Bhubaneswar: The bustling corridors of Esplanade Mall have found a new, rhythmic pulse that sounds remarkably like the wild. Amidst the high-end retail stores and modern food courts, a slice of the forest has taken root. This innovative concept, a miniature outpost of the renowned Ekamra Vatika Pre School, is the latest brainchild of Shrimati Meghna Singh Deo, a name now synonymous with progressive early childhood education in the capital.
Shrimati Singh Deo is a prominent education promoter and the Chairperson of Ekamra Vatika, a leading preschool in Bhubaneswar. Her background reflects a blend of international academic exposure and a deep commitment to social advocacy.
The activity corner has quickly transformed into the mall’s most vibrant destination. While shoppers navigate the aisles, children are transported into an immersive woodland setting. Against a lush backdrop of deep greens and towering trees, young artists sit absorbed in their work, sketching and coloring under the watchful eyes of depicted wild animals. The experience is heightened by the atmospheric sounds of the jungle, where the occasional growl of a tiger or the trumpeting of an elephant provides a sensory soundtrack to their creativity.
For Shrimati Singh Deo, this initiative is more than just a play zone. Known as an ace education promoter with a knack for breaking the traditional four-wall classroom mold, she views the mall installation as a bridge between urban life and nature-based learning. Her philosophy has always centered on stimulating a child’s natural curiosity through unconventional environments. By bringing the essence of Ekamra Vatika to a commercial hub, she has succeeded in turning a weekend shopping trip into an educational adventure.
Parents have embraced the joint with enthusiasm, noting that it offers a rare opportunity for kids to engage in tactile, imaginative play while the family is out. The sight of children deeply focused on their drawings, seemingly unfazed by the mall’s bustle and inspired by the simulated wilderness, stands as a testament to Shrimati Singh Deo’s vision.
In a city that is rapidly modernizing, this green corner serves as a reminder that the best kind of learning often begins with a spark of wonder and a touch of the wild.