State level children’s festival: MAHAK & UTSAAH – Odisha State Child Protection Society

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Supporting Children in Child Care Institutions

Problem

• Children housed in Child Care Institutions are mostly without family or belong to an incomplete family, which impacts their mental health and all-around development.
• Children lived a scheduled life with a controlling system.
• Children in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) experience a fear psychosis when competing with children from families.
• Children in CCIs had excellent talents that couldn’t be explored.
• Children were confined within the boundaries of the CCIs.

Solution

• District and state-level events were organized with a child-friendly atmosphere and expert mentors to allow children to participate in a safe and supportive environment.
• Children got the space to meet and share emotions and talents with children from different locations, creating a sense of unity and camaraderie among the participants.
• Children performed in different literary, cultural and athletic events, which encouraged them to explore their interests and abilities.
• Facilitated the opportunity to stay and play at the international standard facilities at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, which enhanced their sporting experience.
• Children who excelled in their respective events were honored with state-level awards and recognition.

Challenges

• To provide personalized care and support to each child in CCIs within a group setting.
• Organizing the event during the summer season.
• Ensuring the safety and security of children.
• Arranging facilities for a large number of participants.
• Ensuring that children receive individual attention even in group settings.

Innovation

• These events provided a unique platform for these children to showcase their talents, who often face social challenges and lack of opportunities.
• The events embraced innovative ways of engaging children and highlighting their achievements, such as live telecasts and social media coverage.
• The choice of organizing these events at an international stadium, such as the Kalinga Stadium, added a touch of grandeur and significance.
• The organizers incorporated a cultural fest and evening entertainment, ensuring that the children had opportunities for leisure and enjoyment.
• Provided a fun and celebratory atmosphere, allowing the children to relax, interact, and form lasting memories.

Outcomes

• The events profoundly impacted the lives of the vulnerable children, instilling in them a newfound sense of confidence and willpower.
• Children are encouraged to adhere to routines and engage in activities with enthusiasm and dedication, which helps in shaping their overall character.
• Participating in the events provided children with valuable opportunities to learn psycho-social skills from each other.
• The children had the opportunity to visit a smart city, which broadened their horizons and exposed them to new experiences.
• Alongside meeting their essential needs, the events facilitated their emotional well-being, talent exploration, and personal growth.

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Case Study

Supporting Children in Child Care Institutions 

Summary 

Ensuring the state’s responsibility for the care and protection of children in need of care and protection, Odisha has been pioneering in the country by making innovations for children in need. MAHAK (the fragrance) and UTSAAH (the encouragement) are the next step for the engagement, creative development, and exploration of cultural, literary and athletic talent of children housed in Child Care Institution (CCI)s.

Problems

Children housed in Child Care Institutions are mostly without family or belong to an incomplete family, which impacts their mental health and all-around development. It remains a persistent challenge to provide personalized care and support to each child in CCIs. The structured and scheduled nature of their lives within the institutions can sometimes hinder their ability to compete with children from the wider community regarding education and other activities. 

Solutions

The district and state-level events organized as part of MAHAK and UTSAAH were meticulously designed to create a child-friendly atmosphere and provide expert mentorship. Children participated in a wide array of literary, cultural, and athletic events, allowing them to explore their interests and abilities. In addition to the exceptional sporting facilities, the children had the privilege of interacting with celebrities and eminent personalities. This interaction provided them with valuable insights, inspiration, and encouragement. 

Outcomes

After the deployment of MAHAK and UTSAH events, the focus shifted towards instilling discipline in the children. They were encouraged to adhere to routines and engage in activities with enthusiasm and dedication, which helped shape their overall character and behavior. This provided them with opportunities to showcase their talents and compete on a level playing field and were exposed to new experiences, visited different locations, and performed in renowned venues such as the international stadium. 

Challenges

It was challenging to provide personalized care and support to each child in CCIs within a group setting while ensuring the safety and security of the children. The department had to arrange the facilities for a large number of participants that too in the summer season.

Innovation

These events provided a unique platform for these children to showcase their talents, who often face social challenges and lack of opportunities. The events embraced innovative ways of engaging children and highlighting their achievements, such as live telecasts and social media coverage. 

Opportunities

The success of MAHAK and UTSAH events has led to their replication by the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD). The aspect of international stadiums can be replicated to provide children with the dream of reaching and performing at renowned sporting arenas.

For more information, please contact:
Mr Pritikanta Panda, Prog. Manager and OIC at pmcp.oscps.od@nic.in

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