The Story of Boom Mogara
After starting the workshop by sharing objectives and expectations and doing a few energizer games, we conducted an activity where workshop participants "shopped" for different social causes, discussing the relative values of social campaigns and how they related to the term "Active Citizenship." Next was a powerpoint about PJI itself, detailing all the programs, action projects, and events PJI hosts on a regular basis. The group then decided to give itself an identity, creating a dance and song:
Boom Mogara
Chima-Chima
Agaram Bagaram
Hu-too-too!
Over the rest of the day, we took part in intensive discussions about the identities we assign to ourselves and others, and how these affect the way we view society. Even after a long day, all the participants felt very positive about the experiences they'd had and the new friends they had already made, and were eager to continue on Sunday.
The next day, after a few more morning energizers, we got things going with another discussion, this time about the stereotypes we often apply to society. Each participant wrote down one stereotype, and then was put in the position of arguing against it, while other group members argued for it. The larger group discussions made for some very passionate conversations about stereotypes and what we can do to help break them down.
After a quick lunch, we went for an exposure visit at Taabar, a local NGO that works to help runaway youths in Jaipur by housing them, protecting them from exploitation, and seeking to repatriate them back to their home states. Participants from Cafe Mohalla came along for a combined visit this week. Taabar's Programme Director Rakesh Sharma gave a talk about the NGO's operations and goals. After that, we had a few hours to spend with the youths of Taabar--playing games, chatting, and learning about eachother. This was one of the most inspiring and enjoyable parts of the workshop, and all the participants were enthused to be there.
We concluded with a discussion about various action projects we could commit to getting started, such as helping out at an elderly home, or starting a campaign to collect books for needy children. Feedback from the workshop was very positive. Many participants shared that the Taabar visit was their favorite part, as it helped them learn about the reality of homeless children in an immediate way. Others enjoyed the games and group discussions. Nearly everyone requested that the workshop would last for more days, and wanted to continue their journeys with Pravah in the future.
What's Happening in AAINA TV
In other PJI news, the Community Video Unit's Aaina TV has been hard at work on their new film. It will focus on the personal journeys of the Community Producers themselves, and will be told through a spoof of the Vikram and Beitel story. Here's a preview clip of the upcoming film:
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