Surya Jyoti 2006, the eight-day summer camp at The Heritage School, ended on May 23. There were 24 activities, including rock and rope climbing, swimming, aero-modelling, creative craft, wood carving, Madhubani painting, archery and skating. Over 210 children from various schools participated

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2006 was celebrated last month at Gyan Manch. The three-hour programme was a joint effort by NGO?s like SAATHII (Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India ), Sapphire Creations Dance Workshop, Sanlaap, Prantakatha and Sparsha, with support from Elton John AIDS Foundation, UK.

It was an evening honouring the memory of those who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS and showing support to those living with the disease. It was also about raising awareness, getting rid of the stigma, and mobilising community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The first International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was held in 1983 in San Francisco and New York simultaneously. This unique event promotes discussion, education, understanding and action. It is now observed the world over.

The event expressed solidarity with the courageous work undertaken by Sparsha, West Bengal?s first self-help initiative of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families and friends. Sparsha?s efforts are about survival with dignity.

The evening?s programme included performances by Sapphire Creations Dance Workshop and Sanlaap. ?Positive Lives ? Say Yes! To life was a dance-visual montage by Sapphire advocating acceptance of people living with HIV/AIDS. It was inspired by real stories, anecdotes and case studies of bravehearts who survived despite the pain of alienation.

The production was staged at the 15th International AIDS Conference in 2004 in Bangkok. The dancers were Sudarshan Chakravorty, director and choreographer, along with Dibyendu Nath and Paromita Saha. Photographs in the background accentuated the performance. They were shot in locations across Bengal and Orissa by fashion and art photographer Ranjit Sinha.

Next was the Candlelight Ceremony were the guests lit candles to show support for people living with HIV/AIDS. Among them were actresses Chandrani Ghosh and Kamalika Sinha Roy, make-up artist Anirudha Chakladhar, director and co-founder of Sanlaap Indrani Sinha, and project manager of Doctors Without Borders Leena Menghaney.

This was followed by Tell-a-tale by Rina Gayen, an HIV-positive person who shared the struggle of her life with the audience. Rhythm of Life, a dance performance by Sanlaap that followed, was an exploration of love, sympathy and life in the context of HIV/AIDS ? a unique effort by a team of trafficked girls who were rehabilitated. Eight-year-old Pompa Sardar was the youngest in the group.

A panel discussion on issues like child sex-workers, drug abuse, sexual minorities, gender and sexuality issues was also held. The panellists were Rina Gayen, Shyamali Gupta of Paschim Banga Ganatantrik Mahila Samity, Indrani Sinha, Leena Menghaney, Sudarshan Chakravorty and Pawan Dhall of SAATHII.

Learning leadership

Rotary District 3290 had organised Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2006 (RYLA) last month, for youngsters aged 16 to 25 years from all across Calcutta. The host club being Rotary Club of Joka, the venue was IIM-Calcutta. The theme for this year was ?Leadership is motivating others to own your own desires??

DAY ONE

Participants were divided into four groups ? Chetna, Bhavna, Biswas and Sankalp. Kits comprising RYLA aprons, caps and the other items for the three-day camp were distributed amongst them. Each house then selected a captain.

After the lamp-lighting and usual speeches, camp commandant Rotarian Dr Ramesh C. Basu opened the rulebook containing the dos and don?ts.

After a sum-up of RYLA?s history and some inspiring lectures were music, dance and masti with a talent search, a war of RJs and Situation, where participants were given funny yet tricky situations to act out. The debate topics were announced and the day?s diary writing was done.

DAY TWO

Physical exercise, football and basketball. Martial arts demonstration by Captain Dadi Bulsara and his four-member team. There were workshops on Effective Communication and Soft Skills, and Leadership Skill and Development, as well as an extempore. Post-lunch was a painting competition. A seminar on Behaviour and Inter-Personal Relationship followed.

Conflict Resolution and Self-Upgrade, Resuscitation Training and a camp-fire simulation, contests like antakshari, quiz and story-telling, recitation, singing and dancing were some other fun events of the day. Lights were on till 4 am, while the wake-up call was at 5 am.

DAY THREE

Participants were given a chance to work out at the gymnasium. Post coffee-break, Odissi danseuse Alokananda Roy spoke about her life. Next was a debate on youth and politics.

After lunch was the feedback session. Then came the valedictory speeches and the camp commandants? report. Five RYLA members performed a five-minute skit depicting unity among religions.

The Leadership Awards Ceremony saw Sherwin K.D. win four prizes; Vinita Biswas, Vishal Saraf and Swati Sil won in dance; and Sayan Biswas in music. The Best Group Award went to Bhavna, the Most Popular Camper award to Vinita Biswas, and Sherwin K.D. was declared the Best Camper.

Sourendra Kumar Das,
Class XII, Salt Lake School