By The News Observer Desk,
Karwar: BThe campus of St. Joseph Educational Institution in Karwar buzzed with excitement on Friday as the school organized its much-anticipated annual Food Festival, aimed at instilling practical business skills and entrepreneurial mindset in students while they are still in school.
More than 20 colorful food stalls lined the school grounds, entirely planned, decorated, and operated by the students themselves. From spicy chicken rolls and biryani counters to fresh fruit juices, milkshakes, vegetarian chaat corners, and homemade sweets, the variety was impressive. Each stall had its own unique name, menu board, pricing strategy, and even marketing gimmicks – some offered “buy one, get a small discount” deals, while others attracted customers with live cooking demonstrations.
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Visitors, including parents, local residents, and fellow students, were amazed to see young “business owners” confidently handling cash, interacting with customers, managing stock, and even settling accounts at the end of the day. “It felt like a real market! The children were negotiating, convincing customers, and solving small problems on the spot – skills you rarely learn from textbooks,” remarked a parent who attended the event.
Alongside the food festival, a science exhibition showcased innovative working models prepared by students. Projects ranged from simple machines and eco-friendly water purifiers to solar-powered gadgets and volcano eruptions, highlighting both scientific curiosity and creativity.
The event kicked off with a spectacular cultural program. Students presented energetic dance performances blending classical, folk, and contemporary styles, earning loud applause and setting a festive mood for the rest of the day.
Speaking on the occasion, the school principal and management emphasized the changing times. “Government jobs are no longer guaranteed or sufficient for everyone. Today’s children must be job creators, not just job seekers. Events like this food festival give them real-life experience of running a business – from planning and investment to customer service and profit calculation. These small steps today can help them become successful entrepreneurs tomorrow,” the principal said.
By the end of the day, many stalls had sold out completely, and students were seen joyfully counting their earnings and discussing what they learned about profit, loss, teamwork, and customer satisfaction.
Such hands-on initiatives are proving to be powerful tools in shaping confident, skilled, and future-ready individuals, and St. Joseph’s Food Festival has once again demonstrated why experiential learning remains invaluable in education.
Reporting and Videography by Saikiran Babrekar
