Pics: Meryick D'silva

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (JS)

Mangaluru, Oct 21: The Department of Women and Child Welfare jointly with Pilikula Nisargadama will hold Makkala Habba, a Children’s Festival on October 14 and 15 at Dr Shivaram Karanth Park, Pilikula from 10am – 4pm. In this regard preparatory meeting was conducted here at DC office on October 21.

Speaking at the meeting DK Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim said "The programme will be inaugurated by the children blowing balloons at the main entrance.The two-day programme held to commemorate Dr Jawaharlal Nehru’s 125th birth anniversary is expected to attract about 15,000 children. Various traditional games and cultural forms will be on display. The children will be treated to a host of rural delicacies. They will be made to enjoy the rural transport services such as bicycles, bullock-carts, horse-carts and camel rides,"

"Folk dances, magic shows, mimicry, mimes and mono-acting will also be organized. A special children’s Gram Sabha will be held where they will be educated on Child Rights and Protection. The children will have free access to the zoo, botanical park, science centre, entities producing handicrafts and the guttu house among others. Competitions such as kite making, treasure hunt, clay modeling, quiz and painting will be conducted. Drills on life saving skills, basic yoga practices, fire fighting skills and first aid will be demonstrated. Various food items will be distributed to students at this occasion. Vehicles would be asked to park outside the entrance as science center is ignored every time. This time it will be an exciting experience to children from the entrance itself." he added.

District incharge minister Ramanath Rai, Director of Pilikula, Prabhakar Sharma and others were present.