Children’s ’Habba’ at Pilikula comes to a close

Children’s ’Habba’ at Pilikula comes to a close

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 23, 2015 :   The ’Makkala Habba"  was the two-day Children’s Festival, organised by the DK district administration to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, which was originally scheduled for November 14 and 15. Hundreds of kids with their parents  travelled to the Nisargadhama either in school buses or specially hired buses early before the  the second and final day festival started on Nov 22 Sunday.

The event was inaugurated on Nov 21Saturday (see our report yesterday) by National bravery award winner Panchami Maroor of Moodabidri by releasing air-filled balloons even as hundreds of kids dressed as freedom fighters and historical personalities walked along the main road of the Nisargadhama to the venue. At the special counters opened for registration at the entrance, kids were offered ice candies and masks even as they had the freedom to pluck fruits from the banana bunches that were kept hanging on their walking path—all for free.

Cultural programmes comprising a variety of dances and performances were conducted simultaneously at three places even as kids too were allowed to exhibit their talent on the stage. While many entered the Regional Science Centre to enhance their knowledge of science, some proceeded further to enjoy camel and horse rides, jump-jump and many other rides.

The aims of organising the festival was to free the kids from the daily routine of home-school-home and introduce them to the life outside,  DK DC Adoor B. Ibrahim, who was overseeing the arrangements, said.

The village attractions included swings tied to trees, pot-making demonstration, free sugarcane distribution, model paddy field and many more. Every kid was given one coupon enabling him or her to enjoy one of the attractions in the festival, including the zoo.  Teachers who accompanied the students in fact had a tough time managing them yet  ended up in doing a good turn. The scorching sun did not deter students from enjoying the attractions of the festival, where they were served free lunch too.

On the side lines : The Mangalore Round Table 115 and Mangalore Ladies Circle 82 have constructed a new public toilet at the Shivarama Karanth Nisargadhama in Pilikula at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh. This was handed over to the Nisargadhama authorities.