Book on children’s interpretation of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks
distributed to educators.
“To gain peace, we need to spread it. When we pour water on the floor, it spreads as much as it can, in the same way we should spread peace and harmony,” said Apoorva Thakoor, class V pupil of Sulochanadevi Singhania School.
This is one of the quotes from the book I Had a Dream, which is compiled by students describing issues of peace and non-violence and their thoughts on the same.
In the wake of the terror attacks, young children were going through a myriad of emotions. Some were disturbed, some scared, others were vengeful. Celebrating Human(e)ity, an event supported by the Mumbai University took place January 10. Perin Bagli, secretary of ICSE schools in Maharashtra, arranged for venues at seven schools which functioned as nodal centres in their respective areas across Mumbai.
Students were initiated into thinking about various dimensions of peace and non-violence. “They were then left free to write poems, short scripts, short stories or paint sketches. Some of their works were collected for a book entitled I Have a Dream which was released by the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr,” said Coomi Vevaina, department of English, Mumbai University.
The book distribution ceremony was held recently at the Fort campus of the varsity. Pro vice-chancellor AD Sawant was present at the event. “We tend to forget things very fast. We make claims about ‘unity in diversity’ but it needs to happen in reality. Still there are questions that are unanswered. Initiatives like these should get stronger. Every line drawn in the book and every word written can touch many more lives,” said Sawant.
Later the book was distributed to the special invites which included Edul Behram, director and consultant to ICSE and IB schools in Mumbai, Shanti and George Jansen, eminent educationists from Satya Sai institute which imparts value-based education and Firuzan Mehta, director of the Seeds of Peace Group of the American Centre in Mumbai. “Over 161 students participated in the event and enjoyed it immensely. Their responses indicate that at a young age, they are happy to vent their thoughts on such complex issues,” said Coomi Vevaina.
The book distribution programme was followed by the cultural event which had the enactment of a children's fable - Beeblebean and Beebleboo and recital from Anne Frank's Diary by students of Om Yash Kendra. Young children from BD Somani School did an enactment of Shel Silverstein's story, ‘The Giving Tree’.
Students Sayali Phadke and Rohini Arvindkumar performed a dance on the topic of peace, the theme was conceptualised by Shefali Bhansali-Shah, head of the English department of St Xavier's. “Various organisations were formed after the 26/11 attacks last year. Most disappeared after a few months. This effort seems to be a therapeutic way of dealing with the situation,” said Cyrus Broacha.
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