Ranchi, Feb. 1: Pinki Kumari, a student of Class X of Vivekananda Vidya Mandir (VVM), bagged the third prize at the All-India Elocution competition held at Ramakrishna Mission Institute, Calcutta, on December 6.

She was felicitated for her achievement on Tuesday, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

An elated Pinki said, ?More than 150 students from all over the country competed for the all-India elocution competition. I was feeling nervous. But my teachers and parents, who had accompanied me, encouraged me and I succeeded in bagging the third prize.?

This was her first elocution competition outside the state and she was happy to have bagged a prize.

The chant of Vedic mantras by students of Class VII and VIII filled the air at the glittering ceremony on Tuesday.

Chief guest on the occasion, Development Commissioner, Government of Jharkhand, M.K. Mandal said Swami Vivekananda?s ideals should be implemented by students.

?The school is playing pivotal role in imparting moral values to students based on Swamiji?s principles. It would go long way in building a strong foundation in a student?s life from early stage, which would also help them to become good citizens,? he added.

Quoting Vivekanand, school principal A.K. Mishra said, ?Rise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached. The main motto of a student should be character building and development of the nation. After acquiring education, they should try to bring the country on par with the developed nation of the world.?

Medical officer T.B. Sanitorium and Tupudana Swami Satyesha Nanda Maharaj were also present.