Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 26:
Organised by the Social Welfare Department, the Inter-State Bal Bhavan Children Festival, 2008 has begun from today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.
In all 250 children coming from all the nine districts of Manipur are participating in the festival which would go on till May 30 .
Along with presentation of various creative activities by the participating children, there would also be competitions in various items like drama, fancy dress, painting, creative writing, dance, etc.
To spread awareness and sensitize them on various issues, the participating children would also get the opportunity of watching films on HIV/AIDS, Shumang Leelas and theatrical plays besides the experience of interacting an dining together among the children coming from different parts of the State.
The main objective of the festival is to inculcate discipline and the spirit of unity and oneness among the children.
The inaugural function of the festival was attended by Minister of Social Welfare N Loken as chief guest, Chairperson of Manipur State Women's Development Co-operation Limited AK Mirabai Devi as president and Director of Social Welfare Department A Nabachandra as guest of honour.
Chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Women Dr Ch Jamini, two members of he Commission, social worker Amrik Singh Pahwa and two Social Welfare officials coming from Nagaland and Gujarat were also present at the inaugural function as special invitees.
Speaking at the occasion, Social Welfare Minister N Loken observed that after seeing the performance and activities of the students, he was convinced that peace would be restored in the strife-torn Manipur one day.
Noting that the Social Welfare Department has a great role to play in exposing the hidden talents of the children, the Minister assured that efforts would be made toward setting aside some portion of the fund allocated on the Social Welfare Department for the welfare of the children.
In her presidential address, AK Mirabai observed that the parents and the school teachers have an important role in identifying in the latent talents of the children through encouraging them to participate in various competitions.
Expressing concern, Mirabai noted that forcing young children to come out of their classrooms and participate in protest demonstration is not appreciable.
As far as possible, children should not be exposed to form of violence, she added.
Participating children presented songs and dances, in group as well as in solo during the inaugural function of the festival.