Children's Day celebrations to be a year-long affair

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Children's Day celebrations will not be a one-day affair this time. The state government is planning year-long celebrations as part of the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. The programmes will begin on Friday.
Chief minister Oommen Chandy will felicitate bravery award winners Akhil Biju, Subin Mathew, Yadu Krishnan, Muneer Muhammed, Giri Krishna, Shalef Shaji and Abhay Krishnan.The dignitaries along with kids will plant a sapling and Chachaji's favourite rose plant at the courtyard of Child Welfare Council office.
Social welfare minister M K Muneer will unveil the Children's Day stamp released by Child Welfare Council by handing over the stamp to district collector Biju Prabhakar, the head of CWC. "The painting of Eva Maria, sixth standard student of Sacred Hearts GHSS Kannur, was selected for this year's stamp," said Prabhakar.
A magic show meant to create awareness against drugs will be presented by magician Haris Thaha at the hall of Children's Welfare Council.
A public meeting of students will be held at SMV Higher Secondary School at 2.30 pm. Ashwin Ashok of Saraswati Vidyalaya will be the president. Niranjana V Nair of Carmel G H SS will don the role of children's prime minister. Jitya J Ansalam, who has been selected as speaker, will deliver the keynote address. Betty Das P L of Nirmalabhavan HSS will welcome the gathering while Krishna P R of Holy Angel's convent will present thanksgiving speech. Following this, chief minister Oommen Chandy, minister M K Muneer, V S Sivakumar and mayor K Chandrika will speak.
Additional chief secretary K M Abraham, social justice director V N Jithendran and councillor Harikumar will attend the function.
CM will flag off children's rally at SMV HSS at 3.30pm. Students from all city schools will participate in the rally. The rally will conclude with a public meeting at University College ground.