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ANJALI- An Inclusive Education Project
Project Anjali is a small but significant
step towards the attainment of an inclusive
society through interactive and joyful
learning. The focus of ANJALI is on ‘Joyful
Learning in an Inclusive Atmosphere.’ and to
‘bridge gaps’- especially between the rural
and urban children, disabled and the
non-disabled children, poor and rich
children, etc.
A cherished festival of creative and
performing arts for young audiences, ANJALI
has been educating, entertaining and
inspiring young children since 2001 in the
city of Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
Thrust Areas:
• Joyful learning
• Classes outside the four walls.
• No blackboards.
• Inclusive and interactive learning
• Bridging gaps : Disabled-Non disabled;
Rural-Urban and Cross Disability.
• Identifying talented physically, mentally
and sensory challenged children, in a
non-competitive atmosphere, for professional
training in the field of their choice.
Project Anjali aims at the holistic
development of artistic skills, be it in the
field of music, dance, drama or art and
hence we are conducting twelve workshops,
that are interactive and inclusive with
mainstream children – Dance, Music, Theatre,
Puppetry, Fine Art, Craft, Pottery and
Terracotta, Sand Art, Magic, Modern Dance,
Nature and Wild Life and Photography and
Film Making Workshop. Resource persons
excelling in these fields come down to train
and interact with the aspirants.
Components Of Anjali
Anjali Camp: For five magical days in
November every year, young participants are
engaged and entertained by resource persons,
celebrity visitors and hands-on arts
activities devised to delight, challenge and
spark imagination. Since its inception in
2001, more than 5000 visitors have attended
the Festival. The primary participants are
children, teachers, families with children
ages 8-18 (generally 14, but in case of the
mentally challenged children it is extended
to 18) and school groups from class V-X.
Adults who came to the Festival as
participants are now volunteers, creating a
wonderful continuum and legacy.
Anjali Awards:
Every year Anjali Awards are given in
recognition of First timers, social
entrepreneurs and government servants, who
have set the path for others to follow. The
awards identify people who have discovered
doors where others had seen walls, in the
context of children, specifically the
physically and socially challenged. Who have
set out to have a second look at what is
available and explore different ways of
making things better.
Anjali Scholarships:
A significant section of young physically
and socially challenged children who excel
in academics, or creative and performing
arts, have no means to pursue their chosen
careers. It was, therefore, necessary to
launch a scheme to enable competent
students, who may otherwise be economically
weak, to receive higher education or
professional training and thus pursue their
dream careers and become economically
independent.
Anjali National Children's Festival 2004 and
2005- ANJALI was transformed into a National
Level Children Festival in 2004. From 77 in
2001 the participation soared to 1500 in the
year 2004 (9 States of India) and 1600 in
2005 with participation from 7 States and
all the districts of Orissa.
Anjali’s Positive Impact
• Mainstream School – Opening up doors to
disabled children – increased sensitivity
• Civil Society – Coming forward to sponsor
events, workshops and scholarships – social
inclusion in the rise
• Valedictory Day – Not a gathering of the
disabled but a ‘Children’s Event’ in the
city.
• Increased Participation – From different
states of India. Number increased from 77 in
2001 to over 1600 in 2005.
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