Sishu Mela” 2012 – 13

Lake Gardens Women & Children Development Centre and Development Research Communication and Services Centre in association with Indienhilfe Network against Child Labour (IHNACL) had organized a children’s fair, “Shishu Mela” on 11th and 12th December 2012. The fair took place at the adjacent Bangur Park at Lake Gardens near Lake Gardens Post Office.

The fair was inaugurated on 11th December at 12.30 p.m. by the children themselves by cutting a ribbon and singing an opening song. This was followed by a short inaugural speech by one of the children from DRCSC and the other from LGWCDC. Children and youth from both the organizations had arranged about ten to twelve stalls on various subjects related to Child Rights, Ecological Child Rights, R.T.E., Food & Nutrition and Health including HIV/ AIDS as well as in general. They were divided into different groups and sub groups. Demonstrations through different charts and posters which they had prepared were also there. It was our privilege that SHG members from Hope Foundation had put up a stall on Reuse of paper, in which they taught the children to do several artifacts like ornaments, pen stand, card etc. from reused paper. Children enjoyed this very much and there were other inter-active corners like that of making puzzles, origami, etc. which also made the fair a successful one as these could bring a big smile to each and every child attending the fair. There were also workshops by the senior child group leaders where others tried their hands at identifying different smells, leaves etc.,  did colour making with new ideas, collage, clay modeling and others. Interestingly the adolescent girl group from DRCSC who had recently done a vocational course on beautifi ation had put up a stall on health tips and beautification, which drew maximum attention, not only from the children, but by the adults as well. Both adults and children enthusiastically took part in the fair. There was also a quiz programme conducted by the child leaders of LGWCDC themselves, whereby the participants got small gifts as well by giving right answers.

The most attractive part for the children during the fair was the stall by CINI Asha staffs and children from Child Line (1098), whereby the children could call the Child Line (1098) and ask whatever questions they wished to related to their rights and the working structure of Child Line. At the end of the fair the children staged two dramas - one by the children of Child line on ‘Right to Education’ and the other by the DRCSC children’s theatre group on ‘The bad effects of addiction on children’. Officials from IH, DRCSC and LGWCDC, teachers and students from few schools of the locality and several local residents visited the fair. They also gave us their valuable opinion and feedback. Many of them wished that a fair of this kind should be organised every year to create awareness not only among the children but also in the society. The fair came to an end at about 5.30 p.m. Overall it was a success with a turnover of around more than 200 children and other guests who visited the fair.

Next day, i.e. on 12th December, 2012 there was an in-house programme at LGWCDC premises where the children were shown a movie on Child rights “Stanley ka dabba” and a discussion and debate on the topic followed. The discussion was conducted by the child group leaders from DRCSC Street to School project, who raised several issues related to child rights after watching the film and also organized some instant debates on this. Thus finally the two day programme “Sishu Mela” came to an end with a happy note and an exchange of views by the children of both the organizations.