International Children’s Day, 2009

international-childrens-day-1 The International Children’s Day was joyously celebrated by the Chinese as they welcomed children from all over the world to join them at the “Shi Jing Yuan” theme park, in Beijing. A group of fifteen to twenty little Bangladeshi angels aged between 6 – 17 years old took part in the celebrations. They sang the famous patriotic Bengali song: “Shurjo Doye Tumi, Shurjastheo Tumi, O Amar Bangladesh, Priyo Jonmobhumi” (translated it means: Thou Art There at the Sun Rise, Thou Art There at the Sun Set, Oh My Bangladesh, My Dear Motherland).

In preparation for this event the children had been regularly meeting at the Bangladesh Embassy for three consecutive weeks to practice their singing and dancing. Finally when the day came they were all dressed up in their lovely and colourful, sarees, panjabis, salwar kameezes and frocks with the Bangladesh Flag held tightly in their hands.

A large group of photographers from the audience gathered around the stage as the little ones were performing. And after the performance the children were treated to their own goody bags and free rides at the theme park.

The day was truly filled with the laughter of children, the innocence of their smiles and the fantasy like hopes and dreams safely captured within their eyes. Days like these ought to come again and again. To all those children out there- Study hard but play harder, Happy International Children’s Day!