‘Anjali’ children’s fest kicks off with ‘World for All’ theme

Bhubaneswar: In an electrifying atmosphere amidst riot of colour, rhythmic drum beats, unadulterated fun and ecstasy, the 14th edition of National Children’s Festival Anjali began at the Advasi Ground here on Saturday with this year’s theme ‘World for All’.

Around 1100 children from Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are participating in the five-day event.

Children from neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have taken part in the programme.

Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who inaugurated the festival, said the physically challenged children are seen abled in all fields. “We should not call differently abled children disabled, as they are able in every respect. They can achieve a lot if we keep on supporting them”.

The aim of the festival is to empower disabled children and help them to be a part of mainstream society, said Sruti Mohapatra, founder of city-based NGO Swabhiman, a voluntary organization that has been working for disability rights and organizer of Anjali.

The five-day carnival will feature a series of workshops on art, craft and photography as well as musical programmes by differently abled children.

The inaugural programme was also attended by chief secretary GC Pati, Nalco chairman TK Chand and Ollywood actor Sabyasachi Mishra.