Doon University launches exclusive theatre workshop for children of university staff to expose young children to different situations,

Dehradun, May 10: In a distinct initiative of its kind to expose young children to different situations, Doon University has launched an exclusive theatre workshop program for school going children of all faculty and non-teaching staff.
Under the aegis of Women’s Cell, IQAC, School of Languages and Department of Folk and Performing Arts have come together and launched the two-week theater workshop for children aged between 4 and 14 years from May 9 to May 24, 2023.
The initiative aims at holistic as well as personality development of the children through theatre, where children will learn to overcome inhibitions, be socially inclusive and cooperate with others with confidence. The workshop is being conducted by two seasoned experts, Dr Ajit Panwar and Dr Rakesh Bhatt of the Department of Folk and Performing Arts, Doon University.
Dr. Panwar has conducted such workshops in the past at different places. Dr. Bhatt has also taught confidence building exercises and related activities to the children through various workshops conducted in the past. Both the experts have designed the exercises and activities aiming at instilling the children with confidence. These will build up towards a special theatre performance by the children on the culmination day on 24th May.
“Theater is a suitable medium to awaken the imagination of children. It is also a way of exposing children to difficult situations and prepare them to handle various situations in life,” Doon University Vice Chancellor Professor Surekha Dangwal said on the inaugural ceremony of the workshop.
She said that theatre is an apt medium for firing a child’s imagination, and it helps the children articulate themselves holistically. These kinds of activities are essential for the psychological and social growth of the mind, and the developing children stand most to benefit from them.
Dr. Chetana Pokhriyal, Coordinator of the School of Languages, said that these kinds of programmes help the institution in its community outreach efforts and contributing to the growth and development of children is the best way to contribute to the society. The children learn valuable personality-building skills, while simultaneously enjoying themselves, she said.

“This will introduce to them a new lexicon of communication though acting, music, dance and a variety of different ways,” Professor Dangwal said, adding that being a residential university it is only logical that we include children of our faculty and other staff members in various programs of the university organized from time to time.
On the first day itself, the participating children warmed up to each other and participated in the activities with a joyful enthusiasm. Prof. H.C. Purohit, Prof. R.P. Mamgain, Prof Harsh Dobhal, Dr Priti Mishra, Dr Tanvi Negi, Dr Smita Tripathi, Dr Mala Shikha, Dr Gazala Khan, Dr Aditi Bisht, Mehul Rawat Apoorva Siwali and others were present on the occasion.