A vibrant week of student-focused programmes across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands brought together thousands of young participants in literature, art, inclusivity and sustainability-themed events. From the culmination of National Book Week to a major showcase for children with disabilities and a state-level painting competition on energy conservation, the islands witnessed a surge in cultural and educational activity driven by schools, departments and national agencies.
The week opened with the conclusion of National Book Week 2025 at the State Library in Sri Vijaya Puram. The valedictory ceremony, attended by officials from the Education Department, encouraged students to make the best use of public libraries as creative and intellectual spaces. During the event, participants were awarded prizes for drawing, elocution and other literary competitions conducted through the week. Carmel Senior Secondary School received a special trophy for being the overall best-performing school, and students were urged to continue cultivating reading habits and creativity. The ceremony also saw the inauguration of a dedicated Art and Craft Centre and a Chess Room for children on the ground floor of the State Library, reinforcing the library’s role as a centre for student engagement. More than 1,700 students from Wimberlygunj Zone and Sri Vijaya Puram visited the library during the week-long celebration.
Adding to the events calendar, the Block Project Office announced the upcoming “Divya Kala Shakti & Divya Kala Mela 2025,” set to be held on November 25 at the Government Tagore College of Education auditorium. The programme aims to showcase the artistic talent of Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from government, aided and local body schools. Activities will span vocal and instrumental music, theatre, dance, storytelling, poetry, speech, yoga and open-mic segments. Schools across the islands have been preparing their students for the event, which is positioned as an inclusive celebration of children’s creative abilities and confidence.
The series of youth-focused events continued with a state-level painting competition on energy conservation, organised by NTPC on behalf of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power. The competition, aligned with Mission LiFE’s goal of promoting sustainable lifestyles, brought together students from across the islands in two categories: Group A for Classes V to VII and Group B for Classes VIII to X. After an initial round at the school level involving around 328 schools and over 3,000 students, 100 finalists were invited to the state-level contest held at the Marine Community Hall in Mohanpura. Winners in both groups received significant cash awards, with first, second and third prizes amounting to ₹50,000, ₹30,000 and ₹20,000 respectively. Consolation prizes of ₹7,500 were distributed to 20 participants. The top winners will now be invited to represent the islands at the National Level Painting Competition in Delhi in the second week of December.
The combination of these events reflects a broader push to enhance student engagement across cultural, academic and environmental themes. Officials participating in the programmes highlighted the importance of providing accessible platforms for young people to express their creativity, build confidence and engage with contemporary issues. With strong participation rates, especially in National Book Week and the energy conservation contest, educators believe that such initiatives help diversify learning experiences beyond classrooms.
The sustained involvement of students in the islands’ educational events signals both rising enthusiasm and expanding opportunities for young talent. From library halls to auditoriums and community centres, the week’s programmes underscored the role of public institutions in fostering learning and creative growth among children and adolescents.
