‘What do you think of as Indian culture?’ ‘Sari!’ ‘Rosogolla!’ ‘Festivals!’ ‘Mughlai cuisine!’ The History for Peace Outreach Programme reached Modern High School for Girls on 26 July 2018. 40 girls from Class 8, led by Anjum Katyal (member of the History for Peace advisory board, educationist and co-director of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival),…
History for Peace is now in its fourth year. After each conference, we have been working on effective ways of outreach, dissemination and feedback, organizing various smaller events and workshops. In 2017, we organised Conference to Classroom, a workshop conducted by four teachers from Modern High School for Girls (MHS) for teacher trainees from the…
When I started storytelling sessions at the Jorabagan police station in November 2017, the children appeared reserved except for a handful who were enthusiastic right from the beginning. I worked on this over the months that I conducted sessions and noticed that more and more children became involved. Throughout the sessions, I combined storytelling with memory…
‘Have you ever met or spoken to anyone from Pakistan?’ ‘Yes!’ ‘So, what comes to mind when you think about Pakistan?’ ‘Jinnah!’ ‘The flag!’ ‘A sudden patriotism during cricket matches!’ ‘What comes to mind when you think about Bangladesh?’ ‘Bangal and Ghoti!’ ‘Cultural difference!’ ‘Ilish!’ ‘You really have to explain that to me,’ said a…
‘What are your thoughts about Pakistan?’ Anam asked the assembled students. There was only a brief hesitation, before one of them piped up. ‘Cricket! ’ The conversation between Anam Zakaria, author and educationist and eleven students from Chowringhee High School (classes 9 and 10) and two of their teachers took place on 30 June. ‘What…
