The prizes to the winners of state level quiz competition of Kala Utsav/Science & Mathematics competition were distributed during a function organized by Samagra Shiksha (Secondary), Manipur at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society in Imphal on Monday.

Education minister Thokchom Radheshyam along with commissioner education (S) T Ranjit Singh, joint secretary L Nandakumar Singh of Education (S), ASPD (Samagra Shiksha, Secondary) and under secretary T Phulen Meitei of Education (S), ASPD Samagra Shiksha (Elementary) attended the prize distribution ceremony.

Congratulating and lauding the participants of the competitions held, education minister Radheshyam said the children of the State are very talented and are winning many competitions held at the national level.

He said according to NITI Ayog assessment, the State was ranked first in the small state category and fourth in the overall ranking.

He added that more emphasis needs to be given to the education sector with support from everyone towards providing the students the best opportunities and platforms.

Prizes were distributed to the winners of the competitions in the quiz category, Kala Utsav, and Science & Mathematics.

The eight students who ranked first in the state level Kala Utsav will represent the State at the national level.

In the four categories consisting of one boy and girl student each, Seigouman Khongsai, Eklavya Model Residential School, Kangpokpi and Tin Lamneng Nengboy Haokip, Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School, Imphal East were the winners in the painting category.

Andrew Tayenjam, C C Higher Secondary School, Imphal East and N Nganthoibi, T G Higher Secondary School, Imphal West were the winners in music.

In music (instrumental) Siammuanlal, Bukpi Govt High School, Pherzawl and Thokchom Sarda Chanu, T G Higher Secondary School, Imphal West were the winners and in the dance category W L Bengam, Chakpikarong Higher Secondary School,Chandel and Lukram Poonam Devi, Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School, Imphal East were declared the winners.

For quiz competition E K Higher Secondary School won the first place while second and third place were bagged by Royal Academy, Wangjing and C C Higher Secondary School, Imphal East.

In state level written Mathematics and Science Competition, Dinao Athokpam, North Eastern English School, Imphal East, Keisam Suraj Singh, Mother’s Pride Academy, Bishnupur and Ningombam Thoihenba Meetei, Leishemba Maheikol Kangla Chingarel Imphal East won the first, second and third place respectively.

Kala Utsav is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the secondary stage in the country.

In the context of education of Arts (Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Arts and Crafts), the initiative is guided by the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCF-2005).

The Kala Utsav was launched by the Prime Minister of India on September 4, 2015.