Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ajay Nanda today stressed on the need to develop spirit of competition among the youth through motivation and encouragement. “The motivation will come from giving awards and prizes to students instead of punitive action which weakens their morale” the Minister said here at a function organized by Shri Madhav Lal Nanda Memorial Trust Reasi to mark the birth anniversary of late Madhav Lal Nanda, a renowned social worker of the district. On the occasion, the Minister and other guests including Parshotam Ditiji presented certificates of appreciation and mementos to 18 meritorious students of various education institutions of the district. Akriti Atri was presented a gold medal and a cash prize of Rs 5000 was for securing IV position in class 10th at province level.The Minister said the trust has been felicitating and awarding the meritorious students of the district since 2003 when it came into existence. He said the trust was established with the motive of encouraging bright students of the district. The Minister further said that the trust aims to inculcate a sense of healthy competition among the students. He assured to strengthen the functioning and scope of trust in future. The students felicitated on the occasion were Shatakshi Sharma, Sukriti Suri, Sunali Sharma, Vanshika Rajput and Suhani Dubey of class 8th, Akansha, Shubam and Sakhsi of class 9th, Akriti, Prerna, Akriti Abrol and Lakshay of class 10th, Vanshika Menia, Shtakshi and Sugandha of class 12th and Aditi, Sonam and Shahbaz of Degree College Reasi. Also present on the occasion were ACD M.Y Malik, CEO B.S. Jaral, XEN Thakur Dass, XEN R&B, DYSP principals of various institutions and local people.