Book Forum Anniversary mesmerizes new generation of readers

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Reeling under the Children's Day hangover, it was a morning filled with cheer, laughter and excitement, very much visible on the faces of young kids.

Children from different schools came in full swing yesterday at the Fifth Anniversary of The Habitat Children's Book Forum here at the Indian Habitat Centre, to participate in various fun-filled activities like Mask-making, quizzes, followed by a wonderful play.

The event was jelled with the book launch of the very famous series 'Chandrakanta' by Devakinandan Khatri. Translated from Hindi and retold in English by Deepa Agarwal, who was also present on the occasion, a few extracts from the book was read by her for its young fans who enjoyed every bit of the rollicking story telling session of fantasy and adventure.

Putting it in Ms Agarwal's words, "Classics like 'Chandrakanta' fascinates young minds and they can totally place the book in a certain context of history.'' It was a treat to watch children participating with equal enthusiasm in all the activities. Be it the Literary Quiz based on questions from different books which they have already read before or the Mask Making Competition where they had to portray being someone else with their masks on famous characters could be seen ranging from Spiderman, Jerry the Mouse, Barbie Doll to Hanumanji, Mougali and the Agar Magar Crocodile, children took it all with equal fervour.

Kids from different schools like DPS, Summer Fields, St Mary's were seen participating in various activities and winning many prizes like chocolates and varied books.

All this was followed by the cake cutting ceremony, celebrating the Book Forum's Fifth Birthday.

The event was concluded on a play called ' No Not I ' by Poile Sen Gupta where kids of different age groups, dressed in beautiful attires, showed their acting prowess.

The idea behind the Forum is to inculcate healthy reading habit in youngsters and imbibe them with good values for their inner growth.

Since the inception of the book club on October 2003, many schools and children have joined in, making it all the more happening after every passing year.

UNI PD RP HT1406