Azim Premji Foundation’s note on “reopening of schools in pandemic times” presents studies from across the world to have estimated that three months of school closure could result in long-term loss of one year’s worth of learning – the impact is graver in the early school years. Since schools closed in March 2020, there has been a massive loss of learning for most children in India. This loss is not simply of what they would have learnt in the previous academic year (grade-level learning). It has meant the loss of foundational abilities from previous years (regression or forgetting). 1 Unless addressed, this loss will keep accumulating, particularly for children in early grades and for children from socio-economically disadvantaged communities. While efforts have been made both by the Centre and States to maintain continuity of learning through various initiatives, it is clear that children are not learning and that inequities are getting exacerbated, putting several children at risk of dropping out of school. Learning happens best through face-to-face interaction in the classroom. Children need mentoring with social and emotional support through the learning process. It is, therefore, important to bring students and teachers together, even if done in a ‘different’ way. State of Gujarat officially declared primary schools open from 22 nd November 2020 after nearly one and half year of schooling being through technology based medium. Understanding the risk of students being unable to coupe with the rigor and demand of academic curriculum NSS in collaboration with its partner schools designed a 30 days support program for children in grade 1 and 2. The program “Umang” envisioned: Project Goals: 1) Build trust and Belief in students 2) Promote socialization and work together temperament 3) Develop Ability to comprehend instructions and execute successfully 4) Develop independent learning behaviour 5) Work on fine and gross motor skills 6) Preparing for academic demands after nearly 2 years of academic loss.