India, being a culturally diverse and fervent society, celebrates various holidays and festivals. There are many national holidays in India:Republic Day on 26th January, International Workers’ Day on 1st May, Independence Day on 15th August and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on 2nd October.
States have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics. These festivals stir the sense of belonging to the nation, a feeling to be part of the nation, inclusion experiences as Indian citizens.
KMWSC did not miss the opportunity and conducted several activities, games, dance, singing and rally, marching with slogans and cheers in and around the communities. Independence Day was celebrated at different respective projects areas, Lotus child project celebrated on 14th August with 150 children in Chaulgola centre. National flag was hoisted by the teachers, sang national anthem together and followed by cultural programmes performed by the children. The children of Sonagachi centre celebrated the day in the centre hoisted flag, sang songs and performed dance and followed by snacks for all the children. Empowering Vulnerable Children project celebrated the day clubbing 3 MACs in one place. The national flag was hoisted, national anthem was sung together and children performed dance on the occasion. The beneficiaries of Sensitization on Anti human Trafficking Project celebrated the day in Canning and Diamondharbour by hoisting the flag and singing the national anthem, patriotic songs along with the project coordinators. Lodha Community project celebrated the day in Lodha Community learning centre with 280 participants. The head master of Smriti Shishu Shiksha Kendra hoisted the flag; all sang the national anthem together, followed by rally around the community. The children performed dance, sang songs, recited poems. The panchayat members were present for the celebration. The Spanish volunteers Ms. Mercedes and Angela witnessed the grand celebration at Lodha learning centre. The children were given snacks and lunch after the programme.
The efforts made by KMWSC were appreciated by local people, local administration, panchayat members and the parents. Indeed the children of different projects sites felt the warmth patriotic surrounding. KMWSC has inculcated a sense of belonging to the nation, cohesion of inclusion to the Indian diverse culture heritage among the children, parents and communities.