Our Lecture Series is a bit of a Dehradun legend . . . beginning in 2005 with four events in one year, including a standing room only concert for inclusion in 2006 featuring the American folk music sensation Charlie King, we have brought a wide range of remarkable speakers and performers to Dehradun to engage with people on the issues which concern us all: education, children’s rights, inclusive development, social justice.

This year’s event was no exception. Dr Vibha Krishnamurthy, a developmental pediatrician from Mumbai, spoke to a packed audience on “Building A Child’s Brain: Chhabi Hamare Haath Me Hai!” It was one of our best attended lectures ever – over 300 people were there: eager and anxious to learn about what they might do to help their children to learn better.

Dr Vibha had some answers. They weren’t easy ones: they ask parents to spend time with their kids; they ask teachers to apply thought to their lesson plans and they ask all of us to become responsive partners whenever we are dealing with children.

But they are do-able. Because that’s what this lecture series is all about. Practical strategies. Concrete ideas that can be put into action. A little inspiration. A little song and dance. But mainly? Walk the talk. Show me.

We are just trying to make inclusion real.