Independence Day Celebrations at Balamitra Schools

For the children of Balamitra Model School 15th August, the Indian Independence Day was a day of festivity. They were ready early in the morning and lending a hand to fixing up the flag pole and decorating it. And they were in their holiday best.

The flag hoisting was done by Capt.R.R.Rao, Ravi’s uncle, a retired pilot. There was unison in the voice that sang the National Anthem as the flag was hoisted.

The gathering of children, staff and guests were welcomed by Seetharamaraju, and he gave a short brief on the history of Balamitra and its activities. Radha, our teacher took over from him and conducted the day’s events meticulously. Varalakshmi, our Class IV teacher gave the audience a peep into the tribal people’s contribution to the freedom struggle. The involvement of the tribal people lacks mention in the history books of the country and her short but concise description went down well with the audience. The children were all ears as they got an insight into the role of their ancestors in the struggle for freedom.

Singing is a way of life with the tribal people and, the children were as usual ready with their songs with the harmony in their voices as always a thing to reckon with. Capt R.R Rao in his emotion packed speech appreciated the children, Balamitra and its activities. He spoke about aircraft piloting, the opportunities, the excitement at being up in the sky, his experiences with the age-old aircrafts and, it was a rapt set of little ears that listened with their eyes widened in wonderment. Ravi took the children through the history of India and her struggles to free herself from the British.

The Model School children had an outing on that day when they were taken to the HPCL Housing Colony, Waltair Park where they enthralled the audience with yet another fantastic singing session. It was an exciting day for the children which ended with an evening of sports activities at the school premises.

Village Schools
The Field Resource Centres were the focal hub where all the villagers, children and teachers from nearby villages gathered to celebrate Independence Day. Flag hoisting was done by Vemala Chinnaih, the Yejjodu of the village.Rajulamma took the initiative of organizing the activities at the Poolabanda Resource Centre with the Resource Centre team pitching in. Manmadha Rao and Rajulamma reiterated to the youth the need for bringing the community forward.

At Killigoda Resource Centre, an MPTC member and PHC Doctor graced the occasion and hoisted the flag in front of a large group of elders, youth and children.At Kamayyapeta, Gundanna , the Resource Centre Coordinator along with the Yejjodu of the village and MPTC member facilitated the proceedings of the day.