Bachpan Is Gr8 Week: India To Celebrate Childhood With A Week Of Activities From November 14 To 20

What if celebrating childhood was not limited to just one day? This November, Bachpan Manao, an initiative seeded by EkStep Foundation that brings together more than 100 organisations working towards children's overall growth, is taking the celebrations a step further with Bachpan is Gr8 Week, India's festival of childhood.

Running from November 14 to 20, the week will bring together individuals, communities and organisations to create fun and meaningful experiences for children across the country. The idea is to celebrate childhood with activities taking place in different parts of India. And the interesting part? There will be no central event or fixed venue. Instead, people can host their own sessions in libraries, parks, anganwadis, cafes, offices, community centres and even their homes. Every gathering will become a part of the larger festival.

What Is Bachpan Is Gr8 Week All About?

At its heart, Bachpan is Gr8 Week is about making more time and space for children to play, learn, explore and connect with others. The campaign believes that celebrating childhood does not require elaborate arrangements or large events. A simple activity with children and a caring adult is enough to be part of the week. The festival is built around eight wonders of childhood: play, social bonding, all-round skills, education, creativity, stories, nature and quiet time. These eight areas highlight the different ways in which children learn and grow during their early years.

The campaign also makes participation easy. You do not have to be a teacher, parent or someone who regularly works with children to host a session. If you have a story to share, a skill to teach, a space to offer or simply an hour to spend with children, you can take part.

Who Can Host A Session?

The initiative is open to any caring adult. Teachers, parents, grandparents, storytellers, librarians, artists, musicians and community groups can all organise activities. Cafes, bookshops, offices, schools, anganwadis, NGOs, libraries and community centres are also welcome to join.

If an organisation or individual already has a Children's Day celebration or another activity planned between November 14 and 20, they can register it as part of the festival. There is no need to plan something new just for the campaign.

A session can be as simple as a storytelling gathering, an art activity, a music session, outdoor play or a nature walk. The idea is to bring children and adults together around one activity, at any scale. The focus is on participation rather than the size of the gathering.

Speaking about the thought behind the initiative, Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnerships, EkStep Foundation, said,

“A country shows what it values by what it makes room for. If play, stories and time with a caring adult are how children grow, they belong among the things we plan for and protect. Bachpan is Gr8 Week is an invitation to begin, one session at a time, in every corner of India.”

How To Be Part Of Bachpan Is Gr8 Week

Taking part in the festival is based on three simple steps: Plan, Play and Post.

Plan: Those interested in hosting a session can fill out a simple registration form with their name, locality and PIN code. These details will help the campaign keep track of sessions happening across the country.

Play: Hosts can organise their activities on any day between November 14 and 20. They can pick any of the eight wonders of childhood and plan a session around it. They can also host activities on multiple days.

Post: Once the session is over, participants can share a photograph, video or a short update using #BachpanIsGr8Week. Contributions can also be sent to bachpanmanao@gmail.com. The campaign has requested participants not to share children's faces or names. Consent must also be taken from the child's parent or guardian and any adult appearing in the content. Not sure what activity to organise? The campaign's Activity Toolkit offers ideas and information about people who can help hosts plan their sessions.

Know more about the celebrations and Bachpan is Gr8 Week here.