Events & Personalities
“Happiness is a choice”
"I won’t allow you to make me feel sad or drop a tear/ I will remain happy and continue to spread more cheer,” Arnaaz Shroff ended her poem at the 10th edition of the event 100 Thousand Poets for Change on September 26, 2021 (pictured). The program , which saw 30 students participate online, was conducted by Rati Wadia, former principal of Queen Mary School and curated by poet Menka Shivdasani.
The three-day festival began with a video showcasing the previous year’s themes, put together by 12-year-old Kabir Jaisingh. A song Whistle while you work sung by Cmde Sadashiv Vombatkere was followed by students aged seven to 18 expressing their thoughts, via poetry, about things that made them happy, "Children are so talented and they came up with some amazing ideas on how they could float above sadness to joy even during these trying times,” exulted Wadia.
"They all concluded that happiness is a choice and lies within us and the spirit can surmount mountains of adversity... Mention was made of Arunima Sinha, the first and only female amputee to be on top of the world (Mount Everest),” noted Wadia. A song by two children from rural Tamil Nadu, two dances coordinating with two poems, and a finale of a medley of songs on happiness by Vareeja Thakkar followed.
The author of children’s books Katie Bagli directed a play, Smile away your blues. "The play brought out that it is not riches, diamond rings, fine clothes or gadgets that make one happy but empathy, kindness and generosity towards the less fortunate that give us happiness,” Bagli informed Parsiana.
Pooja Jaisingh from a nongovernmental organization (NGO) Fun ki Pathshala was the logistic partner while Pratima Shrivastav, author and founder of the NGO Hallo Happiness was the chief guest, noted Wadia.
The three-day festival began with a video showcasing the previous year’s themes, put together by 12-year-old Kabir Jaisingh. A song Whistle while you work sung by Cmde Sadashiv Vombatkere was followed by students aged seven to 18 expressing their thoughts, via poetry, about things that made them happy, "Children are so talented and they came up with some amazing ideas on how they could float above sadness to joy even during these trying times,” exulted Wadia. "They all concluded that happiness is a choice and lies within us and the spirit can surmount mountains of adversity... Mention was made of Arunima Sinha, the first and only female amputee to be on top of the world (Mount Everest),” noted Wadia. A song by two children from rural Tamil Nadu, two dances coordinating with two poems, and a finale of a medley of songs on happiness by Vareeja Thakkar followed.
The author of children’s books Katie Bagli directed a play, Smile away your blues. "The play brought out that it is not riches, diamond rings, fine clothes or gadgets that make one happy but empathy, kindness and generosity towards the less fortunate that give us happiness,” Bagli informed Parsiana.
Pooja Jaisingh from a nongovernmental organization (NGO) Fun ki Pathshala was the logistic partner while Pratima Shrivastav, author and founder of the NGO Hallo Happiness was the chief guest, noted Wadia.
F. J.
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