Port Blair, Nov. 26: Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency felicitated the young talented students of A&N Islands for securing medals at the National Level Kala Utsav 2020.

Kala Utsav is an initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE) under Samagra Shiksha, to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the secondary stage in the Country.

As per the NCERT guidelines, in view of the pandemic situation, Kala Utsav competitions 2020 were organised through online mode. In the State level competition, 83 participants from 9 art forms from 9 educational blocks have participated. Among them, 15 participants have been selected for representing the UT at National level competition.

The National Level competition was conducted through online mode from 11th January to 22nd January, 2021 by NCERT New Delhi, in which Ms. Diya Rajbanshi of Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School Port Blair bagged Second Position in the Visual Art 3D category mentored by Smti. Shampa Ray, PGT(Fine Arts) and Ms. Jasmine Toppo of Govt. Senior Secondary School Rangat bagged Third Position in Visual Art 2D category mentored by Shri Krishnendu Chakroborthy, GTT (Fine Arts).

Hon’ble Lt Governor congratulated and blessed the students for their unparalleled achievements and bringing laurels to the UT. A cash prize of Rs. 20,000/- alongwith medal, certificate and trophy was awarded to Ms. Diya Rajbanshi and a cash prize of Rs. 15,000/- alongwith medal, certificate and trophy was awarded to the father of Ms. Jasmine Toppo by the Hon’ble Lt. Governor. Commissioner -cum -Secretary (Education), Secretary to Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Director (Education), Mentors and parents were also present during the function.