Learning event

Water for All

Drawings by children of Vyaktitva Learning Labs
at Matoshri Ramabai Nagar, Sector 8 B, Belapur, Navi Mumbai

On 4th and 12th March 2023, Vyaktitva Learning Labs conducted a session on Water for All, in two parts, at Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, India. Vyaktitva Learning Labs is a media literacy education initiative co-founded by Nikhil Latagajanan and Mayura Saavi. The lab works closely with the community of children who live nearby and attended the session, conducting classes every Saturday mostly at the Anganwadi premises or Buddha Vihar, or outdoors if these spaces are occupied.

Part one engaged students in a conversation about water, its importance, accessibility, and scarcity. They discussed how it was a basic need and an equal natural resource for all irrespective of caste, class, gender, race, religion, and region. Equal access is affected by discriminatory practices like casteism and exacerbated by water crises and climate change. They talked about casteism and the struggle for access to water in the light of historical examples. Ideas were brainstormed for drawings based on the discussion.

Part two started with visual presentations of pictures to aid the drawing process and to showcase the events discussed. The drawing activity was facilitated by Mayura Saavi who also led the children in singing “Mahad Chya Talyach Pani” by Shital Sathe.

This session was conducted in commemoration of the 96th anniversary of the Mahad Satyagraha, the march for equality, dignity, and access to water, led by anti-caste leader and statesman, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on 20th March 1927.

All photo credits are given to Ashwini Mohite, Bhavesh Jadav and Mayura Saavi from Vyaktitva Learning Labs.

The outcome in the form of artworks accompanies a two-part audio series on water and caste, hosted by academic and researcher Swati Kamble, as part of Dark ‘n’ Light’s Stories from The Subverse. 

Find part 1 here.

“I have heard that earlier we were not allowed to drink water from public ponds even from where cows could drink.” - Pranav - 10 years

Remembering mahad kranti din - on 20th march 1927. In the leadership of dr. b. r. Ambedkar, the people treated as untouchables drank water at the Chavdar lake. - Mayura Saavi, Organiser

“Mahad Satyagraha not for water but to establish Human Rights.”

– Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar

“Before education, we need water to survive, Jotiba and Savitrimai were good humans” - Nirvana - 11 years

“I carry my water bottle with me in school, I cannot think of not being able to touch the water tap in school.” - Aakash - 8 years

“If crow can touch the pot then why can’t we??”- Jayesh - 13 years

घड़ा

एक घड़ा वो था

जिसमे पानी थोड़ा कम था

काव काव करता एक कौवा

प्यासा प्यासा आया

डाले कंकड़ पत्थर उसने

पानी ऊपर लाया

एक घड़ा वो था

जिसमे लगा था मोटा ताला

कूद फांदकर छोटा बच्चा

प्यासा प्यासा आया

छुआ बच्चे ने तो फिर उसको

मार मार मार डाला

मयूरा १५/८/२०२२

अ X मृत महोत्सव

देश पे इतना प्यार

नारे लगाए हजार

तिरंगे का व्यापार।

संस्कृति का मेल

महोत्सवी खेल

लिखो तो जाओ जेल।

जज़्बा ये कमाल

हुए पचहत्तर साल

और इंदर मेघवाल।

  • मयूरा १५/८/२०२२

“I empathize with inder meghwal.” - Pranali - 10 years

“We drink water from the well when we go to the village. Earlier it was not allowed.”
- Aarti - 12 years

“My grandfather told how our people had to beg for water earlier.” - Arhana- 10 years

Now we remember our history and create brand out of it.

Inspired by actual water bottle brand called 20 march with tag line – प्यास भी बुझाए इतिहास भी बताए (quenches thirst and also tells history)

– Aashish – 8 years

हे पाणी आणिले मी माठ भरुनी

हे घोटभर जा हो पिऊनी..

बोले सोनबा भीमबाबा येतील

पाणी घोटभर माझ्या हाती घेतील

तो धन्य, प्रभाकरा वाट पाहूनी

हे घोटभर जा हो पिऊनी

  • गीतकार प्रभाकर पोखरिकर

Sonba Yelve sat with a water pot all his life on the roadside near Panvel, so that if Babasaheb comes this way, he should not remain thirsty. - Varshali - 12 years

Snuggling water at night to save self from caste hindus. Inspired by Prashant U. V.’s photo essay on caste and water. - Pranav - 10 years

“Wells are so deep, it has so much water that it can be enough for all.” - Dhanashree - 12 years

Prework - session on understanding caste and water.

During the session children talked about equal basic human needs and importance of water. They shared the stories and history they’ve heard about caste and water. They also shared their own learnings and experiences at basti, school and village.

They were shown a photo essay on caste and water by Photographer Prashant U. V.

Children engaged in drawing on the theme “Water for All”

About Vyaktitva Learning Labs

Vyaktitva Learning Labs is a media literacy education co-founded by Nikhil Latagajanan and Mayura Saavi, working at a community level in Navi Mumbai, India. From this year onwards they are planning to work with government and low-income schools where most of the students come from socioeconomically marginalised backgrounds. This is a project under the aegis of a non-profit organisation named Foundation for Participatory Development Communication and Research (PDCR).

They work with children and youth with the objective to build their agency, representation and leadership through media literacy, art, civic education, and digital citizenship. The work aims:

  • To equip children with Media Literacy & Digital Citizenship competencies
  • Supporting them with Life Skills
  • Democratisation of media

Find Vyaktitva Learning Labs on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or visit their Linktree for all social and other links.

Team:

Mayura Saavi on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin.

Nikhil Latagajanan on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin.

Ashwini Mohite on Instagram or Facebook.

Bhavesh Jadav on Instagram.