Bala Vedike to channelise energies of children

The Vedike, which will be first of its kind in the district, will provide a stage for children to exhibit and express their talents. The Bala Vedike will be open to children in the age group of 5 to 18 and it will have resource persons to train children in music, dance, art, literature, yoga, performance, magic and theatre. Bala Vedike will function more like a club and the children will have to enroll themselves by paying a nominal fee of Rs 100.
A string of activities will be conducted and the schedule will be communicated to the members to enable them participate in the activities of their choice.

“Most of the activities will be held on weekends and on holidays to ensure good turnout,” said Dakshina Kannada Women and Child Welfare Development Deputy Director A Shakuntala.   

Bala Vedike aims to develop personality of children, spot their hidden talent and give them the right direction, she added.

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat CEO P Shivashankar will be the Chairman of Bala Bhavan Samiti and Shakuntala will be the Secretary.

The Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner, the Deputy Director of Public Instructions, the Deputy Director of Horticulture and the Deputy Conservator of Forests will be the other members of the Samiti. There are plans to open Bala Bhavans at taluk level and soon they may start in Puttur, Sullia, Belthangady, Shakuntala disclosed.

The Bala Vedike will be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on November 17 at Puttur. After the inauguration, the process of recruiting resource persons and membership drive will be launched.

Toy Train

The Bala Bhavan building in Kadri Park Mangalore is under renovation and there are plans to have a special library and play area for children, claimed Shakuntala.

The Mangalore City Corporation has entrusted the responsibility of operating the toy train to the Women and Child Welfare Development Department. The train, currently locked in a shed for some time, will start chugging soon.