GUWAHATI, Nov 14 � The Children�s Day was celebrated here today with pomp and gaiety to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India Pt Jawaharlal Nehru.
The State government in association with the Cotton College State University (CCUS) remembered the contributions of the great leader through a special commemorative lecture that was held at Rabindra Bhawan.
The lecture on the topic �Nehru�s leadership in the making of India� was delivered by Prof Madhavan K Palat. Prof Palat dwelt at length on several aspects of the political ideology of Nehru particularly highlighting on his inclusive approach to unite a diversified country.
Prof Palat mentioned that this inclusiveness helped in the consolidation of the country that was reconstructed on several agendas like language, region, history etc. �Nehru by creating a number of diverse units actually united India. His commitment to democracy and his inclusive approach helped to unite the country,� said Prof Palat further elaborating on the secularism and democracy that Nehru stood for.
Pointing out that Nehru�s abiding faith in the people was one major factor behind all his strategic objectives for building a modern India, Prof Palat said that this trust placed India on the road of development even at that time when the country was still a staggering entity. Emphasizing that Nehru�s commitment to make India economically independent in the true sense has scripted the success story for India, Prof Palat further said that Nehru�s stress on a self generating economy has ushered prosperity.
On the other hand, Prof Palat referring to the foreign policy of Nehru said that the traditions of Nehru set the direction for India.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp appealed to the young generation to imbibe the ideals of the great leader and work for building a prosperous nation. Gogoi said that Nehru�s contribution is not for India alone but for the entire human race. �Nehru had a magnetic appeal and he was close to the masses because he understood their issues,� said Gogoi asserting that Nehru will be relevant for all times to come as he laid the foundation of modern India.
Shishu Sarothi, Aashaa Bora Foundation and Emerge Clinic also celebrated the day.
To celebrate the essence of childhood, the teachers and students of Shishu Sarothi came together to ensure that the day was a fun-filled one for its students. The programme featured a magic show, a fashion show, dance performances by teachers and students etc.
Emerge Clinic celebrated the day among the children of orphanage Noonmati Sishu Mangal Kendra. Apart from free health check up for the children, the clinic also distributed fruits, playbooks and toys to them. The clinic also announced its lifetime free service for the children of the orphanage.
The Aashaa Bora Foundation conducted an awareness programme on water and sanitation among students and their guardians at Tetelia.
An elaborate and colourful programme was held at the Anuradha Cineplex to celebrate the day under the auspices Anuradha Cineplex, Child Friendly Guwahati and Ankur.
The celebration was undertaken in presence of nearly 500 children from different schools of Guwahati in order to spread the message of �EQUONE� (equality and oneness).
The meering started with felicitation of the guests, followed by their speeches and performances, followed by a quiz competition where all the children actively participated and attractive prizes were given away to the winner. Popular anchor of 92.7 BIG FM, Alia anchored the programme. After the quiz programme, the organisers distributed gifts to each child which was followed by screening of the new Hini �Roar� it said.
Matri Mandir, a specialized adoption agency today celebrated Children�s Day in its premises at South Sarania.
In his speech BP Saraf, the trustee of Matri Mandir said that inculcating good habits like punctuality and discipline from early childhood, goes a long way in building personality of an individual. He also narrated various instances from the life of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and asked the children present to follow his footsteps. He also told the children about the Swachha Bharat programme launched by the Prime Minister of India.
A drawing competition, indoor and outdoor games, cartoon and movie show were also organized on the occasion. A number of students from Balkrishna Play School, Kasturba Gandhi School, and other neighbouring schools participated in the function.
St. Francis De Sales Higher Secondary School situated at Satgaon area of Narengi also celebrated Children�s Day at its school campus in a befitting manner.
The event was formally inaugurated by the Principal of the school, Reverend Father George. In his speech, Father George lauded the efforts of the entire school management and congratulated the teachers for putting up an excellent show on this occasion of �Chacha� Nehru�s birthday.
The event was opened by a group song by the teachers. The comic act, medley, fusion dance, songs and martial arts performed by the teachers kept the audience enthralled.
Reports of such celebrations in different schools of the city have been pouring in till the filing of this report.
