Haritha Berm Park comes alive as over 300 youth take part in floor painting contest

Over 300 youth and children participated in the ‘floor painting’ and drawing competitions, organised jointly by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and the NTR district administration, on the banks of the Krishna river at Haritha Berm Park in the city on Sunday (July 13).

NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha, who also tried his hand at painting along with his wife and children, said the competitions, held on themes of Say No To Single-Use Plastic, Swarnandhra Vision, Harithandhra, Public Private People Partnership, Save Water and Reduce-Reuse-Recycle, were organised to raise awareness among the children about the ill-effects of plastic and to foster habits that are important for environmental protection.

Noting with happiness at the huge turnout, Mr. Lakshmisha said the real winner in the competitions is the city, which came alive on Sunday morning.

Impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the youth, the Collector announced that programmes such as photography, yoga and swimming contests would be organised every week at the park and also in other tourist destinations in the district, including Pavitra Sangamam at Ibrahimpatnam, Kondapalli Fort and Gandhi Hill. Urging people to participate in large numbers, he said bird photography competitions would also be organised on the Bhavani Island.

Such programmes would help children make the most of their holidays and also propel them to think creatively. After congratulating VMC Commissioner H.M. Dhyanachandra and other officials on making it to the Swachh Super League, the Collector presented awards to winners.

While G. Tanuja’s painting on Swarnandhra-Save Water stood first in the floor painting category, the second went to P. Yamini and the third to V. Jaswanthi and fourth to M. Suresh. Cash prizes of ₹10,000, ₹7,500, ₹5,000 and ₹3,000 were given.