HYDERABAD: Syed Yousuf Farooq’s family makes handbags, wallets, pillow covers and some dresses to sell every Tuesday at the mandi that is put up in Patigadda. He tends to miss school every Tuesday to help his mom at the Mandi, whilst his father goes to sell the same items at other places in the city. His teacher Milind Chandwani coaxed Yousuf to attend Tuesday classes, since learning is important too and takes extra sessions every Saturday and Sunday to foster his mental growth.
With 12 other kids, Yousuf has been paired up with the most determined kids from the class and he’s improving by the day, but his interest still lies partially in creating the artistic stuff that his parents have taught him. In order to foster his interest in art, Milind allowed Yousuf to attend all the camps and ensures that he learns more art while keeping his promise of getting better at academics. Through the Mindspace Mela, Yousuf has a platform to display handmade products and showcase his artistic talent. With employees from Mindspace attending this event, Yousuf has an opportunity to garner support from them and possibly nurture his talent. Yousuf and those like him will now be a part of the host a one-day event titled The Teaching Tree Carnival on January 20.
The event will showcase the handmade artwork of students, which will also reach out to a captive audience of over 60,000 people working at Mindspace. The carnival will see interactive stalls explaining the work of various projects undertaken by students. The Teaching Tree Initiative in conjunction with NGO Teach for India have given the students a fantastic platform to showcase their talent.
There will be various stalls showcasing handmade accessories, origami products such as flower sticks, star hangings, snowflakes and homemade chocolates made by these students. There will be stalls with decorative materials, stationary products and others as well.