The Hindu : New Delhi News : A `sporty' attempt to bridge cultural divide

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Friday, Sep 16, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

A `sporty' attempt to bridge cultural divide

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: At 6 feet 10 inches, his presence is rather towering. But the reason Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Justin Madden made heads turn at the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan School this Wednesday was not his height, but his decision to make `Down Under' more than just a part of the geography lessons taught in this school.

A `sporty' attempt to bridge the cultural divide between the two countries, the school received the distinction of being the only one in the country to get a chance to follow the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games through the eyes of children in the Pleasant Street Primary School in Victoria.

A special school exchange programme that has been launched by the Australian government across the world to make the games accessible in a much more cultural way, the programme would enable the children of the two schools in becoming aware of the cultural and social structure in the two countries.

While pointing out that the schools were free to choose the kind of exchange they wanted and that anything could come out of the exchange, Mr. Madden said since the two countries face similar challenges in a globalised world, the children would get the opportunity to know about Australia and the games better through the exchange.

From asking about the seasons of Australia to the importance of sports in schools there, the students -- mostly of primary sections -- came up with questions on aspects of Australia. And while they did get their answers, they also received special souvenirs of the commonwealth games.

From the Commonwealth flag and poster to the mascot and other interesting tit bits, the games had clearly left a mark on the mind of the students. Designed to encourage lasting linkages between schools in Commonwealth counties and promote greater awareness and cultural understanding, as part of the programme the students will be encouraged to share letters and e-mails, photographs, artwork, stories and poems apart from asking questions on each other's culture and tradition.

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