Awards for rising stars of UAE

Dubai - Another couple, Dr Shabana Muzammil and Dr Muzammil Hafeez, believes that these kind of activities have a positive effect on children's personality.

More than 300 students and parents from 200 different schools across UAE gathered at Springdales School, Dubai, on Friday to witness the felicitation of the rising and creative stars of the country. A movement that took off six years back to bring out the poet, painter and author in the school students (KG1 to Grade 13), Big Idea Wizkid Awards is an endeavour to recognise and honour creativity in young minds. The theme of the event is derived from the four pillars ­- Concept, Culture, Creativity and Rising Stars, guiding the students at various ages.
"This year we received around 5,000 entries in the three categories - poetry, painting and story-telling - out of which 450 students are selected to be awarded. The selection process is simple and transparent based on the judgments by our expert panel. We think all of them are winners that's why we don't categorise the talent in three different ranks rather we honour them with certificates", said curator of the event Reena Banarjee.
A brother and sister Duo, Mishal Faraz, a grade 5 student and Mir Faraz, a grade 2 student from Winchester school, Jebel Ali,  are regular participants in the event and have been awarded for their remarkable poetry and story writing in the past as well.
"I aspire to become an environment scientist, I write for my school magazine also and it is something that I enjoy doing whenever I am not studying" told Mishal, who is also good at playing instruments like the flute.
"This is a very good platform for kids to get the motivation and recognition for their hard work and sincere efforts. My elder daughter is participating in this event since 2011 and my younger daughter started some four years back. I think, outside the school this is the only way for students across the UAE to showcase what they are good at. It really helps them not only to work on their talents but also encourages them to become better citizens. ", said Prem Sudha, mother of two young students from Our Own English High School who were awarded for poetry and story writing.
Another couple, Dr Shabana Muzammil and Dr Muzammil Hafeez, believes that these kind of activities have a positive effect on children's personality.
On behalf of Springdales School Dubai, Zubair Ahmad, said: "Every year the participation is growing. Roughly there is an increase of 10-15 schools this year and crowd is of course much bigger than when we started it in 2011."
- ankita@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai