School: Lakshmipat Singhania Public School
    Rayagada, Odisha, India

15 students, ages 13-17 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on January 13, 2024. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Classes and Teachers: N.P. Swamy, Classes 9th and 11th

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.lspublicschooljk.com/

1. Description of Our Community

India is a country known for its diverse culture and rich heritage, with each state contributing uniquely to its identity. Odisha, located in the southeastern part of India, is a prime example of this cultural richness. The state is home to a multitude of diverse groups with various languages, traditions, and regional diversities. Odisha's rich cultural tradition encompasses religion, art, and philosophy, with traditional arts, music, dance, and festivals playing a significant role in the state's way of life. The town of Jaykaypur in Rayagada district is a blend of tribal societies and modern industries, reflecting the diversity and prosperity of the region. The natural beauty of Odisha, from forests to waterfalls, along with its historical monuments and temples, make it a visually stunning and culturally enlightening destination. The community in Jaykaypur takes pride in its roots and is considered a mini-India, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of different cultures and traditions within one region.

2. Summary of Our Project

Our project focuses on one of the largest tribal festivals in our state, Odisha - The Chaiti Festival. Held in Rayagada, it showcases the remarkable art and culture that thrives within the tribal community of Southern Odisha, particularly in the Rayagada-Koraput region. This festival offers a glimpse into the diverse handicrafts and folk culture of the tribes, providing a vivid portrayal of their culturally rich lifestyle.

It truly encapsulates the beauty of tribal India. Our project aims to bring this unique festival to the attention of a wider audience, emphasizing its significance for Rayagada and the perception of tribes as a whole. By participating in CyberFair, we seek to shed light on the importance of Chaiti and provide comprehensive information about the festival. Through our project, we hope to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for this Festival and the tribal communities it represents.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:more than 50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6

E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):

A good internet connection provided by the school helped us to collaborate with various community members while working on this project. With the help of a computer, we were able to collect various relevant information which helped us to accomplish our project on time.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

There were several challenges we had to overcome in order to finish the project. We were unable to complete this job as efficiently as we would have liked because we had to cope with our yearly exams during this period. The team members were geographically separated by a considerable distance from one another. This made it difficult for everyone to get together and finish the project on time. Fortunately, all it took to get all the information on Chaiti from the tourists and vendors was a small group of students. The team faced a challenging issue when it came to the students transportation. However, we overcome the obstacles and finished the project in the school. Each member of the team committed their valuable time to seeing this project through to its conclusion.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Our project's goal is to raise awareness of the splendor of India's tribal societies among all people. Our knowledge of India's tribal society is quite limited. The wonderful and varied culture of the tribal community is introduced to us through Chaiti. The Southern Odisha festival, Chaiti, is a cultural fiesta that showcases the indigenous art forms, music, dance forms, and customs. It contributes to the survival and prosperity of the tribal community.

6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

Cultural celebrations and local festivals are integral components of the Indian school curriculum, aligning with the National Curriculum Framework of 2005 and the National Education Policy of 2019. Our CyberFair Project focused on documenting and exploring the richness of a local festival, which corresponds to the curriculum's emphasis on understanding and preserving cultural heritage.

In our research, we delved into the historical and cultural significance of the local festival, linking our findings to interdisciplinary studies as mandated by educational standards. Understanding and celebrating local festivals are crucial elements of the curriculum, promoting cultural awareness and a sense of community.

Similar to art education projects, festivals offer a unique lens to view and appreciate our heritage. Through our project, students gained insights into the social, religious, and historical aspects associated with the festival. This not only enhances cultural literacy but also promotes a holistic understanding of our diverse traditions.

Our efforts extended beyond theoretical knowledge. Collaborative activities, such as organizing events or workshops related to the festival, allowed students to develop teamwork and organizational skills. Additionally, the project provided practical insights into event planning and community engagement, aligning with the real-world applications emphasized in the current curriculum.

As we documented and presented our findings, language skills were honed through extensive writing and communication efforts. The creation of a digital platform to showcase the festival's highlights enhanced our technological proficiency.

In summary, our CyberFair Project on a local festival not only met curriculum standards but also fostered cultural appreciation, teamwork, and practical skills essential for holistic education and future endeavors.

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?

To complete our project, we have used 5 computers and 2 smartphones for communication, collection, compilation, and designing our website. The internet was a huge help as it halved the hard work in finding accurate information from reliable sources. Communication between team members was made possible through our Whatsapp Community. Applications such as Clipchamp and audacity helped us to process video files. Thanks to our school, we were able to complete all of the tasks in the school's computer laboratory.

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.

While collecting information for the project, our team came across a lot of people who gave us a lot of handy information and advice. While attending the Chaiti Festival, we interviewed many visitors, performers and sellers asking about how they ended up visiting and participating in the festival. We also had requested local social media influencers for helping us in our project by providing us with relevant data and information. We also reached out to already known contacts such as family members and relatives for guidance and information. We physically talked to many prominent persons of our community for obtaining more detailed information for the project. On our way to gathering all the content required to make the project possible we renewed old contacts and also made many new. One such example was us meeting prospective women enterprise, while attending the festival. They were very delighted when we interviewed them and were also happy that students of their locality were doing such a good work of bringing their hometown and its culture into the sight of the world. One of them was so impressed by our work that she asked our team to remain in contact with her so she would know how the final project would turn out. Not only her, but almost everyone whom we contacted had similar feedback for our project. They commended us for our efforts to bring local culture to the forefront.

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

As mentioned earlier as well, our project will change the perception of people about Tribal people, who constitute a major part of our local community, who are considered 'Backward' and 'Primitive'. It will also pose a positive image of the local community at the global level. In addition to that, our project will also inspire people to appreciate and promote indigenous art and culture. Our project received very positive feedback and encouragement as it would enhance the image and distinctiveness of the Rayagada District as a whole. There are many people who, even though living in Rayagada, do not know much about their local culture and for whom our web site will be an eye-opener. It will also make the local tribals take pride in their culture and in them belonging to the tribal community.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

Our project deeply engaged various members of our community as helpers and volunteers, essential for its success. Initially, we reached out to teachers, local artisans, and community leaders who had expertise in our project's theme, the Chaiti Mahotsav of Rayagada district. We found them through personal connections, recommendations, and online research.

Our teachers, in particular, played a pivotal role. They provided invaluable guidance and support, offering insights into research methodologies, data analysis, and project presentation. Their mentorship was instrumental in shaping our project and ensuring its completion within the stipulated timeframe.

Additionally, local artisans generously shared their knowledge and experiences, enriching our understanding of cultural traditions and aesthetics associated with the Chaiti Mahotsav. Their firsthand insights provided authenticity and depth to our project, enhancing its overall impact.

Furthermore, our community members, including family and friends, contributed significantly. They assisted with data collection, provided feedback on project drafts, and offered moral support throughout the process. Their involvement underscored the importance of collective effort and community collaboration in undertaking such projects.

We are immensely grateful to all our helpers and volunteers for their unwavering support and dedication. Their contributions were indispensable, shaping our project's outcome and enriching our learning experience. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each individual who played a part, both locally and from afar, including those who provided assistance via the internet. Their involvement exemplifies the spirit of community cooperation and underscores the power of collective endeavor in achieving common goals.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

An active exploration of any topic fills one with knowledge. In a world that seems too big to comprehend, this project has offered a remarkable opportunity to conduct research on the home ground about the Chaiti Mahotsav of Rayagada district. Through our research, we have made a number of significant discoveries, learned valuable lessons, and encountered some surprising insights. One major discovery was the rich cultural heritage and traditions associated with this festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the local communities. We also learned about the importance of preserving and promoting such events to ensure the continued preservation of cultural identity. Additionally, during our research, we was surprised by the level of community participation and engagement in organizing and celebrating the Chaiti Mahotsav. This experience has taught us the importance of community involvement in cultural events and how it can contribute to social cohesion and unity within a region. Overall, our research has provided us with a deeper understanding of the significance of traditional festivals like Chaiti Mahotsav and their impact on local communities.