A few weeks ago I wrote about mid-day lunch at the Shanbhag School in Kumta. During our recent visit to Kumta in July, I walked over to the adjacent primary school – Saraswati Vidya Kendra.
On this Wednesday, kids were dressed in their school uniforms, unlike the ‘casual Thursday” attire we saw earlier. Here are a couple pics of tiny tots in the lower KG and the upper KG classes sitting for lunch. Because they have difficulty eating from plates (without getting half the food on the floor), they are served in “dabbas” and side dishes are served in the lids. It appeared odd, but once I saw tiny hands grab food from the dabbas, it made perfect sense.
Adorable kids
Kids Chanting:
With nearly 70 tots waiting to be served, it is difficult to keep them from being raucous; so as teachers serve, the students are made to recite Hare Ram Hare Krishna. Once everyone is served, they recite a Benediction. It was very chaotic, but endearing to hear these 3-4 year olds chanting (or screaming).
PS: In this post, I have a couple of video snippets of the students at the SVK standing in line for their lunch and also a chanting of the blessing.
Scholarship program I run at the Shanbhag School
- Academic Update from the Shanbhag School
- Scholarships for the Needy
- Scholarship Activities at Shikshan.org
Arun Shanbhag 
Arun: What a beautiful post…Thank you…I could have never thought of a better start to a day…!
Thank you Shantanu;
For me this is such a satisfying service to humanity;
Manav Dharma IS Bhagavat Dharma!
Consider mentioning the associated Scholarship program for needy students to your readers.
http://shikshan.org/
Have a beautiful day!
Hi Nandini:
So great to hear from you. Long time no talk.
Hope you and shripad are doing well. Where are you now? and please do send us mail. Hope your parents and kids are doing well.
I Love the schools in Kumta! There is so much need. I hope you will support us too in this endeavor.
Give our regards to shripad; will tell M about you.
Best
Arun
PS, I will be visiting Kumta in Dec. ๐
Hi Arun, How are u & M. This is Shripad’s Wife. Hope u remember us. It’s so nice of u to spend time on these noble work. Very nice & touching acrticle u write.
Regards,
Nandini
Sush!
Great to hear that this lifted your spirits! though it is had for me to believe that your chirpy self in a bad mood! ๐
Sorry, missed your call –
Kal phir!
and more smiles, please! they look good on you!
๐
I was in a bad bad mood. But this chanting filled my heart and made me smile ๐
Hi Usha:
Nice hearing from you!
Hope you are doing well; how was the Ganapati parab?
Babush said your dinner was fab! Hopefully, next year we will be around to enjoy all those missed get togethers!
We had so much fun at the school – it is terrific! You should visit whenever you have time.
The school and the kids are so fantastic – we forget all our worries and keep planning new things to do!
Manav Dharma IS Bhagwat Dharma!
Talk to you soon.
๐
Wow Arun it was great listening to the kids only u can come up with such innovative ideas i felt as if i was in front of those kids waiting to finish everything and run out when the bell rings with a big shout …….yeh yeh yeh
Hi Arun, thanks for sharing with us the Shanbhag School site. I think you are doing a great job for the needy kids from our Konkani community. Keep up the good work and keep updated us all the things you do with the school.
Sandhya:-)
arunaH uvacha:
Hi Sandhya:
Thank you for visiting! Am glad you enjoyed the pics and the write-ups.
Yes, we will keep working at it and look forward to your support. :-))
Bestest to the girls!
๐
That had me smiling- still smiling actually. SO cute. Can put the pictures and voice together and see the whole scene. Look at those bright curious eyes!
arunaH uvacha:
Hi Sudeepta
Thank you so very much for your support. I just spoke to Murli Prabhu and he has received your note and check; he mentioned you had written a beautiful note!
Please do go and visit the school on your next visit. it will transform you!
Bestest to Rahul and Rohan!
๐
Hi,
Such adorable kids and the chanting filled mt heart.
Visiting your site after so long and was really worth the visit.
Thanks a lot for the lovely wishes in my blog.
Take care
arunaH uvacha:
Hi Sharmi:
Thank you for taking the time from precious Diya, to read and post a comment here.
Hope the rajkumari is doing well! You should post pics! ๐
And yes, I love listening to that chant, so simple and beautiful!
Best
Thank you Joyce for visiting!
Good teachers come up with creative ways to engage with the kids! Awesome music teacher! Your girl is lucky!
and thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts.
๐
Adorable! What a good idea!
It reminds me of what my girls’ middle school music teacher used to do. When everyone was talking and making a racket, he would start playing a clapping game with them. They knew that when he started clapping they were supposed to repeat clap the same rhythm. At first only a few kids would notice him clapping, but by the 3rd repetition they would usually all be with him.
Ahh I broke out into this huge smile when I heard them chant. Heartwarming indeed!
arunaH uvachaH:
Aww, Thank you Saroj!
I have the original longer recording and it is so much fun to listen to. Transports me to that place and time ๐
heh – you doing the mcat soon? one of my friends it taking it on friday.
Thank you Ganga (Vegeyum)!
heh! you should definitely visit; the entire region is fabulous and you’ll enjoy!
And the school is fun! Everytime I visit, I feel like a kid too!
you should stay for lunch ๐
I am so going to visit your school and this one next time I am in that area of India. I love your posts on them.