MUZAFFARGARH: The two-day Children’s Literature Festival kicked off at Sardar Kaurey Khan Public Higher Secondary School on Thursday.

Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) and the district government are organising the festival in collaboration with Oxfam International.

A number of children attended the first day of the 61st festival that was inaugurated by standing committee on education chairperson Aisha Nawaz.

In his welcome address, Deputy Commissioner Dr Ehtesham Anwar said: “The CLF provides a unique platform that drives the interest of children towards the joy of reading, self-expression, tolerance and critical thinking. We should promote these kind of festivals in every district.”

At the inaugural ceremony, ITA CEO Dr Baela Raza Jamil said the CLF sought to promote a reading culture for creativity, imagination, citizenship through multi-sensory stimulation both in and beyond classrooms and textbooks.

The children heard and sang festival anthem ‘Humain Kitab Chahiye’ written by Zehra Nigah and composed by Rakae Jamil.

Part of the festival was an open mic session ‘Bol ke Lab Azaad Hain Teray’ for students. Besides, there were Qissa Goi and theatre workshop by Atif Badar, the art of story reading and a walk through the history of Muzaffargarh by local poet Afzal Chohan, STEM workshops conducted by Oxbridge, safe internet session by the ITA and Telenor, arts and craft workshops, panel discussions, pottery and khussa making workshops by local artists and book stalls.

A documentary ‘A dream reignited’ by Oxfam was also screened for the students besides short films by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. Sessions related to life skills on self-protection and good hygiene and awareness on child marriage were also held.

Folk singer Iqbal Pathanay Khan mesmerised the audience with his performance.

Oxfam Pakistan Country Director Mohammed Qazilbash lauded the ITA and the district administration’s efforts to arrange the event.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2019