My Experience as a Chief Guest at the 13th Inter-School Drawing Competition

On December 4th, 2024, I had the immense honor of being invited as the Chief Guest at the 13th Inter-School Drawing Competition organized by SSCA on the occasion of World Disability Day. Held at Noida Stadium, the event was a vibrant celebration of creativity and inclusivity, bringing together over 400 students from 41 schools across Delhi-NCR. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm as young artists showcased their talent in this prestigious competition.

A Grand Opening

The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp-lighting by the District Disability Welfare Officer, Mr. Ashish Kumar, and Mr. Sanjay Dang. It was a privilege to stand alongside other esteemed dignitaries, including Lions Club Noida’s District Governor Mr. A.K. Mittal, and other notable guests such as Mr. Vipin Agarwal, President of the Shri Ram Lakhan Dharmik Ramleela Committee, and Mr. Ashok Srivastava, President of Navratan Foundation, among others. The Society’s President, Mr. Subhash Agarwal, extended a warm welcome to everyone and shared insights into SSCA’s impactful activities.

Celebrating Talent Across Categories

The competition featured five categories, each designed to encourage participants of different age groups and abilities. It was heartwarming to see the thoughtfulness with which these categories were organized:

• Special Children Category: Yash Sanjay won the first prize, followed by Darsh Srivastava in second place, and Arnav Arora in third.

• Sub-Junior Category (Classes 1-2): Aditya from Sanskar Adhyayan Kendra took first place, while Arzoo from Ankur Anawa School secured second, and Ruby from Sanskar Adhyayan Kendra, Sarfabad, won third.

• Primary Category (Classes 3-5): Shagun Kumar from Sanskar Kendra, Sarfabad, emerged as the winner, with Tanvi from Mahamaya Balika Inter College and Ruchi from Sanskar Adhyayan Kendra, Hoshiarpur, taking second and third places respectively.

• Junior Category (Classes 6-8): Neetu from Albert Modern clinched the first position, Varsha the second, and Riya Jha from Mahamaya Balika Inter School the third.

• Senior Category (Classes 9-12): Disha Kumari from Saksham School secured the top spot, followed by Roshni Khan and Pradeep Sharma from Om Foundation.

Each winner was honored with trophies, medals, and special certificates, while all other participants received participation certificates and refreshments. Teachers accompanying the students were also acknowledged with mementos, a thoughtful gesture to recognize their role in nurturing young talent.

Inspiration and Creativity

The drawings created during the competition were nothing short of extraordinary. The children’s interpretation of nature was filled with unique colors, innovative ideas, and boundless imagination. It was inspiring to witness such creativity, which reinforced the importance of art in fostering self-expression and building confidence in children.

A Memorable Experience

One of the most memorable aspects of the event was the seamless execution by SSCA’s dedicated team. Special mentions go to Ms. Rajeshwari Tyagrajan and Ms. Vimlesh Sharma for their eloquent hosting, and to Prof. Nimesh Kumar and Dr. Shweta Tyagi for their role in announcing results. The contributions of Indra Chaudhary, Narendra Kuchhal, Devendra Kumar, and others were instrumental in making the event a grand success.

Conclusion

Being part of this event was an unforgettable experience. It gave me the opportunity to engage with young minds, appreciate their creative abilities, and be inspired by their artistic expression. I extend my heartfelt thanks to SSCA and all the organizers for inviting me to such a meaningful celebration of talent and creativity. Events like these remind us of the transformative power of art and its ability to bring communities together. I look forward to supporting more such initiatives in the future.