ninavu 2.2

kids ninavu

The Kids’ Ninavu Launch-No kidding here!

Vaishnavi Krishnakumar
d/o Krishnakumar and Sheefa(1986 civil)
11th grade,Our Own English High School, Dubai
This was not the first time a Ninavu magazine was being released, but this time it was special. The release was special for two reasons. Ninavu was completing a year and this time it was a kids special. Don’t get me wrong. By kid’s special I meant that this time the magazine was formulated by the kids of CETA. The children took this as an opportunity to show their skills and worked under a Student editorial Board whose members were Serin, Gayathri, Rahul, Keerthi, Gautham, Nandalal and myself Vaishnavi and were headed by Merin Mathew Varghese.  We had completed the magazine after a lot of hard work under the leadership and guidance of senior editors. The launch meant a big deal for us. It was totally a new experience for us and that thrill that we had on that day cannot be expressed.  Ÿ#
Friday, 29 th   May, 2009

The day that we all awaited had come. The launch of the KIDS’ NINAVU!

We had worked tirelessly behind the magazine. So we didn’t want any ordinary launch for it but a big one! As we the kids were in charge of conducting the whole programme we were even more tensed because that was another ’fist time’! We had doubts on as to whether it would turn out good.

For the role of chief guest in instance, we didn’t want just anybody to inaugurate the magazine. And our solution-Malayalam cinema’s eminent personality, Shri Nedumudi Venu.  He was just perfect for the role because of his ability to interact with the younger generation and his compassion and love for children. He also shared some of his experiences that he had in his life in the interactive session where we could ask questions to him and know more about him. Some kids in the audience didn’t know him and some didn’t even get his name right. But just as I said , it didn’t take him a lot of time to be a major hit among the kids that day, thanks to his friendly attitude. He expressed his happiness on being a part of the show and appreciated our work.

Oh yes-our work! That was the day the world was going to see the result of all the hard work we had put! 50% thrill and 50% tension. Will everyone like it? Our minds were filled with doubts. As we knew people can be critical and wouldn’t see it as an effort by kids as a standard was already set by the preceding editions. This magazine was supposed to be par with it or maybe even better as this was the anniversary edition. Serin welcomed Shri Nedumudi Venu to formally inaugurate the magazine. The moment he pressed the key on the keyboard, I am sure was a very delightful moment for everyone who worked behind the magazine. And there it was –The KIDS’ NINAVU!

Then Merin got onto the stage and presented the Making of the magazine where she shared the whole experience of the journey in a capsule form. The fun moments we had, the moments we felt the task was impossible to attempt, the editorial board meetings and the joy of making new friends, learning new stuff and every little thing was shared to the whole audience. The other members of the Board joined her on stage too to express their views. And finally when the whole Editorial Board and other coordinators who worked for the magazine came up to the stage we were welcomed with a huge applause and standing ovation.

Everyone loved the inaugural images of the magazine, the presentation by the editors and of course the Chief Guest too. But the programme is not over yet. As Sharukh Khan says in Om Shanti Om  ' Picture abhi bi bakhi hai mere dost!’

The adults are used to all the boring long speeches and formal meetings and functions. But in case you forgot we kids cannot really stand it. And as it was ‘our’ show nothing of that sort can be expected. Entertainment is guaranteed. But it wasn’t as easy it sounds.

Believe me it was a tough task to control adults.

The least that you expect from them is some discipline (Trust me the kids were easier to control!). We couldn’t be heard even through mikes because of all the noise.  No one was attentive. So what do we do? We kids could make a magazine but not make them quite! A little gap to talk and they can go on and on. So we had to make sure that our following programmes were entertaining to get their attention. Was that possible?

Don’t underestimate the skills of a kid! And I am sure no one who attended the event that day would!

We had entertaining games conducted by kids like- Dressing up men in saris, Know your children- a compatibility test,  Just a minute-to talk pure Malayalam for a minute and as filler we had fun questions too.

And of course the most enthralling shows of all-The Sixth sense. We were lucky to have Mr. Praveen who was a mind reader to conduct this show. His literally mind-blowing performance was just the best way to end that day.

Everyone just enjoyed that day. And of course for the people who worked behind the magazine it was an unforgettable event!

The 29 th   of May will always be special. We ought to thank God for this wonderful venture. And of course thanks to CETA for giving us an opportunity to show our skills. We consider ourselves very lucky to have been part of this journey as you don’t really get such chances every time!

Thank You!!