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Ashima Sharma, Keekli Reporter, 14th November, 2014, Shimla
Children are innocent, children are mischief, but children bring a smile to one’s face. One of the most treasured possessions on Earth; children are loved by one and all. Thus, Children’s Day is celebrated to commemorate the healthy growth and happiness of children. While every nation has its own day dedicated to children, International Children’s Day is observed on June 1 and Universal Children’s Day on November 20 across the world. In India, Children’s Day celebrates the birth anniversary of its first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on November 14.
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about”. Angela Schwindt, describes the day marking childhood. Children’s Day celebrations focus on children and their enjoyment. Not only an eminent figure and national leader, Nehru loved children and spend quite a lot of time with them. Hence, Nehru was also known as Chacha Nehru out of respect and admiration.
Schools and educational institutions all over India mark the occasion as a grand fiesta, the same enthusiasm and enjoyable ambience was seen in the various schools of the city. For a change the children attend school not to study but to get involved in numerous activities and events awaiting them out there. A glimpse of some of the activities held in St Thomas School.
Children’s Day was celebrated by giving away prizes to the students who won in different competitions during the current academic year along with the sports teams which represented the school at the state and the national level. The chief guest for the occasion was Umesh Akre, President of Rotary Club Shimla. The event began with a short presentation prepared by the students of classes VI and VII giving out a message to stop Child Labour. There are many underprivileged children who do not get an opportunity to go to school and get education. Through the presentation the students took a pledge to speak out against child labour and take action, if any child under the age of 14 was seen being involved in child labour.
The members of Rotary Club present on the occasion, officially handed over the badges to the new student panel selected by the school committee. School Principal Vidupriya Chakravarty while wishing Happy Children’s Day to the students said, “It is a great joy for me to address you today on the occasion of Children’s Day. It is the duty of everyone to ensure that our children obtain good advice, learn good values and get the necessary protection from all danger so as to lead a beautiful life. The importance of giving children a good preparation cannot be overemphasized because the preparation put in today are the stepping stones on which they build their tomorrow. Keeping this fact in mind it is necessary that we provide them all the opportunities required to realize their potential. I wish my students all the best for their future. May they spend it full of joy and in the spirit of sharing”.
FEW PRIZE WINNERS
Inter House Declamation (Classes 9 and 10): 1st Shivangi Malik; 2nd Priya Thakur; 3rd Priya Gupta; 4th Shruti Bhardwaj.
Flower arrangement (Classes 1, 2 and 3): 1st Alvin; 2nd Aatika, Garvit; 3rd Sakshi and Varsha.
State Level Taekwondo Championship
Gold Medals: Shivansh; Aryant Kahra; Katikey Sharma; Mehak Thakur.
Silver Medals: Anjali; Kamya Negi; Ishmeet; Mehak Sidhu; Bhumika Verma.