Did you know that the Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Badi Sadri, is home to the rare flying squirrel? Or that there’s an ancient banyan tree that spreads across 12 bighas of land, believed to have stood since the time of Lava and Kusha? This sanctuary is not only a natural treasure but also a place steeped in mythological history. It’s said that Sita Mata herself was absorbed into the earth here, and the Ramayana was penned at the Valmiki Ashram situated in the sanctuary. Lava and Kusha are believed to have played under this very banyan tree, and the famous Ashwamedha horse battle took place here.
These intriguing facts were shared by tribal students from Badi Sadri, Chittorgarh, during a media workshop organized on Saturday by the Chittorgarh District Administration and Saksham Sanchar Foundation. The workshop aimed to ignite innovation in storytelling and skill development among tribal students, focusing on empowering them to narrate stories related to their art, culture, history, and local heritage.
The initiative was part of a larger effort to help these students share their stories with global audiences, thereby bringing ‘best traditional knowledge’ to new heights. The idea was to enable students to preserve and promote their unique cultural narratives through digital platforms.
In line with this goal, Saksham Sanchar Foundation organized the workshop, titled “Digital Media: Knowledge Awareness and Its Use,” at the Panchayat Samiti Bhawan in Badi Sadri. Held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the workshop saw the participation of 50 students from local schools and communities. Senior journalist Manish Sharma introduced the students to modern techniques of journalism, while another senior journalist, Archana Sharma, taught the nuances of content writing.
Speaking about the significance of this innovation, Chittorgarh District Collector Shri Alok Ranjan highlighted the transformative power of digital media. “Digital media holds the potential to change lives, and I encourage every student here to make the most of the opportunities it offers,” he said.
The workshop’s primary goal was to equip the students with the necessary digital tools and knowledge, enabling them to use digital platforms for personal and community development. The students enthusiastically participated in interactive sessions, focusing on the right use of digital media and its potential in creating opportunities in education, employment, and self-expression.
The hands-on learning experience allowed the students to explore various digital tools and platforms, fostering a practical understanding of digital media. This initiative by Saksham Sanchar Foundation is part of its broader mission to bridge the digital divide and promote social empowerment through digital education in rural and underprivileged communities across India.
With such initiatives, tribal students are not only discovering their rich heritage but are also taking steps toward sharing it with the world, ensuring that their traditional knowledge reaches new platforms and audiences.