It was after a long
six weeks that our mutual schedules permitted me a lengthy conversation with
Amlan Sir. He was just back from a nearly month long pan USA tour for the
premier of The Revolutionary Optimist and was saying how he was all tied up
meeting the various family obligations...and our conversation inadvertently
turned towards the weakening family ties and erosion of family values.
This conversation perhaps couldn't have come at a better time, given that 15th May, the International Family Day was only two days afar.
And we thought, why not make this time the blog be about Prayasam's vision to strengthen the family ties and to bring up the entire community as a family?
So it was, that on 16th May I sat down with programme associates Sudipa, Anusua and Abhijit, albeit over the phone, to gain an insight about their activities in the various communities and also the response of the community members.
Their account definitely boosted my optimism at a time when family ties are said to be withering away and the society is apparently falling apart.
Across four communities in Kolkata, namely Najrulpalli, Udayanpalli, Mahishbathan and Rishi Aurobindo Colony, 15th May saw a host of events and activities that were aimed at not only bringing the family together, but also at fostering a sense of kinship and brotherhood among the entire community as a whole.
While in Udayanpalli, the members of Prayasam's Nirmaan group locked horns in a strongly contended football match with the local youth club, Najrulpalli had their tryst with the nuances of softer skills, be it a brilliant art exhibition by the children or a mesmerising dance programme. If a minutely detailed hand drawn community map invited a spirited game of treasure hunt to find one's own house or other known place on the map, a film show featuring the Saryajit Ray classic Apur Shongshar (Apu's Family) was a fitting finale to the day.
While Najrulpalli was scripting their panache of art on the paper, The families of Mahishbathan took it one step ahead to make a public display of their art by painting three walls in their community with their thoughts and visions about family and society, that included verses as well as drawings.
The residents of the sprawling Rishi Aurobindo Colony (RAC), on the other hand, woke up to quite a different sight. A massive 38 feet flex in their community greeted them. Only, instead of the usual sight of politicians or movie stars, it was familiar faces from the their own community that beamed down from the flex. This was the result of a survey undertaken by the youngsters of the community to chronicle the numerous dreams of the people, most of which have been left unfulfilled in an effort to support and feed the family. Thus, this flex was a testament to the sacrifices one makes for the family, and would be displayed in the 10 constituent blocks of RAC over the next one month.
All through the diverse events unfolding across the different communities, if there was anything common to them, it was the overwhelming response from the community. Be it a result of the highly spirited campaigning by the children or the still persisting feelings of togetherness among the people, 15th May witnessed people taking some time away from their daily charades to come out in great numbers to participate in and support these activities, which they believe will help foster a sense of closeness amongst the community.
Once again, it established the leading role of children as agents of change in their communities.
So, with that and the hope of a lot more to come from the innovative desks of Prayasam, I take your leave...cyonara
This conversation perhaps couldn't have come at a better time, given that 15th May, the International Family Day was only two days afar.
And we thought, why not make this time the blog be about Prayasam's vision to strengthen the family ties and to bring up the entire community as a family?
So it was, that on 16th May I sat down with programme associates Sudipa, Anusua and Abhijit, albeit over the phone, to gain an insight about their activities in the various communities and also the response of the community members.
Their account definitely boosted my optimism at a time when family ties are said to be withering away and the society is apparently falling apart.
Across four communities in Kolkata, namely Najrulpalli, Udayanpalli, Mahishbathan and Rishi Aurobindo Colony, 15th May saw a host of events and activities that were aimed at not only bringing the family together, but also at fostering a sense of kinship and brotherhood among the entire community as a whole.
While in Udayanpalli, the members of Prayasam's Nirmaan group locked horns in a strongly contended football match with the local youth club, Najrulpalli had their tryst with the nuances of softer skills, be it a brilliant art exhibition by the children or a mesmerising dance programme. If a minutely detailed hand drawn community map invited a spirited game of treasure hunt to find one's own house or other known place on the map, a film show featuring the Saryajit Ray classic Apur Shongshar (Apu's Family) was a fitting finale to the day.
While Najrulpalli was scripting their panache of art on the paper, The families of Mahishbathan took it one step ahead to make a public display of their art by painting three walls in their community with their thoughts and visions about family and society, that included verses as well as drawings.
The residents of the sprawling Rishi Aurobindo Colony (RAC), on the other hand, woke up to quite a different sight. A massive 38 feet flex in their community greeted them. Only, instead of the usual sight of politicians or movie stars, it was familiar faces from the their own community that beamed down from the flex. This was the result of a survey undertaken by the youngsters of the community to chronicle the numerous dreams of the people, most of which have been left unfulfilled in an effort to support and feed the family. Thus, this flex was a testament to the sacrifices one makes for the family, and would be displayed in the 10 constituent blocks of RAC over the next one month.
All through the diverse events unfolding across the different communities, if there was anything common to them, it was the overwhelming response from the community. Be it a result of the highly spirited campaigning by the children or the still persisting feelings of togetherness among the people, 15th May witnessed people taking some time away from their daily charades to come out in great numbers to participate in and support these activities, which they believe will help foster a sense of closeness amongst the community.
Once again, it established the leading role of children as agents of change in their communities.
So, with that and the hope of a lot more to come from the innovative desks of Prayasam, I take your leave...cyonara
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