Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 12 June 2025
A heartwarming glimpse from one of India’s most remote corners — Katchal Island in the Central Nicobar group — captivated international delegates at the BRICS Education Meeting held in Brasília, Brazil, on 3rd June 2025.
A video reel showcasing students from Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Kapanga, Katchal, enjoying a ‘Bagless Day’ field visit to Kapanga Beach was presented at the prestigious event by Dr. Shalia Shah, the first woman Indian Foreign Service Officer from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The reel, originally uploaded on Instagram by Mr. Sumeet Ram, Graduate Trained Teacher (Hindi), was set to the iconic soundtrack from the film Taare Zameen Par, adding a layer of emotional resonance to the students’ joyful experience.
The video received an overwhelmingly positive response from BRICS delegates, who appreciated the initiative’s spirit of inclusive, child-centric learning. Sharing her experience on Facebook, Dr. Shah wrote, “Showcased the innovative Bagless Day initiative of a government school in Katchal (Nicobar Islands) at the BRICS Education Meeting in Brasília. It received an overwhelming response from BRICS delegates.”
She further noted, “Inspiring to see how even the most remote schools are leading by example, making learning more inclusive and child-centric.”
Screengrab of Dr. Shalia Shah’s Facebook Post
The ‘Bagless Day’ initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for holistic, experiential, and skill-based education. On such days, typically for students in grades 6 to 8, textbooks are set aside in favour of hands-on activities, field visits, and real-world engagement. The goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practice while making learning more meaningful and enjoyable.
The reel from GSSS Katchal, with students beaming with joy on their beach outing, is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of NEP 2020 even in the most geographically isolated regions of the country.
The initiative’s national and now international recognition also speaks volumes of the dedication of educators like Mr. Sumeet Ram, whose creative documentation brought the school’s efforts to a global stage. His thoughtful portrayal of the ‘Bagless Day’ underscores how meaningful moments, when captured with heart, can resonate far beyond borders.
Dr. Shalia Shah, a 2012 batch Indian Foreign Service Officer currently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, continues to be an inspiration for youth in the islands and beyond.
Katchal, already known for witnessing the first sunrise of the new millennium (Post 0:00 Hrs GMT) on 1st January 2000, once again found itself in the spotlight.