Children’s Films Play Key Role in Holistic Development: Daya Shankar Singh
Lucknow: The fifth day of the International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF-2026), organized by the City Montessori School at the CMS Kanpur Road Auditorium, was held with great enthusiasm and inspiration. The event was inaugurated by Chief Guest Daya Shankar Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Transport, Uttar Pradesh.
The occasion was further elevated by the presence of Miss Universe India Manika Vishwakarma, Miss Universe Uttar Pradesh Tanishka Sharma, and Miss Charm India Mahak Dhingra, who inspired students with their encouraging words and presence.
ICFF-2026 showcased a remarkable lineup of educational children’s films from 53 countries between April 6 and 12, offering thousands of children from Lucknow and nearby areas a blend of meaningful entertainment and valuable life lessons centered on character building.
Addressing the gathering, Daya Shankar Singh emphasized that educational films play a vital role in the holistic development of children and motivate them to contribute positively to society and the nation. Praising CMS, he noted that the institution had brought significant recognition to Lucknow in the field of education, with its students excelling in diverse areas of national service.
Welcoming the dignitaries, CMS Founder-Director Bharti Gandhi highlighted the institution’s commitment to nurturing children as ambassadors of peace, dedicated to global unity and harmony. She also encouraged parents to instill the habit of daily prayer in children and emphasized the festival’s objective of promoting value-based learning through cinema.
The fifth day featured screenings of numerous engaging and educational films, including Surprise, Free Tour, The Diary, The Last Bookstore, Beta, A Little Mouse for Christmas, Zimmedari, Ye Kiska Jahan, Aao Dosti Karen, Kya Dekhen Hum, Anokha Pitara, Things I Never Said, Two Years Ago, 90 Seconds, Never Alone, In the Sea, God’s Powerhouse, Shaam Tak, Vidya, Angulimaal, Ambassador of Hope, Little Angel, Little Stories, and Roshni. Thousands of students from around 40 schools attended the screenings and drew inspiration from the films.
Interacting with students, Manika Vishwakarma encouraged them to pursue their passions wholeheartedly, stating that art teaches valuable life lessons. Tanishka Sharma described school life as the most formative phase, offering opportunities to nurture creativity, while Mahak Dhingra highlighted the immense potential within every student and urged them to imbibe moral values in their lives.
Film personalities also interacted with media representatives during a press conference, appreciating the CMS management for organizing such a large-scale event aimed at fostering moral and character development among children.
Festival Director Ahmad Hameed Shaikh informed that the sixth day of the festival was scheduled to begin on April 11 at 9:00 a.m. at the same venue, with actress Juhi Babbar, actor Salim Arif, and child artist Yagya Bhasin expected to motivate students.
