Patna, Nov. 10: St Michael’s High School was abuzz with activities today as more than 600 students of the institution took part in a peace poster-making contest. Students of classes IV to VII used their crayons and watercolours to spread the message of “Children know peace”.
Ten-year-old Ayush Anand of Class V portrayed a united front with flags of different countries painted around a globe. While Ayush went the simple way to convey his point, Class VII student Nikhil Raj depicted children atop a globe with umbrellas in their hands. The message: “The only thing a newborn knows is peace” accompanied Nikhil’s creation. “Children are innocent and peace loving. So, in this world, where we find corruption everywhere, children bring back innocence to society,” said 12-year-old Nikhil.
Another Class VII student, Shumaila Yasmeen depicted the unity of religions in her creation. The poster had a mosque, temple, church and a gurdwara. “Our country is an example of unity in diversity. Through my painting, I want to send a message of peace to the people of all communities in the country.”
The organisers of the contest, Lions Club of Patliputra Adarsh, held the event in various schools of Patna on the behalf of Lions Club International. The winning entries from each school will be sent for a district-level contest and then to the international event in New York, USA. The winner there would receive US$500 for his/her creation.
Manish Kumar Banetia, the president of Lions Club of Patliputra Adarsh, was present at St Michael’s High School for the one-and-a-half-hour event today. He said: “This contest is organised by Lions Club International every year. The student who would be selected for the international-level contest would also be given a free air ticket to New York. Free tickets would also be given to the parents and the sponsor Lions Club.”
While children spread peace messages, a painting exhibition of B.N. Choudhury was organised at BN Bariar Art Gallery at Ashiana Tower on Exhibition Road. The first exhibition after the launch of the gallery will continue till November 14.
Choudhury, an amateur artist and an ophthalmologist by profession, has put on display 33 oil paintings, including beautiful landscapes and portraits.
