planet, a very small percentage of it was actually fit for human consumption. As part of the drawing competition, we handed to the participants drawing copies and a stationary kit- complete with boxes of colors. Each of the students had interesting depictions on the necessity of water, and after detailed deliberations, competition winners were announced at the end of the event. The winners were all encouraged to explain their drawings, which they readily did. College student volunteers, warmly indicated that each of the students were winners in their own right. The events of the day were thus concluded with a distribution of awards for the winners and food packets. 1st of April, 2023 was a day well spent, with friendships, student mentorships, promises, and cheer.

Divyasattwa Chakraborty,
Department of History