The children who participated in the painting contest held on Sunday ahead of World Cancer Day enjoyed dabbling with colours and the time they spent cracking jokes with peers.
At the event, organised by Vasantha Memorial Trust, children were allowed an hour to express their thoughts on cancer on the theme ‘let 2morrow b cancer free'. According to the judges, creativity, originality and the message that the artwork contained were evaluated. The winning entries focussed on how fast food and tobacco use destroyed human beings.
Giving a clue
Volunteers donned paper hats and dressed up as burgers, French fries, soft drink bottles, cigarettes and gutka packets, giving children a clue about what they should focus on. About 300 children from 40 schools participated in the annual event which was held in Santhome.
Caution urged
Oncologist and Managing Trustee J. Ramanathan, who spoke with the children, urged them to be careful when they choose fast food. “Fast food is high on calorie and no matter how much you eat you do not feel full. One burger contains energy equivalent to what a meal can provide. You end up eating more than you need. All that energy remains unused and you end up becoming fat,” he told the children.
To the parents he said, “Please allow your children to walk to school if it is within one k.m. Allow them to play for two hours daily. Playing games relaxes the mind but not sitting in front of the computer. ”
