19 students from Nepal in city on cultural exchange

Ludhiana: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the city’s schools, 19 students accompanying three teachers are here in the city for a cultural exchange programme. Delhi World Public School, situated near Sidhwan Canal, has taken the initiative under the International School Association (ISA) run by British Council. Nine students from Samridhi School Balaji in Kathmandu, and 10 students from Green Peace Academy, Itahari-Sunsari in the eastern part of Nepal are in the city for the programme named ‘Buddy Program’.

The school’s ISA co-ordinator Ramandeep said “The Buddy Program is the school’s initiative about sharing a cultural bond with students overseas. The Nepalese students arrived in the city on Sunday evening, and would be leaving by next Saturday.” Co-ordinator of the Indo-Nepal Interaction from British Council, Amit Sijapati, told TOI, “It is a great experience about the global dimensions of the curriculum and practical approach by conducting various subject-oriented activities. We will share our ideas and take it back to school.”

Interestingly, students of the school are bringing ‘Buddy Tiffins’ with Indian dishes, especially from Punjab. A student of Grade VIII Deeya Ghimire from Green Peace Academy said, “This is the first time I am visiting India. The students and staff here are very polite, and they treat us like family. Students are voluntarily getting Indian food in tiffins, which is sumptuous. We are not at all feeling homesick.”

Another student Rejina Maharjan of Class IX from Samridhi School in Nepal said, “We visited local places like Rara Sahib Gurudwara and Bhaini Sahib, and are planning to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar. I really like this culture, and we are getting to learn so many traditions. I adore having ‘makki ki roti’ and ‘sarson ka saag’.

Samridhi School lower secondary level in-charge Urvashi Chauhan Khardka — who is also the British Council School ambassador — said, “This is exchange of culture and participation in an inter-school team festival. This will strengthen the bonds between neighbouring countries and make the students truly global citizens.”

Delhi World Public School principal Deepa Gupta said “Such initiatives at the school level like ‘Buddy Program’ helps explore the full potential of students, and gives them a platform to have an insight into the culture of other countries. We have planned it comprehensively to boost segments like academics and culture. It was our chairman’s vision to create a platform.”