The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : What children like most about India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 06, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

What children like most about India

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: If Shah Jahan were alive, he would, perhaps, be flattered. Not because his Taj Mahal acquired a “new wonder” status recently, but the monument seems to have thousands of young fans.

This was evident at the ‘India Art Contest’ organised by Aavishkaar India here on Sunday. Aavishkaar India is an organisation working out of Chennai and Hyderabad and involved in conducting events for children.

The topic given to the participants, in the age group seven to 14 years, was ‘What I like most about India’. And the number of Taj Mahals created in different sizes and colours was proof-enough for the fascination children have for the age old structure.

Over 1,000 students from nearly 30 city schools participated in the drawing and painting contest.

The contest was held in two categories — the junior category for students in Classes III, IV and V; and the senior category for students in Classes VI, VII and VIII.

Winners, to be chosen by a panel of teachers and artists, would receive prizes such as bicycles, watches and cameras. However, what may excite them most is the notebook they will receive in about a month’s time, sporting their own painting on the cover page.

Aavishkaar India spokesperson Sumitha Sundaram said: “We will scan and print every entry and send back a notebook with the child’s painting on the wrapper.”

The contest will be held in Madurai next week. Aavishkaar has also been organising eco-tours for school children. “We believe that only if children are exposed to the beauty of our country, will they want to stay here and contribute to its growth. All our events have focussed on promoting India among school children,” Ms. Sundaram added.

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