Jammu (NVI): Students from Jammu & Kashmir bagged third position in the folk song category at the 18th Anjali International Festival held at Odisha.
Students participated in the event were Rahul Kumar, Paras Jalotra, Rohit Bhagat, Sakshi Choudhary, Manvi Sharma, Mohinder Singh, Prince Kounal Shubam Bhaskar, Zahid Manzoor, Shahid Ayoob and Basit Raina.
Anjali Festival is organised every year by the ‘Swabhiman Charitable Trust’ in Odisha, where children from across the world participate and compete under different categories.
Special focus is given to Children with Special Needs (CWSN), but the competitions are done in inclusive mode thereby involving non-CWSN, a statement said.
This year, the theme of the festival was ‘Imagination’. Thousands of children participated in this years’ event from across the globe.
Inclusive education is one of the components under the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha in which several schemes are implemented for the benefit of Children with Special Needs.
Under this scheme, a team was prepared which participated at the Anjali Festival and brought laurels to the Union Territory 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 November 13 and will return on 19th after culmination of the event.
There were many students who got an opportunity to travel out of their homeland for the first time.
Commissioner, Secretary School Education, Sarita Chauhan congratulated the entire team for clinching the top position at an international level competition.
She said that despite coming from remote areas, these children have still managed to compete at this highest level, which clearly depicts that there is huge talent in the UT which needs to be explored and flourished.
Meanwhile, State Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Dr Arun Manhas through tweet offered his wishes to the team members and their mentors.
