News and Events / CHILDREN'S PAINTING AND DANCE COMPETITIONS

New Delhi, May 4, 2007: A Children's Painting Competition and Dance Competition, marking the Russian Children's Protection Day and dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of Indo-Russian Diplomatic Relations, jointly organized by the Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC) and Nehru Bal Samiti, were held at the RCSC, 24, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi, on May 3, and May 4, 2007, respectively. The programme, entitled "Our Future is Based on Friendship", was attended by about 700 children from 46 educational institutions of Delhi and neighbouring towns along with their parents.

The Painting Competition was inaugurated by Mr. Roop Chand, Artist and Chairman, National Art Centre, on May 3, 2007, when he lauded the artistic spark of young talents who proved promising, fulfilling the vision of Jawaharlal Nehru in the nation-building mission. The function was attended by Dr. Sergey V. Cherkas, Deputy Director, RCSC, Mrs. Maria Pavlova, Senior Executive and Programme Coordinator, RCSC, and Mr. S. P. Govil, Freedom Fighter, and Hon. Secretary & Director, Nehru Bal Samiti.

The Dance Competition was opened by Dr. Prabhjot Kaur, Chairperson, International Council of Education, USA, along with a colourful Exhibition of Children's Prized Paintings on May 4, 2007. Dr. Kaur hailed the remarkable efforts of Nehru Bal Samiti and its guiding spirit Mr. S. P. Govil in promoting the noble cause of children's welfare and their educational and artistic activities. Among those who lighter the ceremonial lamp opening the inauguration of the Exhibition included Dr. Prabhjot Kaur, Mrs. Maria Pavlova and Mr. S. P. Govil. Mr. T. R. Gupta, Former President of Nehru Bal Samiti, spoke about Samiti's innovative programmes such as the Annual Bal Mela, Children's Creativity Festival, Cultural Exchange Programmes and Education of the Children of the Weaker Sections of the Society.

Out of 700 children from 46 educational institutions who participated in the painting competition, about 100 children have been selected for ward of certificates and medals. The first prize winners of children up to seven years are Tushita Roy and Nidhi Giri of Birla Vidya Niktan, Reet Bathla of Delhi Public School, Faridabad, and Nidhi Yadav of Blue Bells Public School, Gurgaon. The first prize winners of the second age group of eight to twelve years include Ayush Kumar Pal and Mallika Kaushik of Blue Bells Public School, Gurgaon and Mohit of BRM Public School, Mayur Vihar, Phase-III, Delhi. The children in the age group of thirteen to eighteen years, who received the first position in painting, are Sachin Kumar of Gita Convent, Faridabad, Piyush Gupta of Delhi Public School, Safdarjung Enclave, Mukul Banerjee of DAV Public School, Rohini, Anushree Chatterjee of APJ School, Noida, and Debolina Sirkar of Gyan Bharti Shool, Saket. The painting exhibition of selected paintings will continue for a week at the RCSC.

Twenty-one schools participated in the Group Folk Dance competition and five schools were declared first prize winners, namely, Delhi Public School, Noida, Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, DAV Public School, Faridabad, Army Public School, Noida, and Blue Bells School, Gurgaon. The prizes for the winners of the competitions in paintings and group folk dance will be presented after the summer vacation in July.