THE DILSHAD GARDEN GROUP AT THE 'Beti Shakti Abhiyan Mela'

As a change from our weekly routine where we conduct art classes with children at Dilshad Garden, we found ourselves at the Trilokpuri neighbourhood where FICA, in association with the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) put up a lively stall at the 'Beti Shakti Abhiyan Mela' on January 28, 2018. Geared towards increasing general awareness about the current conditions and potential redressal of the circumstances facing the female child, the fair- a congregation of various NGOs and NPOs across the city- acted as a large platform for engaging different communities in ongoing conversations about the same.

We also got a chance to carry our mobile library unit to the venue where it was fun to watch the children literally pour over the books! Designed by artist Susanta Mandal, the structure acted as a makeshift library for the day, allowing the children to browse through the Hindi, English and bilingual books, booklets, posters, postcards and storyboards on display. Art sessions on drawing and puppet-making were also organised with the children, who were mentored through the day by art educator Nilanjana Nandy, accompanied by Ajit Kumar and Ajanta Das, scholars from the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU, New Delhi.