Shimla: A 66-member team of students and teachers from PM SHRI schools across Himachal Pradesh undertook a five-day educational tour of Gujarat under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) Student-Teacher Exchange Programme.
The tour, organised by Samagra Shiksha, brought together students and teachers from PM SHRI schools in Shimla, Sirmaur, Una, Kinnaur and Solan districts. Students were selected on the basis of their academic performance and outstanding participation in NCC and EBSB-related activities.
The delegation was led by Samagra Shiksha’s EBSB nodal officers Varsha Sood, Ranjana Chauhan and Nandini Kanwar.
During the visit, the students explored several historical, cultural, scientific and heritage sites, gaining an opportunity to connect classroom learning with first-hand experiences.
Learning from history at the Statue of Unity, Sabarmati Ashram
At Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) in Narmada district, the delegation visited the Statue of Unity, located on Sadhu Bet island in the Narmada River. Students learnt about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s role in India’s freedom movement and his contribution to the integration of the princely states.
The students also visited Sabarmati Ashram, where they learnt about Mahatma Gandhi’s life, philosophy and role in the freedom movement. The visit offered them an opportunity to understand Gandhian values such as truth, non-violence and swadeshi through objects and places associated with his life.
Science learnt through hands-on experience
At Gujarat Science City, students explored scientific exhibits, interactive installations and hands-on activities. The experience helped them understand concepts of science and technology beyond textbooks, while also exposing them to innovation and technological development.
The delegation also visited the Auto World Vintage Car Museum, where students viewed a collection of vintage and classic cars from different eras and countries.
At Akshardham Temple, students experienced Gujarat’s architectural and cultural heritage, while a visit to the historic Adalaj Stepwell gave them an insight into traditional Indian architecture and ancient water-conservation practices.
The five-storey stepwell, known for its intricate carvings and architectural design, provided students with an opportunity to understand Gujarat’s traditional approach to water management.
The Himachal delegation also visited two local PM SHRI schools in Gujarat to learn about their academic facilities, educational practices and institutional arrangements.
Beyond sightseeing, the exchange exposed students to Gujarat’s language, food, traditions, culture and lifestyle, giving them a broader understanding of India’s diversity.
State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Rajiv Kumar congratulated the students and teachers on completing the educational tour. He said such exchange programmes help students understand the country’s diversity at close quarters and strengthen the spirit of “unity in diversity”.
The programme, organised under EBSB, aims to promote national integration and mutual understanding by giving students direct exposure to the cultural, linguistic and historical heritage of different parts of the country.
