Bachpan Manao with EkStep Foundation Focuses on Joyful Childhood

The Bachpan Manao mission, initiated by EkStep Foundation in collaboration with over 100 partners, emphasizes the importance of joyful learning for children. This was done through a special event at the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, aiming to help children thrive by tapping into their imagination and creativity.

At the vibrant International Kite Festival, children aged four to eight engaged in sustainable kite-making activities, allowing their imaginations to soar and promoting learning through hands-on experiences. The event, marking a new phase in the Bachpan Manao journey, was a celebration of childhood and the significance of play-based learning.

The event brought together key child advocates, educators, parents, and influencers to discuss why early childhood development is crucial not just for children, but for society as a whole.

The event was presided over by distinguished figures such as Shri Rajendra Kumar, Secretary Tourism, Government of Gujarat; Dr. Gayatri Menon, Principal Faculty at the National Institute of Design and Activity Vice-Chairperson; Amita Tandon, Education Specialist at UNICEF Gujarat Office; and Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy & Partnerships at EkStep Foundation. They explored the importance of play and joyful learning as the most effective ways for children to learn. Play, they emphasized, is not just games or toys but a key avenue through which children interact with their environment.

The National Education Policy 2020 has recommended play-based learning for children between the ages of 0-8, making this the perfect time to implement such initiatives. The lack of space for play, they noted, could prevent children from reaching their full potential.

While the event took place in Ahmedabad, celebrations extended to Mumbai and Bengaluru, where hundreds of families, teachers, and Anganwadi workers participated.

Shankar Maruwada, Co-Founder and CEO of EkStep Foundation, spoke about the Bachpan Manao mission, stating: "The intent was to create a joyful narrative for the foundational years of childhood. We are grateful to the 100+ organisations that are partnering with us in this journey."

Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy & Partnerships at EkStep Foundation, added, "Every year, 25 million children are born in India, and each deserves a solid foundation. Joyful learning ensures that every child can thrive to their fullest potential. Bachpan Manao is an invitation for every adult to celebrate the first 400 weeks of every child's life as a period of abundant and holistic growth."

The Bachpan Manao initiative started as a strategic collaboration between EkStep Foundation, Primalise (a research organization), Siriti (a creative agency), and many early childhood professionals. Over time, more than 100 organizations have joined the mission to scale its impact.

Reva Jhingan Malik, co-founder of Primalise and the research mind behind Bachpan Manao, said, "We aimed to explore the complex universe of early childhood and challenge societal perceptions. Our collaboration with EkStep and Siriti helped craft a narrative rooted in human and cultural insights."

Vainateya Gavai, co-founder of Siriti, reflected, "The rallying cry of 'Bachpan Manao' is a celebration of early childhood and our collective efforts have brought this initiative to the next level."