Atmiya Vidya Mandir founded by His Divine Holiness Param Pujya Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj, is more than just an institution for academic learning—it is a sanctuary where children are nurtured not only in intellect but in spirit, emotion, and character. Rooted in the belief that education must be holistic, His Divine Holiness envisioned this campus where students would feel a sense of belonging, a ‘home away from home,’ where their growth would encompass far more than grades and test scores. This vision shines through in every aspect of the school’s approach, and nowhere was this more evident than in a recently beautifully orchestrated funfair.

As students had been immersed in a world of revision for half-yearly exams, there was a period of intensive studies, during which hours had been spent pouring over textbooks, solving practice papers, and mastering formulas. In this revision time, the school’s usual hum of chatter had been replaced with the quiet intensity of focused minds in the pursuit of academic excellence. After the examination, as the weekend dawned, the air around the school campus was tinged with an atmosphere of ease and excitement. The school had thoughtfully arranged a weekend dedicated solely to play—a precious opportunity for students to cast aside their textbooks, shake off the lingering tension of exams, and immerse themselves in pure, unadulterated joy.

The school prayer hall transformed into a vast playground, each corner brimming with laughter and the thrill of games. There was a sense of energy in the air, a wave of movement that gathered speed as children climbed the stairs, eager to reach the heart of the funfair. The corridor was alive with the sound of footsteps and excited whispers, growing louder as the students neared the top. The sports teachers, positioned to welcome them.

The moment the children burst into the hall above, they swarmed in like a wave of happiness, their excitement palpable as they scattered to the various game stalls. The air hummed with excitement, as students eagerly flocked to the variety of games that awaited them. At every corner, there was something new to discover. In one corner of the hall, students flocked to Mikado, their hands hovering delicately over the stack of sticks, concentration etched on their faces. In another, laughter filled the air as students attempted to flip bottles in the Bottle Jumper game, their focus shifting from the technique to the thrill of landing a perfect flip. And the cheerful giggles from the Ring-a-Ring stall echoed through the room as rings soared through the air, aiming for brightly coloured pegs. Mikado, in particular, became a crowd’s favourite, with students lining up to test their dexterity and precision. But it wasn’t just the game itself that left an impact—it was the way the teachers and mentors stood by, cheering each student on with encouragement that was as heartfelt as it was motivating. Their presence, their smiles, their gentle guidance—it all made the games more than just games. These became moments of connection, of shared joy, and of learning beyond the classroom. For Bottle Jumper, the challenge of flipping and balancing a bottle to land upright may have seemed simple, but it required perseverance, patience, and a steady hand. The teachers and mentors, standing by, modelled these very qualities, guiding students to see the beauty in trying, failing, and trying again. The entire hall seemed to hum with excitement, buzzing with the sounds of laughter, friendly chatter, and the occasional cheer as a student nailed a game or scored a point.

Though the funfair ended, the students knew the fun was far from over as they moved from the prayer hall to the dining hall. The aroma of freshly baked pizzas and sizzling French fries filled the air as the students gathered in the dining hall, a wave of eager anticipation etched on their faces. The school had planned delicious treats specially prepared to make the event even more memorable. The dining hall buzzed with chatter and laughter as children delighted in their favourite comfort foods, some amusingly debating over which pizza topping was the best, while others tried to stack their French fries into tiny towers before they were devoured. It was a sight that warmed the heart—students enjoying a shared meal, just soaking in the joy of the moment. As plates were cleared and appetites were satisfied, there was a collective murmur of excitement.

Following the joyous funfair, the weekend blossomed into another thoughtfully designed experience, ‘Anand Diwas’ crafted to let students continue unwinding in an open, free-spirited setting. The grounds of the school transformed into a vibrant outdoor carnival, buzzing with excitement and packed with games that catered to every age group. For the juniors, the games were a tapestry of energy and delight. Under the open sky, the juniors found pure joy, laughter ringing through the air as they ducked, dodged, and chased each other in the exhilarating games. They leapt into the carefree world of Dodgeball, where swift moves and gleeful shouts filled the air. In another part of the ground, similar games thrived—like Catch-the-Flag and Duck, Duck, Goose—each one stirring up bouts of laughter and playfulness. The youngest students revelled in their own lively world, where they could dart and dash in friendly matches of free games that celebrated their natural playfulness.

The middle and senior students were treated to a different kind of thrill: Box Cricket. The sports department had transformed a section of the playground into a mini cricket arena, complete with makeshift boundaries and cheering zones, creating a vibrant outdoor cricket carnival. Divided by age groups, classes 7 and 8 competed in friendly matches on one side, while classes 9 and 10 took on their peers in another. Under the guidance of their sports teachers, the students displayed their cricketing skills, swinging bats with a mix of determination and excitement. Every ball bowled, every boundary hit, and every wicket taken was met with cheers that rang out across the field. The teachers themselves became part of the celebration, setting a tone of sportsmanship and camaraderie that made every match feel like a cherished memory in the making. With each ball bowled, each wicket taken, and each cheer that erupted, students experienced the joy of teamwork, the thrill of play.

Every game, every laugh, and every cheer was a reminder that there was more to school life than tests and grades. In fact, the funfair had its own way of bringing out the students’ best efforts, just as the exams had. But this time, instead of competing against time and tough questions, they were playing to their hearts’ content, thriving in an atmosphere where joy was the only measure of success. The transition from intense study to sheer fun was almost magical. The funfair, with all its games, treats, and laughter, was a reminder that success isn’t just about excelling academically—it’s about finding moments to recharge, to celebrate, and to play in unison!

Seema Ma’am

Smrutis from Fun Fair:

Smrutis from Anand Diwas: