Visitors at the Delhi Book Fair were today treated to short plays by children aimed at spreading awareness on skill development and gender equality.
The programme titled "Kaushal Ke Roop Anek", organised by Bachpan Society for Children's Literature and Culture, in association with Federation of Indian Publishers shed light on various aspects of skill development and the importance of gender equality in the society and was especially designed for children.
While one of the plays "Meena ki Kushalta" was about a woman supporting her family financially another "Big Boss Ki Rashoi" dealt with a boy's journey in becoming a chef. These plays are on leadership and aim to inculcate human values like brotherhood, tolerance, equality of gender and dignity of labour.
The skits were followed by a quiz for the young audience.
"We have diverse occupations in our country like tailors, chef, doctors, pilots etc and every child has the right to follow the career of his or her choice. Our society over the years has been able to break down the professional stereotypes like mostly chef in hotels are males," says Shashi Jain, Vice President of Bachpan Society for Children's Literature and Culture.
The Bachpan Society for Children's Literature and Culture was established in 2003 and works with other such NGOs undertaking various activities like publishing and distributing quality literature for children, organising storytelling and theatre sessions.
The Delhi Children's Society also invited other NGOs like Pratham, Jaishankar Memorial, Gyandeep to put up small skits.
"Our society needs to change the mindset then only the main goal of 'Beti Bachao Aur Beti Padhao Yojana' will be accomplished," says Meenakshi Rathore, senior project advisor of Beti Bachao Aur Beti Padhao.
The young audience was also asked a series of questions on gender stereotypes they faced in their surroundings and their ambitions in life.
"Many parents think a boy can take forward his generation, earn more and take care of them while a girl, after marriage has to move to another family," said 11-year-old Aneesha Puri, who was present at the event.
