Gyan-Setu: Sukma, Chhattisgarh

The five-day Chhattisgarh study visit under the Gyan-Setu National Integration Tour involved meaningful educational outreach, community interaction, cultural exchange, and exposure to grassroots initiatives across villages in and around Sukma. The team conducted educational workshops, interactive learning sessions, community visits, discussions with local organizations, and daily reflection meetings, ensuring both learning and meaningful engagement throughout the visit. Educational workshops and activity-based sessions were conducted in villages and Anganwadis, reaching nearly 120–150 children from different age groups through 8 workshops. Since schools were closed for summer vacations, sessions were organized under trees and in open community spaces using interactive and experiential methods. Activities included simple science experiments, mathematics through games, toy-making activities, craft, songs, creative learning activities, and language interaction sessions. Children participated enthusiastically, and the volunteers adapted activities according to the age and learning level of the students. In addition to student engagement, the team interacted closely with local organizations and community workers involved in education, women’s health, pedagogy, environmental conservation, and social development. The visit to the Sukma Science Park offered exposure to interactive science models, makers’ labs, virtual reality tools, and innovative approaches to science education. Informal interactions with volunteers, teachers, and local youth further enriched the learning experience. Cultural exchange remained an important aspect of the visit. Through participation in local community gatherings, interaction with villagers, learning basic Halbi words, and experiencing local traditions and food, strong bonds were formed between the volunteers and the local community. Forest travel, village visits, and shared discussions contributed to a deeper understanding of the region’s culture and lifestyle. Date: 9th May to 15th May 2026