Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

"Unity is the key to put India on the global map for the right reasons"

Mangaluru, Nov 22: In a passionate appeal for unity and harmony, multi-lingual South Indian actress Khushboo on Sunday November 22 said that children of today need to be guided in the right path and all citizens must stand unitedly and put India on the global map for all the right reasons.

She was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 10th edition of International Children's Film Festival, being hosted in the city for the first time. The five-day event has been organized by the Karntaka Film Academy, Bengaluru, and Children's India in collaboration with Dakshina Kannada district administration and Mangaluru City Corporation at Town Hall here. The event also marks Children's Day celebration.

Khushboo began her speech with 'encha uller' (how are you) in Tulu, much to the delight of the audience, and then switched to English.

"The children of today are the future of this country. These children are the ones who are going to take forward the best aspects of our culture and discipline, pluralism, tolerance, secularism of this country. Are we guiding them in the right path? Today unfortunately we are seeing so much of intolerance. We do not have patience, understanding, and the heart to feel the pain of others. These children have a pure heart, like gold, and we need to bring them up in such a way that it remains pure in this polluted country. We citizens have to say that we stand united, and come what may nothing can break us apart," she urged.

"The communal riots, the problems, the political parties may come and go, but these children are the ones who will take this country forward. This is a country I look forward to seeing on the global map for all the right reasons. I stand here today and declare that I am a proud citizen of India. There should be equality among each and everyone, nobody is small or big.

"In school, we sit together on the same bench, we eat together, and when we fall and get hurt we look after each other. But when we grow we tend to have disorient thoughts and mind. When we can be one in school, why cannot we be one in every place we go? We need to understand this. We should take pride in saying 'I am a citizen of India'. You have your beliefs, communities, religions and faiths, but above everything else, the most important thing is to be the citizen of this country. Please stay united, have tolerance, pluralism, secularism and believe in the rich diversity and culture of this country. No other country in the world has such a rich culture and heritage, and we need to protect it. We can, if we stand united. Unity is the key to put India on the global map for the right reasons," she said.

"When I was in school I used to look forward to the Children's Day - going to school, talking about great leaders who fought for the freedom of this country and its development, and learn about leaders who contributed to the betterment of the nation. I really feel somehere down the line we have been missing out on telling our children what exactly Children's Day is meant for. As we all know, Chacha Nehru was the one man who was born to become the architect of modern India. His contribution to the country is immense," she added.

Earlier, district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai inaugurated the event and said, "This is the first time this event is being held in Mangaluru and it has happened because of the support of the district adminisrtation. This is a happy occasion. The heart of the child is always innocent and pure, equal to god. Pandit Nehru loved children and he even celebrated his birthday with children. This event has been organized to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Pandit Nehru."

He also lauded N R Nanjunde Gowda of Children's India and P V Mohan for their efforts in organizing the event.

Urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D'Souza, mayor Jacintha Alfred, president of Karnataka Film Academy B Rajendra Singh Babu, president of Film and Commerce Board Sara Govind, Kripa Amar Alva, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, SP Dr Sharanappa and others were present.

Cultural programmes by various students enthralled the gathering. The Film Festival will culminate on November 26. During the five days, 250 children's films from 40 countries will be screened in 12 theatres in the city and taluk. As many as 7,500 students can watch films simultaneously, and over the five days, 1,20,000 students are expected to watch the various movies that would be screened. Workshops related to film production will also be held by experts.