A child’s mind is like a fertile ground on which ideas can be grown. Indeed the children have the power to change the world, it is only a matter of sensitizing them of the social issues that the world has to deal with.

With this thought, Hindustan Zinc – a Vedanta Group Company in Zinc-Lead-Silver business organized “Khushi Creative Workshop” in association with UdaipurTimes.com for children of classes 6^th to 12^th.  On 23^rd November 2016, Udaipur was witness to 250 enthusiastic kids from 10 selected schools of Udaipur, viz. Delhi Public School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Seedling Modern Public School, Ryan International, The Study, Bohra Youth Public School, DAV Public School, St. Mary’s Convent, Vidya Bhawan and St. Matthews, exhibiting their thoughts on child care.

Carried out at 10 popular locations of Udaipur, viz. Delhi Gate, Saheliyon ki Badi, Sukhadiya Circle, Chetak Circle, Field Club (Nr Seva Mandir), Gulab Bagh, Panchwati, Fatehpura Circle and College of Science, along with Hindustan Zinc Office-Yashad Bhawan – 8 selected students from each of the schools painted on one of the 8 pre-identified child care themes – Child Marriage, Child Abuse, Child Beggary, Save the Girl Child, Child Trafficking, Child Labour, Child Malnutrition and Child Education.

Along with the painting competition, the schools displayed their enthusiasm for Khushi and actively conducted performances of band, skits and interesting street plays along with choir. Students played instruments like drums, harmonium, bagpipers, etc., dramatized various issues relating to child care and women empowerment, raised banners and placards and also sang touching songs.

Founder of project “Khushi”, and Head Corporate Communication – Hindustan Zinc, Pavan Kaushik informed that the schools have shown keen interest and in a span of about 5 days he met about 3000 students and the children were found keen to bring necessary change in the society.

“While the Government is taking forward Digital India, Make in India and Skill India, there is a dire need to initiate Human Resources of India. The country is passing through a transition period. We are growing at each front but we also have to see what future generation has in store for India. About 6 crore children in India are deprived of health, education and nutrition. India contributes to largest child deaths, largest malnourished children and largest street children in the world. The future generation that is expected to take the country forward need to be addressed today.” Pavan Kaushik said.

In this Khushi Creative Workshop, children aimed to reach out to about 75% of Udaipur population and convey sensitivity of children of Udaipur towards child related issues.

The event, which started at 9:30 today morning, ensured that morning commuters across the locations on which the event was held simultaneously, stopped and had a look at the efforts the children were putting in painting their thoughts on the above topics, and appreciated the enthusiasm with which they were playing music, theatre and singing, oblivious of the sunlight.

A designated jury took rounds across all 10 locations and motivated the children for the cause. The jury also made the children understand the concept and how they perceived and dealt with delicate issues painted on the canvas.  Interesting to note, the passers-by as well as visitors to the painting locations were in awe of the messages which the children were intending to convey through their paintings and live performances.

Volunteer college students along with members of UdaipurTimes managed each location to ensure that the children do not face any issues with transport, food or other facilities.

The winners will be later awarded at a ceremony at Hindustan Zinc office -Yashad Bhawan in Udaipur.

Pavan Kaushik also informed that “Hindustan Zinc has been working to provide nutrition, health and education to deprived children in Rajasthan through association with Anganwadis.  As part of promoting the cause of child care Hindustan Zinc launched project “Khushi” about 5 years back. The objective of “Khushi” is to bring together similar minds that can then drive the cause of child care. Project “Khushi” has over 200,000 followers across the world and everyone wants to help the deprived children.  There is no donation required and neither do we accept. We just want people to develop a sense of responsibility towards these children” said Pavan Kaushik.

Earlier, Khushi had organized workshops for the slum children on education, health and sanitation, nutrition and moral values.