Empowering her

SAI International celebrated International Women's Day on March 12 by holding a special assembly. They presented a skit on the multi-faceted role of a woman. The skit presented by the students vindicated the role of women in today's society. Carolyn Danckaert and Aaron Smith, US Consulates and co-founders of an initiative called 'A Mighty Girl' were the special guests on the occasion. Danckaert in her address to the assembly gave an insight into her initiative, which is actively involved in girl education and empowerment. She shared the stories of strong advocates such as Malala Yousafzai who brought tremendous change in the way the world looks at girl education. To young girls she said: "Pursue your education, pursue your dreams and think what you can do for yourself and your community." The guests also conducted workshops on women and girl empowerment. They also inspired the students to be advocates of change and work towards right to education for all.

Celebrating safe Holi

To promote safe Holi, students of DAV, Chandrasekharpur, celebrated the festival with herbal colours. They got together to put colours on each other a day before the festival. A number of cultural programmes, including dance and musical performances, were also organised. The teachers and other staff of the schools also joined them.

Students of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), however, enjoyed a special Holi with Ollywood stars. On this occasion, students from various universities in Japan performed and entertained the students. Veteran music director and singer Padmashree Prafulla Kar, Laxmikant Palit, Bidyutprava Palit, Santilata Barik, Sangeeta Gosain, Subash Das, directors Basanta Sahoo, Jugal Debata, Bapu Lenka, music director Prasanta Padhi, lyricists Arun Mantri, Rajani Ranjan, veteran Ollywood actor Uttam Mohanty, actors Sabyasachi, Bulu, Hadu, Debu Brahma, Banamali Pandia, Guddu, Snigdha Mohanty, Archita, Pinky Pradhan, Jina Samal, Gungun, Akankhya, Niki, Aryan, Priyanshi, Swaraj, Dillip Hali, Pradosh Pattnaik, Gyana Hota, Bijaya Malla, Dillip Shrichandan were present on the occasion.

Bhasha Divas with teachers

The teachers of DAV Public School, Pokhariput, joined hands on March 11 to celebrate Odia Bhasha Divas. Throughout the day, they communicated in Odia and took a pledge to do their best to promote their mother tongue. While music teacher Santosh Kumar Kar recited a song written on the richness of the language, principal Sujata spoke about nationalist leaders who worked hard to make Odisha the state in the country formed on the basis of linguistic considerations. She also announced an annual work plan for the school to promote the language in the coming session. She asked the teachers to be ready with a script of a drama on the theme in which they would participate. Quiz, debate and collage art competition would also be held for the teachers.

Trip to Science Park

Children of the Shining Stars Play School recently visited the Science Park in the city. They were exposed to a number of science experiments and also got an opportunity to watch stars and galaxies closely at a Taramandal show. The students enjoyed 3D films and took part in dancing and drawing competitions held on the park premises. The school is also focusing on engaging the students in extracurricular activities. Therefore, lessons on karate and chess will be imparted to the students every weekend from the first week of April.

State students shine at art contest

Two students from Odisha won prizes at the international-level Camel Art Contest that is in its 41st edition this year. Pallavi Sethi from DPS, Rourkela, won the award in the Group E (Class 7,8,9) category. This year, a new section of awards called the 'Online Awards' was introduced. Here students from across the globe could post their paintings online. The winners in this category were selected through voting. One of the winners in this category was Binita Biswajeeta from Balasore, Odisha. The other winner is Krishaa Deetya Motycka from the US. Renowned film actor and theatre personality Om Puri handed over the awards to the children at a function held at The Orchid Hotel, Mumbai.