Mumbai: Schools across Maharashtra reopened after summer vacation and the scenes were familiar. For some it was a day of joy while for some of the little ones, it was a tearful experience. Others were joyous at meeting their friends after a break. The older ones seemed anxious about their studies.
To make all of them feel welcome, schools across the state ushered in the first day in different ways. At some schools, 'toons' Mickey and Donald welcomed students while at others, students stepped in to the accompaniment of 'dhol-tasha' while at other schools, kids made a 'rosy' entrance.
At Anuyog Vidyalaya in Khar, students were welcomed with sweets and flowers. In Nashik's Sarda Kanya Vidyalaya, students were welcomed with drum beats and flowers while Nutan Primary School in Osmanabad had a 'Welcome' rangoli for students and teachers handed out colourful balloons to students.
In Baramati, Sunetra Pawar, wife of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, welcomed the students of the zilla parishad school with roses and led them to school by hand.
In Dhule, students got books, roses and sweets. However, Mukul Vidyamandir School, Aurangabad, had the most unusual welcome planned, a rain dance, to welcome newly enrolled students.