A marathon celebration for children's cause

It was an eventful Monday morning for 15-year-old Poornima who was among the 5,000 children that participated in 'Run for less & under privileged children' to mark Children's Day. "It's our day today," the girl says as she tries to catch her breath.

Organised by the NGO 'Prayas', the run was an initiative to create awareness about children rights. Besides school children there were at least 1,000 under-privileged children and homeless people.

10-year-old Kumkum, an orphan, has been living with Prayas since last six years. "She came to us when she was just a kid and now she is running for the rights of children like her. I am glad that she has matured well and now think of others needs as well," says her mentor at the NGO.

Several other children like Kumkum on Monday gathered at the Central Secretariat ground in south Delhi's Panchari Puri area to celebrate Children's Day. The marathon was followed by some colourful performance by the underprivileged children.

"We danced on different Bollywood numbers. I'm so excited as this is my first public performance," says eight-year-old Iram, another orphan living with the NGO.

Reshma, 12, was another enthusiast who participated and enjoyed every moment of it. "I love dancing, so, I decided why not just give my best dance performance today. I love freestyle dance, which I have learnt it watching on television," she said with sparkling eyes. Reshma is another marginalised child living with Prayas.

"As we celebrate Children's Day on 14th November we thought marathon is a wonderful way to celebrate such a beautiful day. We wanted everyone from all walks of life to participate in this cause of ours, and create awareness about basic rights of children," said Amod K Kanth, General Secretary of the NGO and former Chairman of Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

At Prayas, as many as 50,000 marginalised children, youth and women addressing multiple issues are living and learning multiple skills to change their lives, he added.

Besides, volunteers from corporate sector also ran with the marginalised children and performed in an effort to make them feel special

"I voluntarily came here to run with these children and had a wonderful day with them here," says Nitish Gulati, a corporate employee.

Several prominent personalities including Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Bollywood actors Randeep Hooda and Adil Hussain and Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma were present at the event to encourage the children.

"There is a need to start national awareness campaign for child rights and events like this helps to motivate people to work for the cause," Sisodia said during the event.