Volunteers from Intel, Delhi organised a workshop and an interaction program for the parents of the learners in the walled city area of Chandni Chowk. Nearly 50 parents from diverse socio-economic backgrounds participated in the event - some were daily wagers who found time to participate in the workshop as they understood the relevance of the workshop. The activity based workshop was to highlight the importance of continued education for children, especially girl children in the walled city area. Intel Delhi Employees, including Mr. Sivakumar Ramamurthy, Mr. Ashutosh Chadha, Mr. Vivek Vashishth, Ms. Valsa Williams, Ms. Dipti Dutt, Ms. Rini Jose and Ms. Sharon Kumar shared their own experiences on how education has been the agent of change in their lives.

Parents shared their views on the general conceptions prevalent in the area and the challenges faced by the children and youth. It was indeed heartening when the parents thanked the Intel team for implementing its education programs in an area like Chandni Chowk – where supporting children to continue their education is an everyday challenge and the youth need proper guidance on career options. They appreciated that Intel is possibly the only big company that was working in the area and that other companies should follow their example. One parent echoed – “I would like to thank Intel that it has come to such an underserved place and is successfully working with our children, parents, teachers and Principals. I know it is not easy to work here. I feel such interactions will inspire more parents to encourage their children to complete education. Who knows, Inshaallah, maybe one of our children would join Intel in future and conduct such workshops for us, in days to come?”

The volunteers closely interacted with the learners, teachers and also with the parents. The volunteers were touched to see the learners present the projects prepared by them through the Intel Learn Program. The learners also prompted the audience to take oaths to promote gender equity and water conservation. The volunteers were seen spending time with the learners talking to them on global issues and motivating them to continue their education.

It is hoped that the tremendous exposure the parents and the children from underserved communities in Chandni Chowk received through the interaction with the Intel volunteers – would indeed give wings to their dreams and aspirations….

The event organized by Intel Education in partnership with Anglo Arabic School and Delhi Education society was graced by Shri Kapil Sibal Hon’ble Minister for Human Resource Development, Mr. Haroon Yousuf (Hon'ble Minister for Transport, Food & Civil Supplies), Mr. Abrar (Principal, Anglo Arabic School), Mr. Mehmood Zia (Area Counselor, Chandni Chowk), Smt. Renuka Gupta (MCD Chairperson) and other councilors, Principals, parents and teachers. Numerous students and teachers from several schools in the walled city area also added colour to the program.

Two groups of learners showcased their multimedia projects on ‘Water problem in Ajmeri Gate area’ and on the ‘Problem of girl child education’. Shri Kapil Sibal keenly listened to the children as they shared their views on how technology can help solve problems in the area. He took an oath with the learners against gender discrimination. When someone mentioned that many children of the area do not go to school, Mr. Sibal pointed to the learners presenting the project and stated “but these kids are getting real education and are educated”.

Mr. Ashutosh Chadha welcomed all the dignitaries and the participants to the program and briefly shared information about Intel’s Education Initiatives through programs like Intel Teach, Intel Learn, IRIS and the other activities that Intel conducted in Chandni Chowk – Workshop on 21st century skills, organising a visit for the children from Chandni Chowk to the Intel corporate Office, workshop for parents to highlight the importance of continuing education etc. He also announced a workshop on digital literacy especially for parents, which was loudly applauded by the audience.

Shri Kapil Sibal thanked Intel for taking this initiative in the education field especially for the underdeveloped communities which would make a remarkable change in the nation’s growth. “Intel should not thank us. I think, we should in turn thank Intel for working with the children, teachers, Principals and parents in Chandni Chowk. Initiatives like the one we witnessed today are what CSR initiatives should be like. Intel Education initiatives like the one in Chandni Chowk, is lighting the way for other firms to follow”.

He also shared that technology can be used both in positive and negative ways but initiatives like Intel’s Education Initiatives are showing the right direction to the learners. The kind of training that Intel is providing to the learners, gives them a feeling of confidence and enables them to understand and respond constructively towards the problems of the community. This will benefit the nation as these children are tomorrow’s citizens. He echoed Intel’s focus on Girl child education and shared that girl child education is very important and that an entire family gets educated when the female members in any family get educated. The students from different schools presented Bamboo shoots to the dignitaries, symbolising that the learners were like the shoots who were being nurtured with real education and social values.

Thereafter, the learners also presented a small play on how IRIS has impacted their lives; three teachers presented their views on how the Intel Teach program has impacted their teaching process.

A group of Intel Learn program students presented their project on Dengue and their set of solutions for preventing Dengue. At the end of their presentation they asked the audience to take an oath in keeping areas clean and asked for their support in containing the spread of dengue. Ms Valsa Williams delivered the Vote of thanks and thanked especially the children, the young leaders of tomorrow, and appreciated the confidence they displayed.

The day ended on an extremely encouraging note as the children and parents went back with hope in their hearts and a promising smile that reflected their resolve to continue education for a successful future.