by Vanita
ANDHERI-MUMBAI, DECEMBER 1, 2014: The World Children's Day celebration was organized by Don Bosco Balprafulta on November 20, 2014 for the children of various NGO's, slums and the 
children whom Balprafulta is reaching out through their various outreach programmes, in the premises of St. Dominic Savio High School, Andheri. The chief guest for the programme was Mr. Ravindra Singal, Commissioner of Police Mumbai Railway and Mrs. Vijaya Murthy , President of Mumbai Balkalyan Samiti and the Guests of Honour were Ms. Jayshree Londe, Member of Bal Kalyan Samiti, Mumbai and Mr. Murugun Selan.
The theme for the World Children's day was– "Awaz Hum Bachchon Ki"- The voice of every child should be heard. There were seven hundred children who participated in the World Children's Day programme. The programme began with the registration of both boys and girls at the entrance at 8:30 a.m After the registration, the children were taken to various classrooms of the school for some fun and educational activities and were also served breakfast. Each class had twenty six children with two volunteers who were helping out in the conducting of various games.
The boys and girls had different blocks for these activities. The classroom activities were very innovative, informative and included lots of fun and learning. The children were also given an opportunity to draw which they enjoyed very much. The drawings were later on displayed on stage. After the classroom activities, the children were taken down to the hall for the main programme which began at 11:30 a.m. 
The Main Stage events commenced by welcoming the Chief Guests and Guests of Honour. While speaking on the importance of welfare and rights of the children, the Chief Guests emphasized, that along with the need to give each child their Right to Education they also needed to educate them about their responsibility to study and become good and honest citizens of our country.
The first performance of the evening was a musical performance by the – Dominic Savio Boys followed by the next stage performance on the theme song of Don Bosco Bal Prafulta sung by the whole staff - ' Hai Adhikar.' There were dance performances by the children from Hari Nagar, Goni Nagra, Prajapurwada , Ambedkar Nagar Communirties, children from the evening Study Classes section of St. Dominic Savio High School, Wadala Shelter Home.
Later on, the children from the evening Study Classes section of St. Dominic Savio High School and Goni Nagar Community presented a skit on the theme "Hum Bachchon Ki Awaz". It was a small attempt by the children to display the grievance of child labour and the kind of circumstances a child faces if he/she is born in a poor family. 'They are deprived of food, education, love, care and respect which are their rights and which should be given to them irrespective of their socio-economic status. It was indeed a thought provoking skit.'
At the end, Fr. Gregory Almeida thanked the chief guests and guests of honour for taking time out and being present for the programme. He also thanked the children, volunteers from the various colleges and the staff of Don Bosco Balprafulta in very special way for all their hard work to make the event a success. At the end, before the children could move out, the Chief Guest had a friendly interaction with them.
The children were given a lunch packet and a small gift as they were leaving the premises of St. Dominic Savio High School, Andheri. The children left the premises with a broad smile on their face and a thought in their minds that they had learnt something new today.
'Don Bosco Balprafulta is grateful to all its benefactors, supporters, friends, well-wishers and volunteers for their extended support. This motivates us to work not only to create awareness for child rights but transform it to another level of advocacy and make this cause a movement. Don Bosco Balprafulta is committed to create conducive and child friendly environment in all the communities, all the homes and even at the platforms and ensure the holistic development of each child.'