Some Youth who went in the SHISHU MELA - 2010 have shared their experiences :
Ms. Sonu Nahata, a freelance Content Writer :
" Children’s Day, to me, practically lost its meaning ever since I left school. It anyway just meant the pampering and the goodies we used to get from our teachers that day. But this year, 14thNovember has etched a beautiful memory on my mind. ‘SHISHU MELA 2010’, gave me a chance to be with the underprivileged children and celebrate the occasion in its true essence.
It would be difficult to categorically point out the best part of the day. From the traditional welcome where each of the villagers lined up with folded hands and sang a folk song, to the races and games that were held for the vanvasi children especially to lift their spirits and bring a smile on their faces. From the prize distribution ceremony where everyone was a winner and took home something, if not gifts, good memories for sure, to the warmth and love with which the vanvasis served us the khichdi and chutney. Everything was enthralling. And of course the enthusiasm with which the senior members of the Calcutta team participated was commendable as well. Rarely one gets to see grandmothers racing.
The idea of keeping simple matching-the-ball and bucketing-the-ball games was perfect. Even the 3-4 year olds’ could play easily and win their packs of biscuits. I tried my hand as well but was no match compared to the kids. Besides being playful, we also did some basic work of distributing slate and chalk to the children and buckets and other stuffs of daily use to the Shiksha Kendras.
In totality, it was a day wisely spent which otherwise would have faded away just like all the other 14th Novembers’. Had it not been for the Youth Wing of Kalyan Ashram to organize such an event, I would not have been able to meet the real people working at the grass root level for the actual development of our country. At the end of the day I must say I felt contented. "
Mr. Sidharth Shyamsukha, a Software Developer :
" Hundreds of smiling angels, displaying their enthusiasm in a 50 m dash, lining-up to test their aiming skills to bucket a ball and a laugh after picking up the right ball in a game of chance. These children from Shishu Shiksha Kendras of villages near Sonakhali actually made the day for 35 volunteers from Kolkata who had come to celebrate Children's Day with them. Children gave them a never forgetting experience apart from welcome flower rain and a sumptuous kichdi for lunch.
" Hundreds of smiling angels, displaying their enthusiasm in a 50 m dash, lining-up to test their aiming skills to bucket a ball and a laugh after picking up the right ball in a game of chance. These children from Shishu Shiksha Kendras of villages near Sonakhali actually made the day for 35 volunteers from Kolkata who had come to celebrate Children's Day with them. Children gave them a never forgetting experience apart from welcome flower rain and a sumptuous kichdi for lunch.
Youth wing of Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram organized second edition of Shishu Mela - a unique way to celebrate children's day with Vanvasi children on Sunday, 14th November 2010. After a 100km ride from Kolkata they reached Sonakhali Primary Govt. School, where around 120 children aged 4-7 years were waiting with their guardians and acharyas. On reception they were offered flowers as a traditional welcome.
Then started setting up the stage for the day's activities. Children were organized by their heights in different groups for the flat race event. And as the first 50 metre dash of girls started, the tempo rose and volunteers standing to identify the winners understood this was no easy job given the spirit and speed of the children. Then race after race for boys and girls with 10 participants filled the environment with such joy and fun that no one actually felt the summer-like heat of noon.
After the 50m-dash and biscuit race, it was time for some fun games. Children lined up to test their aim and luck. Children amazed the city volunteers with their aiming skills in bucket the ball game, volunteers found it tough to put the ball in bucket which their counterparts were doing easily. After another round of a game which was more fun and tested the luck of children (where everyone was assured of a prize!) it was time for Lunch :)
Amazing Kichdi and Chatni was prepared by contribution of rice from every house of vanvasi brothers. After having a sumptuous lunch everyone gathered again for the prize distribution ceremony. Small children accepted their prizes with such grace, which speaks for their cultural bondage.
While coming back everyone was left with a feeling of ‘wow’. It must have been the best Children’s Day they would have experienced ever. And for those who missed it, there is always a next time !
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