A fun-filled Children’s Day awaits Mumbai kids

MUMBAI - Children’s Day in Mumbai is sure going to be an eventful affair for the kids as various companies and state agencies have drawn up great plans for them.

Governor K. Sankaranarayanan will receive around 250 school children from Mumbai and neighbouring Thane city after they end a skating rally at Raj Bhavan on Children’s Day Sunday.

“Children aged from four to 16 years will participate in the skating rally. The governor will receive them with roses and greet them on Children’s Day,” a Raj Bhavan official said.

While it will be skating for some, it will be flying and boating for others.

Jet Airways in association with NGOs Aseema, Deeds, Save the Children India and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation have organised “Flight of Fantasy”, a plane ride for 100 children on board a Boeing 737.

“Around 100 children from these NGOs will be on board our Boeing 737 for around an hour’s flying over Mumbai airspace,” said a Jet Airways spokesperson.

The Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC) would be organising a boating regatta for 50 children aged between 8-13.

“This is part of our ‘Visit Golden Maharashtra’ initiative we launched to celebrate 50 years of the state,” said Vinod Gupta, vice president of the MEDC.

“Sunday being Children’s Day, we have organised this boating regatta, where children can participate with their parents,” Gupta added.

Around 50 boats will be anchored at the Gateway of India, the starting point of the regatta. “Twenty-five of the 50 kids have been taking sailing training. Other 25 students are first time participants who will also be on board the boat. They will all race to secure the first position in teams,” Gupta said.

Gupta said that there will be several teams participating in various competitions during the day. “We have also ensured that adult trained sailors are on board each of the boats to avoid accidents,” Gupta said.

Some schools which are still having Diwali holidays are, however, not in favour of calling students to school for celebrating Children’s Day.

“We will plan a fun-filled day once they come back after the Diwali break. Calling them specially to celebrate this day is like spoiling their fun,” said Rohit Bhat, Director of Children’s Academy in suburban Malad.

Children’s Day is celebrated Nov 14 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Indias first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The reason why his birthday has been chosen for the celebration of Children’s Day is because of his love and passion for kids.