Several children peep out of the windows and balconies of their houses as Mohit Shah strums his guitar and sings “Twinkle, twinkle little star”.

Mohit, 15, a Class IX student of Learners’ Educational Institution here, has been performing children’s rhymes and songs in the villages in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district, whenever he gets time after his online education assignments.

On Sunday, he was performing at Balijan village, 51km from Tinsukia town and 27km from here.

“After our Prime Minister announced the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, I realised that something should be done to boost the morale of the people and entertain children because schools, parks and playing fields are closed. So, I started singing in the streets in villages and I am happy to see the children smiling from their windows,” he said.

Mohit said: “We discussed if we could do something for children who can’t always understand what’s happening. They are at home without being able to go to school or meet their friends.”

Mohit’s grandfather was also a singer and musician.

The idea for the performances, according to Mohit, came from videos on social media where police officers are entertaining people and sensitising them on Covid-19. The idea was to encourage the children to come out onto the balconies or windows and move around a bit, he added.

Mohit, who hails from Daisajan, thought he could play the guitar while singing popular children’s songs, which have choreography and are upbeat. Mohit has also shared a video of his performances on his Twitter and Facebook profiles.

Mohit is also creating awareness among the people through his songs asking them to wear masks and gloves, wash hands frequently and maintain social distance.

The local authorities have approved the performance and the response of the community and the smiles of the children make it a “ very special moment”, he said. “We can’t escape what’s happening. When the lockdown is over, we will remember it like an anecdote. Stay home and stay safe,” he added.

His elder brother Sagar is studying at Digboi College, while his sister Priti studies in Class X at Doomdooma Jatiya Vidyalaya.