2-day Makkala Habba in Cubbon Park

A two-day ‘Makkala Habba’, in which 10,000 to 15,000 children from across the State are expected to participate, will be organised at various venues in Cubbon Park on November 14 and 15 to celebrate Children’s Day.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree said that it was the first time the government was organising a children’s festival on such a grand scale.

The event will be held over two days and entry for all children will be free. Apart from performances by children, there will be fun-filled activities, entertainment and cultural programmes as well, she said.

While on one hand children will be introduced to traditional games like ‘gilli danda’, ‘kunte bille’, ‘pagade’ and ‘ajji kathe’, they will also get to interact with Disney characters. For younger children, there will be fancy dress and baby shows.

The minister added that anganwadi workers would be demonstrating the preparation of nutritious meals for children, while the Horticulture department would enhance the beauty of the Park by organising a flower show.

BMTC bus facilities will be provided to ferry children from surrounding rural areas to Bengaluru. As the entire venue will be abuzz with activities, separate parking facilities will be provided for private vehicles at Queens Road, Kanteerava Stadium, and in front of M S Building.

Help desks will be set up across the venue, and around 100 to 150 police will man the area. Police will also be in plainclothes to keep a lookout for trouble makers.

The event will be inaugurated by Governor Vajubhai Vala at 4.30 pm at the Band Stand in Cubbon Park on 14 November. An anthology of around 100 select poems ‘Sampreethi Santhrupthi’, penned by inmates of Balamandiras in Dharwad will be released, during the occasion.

The event is being organised by over ten departments including Horticulture, Health and Family Welfare, and Education.