A strong sense of belonging grows when children come to know the places and people who have shaped their land. With this thought in mind, the students of Grades 3A and 3B at Global Indian International School Bannerghatta took part in Pramamika Balaka, a Kannada language activity in which young learners explored the historical places of Karnataka and the great freedom fighters of India while building their Kannada vocabulary and speaking skills. The activity was conducted under the guidance of their teacher, Ms. Meghana M. L.

Through the activity, the children were introduced to some of the most important historical places in Karnataka. They learnt about the royal heritage of Mysore, the intricate temple architecture of Halebidu, the grand ruins of Hampi and the spiritual significance of Sringeri Sharada Peetham. Alongside these landmarks, the students also learnt about the lives of great freedom fighters, namely Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose, and understood how each of them contributed to India’s struggle for independence. 

It helped the students recognise the historical and cultural value of these places and personalities, and it nurtured in them a deep appreciation for the country’s rich heritage. It also strengthened their language skills, as the children enriched their Kannada vocabulary related to historical places and freedom fighters and practised describing them in simple Kannada sentences. As a result, the students are now able to identify and name important heritage sites of Karnataka, explain why these places matter and speak about the freedom fighters with confidence and interest.

This also reflected GEM 9, Universal Values, of the 9GEMS framework, which encourages students to respect their culture, honour the sacrifices of those who came before them and grow into responsible, thoughtful citizens. By learning about the courage and dedication of the freedom fighters, the children were reminded of the values of patriotism, unity and perseverance. The Grade 3 students took part with great enthusiasm, and the school looks forward to many more enriching experiences of this kind