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SHOREVIEW — Siva Jasthi put his childhood memories of his village in India into print.

Jasthi, a computer program manager at Siemens and volunteer Telugu language teacher at Minnesota’s School of India for Languages and Culture, wanted to pass on the power of games. In his weekend language classes, Jasthi uses modern methods of language learning, including the use of games.

Jasthi also runs a nonprofit for his home village of 3,000 in southern India, Vunnava. He and others who have left the village have banded together online to fund education-related projects. When Jasthi visited, he was reminded of all the fun games he played as a child in India. Games facilitate learning, he said.

“You see the joys on their faces. They learn by playing. … It reminded me of my childhood games.”

Jasthi decided he wanted to publish a compilation of popular games from southern India for the village school and others around the world to use as an educational resource.

Jasthi received a $3,000 grant from the Asia Pacific Foundation to compile the book. He partnered with another writer, Kandukuri Ramu, and illustrator, Dundrapelli Babu, who live in India. Together, they created a book with 100 games — “Let’s Play: A Treasury of Traditional Childhood Games from India.” It was published in both English and Telugu by the School of India for Languages and Culture and printed in India through crowdfunding. Another version of the book prints the illustrations in black and white so children can color them themselves.

The books were distributed free to schools in India and some have been given to schools in the Twin Cities.

Throughout his research, Jasthi discovered some childhood games seem universal — some games popular in India have roots hundreds of years old in places as far away as Italy, Egypt and Ethiopia.

English readers of the book may notice childhood games popular in America — hide and seek, hot potato, musical chairs and cops and robbers. And then there are games specific to warmer climates — elephant ride, palm leaf drag racing and tamarind seeds game.

Jasthi concluded games are an integral part of human nature and important to human function.

“(Just like) food and shelter, games are a part of human beings’ need.”

Jasthi also discovered in his research that games can teach children the soft skills they will need when they grow up. At his customer service job at Siemens in the Twin Cities, he draws on skills he learned through childhood games.

“The skills we learned when we were growing up playing the games with other kids and the personal interactions — some of those skills you need to exhibit in customer interactions. There are a lot of similarities.”

Games can give children teamwork skills.

“Sometimes you lead a team, and sometimes you need to let others lead. There are a lot of soft skills you can exhibit in grown-up life.”

In the book, each game outlines the soft skills children can learn through the game.

Jasthi has big plans for the book — it will likely be translated into other Indian languages, such as Hindi and Tamil. He would replace Telugu-specific games with ones specific to those languages.

“I hope to do one more each year. It is kind of becoming a lifelong project.”

Jasthi, also a computer science teacher at Metro State University, is building a website for the book with the help of students. The site would offer access to the games and the soft skills they promote to all educators.

“Some of these games are universally applicable.”

Jasthi and his wife Bhas have lived in Shoreview with their two children for four years. Previously, they lived in White Bear Lake for 14 years. Jasthi moved to the U.S. 20 years ago.

For more information or to purchase copies of the book, visit www.silcmn.com.

About the Episode

Welcome to a special episode of Jayabheri, hosted by RJ Jaya! In this episode, we shine the spotlight on the remarkable initiative, SHEROES, led by the visionary Dr. Siva Jasthi.

Jayabheri is more than just a talk show — it’s a platform dedicated to uncovering extraordinary stories and celebrating the heroes who make our world a better place. Join RJ Jaya as she takes you on an insightful journey, exploring the lives and contributions of remarkable individuals.

About SHEROES

Meet the Trailblazers: 256 Extraordinary Women Who Redefined History

SHEROES by Siva Jasthi is a testament to the unyielding spirit of women who dared to challenge the status quo. This inspiring book takes you on a journey to discover the remarkable lives of 256 women who have left an indelible mark on the world.

Uncover the Stories of:

• Fearless freedom fighters who fought for independence and justice
• Passionate social activists who championed equality and human rights
• Visionary writers who penned powerful stories and poetry
• Pioneering women who broke new ground in their fields
• Talented artists who brought beauty and creativity to the world
• Dedicated sportswomen who shattered records and stereotypes
• Innovative scientists who pushed the boundaries of human knowledge

Be Inspired by Their Journeys

These women, from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, have demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination. Their stories will inspire you, motivate you, and empower you to make a difference in your own life and the lives of those around you.

Join the Celebration of Women’s Achievements

SHEROES is a tribute to the power of women and their contributions to shaping the world we live in today. This book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the potential of women to create positive change and make a lasting impact.

Why Tune In

If you believe in the power of women and the importance of education, this episode is for you. Join us as we delve into the heart of SHEROES, celebrating the strength, resilience, and success of every woman who dared to dream big.