WAD organises State level cultural programme for children
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 20 2014 : A State level cultural programme for children organised by the Women Action for Development (WAD) in association with NGOs and CBOs was celebrated at Lamyanba Sanglen today.

Speaking at the occasion, WAD secretary Sobita Mangshatabam said, every child is gifted in one way or the other.

These gifts are more often neglected and thereby wasted, due to lack of encouragement and failure to recognize their hidden talents.

Solely organised for children, the State level cultural programme was participated by children from Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Thoubal, Imphal East and West districts.

The children performed dances, songs, poetry recitation, Thang-Ta and various other activities.

Most of the children who participated in today's cultural event, Sobita said, were direct or indirect victims of either armed conflict, HIV or crime against women.

Many of these child victims came up to perform in the cultural event.

Through an extraordinary performance these children showcased their talents before the audience.

Children showcasing their talent at the occasion

Most minors in Manipur are exposed to various issues both directly and indirectly.

In most of these cases, the condition of a child is most distressing.

For every 10 married women affected by the armed conflict and crimes committed against women, nearly 30 to 40 children indirectly fall victim of the same.

But these aren't the only crimes known to the State.

There are various other issues that has indirectly impacted the children.

The issue of Inner Line Permit, to cite an example, the Ukhrul unrest, frequent bomb blasts etc.

Not only do these issues impact upon the minds of the children, they disturb the normal pace of their lives.

As such, the idea that these child victims should come up and give their best performance before the public is worth encouraging, Sobita added.

She further requested every section of the society to identify and encourage such hidden talents within their children.

Supporting the statement, social scientist Dhanabir Laishram said that parents are required to pay utmost attention to their children to identify their talents.

According to child psychologists, a child learns to identify sounds as early as 4 months while inside its mother's womb.

As such, violence committed at the domestic level or in the society influence even the unborn children if they are four months or older.