At Le Frehindi, we believe in celebrating and sharing the rich cultural heritage of India with the world. Recently, India House, hosted an extraordinary event that highlighted one of India’s most unique and awe-inspiring traditional sports: Mallakhamb. The Reliance Foundation’s support has been crucial, providing resources and training facilities that enable these young athletes to excel. As a logistical partner, Le Frehindi, a Paris-based organization, has been instrumental in supporting India House by providing volunteers and resources to ensure the smooth execution of various programs.

What is Mallakhamb?

Mallakhamb is an ancient Indian sport that combines elements of gymnastics, yoga, and martial arts. The name itself is derived from two words: ‘Malla,’ meaning wrestler, and ‘Khamb,’ meaning pole. Traditionally, it involves performing various acrobatic and aerial yoga postures while gripping a vertical wooden pole or hanging from a rope. This sport, which dates back to the 12th century, was initially used as a training tool for wrestlers to improve their strength, agility, and flexibility.

The Event at India House

The India House event was a vibrant showcase of this traditional sport, bringing together enthusiasts, practitioners, and curious onlookers. The evening started with a brief history of Mallakhamb, explaining its origins and evolution over the centuries. This was followed by a stunning demonstration by skilled Mallakhamb artists who left the audience in awe with their agility and strength.

The performers exhibited various forms of Mallakhamb, including Pole Mallakhamb, Rope Mallakhamb, and Hanging Mallakhamb. Each form requires incredible skill and precision, and the performers displayed seamless coordination and control, making the complex movements look effortless. Their performance was not only a testament to their training but also to the rich cultural tapestry of India.

What made this performance even more extraordinary was that it was executed by a partially blind school supported by the Reliance Foundation. Led by Padma Shri awardee Uday Pandey, this pioneering showcase at India House highlighted the extraordinary achievements of these young athletes and underscored the inclusive efforts of the Reliance Foundation in promoting diverse talents globally.

Contribution of Reliance Foundation & Le Frehindi

The Reliance Foundation’s support has been crucial, providing resources and training facilities that enable these young athletes to excel. As a logistical partner, Le Frehindi, a Paris-based organization, has been instrumental in supporting India House by providing volunteers and resources to ensure the smooth execution of various programs. The partnership between Reliance Foundation and Le Frehindi exemplifies the power of collaborative efforts in achieving shared goals. Le Frehindi’s involvement underscores its commitment to promoting cultural exchange and supporting initiatives that align with its values of inclusivity, skill development, and global collaboration.

Le Frehindi’s Upcoming Social Volunteering Program: Aligning with Shared Values

Inspired by the success of these initiatives, Le Frehindi is set to launch a new social volunteering program aimed at furthering its mission of cultural exchange and skill development. This program will continue to support and promote inclusive efforts, providing European high school students with opportunities to engage in meaningful volunteer work in India. By aligning with the values and vision shared at India House, Le Frehindi aims to create impactful experiences that foster global understanding and cooperation.

Objectives and Activities of the Social Volunteering Program

1. Environmental Protection and Sustainable Tourism:
   • Engage students in environmental conservation and sustainable tourism practices.
   • Activities include awareness campaigns, clean-up drives, and workshops on sustainable tourism.
2. Computer Literacy:
   • Bridge the digital divide by teaching essential computer skills to local students.
   • Activities involve basic IT training, digital literacy workshops, and language learning support.
3. Happy Library Initiative:
   • Enrich local libraries with resources and foster cultural exchange.
   • Activities include storytelling sessions, donations, cultural presentations, and educational games.
4. Saving Local Craftsmen and Artists:
   • Promote and preserve local art by connecting craftsmen with a global audience.
   • Activities involve documenting and creating promotional content, facilitating sales, and providing digital training.

Benefits and Impact

For EU Students:

• Cultural Immersion: Gain insights into Indian culture and traditions.
• Skill Development: Enhance teaching, leadership, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Social Responsibility: Contribute to global social justice and equality of opportunity.
• Personal Growth: Develop empathy, adaptability, and a global perspective.

For Indian Youth and Artisans:

• Educational Enrichment: Access improved learning resources and digital literacy skills.
• Cultural Exchange: Benefit from diverse cultural interactions and global awareness.
• Economic Support: Gain international exposure and market access for their art, leading to increased income and sustainability.

Conclusion

The participation of a partially blind school in the Paris Olympics Mallakhamb performance, led by Padma Shri Uday Pandey and supported by the Reliance Foundation, exemplifies the extraordinary potential of inclusive efforts in sports and education. The collaboration with Le Frehindi at India House ensures seamless execution and amplifies the impact of such initiatives. As Le Frehindi prepares to launch its new program, it continues to uphold its values of cultural exchange, skill development, and global cooperation, creating lasting positive impacts on communities worldwide.

At Le Frehindi, we are proud to be part of this journey and look forward to furthering our mission of fostering global understanding and cooperation through our upcoming initiatives.

For more details, kindly visit our website at www.lefrehindi.com.

You can also reach out to us directly through our Contact Page and our team will reach out to you.

To connect with us via WhatsApp or phone, please use the following numbers: +91 9811237050 / 45 / 67. For email correspondence, you can reach our team at team@lefrehindi.com.