JCCD's Bala Janaagraha Programme is a mission to awaken civic sense amongst children in order

to make them well informed and responsible citizens of the future. I am glad to have been
associated with this project for the past three years. It is a well timed and apt addition to the
bunch of activities undertaken in my school.
The class room sessions and E-modules have been helpful in creating interest in civics as a school
subject in more and more students. The resource book 'I Change My City' complements perfectly
to the school civics curriculum. Students can use it as a practical handbook. This helps students
realise that civics is not only a theoretical subject to be learned in school but also one to be
practised in life.
The civic project was a hands on experience for participating students to understand what active
citizenship is all about. It provided students an opportunity to do a field visit to the selected area
and identify civic problems faced by the people. The observation, data sampling and analytical
thinking to come to solutions lead students to a scientific methodology. Students also took
initiative in implementing the ideas they come up with to solve the civic problems by contacting
concerned corporator. "Thinking is helpful only when it is followed by action" is the lesson that
the students learnt.
I am a firm believer that genuine projects don't necessitate paperwork, but the wilful action of
mind and body. Bala Janaahraha Programme adheres exactly by this idea. Finally, I would
consider this project a success if it results in students saying not necessarily 'I change my city' but
'I change myself'.

Mrs. Vijaya H. Desai

Principal
Somalwar High School & Junior College,
Nikalas Branch,
Nagpur - 440025