Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], September 28 (ANI): Union Minister for Education and Skill DevelopmentEntrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday launched'CRIIIO 4 GOOD', a new online, life skills learning module, to promote gender equality among girls and boys. The programme was launched in association with the International Cricket Council, UNICEF, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Speaking at the event, Pradhan highlighted NEP 2020's emphasis on gender parity and equal opportunities as a fundamental principle. Through CRIIIO 4 GOOD, the power of sports and the popularity of cricket can be used as a medium to empower the girl child and spread awareness about gender equity.

He mentioned how the country witnessed history in the making with the passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and taking India to the forefront of women-led development. Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana shared the first learning modules of CRIIIO 4 GOOD with over 1,000 schoolchildren at the stadium. The modules are highly engaging, and they use the power of cricket to talk about essential life skills and gender equity, among girls and boys in a fun, interactive way, said officials.

'CRIIIO 4 GOOD' is a series of 8 cricket-based animation films to promote gender parity, equip girls with life skills and encourage their participation in sports. Using the popularity and passion of cricket young audiences, ICC and UNICEF released these modules to inspire children and youth to adopt critical life skills and appreciate the importance of gender equality.

The programme can be accessed free of cost on criiio.com/criiio4good in three languages: English, Hindi and Gujarati.

The themes of the eight modules are: leadership, problem-solving, confidence, decision-making, negotiation, empathy, teamwork and goal setting and are visualized through state-of-the-art animation using cricketing examples. In-depth research into local nuances has made these films real and relatable. (ANI)