Felicitating winners of Kala Utsav-2015, Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani in New Delhi today said that all students should have ‘One Aim, One Life, under One constitution and the one Nation’. Expressing her sincere thanks to the Prime Minister she said that Hon’ble Prime Minister had dedicated ‘Kala Utsav’ to nation with a vision of promoting national integration and preserving our cultural heritage by associating the students of country with Kala Utsav. She also extended thanks to all teachers, parents and state governments who inspired and motivated students to participate in ‘Kala Utsav’. She reiterated her earlier call to participants that they would go back with spirit of cooperation and brotherhood although they came here with a competitive spirit.
The Union Minister expressed her confidence that India can prove its leadership on the global front in the field of cultural heritage as it has established its supremacy in science and technology as well. She saluted all the jury members who in their own right are experts in the field of art and culture. She said that Kala Utsav provides a national platform to express artistic talents to those who until now lagged behind because of non-availability of any such platform despite having necessary talents. Paying homage to Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar whose death anniversary coincides today she said that dedication to arts with the feeling of national integration as has been displayed during Kala Utsav will be a true tribute to him. Nobel Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi felicitating participants said that if the power of art, artists and children of the nation comes together, India’s daughters will not only be saved and educated, but won’t be behind any other daughter in the world. Kala Utsav - 2015 was founded upon theme of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’.
Famous Dance exponent Smt Sonal Mansingh on this occasion said that one should not compromise with one’s self respect while facing challenges of life and should channelize all the creative energy to achieve one aim in a life. The Minister gave away national prizes for ‘Kala Utsav-2015’ in four categories – Visual arts, Music, Theatre and dance. Under Visual arts category 1st prize was bagged by Andman and Nicobar Islands, 2nd Prize jointly by Delhi and Haryana, and 3rd prize by Tamil Nadu. Under Music category 1st prize was won by Delhi 2nd by Chattisgarh, and 3rd prize jointly by Assam and Maharashtra. Under Theatre category, 1st prize was bagged by Haryana, 2nd by Assam and 3rd by Maharashtra. Under Dance category 1st prize was taken by Assam, 2nd by Dadra Nagar Haveli and 3rd by Karnataka. First prize, Second prize and Third prize carry cash component of Rs. 1,25,000/- , Rs. 75,000/- , Rs. 50,000/- respectively for each of the above mentioned categories.Ms. Stuti Singh Parihar, from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh was given prize for national level logo design