In a function organised at the school auditorium the eleventh Birla Fest was declared open by Lukose Chacko, Chairman of Birla Public School, in the presence of guests, parents, students and staff.
Birla Fest is a talent search competition with about 7,000 students whetting and testing the skills in various cultural literary and artistic competitions.
Competitions are held in 37 disciplines in sub junior, 43 in junior category and 61 intermediate and senior categories inclusive of both on stage and off stage items — comprising both individual and group items.
The contests will conclude in the last week of June with student artistes showcasing their best.
The best among the girls and boys having amassed the highest points in a maximum of five competitions will be awarded “Kalathilakam” and “Kalaprathibhja” crowns with certificates and trophies.
“Curricular activities and healthy competitions to compare the relative skills in the students are a part and parcel of schooling and students get opportunities to complement their academic achievement,” Lukose Chacko said. Chacko called on parents and students saying “Every school day is a rare opportunity for every child and focusing on academic subjects alone will be a lopsided way of getting educated. To balance the growth of the mind and body, students have to balance the curricular and the co-curricular”.
Sindhu Manoj, HM (Activates), briefed the audience about the objectives of the talent search competitions. Gope Shahani, Vice Chairman, C V Rappai, Board member, attended the function.
Swetha Grace Eapen and Naveen Parthasarathy, students of class XII and cultural secretaries, compered the programmme.
The Peninsula
