Kids learn craft, language, drama at Rajasthan Univ summer camp
The department of lifelong learning at University of Rajasthan (RU) is running a month long summer camp for underprivileged kids on the university campus since May 15. Called ‘Samarthya’ and organised for the third consecutive year, the camp trains the kids in computer basics, English skills, arts and craft, photography, dance and even drama.
A five-hour daily schedule at the camp, from 7 am to 12 noon, begins with a yoga session. Different classes are taken by resource persons of the respective fields.
“Ma’am taught us that whenever there is a fight, both sides have their reasons. If I argue with my mother over permission to go somewhere, my mother is thinking about my safety while I am thinking about my freedom,” said Hani Mahawat, a Class 10 student of a government school in Jhalana who attending the camp.
Mahawat is referring to the ‘My Life My Decision’ class taken by counsellors who teach the students how to make informed life choices and also groom them how to conduct themselves. While modules such as this and photography run for few days, yoga and English and computer classes run throughout the month.
Sheila Rai, director of the department, said the objective of the camp was to give a platform for creative expression to students from underprivileged backgrounds who are usually bereft of such opportunities.
“The department of lifelong learning is like the CSR (corporate social responsibility) wing of the university. Through our activities we want to include those who have not been in the main sector of education,” said Rai, who teaches political science at the university.
She said the most of the kids at the camp were from the Jhalana Kachchi Basti and Jawahar Nagar Kachchi Basti. The other kids have not been barred from the camp, she said, but the priority while admitting was given to underprivileged kids.
Chetan Sharma, a Class 7 student at Mount Carmel Convent School who is attending the camp, said he loves the arts and craft class the most where he learnt making a purse with cloth.
The students are also given light meals at the end of the schedule each day.
The conclusion ceremony of the summer camp last year was attended by then higher education minister Kali Charan Saraf.
This year, the department has invited social justice and empowerment minister Arun Chaturvedi for the conclusion ceremony.