In Janwaar, a small village in northern Madhya Pradesh, a quiet revolution is taking place. Skateboards are transforming the way the children and adults in this village think and act.
A German author, futurist & community activist named Ulrike Reinhard rode in the village in February 2015. Ulrike brought resources together to get it a 450 sqm skate-park that they named ‘Janwaar Castle’
Built in April 2015, it’s the first skate park in rural India and the largest one in the country. There was no need for formal admission or permission to play
Two Rules: ‘No School, No Skateboards’ & ‘Girls First’
The children embraced the park, took over ownership and responsibility. Ulrike’s team just put two basic rules: “No school – No skateboarding!”and “Girls First”. Now they find that the school attendance has gone up, the kids are much more committed and much more self-confident – and they smile.
Changing the Social Fabric
Playing together in the skating arena, the children are engineering changes in the social fabric.
- Untouchability,
- gender inequality,
- illiteracy, and
- alcoholism
are being weeded out.
Janwaar Castle has become a learning camp with the skateboards driving the revolution.
When villages like Janwwar are throbbing with positivity, who would want to run to the cities?
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