Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative: Restoring Bhartiya Rhymes for Young Children

The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L) under the Ministry of Education has launched the “Baalpan ki Kavita” Initiative to preserve and promote Indian rhymes and poems for young children. This initiative aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing Early Childhood Education, multilingualism, and cultural relevance in primary learning.

Introduction to Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative

To promote high-quality early childhood education and enhance learning in Indian languages (Bhartiya Bhasha), the Government of India has launched the “Baalpan ki Kavita” Initiative. The aim is to compile a collection of nursery rhymes and poems in multiple Indian languages, including English, which are deeply rooted in Indian culture and traditions.

The initiative allows contributors to submit existing folklore rhymes (with author details) or newly composed, engaging, and joyful poems for children under three categories:

• Pre-primary (ages 3-6)
• Grade 1 (ages 6-7)
• Grade 2 (ages 7-8)

Objective of the Initiative

• To provide young children with culturally relevant and joyful learning experiences.
• To strengthen early childhood education by integrating multilingual and Indian-language-based learning.
• To ensure the availability of age-appropriate and contextually rich rhymes and poems for primary education.
• To encourage public participation in preserving and restoring traditional Indian rhymes.

Key Features of the Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative

• Encourages contributions in all Indian languages (Bhartiya Bhasha) and English.
• Participants can submit traditional folklore rhymes or compose new ones.
• Focuses on joyful, simple, and easy-to-understand content.
• Aims to foster a sense of cultural identity and linguistic diversity among children.
• The initiative is open for participation from 26th March 2025 to 22nd April 2025.

How to Participate?

1. Visit the MyGov website (https://www.mygov.in/)
2. Choose the category based on the child’s age group (Pre-primary, Grade 1, or Grade 2).
3. Submit an existing traditional rhyme (mentioning the author) or compose a new joyful rhyme.
4. Ensure the submission aligns with the theme of early childhood learning and cultural significance.
5. There is no entry fee for participation.

Significance of the Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative

1. Aligns with NEP 2020

The initiative is in line with NEP 2020’s emphasis on Early Childhood Education, multilingual learning, and inclusion of mother tongue in primary education.

2. Preservation of Indian Cultural Heritage

By restoring and promoting Bhartiya rhymes and folklore, the initiative aims to revive traditional storytelling and poetry that are deeply rooted in Indian culture.

3. Enhances Foundational Learning

The use of joyful and engaging rhymes in children’s mother tongue ensures better cognitive development and improves learning outcomes at an early stage.

4. Encourages Public Participation

The initiative empowers parents, educators, and poetry enthusiasts to contribute towards shaping early childhood education.

5. Multilingual Approach

The competition allows submissions in all Indian languages and English, promoting language diversity and inclusivity.

Competition Timeline & Details