Grandparents’ Day was celebrated at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1 (KV-1), Sri Vijaya Puram, on January 24, 2026, highlighting intergenerational bonding, student wellbeing and the role of education in the social fabric of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The programme featured cultural performances by students and grandparents, alongside discussions on education, health and community development.
Addressing students and faculty, Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray reflected on the history of education in the islands, noting that KV-1 was established in 1966 and has played a foundational role in providing quality education in the region. He acknowledged the contribution of Kendriya Vidyalayas in shaping academic standards and said the institution had been a key inspiration behind efforts to expand access to schooling across the islands.
Ray traced his own public journey, recalling his election to Parliament in 2000 and the formation of his political party in 2014. He highlighted local community support for education initiatives, citing instances where Nicobari captains in Small Lapathy donated land for the construction of new Kendriya Vidyalaya schools, underscoring community participation in strengthening educational infrastructure.
A significant portion of the address focused on student health, particularly the prevalence of low haemoglobin levels among girls in the islands. Ray stated that while healthy haemoglobin levels should be around 14 grams, many female students were recording levels between 7 and 9 grams. He attributed the issue to dietary patterns and inadequate consumption of traditional foods. To address the concern, he announced that a medical team would visit the school to conduct blood tests for all female students. He also urged students to include locally available iron-rich greens such as lane bhaji and gajar bhaji in their diets to improve nutritional outcomes.
The event also celebrated the success of the school’s “Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani” programme, under which grandparents actively participated in cultural performances. Ray described the presentations as impactful and expressed hope that similar initiatives would be adopted across schools in the islands to strengthen intergenerational ties. He noted that the clean environment and high oxygen levels of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands contribute to longevity, with several residents living up to 100 years.
Concluding his address, Ray described the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the “Gate of India,” emphasising their strategic and environmental significance. Recalling his arrival in the islands in 1975, he expressed gratitude for the support he and his family received from the community. He encouraged students to maintain the academic standards for which the school is known and urged them to aim for excellence, with the aspiration of becoming global ambassadors for the islands.
Speaking at the event, Aziz Ur Rahman welcomed Ray, describing him as a widely respected public figure with deep grassroots connections. He acknowledged the efforts of the school’s principal and teaching staff in organising the programme and praised the students’ dance, yoga performances and audiovisual presentations highlighting the bond between grandparents and children. Rahman also recalled a personal incident from 2010, crediting Ray with helping him overcome stage fright during a public gathering.
Grandparents’ Day, observed in schools worldwide to recognise the role of grandparents in nurturing values, emotional wellbeing and cultural continuity, has increasingly gained prominence in educational institutions. At PM Shri KV-1, the observance underscored the importance of family bonds, health awareness and community engagement alongside academic learning.
