• In Anekal taluk, Bengaluru Rural district, children actively participate in Makkala Gram Sabhas (Children’s Gram Sabhas).
• These sessions enable children to:
  • Present real-life community issues.
  • Offer context-specific solutions.
  • Collaborate with schoolteachers and civil society organisations.
• Key areas involved: Shantipura and Bannerghatta gram panchayat limits.

THE NEED FOR MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT

• Despite regular sabhas, children’s participation had become symbolic.
• Pratibha Narayan, co-founder of Involve, highlighted the need for deeper involvement.
• The NGO Involve focused on revitalising the sabhas through:
  • A structured approach.
  • Promoting youth empowerment and critical thinking.

THE ‘HOLIDAY PROJECT’ INITIATIVE

• Launched during the Dussehra vacation to nurture observation and problem-solving skills.
• Children were guided to:
  • Observe and document real-world issues.
  • Investigate through conversations with community members.
  • Understand the root causes and context of problems.

CHILDREN AS SOLUTION-SEEKERS

• Focus in 2023: Children had to propose actionable solutions, not just identify problems.
• Guidance provided by mentors like Arya Mishra from Involve.
• Emphasis placed on:
  • Independent inquiry.
  • Ownership of both issues and solutions.

CASE STUDIES: CHILDREN’S VOICES AND INITIATIVES

Kushal – Tackling Illiteracy

• Realised that illiteracy led to stigma and vulnerability to scams.
• Proposed adult literacy classes at local government schools.
• Plans to address poor sanitation in future sabhas.

Meghana – Addressing School Environment

• Identified lack of first aid kit, sports equipment, and poor sanitation.
• Prioritised the issue of waste accumulation.
• Recommended:
  • More frequent waste collection.
  • Awareness campaigns for proper waste disposal.

DEVELOPING SKILLS THROUGH PARTICIPATION

• Benefits beyond civic engagement:
  • Overcoming stage fright.
  • Gaining confidence in public speaking.
  • Learning to articulate thoughts clearly.
• Makkala Gram Sabhas become a platform for:
  • Leadership development.
  • Real-world problem-solving.

ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE

• Children’s participation is meaningful only with responsive local governance.
• Panchayat members were oriented about the goals of Makkala Gram Sabhas.
• Shift in perception:
  • Initially seen as educational for kids.
  • Later acknowledged as a valuable input for governance.

CONCLUSION: EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ENGAGEMENT

• Makkala Gram Sabhas have evolved into a dynamic forum for children.
• Empower children to:
  • Voice concerns.
  • Propose solutions.
  • Influence local decision-making.
• A successful model of child-led civic participation that fosters responsibility, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.

MAINS QUESTIONS

1. What are the potential long-term benefits of empowering children to participate in local governance, and how can this contribute to creating a more inclusive and participatory democracy?
2. Case Study: Analyze the initiatives taken by children like Kushal and Meghana in addressing community issues, and discuss the impact of their participation in Makkala Gram Sabhas.