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From the desk of Dr.Michael.O.Smith...

Visit to Bhim Basti and BalBhawan Mandi 

Yesterday we visited the Bal Bhavan to see a graduation program of the radio club –a previous activity conducted by Suneel and Pallavi including several students in English class at Bhim Basti.  
Dr.Smith in the year 2011at Pehchaan Radio club a project of Nada India 
 The graduation itself took more than an hour with speeches by several of the teenagers and an announcement of a 500-800 word essay contest (in Hindi of course).  There were about 75 kids aged 6-18 in the multiple graduation of different Nada India programs.  The constructive enthusiastic attention was impressive—considering the range of ages and topics.  This Bal Bhavan (meaning simply ‘children’s building’)is an extensive 20 building park with displays of paintings, drawings, etc, a large bird house, yoga posters, and other activity centers.  It is a product of prior decades when the Indian government emphasized social uplifting in urban villages.  A small dedicated staff remains.  Some of the art work is quite well imagined –trees with fingers and snakes swallowing a wayward drinker.
Dr.Smith visiting prize winning entries from radio club members 


A small token of thanks to officer incharge Jawhar Balbhawan Mandi  

Bal Pehchaan Radio club members with Mr.Bisth and Dr.Smith 

vocational group of Bhim Basti with Dr.Smith 

This is my 2nd year visiting a ceremony here.  Note that the actual class is conducted in a rooftop room in a house in the Bhim Basti Slum close to Mandi village.  
with love,
Mike 

Girls on their way to Pehchaan Vocational Center Bhim Basti (Slum)
from New York 
                                                                         
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