Different strokes of peace

A peace-poster and painting competition was recently organised at the Cubbon Park Bandstand by Lions Clubs International, District 317A, for children between the age of 11 and 13.

The park looked like a sea of colours, with hundreds of children in their school uniforms and Sunday bests walking around excitedly and waiting for the competition to begin. The participants were given 90 minutes to complete their portrayal of the theme, ‘Imagine Peace’.

M V Devi Prasad, district governor, was visibly happy with the turnout. “This is a programme that we have been conducting for the last 25 years. We want the world to be peaceful. To execute that wish, the children, who are the backbone and future of our society, need to create peaceful thinking in their mind. Keeping that in mind, we’ve hosted this competition in which over 3,000 children are taking part,” he says.

Interestingly, the theme opened several doors of interpretation for the participants. While doves and the peace sign were frequently seen in paintings, some children made sketches of peacemakers like Mahatma Gandhi or Gautam Buddha, who embody the very concept.

Some chose to show peace as religious tolerance, with three men — a Christian, Muslim and a Hindu, holding hands. Some interpreted it as freedom, showing birds flying freely into the blue sky.

Thirteen-year-old Ratan was busily working on his painting, which looked very complicated at first glance. He says, “There is a peace sign in the middle and on one side, I’m showing how peace is maintained — there are hills, rivers and smilies.

On the other side, there is violence and guns and bloodshed shown. It’s been a good experience for me to come here. I want to question the possibility of another World War through this painting.”

Others went for simpler imagery, equating the idea of peace as environmental awareness.

“I’m drawing the tree of life because it is a symbol of the earth. We should not dirty Mother Nature and should keep her livable and clean, just like our homes,” says 12-year-old Spoorthi, a participant. 

The ambience made for a lovely afternoon for the whole family, with some parents egging on the children to hurry up, while others involved themselves in the games and contests for visitors.

“We are very happy to come here because it’s a good way to promote peace among all age groups. As parents, it is our duty to encourage our child in whatever he or she wants to do. When our daughter herself showed an interest in this competition, we had to get her here,” shares Sunil, a parent.

After the numerous entries went through a panel of eight judges, the final winners were declared. Apeksha Pai of Vidyaniketan Public School placed first, while Nalina P Sahayaraj of Sacred Heart Girls’ High School and Meghana Jayakumar of The Oxford English School shared second prize. Revathi M S (Vidyaniketan Public School), Dhruva S (Prarthana Central School) and Tushar B N (MES English School) came third.