Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with the winners of the painting competition. Others in the picture include State Election Commissioner Daulat Hawaldar, Director of Education Shailesh Zingade, Regional Manager of Bank of Maharashtra Anand Dingankar, Th
Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday advised parents to give sufficient time to their children to develop their artistic qualities, while also finding out hidden talents in their children and encouraging them to pursue careers in those fields.
He was addressing a function organised by the ‘Huppa Huiya’ children’s section of the ‘Goan Varta’ at the Institute Menezes Braganza auditorium in Panaji, to distribute prizes to winners of the painting competition organised for students of Std 1 to 4.
“Parents are not able to pay attention to their children due to their jobs or business. Children who are preoccupied in mobile phones and TV will find it difficult to be different. Children should be encouraged to participate in different competitions and parents should give enough time to their children to develop their artistic qualities,” said Sawant.
“Small children are like balls of clay. Just as a potter shapes it properly and makes beautiful pots, parents should also shape their children.”
Others present on the occasion included State Election Commissioner Daulat Hawaldar, Director of Education Shailesh Zingade, Regional Manager of Bank of Maharashtra Anand Dingankar, ‘The Goan’ Editor Joel Afonso and ‘Goan Varta’ Editor Pandurang Gaonkar.
The chief minister further stated that the ‘Goan Varta’ and Bank of Maharashtra, which supported the contest, both deserve praise for organising the painting competition with the aim of encouraging artistic qualities among children.
State Election Commissioner Daulat Hawaldar said there is a declining interest in art among the youth. “International-level festivals like IFFI and Serendipity are organised in Goa. We should participate in these festivals and study the art of the best artists. This view that art should be cultivated only as a hobby or in our spare time should be changed. Art also has the power to make a career,” said Hawaldar.
The first prize of Rs 10,000 at the competition was won by Viraj Jadhav of G S Amonkar Vidyamandir, while the second prize of Rs 7,000 was bagged by Neeraj Patil of Government Primary School in Shirwai-Quepem. The third prize of Rs 5,000 was awarded by Avni Naik of Vidya Bhuvan Konkani School in Margao.
Besides, one student from each of the 12 talukas, as well as three students recommended by the judges, were awarded prizes.
The judges at the competition, Radhima Jogle, Vrushali Mehta and Narayan Pissurlenkar, as well as Sneha Sutar, who was involved in the ‘Huppa Huiya’ issue, were felicitated by the chief minister.
The programme was hosted by ‘Goan Varta’ News Editor Sachin Khutwalkar and Chief Correspondent Siddharth Kamble.
