In the valley of death, a unique children’s film and theatre festival will cheer up orphans left behind by people who have died in last 17 years of turbulence.
The fair aims to help the kids integrate into the mainstream
SRINAGAR: In the valley of death, a unique children’s film and theatre festival will cheer up orphans left behind by people who have died in last 17 years of turbulence. “Our aim is to bridge the divide between orphans and the elite children in Kashmir. It is very important because it will make the world better for the orphans who have been suffering in silence,” said Nighat Shafi who heads Shehjaar, a home for orphans and under-privileged children.
Organised jointly by Shehjaar and Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, the festival will showcase 12 award-winning national and international children’s films. The festival will also stage three plays everyday, which will be presented by the school children of the valley.
‘Oliver Twist’ by Daniel Lean, ‘Circus’ by Charlie Chaplin, Kawa Hathani by Manoj Rastogi and Muj Se Dosti Karogai will be the pick of the festival. An Iranian film Children of Heaven by Majid Majidi will also be screened in the festival. “There are also several animation films including Shriek which will be screened in the festival,” said Hakeem Javid, coordinator of the film festival.
Thousands of children from different parts of the valley are likely to participate in the event which starts tomorrow. “We are looking after 4,000 orphans in the valley. Some are being cared for at our homes and some are with their guardians. I have sent invitations to everyone. Besides, several schools are participating in the theatre festivals. I hope people will turn up in large numbers,” said Nighat. According to official figures, around 41,817 persons have died in the last 17 years of violence in J&K, and nearly 11,336 children have become orphans during the same period
Around 14 schools are also participating in the festival. The organisers are hopeful that the festival will help the children, particularly the orphans, to overcome their trauma and also provide an avenue for entertainment, something which is dear in Kashmir.
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