10,000 children take part in state-level painting competition

The Navchetna Bal Bhalai Committee organised Udaan 2025, a state-level painting competition to nurture creativity and imagination among children. This year saw record participation, with over 10,000 students from more than 40 schools across Punjab taking part.

The event encouraged young learners to express their dreams, ideas and awareness of social issues through art. A prize distribution ceremony was held at Bachat Bhawan under the leadership of president Sukhdir Singh Sekhon and general secretary Surinder Singh Kang. Over 50 winning students received prizes worth more than Rs 1 lakh.

Chief guests Mohammad Usman Ludhianvi, Shahi Imam of Punjab, and District Education Officer Ravinder Kaur praised the initiative. They noted that students, across four categories, created remarkable paintings to spread awareness about drug abuse, female foeticide, child labour and environmental conservation. The Shahi Imam lauded Navchetna’s work, remarking that connecting over 10,000 students with the campaign was “highly commendable” and stressed that “society must rise above caste and religion, unite against the menace of drugs and contribute positively to the community.”

“With such overwhelming participation, Navchetna reaffirms its commitment to empowering young minds and promoting art as a powerful medium of growth and change,” said Sukhdir Sekhon.

The winners included Yashvi, Ravnur, Hargun Kaur and Manpreet Kaur, who were each awarded bicycles. Second prize winners Ananya, Simardeep Kaur, Parmeet Kaur and Saniya received cash awards of Rs 3,100 each. Third prize and consolation prize winners were also honoured with cash rewards.

Ludhiana