JAMMU, NOVEMBER 16: The team of Jammu & Kashmir has bagged 3rd position under Folk Song Category at the 18th International Anjali Festival held at Orissa.
Anjali Festival is organised annually by Swabhiman Charitable Trust at Odisha wherein children from across the world participate and compete under different categories. Special focus is given to Children with Special Needs but the competitions are done in inclusive mode thereby involving non-CWSN. This year, the theme of Anjali Festival was ‘Imagination’. Thousands of children participated in this event this year representing different states and countries. The students of J&K who participated in the programme included Rahul Kumar, Paras Jalotra, Rohit Bhagat, Sakshi Choudhary, Manvi Sharma, Mohinder Singh, Prince Kounal Shubam Bhaskar, Zahid Manzoor, Shahid Ayoob and Basit Raina.
Inclusive Education is one of the components under Directorate of Samagra Shiksha in which various schemes are being implemented for the benefit of Children with Special Needs. Under this scheme, a team of students was prepared which participated at Anjali Festival and brought laurels for the UT and country as well. A dedicated team of Special Educators did rigorous rehearsals for days together and prepared the children to participate in various events. The contingent proceeded to Odisha on 13th of November and shall return back on 19th of November after culmination of the event. The children were jubilant to participate in this event and for some of them, it was a first experience to travel out of their homeland. Such exposure to theses children boosts their courage and inculcates the sense of progressiveness in their lives.
Commissioner/Secretary School Education, Sarita Chauhan congratulated the entire team for participating in the event and clinching of top position at International Level Competition. She revealed that despite belonging to remote areas, these children have still managed to compete at this highest level which clearly depicts that there is huge hidden talent in our UT which needs to be explored and flourished.
Later, Dr. Arun Manhas-State Project Director Samagra Shiksha through his official tweet offered his wishes to the team members and their mentors. Dr. Manhas told that this was a milestone achieved by the department and credit totally goes to the young children who were able to do that.
