Students of St Anthony’s display their model at Loreto Convent in Ranchi on Thursday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Five Senegalese teachers witnessed the prowess of Ranchi schoolgoers at eco-friendly model making and rangoli competitions organised at Loreto Convent on Thursday.

The five-member delegation is in the state capital as part of a teachers’ exchange programme organised under the aegis of United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The twin contests, which saw participation from students of 10 Ranchi schools, were organised as part of the same endeavour. A member of the Senegalese delegation, Adiara Diagne Sy was one of the judges for the contests.

Among the schools that took part were Loreto Convent, Doranda; St Xavier’s School, Doranda; Sacred Heart School, Hulhundu; Bishop Westcott Boys’ School, Namkum; Bishop Westcott Girls’ School, Namkum; St Anthony’s School, Doranda; Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali; Bishop Westcott Girls’ School, Doranda; Bishop School, Bahubazar; and Delhi Public School.

Using illustrative models, students highlighted the dangers faced by the environment and ways to combat them.

While some advocated the use of alternative sources of energy and recycling of resources, others underlined the benefits of waste management and water harvesting. Some models advocated pollution control by encouraging cycling.

The team comprising Jhanvi Modi and Shruti Priya of St. Anthony’s School was adjudged winner of the competition. While Diksha Lath and Urja Brijeswar of Bishop Westcott Girls’ School, Dornada, won the second prize, Anushree Raipat and Sneha Banka of Loreto Convent came third.

“We had used only bio-degradable materials in making our model,” beamed Diksha.

The rangoli competitions saw students make ornamental designs. Besides showcasing their creativity, the contest also provided the Senegalese delegation with an insight into Indian culture.

While Delhi Public School bagged the first spot, the second and third prizes went to Bishop Westcott Girls’ School, Doranda, and St Xavier’s School, respectively.

Daniele Sexton, a Frenchwoman visiting Ranchi to evaluate the teachers’ exchange programme, was also present.