2025-09-25

Aravinda Vidyamandiram School hosted the orientation class of the Wings of Awareness project, a nature education initiative implemented by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation,. The programme aims to open a window into the world of birds, offering students experiential learning opportunities that sharpen their observation skills, improve concentration, and nurture a sense of responsibility towards the environment. By bringing students closer to nature, the project hopes to inspire them to grow into thoughtful learners and mindful custodians of biodiversity. The project will be implemented across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers.

The student representative delivered the welcome speech on behalf of the student body.The inaugural address was delivered by Ms. Kavitha R.C, Principal of the school, who congratulated the selected students for being part of such a unique opportunity. She emphasized the importance of learning from one’s immediate surroundings and noted how an awareness of birds and nature would enrich the students’ lives in ways that textbooks alone could not.

The introductory remarks were then presented by Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director of TIES. He explained the philosophy and vision of the Wings of Awareness programme, underlining how bird watching builds patience, focus, and curiosity while cultivating a love for nature. His message encouraged students to observe carefully and document their learnings in a systematic way.

A short survey session was conducted with the participants to record their awareness and interest levels, serving as a baseline for future activities.

The highlight of the orientation was the interactive class on birds and bird watching led by Mr. Ajayan Kumar M.V, Ornithology Expert at TIES. He introduced the students to the basics of bird identification, ethical bird watching practices, and the joy of exploring the avian diversity around them. The students actively participated, answering questions enthusiastically and interacting with the expert throughout the session.

Dr. Punnen Kurian guided the students on how to make best use of these resources, urging them to record sightings meticulously and refer to the guide for accurate identification of species.

The orientation class at Aravinda Vidyamandiram School was not just an introduction to bird watching but also a call to look at nature with new eyes. The prayer, the lamp-lighting, the expert sessions, and the distribution of bird-watching kits together created an atmosphere of inspiration. The event left behind an eagerness among the students to begin their journey as young observers of the natural world and as future ambassadors of environmental awareness.

The programme was coordinated by Ms. Swetha Chandran, Teacher Coordinator from Aravinda Vidyamandiram School and Aparna Raj, Intern from TIES.