Pakistani kids have excelled at national and international levels in all disciplines. When provided opportunities, they have shown their tremendous worth and made the country, which has been besieged by problems, proud.
HAPPENINGS
Pakistani kids have excelled at national and international levels in all disciplines. When provided opportunities, they have shown their tremendous worth and made the country, which has been besieged by problems, proud. The need is to create platforms for these extraordinary kids, so that they can keep up with other nations and show their true potential. Due to lack of substantial opportunities, Pakistan loses many genius minds to developed countries and global firms.
The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is one of its kind as it enables kids to showcase their artistic talent at national and international levels.
The 12th edition of the contest in Pakistan was successfully held in which top 12 participants in four categories emerged as winners at the national level (Local Contest) and they will represent Pakistan at the World Contest in Japan.
A ceremony was held at a local hotel in Karachi on May 20 in which Dr. Umar Saif, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board, was the chief guest.
It is worth adding here that the Dream Art Contest is a global competition organised annually by Toyota Motor Corporation Japan in which about 80 countries participate. It is open to all children under 16 years of age, broadly falling in three categories.
The first category includes children under eight years of age, while the second category has children aged eight to 11. The third category includes children aged 11 to 15.
For the first time, a category targeting children with special needs was also added to the competition and schools across Pakistan catering these children were approached.
In the first category, Maryam Faraz, Haziq Aftab and Syed Wali Zaidi won the top three positions, respectively.
In the second category, M. Umar Nadeem, M. Yousuf Memon and Ibrahim Ahmed Qureshi clinched the top three positions respectively, followed by Sufiyan Salman, Khubaib Ahmed Qureshi and Reeva Nadeem in the third category.
The category for children with special needs was named Royal in which Usman Ghani, Noreen Ameer and Hassan Javed took the top three honours respectively.
“It is a matter of pride that over the past six years, there have been World Winners from Pakistan thrice — all girls. IMC is doing a great job by engaging children in creative activities,” said Umar Saif.
42 dealerships across Pakistan were mobilised to gather artworks.
The artworks were evaluated on the basis of: message (concept clarity), uniqueness of viewpoint and art characteristics (structure, colour and technique).
Chief Executive IMC Ali Jamali said, “IMC has been organising the Dream Car Art Contest in Pakistan which over the past six years has turned into a mega activity. This contest is intended to create opportunities for children, offer them a platform to develop interest in cars and express their creativity and imagination by drawing on the cars.”
Children displayed highest level of creativity in concepts like sustainability, renewable energy and ecology by painting their dream cars.
“We encourage participation of children from all walks of life irrespective of their skin colour, race, social class and religion,” said Jamali.
He added that special emphasis was given to under-privileged kids who have limited opportunities and access to such art contests. Amazingly, the response was overwhelming.
“Another very special feature of the Local Contest is the participation of kids with special needs who are an important part of our society and hold a very special place in the Local Contest,” he signed out.
