Stress on underpriviledged kids

PATNA: Thanks to the enormous response from people to the 18th Patna Book Fair, the organizing committee has found a right platform to spread awareness on right to education.

"Hundreds of visitors and book lovers have participated in different programmes on right to education," said organizing committee convenor Amit Jha. The theme of book fair this time is "Right to education with focus on underprivileged children and girl child".

"Street-corner plays Ujara Bachpan' which highlights the plight of child labourers, is held thrice daily. This programme is one of the major crowd pullers at the fair," Dipankar Jha, a volunteer, said.

The committee has so far organised essay writing, elocution, quiz, painting, and debate competitions which were based on right to education in the past six days.

"Special films on child labourers are being screened at the Unicef stall here. There are three internet-enabled computers at Unicef stall here and visitors are registered online with its Awaz Do' campaign to promote the right of education," said Akshat Kumar, another volunteer.

The organizing committee has allowed "Nari Gunjan", an NGO, to put its exhibition on display on the book fair premises.

An exhibition bus would be brought here on Friday," volunteer Akansha Singh said. The bus would display paintings to draw attraction towards the importance of right to education.

So far about 5 lakh people have visited the book fair. In the wake of the growing number of visitors the organizing committee has increased the frequency of water spraying.

"We have also increased the number of private women security personnel. They are moving from stall to stall to ensure security and support to women visitors," another volunteer said.

To check pilferage, the organizing committee has put in place a stamp counter at the exit point. Every visitor who has purchased a book has to necessarily get his pay slip stamped at the counter, a source said.

A series of cultural events were organised here on Wednesday. Day-6 started with cultural programme "Siesta-Fiesta".

A seminar on professional education and an essay (English) competition were also organised. Hundreds of students from various schools and colleges participated in elocution programme.

Dozens of students from different schools and colleges participated in solo dance competition. A discussion on "Education for girl child" was also organised.

A quiz competition, based on questions from sports was also organised. A documentary of Prakash Jha 'Katha Madhopur Ki' was screened in 'Bioscope'. The street corner play on social issue drew hundreds of onlookers.

Alok K N Mishra can be contacted at 9234629956.