Dimapur 19 July 2023 – In a bid to promote creativity and life skills among teachers and students, well-known artist, comedian, and actor Lokesh Kumar collaborated with the Youth Ministry of Dimapur Province (DBYES) to organize a series of workshops from July 5 to July 19, 2023. The initiative was taken by Fr Peter Salew SDB, the Youth Ministry Delegate of the Province.
Lokesh Kumar’s journey in his early days is remarkable. Fate smiled upon him when he was picked up by the Salesians of Don Bosco from Bangalore province. Recognizing his exceptional talents, they encouraged him to pursue education at the age of 18, starting from the 5th standard. His determination and hard work paid off as he secured the first rank and was promoted to the 6th standard at the age of 19. Lokesh’s leadership skills were evident when he was appointed as the school captain, a position he held from nursery to +2.
Despite facing challenges due to his age and size, Lokesh continued his education with the persuasion of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He set a condition to be promoted to the 10th standard, which he successfully achieved. Additionally, he pursued tailoring and fashion designing while completing his +2.
His passion for arts and dramatics led him to seek formal training, but financial constraints posed hurdles. Undeterred, Lokesh embarked on a self-taught journey, refining his talents through keen observations and regular practice. His exceptional skills were eventually noticed and recognized by the film industry, reality show anchors, and comedy writers, propelling him to become a well-established and renowned actor, comedy hero, mimicry entertainer, puppet show expert, painter, designer, dancer, choreographer, and director of comedy films based on the success stories of contemporary street children.
For the past 16 years, Lokesh has been actively involved in training teachers and students in various arts, dances, and dramatics, with a focus on life skills and capacity building.
Empowering Teachers and Students through Creative Workshops
The series of workshops organized by Lokesh Kumar, in collaboration with the Youth Ministry of Dimapur Province, was held at various educational institutions, benefiting both teachers and students.
The workshops were conducted at the following institutions:
1. Don Bosco Hr. SEC. SCHOOL (Dimapur)
– July 5 (Class 11 A)
– July 6 (Class 11 B)
– July 7 (Class 11 C)
– July 8 (Teachers)
2. Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School (Zubza)
– July 10 (Teachers of DBS Zubza & St. Francis Xavier Peducha)
– July 11 (Classes 9, 10, 11, 12)
3. ST. SAVIO HIGH SCHOOL (PAOMATA & TUNGJOY)
– July 12 & 13 (Exclusive for teachers)
4. ST. Joseph’s Hr. Sec. School Tadubi
– July 14 (Teachers)
– July 15 (Classes 9, 10, 11, 12)
5. Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School (Punanamei) & Don Bosco High School (Mao Gate)
– July 17 (For teachers of Punanamei & Mao Gate)
– July 18 (For students of Classes 11 & 12)
The workshops focused on nurturing creativity, honing artistic skills, and empowering the participants to excel in various artistic disciplines.
Lokesh Kumar’s remarkable journey from zero to a celebrated artist serves as a testament to the power of determination and talent. Through his creative workshops, he continues to inspire and empower teachers and students, encouraging them to explore their potential in the world of arts and life skills. The collaborative efforts of the Youth Ministry of Dimapur Province and Lokesh Kumar have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on all the participants, enriching their lives and fostering a love for the arts.
(IND Webmaster and Fr Peter Salews SDB)