The three-day mega cultural festival of children Balrang 2013-14 came to a colourful close after spreading fragrance of entire India here on Friday.
Amidst display of group folk dance and Mini India Exhibition, the event was declared closed by School Education Minister Paras Jain. Tribal Welfare Minister Gyan Singh and Minister of State for School Education Deepak Joshi were also present. Paras Jain described Balrang as a powerful medium of expression for children. Apart from character-building, Balrang also introduces children to each other’s cultures and civilizations. It seems that entire India has come on a single platform. Indeed, Balrang is an event which links all States with each other. He extended congratulations and best wishes on behalf of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to children from all over India. Seeing large number of girls participating in the event, he said that education of girl leads to education of entire family.
Madhya Pradesh Government has chalked out a number of welfare schemes for girls. He informed that fundamental changes will soon be made in State’s school education. Jain also presented mementoes on behalf of Madhya Pradesh Government to representatives from various States.
Gyan Singh said that students are true carriers of culture. Describing Balrang as a great event, he said that cultures of different states are seen here at one place. Deepak Joshi said that India is known for its distinct arts and culture. He expected from students to carry Indian art and culture to the world level.
At the outset, Commissioner Public Instructions SK Pal informed that informed that 920 students from 10 divisions of the State participated in various State-level competitions during the 3-day Balrang. As many as 220 children from 11 States including Madhya Pradesh are participating in national folk-dance competition. In Mini India Exhibition, 2,800 students and teachers are putting on display of 28 State’s culture. As many as 24 exhibits have also been put up regarding vocational and science education in which 250 students are participating.
Meanwhile, 500 students participated in Bal Patra, Bal Nyayalay, Bal Police and Jungle Scout Camp. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalay’s Programme Coordinator Rakesh Bhatt delivered the welcome address. SK Pal distributed mementoes to guests. In the end, Paras Jain distributed prizes to students and various states for winning different competitions.
Paras Jain gave away Rs 51,000 first prize for group folk dance to Himachal Pradesh, Rs 31,000 second prize to Chhattisgarh and Rs 21,000 third prize to Madhya Pradesh. Rs 5,000 consolation prizes were given to Punjab, Gujarat and Chandigarh. For best exhibits in Mini India Exhibition, the first prize was given to Government Girls Higher Secondary College Sultania, Bhopal, second to Government Naveen Higher Secondary School, Chhola Road Bhopal and third prize was given to Government Higher Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar Bhopal.
In dance, the first prize was given to Government Higher Secondary School, Nishatpura, second to Government Naveen Higher Secondary School Bhaunri, and third prize was given to Government Higher Secondary School, Kotra Sultanabad. In craft, the first prize was given to Girls Government Higher Secondary School, Nehru Nagar, second to Women’s ITI Bhopal and third to Deepmal Bagrani Sanskar School, Bairagarh. Special prize for Jungle Camp was given to Bhopal Scout and Guide and Government Maharani laxmibai Girls Higher Secondary School, Barkhera, BHEl for best mobile lab.