Vanamahotsav 2025

At NPS International Chennai, we recently celebrated Van Mahotsav, our annual tree-planting festival, with a fantastic week-long journey into nature! This special time reminds us all how important trees and forests are. Our students, from Grade 1 through Grade 8, truly dived into thoughtfully planned activities designed to spark a love for nature, boost creativity, and build a strong sense of responsibility toward our beautiful environment.

Our main goal for this week was to give our young learners hands-on experiences that would help them understand the environment, learn sustainable practices, and get curious about nature – all while having fun and working together!

Our youngest learners in Grade 1 kicked off their green adventure by watering trees around the campus. You could see the pure joy on their faces as they realized how even a small act can make the world greener. They then went on a nature walk, observing local plants, leaves, and trees, learning early on how to care for our surroundings. Building on what they started, the children in Grade 2 also helped water campus trees and joined the nature walk. They listened carefully as teachers pointed out different plant features and explained how trees are vital for our planet.

Grade 3 students unleashed their creativity by making green bookmarks using natural treasures like leaves and twigs. They also helped water our herbal plants, discovering their many uses and how to care for them. A really special moment for them was attending a presentation by our Grade 6 students on herbal remedies – a fantastic way to learn from their older peers! On July 4th, our Grade 4 students became mini-farmers at a Microgreens Workshop, led by the wonderful Mrs. Samundeeswari Sivakumar, founder of Samu Microgreens. Each child received their own microgreens kit. They explored varieties of microgreens and learned all about how these tiny plants grow. The session was super interactive and a huge hit, teaching students how easy it is to grow these little greens indoors and how incredibly healthy they are. It was a refreshing introduction to indoor gardening and healthy eating!

Then, on July 8th, Grade 5 students got artistic at a Natural Dyeing and Eco-Printing Workshop, expertly guided by Mrs. Gladys, founder of Vonit Sustainable Clothing. The session began with an exciting hunt for local plants. For Grade 5, participants then got hands-on, experiencing the complete process of extracting and applying natural dyes using leaves, flowers, and vegetables. This workshop beautifully highlighted the value of sustainability, innovation, and reviving traditional dyeing techniques. It was truly a lovely mix of science, art, and tradition!

Van Mahotsav was celebrated with just as much enthusiasm across Grades 6, 7, and 8, creating even more environmental awareness and emphasizing the importance of plants. Students in Grade 6 became experts on natural medicines. They learned how common plants like Neem, Turmeric, Betel leaf, Tulasi, and Karpooravalli can be used as home remedies. They even got to touch and examine the real leaves, discovering their uses and sharing their newfound knowledge. Later, they visited Grade 3 classrooms to explain these ideas, making it a great peer-teaching experience!

Grade 7 students embarked on a guided nature walk around the school’s very own herbal garden and green spaces. They did an amazing job identifying different trees and medicinal plants. To make our garden a living classroom, they labelled each tree with both its common and scientific name and discussed why each plant is so important for the environment. Finally, for Grade 8, students got creative by exploring natural dyes made from plants. Each child received a piece of cloth, which they tied in different patterns before dipping it into the plant-based dye. This hands-on activity taught them the big importance of using natural dyes as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic ones.

Throughout this special Van Mahotsav week, our students weren't just watching; they were active contributors to truly meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Whether it was simply watering plants, crafting with nature, or discovering eco-friendly farming and dyeing techniques, every single activity sparked a sense of wonder and purpose in our students. We believe these small seeds of awareness planted during Van Mahotsav will definitely grow into a lifelong respect for nature and a commitment to sustainable living for all our students.