India's Republic Day!

Happy Republic Day! 

The flag raising proved to be so beautiful because the staff folded beautiful yellow flower petals in the flag that fell out when Principle Vicky reeled it to the top of the pole.

This day scholar came prepared for the festivities with a comb.
He must have known there would be many photos! Haha!

Today we are celebrating the 66^th anniversary of the signing of India’s constitution on January 26, 1948. Just over 4 months after India gained its freedom from British rule, its new Prime Minister Nehru signed the constitution still in place today. This day is also used to remember the separation of British India into India, West Pakistan, and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), by an edict from the British called Partition. Though Partition caused tumultuous violence and a refugee crisis throughout the three new states, today marks 66 years of the official existence of the three states and a renewed hope for increasingly peaceful relationships among them.

This morning at Nav Jeevan, the children lined up for the special assembly according to their “House,” or color. Nav Jeevan has three houses: blue, red, and green. Katie and I joke that this reminds us of the Houses of Hogwarts in Harry Potter! Nevertheless, the purpose of having Houses at Nav Jeevan is to help the grades intermingle. The younger students in each House look to the older students for guidance and encouragement throughout the year while the older students learn to be mentors and role models. During the assembly, Principal Vicky hoisted the flag with the help of the Physical Training teacher. The children performed exercise routines they have been practicing for the past few weeks, and sang the national anthem to the beat of the drum. Three children, two from second grade and one from tenth grade, gave short speeches to the school regarding Republic Day and the importance of the day to their country’s history. One of the teachers also gave a short lecture about the history of Republic Day.

The children  performed physical exercise during the ceremony this morning.

After the serious portions of the ceremony, the celebration took a sweet turn—cookies were distributed to each of the children. Finally, in closing, all of the children and teachers marched to the backyard of the school’s playground. At Sanika’s direction (the younger grades’ English instructor), we formed two enormous circles; first through sixth grade on the outside and seventh through tenth on the inside. The inside circle of children then taught the other children some of the games and songs they learned at camp this weekend!

The assembly with the children was a wonderful time of laughter and song, celebrating, if for just a short time, our new nation of India. For, having been in India for 23 days, Katie and I have realized that India is becoming a part of us. Despite our cultural differences, we have many similarities with our new friends here at Nav Jeevan and throughout Nagpur. Ultimately though, neither our similarities nor our differences matter because we welcome each other as friends, and today as fellow members of the Indian republic, sharing our time together joyfully!

Garov (left) and Deepak (right), two of the older boys that live in Nav Jeevan's hostel, stood among the younger pupils during the games so that they could help direct them. For the teachers, staff, and Katie and me, this was one of the sweetest moments of the day. Working with the older boys is often difficult because they want to be independent, so to see them take action and enjoy helping their "brothers and sisters" warmed us all very much. We must give the credit to the Nav Jeevan family for cultivating this sense of family loyalty and accountability in the children. Without Nav Jeevan, the children would not gain these skills making family and community life much more difficult later on. 

 After the morning ceremony, the children went home for the rest of the holiday. Katie and I enjoyed some down time, resting. We also spent time with Anne Marie, a volunteer here from Germany, who will be headed home on Saturday. Reflecting together on her experience and walking through the city together, the three of us agreed that spending time together--eating new fruits, drinking coffee, discussing our work--in neither of our home countries, Germany nor the US, is a unique experience!