Bhagidari In Action: Text Books for Delhi Children —Ritinjali felicitated the authors of State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) textbooks on their remarkable achievement on 9 th July 2004 at the India Habitat Centre. Ms Sheila Dikshit, Hon. Chief Minister of Delhi , was the Chief Guest for the evening. Mr. Arvinder Singh Lovely, Honourable Minister of Education, Government of Delhi, also graced the occasion.
SCERT has produced a landmark series of 50 textbooks called “Indradhanush” for the children of Delhi Government Schools. The production of books also saw coming together of people from diverse backgrounds – government and private school teachers, university professors and lecturers, journalists, advocates and school children themselves.

The books are interactive, stimulating and have brought in practical aspect by including examples and activities from the daily lives of students. The books were brought out in a record time of 8 months. The series published is in Hindi and the English, Urdu, Punjabi and Braille versions are awaited.

The event was also attended by Mr. Rajendra Kumar, Director, Education (Govt. of Delhi), Dr. Janaki Rajan, Director, SCERT (Govt. of Delhi) and 120 authors. All the authors and guests were presented a pen, embossed with Ritinjali logo and a citation.

The evening began with the showing of Ritinjali film and a welcome address by Mr. Arun Kapur. Prof. Krishna Kumar shared with the group the story behind the making of the books. Following him, Mr. Rajendra Kumar, Director, Education felicitated the authors. Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Arvinder Singh Lovely shared his thoughts on how well designed the books were and how they would help the children of Delhi in their pursuit of knowledge. Hon. Chief Minister, Mrs. Sheila Dikshit spoke next and congratulated the authors on their remarkable achievement.

The first pen was presented to Ms. Dikshit by Maj. General B. Kale, Member, Ritinjali and to Mr. Arvinder Singh Lovely, the next. The Chief Minister presented the pens and citations to the Chairpersons of each group of the sixteen responsible for bringing out the textbooks. Dr. Janaki Rajan was the last to receive the pen and citation as the entire initiative took place under her leadership. She also spoke to the gathering and shared her experience on the making of the textbooks. Mr. M. L. Vijay, Secretary, SCERT, gave the vote of thanks on behalf of SCERT. Mrs. Dipika Nanjappa, Secretary, Ritinjali, gave the vote of thanks on behalf of Ritinjali and its members. She also presented the Chief Minister with a Ganesha statue and products made by Tihar and Nari Niketan inmates (as part of the ongoing Ritinjali projects at the Tihar and Nari Niketan).

The guests were invited for Tea subsequently. It was evident that the function was very well received by the message the Chief Minister wrote in the Visitors' Book, “Thanks for the memorable function”. It was rewarding to note that the work Ritinjali did, not just in the area of education, but also in other fields was appreciated. In the words of Mr. Lovely, Minister of Education, Govt. of Delhi, “Ritinjali is doing a good job not only in the field of Education but Society as a whole”.