Community Play Mela in Tamilnadu

With the support of Terre des Hommes, Netherlands, Women’s Organisation in Rural Development (WORD) organized community play mela, a state level play program held at Government Hr. Sec. School (North) campus in Namakkal on 30 October 2010 in co-ordination with 13 other NGOs.

To mark this program, an awareness rally was conducted with the participation of children and public. The rally started in Hotel Radhaprasad premises and concluded in Government Hr. Sec. School (North) campus. The Namakkal municipality Chairman Mr. LGB. R. Selvaraj flagged off the rally. A photo exhibition on community play mela was also organized during the event.

Mr. M. Rajmohan, Program Manager welcomed all for the inauguration program. The Director of WORD, Mrs. M. Renida Sarala read the key note address. She in her address reiterated that to show interest among games by the community and to co-ordinate the people among all sections of the society and to improve the health and to encourage the traditional games.

A Compact disc was also released during the program. The Namakkal Municipality Chairman Mr. LGB. R Selvaraj released the CD and Mr. K. Ragunathan, District Sports Officer- Namakkal District received the CD. In his felicitation address, Mr. LGB. R. Selvaraj reiterated that the community play mela program should be held often to unite all sections of the people. Mr. Narayanan, Trustee, SIVA Trust- Sankarankovil rendered vote of thanks.

Following to this traditional sports like Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Running (100 mts, 200 mts, 400 mts), Sack race, Pachakuthirai, Leg Cricket, Top, Long Jump, Tug of War, Pot Breaking were held. Special programs were also held for the special children and women were also held. At the end, the traditional programs were held.

Like Tamilnadu Zone, similar programs will also be held at Kerala, Karnataka North and South, Andhrapradesh and Goa zones.

The south India level community play mela will be held at 18th November 2010 at Mathagondappalli Model School next to Hosur with the participation of 35 NGOs.