ChildFund India Event at Odissa Research Centre, Bhubaneshwar

After the
successful implementation of “Khilta Bachpan”, an innovative campaign that promotes
art education as a means to support children ‘Engage, Express, Empower’ in the
North, today, ChildFund India launched the campaign in the East with an event
organized at the Odissi Research Centre, Jaydev Vihar from 2:30 pm to 5pm.

The campaign
was launched by Prof. (Dr.) A.B. Ota, IAS (Director-cum-Special Secretary
SCSTRTI, Government of Odisha) who was the Chief Guest, and Guests of Honour
Mr. Gangadhar Sahoo, OAS (SAG) (Director, TE & SCERT Department of School
& Mass Education, Government of Odisha), Mr. Basudev Malabisoi (State
Project Coordinator, Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Govt.
Of Odisha), Mr. B. K. Mishra (Convener, Odisha CSR Forum) and Mr. Shantiraj
Khosla (Music Director & Music Composer).

The event
saw amazing performances by children, being supported by ChildFund, who were
trained by local artists. A group of children presented a song on their culture
and life in local tribal Desia language, using different musical instruments.

Another
group presented a short play stressing on the importance of Art & Culture.
A spellbinding performance of Odissi dance was staged by trained group of
children from Utkal Rangamancha, Odissi Research Centre.

Last but not the least, the grand finale of the event was a dance performance by various teams showcasing different tribal dance forms such as Ghumura, Santhali, Dhemsa, Mundari and Gedi. The highlight of the event was the “Walk of Fame”, where children displayed their creations depicting various tribal art and craft forms from all the corners of Odisha.

ChildFund
believes Art in any form – literature, dance, painting – gives children access
to unexplored vistas of their personalities and opens doors to untapped
opportunities. 

Considering
the need, it initiated this innovative campaign on ARTs – ‘Khilta Bachpan’
through which they are supporting children, aged 6-18 years, in underserved
communities across the country, get access to art education, in order to
promote cognitive, social and emotional learning, encourage creative expression
and inculcate in them appreciation for the richness and diversity of arts in
India, while giving them a platform and an opportunity to be able to express,
influence and showcase their creative aspirations.

Khilta
Bachpan campaign is being implemented in 60 government schools in Delhi. The
campaign is simultaneously being expanded to over 2000 schools across the
country, where ChildFund India is currently running its programs supporting the
Rights to Education.

This launch
is part of that expansion. Through this initiative, ChildFund hopes to reach
over 250,000 children and young people over 2 years across 15 states in India.

The event
was attended by more than 100 children, representatives from various corporate
organizations, government and non- governmental organizations as well as
individuals.