Chidren’s Academy Dharwad - Dr.Rajan Deshpande

CHILDREN'S ACADEMY DHARWAD (R)

A Non-Governmental Organisation

“A child who is encouraged to develop his / her potential physically, mentally, spiritually, right from the early childhood will make them excellent citizens.”

Keeping this in mind, Dr Rajan has started “Children’s Academy” a NGO, to cater to the needs of a child to add wings to the budding kids to fly high with big dreams in their minds. He as its founder President along with 17 eminent members chosen from different walks of life namely pediatrician, educationists, psychiatrist, psychologists, child development experts, nutritionists, administrators, etc. are doing a yeomen service. The Academy was inaugurated by the then Governor of Karnataka Her Excellency Smt. Ramadevi on 11th December 2000.

The purpose of the Academy is to reach out to the overall development of the child. It has focused its attention on Health, Education, environment, parenting and grand parenting. The activities range from new born babies to preschool, school & High School students. Children’s Academy Dharwad is a very well known NGO and its ongoing programs like “Children’s Festival”, “Children’s Mela”, “Tribhasha Kavi Sammelan”, “Essay Competition”, “Interaction with eminent & Successful personalities”, “Preparation for examination”, “Quiz on Nutrition”, creativity in children, “Summer Camps” and many more activities are not only popular but also rewarding one.

Various activities of Children’s Academy are depicted elsewhere and few of them are listed below

CREATIVITY IN CHILDREN

Dr.Rajan has always tried to give scope to the creativity, particularly in children. He always feels that the innate potential and creativity is to be brought out. Creativity in a child is the summation of various types of intelligence including emotional one. It ultimately helps a child to improve the overall potential when they grow as adults. He has taken the following action in this regard. Children’s Academy, an NGO came into existence with like-minded people to do well to children and bring out the creativity. The objectives are as follows: 1. Develop innate potentials of children. 2. Develop creativity in children. 3. Give scope for extracurricular activities not found in the school. 4. Develop art, self-esteem and inculcate abstract thinking. 5. Develop positive attitude and pro-active approach. 6. Assist in getting good dreams for the future and give direction to realize them. 7. Inculcate good relation, culture and samskar. 8. Encourage the personality development. 9. Help the peers in school through health programs. 10. Any other activity which will help children’s overall growth.

The Academy was inaugurated at the hands of Her Excellency, the then Governor of Karnataka, Smt. Ramadevi, on December 11th, 2000.

Introduction of the concept of ‘Child Doctor’- new dimension in school health programme:

CHILD TO CHILD programme is a concept developed in the UK, where an older child takes care of the younger child. Dr Rajan gathered all the details from UK and applied this to the schools in Dharwad. A bright student from each class was selected by the teacher to be a “Child Doctor” for that class. Such children were given particulars to examine other children – 1) To see weight and height 2) Mid arm circumference 3) To test eye details / colour vision 4) To see to caries tooth 5) Wax in the ear 6) Skin problem Height-weight charts were given to detect nutritional deficiency. Eye test charts to detect color blindness and eye defects were also provided. These ‘Child Doctors’ examined and detected students requiring attention of doctors. These students were then examined by a team of specialists. Teachers were also involved in this project. The whole purpose of the “Child doctor” programme was to lesser the burden on doctors and to help diagnose common problems in children, at an early stage. This new programme was conducted under the aegis of Children’s Academy, Dharwad and was inaugurated by State minister Shri H.K.Patil.

Tulasi – Home Away from Home

A scientific and multi-speciality oriented crèche was started for the benefit of children ofworking women. The idea was to give a safe and homely atmosphere and understand the child’s needs at this tender age. Parent counseling, advice on good parenting and nutritional support are all given in this crèche. This project was launched on 15th August 2002 and the Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad Shri Kapil Mohal inaugurated this venture. The crèche continues to run successfully in Dharwad and is one of the few well-equipped full day playhome for children.

Prathibha Puraskar to students of Child Labor school:

Child labourers who are freed from their work and studying in the child labour schools have hidden talents. Children’s Academy gave them an opportunity to showcase their talents. They performed very well in the auditorium, which was attended by public at large. They read their own poems, gave public address, gave song & dance performances.

Twins 2000

A special baby show for twin babies was conducted. This was open to all children of Karnataka. 76 twins participated. This was conducted to find out the ability of parents to bring up children by giving proper attention. This was also to find out not only physical but also developmental co-ordination and ability to have interaction. This was probably first of its kind in this part of Karnataka.

Makkalotsav ‘Children’s festival

General such festivals are held for primary/secondary school children but no one conducts it for tiny tots. This program was conducted for the pre-primary school children to create boldness and do away with stage fear. On 14th November, 2001, a unique children’s festival was organized by the Children’s Academy in the Dr.Patil Puttappa Sabhagruha Dharwad. More than 200 children studying in Pre-Primary school participated in the program. Many of them gave their first performance on the platform. There was Bharatnatyam, Classical & folk singing, elocution, dance, fancy dress competitions. This was well received by the parents for giving a scope for the tiny tots.

Tribhasha Kavi Sammelana (3 languages)

This program, conducted by the Children’s Academy is for secondary school children who are encouraged to write poems and limericks in English or Hindi or Kannada. The competition is held to look for creativity in self-writing poems. Children from all the Dharwad schools generally participate in this annual event.

Excellence in Fine Art

To give scope for the children in various fields of art and literature, the Children’s Academy planned excellence award in the field of painting. This was open for the students from Karnataka. A student from Chennenhalli, Bangalore district and Rumana Javali from Dharwad bagged the prizes. Late Shri Ramakrishna Hegde gave away the prizes.

State level recognition award for talented child

Applications for this award, sponsored by the Children’s Academy, are invited from the whole state. Children are required to submit the application with a detailed resume with either a core talent as subject or all rounder profile. Applications are called for talent in the following areas – Bharatnatyam dance, painting, singing, Koralu expert, swimming, overall scholastic performance. These applications are reviewed by a panel of experts and the selected child is given the award and a certificate during the annual day function of Children’s Academy. Children have received this award from Chief Guests such as late Shri Ramakrishna Hegde, Former Minister Smt. Rani Satish etc, Mister for State Shri R.V.Deshpande, among others.

MakkalaMela

This event is a fancy dress competition held for play-home and nursery children conducted by Children’s Academy. This event is held to involve the small children in the school activities. Children come dressed up as many famous personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Narendra Modi, Obama etc. This is a very exciting day for both parents and grandparents alike to see their tiny tot dressed up and on stage.

Smt. Rama Devi Governor of Karnataka, Inaugurating the Children’s Academy.

Smt. Rama Devi Governor of Karnataka, addressing

Hon. Minister Shri H.K.Patil was present on the occasion.

Governor of Karnataka interacting with children

Every year a Healthy Baby Competition is organised on the Annual Day of the Hospital. During the same time awareness is created for Nutritious food, and need of proper immunization

Padmavibhushan Gangubai Hangal inaugurating annual day of hospital and healthy baby contest

Special category for Rural Children Receiving Award from Padmashree
Dr. R. B. Patil

Dr. S.K.Saidapur, Vice Chancellor of Karnataka University with winners of healthy baby contest.

Hon. Ramakrishna Hegde blesses “The Children’s Academy of Dharwad” on its anniversary. He said build a strong nation by developing children in right direction making them healthy.

Annual Event of Children’s Academy, Dharwad since 2000

Founder President Dr. Rajan Deshpande and his team conducts
Healthy Baby Competition and promotes health, hygiene & nutrition for the children

Hon. Shri Palhad Joshi blessed the Children’s Academy, Dharwad and
lauded the works of Dr. Rajan Deshpande & team in doing good for children. Presented a trophy to the winner