The most awaited Anand Mela by the children of the locality and by the inmates was organized on the 9th February 2019 at 1.30 pm at Maria Sharan premises. The main organizers of the event were Sr. Alka Almeida and Sr.Phulmani Ekka with their team of volunteers of Mill hill brothers and the past pupils. The Anand Mela was well organized with the Theme “PEACE IS LIKE A LIGHT”
At 1.15 pm we welcomed the children of our locality. They registered themselves and each received coupons for the games. One could be delighted to see nearly 350 children for the Anand Mela.
Mr. Gautam Pise, principal of Jogeshwari Vidhyala High School was the Chief Guest for the event. Sr.Cristina Ferreira and Sr.Sunanda Thombe from Koregaon community were present too. Fr. Bhaskar from Mill-hill congregation was the Guest of Honour. The entire programme was compered by our past pupil Ms. Sangeeta.
The programme began with a prayer service by the lighting of the lamp by Mr. Gautam Pise, Sr.Alka Almeida, the animator of Maria Sharan, Keshnand, Fr. Bhaskar and Sr. Cristina. The girls of Maria Sharan led us into prayer by presenting a prayer dance.
In a unique and a creative way ur girls Jayanti, Diksha and Laxmi welcomed us. Sr. Alka Almeida honoured the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour with a coconut, a shawl and with a bouquet. Sr.Maria Achandil welcomed Sr.Cristina in a traditional way.
In his speech, the Chief Guest spoke about his hard work and determination to be what he is today. Because of his hard work and determination to study well and reach to the goal was the main concern. His hard work bore fruits and he managed to receive the highest education degree due to his own effort and passion for education. He gave the message to the children that we should work hard in spite of the various difficulties that we face. And Education should be our main arm to fight against the evils of society. After his speech, he declared the Anand Mela opened by releasing the dove in the sky as the symbol of peace.
A cultural programme was presented by the girls of Maria Sharan. There was Marathi dance, the skit – ‘Peace is like a light’, a humorous joke, Hindi remix dance by high school girls and to add the beauty of the program brother Chaman from ‘Mill Hill Congregation’ presented a dance. The artistes on the stage performed well they added the colors and beauty for the event. The vote of thanks was given by Ambika, our past pupil. At 3.00 pm the various games like sticking the bindi, glass game, hitting the object, blindfolded search the colors, throwing the ball in the basket etc. were organized in different stalls by our high school girls and volunteers. The winners were given the coupons to collect their prizes from the prize stall, which was under the care of Sr. Cristine and Sr. Sunanda. To add more excitement, there was a lucky draw which was conducted on the stage by calling out the numbers and prizes were given out. Children were delighted and happy to take part actively in the game and win the prizes. The ambience was full of cheer and happiness with the presences of 350 children. At 5.00 pm the event came to a close. Anand Mela was concluded by singing the ‘National Anthem’. Before the children could leave for their homes, they were served a plate full of snacks which were sponsored by Pastor Santosh Botale. His collaborator Mr. Akshay Lobhe was present for the event as well. His team and our volunteers served snacks to the children and Sr.Alka has offered a notebook for each child.
The event has created a positive impact on children of our locality. Once a year they have this opportunity to participate in this Anand Mela which is organized by Maria Sharan community every year. The children of the locality wait every year to come and take part. This Anand Mela gives them the joy and learning something from the cultural program and through games. At the end of the event Sr. Alka Almeida and sisters appreciated the help of past pupils and Mill hill brother, Sr.Sunanda Tombe and Sr. Christine as volunteers and offered them the small token of gift to acknowledge their service.
