Keekli Reporter, 30th March, 2014, Shimla
A Fancy Dress Competition — Rama Utsav — for children between the age groups 1-14, based on the characters of “Sri Ramayana” was organized by the Managing Committee of Sood Sabha Shimla, during the the ongoing Ram Naumi 2014 celebrations at the Sood Sabha Hall, Sri Ram Madir Complex, Shimla. Former M.L.A. and Mayor of Shimla City, Adarsh Sood, presided over the function as the Chief Guest on this occasion.
This theme was especially to make the children aware of the religious and cultural significance of the teachings and characters of “Sri Ramayana” in our life. The participants were divided in four age groups, (A) 1 to 3; (B) 4 to 6; (junior group) (C) 7 to 10; and (D) 11 to 14 (senior group). The total number of participants in was about 60 children.
The panel of judges for the function were Rita Gupta, Sanjay Sood, Assistant Public Relation Officer, and Aarti Gupta, Joint Director Public Relation Department H.P. They criteria of judging was based on make up and dress for the junior group and for senior it was make up, dress as well as performance on the stage and dialogue delivery.
The chief guest appreciated and applauded the performance of all the children. He said, “By organizing such religious and educational events for children we help them get in touch with our roots”. He added that such an event will help children to inculcate good habits and learn more about their religion, Indian traditions and culture.
To encourage children, Praful Kuthiala, President, Sood Sabha, Shimla said, “Attractive cash prizes are being given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winners in each group as well as a fourth consolation prize. All participants also received participation certificates and consolation gifts”. He further added, that this cultural function will help children to know about their holy religious books, such as Ramayan, Geeta, Mahabharta etc”. He further encouraged the children to continue participating in such religious activities.
To enlighten as well as engage the audience a few questions based on Sri Ramayana were also put forth to the audience, such as – i) Give the name of the Rakshasi that was killed when Sri Ram and Laxman went to help Guru Vishwamitra during his Yagya; ii) Name the garden in which Mata Sita was kept during captivity by Raavan; iii) Whose daughter in law was Sulochna; iv) Which Rakshasi stopped Lord Hanuman from entering Lanka. Those who gave the correct answer also received a token gift. In between the groups there was devotional song and dance performances by SD School children and Arya Samaj School, Lakkar Bazar.
The final winners were —
Winners of A GROUP (1-3)
1st Prize – Parija Sud, d/o Mohan Sood
2nd Prize – Nityant Sood, s/o Vinno Sood
3rd Prize – Vaibhav Kaushal, s/o saurabh Kaushal
Consolation – Vaishnavi Kuthiala, d/o Arjun Kuthiala
Winners of B GROUP (4-6)
1st Prize – Aryana Bhrama, d/o Nishant Bhrama
2nd Prize – Pritha Doegar, d/o Amit Doegar
3rd Prize – Parth Sood, s/o Amit Sood
Consolation – Jaanvi, d/o Baldev Singh
Winners of C GROUP (7-10)
1st Prize – Shubhi Brahma, d/o Bhyaam Lal Bhrama
2nd Prize – Brijesh Nagpal, s/o Harbhajan Singh
3rd Prize – Raghuvir Singh, s/o Kamla Nand Thakur
Consolation – Siya Sood, d/o Madan Lal Sood
Winners of D GROUP (11-14)
1st Prize – Lakhan, s/o Puran Dass
2nd Prize – Nikhil Sohal, s/o Sanjeev Sohal
3rd Prize – Riya Pathak, d/o Ram Dev Pathak
Consolation – Tanvi, d/o Ramesh