WWF-India, Kangchendzonga Landscape Programme celebrated World Water Day, 2011 in collaboration with State Institute of Rural Development, Jorethang with schools from all the four districts on 22nd March, 2011. The event included exciting contests, exhibitions, film shows and demonstration of water quality testing, and was based around the central theme of water, in which the students participated with great zeal and enthusiasm.
A total of 13 schools, seven from North and East District and six from West and South District were invited to the SIRD campus in Jorethang where the program started from 10.30 in the morning with an introduction to the day’s events and importance of World Water Day. Mr. Madan Cintury, concerned area MLA was the Chief Guest for the day and the programme was also attended by Mr. P.N. Tamang, Director, SIRD with Mr. H.K.Sharma, Additional Director, SIRD, Mr. Udai Gurung, DFO (Territorial) South and Mr. Bishal Rai – Joint Director SIRD amongst other officials. In his inaugural speech Mr. Tamang spoke briefly about the importance of World Water Day and its background.
A poster contest on the theme – ‘Devithans – a dying tradition?’ was the first event of the day in which students came armed with information collected on the springs of their area and presented them in the form of creative posters. It was thoroughly appreciated by the guest and judges who liked the efforts the students had put in the posters and their enthusiastic explanations. Students had also brought water samples from these springs, and a demonstration on water quality testing was also conducted by SIRD staff, based on both logical and chemical analysis in their laboratory formed under Communication and Capacity Development Unit. The students of Geyzing Girls’ S.S. School bagged the winner’s prize in this category with Rumtek School taking the runners up position.
This was followed by a song contest, based on water, which was judged on the basis of performance and the message it imparted. The lively songs that were all written by the students with music arranged by their teachers had the audience swinging to their beats. Though all the participating schools had given good performance, the girls from PNG School left the crowd enthralled by their song written by Yeshi Lhamu Bhutia, taking the winners prize, which was followed by Tadong SS School in second position performing a song written by Jharna Kaur.
After this the radio play performances by the schools were thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by the audience, where the students from various schools gave their best to send strong messages of conservation to the audience. Interesting radio plays were presented by the schools of Phodong, Yuksam, Soreng, Kabi and Namchi Girls School. However the winners position went to Yuksam Secondary School followed by Soreng SS School.
The last competition of the day was ‘Quiz H2O”- a quiz contest which was based entirely on the theme of water. Out of the 13 teams competing in the preliminary round, 4 teams from Tadong School, Rumtek, TNA and Soreng SS School qualified and went to participate in the final rounds out of which the team from Soreng SS School emerged as clear winners, followed by Tashi Namgyal Academy.
Apart from the contests, a short film titled ‘Teesta, The story of a river’ was also screened at the programme. A poster exhibition on the different beautiful high altitude wetlands in the state was also showcased by WWF. Two educational posters related to the interesting birds and animals of high altitude wetlands published by WWF and FEWMD was also released during the occasion by the Hon’ MLA Mr. Madan Cintury. The Hon’ MLA in his address praised the talents of the students and highlighted the increasing importance of water conservation in the state. The programme ended with a vote of thanks address by Mr. Bishal Rai, Joint Director, SIRD.
Courtesy: iSikkim
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