Noida: Kids learn life hacks, skills at winter fair in Sector 131
SIMPLER TIMES: Children experienced life before advent of mass media, took part in various hands-on, fun activities.
On a warm Sunday afternoon, hundreds of families gathered to give children a taste of the simple pleasures of life at the Ukti Winter Fair, held in Sector 131 of Noida.
Be it listening to fairy tales, learning the art of pottery, weaving and crocheting or playing instruments, children and their parents had a gala time at the fair.
Ukti-Delhi Waldorf School organised the fair based on the philosophy of renowned educational philosopher, Rudolf Steiner, who emphasised the need to introduce children to hands-on activities and creative play at an early stage, along with elementary education.
More than 1,000 parents and children assembled to eat, play, learn and relax and escape the monotony of daily life.
Organised by Delhi Waldorf School, the Ukti fair comprised parents and children as organisers, volunteers, sellers as well as buyers.
“It is a community fair, wherein we wish to create a space for the shared vision of thousands of parents who believe that the next generation is losing touch with nature, simple pleasures of life and other necessary life hacks. Today’s kids are all engrossed in the virtual world of television and internet and we are pushing them towards materialistic instincts. They are being rushed to achieve goals that nobody understands and no one desires. This fair is meant for those who are rushing in life to take a moment and pause,” Saloni Zutshi, co-founder of Delhi Waldorf School, Noida Sector 126, said.
A total of 32 stalls displaying organic material, herbal items, clothing, accessories, food items and old books were set up at the fair.
“Every stall has been scrutinised by us and we have allowed only those who are involved in the art with a purpose and not just with a commercial intent. Even the lights used in the evening hours are solar powered. All the materials displayed at the fair are natural and there is no plastic involved here,” Zutshi said.
Various workshops were organised at the event, including storytelling, gardening, mandala making, lantern making, pottery, crocheting, sewing, jump rope making and chakki (Indian conventional grinder) practice, among others.
Storytelling parents Priyanka Jain, Lakshya Goyal and Zainab kept the kids hooked to their tales of wisdom and morality.
“There are two types of stories — one which is told to toddlers where we do an elaborate story set-up using puppets and animals as characters and the second category is told to slightly older children, wherein we narrate stories of saints and the virtuous lives they lead. Today, we told them about Saint Francis Assisi and Meera Bai,” said Priyanka Jain, storyteller and parent.
Parents also emphasised the importance of oral stories in the lives of children.
“When a person narrates a story to the listener, they also pass on their energy to the audience and bring a sense of calm. Kids can pick up gadgets and other mass media at any stage of their life but it’s really necessary for them to listen to stories,” Goyal said.
Similarly, Madhvi Singh and Shagun Khanna, parents organising weaving and crocheting workshop, believe that children are getting away from simple life hacks.
“Gone are the days when kids used to receive training for weaving and crocheting from their grandmothers. Therefore, it’s important for them to stay connected to their culture and learn these simple life hacks,” Khanna said.
Similarly, entrepreneurs supporting artisans were also seen at the fair.
“We work with local artisans of Bihar who bring us their exemplary work such as papier-mâché and madhubani paintings. Papier-mâché includes egg cartons, newspapers, multani soil and other ingredients,” Meghna Chawla, co-founder Foster and Forge Foundation, said.