Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) Live rock music, folk dances and poem recitals… It was a carnival at Central Secretariat Grounds in central Delhi’s Chanakyapuri where over a thousand kids from all walks of life gathered to participate in a run to motivate their underprivileged counterparts.

Organised by NGO Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre Society as part of celebrations to mark Children’s Day Monday, the ‘Run For Children’ was joined by kids from public and government schools as well as shelter homes and slums running together.

“This is the first time that I have participated in such an event and I am very excited,” said 10-year-old Chandan Verma, a student of Birla Vidya Niketan in south Delhi’s Pushp Vihar.

Agreed 12-year-old Tamanna, who stays in a shelter home. “These events should be conducted regularly… we had so much fun. I made some new friends here.”

Children from eight to 18 years completed the four kilometre stretch in about an hour.

“We want children from the underprivileged sections with amazing strength and grace to try and create a niche for themselves in the society,” Amod Kanth, general secretary, Prayas JAC, told IANS.

The nippy morning failed to deter the participants as they danced to the tune of Bollywood songs, before and after the event, presented by Delhi-based rock band Aayudh - consisting of school and college children.

Equally captivating were the folk dances and poem recitals presented by the participants.

“We started this band six months ago and are trying to spread the message of anti-human trafficking. We found this to be a wonderful opportunity to entertain these kids and ourselves too,” 15-year-old guitarist of Aayudh, Rohan Verma, told IANS.

The event concluded with distribution of medals and certificates to 40 kids.