Ekya Summer Stories – Ridha and Varnit
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When we asked our children how they were spending their summer break, Ridha Manoj and Varnit Hegde, Montessori Seniors at Ekya School JP Nagar wrote to us about their recent trip they took to Sri Lanka with their friends.
After consulting their mothers for grammatical checks and spelling corrections, Ridha and Varnit proceeded to narrate to us their day-to-day experience from the trip, in one of the most amusing Ekya summer stories we have received. Here are the excerpts from their conversation,
Varnit: I miss Sri Lanka so much. What a fun trip it was! Wasn’t it, Ridha?
Ridha: Oh yes! I cannot believe we did a baby-mommy trip with our school friends! Especially with Vivaan & Lavishka! I loved how the tour guide welcomed us on our arrival with all our names on the welcome board. I felt so special!
Varnit: I know right? When my mother told me to look at the board, I could not stop jumping with joy on finding my name. And off we went with him, to our big pink bus!
Ridha: I could not believe that the whole big bus was going to be carrying only us – 6 kids and our 5 mommies and drive us down the coastal line of South Sri Lanka. I was anxiously waiting to reach our first destination, Hikkaduwa. Oh! What a beautiful seaside town it was!
Varnit: Hikka-Duwa, the name is so unique. I wonder what it means! Remember the next morning, at the resort how your mother launched us, one after the other on the waves that were approaching the shore? I felt like a fish!
Ridha: Oh my mommy! She loves the sea! But, I wanted to play longer. Wonder why we had to go back to the room so soon!
Varnit: C’mon Ridha, you know we had a big itinerary planned for the day! The moonstone mines, the backwaters, and the Turtle Hatchery.
Ridha: The Moonstone Mines astonished me! I could not believe my ears when I heard that the miner went down 20 ft underwater to hunt for those stones, they later made into such beautiful jewels. How could they even spot anything in that dark? It is so dangerous, isn’t it?
Varnit: Oh yes Ridha, pretty scary indeed! By the way, The Turtle Hatchery was my favourite! Remember the 100-year-old Turtle? So humongous!
Ridha: Yes, I loved feeding that one. Also, those little baby turtles were so cute to hold. They fluttered their legs like they had wings and would fly away!
Varnit: Oh then came this moment of exploring the backwaters. I didn’t know I would get so terrified of the boat ride. But as we sailed further in, I enjoyed the journey.
Ridha: I loved standing at the bow of the boat with Lavishka and Vivaan. We screamed every time the boat went faster than before. And then we entered into this tunnel, which was so similar to the one in the movie, Jumanji. What an adventure I tell you!
Varnit: That was a mangrove! I also remember the boatman calling it a lagoon.
Ridha: Yes! Yes! The lagoon! That part of the boat ride was so thrilling. And then I heard a sudden shout of the boatman. When I looked behind to see him, I spotted him holding a transparent gooey thing in his hand. And voila! It was a jellyfish!
Varnit: It wiggled in his hands! And then when he found another one, I thought it looked like a kiwi.
Ridha: Green transparent body with the black spots, sure looked like it belonged to the Kiwi family!
The most interesting part was when we approached the Cinnamon island. It was like a fairytale when I heard, that, a single family lived on the entire island. It reminded me of the movie, Moana!
Varnit: Yes! An interesting life they have! Although, I would want to say, that I absolutely found it a relief getting back to the shore. Thank God, for the train I spotted running on the overbridge that ran across the backwaters. A sigh of relief it was amidst the scary boat ride that it was!
Ridha: (Laughing) Come on Varnit! The boat ride wasn’t as scary as the one at our next halt – Mirissa, the Southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, where we went whale watching. Now that one was a real adventurous boat ride!
Varnit: Oh yes! A little double-decker boat that went deep into the sea! The way the boat bounced, I only prayed that it should not topple.
Ridha: My mother did the same, kept praying! But I was too excited, waiting to spot a whale and thus it didn’t’ worry me at all.
After a point, all of you fell asleep. I was bored and thought we would not spot any sea animal. Ma, also tired of looking around, was slowly dozing off. It was a good two hours that we were inside the sea and had spotted nothing. Then I suddenly heard the ship guide call out from the bow. Up came three dolphins and they swiftly went back into the sea.
Varnit: Oh yes! That was just when I woke up to see this beautiful show the creatures put up. After some time came the killer whales that were spotted far away from our boat.
Ridha: And just when our boatman was happy that his job for the day was done and prepared to turn back, to head to the shore – he noticed a spray of water on the surface of the sea. He yelled out saying that it was a whale!
Varnit: Oh yeah! The blue whale! And all the tourists’ boats went rushing towards it, to get a clearer view of the fish.
Ridha: I have read in my book, ‘All About Water Mammals’, that a blue whale comes to the surface of the water to breathe and then goes back swimming a deeper into the ocean.
I did not enjoy the fact that all the boats went into the water chasing after that fish. The boats were not letting her breathe. She must have been so hassled.
While we stood at the bow with our mothers, I told my Ma to request the boat guy to go back to the shore. I did not want to trouble those creatures anymore. It made me sad!
Varnit: So true right? I was longing to go back to the shore, anyway. It had been four and a half hours by the time we reached back. I was hungry!
Mommy told me that we had to get ready for Colombo the next morning, which was the last leg of our trip. I was a little sad that when we reach there but you got to meet your old friend at the airport on our return to India.
Ridha: Yes. It was nice. I think spending time looking at the landing and taking off of various flights at the airport was the best way to end our memorable trip! Let us hope to do one again soon!
Varnit: Maybe for our next summer vacations. 🙂
Want to read more of our summer stories? Here is Urja’s account on the digital detox camp she attended in the month of April.
Parents and children of Ekya! Want to tell us how you have been spending your summer break?
Write to us in not more than 200-300 words (with pictures if available) at communications@ekyaschools.com, with the subject line “My Summer Story – (Name of Student, Grade, Campus)”. Entries will be handpicked to be featured on the Ekya Blog.
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Ekya / April 03, 2024
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At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.
Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.
Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.
In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
By Sweta Pradeep Rao
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Ekya School JP Nagar
Ekya / April 02, 2024
Gadget-free Summer Break
With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.
Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others. When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.
I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds) with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.
This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.
Mathangi R,
Head of School,
Ekya NICE Road.
Ekya / April 02, 2024
The Eye of the Storm
In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.
And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.
Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy
Grade 8C
Ekya Summer Stories – Urja Srivastava
It felt like everyone had taken an oath to be non-judgmental, friendly and helpful, creating a homely atmosphere at digital detox camp.
Sometimes members would throw in some jokes also, just the way a brother or sister would do to make you laugh :D
Besides the camaraderie, every day was a new adventure. We worked in teams to bake, create stories, played charades and even brainstormed to create a business model.
Unlike other summer camps, digital detox taught us so many different things in just five days without being preachy. We had hands-on experience in Composting, Astronomy, Photography and Theatre.
Each day in digital detox felt like a new adventure...And guess what?? IT ACTUALLY WAS....!”
Parents and children of Ekya! Want to tell us how you have been spending your summer break?
Write to us in not more than 200-300 words (with pictures if available) at communications@ekyaschools.com, with the subject line "My Summer Story - (Name of Student, Grade, Campus)". Entries will be handpicked to be featured on the Ekya Blog.
Ekya Summer Stories – Ayush Murthy
My Trip to Italy
On 21st April, we took a flight from Amsterdam to Rome and rented a car there. On the way to Pompeii, we kept singing and dancing to the song ‘Despacito’ in the car. In Pompeii, we stayed at a beautiful resort. The next day we went to see the ruins of Pompeii. Pompeii was a city built by the Romans and was destroyed by the eruption of the volcano on Mount Vesuvius. They have excavated some parts of the city and restoration is still going on. I saw a big amphitheatre where they would play games. There was a gym from the Roman era which had a swimming pool and other activities. There were some street food restaurants called Thermopolium and I saw some bread smashed and fully covered in ash. I also saw some houses and temples. We spent the next day visiting the beaches of the Amalfi coast. I brought back stones from the beaches as souvenirs. We also trekked up Mount Vesuvius for 7.5 kilometres to see the crater of the volcano. We saw fumes coming out from a hole in the mountain. I found a very interesting piece of volcanic rock.
We returned to Rome the next day. On the way, we saw a place called Tivoli. It has a very big villa which had 1000 fountains and very big gardens. Then we returned the car and came to our hotel by metro and checked-in.
The next day we took the tourist hop-on/hop-off bus and saw all the important places in Rome and reached a place called Villa Borghese. It is a very big house with a huge park. We rented a cycle called Electric Quad bike. It is a cycle with four wheels and 2 seats to drive, but only one seat’s steering wheel works. But both the pedals work and there is also a brake.
After a night’s rest, we went to the Colosseum. There, I had an audio-guide, which is like a phone with a normal and a favourite audio. And it can show you the map of the area and you can get to know where you are. You listen to it to understand. We also had a person to show us around the place. The Colosseum is where they would bring slaves and the slaves had to fight an animal or a gladiator. It had a big stage and could seat 70,000 people. From there we went to see the Roman Forum. There I learnt a lot of Roman history from my Dad.
On the final day of my trip, I went to see St. Peter's Basilica. There, I climbed up 551 steps to the top of the dome. We went inside the Basilica and saw sculptures of popes, paintings and a pope in a coffin. Then we returned back to Amsterdam.
The best thing about my trip was that I ate a different pizza every day!
Want to read more of our summer stories?
Here is Urja’s account on the digital detox camp she attended in the month of April.
Ridha and Varnit narrate their trip to Srilanka with their mothers and friends.
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