Sociology

In Assam, This Programme Is Attempting to Mitigate ‘Conflict’ Through Sports

In Assam, This Programme Is Attempting to Mitigate ‘Conflict’ Through Sports
Photo By : Jignesh Mistry

The Centre for New Economics Studies’ Visual Storyboards team studied the nature of interventions brought in the community through Colouring the Rainbow project, a development project of the ant, an organisation based in Assam’s Chirang district.

Authors

Deepanshu Mohan, Associate Professor of Economics and Director, Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.

Jignesh Mistry, Senior Research Analyst, Centre for New Economics Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.

Ashika Thomas, Senior Research Analyst, Centre for New Economics Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.

Tavleen Kaur, Research Assistant, Centre for New Economics Studies, O. P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.

Hima Trisha, Research Assistant, Centre for New Economics Studies, O. P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.

Yashasvini Gupta, Research Analyst, Centre for New Economics Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India

Summary

In areas marred by persistent conflict, forming social skills among children and the youth is an integral part of the peace-building programme undertaken by different social organisations. It also helps in the holistic personality development of the child in crucial learning ages. Lack of proper education and training restricts communities living in remote areas from opportunities they can pursue self-advancement and upward socio-economic mobility.

Assam, a state of diverse cultures, rich traditions and exotic tapestry, is home to many tribal communities like Bodo, Kachari, Karbi, Garos, Tiwas, Rabha, etc. However, with prevalent disruptions to political order, increased conflict, and militarisation of the area over the past decades, there have been periods of historical isolation observed in the region that adversely impacted the learning and personality development of children from different communities.

Our Centre for New Economics Studies’ Visual Storyboards team, during the time spent at the campus residence of the ant, an organisation based in the Chirang district of Bodo Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD), studied the nature of interventions brought in the community through one of its projects: Colouring the Rainbow (CTR) or the Ultimate Frisbee initiative aimed at the holistic development of the child-youth living across villages.

The Colouring the Rainbow (CTR) project, one of the ant’s many other development projects, is a cheerful and enthusiastic game-based programme for kids and youth development.

It is a continuation of the Sports for Development (S4D) project, which was launched in 2015. The goal of the project is to help young people gain confidence and practical life skills. When children play in an open setting without formal supervision and without fear of being judged, they learn deeply, which cannot be achieved by merely sitting in a closed classroom.

Published in: The Wire

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