Divine Karnataka Project

The aim and vision of the Divine Karnataka Project (DKP), which was started in March 2008, is to help in creating a vibrant and empowered Karnataka. To achieve this goal DKP plans to train Children and Youth from different sections of society to enable them to be self reliant and to help in the development activities to be undertaken across various districts, towns, villages and slums in Urban Areas. The objectives of DKP are to provide Education, organize Tuition classes, English speaking classes, Mobile libraries, Job Orientation Workshops, School Health Care Programs, Health Education, Disability Identification and Follow Ups, and Health Exhibitions.

The Art of Living has already set up 20 centers in the slums of Bangalore.  More than 4500 school children have been trained in Bal Chetna Shibirs. Daily Pranayam and Meditations are conducted in these centers before the start of their regular classes. After 3 months of programs at these schools, a survey was conducted amongst the School Children and their Teachers.  Children from 3 schools participated in the survey. The results of the survey are shown at the end of this report.

The Slum centers are open from 7am to 8pm. The courses that are undertaken in these slums are

computer basics, spoken English, tuitions [for 4th to 10th Std], tailoring, yoga and meditation. Awareness programs on environment and pollution are also conducted. A Sports Event was organised, in which 450 Slum Children had participated.

Youth Leadership Training Program:

The Art of Living regularly undertakes Youth Leadership Training Programs [YLTP]. Graduate Youths are identified by the DKP team for this programme. The mission of the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) is to revive and enrich communities through the upliftment and transformation of youth.  YLTP creates a platform for youth to make a difference in their world. Local youth are encouraged, motivated, recruited, trained extensively and then they become ‘Agents of Change’. YLTP puts special emphasis on training women to become youth leaders, as change is only sustainable when women are fully participating in the process.

Sports Event:

The DKP Team had conducted a Sports event for Slum children. Around 450 Srirampuram slum children had participated in the event. This initiative included the following events:

*100/ 200 Meters running race

*Shot Put

*Fun Games [Nimbu Race, Gunny Bag Race, etc.)

40 Trainers from Kolar college had organized the tracks and were in charge of the events. Food was distributed to all the children who participated in the event. 

The Divine Karnataka Project is to be an ongoing initiative.

Results of the survey conducted amongst the School Children and their Teachers: