At Varanasi Ashram School, every Saturday is a bag-free day. While Uttar Pradesh currently requires at least 10 activity-based “bagless days” per year in line with NEP 2020, schools are free to go beyond this minimum. Our weekly practice supports the same goals: joyful, hands-on learning and meaningful experiences for children.

NEP 2020 encourages schools to offer regular opportunities for experiential learning and enrichment activities (NEP 2020, §4.26). Making Saturdays bag-free gives our younger students more room to explore, create, and learn with all their senses.

This Saturday, a group of interested students, guided by a knowledgeable teacher, began preparing a new khet on the school grounds. Together they loosened the soil, removed stones, and planned the space for growing vegetables — learning teamwork, observation, and patience along the way.

The health camp provided much-needed medical services to women from the Nomadic (Nat) community, many of whom rarely have access to preventive healthcare. More than 50 women underwent health checkups, and blood samples were collected from 40 participants for further screening.

This initiative marks an important step towards promoting women’s health awareness, early detection of cervical cancer, and linking marginalized women to essential health services.

Asian Bridge India (ABI) expresses gratitude to Udaan Nat Community and Shivpur Sangam Hospital, and all supporting partners for their contribution to making this health initiative a success.