VADODARA: Aura (Awareness Understanding Reflection Action), a learning resource centre for childrens all-round growth, is conducting workshops at different schools in Vadodara.

Consisting of a multi-media presentation of the story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who was a survivor of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima, the event is a part of various programmes to raise awareness about world peace among school children and the community at large.

Sadako was luckier than over 1.5 lakh Japanese, who died in the Hiroshima bombing. The two-year old survived as she took refuge in a bomb shelter. Unfortunately, the little girl died of leukemia. While in the hospital, she used to make paper cranes every day.
As she did not have any paper to do so, she used her medicine wrappers, saying a little player for a long and healthy life as she folded the cranes wings. Sadly, Sadako could not complete 1,000 cranes as she passed away after finishing 644.

Her story touched Japans soul and money was raised to make a memorial for Sadako as a symbol to any childs hope and right to a safe and healthy life. This monument is the Childrens Peace Monument at the Hiroshima Park.

One of the founders of Aura Jagruti Gala says, "In March this year, we had organised a Storigami workshop at Aura, where we shared the story of Sadako Sasaki and the Hiroshima bombing with children.

The kids responded to this story with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. We had meaningful talks about war and peace. Their emotional engagement inspired us to take this initiative and dialogue to many more children in Vadodara and thus, we came up with the idea of this event. It is not just about the World War, as violence also happens in families that affects childrens psyche."

Currently, the workshops first phase has been running at different schools of the city, including Gujarati medium municipal schools. From August 1 to September 15,Aura volunteers will visit the participating schools and will conduct a workshop with the students of classes 5 and 6 (close to Sadakos age). This will be followed by a discussion and activities that will elicit childrens feelings about peace and war.

In the second phase, the children will learn how to make paper cranes in Origami style and its significance. From these paper cranes, they will be inspired to create their own installation of art for peace.

On the day of the exhibition, each participating school will exhibit its artistic interpretation of the concept of peace, world peace and peace for my city. This exhibition will be open to the public.

"Since war is not a part of kids current reality, the discussion will lead towards the chaos in their immediate city life. From this, they will conceptualise their ideas of peaceful places, moments and of peace in general. The concept of ahimsa and Gandhis philosophy will also be woven into the discussion," adds Gala.

Aditya Maharshi, a school student, says, "I have seen my parents fighting at my home and other violence too. I used to fight with friends. After attending this workshop, I feel at peace and would like to teach my peers what I have learnt." A volunteer at Aura, Vimali, says, "Nearly 4,000 students are expected to display their artistic creations at the exhibition event held on October 2,3 and 4."

Source : DNA