Avantika V. Rao, a Class IX student of Anandathirtha Vidyalaya, Pajaka, Udupi district, who bagged the first prize in an essay competition got a rare opportunity to speak in front of President Droupadi Murmu in Delhi recently.

She bagged the prize in the Tata Building India School Essay Competition held for the academic year 2019-20. The competition was held to instill a feeling of national pride among the youth. 29 students from across the country participated including Ms. Rao, who emerged as the winner according to the school. All the winners were taken to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 17, 2023. Besides Ms. Rao, another student from Nagaur, Rajasthan also got an opportunity to present an address to the President of the country.

During her three-minute speech, Ms. Rao stressed on 'Clean India' and how each person should consider it as an obligation to achieve that target. Recycling of waste generation shall contribute a greater step towards resource conservation.

A Rashtrapati Bhavan release on that day said that the President congratulated the winners of the essay competition. She said that during the 'Amrit Kaal', the topic of the essay competition 'Five things I will do to build a great India' was quite relevant.

The President of the country held immense confidence in these students and considered that the motor of tomorrow is none but these youth. The President urged the children to aspire high to achieve zenith.

The organizers were also praised for organising such a wonderful competition which in turn has come out to be relevant in the form of the provision of a platform for young minds to reflect their views on societal issues and matters of national importance.

The photos of Ms.Rao speaking and a group photo of students with Ms. Murmu was uploaded on the Twitter handle by the President on the same day.

Competition is one thing. But making these young slates to draw imaginations on such serious matters is commendable. Winning is just a part of the journey because at last what counts are the efforts only.

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Reference:

• thehindu.com