Unlocking Potential in the Himalayas: Sampoorna Shiksha Brought Experiential Learning to 120 Students in Rishikesh

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – From May 30 to June 5, 2025, the banks of the Ganga resonated not only with spiritual chants but with the vibrant sounds of discovery, creativity, and joy, as Sampoorna Shiksha successfully conducted its Panchatatva Summer Camp for over 150 students in Rishikesh.

This unique, week-long initiative took place at Shri Harichand Gupta Adarsh Kanya Inter College and brought together 121 students from eight schools ranging from grades 6 to 12, many of whom were first-generation learners from underserved communities.

The camp was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp by Mr. Venkataraman (Pencilman of UAE), Mrs. Poonam Sharma (Principal), and the founders of Sampoorna Shiksha (SS) - Mrs. Pushpa Subramanian and Mrs. Lata Srinivasan. The managing committee - Mr. A.N Dubey and Mr. Ramashray Singh welcomed the SS team. Many local dignitaries like Dr. Ramgopal Gangwar, Jayaram Kushwaha, Veerendradutt Kudiyal, Ramkrishna Pokhriyal, Smt. Anu Rakhi, Chandrakala Negi, Shashi Joshi, Meenakshi Dubey, Maneesha Mishra, Aarti Gangwar,Alok Gautam and others were present to grace the occasion.

The camp offered a dynamic mix of career guidance, financial literacy, life skills, street theatre, cultural dance, storytelling, and more—delivered through an experiential, hands-on learning approach.

“These students are hungry for knowledge, but often don’t get access to opportunities that build real-world skills,” shared Sampoorna Shiksha’s co-founders Pushpa Subramanian and Lata Srinivasan. “Our mission has always been to bring relevant, interactive, and holistic education to the grassroots by making learning joyful and rooted in everyday life.”

The heart of the camp revolved around Sampoorna Shiksha’s pedagogical model, Panchtatva (The Five Elements). Each day was inspired by one of the elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space—transforming abstract life concepts into tangible, nature-connected experiences.

From role-playing as budget ministers to crafting recycled art, from fireless cooking to performing Nukkad Nataks on pressing social issues, students fully engaged their hands, minds, and hearts in the learning process.

The camp was made possible through the generous local support of Mr. Ramashray Singh, Mr. Alakh Narayan Dubey, and Smt. Poonam Sharma, who played key roles in organizing and coordinating the event.

The program was led by Team Sampoorna Shiksha and powered by a passionate collective of volunteers from across India—including educators, facilitators, and changemakers—united in their mission to create joyful, inclusive, and meaningful learning spaces.