It seems youngsters have taken up the onus of changing society. Students from various schools and colleges in the city teamed up for CRY’s (Child Rights and You) annual street theatre festival “Bol Jamoore” recently. Performing street plays with a message at public places like Dilli Haat and India Gate in the three-day festival, the students hope to influence a change in the mindset of the masses.
Vartika Rawat, a final year student of Daulat Ram College, who performed the play Mehfoos with her troupe at Dilli Haat, says that such initiatives are very important to bring a positive change in the society. “Our play focuses on the issue of sexual abuse of children. It talks about the need to protect a kid’s childhood. In our play, we have tried to incorporate many things like the effects of sexual abuse on a child, how can he/she be protected apart from other things,” she says.
Another theatre group, Mahak, that comprises of students from various schools and colleges across Delhi, performed a play that puts across the message of Right to Education. “In spite of many awareness campaigns by the government, schools across the nation take uneducated and poor parents for a ride during the admission season. Our play is an attempt to spread the message of right to education for all, even the poor kids,” says Raju Verma, the director of the play.
Rohit Gupta, a Class 11 student and a member of Mahak, says that after the performance, many from the audience came up to them and asked questions pertaining to the topic.
“The participation of youngsters in such initiatives helps in many ways. It not only influences our peers present in the audience but also brings about a major change in our personality,” says Rohit, who thinks he has become more responsible towards society after becoming a part of the NGO.
“Theatre is a strong medium to express anger, disgust and desire. When privileged children from well-known schools and colleges come forward to spread the message through the medium of theatre for their underprivileged counterparts, it not only creates awareness but also exposes them to the reality and complexity of the issues. And they understand that wherever they go they should do their bit,” says Soha Moitra, regional director-north, CRY.