President’s Note
“Be the change you want to see in the world” -
Mahatma Gandhi
This is one quote, which has been motivating and driving AIESEC in Kolkata for quite some time now, and this year, when we decided to do Balakalakaar, we all came together to deliver a day of happiness to the ones who deserve it. When we stroll down the road and see kids aged 4-5 years working in the dirtiest of places, we feel bad for them and move on. We at AIESEC Kolkata believe that our thoughts wouldn’t change the world, our actions would, and that’s how the whole idea of Balakalakaar came into place. With the idea of discovering the artist in every child, our idea was to not only provide a day of happiness to the children, but also to make our thoughts go viral – the thought o changing the world and the vision of achieving peace and fulfilment of humankind’s potential. AIESEC Kolkata hereby promises to do many more events like this, and in times to come, become relevant to the society, to the world, and to humankind.
Regards, Chirag Chhalani President AIESEC Kolkata India
What is AIESEC? AIESEC is the World’s Largest Youth Run Organisation present in over 110 countries and territories and with over 50,000 members. Focused on providing a platform for youth leadership development, AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to participate in international internships, experience leadership and participate in a global learning environment. What makes AIESEC unique is the youth driven impactful experience that it offers to its members. AIESEC is run by young people for young people, enabling a strong experience to all its stakeholders. • Our members are part of an exciting, youth driven global network. They are able to contribute to societal change while exploring their own vision for a positive impact on society. •
We are supported by thousands of partner organizations around the globe who look to AIESEC to support the development of youth and to access top talent through our global internship program.
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Our alumni are leaders within their organizations and communities. They use the experience, skills and inspiration AIESEC has provided them to be agents of positive change within today’s society.
Balakalakaar What is Balakalakaar? Balakalakaar is an initiative taken up by the local chapter of AIESEC in Kolkata. This event is aligned to the cause of building an environment that helps improve the quality of life that is faced by the street children in our city. It is the creation of an opportunity to help them discover and develop their potential in art forms of various types. It strives to work towards a cause that is top priority in our local environment of the recent times. AIESEC has risen to the occasion to have formulated this ambitious idea to bring together people from all over the city from various backgrounds to understand and support the cause that we are trying to impact through engagement of street children in this competition – thus making a small progression towards improving their quality of life and opportunities for them. Through Balakalakaar, we aim to create a flutter of happiness on the faces of these children and also to show the world that these children; in spite of not having any proper education or grooming possess a natural flair and talent. Moreover, post Balakalakaar we have plans of starting an Academy Of Excellence with the support of one of the many big corporate houses of the city wherein the most talented artists chosen from Balakalakaar will be trained and prepared for their future by some of the prominent artists of the art world. Who knows, we may just end up finding the next big star of the Art industry from these children We also plan to help these children get basic education by collecting funds by auctioning the best paintings done by these children. Through this we are not only lending them support financially but also making sure that these children rely on their own talent to make their life a better one which will also instil confidence in them to face the future. This will also build immense self – respect in these kids and also help them trust their own skills and talents. To add to all this, we are creating awareness about an issue which is as sensitive as this one amongst the youth of the city and we AIESECers as responsible members of the society are taking the initiative to drive youth into acting more responsibly and doing their bit for the cause of educating the street children.
Why Balakalakaar? We at AIESEC Kolkata believe that there is an artist in every child. Art is the expressions of oneself, by which one’s skills and desires can be perceived. It is one of the best and easiest forms of expressing one’s thoughts. Through Balakalakaar we are providing street kids from our city to express them, through art in the form of a painting competition. By involving some of the top corporate houses in the city and the celebrities apart from the NGO partners, we will create a platform where people from all these different walks of life come together to identify the talent in these children and also interact and create a huge network which is a very tangible asset. We aim to make a small difference in the lives of the under privileged children who would attend this competition by auctioning the top best paintings chosen by our panel of eminent artists and then pass on the proceeds of this auction to the concerned individual for his/ her learning, education and development.
BALAKALAKAAR
Parody of lifeSkit by Children
Healthy and safeHealth Check up
The Event Agenda
8.00 – 9.00
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Registration
9.00 – 10.00
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Sit and Draw Competition
10.00 – 10.30
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Felicitation of Chief Guest and other Dignitaries
10.30 – 11.00
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Jives
11.00 – 11.40
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FDSI Performance and Workshop
11.40 -12.15
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Magic Show
12.15 – 1.00
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Wrap up and Distribution of Food Packets
A Day of Drawing, Dancing and Magic!!
Spreading a Smile It was 8.30 in the morning when the children first started pouring in to the venue. All of them dressed in prim and proper uniform standing in a queue; they reminded us of our school days. As we started with distributing the stationaries, their excitement was visible. They seemed more interested in us than we were in them; asking us our names, making small talk. When they started with their drawings, some of them were very enthusiastic while some of them appeared somewhat reluctant to show off their drawings. Some six year olds even asked the AIESECers to help them with the drawing and colouring. As we walked around asking if the children needed anything, we were amazed looking at their drawings. To see these kids draw and paint so brilliantly without proper training, kids who did not get the privileges and opportunities that we get, it was indeed an eye opener. Their excitement about the entire program was something that even made us happy. To see these kids, most of who are deprived of the simple amenities of daily life, enjoy themselves, to watch them express themselves so wonderfully through their drawings, though dancing, it was a really satisfying feeling for us AIESECers. The Magic show and the dance performance and workshop by FDSI were an icing on the cake. I do not know to what extent we at AIESEC Kolkata were able to make their day special, but I know for sure that the children made it a special day for each one of us at AIESEC; interacting with them, spending time with them, playing and dancing with them, it sure brought a smile on all our faces.
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