Delhi to get its own Children's Academy

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Friday announced that the national capital soon will have a Children's Academy functioning under the Department of Art, Culture and Languages.

"We have around 4,000 to 5,000 schools in the capital, both private and government. We have had many children-related activities before like painting, but having a Children's Academy will be like focussing on them in a concentrated manner," Dikshit said on the sidelines of unveiling the annual cultural calendar, Delhi Celebrates.

As of now, the Department of Art, Culture and Languages comprises seven academies: Sahitya Kala Parishad, Sindhi Academy, Punjabi Academy, Hindi Academy, Urdu Academy, Maithili and Bhojpuri Academy and Sanskrit Academy.

She also laid emphasis on making art and cultural activities an integral part of daily lives.

"Co-existence of art and life is as important as having food and living," she said.

The concept, Delhi Celebrates, was unveiled during the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and continued after that year.

The series of events throughout the year offer many cultural activities and the calendar offers a glimpse of events scheduled.

From the Punjabi theatre festival to Thumri festival, and from the magic festival to the Urdu heritage festival -- the calendar provides detailed information.