The Saturday Sehpaathi Raas workshop, held on 27July 2024, was a vibrant event dedicated to introducing underprivileged children to the rich heritage of classical dancing and Warli art. We welcomed students from the NGOs Jaagriti and Samarpan, providing them with a unique opportunity to engage in cultural activities that celebrated traditional arts. The workshop aimed to foster an appreciation for these art forms and offer the children opportunities for creative expression. Ms. Peehu Bhardwaj, an accomplished classical dancer, introduced the participants to the intricacies of classical dance forms, while Ms. Sujata Arora, a talented Warli artist, guided them through the traditional techniques of Warli art. The sessions were designed to educate the children about the historical and cultural significance of these art forms, encouraging them to participate and develop an interest in the performing arts. By providing a platform for creative expression and skill development, the workshop inspired the children to explore and appreciate their cultural heritage.

Ninaad, our cultural festival dedicated to celebrating imperfections in the spirit of inclusion, made a significant impact this year by raising over ₹1,20,000 for acid attack survivors.  At a Special Assembly on  22 July 2024, our school had the honour of hosting five survivors from the Acid Survivors and Women Welfare Foundation (ASWWF) and one from the Brave Souls Foundation. The funds, collected through ticket sales and donations from parents during Ninaad 6.0, were presented to these survivors. During the course of  their visit, the survivors shared their powerful stories with our students, creating a profound connection and fostering a deeper understanding of their difficult journeys. Additionally, a podcast was recorded to capture the survivors’ experiences and reflections on Ninaad, aiming to share their wisdom and journeys with a broader audience. This initiative not only enriched our students but also spread awareness and empathy beyond our school community.

Senior students conducted a sensitization session for students of Class IX on 25 July 2024, aiming to educate them on the LGBTQ+ community’s history, key terms such as gender identity and sexual orientation, and the challenges faced by its members. The session sought to promote empathy, inclusivity, and allyship through interactive activities, personal stories, and open discussions.Students engaged in various activities designed to challenge stereotypes and foster understanding. The interactive format encouraged students to ask questions and express their thoughts, facilitating a more profound and personal connection to the topic. Additionally, videos regarding LGBTQ+ issues were shown, providing visual and emotional insights that complemented the discussions. The Class IX students expressed their newfound empathy for LGBTQ+ community and explored practical strategies to help their peers. This initiative emphasizes the value of ongoing education and awareness in promoting respect and acceptance for all students, marking a major step towards developing a more welcoming and supportive school climate.

Samarpan Foundation is a charitable not-for-profit entity established in September 2006, focusing on humanitarian, ecological, environmental, and animal welfare needs. Students who are part of Sehpaathi and Girl Up TISVV  visited Samarpan Foundation on 8 May 2024 with the dual objective of teaching basic English skills and engaging the students in recreational activities. They implemented interactive teaching methods with games, and public speaking to facilitate learning, covering topics like alphabets, articles, comprehension and foundational topics. Our volunteers  also organized various games and activities like Atlas, Eye-Spy, with worksheets to promote teamwork, creativity, and mental activity. The students’ enthusiasm and active participation showcased the success of our efforts in creating a positive impact. Overall, the visit was a fulfilling experience, emphasizing our commitment to holistic education and development. This is an ongoing project for Girl Up TISVV; they plan to visit on a  weekly basis.  The visit was a fulfilling experience, emphasizing our commitment to social outreach, and holistic education for all.

IIT Vibhinn 2024, the All India Queer Collective Conference, marked a significant milestone in the journey of celebrating diversity and inclusion. Held on January 13, 2024, the event commenced with a dynamic panel discussion titled ‘Radical Empathy – Building an Inclusive Queer Pedagogy, Infrastructure, and Culture.’ The atmosphere resonated with vibrant expressions of gay pride, fostering unity, acceptance, and love among enthusiastic participants from diverse backgrounds. The focal point of the event was the insightful panel discussion, addressing the imperative for transformative policies at the institutional level. Engaging conversations emphasized the need to move beyond mere tolerance towards embracing true diversity, exploring practical steps for fostering inclusivity. The event transcended a mere celebration; it became a powerful platform for advocacy and change. Notably, students from the Breaking Barriers campaign not only attended but actively participated by posing questions on how schools can become more inclusive, earning appreciation from all present.

In a significant stride towards advancing their mission to promote organ donation, the Outlive Yourself team received an exclusive invitation from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Delhi. Interactions with Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Affairs, and Dr. Krishnan Kumar, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry, proved transformative, emphasizing the vital role of collaborative efforts for community well-being. The insightful discussion offered a glimpse into the government’s perspective on organ donation and transplantation in India, reshaping our students’ perspectives on this sensitive topic. The Ministry’s appreciation of our campaign and advocacy not only served to inspire the students but also highlighted the critical need for collective action in this field.

On December 21, 2023, the core team of Breaking Barriers had the privilege of engaging in a virtual dialogue with Axis Bank’s inclusion and diversity team. Centered around the theme of ‘Inclusion of the Young,’ the session featured team members sharing insights on cultivating an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in both educational institutions and the corporate realm. The session took on a lighthearted and comfortable tone as participants shared personal coming-out experiences and real-life stories. Thought-provoking questions were posed, delving into how the campaign addresses challenges like homophobia from parents or peers. The Axis Bank team offered valuable guidance on supporting LGBTQ+ friends and community members, emphasizing the significance of active, open-minded, and open-hearted listening free from personal bias. This collaborative exchange not only left our students enlightened but also inspired to persist in our endeavors to create a more inclusive and supportive space for the LGBTQIA+ community.

ORGAN India (Organ Receiving and Giving Awareness Network) is an initiative that was launched in March 2013 by The Parashar Foundation, (a Delhi-based NGO) to address the unhappy state of organ donation in India. They seek to remedy the shortage of organ donors and spread awareness about it. Ms Sunaina, CEO ORGAN India, accompanied by Ms. Divya, visited our school on 31 October, 2023 to conduct a session on organ and tissue donation. The students of Class IX along with the team of ‘Outlive Yourself’ and ‘Flawless Flaws’ participated in it. Ms. Sunaina addressed the students about the dire need for organ donors, organs and tissues that can be donated, types of organ donation and the side effects of a transplant. A short movie about  heart transplantation, provided a glimpse into the complex process. She spoke about the World Transplant Games and representation by Indian athletes there. Students were given an insightful glimpse into the life of Mr. Karhun Nanda, who exemplifies vitality after a successful heart transplant. The interaction culminated in an engaging quiz, where those who answered correctly were delighted to be rewarded with diaries. 

People who challenge binary social constructions of gender have traditionally faced discrimination and humiliation in society. The Breaking Barriers team has been working very sincerely to create a more inclusive mindset and to sensitise students to the needs of the LGBTQI+ community. As part of this effort, on 16 October 2023, our students had the opportunity to interact with Hiten Noonwal, who is a very successful drag artist, model, cosplayer and fashion designer. Hiten uses the pronouns ‘they’ and ‘them’ and  speaks openly about their genderfluid identity. They started with a beautiful live performance and the graceful dance moves spoke of acceptance and self–love. Hiten’s sensitive video exploring the concept of identity through music, dance, colours, costumes and creative visuals was deeply moving. Using simple language, they proceeded to share their journey of self discovery, of discrimination, ridicule, loneliness and finally the use of art as a therapy to express oneself and find one’s own place in the world. They made sure to put a special emphasis on expression as a form of letting out pain and vulnerability. Their struggle touched every listener and clearly students could empathise with their pain.The students were given a chance to express emotions through bodily postures in a theatrical display with groups of 8-10 students where they were given two minutes to prepare a scene and enact it just by stationary expression. Students came up with different situations ranging from a masquerade ball to a scene unfolding in a football field. Hiten gave their inputs and explained how this art helped them express their deepest emotions – an eye opener for all the hidden artists in the room !  The Q&A session which concluded the event showed how much students were inspired by this tale of struggle and self discovery.

In the month of June, the Breaking Barriers team hosted Prismatic – an online Intra-School Competition with the theme Ruminate, Radiate, Illuminate. Students competed in four categories namely;Artistic Alchemy: a piece of art (either traditional or digital ) to help spread the message of diversity and inclusivity.Essay Enigma: Essays reflecting  thought-provoking insights and demonstrating a genuine passion for bringing change in society.Poetry Pinnacle: express emotions in verse. The Seniors also took part in the “Reelovation” category, which required them to create a reel that raises awareness of the LGBTQIA+ community, in order to keep up with the social media age. Congratulations to all the winners.