EduConnect

Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School Celebrates Janmashtami with a Creative Pustak Handi Twist


Janmashtami celebrations took a creative and educational turn at Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School, where students and teachers came together for a unique activity — Pustak Handi.

The event, blending tradition with learning, was not just about celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth, but also about nurturing the love for books and reading among children.

Pustak Handi: An Innovative Initiative

Instead of traditional Dahi Handis, the school introduced Pustak Handis – pots filled not with curd or coins, but with chits of book names. Each student eagerly awaited their turn to pull a chit and receive the corresponding book.

Every class took part in decorating their handis with artistic flair, showcasing creativity, teamwork, and thematic thinking. Judges praised the thoughtfulness, effort, and presentation by students.

The goal? To encourage reading habits and motivate children to explore the world of books beyond textbooks.

Inspiration Through Awards

To further inspire young readers, the school announced the Vachak Veer Award, which will be presented to the most enthusiastic and consistent reader based on their engagement with the gifted books.

“Our aim is to develop not just learners, but thinkers. This Pustak Handi activity is symbolic of the joy and wisdom that books offer,” said one of the school coordinators.

A Festive & Devotional Atmosphere

The celebration wasn’t just about books. A pujan of Lord Sri Krishna was held to instill devotion and cultural values in students. Traditional songs and decorations adorned the school, creating a festive mood that resonated with joy and spirituality.

Students Celebrate with Enthusiasm

From decorating the handis to unwrapping their surprise books, students participated with immense joy. The event was a success in every way — educationally, spiritually, and emotionally.

A Model Worth Replicating

By creatively merging cultural festivals with meaningful learning, Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School has set a wonderful example for schools across the state and country. The Pustak Handi activity reminds us that celebrations can be both fun and intellectually enriching.

EduConnect

Shravan Celebrated with Culture, Nature & Joy at Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School


In the serene village of Salvador do Mundo, nestled among Goa’s greenery, Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School recently transformed into a vibrant hub of tradition and eco-learning as it celebrated the auspicious Shravan month.

The school’s educators curated a unique blend of activities that helped students experience the rich cultural tapestry and seasonal beauty of this sacred monsoon period.

Muddy Hands & Green Lessons:

The festivities kicked off with paddy transplantation, giving students a hands-on experience of farming — a ritual deeply tied to India’s monsoon rhythm. Laughter echoed across the fields as students joyfully immersed themselves in muddy soil, understanding the hard work behind every grain of rice.

Clay, Chants & Culture:

On Nag Panchami, the school turned into a cultural classroom. Students molded clay idols of the Naag deity, chanted verses in the Navnaag Stotra recitation competition, and learned the ecological importance of anthill puja and collecting patri — sacred monsoon leaves. A knowledge session on snakes helped students separate myth from reality, followed by a fun, fact-filled quiz.

Dance, Food, and Festive Joy:

Folk traditions came alive through fugadi, a rhythmic group dance that celebrates togetherness and joy. This was followed by the पावसाळी भाज्यांचा महोत्सव (Monsoon Wild Vegetable Festival), where students explored local, seasonal veggies like shevla, taikulo, and kuleeth, gaining insights into sustainable, traditional food practices.

A swing hung from a mango tree — decorated with flowers — became the centerpiece of fun, as students queued up for their turn, while others adorned their hands with mehendi, blending festivity with tradition.

A Sweet Ending:

To conclude the celebrations, students prepared and shared पातोळ्या — steamed rice dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery, symbolizing the warmth and sweetness of community living.

More Than a Celebration

The Shravan celebration was more than just a festive week — it was an educational journey. Students absorbed values of sustainability, cultural awareness, community bonding, and respect for nature. The initiative stood out for its integration of learning with lived experiences — a perfect example of holistic education rooted in heritage.

As monsoon winds rustled through the trees and laughter filled the air, the students of Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar High School walked away with memories, skills, and a renewed sense of belonging — to the earth and to their culture.

Events in Goa

SMT SUNANDABAI BANDODKAR HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES SHIVJAYANTI WITH GREAT FERVOR


Smt Sunandabai Bandodkar High School recently celebrated Shivjayanti, the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with great enthusiasm and fervor. The celebration was marked by a series of events that showcased the students’ talent, knowledge, and dedication to the legendary leader.

The celebration began with the headmistress, Sau Jyoti Chiplunkar, offering flowers to Shivaji Maharaj. This was followed by a program that featured a range of events, including a song sung by all the students, a shivagarjana recited by Master Samarth Desai, and a monologue performed by Nikhil Harijan.

One of the highlights of the celebration was a quiz competition conducted by BEd interns Yuga Prabhudesai, Chaitali Ajgaonkar, and Siya Naik. The competition saw four houses – Rani Durgavati, Birsa Munda, Ahilyabai Holkar, and Vir Savarkar – vying for top honors. In the end, Birsa Munda house emerged as the winner, with Ahilyabai Holkar house securing second place.

The success of the celebration was largely due to the efforts of the coordinator, Sir Kaustubh Pednekar. His dedication and hard work ensured that the event was a grand success, and the students and staff had a memorable experience.

The celebration was a fitting tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is revered as a hero and a symbol of bravery and patriotism. The students’ performances and participation in the events demonstrated their respect and admiration for the legendary leader.

The Shivjayanti celebration at Smt Sunandabai Bandodkar High School was a grand success, thanks to the efforts of the students, staff, and coordinator. The event served as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring our heroes and legends.