Festivals And The Children Of The Country

We,all of us,Christians,Hindus,Muslims and every children of the village were waiting for the festival days of the temple. We were familiar with every god and goddess of the temple! Thanking Uncle Pai and Amar Chithra Kadha, for colouring our childhood days with their stories !!

None of  the adults are eagerly waiting for a festival. Festivals are always for children than for adults !! Innocent children can enjoy its virtual reality than any grown up person can. Every festival is a festival of colours,of  light,of sound and most are related to a story or legend of the glorious past. No wonder, why they are the festivals of the children and for the children.

 Christmas is especially a festival for children as it is the 'Happy Birthday' of their beloved Jesus Christ. The birth and childhood days of the saviour of the world is a melodious song for them. It takes them to the centuries of Roman empire and its past. The children sit for hours in front of the cribs. They are in the fantasies of the world created by the shepherds and three 'kings' ! Lights glow everywhere and their Xmas trees shine gloriously. Christmas cakes are the birthday cakes of their little Jesus and they are waiting for the moments with uncle Santa Claus.

I wonder,how nice is the role of children in keeping the communal harmony of a diversified country like India! Children compel their parents to hang stars even in non-christian homes! In 'Onam' festival seasons children of every community compete themselves to make the most beautiful 'pookkalams'. Everyone celebrates 'Holy' in north, which is the festival of colours and 'Dassara' in south,which is a festival of light. I recall what Pope John Paul II remarked on his visit to India that 'the future of  India is with her children'.

Let our children know the legends or 'ithihasas' related to every festivals or celebrations. They should know that the childhood days of  Lord Krishna was not different from that of  Jesus Christ. It  makes his visions broad, brilliant and suitable for the society.   It will make the child to love the country as a whole and the past as a part. Yes, a child and the one who knows the human history cannot discriminate one man from the other !