Port Blair Sept 28: In a quiet little school by the sea where chalkboards and curiosity have long shaped young minds, a new window to the world has just opened. For the 34 students of the Government Primary School at Shoal Bay 8, learning will no longer be confined to textbooks alone — thanks to a 32- inch Smart TV donated by the Rotary Club of Port Blair.
The moment the sleek screen flickered to life, the children’s eyes lit up with wonder — a mix of excitement and disbelief that their modest classroom could now connect to the vast universe of digital learning.
“Technology should not be a privilege only for urban schools. Our children here deserve the same chance to dream and learn,” said Smti. Zubaida Banu, the Headmistress, who called the gift “a bridge over the digital divide.”
The Rotary Club of Port Blair has been quietly transforming lives across the archipelago since 1983 — from building a tsunami shelter at Hut Bay to installing dialysis machines at Pillar Hospital, organising free medical and dental camps in remote villages, distributing solar lanterns to off-grid homes, and supporting hostels for underprivileged students. For the young learners of Shoal Bay 8, however, this Smart TV is more than a piece of equipment — it’s a spark of possibility. As one parent put it, “Now our children can see the world beyond these shores.” The initiative also aligns with Vidyanjali 2.0, the Ministry of Education’s flagship programme that seeks active community participation to strengthen schools across the country. A small gesture, yet profound in its reach — this act of giving proves that when communities come together with compassion, classrooms can become brighter, dreams bigger, and futures stronger. Earlier, the Rotary team — led by Rtn. Deepak Kumar, President of the Club, along with Past President Rtn. Dr. Dinesh, Secretary Rtn. Arun Srivastava, and Past President Rtn. Dhinakaran — was welcomed with applause and shy smiles from students and parents alike. Each child also received a gift hamper, turning the morning into a small celebration of hope.
