Providing a platform for students to shine

Karthik Ropaka, Former-City Director, Teach For India in conversation with the Young Hans about the Teaching Tree Carnival an art exhibition that parades talent from the lower strata

Teach for India, a non government organisation, along with The Teaching Tree, a mind space initiative that aims to end education inequality, is organising a one day art exhibition of students from 49 low income and state owned schools at Mindspace’s Central Recreation Garden - CRG on January 20th.

This event is open-to-public and will showcase handmade artworks of students, reaching out to a captive audience of over 60,000 people working at the Mindspace. The carnival has interactive stalls explaining the work of various projects undertaken by students who have been enthusiastically creative and consistent about art and craft.

“The main aim of the initiative is to provide platform to the students to exhibit their creativity and garner support from corporates who can support their talent and passion”, said Karthik Ropaka, ex-City Director Teach for India

The Teaching Tree Carnival will play host to various stalls, showcasing handmade trinkets including bangles, earrings, bracelets and more. Origami products such as flower sticks, star hangings, snowflakes and many others made by students will be on display.

A stall under the name of NutriKare will sell homemade chocolates made by these students. There will be stalls with decorative materials, stationary products and others as well.

“The art and crafts became an integral part of learning in the schools to equip them further to address challenges they face in their everyday lives. For instance, a fellow (teacher) Praveen observed the inconvenience of students to carry their books and found the need in creating bags from the unused material.

He picked the old T-shirts to teach the students to make bags. Students have mastered the art to create these handmade bags, and will sell these bags in one of the stalls at the Carnival”, adds Karthik.

A live arts workshop stall will have students create artwork, prepare bookmarks, learn the art of origami and craft wax products. The workshop will be open to attendees/employees, who will be involved in the process and in creating the final product.

Interactive stalls comprises of Need for Speed Challenge, LanTurn Project, 3 characters and a story where students will engage with the K Raheja Corp’s Mindspace employees. In the ‘Genesis challenge’ a form of material will be given to the participant, using this they need to create something unique in a stipulated time.

Apart from stalls, workshops and interactive sessions, students will be performing to showcase their talents to larger group of audience in the form of dance, drama and others. This is a great opportunity given by the Teaching Tree Initiative for Teach for India to encourage the students to participate and to reach out to greater number of Mindspace employees.

Talking about the initiative, Vishwas Dhumal, CSR Head, K Raheja Corp – “The carnival is intended to give the students a fun time, while allowing them a chance to showcase their skills, bolster their confidence, and feel appreciated.

The employees of Mindspace have displayed their generosity in the past, when we hosted a Book Donation drive, an outcome of which has led to the successful setting up of 6 libraries in schools. We are confident of them coming forward and showcasing their benevolence this time too.

We are sure anyone who comes to this carnival will take a piece of the students’ art and heart back with them."