BAL BHAVAN JAIPUR

BAL BHAVAN JAIPUR

Creative Resource Centre
Affiliated to National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi
508, Anjani Marg, Hanuman Nagar Ext., Sirsi Road, Jaipur-12
Telefax: 0141- 2359917 E-mail:balbhavanjaipur@gmail.com

Bal Bhavan Jaipur
An Introduction

On the 29th of April, 2002 Bal Bhavan Jaipur made a humble beginning with just 19 enrolled members. Today we are reaching out to more than 24,000 children as our direct members as well as through our network of member schools. Established and run by the Bal Bhavan Shiksha Samiti and affiliated to National Bal Bhavan New Delhi, Bal Bhavan Jaipur is the first and only one of its kind in the state of Rajasthan. Our membership is open to all children between the age group of 3 to 16 years, regardless of their educational and social background. Since our inception we have dedicated ourselves to the nurturing and expression of the creative talent of our children. Bal Bhavan Jaipur has special programmes for underprivileged children and those with physical and mental disabilities, aimed at integrating them with the mainstream.

At Bal Bhavan Jaipur we believe in the ability of a child to influence the society today rather than tomorrow. Thus, in an effort to make the children aware and responsible citizens of our country, all our activities are woven around relevant social and environmental issues which they can relate with. Through dance, music (vocal and instrumental), theatre, drawing/painting, clay modelling, waste management/craft, creative writing, public speaking, team sports and a myriad of other activities, Bal Bhavan aims to create an atmosphere where learning is participative and fun. Our year round calendar of activities includes periodic camps and special workshops, such as the “Jal Mahotsav”, “Science in Everyday Life”, “The Truth Behind Miracles”, “Ullaas-Theatre Workshop”, “Bapu Ki God Mein Teen Din” (Three day camp based on Gandhian Values), “Trotz Allem” (Day Camp for physically and mentally challenged children) and the “Annual Environment Camp” (Winter residential). In theatre the children have expressed themselves wonderfully in campaigns such as “Yam Naam Satya Hai” (Anti-Tobacco Campaign), “Apne Andar Ke Ravan Ko Jalao” (Say No To Crackers), “Jal Hee Jeevan Hai” (Water Conservation) and “Netradaan Mahadaan” (Eye Donation Campaign). These plays include stage presentations as well as street plays and have been performed within and outside Jaipur.

Bal Bhavan Jaipur is a regular participant at the International Children’s Assembly held every year at National Bal Bhavan New Delhi. Our children also attend the “Young Environmentalist Camp” which is a national level camp organized by National Bal Bhavan. The highlight of the calendar year is the three tier selection process for the prestigious national Bal Shree Honour in which our children have been participating for the last five years. It is a matter of great pride for us that two of our children have received the National Bal Shree Honour 2007, conferred by Her Excellency the President of India, for Creative Scientific Innovation and Creative Performing Arts. Our children have also participated in the International Cultural Exchange Programme in Kazakhstan.

Sankalp

Bal Bhavan Jaipur has taken up a special programme “Sankalp” to reach out to children living in slums and squatter settlements. Our aim is not only to provide them all the facilities extended to our regular members but also to integrate them with mainstream education. During 2007-2008 we have been able to groom 13 children from a nearby “Nat Basti” to take up regular school and another 130 are expected to be ready by July 2008. This has been made possible by the efforts of well meaning citizens who sponsor one child’s education for a year. Although the initial number is small but the programme has generated great enthusiasm among other children of the Basti to follow suit. Bal Bhavan Jaipur arranges not just for their school fees but the sponsorship also covers their books, uniform, stationary and other miscellaneous needs. Our resource persons help them out with their homework and are dedicated to the children’s academic as well as overall progress. So far all the activities of Bal Bhavan Jaipur have been possible through the efforts of like minded individuals. In our effort we have been able to involve the Rajasthan Forest Department, Ground Water Department of Rajasthan, Indian Army, UNICEF, Mountaineering and Adventure Institute of Rajasthan, Rajasthan Science Society, B.M. Birla Planetarium and the West Zone Cultural Centre. All contributions to Bal Bhavan Shiksha Samiti are exempted under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Methodology

1.Equal platform to children from different sections of society.

2.Freedom of expression, exploration and experimentation to all our children.

3.Non Formal Education through a hidden and structured syllabus.

4.All activities are culture specific and environment friendly.

5.The activities are theme based and woven around social and environmental issues.

6.Hands on approach and participative learning.

7.Nurturing atmosphere and cordial child-facilitator relationship.

8.Cooperating with like minded persons and social organizations to achieve our aim &
objectives.


OUR TEAM
Mr. R.S. Kumat (Retd. IAS)

Mr. Anil Vaish, Advisor (Retd. IAS)
Mrs. Charan Jeet Dhillon, Director
Mrs. P. N. Kavoori
Dr. Rambabu Pareek
Mrs. Vijya Khanna
Mr. Beni Prasad
Dr. M. S. Sidhu
Col. (Retd.) V. S. Yadav
Dr. Susheel Nandal
Dr. Madhu Bhatt Tailang
Director, National Bal Bhavan
Mr. Yogesh Gautam
Director, Primary and Secondary Education Department Govt. of Rajasthan, Invited Member
Director, Women and Child Development Department Govt. of Rajasthan, Invited Member