Date:24/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/24/stories/2007122460620300.htm

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Karnataka - Bangalore

Bringing the fun element into their lives

Staff Reporter

St. Joseph’s College students organise a party for children

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

HAVING A GOOD TIME: Children from slums and students in Bangalore on Sunday.

Bangalore: Watching a group of teenagers let their hair down, dance to loud music and have a good time may not be unique in itself; except when they are partying with the young ones from slums and orphanages.

The Christmas bash thrown by the students of the Entrepreneurship Cell and Students Council of St. Joseph’s College of Arts and Science here on Sunday was as much fun for the children as much as it was for the students.

“I am having a great time with them and also made many friends today,” said Lakshmi, a seven-year-old who lives in the Shantinagar slum.

The college students organised several games, including musical chairs, bomb the city and dance competitions, for the children. Nearly 350 children from the Shantinagar slum, St. Mary’s orphanage and Sneha Nilaya Trust participated in the event.

A student, Jason Jacob, said: “These children are provided with food and basic amenities but we want to bring the fun element into their lives.”

The event was organised by students on the St. Joseph’s College Grounds. There were 70 volunteers, including 20 from Mount Carmel College.

“The purpose of involving so many volunteers is to inspire them to do more. This may just be one event, but if it inspires people to do more outside this event, it will be brilliant,” he said.

The event ended with a cake-cutting ceremony and a magic show by Sanjay, a magician. The children performed impromptu dance shows for the audience.

The Western and Eastern dance and music teams of St. Joseph’s college entertained the students with their programmes.