KARACHI, Dec 29: About three thousand children of 300 schools in Karachi will paint one-kilometre-long welcome mural and display it on the occasion of Karavan Seakarnival Parade in the city on Jan 19.

The mega mural is being painted by schoolchildren, reflecting their vision of the city keeping in view the parade slogan “My Karachi: City of Quaid, City of Peace.”

Ten children from each school have been asked to paint three-meter- long piece of cloth with their vision, Farzana Saleem of the Karavan Karachi said.

Karavan Karachi, a group of professionals working for cultural and social empowerment, is organizing the event in collaboration with Sindh and the city governments, Capital City Police and some private sector organizations.

On Jan 17, three thousand children will hold the mural in a one- kilometre-long queue with a flower in their hands to present guard of honour to City Nazim Naimatullah Khan. In turn, on Jan 18, the City Nazim will bring a float, carrying flowers for the children. The float is being designed by Japanese designers.

On Jan 19, six to seven thousand schoolchildren with a large number of citizens will gather at the Beach Avenue at 3.30pm and the parade will begin at 4pm.

There will be seven stages and several stalls set up along the service lane close to Sea View Apartments. The seven stages would be to give performance by special schools, government schools, private schools, puppet show, martial art and clown heartbeat, popular art demonstration and street theatre.

The NGOs, schools, government departments, private sector companies and other organizations would set up their stalls. The Sea View lane of double carriageway would be reserved for pedestrians to watch the performance, while the seaside double carriageway would be dedicated to the floats, buggies, bands of schools, army, navy and capital police, dancers, musicians, police acrobatics and vintage cars.

Sindhi sports, like Malakhro, Kabbadi, camel dancing, etc., would be played at the beach. The other districts would also participate in the event with their floats, like that of model of Keenjhar Lake and Shahjehan Mosque in Thatta, model of Sukkur Barrage, etc. District governments of Sukkur, Khairpur and Thatta have confirmed their participation.—PPI