A one-day workshop was organized at the Ritinjali office for its teachers. The workshop was conducted by Ms Nandita Narain, of PETA, on “Compassionate Citizen” programme. The aim of the workshop was to spread awareness of non-violence against animals. The main premise being that children who were cruel to animals in their childhood, grew up to be adults with a violent streak. It was designed to train the teachers on conducting the programme with the kids.
The participants were encouraged to come up with questions. Basically the aim was to make the activity more interactive. All the partakers participated enthusiastically.
The workshop started with a film on animals with popular actors from the Indian Cinema. It familiarized the audience with various attributes of animals and how they are gifted and special. At the same time, it drew upon the similarities between human beings and animals. The film also highlighted cruelty against animals.
After the telefilm an interactive session was held with the Ritinjali teachers. The trainer demonstrated various ways by which the teachers could help children internalize the prevalent issues.
All the teachers and other Ritinjali staff members enjoyed the session.
KHEL-KHEL MEIN – A PLAY BY THE CHILDREN OF KUSUMPUR PAHARI LEARNING CENTRE
Rehearsals of the past one-month finally proved fruitful when the students of Kusumpur Pahari Learning Centre emerged with a splendid performance of their play – “Khel-khel mein”.
The play was staged at Kusumpur Pahari on 18 th March, followed by a performance at Pallavan on 19 th March '05. The Electrical trainees of Ritinjali's Second Chance School did the stage set-up and lighting.
The play was conceptualized by the children of the Learning Centre and was directed by Mr. Praveen, a student of the first batch of Ritinjali's Second Chance School .
The play was a true reflection of the society they live in. It dealt with a very touchy subject of communalism and how it has begun to form roots amidst the society we live in. The story was hard-hitting and the portrayal sensitive. The anger in some instances was visible, while in some, controlled. But the children didn't miss the comical aspect of their day-to-day lives and had the audience in splits on many occasions. The play ended on a happy note and had all the characters wipe out their differences and come together. It was heartening to see the society our children wish to create and live in - full of harmony and love. Only if the adults could learn a thing or two from these children!
The play was very well received at both the venues. The children received a standing ovation from the audience. After the play, at Pallavan, a token of appreciation was distributed to the children. Dinner was also organized for the children, which they enjoyed immensely.
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