Walking towards the dream...

[Shahrukh Atpade]

Diwali or Deepawali is the festival of light. This festival is known as the symbol of victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. This festival is considered to be a festival of prosperity, happiness and gratitude. In this festival, the children of Vashi village decided to show their village dream in a different way. The children's exams were over and the children got a 10-day Diwali holiday. The children wanted to do something different in the village. They told us this story. After discussion, it was decided to make a fort. School vacation, afternoon time, bowls in hand,  plates and everyone went to the farm with caps on their heads.

Soil, small stones were collected and brought. Stones were started to be carved for Keelya. Boys and girls started working together. Initially there were differences but the goal was fixed. We used to visit. At some places we used to tell them the solution. Boys played all day, girls made Diwali sweets all day and everyone worked together in the evening. The day was fixed and as planned, on the last day of Diwali, the children enshrined the idol of Sainik and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the fort. The children showed the dream they had made for the village.

The children said that just like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he worked to build his dream village for the people of his village. He developed the village along with the Lodas of the village. People unitedly helped him for this work. Also, all of us children are telling the dream of Vashi village through this fort on some important topics in our village.

People started coming to see what the children had done. Children started presenting their dreams. Sarpanch, the village head, who could not make it, wished the children over the phone.

Through this activity, the children showed unity while building the fort and showed the dream of their village differently. At this time 20- 25 women, 15 -20 men, 25 -30 children were present.

[Marie Lamboray]

For those who, like me, do not know about the tradition of children building forts for the Diwali celebration : https://neevschools.org/earlyyears/pdf/we_built_a_fort.pdf

Thank you Shahrukh!

[M.L. Prabakar]

Who said our children do not want or understand our culture and traditional believes in this modern times. Heere is the proof. The great strength these elders and parents had is that they were ready to listen to their children and look.at this treasure. In a symbolic way these children are saying " Yes we are on the job of building our community, our village grounded on our foundation (our culture our traditions). Amazing gesture. My sincere appreciation to the facilitators who created this wonderful platform and the elders and parents who trusted their children. My sincere appreciations and thanks to the children for showcasing this innovative dream. All the best real heros.

[Sadia Jafrin]

Children always know the best.

[Farjana Yeasmin]

Very inspiring! 

[Rituu B. Nanda]

I admire how local culture and materials were used by children to show case their dreams. Well facilitated Shahrukh and Imran!