‘Ek Mulakaat Sainik Ke Saath’: Haryana Turning Summer Break Homework Into A Lesson in Patriotism

In an attempt to blend patriotism with experiential learning, Haryana's government schools have introduced an innovative summer homework program for primary students. As part of the 'Ek Mulakaat Sainik Ke Saath' home assignment, students will spend a day with a soldier and gain insight into Operation Sindoor and India's armed forces.

Launched on Thursday as part of the NIPUN Haryana mission, the revamped vacation assignment for June 1 to June 30 replaces routine tasks with engaging, purpose-driven activities. This year’s summer homework is centered on inspiring young minds with a sense of pride in the armed forces, the Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary units.

According to officials who helped design the assignment, the aim is to introduce students to the sacrifices made by soldiers and spark interest in how one can become an officer or soldier in the armed forces, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

Another facet of this back-to-basic and grass-root learning approach prepared for primary class students is that parents and not teachers, will evaluate the homework.

Students have been also asked to track rainfall, plant fruit seeds, take selfies with soldiers and explore life skills like digital literacy and community engagement. They will also learn how to navigate google maps, observe mosquito breeding grounds, identify currency app and play traiditonal games like antakshri and snake & ladders anf regularly massage their grandparents' feet who in return will share family stories.

Pramod Kumar, the state programme officer of NIPUN, said that the homework has been designed to make learning more joyful, inclusive and closely tied to real-life experiences. It aims to spark curiosity and encourage children to engage in outdoor activities, assisted by their elders.

“Parents will assess their child’s engagement... Their observations will be shared in the first parent teacher meeting (PTM) in July, making learning a shared family affair,” said Kumar.

Class 5 students will be tasked with completing 41 activities, which include learning about their family tree, memorising the names and phone numbers of a few family members and at least two relatives, knowing their postal address, and identifying key political figures from their assembly constituency, as well as state and national leaders and prominent sportspersons.

“We are not just assigning holiday work, we are trying to help students learn by living and to grow by doing,” Kumar said.

With the support of their parents, each student will meet a serving soldier or ex-serviceman from their neighbourhood. They will spend a day with the soldier, take photographs, listen to their stories and gain a deeper understanding of their role and service. Students are expected to gather information about the process of joining the armed forces, either as an officer or a soldier, explore military training institutions, and learn about acts of bravery during operations, including Operation Sindoor. Following this interaction, the student will compile their insights into a report and present it in class.

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