From more than 850,000 entries of children from 81 countries, Sanjeena Banerji’s drawing of a cool, multi-faceted car was adjudged as one of this year’s World Contest award winners at the 10th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.
The adorable seven-year-old Indian girl represented Qatar in the age category 1 (seven years old and under) of the competition, and picked up the bronze award for her fascinating artwork. Invited to the award ceremony in Japan, along with her parents, last month, Sanjeena, a student of Birla Public School-Doha, understandably had the time of her life.
The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is held to encourage and inspire creativity in children “who are our future”, says Toyota on its website. “Amazing ideas are born from dreams,” it says, “We hope that drawing their dream cars lets the children not only have fun but also realise how vital their dreams are. As a manufacturer, Toyota strongly believes in the importance of dreams and is committed to supporting children’s dreams.” Community caught up with Sanjeena, daughter of Biswajit and Sanchita Banerji, for a chat. Excerpts:
How do you feel to have made it to the absolute top entries in such a challenging competition?
It’s a great feeling! I was on cloud nine when my drawing was selected out of 850,000 entries. I kept my fingers crossed in anticipation. When I was selected for Toyota Qatar Award Ceremony in Qatar and then after some time, I was informed that my drawing is selected in Toyota World Dream Art Contest Award Ceremony and that I, along with my parents, have been invited to Japan, I was happy and grateful to Toyota for providing me this opportunity.
What was the idea behind your drawing for the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest?
The title of the car I drew is ‘Oxy Power Protector’. It’s a multi-functional car. Actually, when Papa watches news on TV, I, too, sit with him sometimes. I feel very sad to see the suffering of people living in war zones, like in Syria. Hence, I have drawn this car with the idea of helping and rescuing people from war zones. Another aspect of the idea was to reduce operations cost by utilising sun rays to run my car as it has photo-voltaic cells which absorb sun rays. My car will also protect nature by releasing oxygen, removing pollution and controlling global warming by enhancing the life of penguins and polar animals. My car will also be able to create rain cloud in desert areas so as to help those regions get rain.
How difficult was it for you to come up with this concept for the drawing?
It was indeed very difficult as different ideas were coming to my mind but nothing seemed too exciting to me. Finally, when I saw the news on the ongoing war in Syria, it immediately stuck to my mind. Later, during World Environment Day, some environmental activists visited our school and informed us about the menace of global warming, which, too, stuck to my mind and eventually I incorporated these concepts into my drawing. As I have lived all my life in the Gulf since my birth here, I hardly see rain in this part of the world and hence I visualised that concept as well in my drawing.
What was the best part about visiting Japan, winning the prize, and getting to experience a new country at your young age?
Of course, visiting a country like Japan seems like an achievement of a lifetime for me. But I was really amazed by the working atmosphere and culture at Toyota. I had the privilege to visit Toyota City in Nagoya, which has the Toyota manufacturing facility. It is absolutely amazing; everything is totally automated and electronically controlled. I was amazed to see great facilities like water sports and fun rides for the workers’ family, inside the complex. I was also impressed by the behaviour of all the Japanese people I met. They are very decent and polite.
What kind of subjects do you usually like to draw and paint? And why?
Ever since I was a small child, my Mama has been encouraging me to draw nature, family and specific issue-based drawings like about floods and wars. As nature always attracts me, I love to draw different shades of nature. My favourite drawing is ‘Watching sunrise with my brother’.
Your parents must be proud of you. In what way have they been encouraging of your art?
Yes! My parents are extremely proud of me. My Mama has always been the source of inspiration for my drawing. In my farewell speech in Japan, I dedicated the award to my Mama for her untiring encouragement.
What was the reaction of your friends in your school when they learnt about you having won the prize?
All my friends from Grade 3B, Birla Public School, personally congratulated me for my achievement and even our Principal sent a congratulatory mail to my Papa.
ACCOLADES: Sanjeena poses with her award-winning drawing that was adjudged as one of this year’s World Contest award winners at the 10th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.
