Mountain Children’s Foundation
Changing the way the world perceives and works with children
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Strengthening of baal panchayats Partner Organisation : Mandakini Ki Awaz Kalyan Sewa Samiti Supported by : Give2Asia Workshop Report Sept 26th, 2010 Mr. Manvendra Singh Negi (Secretary Mandakini Ki Awaj) told the participants that the elders in the village felt neglected and that they have lots of valuable experiences to share with the children but no one has time to listen to them. Children from different bal panchayats - Sarashwati Bal Panchayat Bhanaj, Bhootnath Bal Panchayat Akhodi, Lakshmi Bal panchayat Gherpunga, Adarsh Bal Panchayat Kansili shared their experiences with each other. There were a total of 47 participants. The children said that they had talked and interacted with their grand parents and their elders in villages. Lakhpat Kumar from Bal Panchayat Akhodi said that he had talked to his grand father and asked him how people lived when his grandfather was young. His grand father replied their life style was good. They used natural herbs as medicines. They used "gharat ka aata" (Whole wheat flour – ground in a water mill) and honey. Mr. Kundan Lal Pinglapani (a grand parent at the follow up workshop) told the children about the social system - he said that there was castism in the society but even then people used to help each other. But now no one asks about each other, let alone help each other. Mr. Govind Singh said things were not so costly in those days. People were mostly independent. They used to grow their food and make their clothes themselves. But now the villagers depend on the market totally -- for food we depend on the public distribution shop. People do not want to work in agriculture anymore. Clothes are bought from the stores too. Devendra of the Saraswati Bal Panchayat sang a garhwali song which spoke about how the elder people in village suffer. The participants were divided into 6 groups. They discussed two subjects. groups 1 to 3 discussed the problems being faced by the elders of the village, while groups 4 to 6 discussed the future programs for Bal Panchayat children and their elders. During the dialogue the expectations that the elders had from the children were that the children should help them. The elders wanted the children to bring cold water from the "dhara" (spring), they wanted the children to fetch their walking stick, get their glasses and to go to the market for them. They said the children do not obey them. To this the children said that their elders disturbed them when they had to study, when they wanted to play and when they had to go to school. Mr. Devi Lal Treasurer of Mandakini Ki Awaj said Children of the Bal Panchayats should document the record of the experience of the elders. He said the elders should also cooperate the children. Mr. Devendra Rawat said -“we are loosing our traditional knowledge because there is no coordination between the youngsters and elders.” When the older generation was asked about how they liked the program they all agreed that it was good and they would like the younger generation to listen to them more. Mr. Govind Singh Rawat Ex. Army man said it was very good effort. The children should have knowledge of the past . They should also know from their childhood what they would like to do in the future. “We want our children to move ahead in all walks of life." He said if anyone was interested in sports they should be assisted in reaching their goal. He felt that the field had opened up and was presenting opportunities for the children. Mr. Rajender Singh Negi President Mandakini Ki Awaj called on all present , he said “ We all should all take a pledge to respect our elders and help them in whatever way or manner we can”. He gave vote of thanks to the participants. |
The Mountain Children's Foundation,63-A Vyom Prasth, G.M.S Road,Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India |
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