Ashima Sharma, Keekli Reporter, 22nd September, 2013, Shimla
Rotary Shimla Mid Towns’ initiative and competition to educate children about environment and population “Manthan” was organized by the Club in association with Inner Wheel Shimla Midtown, Rotract Club RKMV and Rotract Club IHM, Kufri. The chief guest for the occasion was Hon’ble Minister for Health, Revenue and Law, Kaul Singh Thakur.
Manthan — an annual inter-school competition on Environment and Population awareness organised by the Club for last 14 years is an endeavour to create awareness among the youth of the country towards the most pressing issues plaguing the society that is the continuous degradation of the environment and ever increasing population. More than 300 Children from 30 schools from in and around Shimla participated in the competition.
The event started at around 10AM and the guest for the competitive events was Principal RKMV College, Meera Walia who inaugurated the show. The function began with the ceremonial Saraswati Vandana performed by the girls of Hainault Public School, Shimla. All the students were welcomed by Rotary Mid Town President, Ram Gopal Sood and Chairman S. N. Kapur who declared the commencement of competitive events, namely painting, declamation and slogan writing.
The painting competition was held in three categories — senior, junior and sub junior and students in each category were given two different topics to choose from. For spot painting competition in the Sub-Junior category the topics were (i) flowers and butterfly and (ii) flowers and birds; Junior category the topics were (i) traffic jam and (ii) save trees; and in the Senior category students received topics on (i) natural disaster and (ii) solutions for garbage disposal. The topics for On the Spot Slogan writing were (i) population cause, (ii) pressure on natural resources; (iii) Climate change is the cost of development and (iv) environment conservation is a collective responsibility. Students could select any one topic and write the slogans.
The topic for the Hindi and English declamation contest were (i) youth in nation building, (ii) green environment and (iii) protection of environment is possible despite growing population.
Since it was a whole day event the President, Rotary Midtown ensured that the children had proper nourishment. Breakfast, lunch and snacks were served to all present during the event.
Chief Guest Kaul Singh Thakur arrived at 3:30pm and lighted the lamp following which a Ganpati Vandana was performed by the Hainault Public School students to welcome him. Rotary President, Ram Gopal Sood in his welcome speech thanked the Hon’ble minister and said, “Your experience, interests as well as vast knowledge will help you understand the importance of Manthan and the kind of activities Rotary Shimla Mid Town organizes to educate and enlighten the children. The month of September is very important to us Rotarians as it is designated as the “Youth Services Month”, as the youth of today are the future of tomorrow. A principle project of our Club which is totally focused on children, the future of our country. If sense and awareness of responsibility towards creating an ecological balance is understood then surely it creates an indefinite impression on our young generation for years to come”.
He further added that competitions held during Manthan are: declamation contest; on the spot painting; and on the spot slogan writing. Topics for these events are green environment; ecological imbalance; youth in nation building; and growing population and its effects on environment.
The Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of the students and while remembering his childhood days he said, “I remember the fun days of my youth which were spent studying in Punjab University. We are facing the problem of population explosion in our country and its adverse effects on the overall development in the country. A good literacy rate plays an important part in controlling population. In order to preserve environment the youth need to take strong steps in growing more and more trees in the city”.
The competition ended on a high note as the painting trophy was won by St Edwards School along with the overall Best Trophy and the Runner’s up trophy was awarded to DAV Public School, Lakkar Bazaar.
To make the programme lively and interactive there were song, dance and musical performances by children from various schools. RKMV College girls gave a vibrant Bhangra dance performance and the choreography team from Anchorage Preschool presented a theme-based dance on terrorism and highlighting its negatives. In between the event and during the compilation of results there was a general quiz session for all the students present and those giving right answers won quite a few chocolates.
An interactive, fun filled event that was a great success as the students participated with full enthusiasm and fervour in which the parents too came in good numbers to support their children!!!
The prizes winners for various competitions:
English Declamation
1. Kartik Thakur — St Edwards Shimla
2. Shefali — DAV Lakkar Bazar
3. Sachin Pant — RashtriyaMilitarySchool
4. Daksha Chauhan — DAVPublic School, New Shimla
Hindi Declamation
1. Kalpana Kanwar — AucklandHouseSchool
2. Yuraj Thakur — St EdwardsSchool
3. Sugarsha Thakur — DayanandPublic School
4. Rishab — JCBSrSecSchool
Slogan Writing
1. Tsereng Samnla — RashtriyaMiltitarySchool
2. Vishal Singh –St EdwardsSchool
3. Raj Kumar — G.S.S.S, Dhalli
4. Shaurya — DAVPublic School New Shimla
Painting (Senior)
1. Amol Bhardwaj — St EdwardsSchool
2. Jaspreet Singh — St EdwardsSchool
3. Gandharv Mehta — DayanandPublic School
4. Pooja Rawat — DAVPublic School Lakkar Bazaar
Painting (Junior)
1. Raman Deep Sohal — DAVPublic School, Lakkar bazaar
2. Chavvi Sharma — DAVPublic School, New Shimla
3. Ahetsam — B.S.N Chakkar
4. Kaviya Aggarwal — DAVPublic School, New Shimla
Painting (Sub Junior)
1. Modak Verma — DAVPublic School, Lakkar Bazaar
2. Panita — AucklandHouseSchool
3. Anurag — RashtriyaMilitarySchool
4. Anurag Panwar — VedViharSchool