SEE PICS | Some sad smiles, few happy hops as Kerala kids return to school after two years

Little Paru is the picture of sadness as she poses outside the SRV LP School in Ernakulam on June 1, 2022. (Photo | A Sanesh)

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomes a child to school with a gift of a bag and an umbrella during the state level inauguration of 'Pravesanolsavam' (welcome ceremony) at Government HSS Kazhakkoottam in Thiruvananthapuram on June 1. General Education Secretary APM Mohammed Hanish, MLA Kadakampally Surendran, and Education Minister V Sivankutty are also seen here. (Photo | BP Deepu)

CKC LP School in Ponnurunni, Ernakulam, had six pairs of twins and a triplet joining Class 1. L-R: Aron, Aryan, Akshay Antony, Ann Mary Binu, Susan Mary Binu, and Kuriakose Binu). (Photo | A Sanesh)

Two little girls express their affection for each other during the Praveshanolsavam (welcome) ceremony organised at Government TTI Manacaud school in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. (Photo | Vincent Pulickal)

Little ones at Greets Public School in Kaloor, Kochi, daydream inside the classroom. (Photo | A Sanesh)

This little girl at Greets Public School in Kaloor, Kochi, really doesn't look happy to know she has to stay in school while her parents leave her behind. (Photo | A Sanesh)

We don't quite understand what's bothering this li'l chap. A scene from Greets Public School in Kaloor, Kochi. (Photo | A Sanesh)

A dance session seems to be underway during the morning assembly program at Greets Public School in Kaloor, Kochi. (Photo | A Sanesh)

Children wearing alphabet-caps and masks look on amidst a flurry of first-day welcome activities at Govt. Girls High School, in Kochi. (Photo | A Sanesh)

These Kochi schoolkids sure know how to make hay when the sun, err, the rains come. (Photo | A Sanesh)

A father offers words of advice to his tiny ward at Greets Public School in Kaloor, Kochi. (Photo | A Sanesh)

Monsoon showers, a fresh academic year, in-person interactions with friends and teachers... a lot await these children who are returning to a life dubbed the 'new normal' by us adults. Here's wishing them a very fruitful (and fun) school year! (Photo | A Sanesh)