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Local Swimming Prodigies Shine: Siblings Cross Mandovi River, Inspire Young Athletes
In a remarkable display of endurance and determination, two young siblings from Carambolim village successfully crossed the Mandovi River on March 15, 2026, drawing attention to emerging grassroots sporting talent in the region.
Seven-year-old Vihaan Karmalkar became the youngest child from Carambolim to complete the challenging river crossing, while his elder sister, ten-year-old Avni Karmalkar, successfully completed the feat for the second time, showcasing consistency and growing confidence in open-water swimming.
The siblings, students of Shiksha Niketan School in Porvorim, developed their swimming skills during a school-organised camp. What began as a routine training exercise soon evolved into a disciplined pursuit, with both children undergoing regular practice sessions to prepare for the river crossing
According to their parents—fitness trainers and founders of Sunil’s Fitness Wave—the journey was not without challenges. “In the beginning, they would get tired quickly and were unsure about swimming in open water,” their mother said. “But over time, they built stamina and confidence.”
On the day of the crossing, a small crowd gathered along the riverbank as the young swimmers entered the water under supervision. Vihaan, despite his age, maintained steady strokes throughout the stretch, completing the crossing amid cheers from onlookers. Avni, more experienced, displayed composure and technique, pacing herself effectively to finish strong.
Speaking after the event, Avni said she focused on maintaining rhythm. “I just kept swimming steadily and didn’t think too much about the distance,” she said. Vihaan, meanwhile, described the experience as “a little scary at first, but fun.”
Coaches associated with the training camp noted that early exposure and consistent practice played a key role in their success. The achievement has also sparked interest among other children in the village, with more parents reportedly exploring swimming training opportunities.
The siblings’ accomplishment highlights the growing role of school-led sports initiatives and family support in nurturing young talent, offering a reminder that discipline and encouragement can help children push beyond perceived limits.
NCERT Removes Controversial Map from Class 8 Textbook After Jaisalmer Row
After receiving criticism for showing Jaisalmer as being in the Maratha Empire, the National Council of Educational Research and Training has decided to remove a controversial map from its Class 8 Social Science textbook for the 2025-26 academic session.
This matter came up in August 2025 when Chaitanya Raj Singh, a member of the royal family of Jaisalmer, protested the authorities to fix the factually wrong representation, he had termed it as such.
Singh pointed out that there is no historical record of Maratha domination or influence in Jaisalmer. So he stated that such portrayals not only mislead the regions history but also degrade its legacy.
In fact, he had reached out to the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and requested him to make changes immediately.
Since the arguments, NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) has removed the map from the digital edition of the textbook. This step goes along with other changes that are made for the new academic year.
The decision has been welcomed by local stakeholders and historians, who saw the former portrayal as deceptive.
Though the update has been seen as a good move, some experts and local officials have demanded more measures.
Chaitanya Raj Singh supported the change but stressed the necessity of correct information in schools, pointing out that textbooks are very influential in forming students' knowledge of history.
Likewise, the main figures of the heritage institutions of Jaisalmer have also requested NCERT to make a public apology as the earlier map deeply offended the people.
This event sheds light on the continuous monitoring of the school content and the significance of including historically correct versions of the events, figures, and places in the textbooks.
While India is still modernizing its academic content, the case points out the necessity of thorough academic scholarship so that there is no room for such disputes in the future.
In the Nilgiris, an Adivasi School Redefines Learning Through Culture, Nature and Community
In India, the education system often neglects Indigenous knowledge and traditions. One school in Tamil Nadu's Gudalur valley however is quietly rewriting this story through learning that is community driven. The Vidyodaya School, backed by the Viswa Bharati Vidyodaya Trust, illustrates that education based on culture can be a source of power for Adivasi children and at the same time help in building a strong community identity and lead to greater self-confidence.
Vidyodaya School blends Adivasi culture with education
Inside teacher Shanthi Kunjan’s classroom, learning begins with nature itself. Branches become measuring tools, forest leaves explain symmetry, and seeds represent small units of exchange. Lessons are designed around the natural environment familiar to the children. The approach recognises that students already possess deep ecological knowledge from their daily lives.
The school is located in Gudalur taluk within Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district. The region is home to the Bettakurumba, Kattunayakan, Mullakurumba, and Paniya communities. These groups are recognised by the Government of India as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Their heritage is rich, yet they have long faced social and economic challenges.
Teachers at Vidyodaya believe that learning must connect with children’s experiences. Forest plants, rivers, and wildlife often become examples used during lessons. Cultural traditions also shape school activities throughout the week. Science videos open the week, storytelling follows on Tuesdays, while Wednesdays feature traditional Adivasi songs. Students perform dances on Fridays and conduct small experiments during weekly science sessions.
Arts and craft classes highlight skills that communities have practised for generations. Children make baskets, chains, and wire bags using bamboo, beads, and coconut shells. Environmental studies use a book documenting local food traditions. Hunting, honey gathering, and forest tubers form part of these lessons.
Origins of Viswa Bharati Vidyodaya Trust and the school
The roots of this educational model stretch back decades. Social workers Ramdas Bhaskaran and Rama Sastry originally experimented with activity-based learning in Puducherry during the 1980s. Their work involved children from fisherfolk and leprosy-affected families who struggled with conventional schooling systems.
Encouraged by these results, the couple later moved to Gudalur in 1990. What began as homeschooling for their own children soon attracted local students. The initiative gradually developed into a community learning space.
A turning point came during a large gathering of Adivasi elders in 1995. The meeting was organised by Action for Community Organisation Rehabilitation and Development, a Gudalur-based organisation supporting tribal communities. Elders proposed transforming the school into a centre managed by Adivasi communities themselves. The Viswa Bharati Vidyodaya Trust then converted the institution into an Adivasi school in 1996, beginning with 36 students.
Community participation shapes learning and future opportunities
Education at Vidyodaya extends beyond classrooms and textbooks. Parents frequently join work camps, helping maintain the campus and prepare meals. Elders sometimes visit to teach traditional songs, dances, and cultural practices. These activities strengthen students’ pride in their identity and heritage.
The school currently teaches about 125 children from kindergarten to Class 5. Teachers emphasise personal progress rather than exam rankings. Each student maintains a portfolio documenting work and improvement across subjects.
Nutrition also receives careful attention. Lunch boxes commonly contain ragi porridge, eggs, and sprouts. According to a UNICEF report, malnutrition remains a major challenge among tribal children in India. Nearly 40 percent of under-five tribal children experience stunting, while 16 percent suffer severe stunting.
Language has also been a barrier in many schools serving tribal communities. At Vidyodaya, teachers from the community help bridge this gap. They communicate with students using familiar languages when complex concepts require explanation.
Besides its core campus, the Trust also extends its Community Education Programme to a wider area. The programme, which is one of the biggest community education efforts in the area, benefits some 3,500 students from 320 different villages of Gudalur and Pandalur taluks. Adult learning centres running in the evenings offer spoken English, maths help, guidance, and scholarships.
Such a programme has enabled a student like Sijithra belonging to the Paniya community to see a whole new world of opportunities. She was able to complete secondary school through a scholarship from the Trust and is now a nursing student.
Teachers point out that the bigger goal is simple yet really effective. Adivasi kids need to not only come to terms with and even become proud of their identity, but also receive the right skills to face the future. Teacher Shanthi Kunjan, who has been at the school for 25 years, says she is staying for a reason that is still very personal. She calls the school a 'family' to her and the work she does there is fulfilling in a way that lasts.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras Honours Six Teachers for Promoting Scientific Temper Among Students
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) has recognised six outstanding school teachers by giving them the First Principles Teachers Award 2026. The awards aptly highlight the role these teachers have played in enhancing students' conceptual understanding of physics, chemistry, and mathematics. This year marks the second time the awards have been given out and IIT-Madras Director V Kamakoti handed them over at the institute's campus. This year, the awards aim to recognise teachers who emphasise teaching the deep understanding of LOE (learning of elements) which is a key to developing analytical thinking and scientific attitude among pre-university students.
Awardees Across India Recognised
The six educators honoured this year include Sanjay Kumar (Physics, Pune), Asheshanand Acharya (Physics, Bengaluru), Kapil Birthare (Chemistry, Indore), C Chitti Babu (Chemistry, Tirupati), Samudrala Vijaya Kumar (Mathematics, Tirupati), and Nishant Sharma (Mathematics, Kota). These teachers have been acknowledged for their consistent efforts in helping students grasp core concepts rather than relying on rote learning.
Strengthening Foundations in STEM Education
According to IIT-Madras, the award recognises educators who instil a deep understanding of fundamental concepts in STEM subjects. This approach aligns with modern educational priorities that emphasise critical thinking, problem-solving, and long-term learning outcomes.
Speaking at the event, V Kamakoti highlighted the crucial role of school teachers in shaping students’ academic journeys. He noted that teachers who encourage curiosity and conceptual clarity help students develop the right mindset for higher education and research.
Aligning with Vision of NEP 2020
This step is a way to support the main aspirations of National Education Policy 2020 which is to make students understand the concepts in depth and through the experience rather than just hearing or reading the theory. Introducing such teachers, IIT-Madras wants to give a call of awakening to the teachers all over the country to get ready for masterminding teaching methods. Besides this, Prathap Haridoss, Dean (Academic Courses) at IIT-Madras, pointed out that pupils who are very firm in their elementary knowledge not only tend to be the best performers in IITs but also work out better in their life careers.
Boosting a Scientific Thinking
Culture IIT-Madras with projects such as Award for Teachers who Go by First Principles is a way of stressing over and over the significance of changing the education from the roots. By the honoration of those teachers who put understanding as a top priority rather than memorization, the institute is in a way creating an environment for having young minds that are naturally inclined to do scientific experiments and analysis.
Sanskar School Jaipur: Premier CBSE School on Sirsi Road Delivering Holistic Excellence
Parents across Jaipur seeking top CBSE schools near Sirsi Road find Sanskar School, a leading co-educational day school consistently ranked among Rajasthan's finest private institutions. Established in 2002 by Sri Sai Shiksha Sansthan, Sanskar Vidhyalay blends academic rigor with comprehensive student development, earning its reputation as one of Jaipur's most trusted CBSE schools.
About the School
Sanskar School opened its doors in April 2002 with a clear mission: create responsible citizens through quality education. Located on Jaipur's Sirsi Road, the campus serves students from Pre-Primary through Class XII, balancing Rajasthan's cultural heritage with modern learning standards. The school's philosophy centers on conceptual clarity, critical thinking, and ethical values, preparing students to excel academically while growing as compassionate individuals.
Achievements
Sanskar School has built a strong reputation through consistent academic excellence and infrastructure innovation. The sprawling Sirsi Road campus features air-conditioned computer laboratories, fully equipped science labs for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, dedicated spaces for fine arts, geography, psychology, and mathematics, plus separate libraries for junior and senior sections. The school's sports facilities, including basketball and tennis courts, cricket and football grounds, and a pre-primary play area with aviary and pet farm, rival Jaipur's most competitive institutions.
Curriculum
Sanskar follows the CBSE curriculum with modern teaching enhancements across all levels. Pre-primary and primary classes emphasize creative, skill-based group activities using interactive smart classrooms with projectors and audio-visual aids.
Secondary students (Classes VI-IX) follow standard CBSE guidelines with Hindi or Sanskrit as second language options, while senior secondary offers Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams.
The school maintains separate junior and senior libraries, teacher resource centers, and specialized rooms for art, craft, music, dramatics, and dance.
Eligibility Criteria
Sanskar School welcomes students from all backgrounds regardless of caste, creed, religion, or nationality. Pre-primary admissions operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while higher classes require entrance assessments in English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science (depending on grade level). Class XI stream eligibility follows CBSE norms: 80%+ for Science, 70%+ for Commerce and Humanities, followed by subject-specific entrance tests and parent-student interactions.
Admission Procedure
The admission process emphasizes both academic potential and English proficiency. Pre-primary to Class V candidates submit previous progress reports and appear for entrance tests, followed by parent interactions. Classes VI-IX require subject-specific assessments, while Class XI admissions align with board exam percentages and stream-specific testing. The school reserves the right to conduct lotteries when applications exceed available seats, ensuring a fair and inclusive process.
Infrastructure and Campus Life
Sanskar School's state-of-the-art campus sets it apart among Jaipur's CBSE schools. Smart classrooms equipped with interactive boards and projectors create engaging learning environments. The campus includes:
- Science Laboratories: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics
- Technology: Air-conditioned computer labs with Wi-Fi network
- Libraries: Separate junior and senior sections plus resource centers
- Sports Facilities: Basketball/tennis courts, cricket/football grounds, amphitheater
- Pre-Primary Zone: Slides, sand pit, aviary, pet farm
Co-curricular activities thrive through dedicated art, music, dance, and dramatics rooms, fostering creativity alongside academics.
Faculty
Sanskar's qualified educators serve as mentors committed to each student's success. Regular professional development workshops ensure teachers remain current with CBSE's evolving methodologies and innovative teaching practices. The faculty's dedication creates the nurturing environment that Jaipur parents consistently praise.
Who Should Take Admission
Sanskar School suits families living near Sirsi Road seeking comprehensive CBSE education (Pre-Primary to XII) with modern infrastructure and balanced co-curricular programs. Parents valuing qualified teachers, safe transportation, sports facilities, and ethical values will find Sanskar's student-centered approach ideal for developing well-rounded children ready for competitive examinations and beyond.
Who Should Not Take Admission
Families preferring IB/ICSE curricula, boarding facilities, or heavy performing arts programs may find Sanskar's CBSE focus and day-school model less suitable. Parents located far from Sirsi Road or seeking ultra-low fees should consider more accessible alternatives.
Sanskar School Jaipur continues redefining CBSE education through academic excellence and holistic development. Located on Sirsi Road, this premier institution remains a top choice for Jaipur families building strong educational foundations for their children's future success.
Maharashtra Warns Schools: Teach Marathi or Risk Losing Recognition
