PECUC Sisu Mela 2013, an event to remember

Reported by Santosh Jagdev

Bhubaneswar, Nov 20:

The week-long  PECUC- Sisu Mela-2013 that concluded on Wednesday evening at the amphitheatre in the Ekamra Hat near Ram Mandir here was one of the finest events that the capital city has witnessed in years.

The event was organised by People’s Cultural Centre ( PECUC), the well-known NGO devoted to children’s issues.

The seven day Mela showcased the very best that children have to offer.

Gracing the valedictory function of the Mela, Justice Madan Mohan Das , sitting judge of the Odisha High Court paid rich tributes to the child talents.

“Cultural programmes presented by the tiny-tots resembled  a peacock dancing  with its brilliant plumage in full play, representing,  as it were,  the rich cultural heritage of our state as well as our country, ” Justice Das said.

Das also had a word of praise for the organizers, PECUC for giving a platform to the children  from across the country to display their hidden talents and a springboard for their future growth.

In the last seven days, over 200 school children from across state and the country took part in a whole lot of competitive events  like fancy dress, art, music and singing, talk shows , baby of the year, talent hunt, quiz etc  during the weeklong Sisu Mela.

One of the most attractive and popular events during the Mela was the music show ‘Pilanka Akshaya’, in which children rendered a few great songs of the legendary Odia singer, music director and lyricist Akshay Mohanty in their own sweet way, leaving the audience spellbound .

Child artist and singer Aryan Routray was awarded the ‘Pilanka Akshaya Samman’ for his wonderful rendering of Akshay Mohanty’s soulful songs.

“Pilanka Akshay show on the fourth day of the PECUC Sisu Mela was a memorable event indeed,” said  the  PECUC Secretary Ranjan Kumar Mohanty adding that the idea behind the festival was to bring out the talent that lies hidden in every child, offer the children a platform to express themselves and to inculcate spirit of unity among them.

Awards like Baby of the year for kids, Prananath Samman for social service, Veer Baji Rout Samman for act of bravery along with six other awards were given away to the winners in the valedictory session.