JOIN USPandit Jawaharlal Nehru had once said, “Every child is special and has tremendous potential to influence the development of the environment around him/her.
On the occasion of Children’s Day, every child should be made to feel special and make the occasion memorable.”
Keeping this in mind, the library of MS Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce, in collaboration with the Youth Red Cross Wing of the college, celebrated National Book Week (November 14 to 20) and Children’s Day at Snehasadhana, an
orphanage in the city.
Biscuits and fruits were distributed to the children. A red rose, a flower loved by Pandit Nehru, was given to each child. The librarian, Shivkumar, distributed story books to the children and the staff and student volunteers — along with the children — danced, recited rhymes and played cricket together.
The young children were also given Kannada story books keeping in mind the fact that it is ‘Rajyotsava month’ in the state. Malikarjun, a student of sixth standard, says, “It was a very good day for us. The story books will help our reading skills and the song about Nehru ji was very nice. I loved it so much that I will teach it to my classmates at school.”
In fact, the children at the orphanage wanted to prolong the session and kept requesting the volunteers to stay on. Everybody shared an emotional moment when Robert, a first standard child, asked the college students when they would return again.
For the students who volunteered from the college, it was a very memorable day. “I relived my childhood. I’m glad I volunteered because seeing those children smile made it worth it,” says Shaun Preetam, who is pursuing an MSc in biotechnology.
Sohini, who is studying the same course, feels that colleges need to encourage such programmes to help children with needs. “It was really good to be a part of something so simple and yet noble. More people need to volunteer and be aware of these campaigns,” she says.