Every child is a lover of interesting narrative, a hero worshipper and a patriot.      -Sri Aurobindo

Celebrating Sri Aurobindo’s Birthday and the Independence Day of India, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, Union Territory of Puducherry launched a web portal ‘Balasahitya-Towards Creativity and Self-Expression’ at Puducherry.

Inaugurating the portal, Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society said that

Good children’s literature uses the various phases of cognitive, emotional, and social development in mind of the children. He emphasized that every child should listen unique stories which can be helpful for the integral development and practice of the psychic in a positive manner. He also shared unique experiences of the Mother wile sharing stories in the evening classes for the students. He emphasized that Children’s literature is unique in that it uses imagination and storytelling to captivate and educate the child.  

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society said that Children’s literature is created with an intelligible and familiar introduction to novel concepts, feelings, and experiences. Highlighting the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, he said that good children’s literature resonates emotionally with young readers, helping them navigate complex feelings and understand their own emotions. Emphasizing the objectives of the project, he said that Balasahitya web portal will be useful for a creative dialogue between the writer’s as well as the children community.

Dr. Rutger Kortenhorst, recipient of Padmashree Award from Netherlands emphasized on the significance of learning children’s literature in a natural way. He spoke about the uniqueness of Sanskrit language depicting myths, stories and legends which will be very useful for the promotion of children’s literature. He emphasized those good children’s literatures needs to be developed in simplified language, which will be helpful for the creativity and self-expression among the children. He said that Balsahitya digital portal can address significant areas of children’s literature through creative storylines and striking visuals that inspire original thought and creativity.

Ms. Charu Tripathy, Associate Director, AuroBharti, Sri Aurobindo Society opined about the expansion of the portal through digital media, this site will teach kids about a variety of cultures, customs, and viewpoints. Furthermore, it will emphasize a holistic strategy for developing young brains, as well as forging a lifetime love of reading, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

On this occasion, a panel discussion on the topic ‘The Magic of Children’s Literature: Nurturing Self-Expression and Empowering Minds’ was organized. Ms. Nandini Sengupta, Author & Journalist, Puducherry, Ms. Gayatri Majumdar, Poet & Editor, Auro Publications, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, Shri P. Boopathy, Former Deputy Director (Elementary Education), Directorate of School Education, Puducherry, Thiru Sundar Murugan, Founder, ABAY NGO, Puducherry, & Mrs Charu Tripathy, Associate Director, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry shared their views on the uniqueness of children’s literature including diversity of expressions and representation, relatable characters and storylines, visual communication, personality development as well as integral development of the child.

Balasahitya web portal, specially designed for the promotion of Children’s Literature including stories, songs, fiction, poetry, fairy tales and novels etc.