Bachpan Manao (Celebrate Childhood) is a campaign, and a celebration, to recognize the importance of early childhood years for the 0 to 8 year-olds in India.
Spearheaded by Mrs. Rohini Nilekani of EkStep Foundation the campaign’s vision is to enable every child in India to grow and learn to their full potential during the early childhood phase of life (0 to 8 years), so they are empowered to thrive in their future.
The following is a translation of the interview (in Hindi) between NDTV’s Mr. Sanjay Pugalia and Mrs. Nilekani (in February 2025), where she talks about when and how it all started, why this mission is very close to her heart, and the campaign’s relevance to Viksit Bharat.
The ambience for this interaction was nothing short of perfect, as it happened outdoors where many young children were playing and having lots of fun!
Bachpan Manao | Celebrate Childhood
SP: You come to Delhi but not very often.
RN: Yes. But I have come for a very important work. To meet you (and talk about the campaign).
SP: This (interview) became an important work for us, because, (first) let us tell you how we know about you. We know you as someone who’s worked across various sectors like technology, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, water, forest, and wildlife.
So when we got to know that you’re running a campaign about young children through EkStep Foundation, and that you’re into it very seriously, then we thought what’s this all about? Then your team asked us, well NDTV is a general news channel, how come there’s an interest in this campaign? So we told them that (what you do is) very close to our heart. That’s why we’re talking to you today.
RN: We’re so happy.
SP: Why has EkStep Foundation taken up Bachpan Manao campaign, and considers it an important subject?
RN: When we started work in the field of education in 2014, lots of experimentation happened, and we had worked along with the government to make Diksha platform. We also worked with state governments on other experiments too.
But one thing that stuck with us, Sanjay ji, was how to create a strong foundation in young children for education. That is a work which we have just begun, because we were earlier working with relatively older children and with governments.
But this work we are doing (Bachpan Manao) is very close to my heart, because ‘am working in this field (education) right from 1999 through Akshara Foundation, Pratham and Pratham Books.
In our country, approximately 25 million (2.5 crore) children are born every year (in India). And if we could do something for them to help them learn and get educated happily through play; then I think the foundation that gets created as they learn happily through play – by itself, will help them learn how to learn.
So if that can happen, then the journey of learning can become more strong. So we along with many of our partners, just like how you (NDTV) have also become our partner now, along with other organisations; together decided that we do a national campaign for Bachpan Manao. Aur Badhte Jao (Celebrate childhood. And keep growing).
… even from first, second, third month, children are learning from observing everything. They may not be able to talk, but they’re busy learning and making new connections in the brain.
Since this is very important, we also did a lot of research and found that if we are able to show them many things with attention, love and care; if we keep listening to them attentively, then they will be able to learn very fast.
I also learned a lot that in the first few years of life, millions of neuronal connections get created every second in the small brain of a child. If we can make that solid foundation between the years 0 to 8 years, their brain is learning so much and absorbing so much, that the more we give them to learn, the more they will keep learning.
Our intention is that it becomes our mission to give back to the society by helping all our kids learn through play.
SP: We think that we have keep children safe, teach them good things, keep them disciplined, and in the process we more often than not end up over parenting. How different and unique is your concept of joyful learning from the normal way families bring up and nurture their kids?
RN: As albert Einstein said, am paraphrasing him:
Play is the highest form of research.
Because when a child is playing freely, like these kids playing around us, they are observing and learning every second. That kid on the swing is learning about motion. If I teach that kid (just through words) “Beta this is what motion is”, just imagine how bored the kid would become.
But here (while playing with the swing), he is learning (about motion) on his own. And it is mportant that parents know this is how the brain of their kids are developing.
SP: So when children play they’re happy, and when they’re happy they’re more engaged and the connection in the brain happens, and there is a need to spread awareness about this.
RN: Yes. Absolutely.
SP: In the campaign that you are running, what learning and templates are there that people can follow and replicate?
RN: Today through your program a lot of experts will come and talk about how to play. Parents know to play, but there’s one thing I want to say. It has become very clear through research, that lots of (parents both) mothers and fathers don’t talk much to the kids.
But it is important to talk to kids right from birth/first month itself, because they have found, that if a child has heard less than 2000 words when he/she is very small, it can make a lifelong difference.
SP: So you’re saying that when kids are very small, in fact when we think they’re just dolls, even that phase is a time that’s meant for teaching and learning?
RN: Yes. Even during this phase, even from first, second, third month, children are learning from observing everything. They may not be able to talk, but they’re busy learning and making new connections in the brain.
So both mother and father should talk to their child asking things like: How are you? What is this? etc. So just keep talking to the child, whatever be the language. However, mother tongue is always the best. Just keep talking.
Play is the highest form of research.
More the number of words falling into the ears of the kids, that much more the brain develops. We just need to keep their mind stimulated by talking to them and providing them toys to play. It can be any toy.
Even these fallen leaves can be a thing to play for the kids. Even these tyres these kids are playing with can be toys. It’s not that you have to buy something expensive. Anything can be toys. In fact, the kitchen can be the best laboratory for kids. Any item in the household can be useful for kids’ brain development. We just have to help them with it. That’s all.
SP: We heard that you’ve made a good slogan: Desh banana hai tho bachpan mana hai (If we have to build a nation (for the future), then the kids (of today) have to celebrate their childhood).
RN: Yes. Absolutely, because we’re talking about Viksit Bharath (Developed India). The children who’re in 2nd or 3rd standard (7/8 years old today), they’re the ones who will become builders of our nation after 20 years.
We’re now in 2025. Another 22 years are left for 2047. We need to therefore give the best and the strongest foundation for those kids who’re between 0 to 8 years, as it is a unique opportunity for India.
We have to grab the opportunity and use this time, so that we’re building a very prosperous citizenry. So each child in our country deserves the opportunity.
The children who’re in 2nd or 3rd standard (today), they’re the ones who will become builders of our nation after 20 years.
And now there is so much research to prove that children should be given the freedom to enjoy free play, meaning whatever they want to play, just let them play. Of course we should keep them safe, but not so much that they’re unable to explore anything.
So this message is very important for the nation, for families and our kids. That’s why we say: Bachpan Mano (Celebrate childhood). You (parents) too become a kid again. Bring back your childhood again. Make every corner a place for play. Make your heart a place to play.
I have been in the social space for more than 30 to 35 years, and I have seen that it takes 10 to 15 years of work to bring any real social change.
But we don’t have that much time Sanjay ji, and that’s why we’re glad that NDTV has become a partner in this (campaign), because this is a very urgent job. But it’s a very easy job. We just need to play with children, which is not difficult at all.
The government has taken this work very seriously. And recently the ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) has come out. For the last 20 years, our organisation Pratham and thousands of volunteers went to different corners of our country to find out what are our children learning and how are they learning.
We can play anything – without a phone!
This year’s report gives us so much satisfaction, as it indicates that we have reached a tipping point. Our children are really learning! At last, we have reached a point from where we will never go back. We will only move forward. That’s why this opportunity is very important, as we have to nurture and protect the children of today, to given them an opportunity to build a self-learning journey for themselves.
SP: In most families now-a-days there’s a discussion that on one had children are highly exposed and their learning is fast due to technology, they’re learning a lot at a very young age, we see all that. But on the other had, the digital screen time, it is a serious distraction and kind of a disease too. So what are your thoughts on this?
RN: It’s good you took up this topic, because during my times, things were easy. But those times too, our parents were thinking about how much TV time can be allowed for us. But now-a-days, poor parents have become so helpless that …
SP: … child is crying and the parents are giving youtube for the child
RN: … yes, that’s there but parents too are pretty tired, they’re too engrossed in their work and think what’s there if kids are given little screen time. But unfortunately it’s not right (to give too much screen time). Again, there is so much research and evidence that recommends less screen time and more play time.
Less screen time and more play time.
Do give screen time for the child, because this is digital age and it’s not possible for the kids to go without screentime at all. But lesser the better. And time for free play and outdoor play is a very important thing.
I know parents will say that all this is easy to say, but it’s very difficult to take back phones from the kids (once given). That’s why parents and other caretakers should take extra effort (for the benefit of the child).
I have a grandson now. He was just 8 months old when he had a lot of interest for animals. So we encouraged him and never forced something else on him. Now he has become an expert on animals. Had I told him to read this and do that, may be this wouldn’t have happened.
SP: Absolutely. I think we have to further emphasise this point that this campaign that NDTV and EkStep Foundation are doing together, is required more for the parents, for the families, for the community, for the school teachers, and for the trainers.
RN: Yes. Because we have to first start our own journey about learning how to allow children to play freely. And since there is so much technology around us, parents have to first become more self-disciplined first, before telling kids “Hey don’t spend too much time on phone.”
We as parents have to therefore first demonstrate to our children how to reduce our screen time, so we set an example, and spend more time interacting and playing with the kids. We can play anything – without a phone!
I’ve been talking so much now. But (if you’re wondering) what’s the spirit behind all that I’ve been saying all along? And what does Bachpan Manao mean? Well, for that we have made a film (above) which will convey a very important message better than me.
And the message is: Let the kids be free, and see magic happen in them.
— End of Interview —
You can watch the entire interivew by clicking here.
Disclaimer: All efforts have been taken to translate the interview from Hindi to English in the best manner possible. Errors, if any, is purely incidental and was never intended. In case of any concerns, please contact us.