Attend this workshop to learn about sustainability, urban planning through games

Five grown men huddled around a board game in a classroom can make for an amusing sight Yet this was no childrsquos play as we discovered when we met them at the Somaiya Vidyavihar University campus on a rainy morning ldquoThere has always been a category of serious games meant for strategising and logistical managementrdquo says Ronak ChitaliaElements of the board gameThe 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 ldquoThe objective is to upskill those individuals who are already in the workforcerdquo he explainsExperiential learningProfessor 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 ldquoThe roles are those of a politician activist researcherengineer and entrepreneur Each one has powers and limitationsrdquo he explains With election years natural disaster and political upheavals thrown in there is a lot at stakeParticipants test a gameWe are curious to understand the Mumbai context the professor says it is more complex than we assume ldquoYou 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 tradeoff for the longtermrdquo he revealsEffective communicationDespite popular myth every government official is capable enough to understand these complex variables ldquoYes but in many cases they learn by experience and often after they have arrived at a problemrdquo Chitalia points out Hari adds ldquoYou need to know your resources understand the requirements and act decisively ahead of timerdquo 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 saysThe cards denote familiar urban crises such as heat waves storm surges and air pollution that might hinder a projectThese factors though known do not often find redressal in the rush of daily business ldquoTable 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 pointsrdquo Hari saysThink IndianA closer view of the rulebook of Chor BazaarThe 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 ldquoOne 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 challengesrdquo Chitalia sharesA deck of cards from the game Dhobi GhatAmong these are two typical Mumbai works mdash 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 playtesting mode it could be available by the end of the year Chitalia confirms Ever the teacher Hari shares ldquoWe need to nudge the next generation using the right tools They are the ones to shape the futurerdquo Letrsquos see how the dice rollsFROM June 2 to June 7 9 am onwardsAT KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Somaiya Campus VidyaviharLOG ON TO kjsimsomaiyaeduEMAIL play2progressindiagmailcomCOST Rs 20000 inclusive of complete access for all days and certificate of participationAll onboardOne 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 gameAzul DuelTHIS is a competitive strategicgameplayed by two players Here participants decorate a palacersquos ceiling However therersquos a twist to thegame You have to be strategic while placing the tiles on the ceiling A wrong move can shake up the structure The time for thisgameis between 35 and 45 minutes It has many components such as scoring markers acrylic tiles bonus chips factories dome plates and scoring tabletsLOG ON TOboardgamesindiacomCOST 2800Binca Fletter DashHerersquos an engaginggamewhere you must fill in the blanks with words Thegameis played by three to six players Itrsquos competitive as well as strategicand helps boost creativity vocabulary and quick thinking Itrsquos suitable for children above eight years as well as for teenagers and adults Itrsquos a comparatively shortgamewith a duration of 15 to 30 minutes Itrsquos ideal for family time night outs and classroom activities Being compact and light you can carry thegamealong with you If you prefergameswith a literary touch opt for Bincas Fletter DashLOG ON TOtoyfortinCOST 854Boitas ndash TrickTaking CardGameThe story behind this uniquegameis 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 Theboard gamedepicts 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 thegameis 30 to 40 minutesLOG ON TOkheogamescomCOST R1999Bollywood CharadesThegameis 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 fourplus players Itrsquos perfect for familiesgamenights and parties Itrsquos an interesting combination of Bollywood andgames This will be a riot for fans of Bollywood Itrsquos a fun way to channel your inner Bollywood side and also show off to your friendsLOG ON TOamazoninCOST R800KS Galactic CruiseIf yoursquove 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 Thegameis played by two to four people and the duration is 90 to 150 minutes Itrsquos a good pick to have ongamenights at parties or simply when stuck at home because of the rains Teenagers above 14 years and adults will enjoy thegameLOG ON TOboardgamesindiacomCOST 10000Curated by Minal Sancheti