From organising charity drives and environmental campaigns to hosting games, performances and food stalls, children in Bengaluru are taking the lead in deciding how they want to celebrate Children’s Day.This year, many are looking beyond their usual share of fun and planning activities that allow them to express themselves, showcase their talents, help others and make a difference to their communities.Nine-year-old Mehr Kakkad of Elita Promenade is looking forward to watching The Wild Robot with her friends at the apartment clubhouse this evening. She has watched the movie with her parents, but believes watching the animated sci-fi adventure, adapted from Peter Brown’s children’s novel, with her friends will be a totally different experience.“What I love the most about it is how Roz understood the little goose’s feelings and cared for him like a real mother, even when others bullied her. She helped him learn to fly and never gave up on him,” she says. Her favourite part is when Roz stands up for herself and fights for her right to live in the forest.Around 150 children are expected to attend the screening, turning the clubhouse into a neighbourhood movie hub for the day.Apartment celebrations also come with fond memories for Mehr. “Last year, I made paneer butter masala and parathas as part of the festivities. I also made muffins and cookies with my dad and sold them. This year, I’m excited about dancing and sharing snacks with my friends,” she says.Across Bengaluru, gated communities are turning Children’s Day into more than an occasion for balloons, sweets and performances. Club-houses and common spaces are becoming hubs of activity, with young residents stepping up as organisers, performers, entrepreneurs and volunteers.What makes this year’s celebrations different is the emphasis on giving children a say in how the day unfolds.At Brigade Metropolis on Whitefield Main Road, children will run food and games stalls, showcasing their entrepreneurial skills. The apartment association coordinated participation through Google Forms, says resident Celina Anand.At Godrej Park Retreat on Sarjapur Road, nearly 180 children have registered for the celebrations. The community, home to around 1,200 residents, is also organising a health camp for children, says resident Prasenjit.LITTLE HANDS, BIG HEARTSFor some children, the occasion is an opportunity to discover the joy of giving. At Embassy Pristine Apartments in Bellandur, young residents, with support from senior residents, have put together grocery kits for 114 staff members. The initiative, titled ‘Little Hands, Big Hearts’, seeks to nurture kindness, gratitude and empathy.Seven-year-old Raaghav Kumar, one of the young participants, says: “Sharing makes me happy. Giving is even more special than receiving.”For 13-year-old Keshav Garg, a resident of Shriram Chirping Woods and founder of Pekabook, the mission extends beyond Children’s Day. Believing every child deserves a book, and every book deserves a child, Keshav has been collecting preloved books. “This Children’s Day, our wish is simple: No child should ever have to give up on reading, learning or dreaming because they cannot afford books,” he says. Several other communities are also encouraging children to think beyond their immediate neighbourhoods, with collections of books, toys, stationery, clothes and funds for underprivileged children.TAKING THE GREEN ROUTEChildren at Suncity Apartments in Iblur are combining performances with environmental action. Ten-year-old Mahnoor Kaur Tej, a student of Freedom International School, will perform a dance ritual to raise awareness on saving the Ganga. Along with her friends, she will participate in a mini-marathon, a lake-cleaning drive and a musical band promoting social and environmental messages. The group is also creating posters and slogans.For 10-year-old Kriya Gokul, also a resident of Suncity Apartment and a student of Lawrence School, the excitement lies in anchoring the event. “Children’s Day is not just about celebrating children. It’s about giving them a voice and an opportunity to make a difference. Together, we can make the city a better place to live in,” she says.REVIVING TRADITIONAL GAMESNot every plan involves a campaign or a community initiative. Several apartment complexes are also bringing back traditional games, outdoor play, rangoli, craft corners and story-telling sessions to draw children away from phones and tablets.“Our apartment complex organises traditional Indian games such as undi, lagori, kho-kho, kabaddi and skipping,” says Bhargav PS, a grade 10 student at NPS Rajajinagar and resident of Sukruti, The Auspicious, in Mahalakshmi Layout.At Adarsh Palm Retreat, the Kannada Sangha is organising an interactive storytelling session with Namitha Holla, an author, storyteller, book reviewer and librarian, for children aged five to 15.For many young residents, however, the biggest attraction is simply getting a chance to be heard and seen. Children’s Day will give first-time dancers, singers, poets, magicians and speakers an opportunity to take the stage in right earnest.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………I celebrate Children’s Day by cooking and baking with my mom, making pancakes, dosa, pesto sandwiches etc. I like to make cakes and brownies as well. We’ve a movie screening in our apartment.It feels great to watch a movie with friendsJordan Purackal (9), ELITA PROMENADE, JP NAGARI began by offering dance lessons to children at a summer camp. Encouraged by their response, I now offer free dance classes for moms and kids. This journey has helped me build confidence and strengthen my teaching and leadership skills.My students will soon perform at a cultural event organised by my community as part of Children’s Day celebrationsDivija Goyal (15), CANDEUR LANDMARK APARTMENT, GUNJURI celebrate Children’s Day by cleaning our surroundings and helping my mom collect organic waste for composting.I’m fascinated to learn how kitchen waste can be converted into compost for plants. For me, Children’s Day is all about having fun, picking up good habits, and caring for Mother NatureRamcharan Raj Malipatil (7), PRESTIGE PRIMROSE HILLS, KANAKAPURA ROAD
