
The Kala (Art) Kuwait’s “NIRAM 2024” Children’s Day painting competition, in association with American Tourister, concluded with a grand prize distribution ceremony on Friday, 10th January 2024, at the Indian Community School in Khaithan.
The event, attended by community leaders, business personalities, school principals, art teachers, parents, and media representatives, celebrated the winners of the competition, which was held on 6th December 2024, marking the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India.
Mr. Mustafa Al-Mosawi, President of the Kuwait Transplant Society and Organ Transplant Center, inaugurated the event. In his inaugural speech, Mr. Al-Mosawi praised the winners for their exceptional artwork, which was displayed at the entrance, and commended the organizers for successfully hosting such a large-scale program.
The welcome speech was delivered by Mr. Aneesh Varghese, General Secretary of Kala (Art) Kuwait. The event was chaired by the Organization President Mr. Sivakumar P. K.
The NIRAM-2024 program report was presented by General Convener Mr. Rakesh P. D., while the judging assessment was briefed by NIRAM-2024 Judge Mr. Sasi Krishnan. The 20th Anniversary souvenir of “NIRAM” was launched by Mr. Habeeb, Marketing Head of American Tourister, who handed over the first copy to Mrs. Jyothi Sivakumar, NIRAM 2024 Souvenir Convener.
The Indian Community School Chairman, Sheikh Abdul Rahman, Goscore Learning Head of Sales, Jagak Kishore, and NIRAM Coordinator Mukesh V. P. also addressed the gathering, extending their greetings. The vote of thanks was proposed by Kala (Art) Joint Convener, Sisita Girish.
The program was further enriched by the presence of several dignitaries on the dais, including Dr. Farida, Organ Transplantation Consultant; NIRAM-2024 Judges Artist Sasi Krishnan, Artist Sunil Kulanada, Artist Hari Chengannur, and Artist Mukundan Palanimala; Mr. Harshal, Marketing Head of Malabar Gold; Arun Rajagopal from Hyperion Toys; ICSK Khaithan Principal Mr. Gangader Shirshad; ICSK Jr. Salmiya Principal Mrs. Sheeja; and Kala (Art) Kuwait office bearers, Mr. Sunil Kumar and Mr. Johnny kumar.
The panel of judges was honored by Kala (Art) Kuwait in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of arts. Kala (Art) Kuwait founding members Mr. Hassan Koya and Mr. Johnny Kumar were also honored at the event. The compering was performed by Mrs. Aneecha Shyjith and Ms. Namita Sivakumar. Prizes for all the group winners were presented by the dignitaries.
A total of 3,085 students from 28 Indian schools in Kuwait participated in the competition, which was divided into five groups. The prizes were distributed as follows: five 1st prizes for each group, eight 2nd prizes, nine 3rd prizes, 66 merit prizes, and 247 consolation prizes, totaling 335 prizes.
The first-place winners in each group received a gold coin and gold medal, second-place winners received a silver medal, and third-place winners received a bronze medal, along with a memento and certificate.
Merit and consolation prize winners received a trophy and certificate. All winners were also given an American Tourister-sponsored bag and a Hyperion Toys gift pack.
Kala (Art) Kuwait expressed its gratitude to all the participants, school managements, sponsors, Indian associations, Kuwait’s English dailies, web portals, and Malayalam media for their wholehearted support in making the event a grand success. The organization also thanked the parents and art teachers for their cooperation and support, as well as the management of Aspire Indian International School, Abbasiya, for their contributions.
The program was smoothly organized by the office bearers of Kala (Art) Kuwait, including Rijo, Vishnu, Sarath, Mustafa, Prince, Sonia, Shaijit, Kanakaraj, Anil, Santosh, Lijo, Girish, Ashraf, Jayesh, Pramod, Shalini, Prejeesh, Praveen, Rahul, Salim, Prabish, Rashmi, Shiny, Tirtha, Bindu, Jeeva, Shweta, Shimna, Nandika, Niyathi, Sanjana, Sayona, and others.
The Prize Winners are as follows:
Overall Championship:
- 1st Position- Indian Community School, Khaitan
- 2nd Position – Indian Community School, Salmiya
- 3rd Position- IES-Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Abbasiya
The C. Bhaskaran Memorial Trophy, a tribute to the late Mr. C. Bhaskaran, one of the founders and advisory board members of Kala (Art) Kuwait, was awarded to Indian Community School, Khaitan. The school had the highest number of students participating in the event.
Group-A:
- 1st Prize- Aashka Yashpal Poojari, 1st Std, IES-Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Abbasiya.
- 2nd Prize- Zayd Ibrahim Shaji, UKG, Indian Community School, Amman, and Mozhisikaran Dinakaran, 1st Std, Indian Community School, Khaitan.
- 3rd Prize- Prarthana Neeraj Pillai, 1st Std, Fahaheel Al-Watanieh Indian private School, Ahmadi and Elsa Rose Sebastian, 1st Std, United International Indian School (UIIS-New).
Group-B:
- 1st Prize- Anika Murathuvilakathu Ajish, 2nd Std., Indian School of Excellence.
- 2nd Prize- Sharvani Rohit Panchal, 3rd Std., Indian Community School, Salmiya and Ayisha Midha, 4th Std., Indian Community School, Khaitan.
- 3rd Prize- Advik Pradeepkumar, 4th Std., New Gulf Indian School, Mahboula and Dhyan Krishna, 3rd Std., Smart Indian School, Kuwait.
Group-C:
- 1st Prize- Dimple Khatri, 7th Std., IES-Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Abbassiya.
- 2nd Prize- Kaavya Ashutosh Panchal, 6th Std., Indian School of Excellence.
- 3rd Prize- Sachin Kolanchi, 7th Std., Indian Community School, Salmiya and Daniel Sanju Paul, 7th Std., Indian Community School, Salmiya.
Group-D:
- 1st Prize– Gauri Krishna Ginu, 8th Std., Indian Community School, Amman.
- 2nd Prize- Tiara D’cruz, 12th Std., Indian Community School, Khaitan and Jessica Mary Dias, 12th Std., Learners Own Academy, Abbassiya.
- 3rd Prize- Keziah Thomas, 9th Std., Indian Community School, Khaitan.
Clay Sculpture:
- 1st Prize- Onega William, 12th Std., Indian Community School, Salmiya.
- 2nd Prize- Jalaluddeen Akbar, 10th Std., IES-Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Abbassiya.
- 3rd Prize- Akshay Rajesh, 10th Std., Indian Community School, Amman and Angela Anilson, 9th Std., Learners Own Academy, Abbassiya.
Open Canvas (for Parents & Guests):
- 1st Prize- Mrs. Anwesha Biswas
- 2nd Prize- Mrs. Mashida Manaf
- 3rd Prize- Mrs. Deepa Praveen Kumar
The Special Mentioned Award, in honor of the late Mr. M. V. John, a respected judge of the Niram Judging Committee until 2022, was presented to Mrs. Badarunnisa Muhammed.