Galli Galli Sim Sim

GGSS uses engaging live action, animation, and colourful characters in an effort to meet the educational needs (e.g., basic cognitive and numeracy skills) of young children in India - through an entertaining medium. The televised programme is being created and produced in India, in collaboration with Indian educators, child development experts, producers, broadcasters, writers, and researchers - part of an effort to ensure that the content is both culturally appropriate and uniquely suited to the educational needs of India's children.

Each of the characters has Indian nuances - both in their physical appearances and their personalities; this design reflects the goal to "represent the vibrancy of India's multi-culturalism - celebrating the diversity that is a part of children's every day lives." As part of the effort to encourage young viewers to appreciate cultural strengths and understand people across differences, studio and animation segments will depict a variety of art forms. Varied music styles will be featured in the series, and live action films showing children from different parts of the country will showcase activities and perspectives from all walks of life.

Along these lines, joining the 4 colourful Muppet characters Chamki, Aanchoo, Googly, and Boombah are human characters representing different genders, regions, and religions. Lead characters include: Jugaadu, who likes to find innovative solutions to fix problems and does not view his disability as a handicap; Basha Bhaijaan, who owns a corner store and knows several Indian languages; his wife, Dawa Di, who is from Northeast India and teaches dance; and Kabir, Basha Bhaijaan and Dawa Di's son, who is an active and curious 8-year-old.

Geared toward children as well as parents and caregivers, the series' primary language is Hindi, with a few English words in each episode; producers hope to make GGSS available in other languages in the next few years. The series may be viewed on Turner's Cartoon Network, POGO, and Doordrashan.

June 2015 update:
Reaching 24.6 million children ages 0-7, GGSS is in Season 7 (premiered on February 14 2015); Seasons 8 and 9 are in process. The TV show now features an expanded Muppet cast: Khadoosa, Grover, Raya, and Elmo and his parents join Chamki, Googly, Boombah, and Anchoo. Languages include: Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi. The focus is on language, literacy, social relations, emotions, and child protection. There has also been an increased online and social media presence, where more information may be found:

• GGSS website
• GGSS on Facebook
• GGSS on Twitter
• GGSS's YouTube channel

Early Childhood Development, Education, Health, Nutrition.

According to Sashwati Banerjee, Managing Trustee, Sesame Workshop India Trust, the GGSS initiative "has been capitalizing on technology to teach children of rural or marginalized populations. With expansion of community radio initiative across these places, Galli Galli Sim Sim is building an innovative and sustainable model that can be replicated to bring quality early learning experiences to disadvantaged children across India. Through our initiative we also aim to create awareness among the community on Right to Education Act - roles and responsibilities of various institutions, right of the child and that of a parent."