City NGOs hold special I-Day events for destitute & street kids

Navi Mumbai: Around 100 destitute and street children on the occasion of Independence Day attended a seminar-cum workshop on garbage segregation and disposal on Monday.
The seminar was conducted by NMMC in Koparkhairane in association with Mermier Bal Ashram, an orphanage run by NGO Jan Vikas Society.
Most of these children are rag pickers and they were told how to separate wet and dry waste and how to dispose them.
Father Pravakar from the orphanage said, “As slum areas are full of garbage, we want to teach them how to dispose waste properly. This is important for their health as well as the environment. Our aim is that they will share these ideas with their parents, family members and neighbours. These children will thus be able to contribute to the society.”
The kids took part in the flag hoisting ceremony, gave speeches and performed in patriotic programmes.
In an another event in the city, street kids mostly living under the flyovers took part in an Independence Day celebration where they spoke about the right to education. They also enacted different freedom fighters.
The event was conducted by NGO August Kranti. With a team of three volunteers and 50 kids the NGO celebrated I-Day under Vashi flyover.
The celebration consisted of a fancy dress contest, dance and display of craft work. The volunteers wanted to introduce their work to the citizens and asked them to join hands in educating kids.
“We have approached the mayor and education department officials to help in admitting the children in civic schools. Besides, many are forced to work due to financial constraints and do not attend schools. We have approached the NMMC for the mobile school bus and hope the civic body will help us,” said Kaval Katija, the brain behind August Kranti.