Lead kindly light

“This Diwali is more special for me. Earlier,it used to be boring. Every year,we used to perform a pooja at home,burst a few crackers,eat sweets and sleep. But this Diwali,I have learnt so many things along with my friends. I am going to decorate my house with decorative items I have made. Unlike last year,we will present a dance performance here,” says 10-year-old Vishakha.

These children are residents of Bapu Dham,a slum located in otherwise upmarket Chanakyapuri. Six months ago,they became a part of ‘Rhythm of Life’,an organisation that helped these children search and polish their creative self. The organisation was started by a group of four college students in 2010,with the sole purpose of teaching music to children who cannot afford to take lessons. “We came here with the purpose of teaching them music. Initially,we focussed only on music lessons,but as we started interacting more,the kids told us that they like to draw and paint. So,we later appointed a tutor for students who wished to learn dance. That was how they were introduced to a new learning experience,” says Shrey,president of the organisation. “We are basically trying to develop skills that will help them in the future.”

The organisation provides children with basic raw material that they can play and experiment with. It gives them an opportunity to do what they have never done before,but always wished for. “We have never done these things in school. Now,I learn here and teach my friends in school. I also sang a song in my school,something that I learnt here,and won an award,” said Jatin,a Class VI student.

Rhythm of Life,comprising 42 “college student” volunteers,comes together twice a week with new ideas to engage 50 to 60 slum children in constructive activities. Diyas,paper bags,stoles and other decorative items made by these kids are displayed and sold at the Diwali mela at Jesus and Mary College. “It is a very satisfying feeling. Most of these children are not very good at studies,but excel at painting. This Diwali,they made postcards and sent them to all the volunteers. The process of going to the post office,buying and pasting stamps,and then putting the postcards in the mailbox was a new experience for many children,” said Ravi,a volunteer.

Making the makeshift class interesting for these children is the informal and friendly setting in which they are taught. Though some of the parents were initially reluctant to let their children attend weekly classes,they have now come around to the idea. “My son waits for the weekend to come because he enjoys every moment in this class. He has decorated the house with decorative pieces that he learned to make. If feels good to know that he is learning something,instead of simply loitering around,” says Asha,a parent.

The classes have not only taught these children to paint and draw,but also boosted their confidence levels. “Earlier,I could not understand English. But now,when I hear the didis speak in the language,I know what they are saying. Now,I speak to my classmates in English,” says Riya with a smile.

The organisation works independently,without any funds from corporate bodies. “We pool in our pocket money to buy articles needed to teach the children. We also set up a stall at Jesus and Mary College’s Diwali Mela,where work done by the children received a good response. With the money we got,we bought more raw material. We are currently working on making an appearance at another mela in GK-2 and Delhi School of Economics. We are going to use some of the money to recruit another crafts teacher,” said Devika,a student at Jamia University who works as treasurer of the organisation.

Curated For You

Dhurandhar Box Office Collection Day 20 Update: Ranveer Singh film earns Rs 960 cr worldwide, sells record 339K tickets

Stranger Things Season 5 Vol 2 Review and Release Live Updates: India release date and time, when and where to watch on OTT

Before 2025 yes was the 2010 no: Supreme Court had rejected 100-metre definition of Aravallis