“Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.” – Rabindranath Tagore
There are moments that sparkle with the pure, unadulterated magic of childhood, moments that remind us of the profound hope and boundless potential that every child brings into this world. The launch of the “Voices of Play – Writing the National Play Manifesto” initiative was one such moment, a heartfelt testament to the power of play and a promise to listen to the most important voices of all – our children.
Organised by Bachpan Manao (supported by Shiksharth and Reach India Collective), this unique virtual conference was more than just an event; it was the beginning of a movement. On the International Day of Play, June 11, 2025, with the heartfelt motto, “If it’s not your story to tell, you don’t tell it,” the stage was set for children to become the storytellers, the rule-makers, and the visionaries of a more playful world. Adults were the eager audience, ready to listen and learn from the true experts on play.
The event was beautifully orchestrated, with two delightful puppet mascots, Gillu and Gilli, leading the charge. To bring this spirit of play to life, Gillu and Gilli initiated a delightful memory game, asking participants to share their favourite childhood games. The room buzzed with nostalgia and joy as names of games like Ludo, Cricket, Chinese Checkers, and Namak (a game played in Sukma) filled the chat, each new addition building upon the last in a chain of happy memories.
Through a charming play, they explored a simple yet powerful question: What is a manifesto, and why do we need one? The heart of the event was a series of poignant questions posed by Gillu and Gilli to children from partner organisations across the country. Children from Swantantra Talim, Lucknow (Gillu and Gilli), Gramothan, Odisha (Bhabna, Happy), Samanta Foundation, Uttarakhand (Shabina, Maysru, Mojida), Umoya Sports (Rohit, Angel, Kusum) and Shiksharth, Sukma (Vidhya and Shanti), answered enthusiastically. The answer, echoing in the Zoom platform, was that children desire to have their voices heard.
We heard from children from Swatantra Talim about the challenges of playing on busy streets, their games interrupted by the constant flow of traffic. Young voices from the Samanta Foundation shared what play means to them and the sadness they feel when they are stopped from playing. From the lush green jungles of Sukma and Assam, children from Shiksharth and NEAID painted a picture of their beautiful, natural playgrounds, while also raising safety concerns. Children from Umoya Sports spoke about the joy of playing together and questioned why games cannot be labelled for “boys only” or “girls only.” Finally, children from Gramothan and NEAID shared their earnest desire for adults to understand that play is not just fun but a vital part of their learning and growth, helping them to build friendships and learn valuable life lessons.
As the children’s powerful testimonies filled the virtual space, it was clear that a shift was happening. To capture this, a poll was put to the adult attendees: “Should our manifesto use our own (children’s) words?” An overwhelming and unanimous “Yes” flooded the screen, a resounding affirmation that the time has come to listen. The excitement for what was to come was palpable.
Too often, the adult world dismisses the profound importance of play with the age-old adage, “Padhoge likhoge banoge nawab, kheloge kudoge hoge kharab” (You’ll become a king if you study, you’ll be spoiled if you play). But the children, with wisdom beyond their years, offered a powerful rebuttal: “Kheloge kudoge bhi to banoge lajawab” (You’ll become wonderful even if you play).
And this is just the beginning. The “Voices of Play” initiative is now moving into a series of offline events, creating safe and enabling spaces for children to discuss, debate, and conceptualise their National Play Manifesto. These discussions will culminate in the launch of the manifesto in August, a document written by children, for children, and the child in all of us.
The hope is that this manifesto will not be just a document, but the spark that ignites a national movement. A movement that recognises and acknowledges the critical importance of play in a child’s life. A movement that works to ensure that every child has access to safe, inclusive, and joyful spaces to play.
The journey ahead is one of collaboration and shared dreams. As we move forward, let us carry the voices of these children in our hearts. Let us champion their right to play. And let us work together to build a world where every child’s laughter echoes in playgrounds, and their dreams are given the space to take flight.
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