A few days before, our local temple group WhatsApp admin posted a message requesting members to donate school supplies to needy students in our village. Today, we bought a few things like scales, erasers, pens, and pencils. I have also shared the message among my friends and family so that more people can come forward and donate if they like.
The academic year for 2026-2027 will start this coming June. Schools are set to reopen, and most malls and shops in the city are featuring school shopping to attract parents and children. Notebooks, shoes, uniform material, pens and bags, water bottles, etc., are sold at discounts.
Our state has an extra item that other students do not need to buy - the umbrella. With June comes the monsoon rains, and this year, it is predicted to start early. Rains nowadays are quite unpredictable and heavy, with many low-lying areas always being affected. This, in turn, affects the students because schools are turned into relief camps. I just hope we do not witness any natural disasters this year.
I remember my school days when we used to write with fountain pens, and ballpoint pens were not even allowed to be used. We used to have an instrument box in the high school. The smell of new uniforms, the fresh rain, rain slippers, new friends, and reading the stories in the English textbook on the first day itself - all these bring fond memories. No mobile phones to distract, and our teachers used to play word games with us.
I hope more people come forward to donate supplies so that needy students do not lack. Have you ever considered donating to schools? People can also donate books to school libraries.
images - own