The Big Link: Society-school concept finds slot in Kala Utsav

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 10

For the first, a state-level competition ‘Kala Utsav’ was organized by the Nagaland Education Mission Society, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), on Tuesday in the Multi-Purpose Hall of Rüzhükhrie Government Higher Secondary School in Kohima town.
Kala Utsav is an initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) this year to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the secondary stage in the country. Students can show their talent in the field of theatre, music, dance and visual art.
It has been observed that cultural values are deteriorating due to over-emphasis on certain school subjects and disconnect from our cultural roots. Thus, Kala Utsav is an initiative to bridge this gap and establish a connection between society and schools. This year programme was held all over the country on the theme ‘Beti Bacchao Beti padhao’.
Gracing the programme, Commissioner & Secretary, School Education & SCERT who is also the chairman of Kala Utsav State Level Committee said education is an all round development of a person, which does not only emphasize or confine to the given prescribed syllabus.
Stressing on the important of preserving our rich Naga cultures and traditions, Solo said ‘Nagas are known by our unique cultures and distinct traditions’ and therefore urging the participants; he said it is the duty and responsibility of everyone to continue to preserve the same, so that it is not lost.
Giving a brief highlight on the program, the Commissioner and Secretary maintained that with the introduction of Kala Utsav, we will get more ideas and greater scope to revive the dying arts and cultures through music, paintings, folk songs, folk dances etc. he also said through this platform the talents of the young students can be molded, and thereby they can be the ambassadors in promoting Nagas cultures, customs and traditions to the world.
Participants from all the districts of the state took part in the competition in the various categories. In the music category TM Government Higher Secondary School Kohima was adjudged the winner; Government Higher Secondary School, Dimapur in the theatre category; Rüzhükhrie Government Higher Secondary School, Kohima and Government High School, Mokokchung were declared as first and second in Visual Art while Government Middle School, DC Colony Peren and Government High School, Bhumnyu Longleng were declared as first and second in the folk dance category.
The selected participants will be representing the state at the National Level to be held from December 8-10 at National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi while the award function will be held at Siri Fort Auditorium on December 11.
The celebration of arts (with award winning entries at National level) in the Central Park (Connaught Place) will be organized on December 12 for the general public. It is informed that to and fro journey will be expensed by the SCERT for all the participants.