Sikkim: Creative Arts & Writing Competition empowers girls under BBBP initiative in Gangtok

In a bid to encourage young girls in education and self-expression, the Women & Child Development Department, Gangtok District, organized a Creative Arts and Creative Writing Competition at Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School, Deorali, Gangtok. The event was conducted under the direction of Mr. Tushar Nikhare (IAS), District Collector, Gangtok District, and spearheaded by Ms. Manikala Gurung, Social Welfare Officer, along with her dedicated team of DHEW staff.

A total of nine schools from Gangtok Rural District participated, each represented by three girl students and a teacher. The schools included Dikchu Senior Secondary School, Lingdok Senior Secondary School, Samdong Senior Secondary School, Makha Senior Secondary School, Ranka Senior Secondary School, Rumtek Senior Secondary School, Sang Senior Secondary School, Sonamati Memorial Senior Secondary School, and Pabyuik Senior Secondary School.

Ms. Manikala Gurung inaugurated the event with a welcome speech, expressing gratitude to Ms. Anita Kaphley, Principal of Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School, and acknowledging the enthusiastic participation of students and teachers. She emphasized the significance of education in empowering young girls and building their confidence for a bright future.

The competition was structured into three main categories: Creative Writing, Oral Expression, and Painting & Sketches. Each segment aimed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and confidence among the students.

Students showcased their literary prowess through short stories, poetry, and picture prompts. Short story topics included If I Were a Rape Survivor, A Father’s Realization, The Sky Isn’t the Limit, and Breaking Free: Fight Against Drug Addiction. Poetry themes ranged from My Unfulfilled Dream to Her Wings to Fly. A picture prompt category challenged students to interpret displayed posters and create a narrative of up to 1000 words.

Participants engaged in speech and storytelling activities on thought-provoking topics such as Motherhood, Redefining Beauty, Rise from the Ashes, and The Weight of Silence. Each student was given a brief preparation time before delivering their speech within ten minutes, judged on content, clarity, and engagement.

In this segment, students visually represented themes such as Educate a Girl, Empower a Nation, Breaking the Chains of Gender Discrimination, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and The Power of a Pen. They were assessed on creativity, originality, artistic skill, and thematic relevance.

A panel of esteemed judges, including Ms. Sova Rai, Ms. Bhawana Gurung, Ms. Dawa Lhamu Bhutia, and Ms. Rohika Ramudamu, evaluated the participants based on their content, expression, delivery, and overall impact.

The competition was an interactive and spirited event, aligning seamlessly with the objectives of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative. Winners will be officially announced and felicitated at the upcoming Sikkim Got Talent & the 10th Anniversary Celebration of BBBP, a Gangtok District Level Program organized in collaboration with DAC Gangtok.