The Qatar Indian School Youth Festival, Kalanjali, will be held on December 12-13 at Ideal Indian School in Abu Hamour, featuring more than 1,200 students from 10 schools, organisers announced on Thursday.
Described as a first in the country, the festival has the approval of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Participants will contest in sub-junior, junior and senior categories in 13 items.
“The festival will turn out to be an ideal platform for students to express their talents,” Dr Hassan Kunhi, president, Ideal Indian School, told a press conference. The festival is organised by Mediapen in co-operation with Malayalam 98.6 FM.
Syed Shoukathali, principal, Ideal Indian School, said the programme is aimed at helping the students achieve overall development.
“The festival will be an annual event in a bid to provide students with a common and official platform to showcase their cultural skills,” said Binukumar G, programme general convenor and general manager of Mediapen.
A flag hoisting will mark the formal start of the event at 8am on December 12 while the competitions will continue up to 10pm. The valedictory ceremony will be held at 5pm on December 13. Organisers said the function will be attended by representatives from the ministry. Prizes for individual performances will be distributed while a rolling trophy will be given to the champion school. A best performer boy (Kalaprathibha) and best performer girl (Kalathilakam) will be also selected.
Malayalam 98.6FM CEO Anvar Hussain, Mediapen marketing head Anu Tressa and programme co-ordinator Mohamed Ibrahim also attended the press conference.
