Kathmandu, December 26:

At a time when South Asian countries have been confronting various problems, more than 100 children from the region have gathered here to take part in ‘South Asian Integration Children’s Camp’, spreading the message of love, respect and unity.

A jovial ninth-grader from India, Arya Shaw, singing a popular Nepali song Rato Tika Nidhar Ma Tallaka Talkiyo, said she has learned the song from her Nepali friends in the camp, where she has also learned to love her fellow friends and respect others’ culture and customs. The integration camp is meant to promote the feeling of secularism, patriotism and unity among children belonging to different backgrounds and religion that would also help develop love and harmony among South Asian countries. “We are successful in our purpose,” said Jnan Maity, the principal organiser.

Despite the chilly weather, the camp that started on December 23 from Chitwan will be continued until December 31 in Kathmandu and Nagarkot. Children from six to 15 years of age are participating in cultural, educational activities and fitness trainings along with recreations. Sarah Haque, a camper from Bangladesh, said it was like a dream come true to be in Nepal and meet other children in the camp with learning, sharing experiences and making friends. She said the camp has given children like her, who are only confined within their countries and schools, a chance to visit different countries and understand children belonging to other cultures.

Neha Agarwal, camp orderly officer, said such camps are necessary to boost children’s self-confidence, learn about discipline and unity among different nationalities. She added that children there will also understand the similarities and differences among each other.

The total numbers of children are divided into six groups with six group leaders out of them, who are responsible to look after their groups. The camp is being organised for 47th time by the South Asian Children’s Forum (SACF).

In Nepal, it is being organised for the third time in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and Galaxy Public School (GPS). Maity thanked the MoES and Geeta Rana, founder principle of GPS for arranging accommodation, vehicles and sightseeing.