Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 12: The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Jammu and Kashmir launched Toycathon 2023 on the theme line: Promotion of innovative ideas and revival of local heritage, here today at J&K Board of School Education, Jammu.
Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary School Education Department presided over the function and Dr B S Sahai, Director IIM Jammu graced the occasion as chief guest while the event was held under the convenorship of Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director, SCERT and Chairman, J&K BOSE.
The brochure of Toycathon 2023 was jointly launched by the Principal Secretary, Director SCERT J&K and Director IIM Jammu besides other dignitaries.
Toycathon 2023focuses on developing toys and games that reflect the innovative ideas, use of regional resources and revival of our local heritage. The registration link along with the QR code was unveiled and declared open for submission of entries.
Dr B S Sahai, while speaking on the occasion, stressed on the importance of creativity and critical thinking among the young minds and he appreciated the initiative of the launch of Toycathon for school children by JKSCERT.
Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas highlighted the importance and need of toys and games for making education holistic, joyful and experiential. The programme aimed at exploring rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir through redesigning/rediscovering toys and games, with innovative ideas, he said and added that to achieve all our goals as per NEP 2020, being one nation, we have to make our indigenous toys more popular all over the world as these are in consonance with both tradition and nature so that Indian value system, Indian culture and our eco-friendly approach towards the things can be visioned globally.
During the launch of the event, Schools, JKSCERT KD and DIETs across JK UT were connected through live You Tube streaming and Google meet for facilitating the maximum participation in the event. The Toycathon event will be held under three categories i.e. class 6th to 8th, class 9th to 10th and class 11th to 12th in four phases. The last date of submission of ideas is 25th July, 2023. The Grand finale of the event will be held in the month of September/October, 2023.
The dignitaries who graced the event, included Kanta Devi, Special Secretary SED; Anu Behl, Special Secretary SED; Iftikhar Hussain Chauhan, Director Finance; Er Deep Raj Kanathia, Project Director Samagra; Ashok Kumar Sharma, Director School Education Jammu; Subah Mehta, Joint Director DSE, I/C Jt Dir Fayaz Ahmed Fayaz and others.
H R Pakhroo, Joint Director JKSCERT Divisional Office Jammu, presented vote of thanks. Monica Sharma, Academic Officer, JKSCERT moderated the programme.
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