Nagpur: After an extended summer break, schools across Nagpur reopened on Tuesday to the sound of ringing bells, excited chatter and emotional reunions as thousands of students returned to classrooms.Teachers welcomed children with roses and tilaks, while orientation sessions and interactive activities helped first-time learners settle into their new surroundings. Parents, many armed with cameras, captured the moment as children walked through school gates after nearly two months.“I had been waiting for school to reopen because I really missed meeting my friends and teachers,” said Arjav Jain, who has entered Class IX. For younger students, the excitement was simpler. “I was nervous initially, but seeing my classmates made me happy,” said Aditya Mane.“The holidays were fun, but I was excited to meet my friends again, even though I was worried about studies and homework,” said Pranali Deshmukh. Class XII student Akshara Shrivastava said it took time to readjust to early mornings and back-to-back classes after weeks of vacation, while Hiba Khan said the academic pressure returned too quickly. “We were immediately given timetables, homework and exam reminders. It was nice meeting friends again, but I wish we had more time to settle into the routine,” Hiba said.Parents echoed similar sentiments. Vikas Dani and Snehal Attal hoped schools and parents would work together to ensure the delayed reopening results in “better learning, not just faster learning.”The reopening also marked the launch of Praveshotsav celebrations across Maharashtra. At Sevasadan High School, Minister of State for school education Pankaj Bhoyar said the govt is strengthening primary education through better infrastructure and qualified teachers.At the Govt Ashram School in Belda, tribal development minister Ashok Uike highlighted reforms in residential tribal schools, including digital classrooms, science centres, and improved nutrition and safety measures.The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) celebrated Praveshotsav across its 112 schools, welcoming over 13,900 students with flowers, textbooks and school kits. NMC commissioner Vipin Itankar said municipal schools would be upgraded with modern infrastructure, digital classrooms, skill-based education and sports facilities to bring them on par with leading private institutions.(Inputs by Siya Punyani, Vansh Jain, Anika Jhawar, Saara Shrivastava & Avani Jog)
