Clowning about at a children’s hospital in Delhi

A volunteer group by the name of ‘Clownselors’ visit Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya children’s hospital on Saturdays, dressed as clowns wearing wigs while singing and dancing with balloons in their hands. The main objective of such intervention is to provide relief from stress and anxiety for affected children, their parents, nurses and doctors alike inside the hospital premises. ...read more

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A volunteer group by the name of ‘Clownselors’ visit Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya children’s hospital on Saturdays, dressed as clowns wearing wigs while singing and dancing with balloons in their hands. The main objective of such intervention is to provide relief from stress and anxiety for affected children, their parents, nurses and doctors alike inside the hospital premises. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Sheetal (C) and her group of volunteers pose for a selfie with everyone dressed as clowns. The group follows a policy of no physical contact with the children or indulging themselves in any selfies during their performance. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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Their ‘Chaplin’ like acts recreates an environment of fun and laughter which gives immense relief to the children. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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The clowns form a chain as they enter the hospital singing and dancing into the patient wards. They then perform plays, use mimes and even engage the adults in a game with balloons. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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A child admitted to a ward inflates a balloon gifted to him by the volunteers. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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Many of the volunteers are working professionals who take time off and some have quit their jobs to do clowning full time. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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27-year-old Tushar (R) who is also an engineer by profession has been volunteering for six months now. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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24-year-old Khushboo (R) entertains children at the CNBC hospital while their parents look on as they wait in the OPD. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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A child reacts as a clown enacts a play with a hand puppet. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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Doctors look for the ‘clownselors’ to direct them to specific wards where children show symptoms of slow response to medication. Parents and caregivers also respond positively to laughter therapy. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)