Why is Ma Ganga miffed?
PRERANA SHARMA
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Here is a book that brings out the mythological and environmental issues concerning the holy river.
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PHOTO: ANU PUSHKARNA
GIFTING STORIES: Geetha Dharmarajan
A wonderful blend of simple text and beautiful pictures, "Ma Ganga and the Razai Box", brought out by Katha, is author Geeta Dharmarajan's timely gift to the kids. It tells them about mythological and environmental issues concerning the holy river and more importantly about something that everyone has apparently overlooked - that Ma Ganga is miffed.
Concerns
And to sensitise children about the environmental pollution and the harm done by hazardous materials, a workshop was conducted at the Oxford Book Store at Connaught Place in New Delhi recently, which drew participation from students of fifth and sixth class of Springdales and St. Mary School. An on-the-spot painting competition was organised with environment as the theme and the results were quite surprising but very encouraging. The students were able to portray in their paintings the serious concerns echoed in the book.
"The event was exciting as it enlightened us about the emerging environmental problem, that too in a way which is easy to understand. Moreover it informs us about managing our resources in the most fruitful manner too", said Ankit Bansal of St. Mary School. The illustrator of the book Sonali Biswas was also present and signed the books, encouraging the children to read more.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Chowdhry, CEO, Apeejay Oxford Bookstore said, "Story telling is an age-old art across cultures. Reading out to kids and illustrating it with the help of colourful pictures is a very effective way of teaching children.
Written in a simple manner and illustrated colourfully a fiction story is a perfect format to teach children the importance of a topic as serious as environment. Oxford Bookstore and Katha have pooled in their efforts in this unique endeavour."
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