Agents of change
DARSHINI YOGANATHAN
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Taking the social pledge with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, children were asked to take the lead in transforming society.
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“I’m the second Khan winning a World Cup for Pakistan, so I’m very proud,” said skipper Younis Khan.
Photo:R. Ragu
At the launch: Ini Oru Vidhi Seivom.
I will pursue a worthy ambition and work hard for it. I will teach at least five people who are illiterate how to read and write during my holidays.”
As the young voices repeating the verses of the social pledge after Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the conviction of the children was heartening and it was clear that the foundation for social change was being laid. Speaking at the event launch of “Ini Oru Vidhi Seivom”, a mentorship programme for children living on the fringe of society, Kalam spoke to the children, impressing upon them the crucial roles they would play towards creating a bright future for India.
An experience
A project that has been undertaken in collaboration with NalandaWay, UNICEF, and the Department of Social Defence, Government of Tamil Nadu, “Ini Oru Vidhi Seivom” is a groundbreaking programme under which children from several observation homes, special homes, and children’s homes from across the state will be mentored by art practitioners who will combine aesthetic lessons with character-building elements. “We plan to rehabilitate them using art, through which they will be able to express themselves,” says Sriram V. Ayer, CEO of NalandaWay.
This is a concept which NalandaWay has successfully put into practice for many years now.
“I never dreamt of coming to a stage before this. I could barely speak in public, now I am so much more confident,” says G.Vinodhini, 16, whose effective emceeing of the event stands testament to her progress.
“They taught us about the outside world, how to behave, even how to make friends,” says S. Balaji, 15, sharing his experience of how the creative involvement under NalandaWay’s programmes went far beyond the arts alone.
This concurs with the noble ambitions of the organisation in using art as a platform for creating positive change in the lives of these children.
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