A four day international standard children's festival titled 'Smart Children Carnival' to begin in the capital today for the first time in the country to build the future generation equipped with innovative, creative, non-communal spirit, human qualities and patriotism.
"President Mohammed Shahabuddin will inaugurate the carnival as the chief guest on the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Premises here at 11am tomorrow (today)," State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said at a press conference at the seminar room of JatiyaNatyashalaBhaban at the Academy in the capital on Tuesday afternoon.
The ICT Division is organizing the event creating a scope for the children from across the country to participate in games, quiz competition and storytelling in groups and enjoying other rides that would help them boost their latent talents, he said.
The carnival ground will be divided into different zones, including immersive experience, interactive game, quiz competition, digital reading lab, face painting, magic show, interactive story, storytelling session, craft workshop, colouring station, puzzle game and kid's riding zones, Palak said, adding that children from all ages can enjoy the event free of cost from 11am to 8pm every day.
Noting that special security measures have been taken to ensure the safety for the children during the festival, the state minister said special measures have also taken to ensure access of the children with special needs to the event.
Palak said that they have planned to celebrate the 77th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with the street children on the carnival ground on the second day of the event on September 28 (Thursday).
Education Minister DrDipu Moni will address the closing ceremony on Saturday as the chief guest, he added.
Noting that they have a plan to organize the 'Smart Children Carnival' in the last week of September every year, the state minister said gradually the festival will be at metropolitan city, district and upazila levels.
Under the auspicious initiative of the ICT Division, he said, the website www.hasinaandfriends.gov.bd/ has been developed so that children can learn science, technology, morality, ethics and culture with playing games.
"Tomorrow's 'Smart Bangladesh' will be developed in the way we groom our children today. We want to instill the moral education, values and patriotism among the children and teenagers and build them as innovative citizens so they can think about environment and solve problems," he added.
The gala event will help the children and youth, who will join it, to be optimist and awaken the world humanity, Palak said, adding, "Indeed children are our future. It is our moral responsibility to nurture their potential and develop their talents properly and take steps to make them successful".
ICT Division Secretary MdShamsulArefin and Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Executive Director Ranajit Kumar were present at the press conference, among others.