In a remarkable celebration of both education and environmental stewardship, the students of Adani Vidya Mandir, Bhadreshwar (AVMB), dedicated their 12th annual day, ‘Utkarsh’, to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This unique event witnessed 600 students pledging to plant over 25,000 saplings across the school premises and beyond, including the crucial mangroves along the coast, over three years.
‘Utkarsh’ served as a platform for students to creatively showcase the importance of living in harmony with nature while highlighting all 17 SDGs through innovative exhibits such as environment and water conservation models, skits, songs, and poetry. This initiative underscores AVMB’s commitment to integrating sensitive and critical lessons, including moral and value education, to nurture responsible citizens of both the nation and the world.
The meticulously curated event, designed by dedicated teachers, not only raised awareness about coastal biodiversity conservation but also emphasized the pressing need to protect fragile ecosystems like that of Kutch, renowned for its vibrant traditions yet facing challenges due to climate change.
Dr. Priti Adani, Chairperson of Adani Foundation, commended the students for their dedication, stating, “This pledge from our young students is a testament to their sensitivity and commitment towards our planet. I am proud that our schools are instilling these values in our future leaders.”
Guest of honour Mr. Chetan Misan, SDM, Mundra, lauded the students’ performances, expressing his hopes for continued enlightenment through education. “I congratulate the school on this occasion and hope that it continues to spread the light of knowledge,” he remarked.
Mr. Jugeshinder (‘Robbie’) Singh, CFO of Adani Group and chief guest of the program, marveled at the students’ knowledge and facilities of AVMB, remarking, “I am humbled to be here and interact with these young children, who have shown immense promise.”
Utkarsh 2024 witnessed the participation of leaders from the Kutch region, members of the fisherfolk community, parents, and esteemed guests, reflecting the widespread support for the school’s initiatives.
Under the patronage of the Adani Foundation, AVMB has been providing free education since 2012 to children, particularly first-generation learners from socio-economically marginalized communities, notably the fisherfolk, in and around Bhadreshwar in the Kutch region of Gujarat. This commitment to education and environmental stewardship exemplifies AVMB’s dedication to shaping a brighter, sustainable future for generations to come.
Affiliated with the Gujarat State Education Board (GSEB), the school provides tuition-free education from Class 1 to Class 10, encompassing all expenses including tuition fees, textbooks, uniforms, and nutritious meals. It achieved a significant milestone in 2022 by becoming the first Gujarati medium school under the GSEB affiliation to attain NABET accreditation. Recently, AVMB’s outstanding dedication to educating underprivileged children earned it the prestigious “Education Excellence – Empowering India Awards 2024”.
