Sekhar Srinivas
Jamshedpur, Nov 20: Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar expressed concern over children restricting themselves to mobile world and hardly bothered about what’s happening around the society.
How do we connect them with mainstream society is what remains a big challenge for us, Governor said while addressing at the 4th edition of “Bal Mela” (Children’s Fair) here on Wednesday.
The biggest challenge before us is how do we connect them with the society, he said stating that participating in fair like Bal mela is a pleasant experience. It reflected the innocence of childhood and direction of future.
Dwelling on prevailing malnutrition in Jharkhand, Gangwar pointed out a lot remains to be done in the field of children’s rights and development while admitting that malnutrition remained a major problem of the state.
A vigorous efforts to eliminate malnutrition is needed, Gangwar said. Children’s fair was not only an event but has become a medium to bring in people across society including parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, people’s representatives, social organizations, corporates, media and others under a platform, he opined.
Affection, nourishment, education, safety and availability of opportunities are the five pillars for development of children, which lays foundation for strong and prosperous nation, Governor observed.
The tribal brothers and sisters of Jharkhand believed that children belonged to not only a family but the community. This belief sends out an invaluable message to the world community about co-operation and collective responsibility, Gangwar added.
Branding the children as our “real wealth” Governor said he has witnessed the talent of the children, who loved nature very much. They want parents to create an ambience that would allow complete freedom to study, dream and listen to them. He emphasized for special attention for girls education. If a daughter become educated, then society become stronger, he said.
Children are today’s priority and environment should be such that they can grow healthy, educated and progress happily, he added. Appreciating Janata Dal (United) legislator from Jamshedpur West constituency Saryu Roy for organizing such fair since 2022, Governor said the fair has become a platform for public awareness about children’s rights, nutrition, education and health.
The Bal Mela, which began on National Children’s day (14th November) and will continue till International Children’s day (20th November), reflected the innocence of childhood, bright hopes and possibilities of future, Governor commented.
This year’s International Children’s day theme “parenting with love, leading the world” aimed to convey the message of love, safe and sensitive environment empowers the future citizens of the nation, he added. Gangwar also unveiled the 40-page colorful souvenir edited by former journalist Anand Kumar Singh.
Considering the adverse impact of global pandemics in 2020-21 on children, Saryu Roy had decided to organize Bal Mela to eliminate the adverse psychology. The first edition of the children’s fair was held in 2022.
Reminiscing how his residence turned into a kitchen in 2020-21 during Covid, JD(U) MLA said foods for thousands were being prepared at his home during lockdown period and his friends and supporters had risked their lives to distribute them during global pandemic.
I had observed that the pandemic had adversely impacted on majority of children, reflecting in their mindset. The former Jharkhand minister said he had conceptualized the idea of children’s fest on National Children’s day (14th November) to ensure children’s wellbeing. Since, Bal Mela is being organized between National Children’s day (14th November) and World Children’s day on November 20. The aim of such fest was to ensure children become strong, brilliant and take the nation forward.
Appreciating the overwhelming support to the initiative, Roy said he was pleased to note that students of the government and private schools have not only participated in the week-long fest but they came along with their trainers to be part of the fair.
Boasted by the response of the fair, Roy said he has plan to involve people from across the state by organizing the next edition of the Bal mela in any big place. We will release a manifesto for Jamshedpur as we have plans to develop Jamshedpur as “Bal mitra (child friendly) district”. Till Wednesday, over 4,200 children have taken part in 18 different competitions including art, music and sports.
