Srinagar, Oct 24: The Divisional Level Northern India Science Drama Contest (NISDC) 2024, organized by the Department of Science and Mathematics, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Jammu & Kashmir, was successfully held today at the SCERT Divisional Office Kashmir auditorium.
Enthusiastic participants from the top ten teams across the Kashmir Division showcased their talents, competing for a chance to represent the region at the national-level contest.
The budding actors and artists were felicitated by Director SCERT-JK, Professor (Dr.) Parikshat Singh Manhas, under whose visionary leadership the programme was conducted. In his opening remarks, Professor (Dr.) Parikshat Singh Manhas emphasized the importance of drama as a tool for science education, highlighting how it engages students by merging creativity and scientific knowledge.
The winners were felicitated by the Director himself in a heartwarming ceremony.
Manhas stated during the event, “Drama is a powerful educational tool that blends creativity with learning, enabling students to dynamically explore and express scientific concepts. Events like the Science Drama Contest allow students to showcase their talents and cultivate a deeper interest in science through artistic expression.”
The Director SCERT-JK expressed his optimism for the future, stating, “We are confident that our teams from Jammu and Kashmir will excel at the national level. Their participation in such a grand event will be a proud moment for all of us. Our distinguished jury will undoubtedly provide our winning team with valuable guidance as they prepare for the prestigious national competition.”
In his keynote address, Shri Roshan Lal, Joint Director SCERT Kashmir Division, commended the participants for their innovative portrayal of scientific concepts through drama. He also stressed the importance of integrating theatre into the education system to foster students’ communication skills and confidence while making complex scientific concepts more accessible.
The esteemed jury panel included Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan, a renowned Film Actor, Theatre Practitioner, and Chairman of ‘Actors’ Creative Theatre’ (ACT), as well as Mr. Gulzar Ahmad Ganai, both highly respected in theatre and education.
Their extensive expertise contributed to the careful evaluation of performances. Academic Unit Heads, Mr. Mohd Sultan Khan and Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Dar, were also present and extended their congratulations to the participants for their outstanding efforts in making science both engaging and educational. The contest marks the culmination of a thrilling journey that began with 91 zones across the Kashmir Division. Following district-level contests, the top ten teams competed at the divisional level for a chance to advance to the prestigious national-level Science Drama Festival, where top teams from across the country will gather to display their creative and scientific prowess. The event was sponsored by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, whose support was invaluable in promoting science communication through drama.
The following were declared as winners for their remarkable performances:
• First Position: Ev’s Garden Srinagar • Second Position: Radiant Public School Anantnag • Third Position: BHS Super Naghama
Individual awards were presented to: • Best Writer: Radiant Public School • Best Director: Ev’s Garden Srinagar • Best Actor (Male): Yasir Malik • Best Actor (Female): Toiba Hussain
The event concluded with the Director SCERT-JK felicitating the winners and acknowledging the tireless efforts of the Zonal Nodal Officers (ZNOs), District Nodal Officers (DNOs), and the organizing team for their dedication in making the contest a grand success.
The NISDC 2024 provided a unique opportunity for students to combine science with drama, showcasing how creativity can be used to enhance the understanding of scientific concepts.
