Bal Bharati National Essay Competition Awards Function

Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting organized the Bal Bharati  Essay Competition Awards Function today. The winners of the National Essay Competition were awarded at specially organized function at India International Centre. 

Ms. Harshita Kushwaha, Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh; Master  Suryansh Manav, Delhi and  Ms. Aditi Upadhayaya, Delhi were awarded first, second and third prize of  Rs.5000/-, Rs.4000/- and Rs.3000/-respectively alongwith books. Ms. Kusum Gautam, Delhi; Ms. Thartika, Delhi; Ms. Niharika Tyagi, Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh; Ms. Arunima Phadke, Baroda, Gujarat; Ms. Khushi Aggarwal,Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; Ms. Pooja Saini, Delhi; Ms. Joya Mhasale, Pune, Maharashtra; Ms. Atri Garg, Delhi; Ms. Riya Mishra, Babina, Uttar Pradesh and Ms. Shrita, Delhi were awarded with appreciation prize.  The appreciation prize winners were given books as awards.  The topics for the competition were – Chand Par Chhaubees Ghante, Zaruri Hai Kabhi Sach Kabhi Jhooth, Ek Phool Ki Atmakatha, Mowgli Mere Shahar/Gaon Main, Aaj Ki Taza Khabar, Mere Shikshak Se Kuch Sawaal, Mera Party Time and Mere Sabse Achche Adhyapak/Adhyapika.

A jury of ten eminent persons from the field of children’s literature adjudged these entries. The jury members were- Shri Divik Ramesh, Ms.Madhu Pant, Shri Suryanath Singh, Shri Devendra Kumar, Shri Shyam Sushil, Ms.Usha Sharma, Smt.Sunita, Ms.Masha, Smt.Vibha Joshi and Ms.Sushma Jugran.

           

 Shri Divik Ramesh, who was the Guest of Honour, in his speech gave creative suggestions to the children. The Additional Director General, Publications Division, Ms.Ira Joshi while congratulating the children, spoke about the achievements of the Directorate and also highlighted the future plans for Publications Division. A number of eminent personalities from the field of children’s literature and senior officials of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting attended the function.   

     

On this occasion Publications Division organized a Pantomime and Magic Show. The Pantomime was presented by Shri Arijit Roy, Director of Jagran – a theatre based NGO working in the field of development communication. The programme consisted of two shows, one on adopting a tree, based on the issue of reforestation and environment and the other show was on junk food. Both the shows were very educative and kept the audience enrapt all through.

The Magic Show presented by Ishamuddin Khan was another event of the day. The show highlighted mind reading sessions. Shri Khan, a street artist by profession is holding 20^th   rank in the world in the field of magic. He is working for the promotion of street performers and trying to revive some of the dying street arts. He has launched the Indian Street Performer’s Association Trust to empower artists like him.

Publications Division has been organizing this Essay Competition for children since 2004. The competition is organized by the popular monthly children’s magazine, Bal Bharati for the children upto the age of 16 years. Earlier, limited for the children of Delhi, the competition assumed a national level status in 2008. In 2013, the competition received a record ten thousand entries from all over the country. Bal Bharati since it began its publication in 1948 has been providing valuable content to the children in an enjoyable format at extremely affordable price. It goes on to prove that the Publications Division is committed to provide quality content to enrich and inculcate values of humanism, enquiring and scientific temper among future generations of the country.

Background

Popular children’s magazine Bal Bharati is being published by Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting since 1948. Keeping in mind the interests of the children, the magazine has been organizing a number of competitions. In order to encourage their creative talent, essays are invited in the month of November coinciding with Children’s Day on different topics. The competition which started in 2004, limited to children from Delhi region up to class X only, became a National level competition from 2008, open for children in the age group of 10 to 16 years.

The competition which aims to test the originality and creativity of children saw a record number of ten thousand entries in 2013. In order to adjudge the winners a ten member selection committee consisting of renowned people from the world of children’s literature was constituted. This jury selected the first three winners besides ten for appreciation prize. The jury members were- Shri Ramesh Divik, Ms.Madhu Pant, Shri Suryanath Singh, Shri Devendra Kumar, Shri Shyam Sushil, Ms.Usha Sharma, Smt.Sunita, Ms.Masha, Smt.Vibha Joshi and Ms.Sushma Jugran.

The winners of first, second and third prize are awarded a prize money of Rs.5000/-, Rs.4000/- and Rs.3000/- respectively besides books. The appreciation prize winners are given books as awards.

The record number of entries in 2013, not only from Hindi speaking States but also from North East and Southern States show the immense popularity of the magazine Bal Bharati and the national level essay competition.