Beyond Colors: The Spirit of Holi at Pehchaan The Street School
Silpi Srivastava
Forensic Science Student | Reliance Foundation UG Scholar' 24 | Campus Ambassador CCIFS | Book reviewer @bay_of_books
The festival of colors, Holi, is a joyous occasion to celebrate love, rebirth, and the victory of light over evil. The air comes alive with a riot of colors—crimson, saffron, emerald, and indigo—each a brushstroke on the canvas of gayety, while the chilly breeze of the too-short winter carries the aroma of gulaal & happiness. As hands smeared with colorful powders reach out in joyful mischief, dispelling the lines of age, caste, and creed, which reverberates through the street in laughter. In this festive season, this feeling of coming together weaves a tapestry of warmth and oneness while folk song melodies dance in the air and the heart is brimming with glee. A beautiful hymn to the beauty of human connection, Holi is more than just a holiday. It is a time when old grudges are erased like fading color streaks, leaving only the promise of fresh starts. In times when everything seems lost, it provides a sense of community and serves as a ray of hope, just like Pehchaan The Street School does every day.
In the heart of India, where people often lose hope in their struggle for survival, Pehchaan—The Street School—stands as a ray of hope, bringing forgotten dreams to life with kindness and education. It is more than just a school; it is a haven where the voiceless can be heard and small hands that once searched through adversity now wield pencils, drawing a future that is not shrouded in scarcity. Pehchaan The Street School not only feeds minds but also feeds souls with each lesson taught under open skies and each tale weaved through the caring fabric. It transforms sidewalks into classrooms, whiteboards into windows of opportunity, and education into a peaceful revolution so that no child is left out of the larger scheme of things.
“Pehchaan Ki Holi” is more than just an emotion - it's a sense of being for almost 1600+ underprivileged children studying & growing as an individual across multiple centres in Delhi NCR region.
A Ray Of Hope
Festivals are more than simply gatherings at Pehchaan The Street School; they are an embracing of happiness, community, and cultural unity. Among these, Holi is a display of pure joy, where children who were before used to the bleakness of existence are bathed in hues of laughter and hope. The school becomes a rainbow of vivid colors as the sun's golden rays shine on it. A riot of pinks, yellows, and blues fills the air as tiny hands smeared with gulal stretch out in joyous splashes. The day starts with a lesson on the significance of Holi, during which animated conversations resound with tales of Lord Krishna's humorous nature and the victory of good over evil. The school promotes eco-friendly Holi by using herbal colors produced from dried flowers, beets, and turmeric in place of chemical-laden powders.
With children spinning to folk tunes and their laughter blending with the dhol beats, music and dancing take center stage during the festival. Teachers and volunteers participate, joining in as joyful companions rather than educators. A cheek splash becomes a symbol of solidarity and a moment of shared identity. Pehchaan - The Street School, however, makes sure that Holi is a holiday of giving despite the celebration. The delivery of snacks and sweets, such as gujiya, malpua, and thandai, which are small but treasured pleasures for young hands who don't often get to enjoy them, usually marks the end of the day. In certain years, considerate gifts of clothing, literature, and necessities give the festival a deeper significance and reinforce the forgiveness, rebirth, and love-sharing that are the genuine purpose of Holi.
A Holi of giving and gratitude
This year Holi will be celebrated with all the 1600+ children in all the 10 centres across Delhi NCR region at 10+ events. Every child at Pehchaan The Street School will be provided with a “School Chale Kit” which will include
4 notebooks
Pencil box & kit
lunch box
Water Bottle
Colours & Drawing Files
Holi Colors
Eatables & meals
The cost of one such kit is Rs. 300 only & if you as a reader want to contribute then you can donate by going to the website or checkout their posts on Instagram & LinkedIn. One can always join their efforts by visiting the centre & witnessing first hand how their donation online made so much change - the smile & excitement on each child's face. The kit is a balance between academics & art - inculcating in the children the value of education, learning along with extracurriculars like drawing. There will be 10+ events so that every child of Pehchaan The Street School will get to celebrate & enjoy this celebration to make this a beautiful memory.
When the children receive these "School Chale“ kits, they will understand that Holi is not just about receiving but also about spreading happiness to others, reinforcing values of empathy and generosity. By the time Holi arrives, the children of Pehchaan The Street School are not just playing with colors but embracing the festival with understanding, love, and newfound wisdom—a true testament to the school’s mission of holistic learning.
Role of Pehchaan – The Street School in Education
Providing Free Education to Underprivileged Children
Pehchaan The Street School bridges the gap between privilege and opportunity by guaranteeing free, high-quality education for children from economically disadvantaged families. Classes are conducted in open spaces, making learning accessible to those who lack formal schooling.
Holistic Learning Beyond Textbooks
Moral principles, life skills, and cultural sensitivity are all incorporated into the school's regular curriculum. At Pehchaan The Street School, education encompasses more than just academic disciplines; it also involves the arts, music, and social responsibility.
Empowering Children Through Knowledge
Giving children Knowledge to Empower Them Through the teaching of fundamental reading, numeracy, and communication skills, Pehchaan The Street School gives children the tools they need for a better future. promotes problem-solving and critical thinking, assisting students in becoming self-sufficient learners.
Festival-Based Learning
Pehchaan - The Street School teaches history, science, values, and environmental consciousness through celebrations such as Independence Day, Holi, and Diwali. encourages experiential and participatory learning, which makes learning enjoyable and relatable.
Encouraging Inclusivity and Equality
Pehchaan The Street School breaks down social and economic barriers by creating an environment where children from different backgrounds can learn together. teaches the value of unity, kindness, and respect, promoting holistic development.
Skill Development and Vocational Training
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Pehchaan The Street School prepares children for self-sufficiency by teaching them fundamental vocational skills, art, and craft in addition to academics. helps people adjust to a better lifestyle by planning sessions on environmental conservation, hygiene, and spoken English.
Role of Volunteers and Community Participation
Devoted volunteers who guide, instruct, and assist youngsters are the foundation of Pehchaan The Street School. invites experts, artists, and educators to share their expertise and experiences in order to promote community involvement.
In addition to teaching children, Pehchaan-The Street School is influencing futures with dignity, knowledge, and hope via its dedication to free, inclusive, and value-based education.
Joining Hands for a Brighter Tomorrow
Working together is essential to Pehchaan-The Street School's goal of giving underprivileged children access to a high-quality, free education. The school broadens its reach by collaborating with educators, NGOs, volunteers, and organizations, guaranteeing that more children have access to educational possibilities. In order to prepare the children for a better future, partnerships expose them to a variety of courses outside of the textbook, such as music, art, life skills, and vocational training. The educational experience is improved by collaborative efforts, which also bring necessary resources like technology, books, stationery, and improved learning environments. Volunteers serve as mentors, giving children confidence and guidance outside of the classroom. History, cultural values, and sustainability are all integrated into festival-based learning, like Holi celebrations, which makes learning engaging and significant.
Partnerships also contribute to the development of responsible and knowledgeable citizens by increasing awareness of issues like gender equality, environmental conservation, and child rights. Long-term partnerships guarantee social impact, ongoing skill development, and sustainable education, demonstrating that group efforts can transform education into a potent instrument for change. By working together, Pehchaan The Street School is changing lives rather than merely educating children.
Recent collaborations:
Rotaract Club of Hansraj:
The Hansraj Rotaract Club recognized the value of academic resources and gave children necessary study materials by donating NCERT books and stationery. By guaranteeing that children have access to high-quality textbooks, this program helps them learn efficiently and maintain their academic standing in relation to formal education systems.
Influencer Poornima Peri:
Renowned influencer Poornima Peri came to Pehchaan The Street School Noida center with Frooti packs and notebooks for the children. Little delights like this become treasured memories for children who never get to enjoy such basic joys, so her kind act not only aided their scholastic journey but also brought a moment of happiness.
Apeejay School, Saket:
Students from Apeejay School in Saket made a generous present of warm clothing and water bottles in recognition of the difficulties caused by severe weather. Their generosity guarantees that children stay hydrated and comfortable so they may concentrate on their studies free from outside distractions.
Seera Pusrikant & HighFigh India:
Seera Pusrikant and HighFigh India's donation of stationery products emphasizes how crucial it is to give children the proper resources for studying. Basic supplies like notebooks, pens, and erasers develop into effective tools that foster literacy, creativity, and a sense of control over one's education.
These partnerships demonstrate the kindness and dedication of people and groups working toward a common objective: giving every child at Pehchaan The Street School the tools, support, and chances they need to develop.
Every gift, no matter how modest, makes these children' lives a bit happier by letting them know they are appreciated, seen, and supported. Such collaborations serve as evidence that education is a shared duty and that, working together, we can build a future in which no children are left behind as Pehchaan The Street School continues its journey.
To learn more about the organisation,
Official Website: https://pehchaanstreetschool.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/search/results/all
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXd4gnTazJh3JugKENt5yog
X: https://x.com/Pehchaan_School