Students of the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) have come with a novel idea of designing colourful earthen lamps for Deepavali. The students, who decorated the lamps with latest designs, are marketing them at their schools.
About 500 children are studying in 16 NCLP Schools in Krishna district. Children, who were never enrolled in schools and dropouts are admitted in the schools and they are mainstreamed into the regular schools later, NCLP district Project Director D. Anjaneya Reddy said.
“To improve skills and talent among the students, vocational courses were introduced in NCLP Schools. Teachers are giving training on painting, embroidery, interior designing and other courses”, Mr. Reddy said.
NCLP Programme Manager B. Prasanna said the students painted colourful designs on the earthen lamps on their own. They formed into groups and were preparing the lamps for the last few days, she said.
“Stalls were arranged at the NCLP Schools located in Pedana, Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Jaggaiahpet, YSR Colony in Vijayawada and other places with the help of local NGOs. The sales are good”, Ms. Prasanna told The Hindu.
Deputy Commissioner of Labour (DCL) P.V.S. Subramanyam, who visited the stall on Wednesday, praised the students for their talent. “Deepavali is known for decorating houses with lamps. The colourful ‘deepams’ will illuminate the houses and fill joy”, said a student Durga and thanked Collector B. Lakshmikantham for giving all support for NCLP schools in the district.
“We purchased the raw material and painted designs on the earthen lamps. The money we earn on selling the lamps would be used for purchasing books, dresses and stationery material. We arranged a stall with the help of an NGO, Krupa Foundation in Vijayawada”, another student Imran said.
Mr. Reddy said that students prepared sets of the painted lamps, which can be gifted to friends.
A ninth class student, Devi, said the lamps were decorated with used coconut shells in different colours, which were being sold like hot cakes. The courses we learnt in vocational training will help us in future, she said.