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| Sunday, 17 October 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Why I love children The most lovable creatures in this world are children; I am sure most people would agree with this view. Children bring on gladness, and the happiest time in the life of adults is when their children are small. Even when we visit our relations or friends, or write to them, it is their children who take up our interest. Even religious leaders were charmed by children and their mannerisms. When a little child in tatters, who had nothing to offer the Buddha, gave Him a handful of mud shaped like a bun, the Buddha was so pleased, He blessed the child. Jesus said: "Suffer little children to come unto me". He also said: "Unless you be like little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven". In adult life, children are my source of happiness. When I am overcome with problems, I turn my mind to children. When I find I cannot sleep at night, I turn my thoughts to little children I know, or on the childhood of the ones I had carried in my arms. Soon, I fall asleep and my family members say that I was smiling in my sleep. Whenever I went overseas, I turned the camera on children because the kids of other countries are different of feature, colour and dress. Yet, up to the time I was 23 years old, I disliked children and considered them a hindrance to happy living. When my brother had a daughter of his own, I went to see the baby out of curiosity. Soon, when I learned that the baby could recognise me, I was thrilled and even began carrying the baby around in my arms. At the time, my niece's cousin who was a year older, was learning to walk. The toddler would open her arms, wanting to be picked up. On placing the baby girl to my breast, I realised what an invaluable treasure a little child is. I even began to think how wonderful it would be if I could take the little girl home and care for her as my own daughter. It was at this time that my love for children began to take root. Whenever I meet children, at a birthday party for instance, I play with them and the kids find it very amusing to have an old man as their playmate, running to catch them. There are men all over the world who have taken an interest in children and shared a little time with them. But, the Buddha has said that those who love people outside their family as those of their own, run the risk of facing great disappointment. However, in my case, the benefits have greatly outweighed the disappointments. A few years ago, a tall young girl ran up to me and embraced me. This was the toddler who had wanted to be carried in my arms over 35 years ago.A few years ago, every time a bomb exploded in Colombo, a lot of concern was expressed about my safety by these young people and I realised that I was reaping the benefits of my love for children. - Uncle Elmo
Uniform material before December holidays
The Education Ministry has made arrangements to distribute the free school uniform material given to schoolchildren around the country before the December school holidays. The program for 2005 will be completed before the end of the third term. Material for shirts, trousers, frocks and robes estimated at 9.3 million metres will be distributed among schoolchildren and samaneras in pirivenas. Over four million students will receive free material for next year. The program is estimated to cost around Rs 900 million. This includes the cost of packaging, transportation and distribution. Of the total requirement, 19 per cent was imported from foreign suppliers while the rest was acquired from 10 local manufacturers. The Education Ministry has imposed strict standards on the local manufacturers who have been contracted to supply school uniform material.
Novel initiative from Visakha The Buddhist Society of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo has launched a novel initiative for the benefit of its students. Under the new programme, good healthy habits will be promoted among students while cruelty to animals will be discouraged. Students will be encouraged to eat healthy food and avoid snacks and short eats which are just junk food with no nutritional value. Such foods can also cause health problems in the long run due to the excessive amounts of fat, salt and sugar in them. Most children attending popular schools in Colombo and the suburbs are from middle and upper middle class families. Their parents can very well afford to give them proper, nutritious meals. However, children from such families are also addicted to junk food and fast food has become the staple diet of many. This has led to health problems among many kids. This initiative should be implemented in other schools. If followed properly, the program will lead to good habits among a whole generation of schoolchildren.
Trade and fun fair for kids The ICE (Information, Communication and Education) exhibition, Butterfly Carnival and Cultural Show, which started at the BMICH premises yesterday, will conclude tomorrow (October 18). The national program is on the theme 'Celebrating Childhood' and is held to mark International Children's Day. It is organised by the Ministry of Information and Media in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Ports and Aviation. The events include a radio and television village and an opportunity for children to take part in live radio and TV programs, studio activities of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Independent Television Network and Lakhanda, print media demonstrations by Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., the Government Press and State Printing Corporation, demonstrations by SriLankan Airlines and the Ports Authority, free shuttle bus services to the Colombo Harbour and competitions for kids. |
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