“Every child has the right to say no to unwanted touch, and every adult is responsible for respecting that boundary.”
Paigam: The local and Indigenous youth-led organization, under its “GYAN” Program made a beneficence visit to the nearby Government Integrated secondary school, Rajma, on 17th of January 2025. The team members Archana Ramteke and Subhanshu Rahangdale visited as representatives of Paigam and inculcated children about good touch and bad touch via infographic videos. A total of 22 students from class (6th -8th) attended the session with almost equal girls-boys ratio. The session was interactive, with a small Q&A session and fun activity. The team members purveyed students to be acquainted and understand the difference between good touch and bad touch.
Highlights of interaction:
Good Touch and Bad Touch are essential concepts that children must understand to ensure their safety and well-being. Good Touch refers to physical contact that is loving, respectful, and consensual, such as hugs from family members or gentle pats on the back from teachers. In contrast, Bad Touch involves physical contact that is unwanted, uncomfortable, or hurtful.
Then, we segued by acknowledging students about the three basic principles of Good Touch and Bad Touch and empowering students to tackle such situations.
1. Consent: Children have the right to decide who can touch them and how.
2. Boundaries: Children must learn to recognize and communicate their personal boundaries.
3. Safety: Children must know how to seek help and support if they experience Bad Touch.
In order to get grips with such irksome situations, we make them aware of the basic rights they uphold and how they can discuss or complain about such activity with their parents and teachers.
We interacted with teachers and made them aware teaching children about Good Touch and Bad Touch empowers children to:
- Recognize and report unwanted touch.
- Develop healthy relationships and boundaries.
- Build confidence and self-esteem.
Paigam also collected data regarding efficacy and legit implementation of the Mid Day Meal program. We also collect data regarding the number of dropouts per year and the reason behind it. The increase in dropout rate from government schools came out as an achilles heel for the government.
The session was a success for the organisation with its goal of empowering and cajoling children with knowledge under the program “GYAN”.
POSTED BY- SHUBHANSHU RAHANGDALE
We are thrilled to share that our research work, “A Preliminary Study of the Newly Discovered Painted Rock Shelter in Tendua Pahadi (Mohbatta), Balaghat District, MP,” has been published in the Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society. This milestone represents the first major achievement for Paigam Organization’s – “Johar Field School” as a research-driven initiative.
Unearthing Hidden Histories: A First for Mahakaushal, Balaghat and Kanha National Park Landscape.
This discovery holds immense significance, marking the first known rock painting site in the Balaghat district, also in the Kanha National Park Landscape and the entire Mahakaushal region of Madhya Pradesh Central India. These remarkable paintings are the only documented prehistoric artwork in this area, depicting human and animal figures, hunting scenes, and symbolic motifs. They serve as a critical link to our prehistoric ancestors, offering a glimpse into their lives, beliefs, and artistry.
The discovery at Tendua Pahadi signifies the beginning of a journey to unlock the secrets of Central India’s prehistoric heritage. Beyond its historical value, it emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural elements that connect communities to their ancestral past.
Collaboration and Community-Centered Research
This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team (Archaeologist Pankaj Pandro, Anthropologist Jay Ramteke, and Documentary Filmmaker Vijay Ramteke) and the invaluable contributions of Mr Manoj Gadpal (National Awardee Artist and Painting expert) and the local communities. At Paigam and Johar Field School, we uphold a community-engaged approach, blending traditional knowledge with academic research. This model ensures that the voices of Indigenous communities are central to our work, aligning with our mission to promote cultural conservation and decolonize research practices.
The painted rock shelter not only highlights the artistic legacy of prehistoric Indigenous communities of the region but also reinforces interconnectedness with the currently existing communities and continuity of their cultural legacy. Documenting such treasures is pivotal in preserving both the tangible and intangible heritage of these regions.
Looking Ahead: A Catalyst for Future Research
This publication marks just the beginning of our exploration into the rich cultural history of Central India. It underscores Johar Field School’s vision of fostering community-led, sustainable scholarship and efforts towards the conservation of cultural elements of the area. As we move forward, we are excited to delve deeper into the stories etched in stone and collaborate with more communities and researchers.
Acknowledgments
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society for showcasing our work and to famous artist Mr Manoj Gadpal, Mr Jayesh Rawal and the local communities whose support were instrumental. This milestone inspires us to continue bridging the past and the future, ensuring that these cultural narratives remain alive for generations to come.
Stay tuned for updates on our research and initiatives as we continue this remarkable journey of discovery and preservation. Together, let’s celebrate and safeguard our shared heritage.
[Children’s Mental Health Session 2024]
Child mental health and behavior are not often discussed in rural areas because there are many other things to look after. Even in most cases, child psychology doesn’t matter to them. However, the Paigam organization understands the need for counseling and a talk on children’s mental health. Because we are focused on kids as a good resource, our change-making activities are where we try to guide them to use their potential precisely. In Manthan summer camp 2024, a session on children’s mental health was organized at Little Kingdom Public School, Baihar. In the presence of Principal Ma’am -Mrs. Vasha Mishra, our expert -Dr. Anju Jachak, a child psychologist, took the session. Just like a parent-teacher meeting, a counseling session was done. Parents honestly took an interest in it and understood the needs of their child and his/ her mental cure. A few questions, suggestions, and fun activities for parents and children took place. A few outcomes of the session are: 1) Parents should treat children with proper care even though some scolding is necessary, but not at that level, which creates a lifelong fear within children. 2) In most cases, parents are only responsible for children’s bad behavior; they just need proper attention and time. 3) For vital growth and to develop values in children, parents should also follow a good timetable for day-to-day work. 4) Of course, we can not force kids to do anything, but we can provide them with a direction to do good things and guide them on how to do it.
It was A successful session, a healthy discussion and an informative presentation.
-Pankaj Pandro
(President, Paigam Organization)
वो नहीं कहेंगे, लेकिन हमें उन्हें समझना होगा.
बच्चों का मानसिक स्वास्थ्य सत्र 2024
ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में बच्चों के मानसिक स्वास्थ्य और व्यवहार पर अक्सर चर्चा नहीं की जाती क्योंकि उन्हें कई अन्य चीजों का ध्यान रखना होता है। यहां तक कि ज्यादातर मामलों में बाल मनोविज्ञान उनके लिए कोई मायने नहीं रखता। हालाँकि, पैगाम संस्था बच्चों के मानसिक स्वास्थ्य पर परामर्श और बातचीत की आवश्यकता को समझती है। क्योंकि हम एक अच्छे संसाधन के रूप में बच्चों पर ध्यान केंद्रित कर रहे हैं, हमारी परिवर्तनकारी गतिविधियाँ वे हैं जहाँ हम उन्हें उनकी क्षमता का सटीक उपयोग करने के लिए मार्गदर्शन प्रदान करने का प्रयास करते हैं। मंथन समर कैंप 2024 में लिटिल किंगडम पब्लिक स्कूल बैहर में बच्चों के मानसिक स्वास्थ्य पर एक सत्र का आयोजन किया गया। जहां प्रिंसिपल मैडम श्रीमती वर्षा मिश्रा की उपस्थिति में हमारी विशेषज्ञ डॉ. अंजू जाचक, एक बाल मनोवैज्ञानिक, ने सत्र लिया। पैरेंट-टीचर मीटिंग की तरह ही काउंसलिंग सेशन किया गया। माता-पिता ने ईमानदारी से इसमें रुचि ली और अपने बच्चे की जरूरतों और उसके मानसिक उपचार को समझा। माता-पिता और बच्चों दोनों के लिए कुछ प्रश्न, कुछ सुझाव और कुछ मनोरंजक गतिविधियाँ हुईं। सत्र के कुछ परिणाम यह हैं कि 1) माता-पिता को बच्चों के साथ उचित देखभाल करनी चाहिए, भले ही कुछ डांट जरूरी हो, लेकिन उस स्तर पर नहीं, जो बच्चों के भीतर जीवन भर का डर पैदा करता है। 2) अधिकांश मामलों में, बच्चों के बुरे व्यवहार के लिए माता-पिता ही जिम्मेदार होते हैं; उन्हें बस उचित ध्यान और समय की आवश्यकता है। 3) बच्चों के महत्वपूर्ण विकास और उनमें मूल्यों की समझ के लिए, माता-पिता को भी दिन-प्रतिदिन के काम के लिए एक अच्छी समय सारिणी का पालन करना चाहिए। 4) बेशक, हम बच्चों को कुछ भी करने के लिए मजबूर नहीं कर सकते हैं, लेकिन हम उन्हें अच्छे काम करने की दिशा दे सकते हैं और उन्हें यह कैसे करना है, इसका मार्गदर्शन कर सकते हैं।
यह एक सफल सत्र, एक स्वस्थ चर्चा और एक जानकारीपूर्ण प्रस्तुति थी।
-Pankaj Pandro
(President, Paigam Organization)
In our view, Summer camp (For children) is a place where children live their childhood and adults teach them and relive their childhood.
Manthan Summer Camp is organized by Paigam every year at Baihar ( Balaghat) to maintain children’s enthusiasm during summer break(May – June) where various series of activities like music, painting, dancing, writing improvement, counseling, and personality development were organized.
it starts daily as usual school time with a morning shift and an evening shift but not for study but to enjoy by learning the above-mentioned activities and values. Activities like drawing, painting, and crafts were taught to the kids. It enhanced their creativity, colorful imagination, and thought process. They also enjoyed and learned various dance forms. Music classes helped them to understand different types of instruments and melodic notes. Though the main attractions for the kids were Harmonium, Guitar, Casio, and Tabla, apart from those, Ukelele, Melodica, and Flute were also noticed and learned. Vocal practice was the main thing among all of the students in the music class. Personality development boosts children’s confidence and base for their upcoming challenges. children learn a lot, and they get more confidence in their words and attitudes.
The most important part of the summer camp is to learn the basic ethics that adults might forget. To convey a message of a clean and healthy environment, we prepared a street play (Nukkad Natak ) played by the kids of summer camp. In addition to avoiding pollution and doing a plantation campaign, we take kids a little closer to the environment on World Environment Day (5th June) by organizing a “bird-watching session”. Bird watching accelerates the knowledge of birds and nature, and the mesmerizing sound of birds chirping and rain is the highlight of the day. The session helps them to build a responsibility towards the nature within them.
At the end of the summer camp, children were happy to learn many things and were more confident, socialised and developed new hobbies and responsibilities as well. As they enjoyed the whole summer camp, The parents were happy with the improvement in their child. A certificate of participation was also provided to the children at the end.
Posted by
Anandi Netam
(Volunteer, Paigam Organization)
मंथन समर कैंप 2024
हमारी नजर में समर कैंप (बच्चों के लिए) एक ऐसी जगह है जहां बच्चे अपना बचपन जीते हैं और बड़े उन्हें पढ़ाते हैं और अपने बचपन को दोबारा जीते हैं।
ग्रीष्मकालीन अवकाश (मई-जून) के दौरान बच्चों के उत्साह को बनाए रखने के लिए पैगाम द्वारा हर साल बैहर (बालाघाट) में मंथन समर कैंप का आयोजन किया जाता है, जहां संगीत, पेंटिंग, नृत्य, लेखन सुधार, परामर्श और पर्सनैलिटी डेवेलवपेमेंट जैसी गतिविधियों की विभिन्न श्रृंखला आयोजित की जाती थी।
यह प्रतिदिन सामान्य स्कूल समय की तरह सुबह की पाली और शाम की पाली के साथ शुरू होता है, लेकिन अध्ययन के लिए नहीं बल्कि उपर्युक्त गतिविधियों और मूल्यों को सीखकर आनंद लेने के लिए। बच्चों को ड्राइंग, पेंटिंग और क्राफ्ट जैसी गतिविधियाँ सिखाई गईं। इसने उनकी रचनात्मकता, रंगीन कल्पना और विचार प्रक्रिया को बढ़ाया। उन्होंने विभिन्न नृत्य शैलियों का भी आनंद लिया और उन्हें सीखा। संगीत कक्षाओं ने उन्हें विभिन्न प्रकार के वाद्ययंत्रों और मधुर स्वरों को समझने में मदद की। हालाँकि बच्चों के लिए मुख्य आकर्षण हारमोनियम, गिटार, कैसियो और तबला थे, इनके अलावा यूकेलेले , मेलोडिका और बांसुरी पर भी ध्यान दिया गया और सीखा गया। संगीत कक्षा में सभी छात्रों के बीच गायन अभ्यास मुख्य बात थी। पर्सनैलिटी डेवेलवपेमेंट बच्चों के आत्मविश्वास और उनकी आने वाली चुनौतियों के लिए आधार को बढ़ाता है। बच्चे ने बहुत कुछ सीखा, और वे अपने शब्दों और व्यवहार को लेकर अधिक आश्वस्त हुए ।
ग्रीष्मकालीन शिविर का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा बुनियादी नैतिकता सीखना है जिसे वयस्क भूल जाते हैं। स्वच्छ और स्वस्थ पर्यावरण का संदेश देने के लिए, हमने समर कैंप के बच्चों द्वारा किए जाने के लिए एक नुक्कड़ नाटक तैयार किया। प्रदूषण से बचने और वृक्षारोपण अभियान चलाने के अलावा, हम विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस (5 जून) पर ” बर्ड वॉचिंग सत्र ” आयोजित करके बच्चों को पर्यावरण के और भी करीब ले गए। बर्ड वॉचिंग से पक्षियों और प्रकृति के प्रति ज्ञान बढ़ा और साथ ही पक्षियों की चहचहाहट और बारिश की मनमोहक ध्वनि इस दिन का मुख्य आकर्षण बना। इस सत्र ने उनके भीतर प्रकृति के प्रति जिम्मेदारी पैदा करने में मदद किया।
ग्रीष्मकालीन शिविर के अंत में, बच्चे कई चीजें सीखकर खुश हुए और अधिक आत्मविश्वासी हुए, सामाजिक हुए किया और साथ ही नए शौक और जिम्मेदारियां भी विकसित कीं। चूँकि उन्होंने पूरे ग्रीष्मकालीन शिविर का आनंद लिया, माता-पिता भी अपने बच्चे में सुधार से खुश थे। अंत में बच्चों को प्रतिभागिता प्रमाण पत्र भी प्रदान किया गया।
आनंदी नेताम
Paigam organization takes a session on menstrual hygiene under the initiative name R’jo. On the date 10th of January 2023 at Govt. Middle School compounder tola. Around 32 girls were present there for the session. An interaction was done with Adolescent girls studying in classes 6th to 8th in the presence of their two class teachers. Team member Mitali Netam talked to them to get to know them better and to also make them comfortable. Topics discussed were – Menstruation, menstrual cycle, feminine hygiene and health.
Highlights of interaction – periods are not dirty, there is not something to be ashamed about. Instead, we should be proud to bleed every month; it’s a gift of Nature to us women.
- In case of any infection or any problem during periods, going to the nearest Anganwadi or hospital is advised.
- Taking care of oneself during periods is important, as well as having proper rest, maintaining hygiene, or using hot water to relieve cramps, etc.
-a query was solved about irregularity of periods. - Girls were frank enough to ask for my contact number to share their problems or queries further, so a list of names with their contact numbers was shared, and it was decided that a WhatsApp group was formed between NGO members and the girls. It would be a safe space to share experiences and advice.
- An instance was shared of how they had to go home immediately during periods due to the lack of sanitary pads in school, so a pack of sanitary pads was given to them to keep in bags for emergency situations.
The session was a success for the speaker and the organisation too.
Posted by
Mitali Netam