14 March 2019 was when a group of teenagers, yet to complete school, go together and brain stormed – what if we create a group for sharing ideas, what if we come together and help society in our own little way, what if we create an ecosystem of learning and sharing for young people like us…. This discussion and a bit of mentoring, led to what we now have as The Dublin Project.

Students from Udaipur – Manas Godha, Nasser Chakkiwala, Ananya Chawat and Dia Chordiya met, discussed and created The Dublin Project. The event took place on 14 March at the Vidhyabhawan Auditorium.

Manas, the key thought master behind this project, in his conversation with UT, said that the aim of The Dublin Project was “to conduct events that are fun and useful at the same time, for the participants as well as the audience.  The idea is to create a positive environment of learning and sharing for amateurs to participate and speak out loud their ideas, thoughts, interests, and questions and in the process, define their unique selves.”

He further said that under The Dublin Project, the members of the group will conduct workshops, competitions, festivals, seminars and discussion forums in the art, literature, technology and science domain among others.  These events will be conducted by students, for students and of students.  Professionals and experts from different domains will be requested to participate and help the amateurs learn more and in a structured way, rather than rote reading.  Incidentally, one of the co-founders of The Dublin Project, Nasser Chakkiwala, pursues painting as a hobby very passionately.  His work was acclaimed at a recently concluded International Painting exhibition in Mumbai.

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The first such gathering, which happened on 14 March, saw participation by 13 students – a small group, since examinations were still being conducted across other schools and grades.  Manas is positive that participation will grow exponentially as students are always on the lookout for such opportunities where fun and learning can co-exist.  The participants, he says will always go back with value addition and clarity.

Manas reiterated that the participation will be free of cost and they look at donations and sponsorships to take their initiative forward.  The core group will meet once every two weeks to discuss their status and plan for events.