In an age when screens dominate children’s lives, Hidden Gems invites them to step into the real world — to explore, imagine, and connect. This gamified, offline treasure hunt transforms heritage monuments into living classrooms, where students follow clues, solve riddles, and experience history through movement, storytelling, and discovery.
Piloted at the Red Fort in Delhi, Hidden Gems replaces passive screen time with shared, sensory learning. Students navigate the site using clues and short offline videos, turning history into an immersive journey that strengthens curiosity, attention, and emotional resilience. By rooting learning in real spaces, the project nurtures a generation that is more mindful, imaginative, and connected to their environment.
But Hidden Gems goes beyond reimagining how children learn. It also creates social impact on the ground. In collaboration with the Salaam Baalak Trust and Sabhyata Foundation, four young adults from under-resourced backgrounds were trained as ushers and storytellers, leading treasure-hunt experiences for visiting families. Their involvement added authenticity and warmth to each session while providing valuable skills, employment opportunities, and confidence in public engagement.
Through this dual focus on learning and inclusion, Hidden Gems bridges communities, bringing together children, guides, and families from diverse backgrounds in joyful, shared experiences. The project demonstrates how technology, when used mindfully, can guide children in fostering empathy, collaboration, and pride in our cultural heritage.
By combining education, heritage, and empowerment, Hidden Gems transforms monuments into catalysts for social connection by nurturing curiosity in children, dignity in youth, and compassion across communities.
