By Team SOM 

Children have the power to shape the world. And with everything that is going on with the world right now — climate change, pollution, hatred, insensitivity and indifference — it has become all the more important to give children the tools to sculpt a better world.  

Many countries have their own days dedicated to children and in India it is on Nov. 14 on the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of independent India as he emphasised the importance of giving love and affection to children.

November 14th is the second most awaited day by children after their birthday as the Day would mean a day full of games and activities planned for them by teachers. As soon as November arrives, there is a shift in energy of teachers and senior students as they prepare to celebrate Children’s Day and start looking forward to whatever they had planned — whether it was a play, a fancy dress competition or an entire day of games and activities.

On the occasion of Children’s Day, Star of Mysore spoke to a cross section of children from Government Schools on what Children’s Day meant for them and how they plan to make the most of it this year. Now read on…

Give us a chance to flourish

This is a special day, especially for children as they are taken out for picnics to Zoo, Palace and Exhibition. And entry to these places is free. We get to see some historical monuments and also rare species of animals. This helps us improve knowledge.”

“I am of the opinion that Children’s Day should not be restricted to just organising picnics. It should be more meaningful by organising debates, essay writing competitions on various topics of historical and social relevance.”  

“Teachers, who spend majority of their time with children, should identify the child’s potential and make sure that children flourish in their field of interest. It is also important that parents treat children as their friends.” Ullas, who is interested in music and theatre, wants to become an IAS Officer. 

— Ullas Kumar, 9th Std., Government High School, Lakshmipuram

Children’s Day is fun. We get to spend quality time with our close friends. We are treated specially on this day with   lots of sweets and chocolates.” 

“We participate in elocution, drawing and painting competitions organised at schools and by various organisations. Our school also conducts cultural programmes.”

Inspired by her teachers, Sania wishes to become a teacher. She also wants to be an athlete.

—  Sania, 8th Std., Government High School, Lakshmipuram

Even women can guard borders

I have always enjoyed Children’s Day. In fact, I eagerly wait for the Day since we get to participate in sports and cultural activities apart from going for short picnics with our friends.” 

Nandithambika spends her free time in learning music and theatre. She also likes to take part in athletics and kabaddi.

An ardent sport enthusiast, she aims to become an Army Officer and wants to prove to the world that even women can guard the borders.

—  M.B. Nandithambika, Government Higher Primary School, Kuvempunagar

Hear them speak from a remote school

While the students of Government Schools in urban areas were bold and forthright in their answers, the scenario is the opposite in rural areas. Here, children are still shy to speak their heart out. However, two girl students spoke about the Day, in their own shy way, looking at their friends as if to take their approval. 

For me, Children’s Day is all about participating in cultural programmes and sports. I have plans to visit Zoo, Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hill. 

We take part in a lot of activities at our school. Our teachers have been preparing us for this Day by teaching us songs and dance. After celebrating Children’s Day at school, we come to Mysuru to visit Zoo and Dasara Exhibition.

— P. Harshitha, 5th Std. and Navyashree, 4th Std., Government Primary School, Moodalahundi

A KAS and IAS aspirant is here

While many people scorn at the facilities provided by Government to its schools, there are many bright students who exceptionally do well both in their studies and extra-curricular activities. When it comes to competition, these students are no less than any student from private institutions who are daily or hourly groomed by their schools, teachers and parents. 

I would like my teachers to educate us about freedom fighters and popular sports persons by showing videos and briefing us about their achievements. In my opinion, parents and teachers should encourage and support our interests and hobbies, but most of the time they always force us to read.”

Apart from reading, Venkatesh wants to know about other fields of interest and also improve his general knowledge. “I would like to take up Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam to be an officer so that I can help the poor and needy. Even clearing the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is my dream, but it is more competitive, I think,” he says. Venkatesh looks determined and was quite strong in his answers. And he has that confident look.

—  Venkatesh, 9th Std., Government Middle and High School, Metagalli

Green crusader in-the-making

Here is another child who wants teachers to identify and nurture talents. “Our teachers and elders should encourage our innate talents and support them so that we can chase our dreams and succeed by doing things that we love and the way we want do it,” she says. 

Ranjitha seems to have knowledge about how our nature is being destroyed by mindless development and dumping of waste and how this destruction is causing global outrage.   

 “Nature conservation is one of my primary passions. I would like to create awareness about the importance of trees and conservation of forest. I would like to be a teacher so that I can impart knowledge to young minds,” she says.

—  H.R. Ranjitha, 9th Std., Government Middle and High School, Metagalli

No school bags at least this day, please!

On this day, we all must be freed from school bags. Usually, we carry a lot of books every day along with our lunch boxes and water bottles. At least this one day we must be allowed to come from home freely without any bags.”

  “We should keep our city clean. I would like to support and follow the Swachh Bharat Mission started by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“

    In fact, on Children’s Day, we should carry out cleanliness drives so as to keep our surroundings clean and tidy. When I grow up, I would like to be a teacher and work in a Government School.

—  R. Aishwarya, 7th Std., Government Middle and High School, Metagalli

‘Plant a sapling, change the world’

They should allow us to wear colour dress on Children’s Day. We should plant a tree sapling in memory of our first Prime Minister. Planting saplings will go a long way in establishing a green and environmentally conscious nation. These days we see trees being cut mercilessly and to at least minimise the damage, saplings must be planted on a large scale.”

“Nowadays, we are hearing a lot about crime and murders which are on the rapid rise. Teachers should create awareness among us about this burning issue. I would like to be a Police Officer so that I can punish offenders and bring justice to victims.”

—  L. Vincent, 7th Std., Government Middle and High School, Metagalli

Extra-curricular activities help develop personality

Day in and day out we attend classes and learn about personalities like Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders who have made a difference. I feel apart from classes, extracurricular activities like dance, drama and others must be given importance. Apart from Nehru, we also need to know about other people post freedom movement who have brought a change in the society. Also, we feel that along with studies, extra-curricular activities will help our personalities to blossom.”

—  K. Nayana and M.J. Aishwarya, 7th Std., Pailwan Basavaiah Government Higher Primary School, Jayanagar