Over 1200 children participate in ICRF's ‘Faber Castell Spectra 2022’

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com  

The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICR), under the patronage of the Embassy of India, conducted this year’s art carnival, ‘Faber Castell Spectra 2022’, yesterday at the Indian School – Isa Town premises.

One of the largest art competitions for students in Bahrain, the 14th ‘Faber Castell Spectra 2022’ returned this year to in-person mode after holding virtually for two years owing to Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Ravishanker Shukla, Second Secretary at the Embassy of India, inaugurated the final by lighting the lamp. Also present were ICRF Chairman - Dr Babu Ramachandran, General Secretary - Pankaj Nallur, Vice Chairman - Adv. V K Thomas, Advisor/Ex-officio - Aruldas Thomas, Advisor - Bhagwan Asarpota, Joint Secretary and Spectra Convener - Aneesh Sreedharan, Faber Castell Country Head - Mr Sanjay Bhan, Indian School Chairman Prince Natarajan, Indian School Principal Palaniswamy, Spectra joint convenors Nithin Jacob and Muralikrishnan, ICRF Joint Secretary Nisha Rangarajan, Treasurer - Mani Lakshmanamoorthy, Joint Treasurer Rakesh Sharma, International Coordinators U K Menon and John Philip and other ICRF members.

Over 1,200 children from nearly 25 schools in Bahrain participated in the competition after preliminary rounds in their respective schools. Participating children were from Al Noor International School, Al Raja School, Naseem International School, APG School, Britus International School, Al Mahd Day Boarding School, The Asian School, Bahrain Indian School, St Christopher’s school, Hawar International School, Ibn Al Hytham Islamic School, The Indian School (Riffa and Isa Town), New Millennium School, Quality Education School, The British School of Bahrain, SNEHA, The New Horizon School, The New Indian School, Sacred Heart School, New Zing Kindergarten, Philippine School and Multi-National School.

Children competed in four age groups - 5 to 8, 8 to 11, 11 to 14 and 14 to 18 years. All participants received paper and materials. The winning entries and other outstanding creations will figure in the Wall Calendars and Desk-Top Calendars for 2023, which will be launched on the 30th of December 2022. ICRF will also hold an International Online Competition Spectra 2022 on a virtual platform this Sunday.

“Last year, more than 550 children from around 80 schools spread across 17 countries participated in the art competition held online,” ICRF said.

Proceeds for Family Welfare fund

Net proceeds from the competition will go towards a Family Welfare Fund to support the families of deceased Indian labourers drawing wages below BD100 per month.

The Family Welfare Fund will provide financial assistance of Rs 1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh) to the dependents of a deceased Indian. The scheme has supported hundreds of families until now. For more information on Spectra 2022, contact Spectra Convener Aneesh Sreedharan at 39401394, Joint Convener Nithin at 39612819, Muralikrishnan at 34117864 or email - icrfbahrain@gmail.com.