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Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Summer camps in Bihar offer kids a world of new skills
1 2 Patna: There was a time when summer holidays meant one thing – a nostalgic, unhurried visit to Nani ka Ghar. Today, that quaint tradition is giving way to a more dynamic trend. Across Bihar, children are choosing to spend their summers immersed in learning new skills, experimenting with science and even picking up fresh languages – all thanks to an expanding array of summer camps that promise both education and entertainment. From private and govt schools to cultural and scientific institutions, summer camps are flourishing across the state. Experts in child education endorse these camps as vital platforms for developing young minds. "These programmes allow children to make meaningful use of their holidays while nurturing creativity and confidence," said an academic. This year, a range of engaging summer activities are being hosted by institutions such as Bihar Bal Bhawan Kilkari, Shri Krishna Science Centre, Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan and Premchand Rangshala – each with a unique offering. At the heart of it all is Kilkari, Bihar Bal Bhawan's flagship programme under the Bihar Education Project Council. From June 2 to June 20, its Saidpur campus will reverberate with laughter, music and learning during its "Chak Dhoom-Dhoom" summer camp. The inaugural rain dance is set to usher in a season of exuberance. "This year, we are introducing artificial intelligence along with our regular activities," said Jyoti Parihar, director of Kilkari. "Children will get hands-on training in dance, music, acting, photography, computers, science exhibits, painting, sculpture-making and creative writing," she added. The camp's sports offerings – taekwondo, karate, badminton, chess and skating – are another highlight. "Outdoor activities are a hit with kids," she added. Skilled instructors from Delhi, Mumbai, West Bengal, Gujarat and beyond will mentor the children, who can register for a mere Rs 10 per activity. The Shri Krishna Science Centre is transforming curiosity into creativity through its Summer Hobby Camp. Here, science becomes an adventure with programmes in electronics, chemistry, astronomy and robotics. Children are guided through interactive puzzles and hands-on experiments with themed activities like "Fun with Electronics", "Make Your Wireless Robotic Car" and "Colourful Chemistry". Young visitors can also explore engaging galleries such as Science on a Sphere, the Hall of Evolution and the Ocean Zone – making it an immersive journey into the world of science. For those with a creative flair, the Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan is offering a window into India's rich craft traditions. Running from June 1 to June 10, the camp is designed to nurture artistic talent. "This camp will give children a unique opportunity to hone their creativity and connect with traditional art forms," said trainer Hema Devi. Children will also tour the Handicraft Museum, which boasts an exquisite collection of stone and wood carvings, Madhubani paintings, papier mâché, tikuli art, bamboo work and more. From June 10 to June 20, Premchand Rangshala will stage "Dhoom Pichak Dhoom", a lively camp that opens its doors to children up to 16 years of age – completely free of cost. Sessions from 7am to 10am will introduce participants to ballet, stage play, painting and other traditional dances. On a national scale, the CBSE's Indian Language Summer Camp 2025 aligns with the National Education Policy's vision of multilingualism. Hosted across CBSE-affiliated schools, the week-long camp gives students the opportunity to learn one of 22 Indian languages, delving into cultural expressions through stories, music, dance and food. NCERT has released a comprehensive digital curriculum with audio-visual support and schools will conduct 28 hours of engaging activities such as storytelling, shopping simulations, cultural performances and vocabulary-based games. "The creation of Indian Language Clubs will help students practise their skills beyond the camp and celebrate linguistic diversity," said an official. Recognising the need for targeted support, the education department will run a mathematics camp from June 2 to June 21 for students of classes V and VI in govt schools who struggle with the subject. Conducted by engineering students, the initiative aims to strengthen foundational maths skills. Sessions will be held in morning and evening shifts with 10-15 students per group. "Children will be selected using ASER tools and trained within their own communities," said director of primary education, Sahila. For many children, the summer camp is not just a break from routine, but a doorway to discovery. "Summer holidays are the perfect time to learn new things," said Suhashni Goel, a Class VII student. "Apart from swimming classes, I am learning programming and Madhubani painting. After the 15-day camp, I will head to my grandparents' home," she added. Askshat, a Class IX student, said, "Last year I joined outdoor activities. This year, I will be attending a summer camp before visiting my Nani's place in Vaishali. I want to learn guitar this time."
Time of India
29-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Taps run dry in 2 districts amid govt's claims of water coverage
Bageshwar: In stark contrast to the govt's claims of achieving 100% household water coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission, residents in Bageshwar are grappling with acute water shortages. The ongoing crisis is not only threatening daily life but also severely affecting agriculture. Villagers are now demanding sustainable, long-term solutions that go beyond infrastructure announcements and statistical milestones. While officials recently announced that all 54,659 households in Bageshwar had been connected to tap water, several villages across the district continue to struggle without consistent access to safe drinking water. In Mandalsera, residents have gone without water for the past three days. With domestic taps running dry and traditional sources depleted, people queue through the night at hand pumps to secure enough water for basic needs. "Pipelines were laid and pumps installed, but we still haven't seen a single drop in our homes. Even the old naulas (groundwater spring) have dried up. We have no dependable source left," said Ramesh Gariya, a local resident. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Hema Devi, another resident, added, "There's such a rush at the pumps in the mornings and evenings, we can't collect enough water. Now we're spending our nights there. We've raised complaints, but nothing changes." The community health centre in Kanda has been without water for five days, disrupting patient care and daily operations. In Dhapoli village, residents — mostly women — walk over two kilometres daily to fetch water. "Our backs are breaking," said Darshani Dhapola, another resident. "The taps installed under Jal Jeevan Mission two years ago have never worked." Almora is facing a similar situation. Despite recent rains, villages in the Hawalbagh and Dhauladevi blocks, including Sainar, Talad, Railapali, Kandanoula, Papoli, Bhanoli, Gurudabaj, Maniagar and Toli, continue to rely on water tankers or natural sources. Social worker Vinod Tiwari criticised the inefficiency of costly water projects: "In 2016, Rs 42 crore was spent on the Saryu-Danya Pumping Scheme to serve villages in Danya, Dhyari, Pokhri, and Kalauta. Another Rs 7 crore went into the Gairad Pumping Scheme. But even slight rainfall clogs the rivers with silt, halting supply for days." Amid growing frustration, villagers are threatening protests if the crisis persists. Jal Sansthan's executive engineer CS Dewari has assured that water tankers will be sent to affected areas as a stopgap measure.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Air quality worsens in Almora and Bageshwar amid forest fires and stubble burning
Bageshwar: Air quality in the hill districts of Almora and Bageshwar has significantly declined over the past ten days, with many areas experiencing heavy smog, largely contributed by forest fires and activities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The deteriorating conditions have raised health concerns among locals, while visitors have noted their dissatisfaction with the poor air quality in these traditionally pristine mountain regions. Air Quality Index (AQI) measurements show Almora at 100 and Bageshwar at 95 — both significantly above their usual range of 20 to 25. Despite district authorities establishing various monitoring teams, the situation remains far from under control. At least seven major fire incidents were reported in Bageshwar alone in the last week. On Wednesday, a fire from burning agricultural waste spread to one Hema Devi's property in Bageshwar, damaging her fruit trees. "These trees were the result of years of hard work. Someone lit a fire in their field below, and the flames reached our house," she said, distressed. Meanwhile, fires near Khuredi village in Almora destroyed over 50 fodder stacks belonging to ten families, while a major blaze in the Suri Van Panchayat forest in Sheetlakhet reached the Govt Inter College in Chaumudhar. Agricultural practices in the hill regions often include stubble burning, with some farmers maintaining traditional beliefs about its benefits for soil fertility and pest control. "It is believed that burning stubble ensures a better crop," said Prakash Singh, a local farmer. In contrast, 65-year-old Hansi Devi reminisced about traditional composting methods. "In the past, elders used to strictly oppose burning. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We would compost wheat roots with cow dung. But people no longer follow these practices. No one listens to elders anymore," she lamented. Tourists have also voiced their disappointment with the worsening air. "We came here for clean, fresh air. The hills were once known as the lungs of the country. But now it feels just like Delhi — all we can see is smog," said Deepam Arora, a visitor from Delhi. In response to the crisis, the forest department has enhanced its public awareness initiatives, using vehicle-mounted loudspeakers for community education. DFO Dhruv Martoliya confirmed the deployment of teams to monitor and control fire incidents.
