Blog: SHEMROCK Group of Schools

Shemrock's Chhota Bheem Summer Camp 2013 . This summer gift your chieldren(2-8 years) Shem skills Package to learn 'Skill to Excel' .Let them become 'Skill smart' while they have fun with Chhota Bheem and team.

Holi

Holi is the festival of colours, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fun in India. The festival of Holi falls on the last full moon day of Falgun (somewhere in the month of March). According to Hindu mythology, the celebration of this festival is associated with the legend of Prahalad, devotee of God Vishnu. The proud King Hrinyakashyapu ordered everyone to pray him as their God instead of other Gods and deities. But his son, Prahalad disobeyed him and did not stop praying God Vishnu. King was angry and made a plan to kill him. Holika, sister of king Hrinyakashyapu took Prahlad in her lap and sat in a bonfire as she had a boon that she could not be burnt by fire. Surprisingly, Holika was burnt alive while Prahlad was safe. Therefore, Holika Dahan (killing) is celebrated by lighting up bonfire on the eve of Holi signifying triumph of good over evil.

This festival of colours bridges the social gap among people of all religions. Although the festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of country, colours, sweets, water balloons and water guns remain the essence of this festival everywhere. People rub colours on each other’s faces, distribute sweets, hug each other and wish “Happy Holi”.

You can also celebrate the festival of Holi with your children at home. Here are few tips for you to make this festival a fun for your children:

• Tell your children about the significance of the festival and narrate the legend associated with it.
• Include them in preparation of special sweets for Holi, i.e. gujia.
• Help them to make greeting cards for Holi for their friends.
• Take them along with you to watch Holika Dahan in your locality on the eve of Holi.
• Ask them to wish “Happy Holi” to their elders and seek their blessings.
• Tell them to wish Holi to their friends & relatives and also distribute sweets to them.
• Inform them about the chemicals used in colours & gulal and their side effects. Create natural colours with them with the help of turmeric, beetroot and henna.  On the day of Holi, encourage them to play Holi with plain water and natural colours only.
• Apply cold cream on their body and oil on the hair and scalp, to save their skin from colours.
• Instruct them to close eyes if someone applies gulal on their face or throws coloured water on them, to save their eyes.
• Advise them to wear full sleeves clothes so as to cover maximum parts of the body.

And monitor your children closely while they are playing Holi so that this Holi is safe and memorable for your children.

Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami is a very popular Hindu festival, which is also known by the name of “Shri Panchami”. Every year, this Hindu festival falls on the fifth day of the month of Magh (February or March), according to the Hindu calendar. This year, the festival of Basant Panchmi will be celebrated on 15^th February. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and also marks the on-set of the spring season.

Story

There are various stories associated with the celebrations of Vasant Panchami. One of the most popular legends is that of Goddess Saraswati. It is believed that, on this day, Goddess Saraswati originated from the Himalayas in the form a river.

Another legend is that of poet Kalidasa. It is believed that there was a beautiful & learned princess who rejected all the men who did not match her intelligence. This angered all the pandits and they decided to marry her with a fool. So, they presented Kalidasa as a man of wisdom, before the princess. Finally, the two got married, but on the wedding night, the princess realised that she had been tricked. She banished Kalidasa from their house, who in shame & sorrow, went to commit suicide. Goddess Saraswati emerged from the river and asked Kalidasa to take a dip in the river. As he emerged from the river, he became knowledgeable and began to write poetry.

Traditional Celebrations

The festival of Basant Panchami is celebrated primarily in the northern states of India. The traditional celebrations in each state vary widely. On this day, people worship Goddess Saraswati in various forms and offer sweets to the Goddess, which is then distributed as ‘prasad’ to all the people attending the puja ceremony. Since the yellow flowers of mustard crop covers the fields during this season, the yellow colour holds a special significance on this day. People get dressed up in diverse shades of yellow; they offer yellow flowers to the Goddess and prepare yellow sweets like kesar halwa, bundi laddoo etc. Kite flying is also observed in some Northern states.

How to celebrate Basant Panchami at home?

The festival is celebrated with immense joy & enthusiasm by the Hindus. You too can celebrate Vasant Panchami at home. Here are some tips for you to celebrate this auspicious festival with your child:

• Dress up yourself and your child in yellow coloured clothes.
• Involve your child in preparing traditional dishes like kesar halwa.
• Indulge your child in preparing crafts like kites.
• Organise Saraswati Puja at your place. Along with your child, adorn the Goddess with yellow flowers.
• Teach your child to recite the Saraswati Vandana.
• Encourage your child to donate her old books to the poor.

So, follow these simple tips and celebrate this day with full fervour and dedication.

Republic Day 

Every year, 26th January is celebrated as India’s Republic Day. Although India became independent on 15^th August 1947, it was on 26^th January 1950 that India’s Constitution came into force and it became a truly sovereign country. In the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (INC), at the midnight of 31^st December, 1929- 1^st January, 1930, Indian Nationalists unfurled the Tri-Coloured flag. While unfurling the flag, they took a pledge that every year, 26^th January shall be celebrated as the day when India attained Purna Swaraj. Later, on 26^th January 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India framed the Constitution of India. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar became the Chairman of the Committee, who along with other members of the Committee, drafted the Constitution. Since then 26^th January is declared as a National Holiday and is celebrated as India’s Republic Day.

Traditional Celebrations

Republic Day is celebrated with great pomp and show, as a grand parade is held at Rajpath, New Delhi. Before the parade begins, the Prime Minister lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, a memorial of the soldiers who lost their lives to attain Independence (freedom) from the British Colonial Rule. The President accompanies the Chief Guest, who is the Head of the State or Government of a foreign country. The President hoists the flag and the National Anthem is played, followed by 21-gun salute. After this, the President presents India’s top gallantry awards, namely- the Param Veer Chakra, the Veer Chakra and the Maha Veer Chakra to the outstanding soldiers from the defense services.

After this, they proceed towards Rajpath, to watch the parade. The parade commences with the regiments of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, walking past the President, wherein all the three regiments are dressed up in their official uniforms. As the regiment passes by, the President takes the salute. The military parade is then followed by the bright and colourful tableaus of different States and Union Territories, depicting various cultures. Also, school children perform various folk dances of different states. The culmination of the parade is marked by jets and fighter planes, performing various daredevil stunts. After this, the National Anthem is played, marking the end of the Republic Day celebrations.

From 26^th -29^th January, all the major Government buildings are lit with bright lights. On 29^th January, the “Beating the Retreat” ceremony is conducted, which comprises of bands marching to the tunes of various patriotic songs. Apart from this, the Drummer’s Call follows wherein the drummers give solo performances. Following this, the Bugle Call is followed that indicates the band master to walk up to the President, requesting to take away the bands. Finally, at 6p.m., the buglers declare the retreat and the National Flag is then lowered. This ceremony officially marks the end of the Republic Day celebrations.

How to celebrate Republic Day at home?

• Involve your children in decorating the house with tri-coloured balloons and ribbons.
• Dress-up in a way that reflects a feeling of patriotism. For instance, you can wear a tri-colour scarf/dupatta or accessorise your dress with tri-colour sweatband/bangles.
• Take your children to watch the Republic Day parade at Rajpath, New Delhi. If you are not in Delhi, watch the parade on your televisions.
• Listen to the patriotic songs and more importantly, try to understand the lyrical content of the songs.
• Involve your children and encourage friends and family members to join you in singing patriotic songs such “Vande Mataram”, “Ae Mere Pyare Vatan” etc.

So, use the above mentioned tips to celebrate this Republic Day with your family and friends.

Happy Republic Day!!

ADMISSION 2013-14

Online Registration starts from 01-01-2013 to 15-01-2013. Forms to be Submitted Online. No Documents Required at the Time of Registration. Parents are requested to keep a Printout of the confirmation mail.

Criterion for allotment of seats for admission to Pre-School for the Session 2013-14

Division of Points: (General Category)

LIST OF SELECTED CHILDREN:

Draw of Lots for EWS Category – 30th January 2013 at 09:30 a.m in the school premises.
First List – 4th February 2013 (will be displayed on the website)
Second List (if any) – 20th February 2013 (will be displayed on the website)

Closure of Admission process: 30th March 2013

For further detail click here :-http://www.dakshacademy.net/