Children's Day

After thinking that Children’s Day was on the 20^th of November, it turns out that in India it’s on the 14^th November instead. (Everything’s different in India.)  And it’s a big deal.  It’s on the birthday of a former president of who really liked children, therefore, his birthday is now celebrated as Children’s Day.  The kids were really quite excited about it as well.  They were talking about what they were doing and what they were wearing for it for days.  Sarah and I were told something vague about doing a dance programme but nothing was really explained.  So on the Thursday night before Children’s Day, we still had no idea what was going on, or what we were going to wear because all of the kids were dressing up in lovely clothes.  But on Thursday night, we were told we could wear some of Shobitha’s saris!  Yay!  Which is really exciting because we still haven’t been taken to buy our own.  But it’s okay, we’re going this weekend by ourselves.   

After a few sari blouse issues in the morning, I went off to children’s day!  I went by myself because Sarah wasn’t well and was just going to sleep in the morning and she came in the afternoon.   I still had no idea what was happening when I got to the school.  But all the kids looked absolutely amazing!  All dressed up in traditional Indian dress.  I was rather proud of my sari but after seeing all the girls looking so pretty in their saris I felt ridiculously inadequate.  And pale. 

The 10th Standard girls

8th Standard girls

Two of the 8th Standard boys

2nd Standard Girls

Because I had no idea what was going on I just wandered about the classrooms for a while admiring all the outfits and wondering what to do.  So I just took lots of photos and tried to get embarrassed when they said I looked “super miss”

"Smile Preetika!"

"Akil, do not give Lavanya a fright.  Please"

Blessy Sara as something.. I think Gandhi's daughter.  

I can confirm that I was still sweating and they were in balaclavas.

3rd Standard girls

3rd Standard boys

1st Standard girls

Pragathi the bride

6th Standard girls

Swetha and Priya

Reena and Sri Lakshmi

Clinton and Sam

This is the way they treat teachers in India.  I love it.  We were all handed a rose by some of the 10th Standard boys.  It was beautiful.

The boys who delivered the roses. 

There was lots of dancing and singing competitions.  The kids had been practicing for ages so it was really nice to see it properly.  And they were all amazing!  I’m still rather jealous of their dancing skills. 

6th Standard

3rd Standard

10th Standard

There was also a fashion show.  It was hilarious.  Especially some of the boys in 10^th Standard.  

"So what are you?"  "Goa Miss." "Goa?"  "Yes Miss" "The State...?"  "Yes Miss"  "Okay..."

"I'm a fashion show." "The whole fashion show...?" 

I was told they were "the gang miss"

Anusha from 9th

Annie in 6th

Another wee boy from 6th

It was a really good day and the kids really enjoyed it.  They were all so excited the whole day and loved doing something with everyone not in the classroom.  The day was also made better because I got a parcel from my mum and dad, which was amazing.  The postman was asking for a chocolate from it though… Also, my sari had become a bit loose in the day and two of the girls from 9^th Standard redressed me.  The whole time commenting on how white I was.