Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 19: Under the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, as part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), the Department of Culture, through J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (AACL) and Directorate of School Education Jammu, conducted a series of singing, dancing, and visual art (painting/drawing) competitions across Jammu Division.
The Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (AACL), under the guidance of Zubair Ahmad, Commissioner Secretary (Department of Culture), and Bharat Singh, Secretary (AACL), has successfully culminated the grand finale of the AKAM competition at AACL’s premise in Jammu.
Chronologically, the competitions were held at school, zonal, and district levels before finally pinnacling at the divisional level. The key thematic areas for the competition were: Patriotism, Cleanliness, Plantation, Peace, Truth & Nonviolence, and Indian Culture.
From Rajouri district, Bhoomi Manhas of H.S. Sakri won the singing competition; Nishika Sasan of Bharat Public School, Sunderbani, won the dance competition; and Sahiba Talib from Modern Educational Institute H.S.S. Dhangri won the painting competition.
From the Udhampur district, Anju Devi of M.S. Thildu won the singing competition, Sona Malhotra of G.M.S. Bashorian won the dance competition, and Tanya Devi from G.M.S. Nagrota won the painting competition.
From the Jammu district, Varun Bhagat of Jammu Sanskriti School won the singing competition, Radhika Sharma of G.P.S. Thathrian won the dance competition, and Tanvi from G.M.S. Chak Bana won the painting competition.
From the Reasi district, Priyanka Devi of P.S. Dharmandhar won the singing competition, Anu Devi of G.M.S. Sunarian won the dance competition, and Ankit from M.S.D.I.E.T. won the painting competition.
From the Kathua district, Pardeep Faklou of P.S. Sandar won the singing competition, Akshara Bhagat of M.S. Chanjal won the dance competition, and Aashvi Singh from Spring Dales English School won the painting competition.
From the Samba district, Vashu Sharma of P.S. Jasath won the singing competition, Lavanya Singh of U.P.S. Nonath won the dance competition, and Meensha Kushwa from G.P.S. Kour Slarian won the painting competition.
From the Poonch district, Ehshal Asif Manhas of Illahia Public School won the singing competition, Shukriti Sharma of Nanak Academy Purani Poonch won the dance competition, and Aliya Farook from Bagdadia Institute won the painting competition.
From the Ramban district, Asiya Aiyaz of H.S. Sumber won the singing competition, Atiya Wani of G.M.S. Maitra won the dance competition, and Aliya Fatima from G.P.S. Chander Kote won the painting competition.
From the Doda district, Divya Sharma of Government U.P.S. Sisool won the singing competition, Manveer Kotwal of Government P.S. Delha Galli won the dance competition, and Nikhil Sharma from N.P.S. Bari won the painting competition.
From the Kishtwar district, Samridhi Sen of S.D.M. Public Kishtwar won the singing competition, Taveshi Anand of Kidzee Goodwill Kishtwar won the dance competition, and Arika Fatima from Iqra International School won the painting competition.
All the district-level winners from their respective categories competed for the “winner” and the “runner-up” positions in the grand finale at Jammu.
In the singing category, Samridhi Sen of S.D.M. Public Kishtwar stood as a winner, and Ehshal Asif Manhas of Illahia Public School, Poonch, was declared the runner-up.
In the dance category, Taveshi Anand of Kidzee Goodwill Kishtwar stood as the winner, and Manveer Kotwal of Government P.S. Delha Galli, Doda, was declared the runner-up.
In the painting category, Aashvi Singh from Spring Dales English School, Kathua, stood as the winner, and Ankit from M.S.D.I.E.T. Reasi was declared the runner-up.
At the grand finale, the jury for the singing competition included Mrs Sunaina Jaad, Mr Sunil Raina, and Mr Bahadur Singh; for the dance competition, the jury comprised of Ravi Sharma, Mrs Bhavna Sharma, and Anuradha Seth; and Rohit Verma, Rakesh Sharma, Mr Ankush Kesar for the painting competition.
Three winners from three categories at the Divisional Level grand finale shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 20,000/- each, and similarly three runner-ups shall get a cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- each. Likewise, at District level competitions, in every district, three winners from three categories shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 5000/- each, while three first-runner-ups shall get a cash prize of Rs. 3000/- each, and three second-runner-ups shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 1000/- each.
During the concluding ceremony, Sanjeev Rana, Additional Secretary (c) (AACL), addressed the audience and motivated all the talented young individuals to keep honing their skills and become a better version of themselves each day. Before the address, Shahnawaz Chaudhary, Editor (G) cum Cultural Officer at AACL, thanked the audience, officials, and officers involved in the successful culmination of the event.
J&K AACL’s and Department of Culture’s efforts in promoting young talent via such competitions are receiving laud from the art and culture connoisseurs of the region.
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