Manju Singh
Manju Singh (1948 – 14 April 2022) was one of the pioneers in the Indian television industry who had consistently produced quality programs that are still remembered for their sincerity and authenticity. She is fondly remembered as "didi", the anchor of the children's program, "Khel Khilone" which she conducted for 7 years. Her talent was recognised and suitably nurtured by eminent filmmaker, Hrishikesh Mukherjee in the film "Golmal". Manju Singh launched her career as a television producer in 1983 with Showtheme, the first sponsored show on Indian Television. From 1984 onwards, Ek Kahani, the prime time series based  on literary short stories from regional languages set an enviable benchmark in quality and content. Adhikar, the docu-drama series on women's legal rights received widespread accolades for its social relevance and impact. Samyaktva: True Insight, a film on the relevance of spirituality and ancient Indian wisdom in the 21st century. With a firm belief in the power of the visual medium to inform, entertain and educate the impeccably researched historical serial Swaraj created to commemorate fifty years of Indian Independence. Based on the lives of Bhagat Singh and his comrades’ the series inspired the youth with its authenticity  and sincerity. ‘Swaraj’ touched many lives and perhaps changed a few.' 13 November 1998, Times of India. Manju Singh's emphasis on a variety of national, social and cultural content through her relentless creative journeys enriched her with a vast body of experience that led to the realization of the WorldKids Foundation. Founded in 2007 with an objective to promote "Entertainment with a Purpose", WorldKids has undertaken several initiatives that include the WorldKids International Film Festival, the WorldKids Film Club in association with the National Centre for the Performing Arts and most importantly, Lessons in the Dark. It is universally  accepted that moving images leave a lasting impact on impressionable minds. Lessons in the Dark reaches out to children and young adults directly in their classrooms with a world of compelling films that engage their imagination, spark their creativity, respect their intelligence and connect them to global culture. The program provides quality education in values and life skills in an informal environment and has become an integral part of the school curriculum. It is successfully being conducted at various IB, IGCSE, ICSE, SSC and CBSE schools across Mumbai and Delhi. Over the past 9 years, WorldKids has developed various methodologies  and tools for inculcation of life skills, values and over all character building across all age groups. In 2014, in association with the CBSE, a pilot project on Co- Scholastic Assessment in Life skills, Attitudes & Values with over 5,000 students across 40 schools has been successfully implemented. Developed in collaboration with sociologists, counsellors and experienced educators the psychometric, statistical analysis and the positive feedback received from the principals have confirmed the module’s validity, relevance and impact. Manju Singh was regularly invited by International Film Festivals for Children and Young Adults and educational forums from across the country to conduct  capacity building workshops for principals, teachers and students. In 2015, in recognition of her contribution to the creative arts and the education field, Ms. Manju Singh has been nominated as a member to the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), Govt. of India.