The students of Anant National University (AnantU), India’s first design universityare conducting a unique, interactive event called ‘Sapno Ka Manch’ for the children of the Signal Schools, a programme by Government of Gujarat, Gujarat State Legal Service Authority, Ahmedabad Municipal corporation and Municipal School Board that makes street kids ready for formal education after which they get transferred to nearby municipal schools. ‘Green Signal’, the initiative taken up by the students of AnantU, is one where Signal School kids are encouraged to dream and visualize these dreams into reality using different kinds of plays like puppet shows as medium.
The projectis planned over a period of six days in two batches (three days each) with 40 kids and four teachers each, at the end of which these kids will put up a table top puppet show for an audience. The audience will comprise of Anant National Universitystudents, faculties, signal school children, signal school teachers, Signal School supervisors, Govt. School children, and general public.
Other than through regular curriculum, the ‘Sapno ka Manch’ initiative aims to develop different cognitive abilities like teambuilding, interpersonal bonding, language and expressive articulation, concept building, reflection, and the process of questioning, for the Signal School Children.
The project is an outcome of a course taught in Interaction Design Dept. by Prof Prayas Abhinav and Prof. Vijay Sekhon, and Ms. Lopa Shah, a theatre artist, as an external expert.It is being undertaken by the students of AnantU with the goal to have dialogue with the city, learn the rules and processes of engagement and apply classroom theoretical learning in practice.
Speaking about the activity, Dr AnunayaChaubey – Provost, AnantU said, “Interaction Design in its true essence is building dialogue and dialogic sensibilities in students. In this fast-changing global scenario, students must be ready to have dialogue at multiple levels. This activity is an opportunity to build dialogue and a relationship with the city, its citizens and learn by applying knowledge”.
“Sapno ka Manch is also AnantU’s social contribution in building a more engaging and deeper learning process for Signal School Children. Eventually we hope this becomes a model program, which can be replicated in other cities across India”, he added.
AnantU is currently conducting the Green Signal initiative as aone-time event, but the university’s long-term tentative plan is to create a kit or a guidebook, whichwill enable Signal Schools to take this forward on their own, in the future.
