With holidays ending, kids caught on wrong foot

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 24

As summer holidays are about to come to an end, students can be seen rushing to nearby stationery shops to purchase charts, sketch pens, glitters and other articles to complete their holiday projects.

The fag end of summer vacations is a marathon not just for kids but for their parents as well. Shivam, whose daughter is studying in Class III said, “My daughter hasn’t completed her project yet. She reminded us of the projects when she realised that vacations are about to end. Now, we are running from pillar to post to get her projects completed on time.”

While some parents are working hard by assisting their children in making projects, some have taken an easy route i.e. buying projects from stationery shops.

It is no secret that students’ dependence on bookstores has increased manifold and they often purchase readily available models from stores that they are supposed to make from the scratch.

“During our times, we used to take interest in projects awarded during holiday. I still remember collecting raw material to make windmills and periscopes but nowadays, kids are hardly concerned in making projects themselves,” said Mimansha, a local resident.

“Nowadays, parents have less time to devote to their kids as both are working. Some parents themselves encourage readymade projects than investing time in the child’s project,” said a stationery shop owner.

Many college students prepare projects for school going children and share the profit with store owners. “The projects begin from Rs 100 and their price increases depending upon its size and nature. College students are also involved in making projects as well,” said Deepak, another bookstore owner.