Kilkaar: “Earning and Learning through Design” – a Design Intervention program for women of Self Help Groups of Panipat District was conceptualised by National Institute of Design Haryana (NIDH) in collaboration with Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM). The outreach program from 01-05 February 2021 was led and conducted by Faculty Ms. Surabhi Khanna. The 15 participants went through an extensive tutelage of Design process to develop a new range of play products for Early Learning for the age group 3-6 years.

The overall program aimed at creating a self sustaining environment for the participants to help them value their skills and knowledge through Design along with basic inputs in branding, packaging, costing and marketing. Kilkaar means a happy and cheerful sound.“Kilkaar” play products (Play-kit and Toys) made with Katran (cloth pieces) and Crochet, successfully encourage Play and Learning (hand-mind coordination, sequencing, child-teacher play). The outcomes are now being marketed for schools/ Anganwadis as well as e-market by HSRLM currently to then establish into a self-sustaining model. The project is an important contribution to create learning through play as also encouraged by National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and the emphasis on vocal for local.