Children’s Corner with free activities set up at Pune Book Festival

“These sessions are conducted by experts from different parts of the country, including Delhi and Pune,” Bhakuni said. She added that the programme is structured according to age groups and class levels, with sessions divided by timing to ensure better participation.

All activities at the Children’s Corner are free of cost, as the initiative is part of a ministry programme. Participating children will receive certificates, while schools attending the sessions will be given appreciation certificates. Refreshments are provided by NBT India, and children who perform well in competitions or workshops are rewarded with books.

The children’s corner features several interactive spaces, including a Warli art corner, a reading corner, and an arts and crafts corner. A doodle wall has also been set up where children can draw and create freely throughout the day. Volunteers and artists are present in these areas to guide and engage young participants.

Schools are expected to attend the festival in large numbers. Bhakuni said they have conducted outreach initiatives with private, Pune Municipal Corporation and Zilla Parishad schools. According to Bhakuni, four to six schools participated on the opening day itself, with more expected over the coming days.

The venue has put up detailed displays listing all scheduled sessions. Children attending the festival will get opportunities to interact with experts and authors such as Rajeev Tambe, Shraddha Nigavekar, Pallavi Murdeshwar, Usha Chhabra, among many others.