by pallavi
The Narmada Jeevanshalas (Schools of
Life) celebrated its 16th annual Balmela (Children’s fair), from 12th February
to 15thFebruary at a resettlement site of the Project Affected Families (PAFs)
of the Narmada - Sardar Sarovar Dam. It was inaugurated by
the former Sports and Youth Minister, Mr. Padamakar Valvi, in the presence of
the renowned social activist Ms. Medha Patkar, NNNA trustee Mr. Shyam Patil and
other social activists, academicians and elected representatives. Many of them
stayed for the whole programme which lasted for four days and encouraged the
kids in the various activities.
The resettlement site is situated in
Gopalpur village of tehsil Taloda, District Nandurbar, Maharashtra.
Jeevanshalas are the tribal schools run by Narmada Navnirman Abhiyan (NNNA).
For the past 20 years, they have been working in the Narmada valley with an
objective to impart education and life-skills to tribal children of Maharashtra
and Madhya Pradesh, who are affected by the dam and are living in the most
interior, hilly areas, neglected by the State, since ‘independence’.
Around six hundred tribal children and
students (studying at primary level) from nine Jeevanshalas participated in the
Balmela. There were various competitions such as running, long and high jump,
archery, essay writing and elocution. Each school had a team comprising of boys
and girls who played two major indigenous games - Kho-Kho and Kabaddi. Each of
the teams was known by their village’s name like Manibeli, Danel, Thuvani,
Trishul,Savriya Digar, Bhabari, Bhitada, Kharya Bhadal and Jeevan Nagar
resettlement site. The Balmela also had various stalls which held exhibitions
on alternative source of producing energy such as solar lamps, clay pots and
toys prepared by children of the Jeevanshalas, beautiful hand-made drawings,
various scientific games for children, photo exhibition, Narmada literature,
etc.
Each school had their own music band
which played music as the events were going on. There was a competitive sense
among the small children of different music bands of different schools as they
raised the drum beat to the loudest. The Balmela started early morning and went
on till late night with short breaks for meals. The outdoor games stopped at
sunset. Every school was given a house by the host village and they were served
Khichdi & Daal Chawal for supper. After finishing the food, the plates were
washed by students themselves in order to train them for self-reliance. After
this, students rehearsed for the performance to be given at night. Various
cultural programs like dancing, singing, drama et al continued throughout the
night.
This grand celebration was a result of
the efforts of NNNA activists, with the help of Narmada Bachao Andolan
activists, including Latika, Yogini, Chetan, Orsing, Siyaram, Bhagirath and the
teachers of all the Jeevanshalas. Twenty young volunteers from a local college-
Taloda Senior College, also helped in organizing the event with the
encouragement of their Professor Mr. Jaypalsingh N. Shinde. Gandhi Smriti and
Darshan Samiti, who strongly believe and support the idea of Jeevanshalas after
witnessing the talents and quest for learning in the students of Jeevanshalas
on various occasions, provided financial support in organizing the children’s
fair.
A team of children from the Nayi
Taleem-Anand Niketan Vidyalaya, Sewagram, Wardha made the Balmela even more
colourful. All these children participated and performed in various activities
with the Jeevanshala children. Rope-malkham by students of Nayi Taleem was one
of the most appreciated events.
The cultural programs that lasted till midnight
included drama, dance and singing competitions. The skits on tribal struggle
against the British Empire under the leadership of their heroes like Khajya
Naik, Bhima Naik, Tantya Bhil for land brought shivers and tears in the eyes of
the audience. The large gathering of adivasis applauded the skills, concepts
and talent of the children and teachers who wrote, directed and acted in it.
The prizes were distributed on the 15th
and brought in great enthusiasm amongst hundreds of children who won various competitions.
Every participant received a certificate also.
When the issue of increase in height of
Sardar Sarovar Dam is proceeding as a threat to the life of almost 2.5 lakh
people of the three states of Narmada valley, the Balmela was an event that
inspired the villagers, activists and children to keep up their spirits and
struggle high. The four Jeevanshalas that drowned due to the unlawful
submergence and were shifted to upper level in the mountain range have been
functioning well. The children in Jeevanshalas are not only taught under the
government approved curriculum but also engaged in agriculture, forest surveys
etc.
They are made aware of the rights of tribals
to land, water, forest, development, environmental sustainability and
biodiversity and are encouraged to participate in movement programmes. They are
indulged in various creative activities such as house construction and
cleaning. Self-reliance, personality development and widening children’s perspective
are their motto. Education in Jeevanshalas is primarily imparted through
adivasi language, along with regional language Marathi and Hindi. NNNA published
books in adivasi dialects and also in Devnagari script.
The Jeevanshalas need more volunteers to
be part of this initiative and welcome whoever wants to come and spend time
with the children. It would be great encouragement for the students and a
lifetime experience for anyone who visits the Jeevanshala set on the banks of
Narmada. To support the initiate, you can write to the organizers at jeevanshala.20@gmail.com
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