A week-long workshop looks to inculcate collaborative efforts towards sustainability and urban planning among students, government employees and professionals using homegrown board games
(Left) Ronak Chitalia, Lakshmikant Hari, professor Swapan Ray discuss the rules of the game, Energetic. Pics/Kirti Surve Parade
Five grown men huddled around a board game in a classroom can make for an amusing sight. Yet, this was no child’s play, as we discovered when we met them at the Somaiya Vidyavihar University campus on a rainy morning. “There has always been a category of serious games, meant for strategising and logistical management,” says Ronak Chitalia.
Elements of the board game
The board game designer, and founder of the Bombay Board Game Club, is part of the upcoming workshop at Somaiya University that will focus on the use of board games as instructional tools to encourage urban innovation. With a background in corporate management, Chitalia used his love of board games to transform his management approach. “The objective is to upskill those individuals who are already in the workforce,” he explains.
Experiential learning
Professor Lakshmikant Hari, chairperson Centre for Sustainable Development, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, is among the many educators familiar with this method. Laying out the popular board game, Energetic, the professor begins to explain. Four players have to collaborate on the common objective of a sustainable clean energy project within 2045. “The roles are those of a politician, activist, researcher/engineer and entrepreneur. Each one has powers and limitations,” he explains. With election years, natural disaster, and political upheavals thrown in, there is a lot at stake.
Participants test a game
We are curious to understand the Mumbai context; the professor says it is more complex than we assume. “You want sustainability. But how do you achieve it? If I were a politician, my decision would depend on public opinion. Why would I risk going against it? Then again, land is business for the entrepreneur. The table has to accept a trade-off for the long-term,” he reveals.
Effective communication
Despite popular myth, every government official is capable enough to understand these complex variables. “Yes, but in many cases, they learn by experience, and often after they have arrived at a problem,” Chitalia points out. Hari adds, “You need to know your resources, understand the requirements and act decisively ahead of time.” Not to put it bluntly, one cannot wait until the monsoon arrives to start planning drainage or think of energy after reaching maximum population density, he says.
The cards denote familiar urban crises such as heat waves, storm surges and air pollution that might hinder a project
These factors, though known, do not often find redressal in the rush of daily business. “Table top games allow people to voice their opinions across the table. Unfortunately, there are time constraints for government officials to take this one. But over our tests, we realise that these collaborative experiences help open up their view points,” Hari says.
Think Indian
A closer view of the rulebook of Chor Bazaar
The workshop is an extended summer school programme that will travel to IIT Madras in July. The sessions at the workshop will also see faculty and professors from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, FLAME University, Pune; and REarth Japan participating. “One objective of the workshop is to involve multiple stakeholders, and understand the way ahead. But we are also looking to encourage designs about local neighbourhood challenges,” Chitalia shares.
A deck of cards from the game, Dhobi Ghat
Among these are two typical Mumbai works — Chor Bazaar and Dhobi Ghat. While the former is a fun bargaining game, the second has a community perspective where players are challenged to upgrade the heritage neighbourhood, while retaining its historical value. Currently in play-testing mode, it could be available by the end of the year, Chitalia confirms. Ever the teacher, Hari shares, “We need to nudge the next generation using the right tools. They are the ones to shape the future.” Let’s see how the dice rolls.
FROM June 2 to June 7; 9 am onwards
AT KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Somaiya Campus, Vidyavihar.
LOG ON TO kjsim.somaiya.edu
EMAIL play2progressindia@gmail.com
COST Rs 20,000 (inclusive of complete access for all days and certificate of participation)
All on board
One of the best ways to enjoy the indoors during the monsoon is to gather your friends or family around, and have some fun over a board game.
Azul Duel: THIS is a competitive strategic game played by two players. Here, participants decorate a palace’s ceiling. However, there’s a twist to the game. You have to be strategic while placing the tiles on the ceiling. A wrong move can shake up the structure. The time for this game is between 35 and 45 minutes. It has many components such as scoring markers, acrylic tiles, bonus chips, factories, dome plates, and scoring tablets.
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Binca Fletter Dash: Here’s an engaging game where you must fill in the blanks with words. The game is played by three to six players. It’s competitive as well as strategic, and helps boost creativity, vocabulary, and quick thinking. It’s suitable for children above eight years, as well as for teenagers and adults. It’s a comparatively short game with a duration of 15 to 30 minutes. It’s ideal for family time, night outs, and classroom activities. Being compact and light, you can carry the game along with you. If you prefer games with a literary touch, opt for Binca's Fletter Dash.
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Boitas – Trick-Taking Card Game: The story behind this unique game is based on the Sadhaba, or traders of ancient Odisha who were seafarers and used to have adventurous journeys. Participants have to don the role of these sailors as they trade different places and bring luxurious goods and prosperity to their kingdom. The board game depicts the ancient culture of the state. History and adventure lovers will enjoy the concept. It can be played by children above 14 years, teenagers and adults. It requires two to four players, and the duration of the game is 30 to 40 minutes.
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Bollywood Charades: The game is like dumb charades but with a twist. Here, one can draw, act, dance, or even use the dialogues to explain the films. It is played in teams, has no age bar, and requires four-plus players. It’s perfect for families, game nights and parties. It’s an interesting combination of Bollywood and games. This will be a riot for fans of Bollywood. It’s a fun way to channel your inner Bollywood side, and also show off to your friends.
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KS Galactic Cruise: If you’ve got what it takes to become the CEO of a space cruise but, check out KS Galactic Cruise. Players compete with each other and use every strategy up their sleeves to become the CEO of the space vehicle KS Galactic Cruise. The game is played by two to four people, and the duration is 90 to 150 minutes. It’s a good pick to have on game nights, at parties, or simply when stuck at home because of the rains. Teenagers above 14 years and adults will enjoy the game.
LOG ON TO boardgamesindia.com COST ₹ 10,000
(Curated by Minal Sancheti)
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