By Vaishnavi Srinivasan | Executive Director
With the aim of spreading colour, joy among children and learning through activities, Nakshatra, an initiative by Bhumi was held at Ethiraj College for Women, Egmore on July 12, 2015.
1,074 children form 41 shelter homes across Chennai were a part of this talent fest in arts, that included literary, art and cultural competitions as well. The event, comprising 16 different competitions, for varying age groups was a perfect mixture of learning and enjoyment.
‘’I feel elated on seeing the auditorium reverberating with the presence of enthusiastic kids from various shelter homes across the city, witnessing their face reflecting the happiness within, which is the very purpose of conducting this event’’, said Dr. Prahalathan, co-founder of Bhumi.
While Nakshatra is conducted in five cities across India for the underprivileged, Chennai is proud to conduct the event for the seventh consecutive year. “Volunteers like me spend our weekends with the kids teaching dance, music, art, robotics and other educational programmes. This event is an opportunity for the kids to showcase their inner potential. The faces of the volunteers glow at the sight of seeing the children enjoying the programme. After all, it is for the kids we toil and strive”, said Karthik, one of the coordinators.
Bhumi even caters to the needs of children of homes in remote places. “As our home is situated in the outskirts of the city, I thought this would be an opportunity for the children to experience the outer world”, said Rev. Charles, Mariella home, Kalpakkam.
“Despite the fact that very less preparation was done, we somehow managed to earn the first prize in quiz. Above all, the volunteers were very friendly and mustered us up to take part without fear. Since we are from shelter homes, we don’t get much arenas to groom ourselves; among the minimal opportunities Nakshatra is one that gives us a chance to go through the pains and joys and celebrate whatever we get in life”, said Karthick and Gopi, class XI students of Indian Council for Child Welfare, Chennai.
The major sponsors of the events were IM Gears Pvt. Ltd., Eco Kitchen, Triad Solutions, NTT Data, and Plintron. “Nakshatra 2015 is one of the most important events in my life as I was given an opportunity for organizing the whole event. Beyond what we as coordinators learn from these incidents, it gives me a kind of eternal bliss on seeing those kids living their life fullest throughout the event. My team encompassed of youngsters (mostly students) who had a similar mind set and we worked towards one goal of making the kids happy without any internal conflicts. A special thanks to the CSS team, students union and the management of Ethiraj College without whom the event wouldn’t have taken place”, said Smithi Manickam, the overall co-ordinator.
As per the slogan of the event ‘Dream, Discover, and Dazzle’ the participants were actively involved in getting themselves registered and taking part in the competitions not caring about the results. The overall trophy was bagged by Sevalaya, the second, third, and fourth places were nailed by Ramakrishna Mission students, Siragu Home, and Leo Correya Home respectively. The massive event came to a successful close with the prize distribution for the winners and the valedictory function. The event may be just for a day, but this one day definitely stands out from the rest that a child could experience as the tender hearts just need happiness and a diversion from the monotonous world.
Nakshatra is Bhumi’s annual inter-children's home art, cultural, sports and science talent fest for children to exhibit their talents and explore their potential in an atmosphere of healthy competition. The event is being held since 2009 and will also be held in Bengaluru, Tiruchirapalli, Pune and New Delhi this month. In 2014-15, 6,115 children from 136 orphanages participated.
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