Children celebrate Oct 2 as 'Be The Change Day' in 14 cities

Updated on: Thursday, October 06, 2011

Several schoolchildren today celebrated Gandhi Jayanti, as 'Be the Change Day' as part of an international contest which aims to inspire school going children to be the drivers of change in the 21st century.

The event was held in 14 cities simultaneously, including Indore, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. "After tying up with Turkey and Macau last week, we have been able to reach around 30 countries. Our aim is to reach up to 25 million children around the world this year," said Kiran, Principal of Riverside school and wife of nine-time World Billiards Champion Geet Sethi.

Design for Change (DFC), the international school contest, is an initiative of Kiran-run Riverside School. The first edition of 'I Can' book was released on the occasion by noted film-maker Raju Hirani. The book has been published by the publishers of Amar Chitra Katha.

"The book is a compilation of 20 inspiring stories of change penned by school goers from India and other parts of the world," Sethi said. "I Can' are two very powerful words, which actually inspire you to dream. I liked two quotes very much that is 'Be the change you want to see in the world' and 'Find a purpose and means will follow'," Hirani said while addressing the gathering.

The director of Bollywood hits like 'Three Idiots' and 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', said, "No matter how small the beginning is, if your purpose is noble, you shall succeed in bringing about a change." Sharing his life experiences with the children, Hirani said, "It took me 15 years to make my first film. When I expressed the desire to become a director, I was told by my friend's uncle that 'Nagpur mein sirf santre hote hai (Only oranges are found in Nagpur), and I came back home very worried," Hirani said.

"My father told me not to visit him again. He told me that 'I Can' and supported me," he said. In reply to a question on whether he would like to make a film on anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, Hirani said, "A lot of people are already doing it."

Children celebrate Oct 2 as 'Be The Change Day' in 14 cities

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