Bangalore: `Chinnara Habba’ Sets Off on a Grand Scale
The Hindu
Bangalore, Nov 21: The Palace Grounds was abuzz with the activities of thousands of children on Thursday as students from over 250 schools in the city participated in the Chinnara Habba, organised by National Minority Development Corporation and the Karnataka Minority Development Corporation, in association with Rotary Club of Bangalore.
After participating in the “Oneness Run” from Basaveshwara Circle, the children assembled at the Palace Grounds where the festival was formally inaugurated by Minister for Minority Welfare and Wakfs, Mumtaz Ali Khan.
The four-day extravaganza – Come on Kids 2008 – will feature a host of shopping and entertainment experiences for the children. Standing 7 feet 6 inch tall, P. Theyagarajan, one of the country’s tallest men, will entertain the children at the event on all the days with his magic shows.
Talent to the fore
On the first day of the festival, several children exhibited their hidden talent by performing various dance forms, music and other extra curricular activities.
A massive stage has been constructed to allow children to exhibit their talent during the four days of the festival. Speaking after inaugurating the festival, Dr. Khan said it was the need of the hour to prepare the children to build a strife-free society.
He said the children had the responsibility of protecting the nation and it was everyone’s duty to train them in the right direction.
On Friday, the event will feature Kidz Art – a drawing competition at 1 pm, on the theme of communal harmony. The competition is open to children from standard V to VII and the registration is done through schools.
On the other hand, talent show, exhibiting the hidden talents among students will be held on all the days. Students aged between 8 and 16 can participate in adventure sports, including gunnysack race, cycling, challenging bouncy and so on between 10.30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Inauguration
Minister for Home V S Acharya flagged off the Oneness Run that marked the launch of Chinnara Habba at Basaveshwara Circle.
Over 3,000 children representing 250 schools who ran from the circle to Palace Ground drew public attention with cheers.
The Habba is on at the Palace Grounds between 10 am and 8 pm and will draw to a close on November 23.