The winning video by Shreejit Jha of Epic Public School in the Macmillan Education Budding Travelers Contest.
We are delighted to share the winning videos from the prestigious Macmillan Education Budding Travelers Contest, a unique initiative that encourages cidepyoung learners to explore the cultural, historical, and geographical treasures of their surroundings and present them through creative storytelling. The contest provides students with an excellent platform to develop research skills, strengthen their narrative abilities, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage of India.
For the community of Epic Public School, the Macmillan Budding Traveler contest turned into a moment of immense pride and celebration. Many may recall that Epic Public School achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the only school in India to bag three gold medals in the Macmillan contest. This achievement not only highlights the creativity and dedication of the students but also reflects the school’s commitment to nurturing curiosity, creativity, and cultural awareness among young learners.
Among the three gold medals one was snatched by Shreejit Jha a class VII grader student. His idea beautifully portrayed a forced journey to a village on a Sunday which later turned as a blessing in Disguise. On a fine Sunday morning where he was expecting to be in a football match, his father forcefully took him to a village called Mendabari, a serene, offbeat tourist destination in the Dooars region of West Bengal.
In his presentation he had brought up how he was first upset with the idea of visiting there to how he made new friends, learned a new culture and discovered some unknown.
He observed how the people of the village were happy even with very limited resources. He then went to the free school and tried to teach them various Math tricks and some programming. This village inspired him deeply and as he went home, a thought came to his mind. he went to his parents and asked if he can visit there every Sunday.
What made his presentation exceptional was the essence of humanity and the beauty of village life he had made everyone experience. This presentation also portrayed how a young tourist turned to a traveler.
Shreejit’s work was widely appreciated not only by the judges of the Macmillan contest but also by members of the audience during the screening of the winning entries at the British Council Library. He also earned a special jury award for his wonderful idea and presentation.
The success of Shreejit Jha and her fellow mates in the Macmillan Budding Travelers Contest reflects the growing enthusiasm among young learners to engage with nature and culture in meaningful ways. By encouraging students to explore places, research stories, and present them creatively, the contest plays an important role in nurturing the next generation of storytellers and cultural ambassadors.
For Epic Public School, this achievement serves as an inspiring reminder of what young minds can accomplish when given the opportunity and encouragement to explore their surroundings. The school community takes immense pride in the accomplishments of its students and continues to support initiatives that foster creativity, research, and confident expression.
As we celebrate the success of Shreejit Jha and the other winners, we also celebrate the spirit of exploration and curiosity that lies at the heart of the Budding Travelers Contest. Such initiatives remind us that the stories of our villages, monuments, and traditions are waiting to be discovered and shared—and sometimes, all it takes is the curiosity of a young traveler to bring them to life.
