Delhi Public School Srinagar student, Saqib Ajaz Mir added another feather to his cap as he bagged the first position in Vocal Music-Classical, Male category at the J&K UT level Kala Utsav 2021 Programme organised by Directorate of Samagra Shiksha. He is a visually impaired student of Learning Resource Center, DPS Srinagar which focuses on providing holistic education to specially-abled students and integrating them with mainstream education.

A total of 14360 students from 3500 schools of the Jammu division and 12227 students from the 2849 schools of the Kashmir division took part in this Kala Utsav, among the 36 shortlisted students in nine categories of art and music. 

 

Saqib will represent Jammu & Kashmir at the National level along with 2 other students after they secure top ranks in the competition for the national selection. Earlier Saqib Ajaz had won the first position in the classical vocal category at the three-day-long Divisional level, Kala Utsav held from November 20-23 at Girls Higher Secondary, Kothi Bagh. The festival was conducted by the Cultural Education Wing, Directorate of School Education Kashmir. concluded today on November 23, 2021. Overcoming visual impairment, he has turned his sights on cultivating his voice and vocals and enthralled the audience with his masterly and soulful singing.
Kala Utsav is an initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE) under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the secondary stage in the country. 

 

The Vice Principal Shafaq Afshan congratulated the student, and said, “It is a matter of great pride for the school that our student has won such accolades, and defied obstacles to secure the first rank. We are immensely proud of him.” 

 

Chairman Vijay Dhar, also congratulated the student and said “His achievement testifies that we have been successful in pandering to the marginal sections of the society, and those left out from traditional schooling. We are immensely proud that our intention behind establishing LRC is bearing fruit.”