Aarohan will be the haven that will welcome little children into its embrace and as they journey through its halls, they will imbibe values that will strengthen their character, enhance their knowledge, hone their talents, encourage their creativity, inspire their intellect and above all, teach each one of them to be a good human being.
In Dr. Saikia’s words – “a child who spends 5 years at Aarohan will step out as a stronger person with values and ideals that will help him grow into an able, conscientious and diligent adult.”
THE LIBRARY
A place that invites children to sit down with their parents, siblings or friends and read or listen to a story. Books are not locked in cabinets but lay around in baskets and small shelves that little hands can reach. Children are encouraged to tell a story they have read or heard to other visiting children and to ask and answer questions. The emphasis is not on rules, but on sharing, enjoying, learning and inquiring, At the same time, children are taught the importance of taking good care of books, learning to clean up after themselves, putting things back in proper place, the value of quiet 'thinking' and 'reading' time.
Group activities will include book discussions, story building, and meet the writer sessions. Children will be encouraged to write original writings, book reports, critiques. There will be competitions for storytelling. Interested teenagers will be provided with a well-selected reading list - once a month, a meet will be organized where noted literary personalities will conduct constructive discussions – the goal will be to instill a love for reading and promote appreciation of good literature at an early age. The walls of the library will be covered with paper where children will be encouraged to make up their own stories with illustrations. There will be an “applause board” where good ideas and good behaviour will be rewarded with praise.
Aarohan will have regular publications and will undertake projects to publish children’s literature.
Parents will supervise the children - there will be additional coordinators that are on staff.
THE ART ROOM
A room full of color and life – where children aged three to sixteen years are encouraged to create - the walls will be their gallery - water and paint on the floor are not frowned upon - the lower walls will be lined with paper where little hands will draw - each month a new project will begin. Children will do little projects that can be started at the class and completed at home. They will be encouraged to create gifts - for friends, family and children less fortunate than themselves. Children will learn to recognize famous paintings, artists and styles. Workshops will be held, and competitions will be organized at local and regional levels.
CRAFTS
An open space with a pottery wheel, a spinning wheel, a childsize loom, sewing, knitting and crochet supplies, tools for sculpture. Children will work with clay, paper, wood, bamboo, fabric, beads, buttons, beans, seeds, flowers to make dolls, toys, puzzles, book covers, greeting cards, wallhangings, collages, calendars, jewellery, simple machines and mechanical toys, learn origami, do puzzles. Shelves lining the walls will display their work. Importance will be given to developing motor skills and coordination in the young and encouraging creativity in the older children.
MUSIC and DANCE
Formal classes by well qualified teachers in various classical categories, including Satriya, Manipuri, and regional styles will be offered at Aarohan.
There will be sessions where children will have the opportunity to listen to and appreciate good music -- Indian and western classical, children’s music. They will be asked to select a favourite piece and then discuss why they made that choice. There will be designated times when the halls of Aarohan will play pieces of choice music – everyone will be encouraged to stop and listen. Children who visit and those who are students at Aarohan will be endouraged to do impromptu shows for other visitors – where everyone will be welcome to join in.
On the walls, there will be pictures and information about various forms of music, instruments and great musicians. In the corners, real instruments that children can touch, play and learn about.
The goal is to introduce children to classical music and instruments, encourage them to discover if they have a liking for a particular form of music, and if so, give them an opportunity to learn that form. Children noted to have the talent and seriousness will be given all necessary support to pursue further training. The discipline associated with serious training in itself is an aspect that will be focused on.
DRAMA and POETRY
Group and individual activities will be organized with practice sessions, impromptu performances and formal shows.
COMPUTER/ INTERNET/RESOURCE ROOM
Aarohan will have three areas set up in different styles accrding to age groups to familiarize children with basic computer skills, offer internet facilities under supervision, facilitate involvement of the children in constructive discussions, internet based projects, obtain homework help.
Keeping children informed about current events, putting up bulletins, doing research on interesting topics that will be displayed on notice boards throughout the building, will be the responsibility of the children who use the computer room.
Children will be able to obtain assistance and guidance with homework and school projects.
COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Special attention will be given to training children in debating and oratory. Equally important will be creating an interest among the children for general knowledge and current events with regular quiz programs. Math marathons, spelling and vocabulary contests, special quiz programs focusing on Assam and the North-east will be arranged regularly.
SCIENCE CAMPS
These will be organized during summer and winter holidays - experiments in chemistry, physics, model/toy/robot making, nature walks, field trips, hands on learning sessions – such as hatching chicken from eggs in the project room. A telescope will be available in a small observatory.
GAMES and SPORTS
Aarohan will have facilities for various indoor games. Special attention will be given to chess – with regular lessons and tournaments. Outdoor sports events will be organized twice a year. Yoga classes will be offered to children.
Phuloni - a unique indoor playground filled with funfilled activities for children younger than 12 years such games, exercise, petting zoo, swings, see-saws, ball-pen, sand-pit, 'saang - ghar', climbing ropes, and water sprinklers.
HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING
Aarohan will institute a special program for increasing awareness regarding preventive medicine, and offer health and psychological counselling to children as well as their parents.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
The children of Aarohan will develop a sense of belonging and oneness - they will be members of a single family. A sense of social responsibility will be instilled in the children. They will be involved in community and volunteer activities which will create an awareness in them from an early age of the needs of the society and in turn, enhance their self-esteem.
AUDITORIUM
The third floor will contain a multipurpose auditorium (seating capacity for about 250 persons ) with a reception area and conference halls with modern audio-visual and teleconferencing capabilities. Aarohan will be financially self-sufficient for running expenses-by the rent and funds collected from this.
MUSEUM
Aarohan will be the home of a special museum in memory of Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia. Dr. Saikia’s personal artifacts, his awards, his books and manuscripts, a pictographic history of his life and works and the values he stood for, will be presented here.