Vashi: First day at school can be stressful for students getting initiated into academics. With a view to make it memorable for school students and cut down stress, NMMC rolled out a red-carpet welcome on the first day of school.

As the new academic year commenced on June 16, NMMC organised the ‘Chala Shalet Jauya’ (Let’s Go to School) enrolment festival across its 80 schools. As part of the civic corporation’s strategy to create a welcoming atmosphere, celebratory music, including lezim and dhol-tasha, was rolled out. Chocolates and flowers were freely handed over.

A special activity involved capturing the footprints of the new entrants on paper to mark their first step into formal education. Textbooks for classes 1 to 8 were distributed to students on the very first day, ensuring a smooth academic start.

And the entire NMMC top brass and teachers was in attendance. NMMC commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde took position at NMMC school No. 10 in Nerul Gaon, where he personally welcomed the new students with roses and chocolates.

The event also featured a tree plantation drive in the schools. At the Nerul gaon school, the commissioner planted the sapling.

Additional commissioner Sunil Pawar attended the celebrations at NMMC School No. 92, Kukshet, while additional commissioner Dr Rahul Gethe visited NMMC School No. 1, Belapur. All department heads and officials were assigned various schools in NMMC area.

Speaking on the occasion, commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde emphasized the importance of holistic development in children. He urged teachers to focus not only on academic growth but also on the emotional and moral development of students.

At NMMC school No. 9, Nerul, deputy commissioner Smita Kale introduced students of classes 7 and 8 to the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The interactive session covered AI’s applications in languages, technology, mathematics, and storytelling in an easily understandable manner.