DMU prepares to welcome the Jai Jagat kids!

A group of 17 children from some of India’s most underprivileged communities are coming to De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) next week for a one-off show.

DMU is welcoming the Jai Jagat Kids from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where they have been working with one of the university’s key charity partners Manav Sadhna to devise the show.

DMU Square Mile India is sponsoring their visit to Leicester and their performance at The Venue@DMU on Sunday, June 9.

Tickets are free but donations are welcome, with funds going towards the supporting the cost of their tour and the wider work of Manav Sadhna.

The Jai Jagat show, which marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, incudes drama, music, singing and dance routines which the children have been rehearsing for months.

They have been inspired by the stories of peace legends of recent times including Kenyan environmental campaigner Wangari Maathai, education ambassador Malala Yousafzai, refugee turned Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini and Japanese spiritual leader Masahisa Goi. These inspirational stories have all been woven into the narrative of the show.  

The children are due to arrive in Leicester on June 5. During their week, they will get to meet professional dancers, students  and choreographers at DMU and partners Serendipity ArtsCurve and Movin2Together.

They will also volunteer alongside DMULocal’s students at various community groups   including the elderly pop-up café in Thurnby Lodge and the weekly homeless feed with Midland Langar Seva.

There will also be time to see as well as seeing the sights of the city incl. Leicester’s very own statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Sunita Patel, Senior Public Engagement Officer at DMUlocal, said: "Over the years hundreds of DMU students have had the opportunity to visit India and volunteer with projects through Manav Sadhna as part of our award winning Square Mile India programme.

"To welcome these inspirational young people to DMU and Leicester is a great honour and we are looking forward to a week of further cultural exchanges and opportunities for our students, staff and wider community to engage with the messages around unity, humanity and peace that the Jai Jagat show are bringing with them."

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Originally formed to support youngsters living in a children’s home in the Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad, Square Mile India has since expanded and aims to work with thousands this year, collaborating with partners Manav Sadhna.

DMU students and staff travel to Ahmedabad regularly to work with communities on projects. Last year, dance and drama students got to work with the Jai Jagat children during rehearsals. 

 •Tickets are free but must be booked - find more details here. There is the opportunity to make a donation towards the work of Manav Sadna on the booking page.