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| Nehru Children`s Museum, Kolkata | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nehru children`s museum was the brainchild of Late Shri Jugal Srimal, a visionary statesman, who had the idea that the learning process becomes easier in the `play way` method, otherwise it becomes boring and unattractive for the kids. This means of education is based on the technique of imparting knowledge through toys and games, which is welcomed by the children, and they also learn faster. The Museum was dedicated to the late Prime Minister of India - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru or Chacha Nehru, as the children knew him. This was a groundbreaking initiation in the world of education and understanding a child`s psyche. This involves class outside the established norms of classroom and strict routine, which makes the study easier and less stressful.  The building is four storied inside which are galleries which are filled with dolls, toys and other things in display. The Museum gives an impression of a sense of a dreamland, which instills within a child an imaginative being that is captivated by the display of the various paraphernalia. The dolls gallery in the Museum comprises a collection of dolls from 88 different countries. Dolls have always been the playmates of children and when they are found in the huge display all over here, definitely it would arouse curiosity in them. Moreover, the children are having an encounter with the varieties of dolls from so many different countries which itself is making them aware of the world, its culture and how things are different outside their country. Since the dolls are dressed in their national costumes, it is wonderful to think that the kid will get introduced to the national costume of 88 countries, which is in itself an achievement. Practical education lives long in our memories and this moment is easily captured in the young minds, which entices the children about the different customs outside their country.
 The next gallery that looks interesting it the gallery of the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Here in this gallery we find the exhibition of a series of clay models, which have been chronologically arranged. These models portray the events that are there in the epics in a very nice coherent manner. The clay models are really interesting to look at and this attracts the children who also get aware of the epics and the legends related to it through these models depicting the events. It is highly an enriching experience for the kids who know a great deal about Indian culture and myths through these clay effigies. It has brought the children closer to their culture, which has its roots in the distant past, which is glorious. The simple process adopted here is catchier for the kids who enjoy it in a manner of story telling and this visual impact is something different from the usual visual mediums.
The Nehru Children`s Museum not only provides for a learning experience but also has taken up initiatives to improve the lives of children it. The museum has the provision for scholarships to 170 handicapped and underprivileged children, with the total scholarship being Rs.150 Lakhs. This amount has been received mainly as donations from various organizations as well as eminent personalities and common men. The Museum`s initiative to help the unprivileged children of the country is a noble initiative taken in order to improve their condition since one day these children would grow up heightening the country`s pride. Therefore they should be educated properly which is their main motto, this has led to the establishment of many non-formal education centers in furthermost districts of the country. Children camps have also being held by them since 20 years, which speaks volume about the Nehru Children`s Museum`s educational zeal and achievements. An overall assessment of the Nehru Children`s Museum, gives a very bright impression about the dream that including Nehru many others saw, of educating the young minds of India who will be the torchbearers of the nation some day. The nations progress is in their hands for which the Museum strives in its own way not only strengthening their cultural base but also their knowledge about the outside world. The Museum is an ultimate lovable place for the children. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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