Green merchants

Children of a private school trying to promote the ‘go-green’ concept at a makeshift Rythu Bazaar set up on the school campus in Hyderabad on Thursday.- Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

 

Introducing children to literature

Showcasing a festival that aims to open up the world of children’s literature to school students.

SCRAP ART :A giant bull made of automobile mechanical scrap parts greets visitors at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival.Photo: Paul Noronha

The decade-old Kala Ghoda Festival, known for bringing together the arts in Mumbai, now aims to introduce school students to children’s literature in India and across the globe through interaction with various authors.

In its ongoing edition, which ends on Sunday, the Festival is hosting several authors and illustrators of children’s literature, who are conducting workshops for students to help inculcate the culture of reading.

“Last year in recognition of growing children’s literature genre, we started a literature section for them at the fest. As a follow up this year authors and illustrators from Australia, France and Singapore will interact with school children,” Lubaina Bandukwala, Curator, Children’s Literature, Kala Ghoda festival told PTI.

Spread over a span of nine days, the authors plan to visit five schools in the vicinity in a customised Kala Ghoda car and conduct writing and illustration workshops. Organisers said this initiative was being undertaken for the first time.

“School students these days are exposed to Harry Potter, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. First thing they go to a book store is to pick up Harry Potter books because that’s what they know of. Rarely do they know about books for children by Indian authors. This initiative will help bridge the gap between Indian authors of children’s books and school students. It will also give a platform to Indian literature for children,” she said.

Authors Kavitha Mandana, Shalini Srinivasan, Balaji Venkataraman, illustrator Nayantara Surendranath and Australian children’s book writer Ken Spillman are among many lined up to conduct writing and illustration workshops across schools in South Mumbai.

PTI

‘Sikkolu Sambaralu’ contests from Jan. 27

CONTEST FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN

The district administration is going to conduct competitions for women and children on January 27 and 28. Winners will be given prizes during the ‘Sikkolu Sambaralu’, which will be organised between January 29 and 31.

Competitions will be conducted under categories such as traditional attire, hair styles, and ‘mehandi’ designs’ in municipal grounds on January 27 morning. In the afternoon, healthy baby contest will be conducted. Competitions will also be conducted in flower decoration, ‘rangoli’, and songs. Srikakulam

Additional Joint Collector R.S. Rajakumar reviewed the arrangements on Monday at the municipal grounds and asked women to participate to make the event a grand success.

 

Kids dazzle in SIDS designs

Girls look like dolls walking straight out of showcase.

There was loud music blaring out in the background and a select gathering eager to cheer models that were to sashay across the ramp.

The auditorium in hotel D.V. Manor reverberated with wild cheers at the first sight of the ‘tiny’ models covered in layers of frilly frocks taking to the dais. They were a set of young kids, all belonging to the 3-4 age group, walking the ramp to showcase garments designed by students pursuing P.G. diploma course in fashion designing and B. Sc Fashion Technology in Samana Institute for Design Studies (SIDS).

“Instead of waiting till the end of the course to showcase their works to the local public, we decided to do it after the first semester for an early exposure to the market,” said SIDS Managing Partner and CEO Samana Moosavi, who went on to explain: “We chose to focus on kids’ wear as there is no garments showroom exclusively for kids. In the absence of wide choice, the young ones are forced to rely on the limited designs available.”

Tiny tots of Delhi Public School (DPS) stepped into the shoes of models and showcased the rookie designers’ works with aplomb.

The girls, who outnumbered boys, looked like dolls walking straight out of showcases. Their heavily frilled frocks with floral strips and a hair band to match with a flower perched on one side made them cynosure of all eyes.

The doting parents sitting among the audience blew kisses as their children walked down the ramp in full public glare.

The entire premises turned peachy when girls emerged in peach-colour frocks and long gowns.

The clothes designed by the SIDS designers were all sold out at the venue itself. “This is the first time that the garments designed by SIDS students did not come back to the institute after showcasing them in the public. Most of the parents of kids who flaunted these clothes, bought them,” said Ms. Samana.

At the end of the show, Baby Tanmay was adudged as ‘Queen of Samana’, Ziya as first runner-up as ‘Style of Samana’ and Ruaina as second runner-up as ‘Style of Samana’.

 

 

Donate clothes this Christmas

Sphoorti Foundation requested public to donate clothes, stationary and school bags in good condition for the benefit of needy schoolchildren during Christmas. Clothes (for children between 5 and 15 years) should be ironed, wearable. For details, call: 040-3221-2495/90002-02900.

 

 

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‘Khammam Balotsav’ begins

A three-day children’s festival christened as ‘Khammam Balotsav’ got off to a splendid start at Manchikanti Bhavan here on Friday.

A scintillating cultural show featuring awe-inspiring classical dance performances by schoolchildren marked the opening ceremony of the three-day festival.

Drawing and fancy dress competitions were conducted later in the day.

A large number of schoolchildren belonging to various government and private schools from all over the town enthusiastically participated in the competitive events held on the inaugural day.

Earlier, Kothagudem Club secretary Dr. Vasireddy Ramesh Babu inaugurated the festival. K Hima Bindu, the convener of the children’s festival, and others were present.

Speakers at the inaugural function praised the organisers of the festival for their efforts to nurture and promote the inherent talents of children besides giving the tiny tots an excellent opportunity to unravel their creative flair.

 

 

(un known)schooling kids emotions..

On the other side

Every day I see many children working. I feel disgusted when I see them toiling when they should be studying like me. Then I realise how lucky I am.

In our school every year the scholastic Book Fair is held for three days. I remember a time when the Scholastic Book Fair was being held.

I saw many children running to buy books. In the crowded area I also saw a child standing in a corner wearing dirty and tattered clothes. He was about my age.

I had seen him working at the fair. I wondered how he would be feeling when he saw other children studying in the school.  He surely must have wanted to study but he never got the opportunity.

I wanted to ask him about all these things but I could not muster the courage as here was a boy who would do anything to save money to educate himself and we educated ones were busy wasting money buying unnecessary toys and gadgets.

LEND A HELPING HAND

Sometimes, you need to switch off the television, close your books and take a deep breath. Look around you, and you will find that there is so much more you can do. In doing so make a difference in your life and in your community.

Bee sportive

I felt really nervous. It was my first time. I thought what would happen if I lose? But my mother gently reassured me. I reluctantly got up and went on-stage.

I was participating in the Mosaica International School’s spelling bee, which was held at the Hitex Exhibition Centre. I was tense and my little sister was watching me. I had to win and make her proud. The words were taken from the famous Scripps National Spelling Bee list. The judge’s accent was different. It was a bit difficult, but my determination to win and become my sister’s role model was strong and I overcame the difficulties. Then there was one word between me and the glorious prize. My palms were sweaty. I heard the word and spelt what I thought was the right spelling. Then I heard the words “you are right”. It was exhilarating! I had won!

I also learnt an important lesson. Winning is not everything. Participation and the spirit of sportsmanship is what matters. I was awed when the competitors cheered when I received my prize. These fond memories would remain forever etched in my heart.

 

School ties

I am motivated for various reasons. When I go to school, I get to learn new things. Every day I look at the school calendar, which has a quote under each date. This keeps my spirits up for the rest of the day. Our classes are made interesting with role-plays and other activities that make learning so much fun.

Our school instils good values in us. All festivals are celebrated. This helps us learn about our culture.

There are various interesting clubs that teach about photography and cooking among other things. We can join any of them according to our interests and get theoretical as well as practical knowledge. Not only does it ensure overall development but also a clear picture about what our interests are. I feel blessed to be in a school, where we have a platform to experiment and assess ourselves.

I believe that my school gives us everything necessary to become a good citizen. I am proud of my school and teachers.

Sister love

The days I spent with my sister, Sushma during my primary school is wonderful. She graduated from school when I finished Std VI and left our hometown for higher studies. The last two years have been really boring without her. We used to share our lunch, play in the ground together and travel in the school bus side by side. We would also quarrel to get more chocolates from our dad.

I miss my sister a lot. But as I remember all the mischievous things we did together, time seems to pass quickly. Whenever she calls, I would speak to her for hours and also irritate her by asking ridiculous questions. In January, she’ll come home after four months. I am waiting to give her a warm and cordial welcome. I love and miss you, dear sister!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Children showcase dancing skills

As part of the Children’s Day competitions, children performed dance ballets on Sunday evening at Gurajada Kalakshetram. Sixty girl students of Thimmapuram Vignan Vidyalayam presented “Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaibhavam” depicting the glory of Lord Balaji.

Another team of Sri Abhinaya Nritya Niketan of Srikakulam presented “Krishna Mukunda Murari,” on Lord Krishna. Forty students of Visakha Valley School unveiled the traditional celebrations of marriage of Telugu people with live music. Kids of Little Scholars School presented the divine war between Lord Siva and Arjuna, “Kiratarjuneeyam.” Ramakrishna School team performed “Seetharama Kalyanam” showing the celestial marriage of Lord Rama and Sita.

VUDA secretary G.C. Kishore Kumar and senior branch manager of Indian Overseas Bank VUDA Branch P. Hanumantha Rao attended.