Vijayadasami :A day for new beginnings

Many children enrolled in classes on Vijayadasami

Around 12.30 p.m. on Friday, the last of the parents trickled out from a playschool. A lamp stood burning in a corner. Morning’s buzz made way for deafening silence.

But, on Monday, the chatter of a few new students will again add to these classrooms. On Friday, Vijayadasami may have marked the nearing end of a reasonably-long holiday week, but for many it also signalled a new beginning.

And, the day, which fell in the middle of the academic year, continued to be favoured by many to enrol their children in everything, from day care to dance classes, for reasons that range from custom to convenience.

The trend had picked up more than usual over the past two or three years, said B. Sajitha, head of operations, Kanchana Patti playschool that has 15 centres in the city. “It is the sentiment of beginning something new on this day,” she said.

Divya Kumar, who got her daughter enrolled in pre-school on Friday, said, “I was travelling around the time schools reopened. I thought why not wait for Vijayadasami as it would be an auspicious day,” she said.

However, Kavita Saraf, director-founder, Alphabet playschool, said most of their admissions happened in the beginning of the academic year. “The child will miss out on a term, and we have to work with them. But, it is a tradition and we keep admissions open on Vijayadasami,” said Kavita.

H October 4, 2014