Mangaluru : A total of 43,000 children and 7,000 teachers – 22,000 children from Dakshina Kannada and 9,000 from other districts – participated in the Habba, organised by the district administration and the Dr Shivarama Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama. The fest also attracted 5,000 public.

The children were handed ice candy and mask soon after registration. After a round through all the eatables, some children were seen carrying five to six sticks of sugarcane when they were going back.

At the Nisargadhama, some children were seen getting their photo clicked with backgrounds of cut-outs of monuments like Taj Mahal, Vidhana Soudha, Burj Khalifa, Hampi and Eiffel Tower. Other children engaged themselves in clay art, origami and paper art while science enthusiasts were introduced to the wonders of science at an expo on robotics and automation in science galleries.

Children also enjoyed swingi-ng on a tyre and visiting cartoon expo. Students, especially boys, were wonderstuck by the vintage cars and bikes exhibited at the Makkala Habba. The slow cycle race by members of Vigneshwara Cycle Circus Kala Mandali received a huge round of applause from the children.

Students of AKU English Medium School, Kaikmaba, termed the Habba as “Wow.” “We could eat whatever we want. Given an opportunity, we are ready to come here daily,” they told Deccan Herald. The students of Rajarajeshwari School, Polali said, “The Makkala Habba has been a good opportunity for enjoyment,” while Sri Vani Vilasa School children said, “We enjoyed as well as ate a lot showing ground nuts in our hands.”

Teachers too enjoyed at the festival. “It has provided an exposure to the students. I have not seen such festivities in my teaching career. The organisers should organise it for at least one week, so that all schoolchildren in the district can visit Pilikula and enjoy,” said Savitha from Konaje Padavu school.”

Children, dressed as national leaders and freedom fighters, added colour to the show. They put up cultural shows on three different stages at the venue. Programmes like mimicry, Yakshagana and magic stood testimony to the rich cultural heritage. Ashok Polali entertained the kids with ‘Koli Nritya.’

Swaroopa Adhyayana Kendra’s student Chandan exhibited his art piece – quilling art on commerce subjects of Second PU.

President award-winner Panchami Maroor inaugurated the festival by releasing balloons. District In-charge Minister Ramanath Rai, Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports Abhayachandra Jain, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, and others were present.