Smearing paint and spreading joy
Members of RAC Sriganganagar Visionaries, RID 3090, some crouched beside the children, others standing back to observe, offered gentle guidance and encouragement to a group of children sitting in front of a canvas about to begin a painting. Club secretary Nandini Arora says, “We explained how each colour can be a mood, a feeling, or a story. One member pointed to a swirl of blue and asked, ‘What does this colour make you feel?’ and a child with a bright, toothy grin replied, ‘It’s like the sky, and it makes me feel calm!’”
This was part of an event titled Colours of Happiness hosted by the club in May 2024 intending to bring joy and creativity to the lives of orphaned children. The event took place at a local gurudwara in Sriganganagar, where around 40 enthusiastic children from orphanages were gathered for a freehand painting session.
A five-metre-long canvas and vibrant acrylic paints were provided, “allowing the children to express their creativity and paint their minds freely. Some children, brimming with confidence, eagerly began smearing paint across the canvas. Others, initially shy, hesitated, but we encouraged them to join in, creating colourful handprints across the canvas. We emphasised the therapeutic benefits of art and explained how creativity can alleviate stress and bring happiness. Watching the children light up as they painted was truly magical,” recalls Nandini.
To add to the excitement, various fun games were organized, and gifts were distributed to the children, making the day even more special for the young participants.
The children and Rotaractors gathered for a group photo in front of the canvas. “They were eagerly pointing out the sections they had painted, each one proud to show off their work. We had to wait for them to finish excitedly sharing their creations before they came to stand behind the canvas for the picture. Their excitement was priceless,” she says smiling.
The Rotaractors also felicitated the founder of the gurudwara.
The club also conducts regular clothes donation drives in slum areas and participates in various animal welfare activities throughout the city. Recently, club members spent a day at a local gaushala, where they fed the cows and helped with their care. The inmates of Apna Ghar old-age home were treated to a scrumptious lunch by the club.
