New Delhi, 24 May (H.S.): Twenty 25-day summer camps have been launched across 17 villages in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh with the aim of promoting the holistic development of children from underprivileged communities. The camps are designed to engage children in education, creative learning, and sports activities during the summer vacation while fostering their personality development and practical skills.

According to the Ministry of Steel, the initiative is being conducted from May 20 to June 15, 2026, by National Mineral Development Corporation in collaboration with WOSC, an organization working in the fields of education and community development. The primary objective of the programme is to provide children in rural and tribal regions with a positive and creative environment that nurtures confidence, learning, and personal growth.

Under the campaign, nearly 1,700 children are expected to participate in experiential learning programmes, art, music, handicrafts, and sports-based activities. Camps have already commenced in most villages, while preparations are underway to introduce additional batches in response to increasing participation from children.

At present, around 30 to 40 children from each village are attending the camps daily. Participants spend three to four hours every day engaging in a wide range of activities. Alongside academic learning, children are taking part in handicraft-making sessions, painting, music workshops, and other creative exercises. They also participate in traditional outdoor games such as frisbee, kabaddi, and kho-kho, helping them remain physically active and mentally engaged. Nutritious refreshments are provided to the children at the end of each session.

Special emphasis is being placed on developing teamwork, discipline, communication abilities, and leadership skills among the participants. Organizers believe that such programmes not only enhance children’s self-confidence but also encourage them to become socially aware, resilient, and self-reliant individuals.

National Mineral Development Corporation stated that the initiative reflects its commitment to education and community development in rural and tribal areas. The organization emphasized that providing children with a constructive and encouraging environment can lay a strong foundation for a brighter and more secure future.

The initiative has also generated considerable enthusiasm at the local level. Parents and villagers have said that the camps are offering children not merely recreation, but a meaningful opportunity to learn, interact, and build confidence. Experts believe that such programmes play a vital role in the mental, social, and emotional development of children.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar