Are the children in India really getting the childhood they deserve?
A World Bank pilot project explored ways to integrate child development that addressed the health, nutritional and early educational needs of children from prenatal to 11 years towards ensuring “a happy, healthy and learning childhood” for every child in the community. The Film titled “Bachpan,” (Childhood in Hindi) captures the experience of this pilot project. The film shows how community youth can be mobilized and trained to promote education, nutrition, and vaccination in the remote villages of India. By tapping the local talent, families are made aware of the opportunities that are available for child caring and education. Government officials from health, nutrition, and education coordinated through a planning process led by the villagers. The film was shot in Ratlam District, a geographically and culturally isolated tribal community in central India. The pilot project was based on a World Bank report titled, “Reaching out to the Child.” The report reviewed India’s three major pr
