Girls of Tender Hearts International practise praying ahead of Id on the school premises on Tuesday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Aug. 30: Tiny tots of Tender Hearts International today conveyed the message of secularism and rehearsed Chand Deedar for Id.

The students came dressed in traditional Id outfits to the school at Rajendra Nagar. While the boys — Rishi, Ankit, Abu, Adarsh, Yusuf, Adnan and others — came dressed in kurta-pyjamas and sherwanis, the girls — Sameera Warsi, Vijaya Singh, Shreshtha, Aastha, Khushi, Alfia and friends — wore burqas or covered their faces with dupattas.

The rehearsal that ensured participation of children from all faiths was aimed at fostering brotherhood and respect for all religions, said the school teachers.

Director of Tender Hearts International Rajiv Bhargava said: “Values and respect for all religions that are instilled during childhood stay with us throughout our life. Children should be encouraged to celebrate all religious festivals and respect people of all faiths. Intricate things about different religions should be explained to them as they are the ones who would carry forward the traditions.”

The day grew even more special for the tender hearts as founder of the school, Premlata Bhargava, distributed gifts among them. While some got colour pencils, some received books.

Premlata said: “We should celebrate every festival with the same enthusiasm as each has an unique importance. Brotherhood and love for each other, which is important in today’s world, will also develop because of this.”