Art Start

The objective of initiating and encouraging children to appreciate the finer things in life early,has led Harsimar Singh to launch Child and Youth Friendly Chandigarh. “The aim of the organisation is to involve school children in not only creating art,but also getting them to appreciate its various aspects. We want to organise activities that will raise awareness among the youth,” says Singh. On August 16,he took 20 children from SOS village in Rajpura on a tour of Rock Garden,where its creator Nek Chand spoke to them about recycling and the importance of re-using unconventional material in a creative manner.

“Our major areas of concern include environment,assimilation of youth from all strata of society and social issues such as awareness against drug use,alcohol abuse and so on,” says Singh,who hopes to design,organise and implement programmes that inspire and empower the youth. “We want to help them become successful and positive and be actively involved in community work. They should be responsible,caring and contributing citizens,” adds the founder.