10/02/2026
On 26th January 2026, 70 students from Kitaab Aur Kalam Foundation, from our adopted school Aekta Vidhyalay (Vasna, Ahmedabad), participated in Anandmela 17.0; a flagship community service initiative hosted at Ahmedabad University.
Organised by the student-led Social Service Forum, Anandmela is a large-scale experiential learning event that brought together approximately 1,100 children from city-based NGOs and families of the university’s support staff for a day rooted in play, learning, and shared joy.
Hosted at the Amrut Mody School of Management, the campus was thoughtfully transformed into multiple “islands” each designed as an interactive learning space. Through structured games and hands-on activities, children engaged in experiences that nurtured curiosity, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, reinforcing the idea that learning extends far beyond classrooms.
Anandmela stands as a compelling example of how universities can function as inclusive civic spaces. By opening institutional infrastructure to the community, such initiatives contribute to:
- democratizing access to quality learning environments,
- fostering social integration across socio-economic boundaries, and
- strengthening social capital through participatory, student-led action.
For our students, this was more than an excursion. It was an immersive experience of what inclusive and playful cities can look like, where education is rooted in dignity, joy, and collective growth.
We extend our appreciation to Ahmedabad University and the Social Service Forum for curating Anandmela 17.0 with such intention and care. Initiatives like these reaffirm that joy, play, and learning are not separate domains, but deeply interconnected pillars of meaningful education.
