The DHiE Fest 2007, which started two weeks ago, ended on Thursday (December 6), and the last day of the fest saw an overwhelming response from participants, audience and teachers. The RV Dental College auditorium, where the last day’s event were held, was housefull! Around 70 schools came to participate on the final day.

“The grand finale is the culmination of competitive events that started two weeks ago with the zonal level contests,” said Assistant General Manager of Deccan Herald, S V Srinivasan. “The best among the best teams will win today”, he added

Vice-President of The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited, D B Dutta, was also present on the occasion. The chief guest, actor Vijay, was greeted with loud cheering from the students. “I like that actor from the movie Duniya,” said a boy sitting in the front row.

New events
Apart from the regular events — painting, dance, creative writing — the new additions on the final day were face-painting, story-telling and interestingly, a quiz for teachers. The teachers were asked to form groups of two and were handed a questionnaire, while the kids watched them with pleasure.

 “Now we are taking the students’ place,” said Shaswati Das from BBUL Jain Vidyalaya.

“I appreciate that we are also taking part in the contest. But these questions are really tough,” said Girija, a teacher of Innisfree House School. Both of them later won the quiz contest.

Just before noon, the students were immersed in either dancing, painting, story-telling or writing short creative essays. Most of the students said the painting contest on the last day was really enjoyable, because the topic was challenging.

“We were asked to draw a harbour and you know it’s difficult, because blending buildings with an ocean in the background requires knowledge of strokes and colours,” said Sneha, a student of BBUL Jain Vidyalaya. “I;m confident I will get the first prize,” said a student of DPS South, sitting nearby.
The topic for face painting was ‘mythology’. Teams of students sat in corners in the open field outside and painted faces. “I look like a warrior now,” a student with paint on her face said, barely able to smile due to the drying colours.

Dance competition
The students participating in the dance contest also performed their best on Friday. Most of them said they would win — there was no consensus. Such was the confidence they had. “We did a fusion dance theme, which is neither modern nor traditional. We are different, hence we may win,” said Sanjana, a student of Madonna School. The students who participated in the story-telling and creative writing competitions also had an enjoyable time. They were given topics such as mouse, backyard, barn, house, etc.

According to the students, these topics may seem very basic, but if one has to describe them in one minute, it becomes very hard.

“I like speaking, so I took part in story-telling,” said Harini of JSS High School. “I can become a politician,” she joked.

The volunteers from St Joseph’s Indian High School also got certificates for their contribution to the fest. “We also learned many things from these kids,” said Dakshina Murthy, a computer applications student. D M Hegde and Ganesh Bhagwat of the Vivekayuga Foundation also worked round the clock to organise the fest for DHiE. “We are glad to help with such huge events for students,” said D M Hegde, President of the foundation.

The sponsors for the fest were the Camlin Ltd, Kissan Agro Products, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (brand owners of Amul), Unibic Biscuits India Pvt Ltd, Britannia Ltd.