14 November, 2017, Kolkata: Seventy children from the marginalised sections of the society were blessed by the Archbishop of Calcutta, Reverend Thomas D’Souza, at a Children’s Day function organized by non-governmental organization Education for All at the Archbishop House in Kolkata today. Educational kits were distributed to all the children.
A group of children from NGO Star Welfare Society presented the Archbishop of Calcutta with their paintings and drawings.
The event was attended by the Consul General of Italy, Mr Daimiano Francovigh, Consul General of France, Mr Damien Syed, Deputy Consul General of Germany, Mr Jurgen Thomas Schrod, Consul, Russian Federation, Mr Gleb Gerasimov, Director of Alliance Francaise du Bengale, Mr Fabrice Plancon, actress Koel Mullick, Director Goutam Ghose, Social Activist Sundeep Bhutoria of Education for All and other dignitaries attended the function.
Children from Star Welfare Society performed a medley of song and dance on the occasion and the Director of Alliance Francaise, Fabrice Plancon and actress Koel Mullick joined the little performers in a jig.
Reverend Thomas D’Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta, in his address reminded that “Jesus had said that unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” He said, “Innocence, simplicity and purity are the qualities children personify and they lift our spirits.”
Thanking the donors who have been contributing for the children’s cause, Mr Sundeep Bhutoria of Education for All said, “In the past 15 years, Education for All has provided assistance and scholarships to about 20,000 marginalised children and we would like to expand our reach to cover more children in the coming years.”
“This is one of the best occasion to begin my day,” said actress Koel Mullick who felicitated the donors with certificates of appreciation for their charitable act.
“Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow,” said Dr Pronab Dasgupta, Advisor and Patron of Education for All. Hyatt Regency, as a part of their charitable initiative, provided food packets to the children.