A school contact programme meant for children in the age group of three to 10 was organised by ING Vysya Life Insurance. A painting and essay writing competition on the theme ‘I want to be a star when I grow up’ saw the participation  of as many as 5,000 children from 25 schools in the city.

The prize distribution ceremony was held at the ING Vysya auditorium on M G Road on Saturday (December 22), where the winners of the painting and essay competitions were felicitated. The shortlisted finalists along with their parents graced the occasion. Amit Gupta, Director, Marketing and Communication of ING Vysya said that “The school contact programme was designed to recognise and promote young talent in leading metros like Bangalore. Such platforms provide young minds with an opportunity to develop their creative skills.”

The Chief Guest for the felicitation was the popular sports commentator Charu Sharma advised parents to allow their children to do what they want and also added that there are many other opportunities open apart from the conventional career options like doctor, engineer and lawyer.

Sharma also emphasised that children’s minds must be channelized towards human values and said that money can take a back seat. He also added that the children who were shortlisted as finalists and those who would go on to win should work even harder since there will be higher expectations and higher responsibilities later on.
 ‘The Big Book of Little Geniuses’ which is a collection of 400 entries of essays and paintings which were shortlisted by a panel of esteemed judges consisting of qualified teachers from various educational institutions was launched on the occasion. 

The winners of the painting and essay writing competition. In the painting category Umang V Gandhi from Frank Anthony Junior School and Basvaraj R Gouder from Oxford Higher Primary School were adjudged as the winners. In the essay writing category, Sussanna Suchita of Baldwin Girls High School and C Sahana of Sacred Heart Girls School emerged winners. The winners were felicitated with an ING Creating Star single premium policy of Rs 50,000.

Amit Gupta said that the policy was designed to help customers fulfil their responsibility of providing quality higher education to their child which he went on to say is absolutely necessary to give them a head start in today’s competitive environment. The other winning entries received a certificate of excellence. The prize distribution ceremony was followed by a fun quiz competition after which there was  a general interaction with Charu Sharma.