It was 4 o’clock on the 11th of July and even the blazing heat could not control the excitement- I was at the inter orphanage cultural at the Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram at Kilpauk. This event “siragugal”was being organized by Bhumi, an organization inclined towards the welfare of under privileged children The program had begun at 9AM and was going to close by 6 PM.
There were lots of events for the children to participate in.
One of them was the Science fair where children were showing projects on recycling old garbage. They had made lovely posters and models on the environment and had learnt quite a bit about it. They explained how as an individual I could save the environment. They also showed me their posters and models and told me that the entire material used was recycled!
As most of the explanations were in Tamil, for those who could not speak or understand Tamil there were volunteers to help. There was also a counter where the children had displayed puppets and dolls made of Paper Mache.
When they saw me with a camera they started striking poses like film stars begging to take their picture!
“ Do not throw that on the ground. Put in a dustbin” says a 15 year old boy to a little girl. “Try to use cycles or walk” says ten year old Sumitha. Right in the middle of that room is a Christmas tree that is covered with million chits which ave environment problems written on them. You are supposed to pick up a chit, find a solutions of that problem and tell the volunteers in charge. If you were right you could win a chocholate!
Apart from the science fair there were other interesting activities like dance and play acting competitions. The mina Auditorium had a big crowd dancing with the children to popular Tamil numbers. The children perform amazing gymnastics and are wearing vibrant costumes.
The drama competition was also on in full swing. They were performing a street play some of which have been written by well known playwrights.
The event came to an end with a spectacular Valedictory function. The chief guests were Actors Shiva, Maya and Sibi. Actor Maya sang a four famous songs from her films. This had the children on their feet dancing like superstars.
There was an award ceremony where the children were given awards for their different activities. The sponsors were given mementos by the Bhumi President. The child sponsor was Ms. Radhika Ramesh from ISS foods. Ms. Ramesh said that it was an honor to sponsor this event for the children.
The Volunteers, some of whom were children from the Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidhyashram school were then cheered for their help . The event came to an end at about 7.30p.m and all of us went home feeling tired but happy.
Pic courtesy: http://bhumichennai.org/