THE AHMEDABAD municipal school students in the age group of six to 12 years, children of some of the poorest families living in slums, are busy these days preparing to showcase their talent at the seven-day Kankaria Carnival from December 25.
Aptly calling it “jewels of the soil”, for the first time, instead of inviting professionals on the inaugural of the annual seven-day Kankaria Carnival scheduled to start on December 25, nearly 400 municipal school students will perform various acts involving a wide talent from rythmic yoga, lilliput dance, percussion, western and folk songs and dances, including garba, Rajasthani, Punjabi as well as solo dance performances. The dance performances are to be on live music and songs sung by students themselves.
Implementing what CM Anandiben Patel conceptualised during the launch of smart learning project of AMC School Board in July, this year after she spotted a six- year-old boy playing dhol like a pro during the inaugural function, municipal school students have replaced professional performers from across the country to perform for the first time at the inaugural function of the eighth edition of the annual Kankaria Carnival.
The CM had announced a project where talent among students to be identified who would be then trained by professionals. Similar attempts were made through painting and kavi sammelan competitions where entries from students were invited and on the basis of which the shortlisted were trained by experts at state-level camps.
“The entire two-hour programme of the carnival inaugural would be performed by municipal school students only. No professional group would participate in it. The students are undergoing a rigorous training by a professional event group. For the first time in all these years, we are taking such a chance to prove that there is a talent pool among municipal school students as well, we just need to identify and hone that,” said deputy municipal commissioner (publicity) Devang Desai.
The drive to identify talent among municipal students started in August. This resulted in selection of nearly 400 students.
“A team of teachers and professional choreographers was roped in for the selection of students. For most of them, this would be the first stage performance. They are little nervous but at the same time excited about the event,” said school board administrative officer L D Desai.
Ritu Sharma is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express' Gujarat bureau, an editorial position that reflects her experience and Authority in regional journalism. With over a decade of concentrated reporting experience, she is a highly Trustworthy and specialized journalist, especially noted for her Expertise in the education sector across Gujarat and previously Chandigarh.
Expertise
Primary Authority (Education): With over ten years of dedicated reporting on education in both Gujarat and Chandigarh, Ritu Sharma is a foremost authority on educational policy, institutional governance, and ground realities from "KG to PG." Her coverage includes:
Higher Education: In-depth scrutiny of top institutions like IIM-Ahmedabad (controversies over demolition/restoration of heritage architecture), IIT-Bombay (caste discrimination issues), and new initiatives like international branch campuses in GIFT City.
Schooling & Policy: Detailed coverage of government schemes (Gyan Sadhana School Voucher Scheme), the implementation and impact of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, teacher recruitment issues, and the impact of national policies like the NEP.
Student Welfare: Reporting on critical issues such as suicide allegations due to caste discrimination, and the challenges faced by students (e.g., non-delivery of NAMO tablets). ... Read More
