Exploring diversity through the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Initiative

Exploring diversity through the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Initiative. The academic year 2020 will go down in history as one of the most challenging years of our times. Being literally locked down in our own houses, called for some innovative approaches to keep ourselves afloat on the course of learning . Everyday a new strategy of learning had to be implemented and perfected. As a teacher, initially I too was unsure of how things will progress, but the zeal and the passion shown by the students along with their positive mindset helped me to adapt to virtual learning. 

In January 2021, as per official orders, our school was to celebrate the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative that was flagged off by the Government of India on 31st October 2015. The main objective was to give students the opportunity to explore and learn about the culture of a state, different from their state of domicile. The core meaning of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” as the name translates is that we are one and we are proud of it. India is a land of diversity, diversity in religion, land, language and much more. It has a rich culture and an extraordinary history. The idea is to create an environment that will facilitate learning the different facets of the states thereby boosting the spirit of unity.

This year the primary section implemented this programme at Sharon. Our state, Maharashtra was paired with Odisha. All the classes from 1st to 5th were assigned different tasks depending on their proficiency levels.

Grade 1 teachers wore the attire of the Odisha while conducting the virtual class, which helped the students gain an insight on the different attires like ardha-bathaka or semicircular bun and Sambalpuri saris worn by the people of Odisha. Students were given the task of creating a collage of the political map of Maharashtra and Odisha with the help of the pulses to draw a comparison between the two states.

Grade 2 teachers demonstrated the famous dish of Odisha “Pakhala Bhaat” during the virtual class. Later students prepared the same recipe taught by the teacher with the assistance of their parents.

Grade 3 teachers worked on a small poem which was based on values of hard work, perseverance and never say die attitude, Pumpudi Bhai, (meaning – An ant ). The feedback received from the students was amazing. Some students even recorded themselves reciting the same poem. A folk dance  (Ghumura dance) video was sent to the students to practice the one of many dance forms of Odisha.

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Grade 4 students had been assigned the activity to learn to speak a few sentences in Odia language (Activity: Let’s talk in Odia language) The students managed to learn a few words of greetings  and few sentences in Odia which are as follows:

Tu Kemiti Achhu? means How are you?
Tura nama karn? means What is your name? Time Kano Karucho? means What are you doing? 
Tu Kona Shinkhante?  means  What are you learning? 
Ambename Kiya? means Who are we? 

This was an interactive session which the students enjoyed very much.

Grade 5 students were asked to highlight the current issues in Orissa. The students were divided in groups and each group was assigned a set of topics. Topics like Republic day celebration in both states, vaccination campaign, art ,culture, attire, cuisine, opening of schools, festivals etc. They also had to research and write about Odisha’s geo-political facts, its arts and culture and talk about its biodiversity. In this process students found out a lot about their own state of Maharashtra as well. An interesting task we set for them was an imaginary conversation between the two Chief Ministers. Our students pleasantly surprised us with their creative yet facts-based snippets of the conversation. Please read some of them below.

This campaign was not only beneficial for the students but also for the teachers involved. To cite an example, while I was writing this blog and going through all the work done by my fellow teachers and students, I was enlightened about the significance of the Kalinga Mahotsav which is a famous festival of Orissa. The origins of this festival dates back to King Ashoka ‘s times and commemorates the victory of peace over war. So It was quite a learning experience for me as well!
We hope initiatives like these educate our children that differences – linguistic, cultural or social is not a bad thing but a natural part of any society. The only way to safeguard our diversity is by acknowledging this difference and celebrating it. 

Contributed by

Sharada Korandla