Janwar Castle: Destroying Inequality, One Skateboard At a Time

Janwar Castle’s barefeet children are part of a silent revolution taking place in a small UP town.

Girl practicing skateboarding at the ‘Jungle Castle’ skateboard park, Bundelkhand. (Photo: Janwar-Castle.org)

Children from the dusty town of Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh are breaking age-old stereotypes through fun and games. Gliding down ramps, these barefeet children are part of a silent revolution taking place in the small town of UP. Archaic social barriers are being challenged by the Adivasi kids who learn to skateboard alongside kids from higher castes. This town of Bundekhand is not only victim to prevalent caste and class divisions but also severe gender discrimination.

The park is a place for unlimited fun, but it has two strict ground rules- girls first and no school, no skateboarding.

Ulrike Reinhard, German Community Activist

The 4,843 sq ft skate park was built by German community activist, Ulrike Reinhard who lives 26km away from the village and commutes on her Royal Enfield. She first came to India four years ago and started the NGO, Janwar Castle last April. When she first visited Janwar, she was surprised to see the prevalence of caste and class segregation. Through the ‘Janwar Castle’ skateboarding classes, she aims to bring kids of various religions, ages, castes and gender together.

By teaching new skills, Reinhard wants to empower children and encourage them to study. Girls from the village also participate in large numbers- a step towards eradicating gender discrimination in the village. Reinhard has also invited Adivasi children, who had never heard of skateboarding before, to participate.

In the park at least, no discrimination exists.

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam