Sankranti sets in early at schools, colleges

Rajahmundry: Educational institutions in East Godavari have been setting up stage for Sankranti celebrations in schools and colleges to make students acquainted of Telugu culture. This trend is being followed by several colleges and schools in the district. Students are enjoying the festivities along with their friends instead of confining to their homes during Pongal holidays.

Students are enjoying the traditions like Rangoli, Uyyalata, bullock carts, Gobbimmallu and Haridasu on the premises of colleges and tasting traditional food varieties in schools and colleges.

Jhansi, a student of SKR Women’s College in Rajahmundery said, “It is great to celebrate Sankanti in my college along with my friends. I did ride on bullock cart, which is common in villages and I have participated in Rangoli. I tasted traditional food items, which are rare these days. Particularly, it is great fun to celebrate Pongal with my Christian and Muslim friends.”

Even kids are taking part in the Sankranti celebrations in their respective schools wearing traditional attires. School managements are transforming their school premises to villages during Pongal. Snake charmers, Gangireddu, Haridasu. Bommarillu and colourful rangolis are mesmerizing kids who never came across the village atmosphere during Sankranti.

Chairman of Bharatheeya Vidya Bhavan Cherukuwada Sri Ranganatha Raju said, “We are trying to create the village atmosphere in our schools in order to make our students aware of our traditions and culture. We have arranged everything which depicts our traditions and kids are enjoying ambiance very much and they came to school wearing traditional attires. We did call parents also to inspire them inculcate traditions and culture among their children from childhood.”