Pratapgarh: Dussehra has turned into a celebration of creativity, culture and belonging for 250 children supported under the Bal Yojana scheme as they have crafted their own Ravan, bows and arrows and took home memories of a festival designed especially for them.Led by Pratapgarh district magistrate Abhishek Pandey, a special eco-friendly Dussehra workshop was organised under Mission Shakti on Oct 15 for children who have lost one or both parents. The initiative sought to bring them festive joy, meaningful engagement and a sense of belonging while allowing them to celebrate Dussehra with happiness and dignity.To turn the idea into an engaging experience, the DM invited Creste Kids, a Lucknow-based creative experiential learning organisation, to conceptualise and conduct the celebration.At the heart of the workshop were three-foot-tall Ravanas effigies, assembled and decorated by the children themselves. Keeping the celebrations eco-friendly, each child was provided natural materials, including neem, cloves, cow dung cakes, cardamom and camphor, to take home for the traditional Ravana Dahan.The celebrations went beyond Ravana-making. Children crafted their own bows and arrows and listened to the story of the Ramayana, learning about courage, righteousness, kindness and the victory of good over evil.They also created personalised fridge magnets as keepsakes. While the Ravana effigies would be consigned to flames during the festivities, the magnets were designed to remain as reminders of the celebration and the joy of creating something with their own hands.The Creste Kids team was led by Nidhi Sethia, who coordinated the overall execution. Rajat Tiwari headed the event setup and on-ground arrangements, while Ishmeet Kohli led marketing and operations. Refreshments were provided to all 250 participating children.Reflecting the spirit of Mission Shakti, the workshop brought together care, inclusion, creativity and cultural tradition. More than a Dussehra activity, it gave the children handmade creations to carry home, along with memories of a festival in which they were not merely spectators, but creators.
