Civic problems was the theme of an inter-school competition organised by one school, while another held a rangoli and gharonda-making competition this festive season. Faryal Rumi reports

Event: Inter-School PowerPoint presentation competition

Duration: Two hours

Special attraction: Seven schools, including St Karen's High School,

Infant Jesus Academy, International School, Delhi Public School,

St Xavier's High School and St Dominic Savio's High School took part in an inter-school PowerPoint presentation competition hosted by St Michael's High School. The school principal, Peter Arockiasamy, said: "The main objective of the programme is to create awareness about the environment and to nurture nature for a better future." The problems of improper road conditions, waste disposal, increasing number of stray dogs and many such problems, their remedial ways, suggestions and views were discussed through the presentations. The host school bagged the first prize while St Karen's High School finished second.

Event: Rangoli and gharonda-making competition

Duration: Three hours

Special attraction: Nearly 1,000 students participated in a rangoli and gharonda-making competition organised by the school on its premises. Students made different types of gharondas along with various patterns of rangoli, which they had decorated with colourful diyas. The president of Private Schools and Children Welfare Association, Shamael Ahmed, was the chief guest of the event. He lauded the students' efforts and said it was good to see that the students took an equal interest in co-curricular activities apart from academics. Saif Alam, Ishaan, Nazreena, Milli, Eram and Nagma bagged prizes in the rangoli-making competition while Rohit, Aamir Hamza and Bhumika Rai were rewarded for their outstanding efforts in the gharonda-making competition.