With Children’s Day
around the corner, it brings about fond memories of one’s own childhood. From
scrap books, colours and crafts to reading story books and discussing the same
with classmates and friends. Or maybe playing a game or two with friends in the
evening on the playground and returning to complete homework and studies to
keep up with the syllabus in school. But now, these things have changed
drastically. There is a packed schedule for children ranging from school,
tuitions, extra classes and the mobile in hand is completely stealing away
their innocence with simpler things in life.
One of the earliest
hobbies children were excited about was stamp collection. The stamp book would
be a prized possession that sometimes would be carried to school to proudly
present to classmates to show what new is added to the collection. This
childlike excitement is still visible in philatelists in Goa. This year, on
November 14, the theme for the special cancelation of this year’s Children’s
Day is traditional Indian Games. The Children’s Day Cancellations include Blind
Man’s Buff – from Mumbai, Playing Marbles – from Aurangabad, Gilli Danda – from
Nagpur, Hop Scotch – from Pune, Seven Stones – from Panjim and Spinning Top –
from Nashik. These cancellations will be available in concerned bureaus only on
the Children’s Day itself.
“It was like bringing our childhood memories back through these
Special cancelations, and reliving through them. These special cancelation were
designed by Dr Sudhir Jhakere, APMG, Mumbai, who was the former SSPO of Goa
Postal Division too. Goans have a strong connection with philately as the Goa
Philately and Numismatics Society was started way back in 1975. The founder members
spent lots of time and energy in inculcating this hobby amongst the youngsters.
In fact, I think Goa is the only state where the Directorate of Education has
asked schools to start philatelic clubs,” says Dr M R Ramesh Kumar, a renowned
philatelist and former President of Goa Philately and Numismatics Society
Speaking about starting the hobby early, Dr Ramesh says,
“Philately is a very important educational tool. Stamps impart lots of
information on geography, history, culture and food habits etc. I get questions
when we conduct philatelic workshop and talks in various schools and colleges.
In fact, in a recent workshop, I mentioned that the hobby is also good
investment too. This is a very useful hobby which will keep them engaged and
keep them away from very bad habits too. The GPNS has been doing a wonderful
job in popularizing this hobby amongst the public in general and students in
particular,” says Dr Kumar, Chief Scientist (Retd) from the National Institute
of Oceanography, Dona Paula.
Dr Ramesh started collecting stamps at a very young age and his
profession also helped his to start collecting on themes such as weather and
climate, Antarctica and oceans and marine life etc. He was a member of the 6th
Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica way back in 1986 -1987. His stamps
collection themes are Antarctica, Biodiversity, Cochin Postal History,
Travancore Postal History, Language and Literature, First Day Covers, World War
Letters, Maximum Card collection, Freedom Fighters of India, Unsung Heroes,
Women Freedom Fighters and Scientists of India besides others. “I have also won
several awards at the district, state, and national levels and I have also been
invited to participate as Invitee class for participation in several
exhibitions too,” adds Dr Ramesh.
Another interesting programme that will be taking place today,
November 13 is Balotsav, organised by Yuva, an association that is celebrating
its tenth anniversary this year. This is the first edition of the children’s
festival which was initially planned in 2020. “We have 16 slots only for school
which got filled in 5 days of opening the slots. Schools should participate
through teams and we are expecting 1200 kids. We wanted to do this three years
back but due to unavailability of venue and then the pandemic we couldn’t do
it,” says Raghuvir Mahale. Balotsav will be held at Taleigao Community Hall,
Taleigao from 9 am onwards.
He further adds, “The main idea is to bring all students
together on one platform so they can perform and showcase. We want to help them
come out of this post pandemic era and learn team work and express various
forms of art.” The festival is open to students from class 5 to 10 and includes
competitions like rangoli, tug of war, street play, t-shirt painting, creative
hat, duet singing, group dance and fashion show.
Up North in Revora, children from talukas of Bardez, Tiswadi,
and Bicholim will be flocking to the first Kids Fun Fest on November 13. The
day of fun and excitement will be held at the Moonlit Stream -An Eco Village,
Revora from 9.30 am and will include a hike with Merle Alvares, art class in
nature with Nadia De Souza and dancing with Graziela Alvares.
“The
fest is open to children from five years and above and they will be served a
delicious home cooked lunch prepared by my mother. We received a tremendous
response when we announced the fest and we have parents who will be travelling
from places like Sankhelim, Panjim, Taleigao and Agassaim with their children.
This is the first time we are organising the fest but it has encouraged us to
plan more events for children,” says Graziela.
One
aspect worth noticing is that post the pandemic, parents are encouraging their
children to move out of the house and explore their creative side. They want to
break the shell of isolation and build a social bond with other children.
Children’s Day is the perfect day to make it all about the children and pamper
them with love and attention.
