MUZAFFARABAD: A 10th grade student of a state run high school clinched first prize at an exhibition of amateur paintings by young students from different parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) here on Thursday.

Ahtisham Siddique of Government Pilot High School Muzaffarabad was followed by Farah Musarrat from Government Postgraduate College Mirpur who secured second prize, whereas the third position was shared by Zakia Nosheen of University of AJK and Shehar Bano of AJK Medical College, Muzaffarabad. They were given Rs10,000, Rs7,000 and Rs5,000, respectively.

The exhibition was part of a campaign launched by the AJK ministry of sports, youth and culture to foster sense of attachment and affinity in their younger lot with their beautiful region and its culture and crafts.

According to Mansoor Qadir Dar, director general sports, youth and culture, his department asked all public and private sector educational institutions – from university to professional colleges to high schools – early this month to send paintings of their students on ‘scenic beauty of Kashmir and Kashmiri culture’ by April 20 for the exhibition.

There was no restriction on size and medium and department received 40 paintings in mix media and collage and pastels, he said.

The paintings were displayed in the AJK sports complex with Mohammad Salim Butt, AJK minister for sports, youth and culture, as the chief guest.

“What’s heartening to point out is that all paintings give the message of peace, hope and picturesque description of the region we belong to,” the minister said.

He was of the view that challenging academic work was gradually distancing young students from extracurricular activities, subsequently leaving little time for them to keep themselves abreast of their rich culture, history and heritage.

“We have chalked out a plan to reconnect our youth with healthy extracurricular activities through different events,” he said, expressing happiness at the response of contestants and general public.

He maintained that since it was first such initiative in AJK, there could have been some lapses, which however would be removed in future.

The judges who included apart from Mr Dar, Ms Abidah Hanif of the fine arts department of University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, professional artist Zafar Gulab and Raja Kalimullah director youth, sports and culture gave a special appreciation certificate to Mohsin Iqbal Butt, a third year student from Muzaffarabad, for his beautiful pencil sketch, drawn during the exhibition.

The prize distribution ceremony was also attended by Saidan Peerzada of Rafi Peer Theatre.