The twinkling eyes, mischievous smiles and cute antics of 250-odd kids brightened up a rather dull Sunday as a baby show was organised at Star Kids, Bhubaneswar, recently. Children aged between six months and five years took part in the event, which was a mix of fancy dress parade, talent contests, fun games and dance. Dolled up in colourful and interesting attires, most kids hopped to the game zone as a party joker amused them with various magic tricks. Some others flaunted their singing and dancing skills. The event concluded with a prize-giving function for “best smile”, “healthy baby”, “friendly baby” and other categories. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Honour & responsibility

Sainik School, Bhubaneswar, conducted its annual investiture ceremony last week, in which students were given appointments to look after the various affairs of the school, including games, cultural events, mess, assembly and other responsibilities. Minister for school and mass education Pratap Jena, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the school ranked seventh among 24 Sainik Schools in the country, said the state government had demarcated 100 acres in Sambalpur for a second Sainik School in the state.

Author’s stamp

Book lovers got their copy of Hip-Hop Boys and Other Poems by Ruskin Bond signed by the author himself, who was in the capital in the end of June. The special book-signing session had been organised by the KIIT International School and Oxford Bookstore where Bond shared his literary experience of over five decades. His new anthology was released in the second week of June and revolves around hip-hop children, who dance to the rhythm of rain, exploring nature as their platform.

Scholarships

Ten students from Mother’s Public School, Bhubaneswar, have been selected for scholarship awards for their higher education under the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (Inspire) programme of the Union science and technology ministry. They will receive an annual boost of Rs 80,000 for their three years of graduation in science. The school also held its investiture function, in which students were appointed for the school council and conferred with their respective badges and sashes.

Foreign tour

A group of 18 students from Sai International School, Bhubaneswar, went on a 10-day tour to the UK as part of the Global School Partnership Programme of the British Council last month. They were hosted by the students of Chosen Hill School in Gloucester — Sai International’s partner institution in the UK — where they got the opportunity to learn their culture and traditions. They also went sightseeing. The group was taken to various places, including the Gloucester Cathedral (the location of Harry Potter films), Stratford University, Oxford University and the city of Bath. The UK students will visit Bhubaneswar in October.