Mumbai, Dec.15: 16th Ryan International Children’s Festival that had kicked off on 13th December with a grand curtain raiser ceremony at Talkatora Stadium, Delhi has been a celebration of cultures and togetherness with over 15,000 students from over 20 countries participating in it.

Hon. Lok Sabha Speaker Shri.Om Birla being felicitated by Dr. Grace Pinto, MD and Mr. Ryan Pinto, CEO Ryan Group

The festival was graced by the presence of Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri. Om Birla on the 14th of December, who was the Chief Guest for the event. His esteemed presence added to the grandeur of the ongoing extravaganza.The show had a variety of mesmerizing programmes which left the audience amazed by the sheer size and spectacle of the fascinatingperformances.

Speaker Birla in his speech said, “I get energized looking at the generation of today and I am confident that they will be effective leaders of tomorrow. I congratulate Dr. Grace Pinto for organizing such a grand event which gives opportunities for understanding cultures across the world. Dr. Pinto has dedicated her life for education and has worked tirelessly for it. Ryan schools provide not just outstanding academics but also a strong moral foundation and values, and these students will do very well in the future. Let us all together build a new India, a strong India!”

Madam Dr. Grace Pinto, MD, Ryan Group expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Speaker forgracingthe festival with his presence and appreciating all the endeavours and contribution made by the Ryan Group to education.

Ryan International Festival is specially designed to offer a holistic and creative space for children of the world to come and explore the Indian traditions and cultures. While the Indian students assimilate and learn the international cultures, they will present to the international delegates the rich cultural heritage of India. The entire festival beautifully brings forth a string of unity running amongst the Indian and International students - a true representation of global cultural integration.

Visiting countries were all thrilled with the experience. While expressing her excitement, Thelma Zaldívar, a student delegate from, AxiomaTeatro, Paraguay said, “This is such an amazing opportunity that I have, I feel really grateful for traveling to a country as big as India and having the honor to represent my country and show my culture, and I am very excited to know other cultures too.”

The theme of the festival this year is ‘Generation Equal’.The spotlight is on gender equality and stereotypes that exist in societies around the world. Predefined roles for boys and girls, are limiting children to develop their full potential. The festival aims to break such stereotypes and empower students to follow their passion. The festival gives Indian students a change to host, perform and interact with children from all around the world.

Countries like Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, India, Iran, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Slovenia Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are participating in it. For both Indian and International participants, Ryan’s Children festival will remain an unforgettable experience where they made new friends, learnt new cultures and together expressed their desire for a Generation of Equals.