STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar on Monday remarked that creativity and critical thinking are important aspects for developing scientific temper among the young students of our schools who can torch bearers of change for future generations.
The Advisor made these remarks while delivering the keynote address on the Grand Finale of TOYCATHON 2023 held at State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) complex Bemina here, in which students from various schools of Kashmir division participated.
The students of schools from Jammu division participated in the TOYCATHON virtually from Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo, Jammu.
Addressing the huge gathering of young innovators and students, Advisor Bhatnagar stressed on the importance of creativity and critical thinking among the young minds. He highlighted that this unique programme was aimed at exploring rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir through redesigning and rediscovering toys and games, with innovative ideas conceived by the school children.
He added that the TOYCATHON 2023 promotes creativity, innovation skills, awareness of local materials and traditions by igniting out young minds.
The Advisor said that this Toycathon was an event of learning by experimentation and creative activity by focusing on developing toys and games that reflect the innovative ideas, use of regional resources and revival of our local heritage. He emphasized on the importance of nurturing creativity and talent of our youth.
“Innovation is key to progress, and TOYCATHON like events provide a platform for our young minds to unleash their creativity and contribute to the growth of our nation”, Advisor Bhatnagar said.
The Advisor further said that our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has given new route to education system of our country by NEP-2020 and by this policy our country will be among the best in the world in days to come. He also said that our Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha gives utmost importance to education sector and remains one of the focus areas of his administration.
The Advisor also said that every student has a unique potential among them and it is our teachers and mentors responsibility to bring that potential out of their students. He appreciated the organisers, teachers and mentors for organising this unique programme, highlighting the role of such initiatives in shaping a brighter future for our nation.
During the Grand Finale, the Advisor also interacted with every participant of the TOYCATHON and spoke in length with them about their models and designs.
While interacting with the young innovators, Advisor Bhatnagar said that these models are very unique and rather than being innovative toys, they also reflect the practical problems of our society mainly concerning the environment, agriculture and other day to day issues.
Addressing the gathering, Principal Secretary, Education, Alok Kumar said that this TOYCATHON showcased the potential of our students and their mentors, and is a testament to what we can achieve together. He highlighted that this unique programme will setup an ecosystem for development of toy industry across the region.
Director, SCERT, Prof. Parikshat Singh, in his welcome address, said that more that 1,23,000 registrations were received for this event and more than 5400 competitions were organised across the UT at School, District and UT levels. He highlighted that this event will be a platform for development of toy industry. He remarked that the business models of these designs showcased in the Grand Finale will be worked out for handholding.
Similarly, the Grand Finale of TOYCATHON 2023 was also held at Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo, Jammu, in which students from various schools of Jammu division participated, who showcased their unique and innovative toys and models on the occasion.
During the Final exhibition at Jammu as well as at Srinagar, 193 students installed their stalls and showcased the design of innovative toys.
The Advisor, Principal Secretary and the Director JKSCERT visited every stall and talked the students at each stall in Kashmir. The jury members too assessed the toys, their design, the making, materials and human friendliness as the parameters.
Naseer Ahmad Wani, Special Secretary School Education Department J&K, Er. Deep Raj State Projector Director Samagra Shiksha, Mohammad Rouf Rehman, Joint Director Central DSEK also graced the occasion at Srinagar and inspired the participating students in the grand finale.
The event held at Krishi Bhawan Talab Tillo Jammu was attended by Director Finance Iftikhar Hussain, Special Secretary Anu Behl, Joint Director SCERT J&K H. R. Pakhroo, Joint Director DSEJ Subah Mehta, Secretary JKBOSE Manisha Sarin and Joint Director Planning SED Parshotam Kumar. The event was anchored by Dr. Nazneen Mehraj, Asima Farooq Shah and Monica Sharma.