####Hadoti’s ‘Mission Bal Man Tak’ Earns National Recognition

Kota: The Mission Bal Man Tak initiative, launched to nurture literary interest among children in the Hadoti region and connect them with story and poetry writing, has earned national recognition through its continuous organization of Children’s Literature Festivals over the past two years. The program aims to keep children away from excessive mobile usage and draw them toward literature through creative engagement.

The initiative has been spearheaded by Dr. Prabhat Kumar Singhal, former Joint Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations, Kota, and is being conducted by the Culture, Literature, Media Forum with the support of several writers and literary figures. The concluding ceremony, Bal Rangotsav, will be held on Monday at the Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Simalia.

Dr. Singhal stated that the organization of children’s literature festivals is a unique and innovative concept. A wide range of activities have been conducted in both government and private schools, including story and poetry writing, poetry recitation, essay writing, painting, quizzes, fancy dress competitions, mehndi art, rangoli, dance, handicraft toy-making competitions, children’s literary discussions, and children’s fairs.

He further informed that prominent literary figures such as Jitendra Nirmohi, Rameshwar Sharma (Ramu Bhaiya), Snehlata Sharma, Dr. Vaidehi Gautam, Dr. Aparna Pandey, Dr. Shashi Jain, Dr. Indu Bala Sharma, Dr. Preeti Meena, Dr. Himani Bhatia, Dr. Sushila Joshi, Rekha Pancholi, Sanju Shringi, Rita Gupta, Sadhna Sharma, Renu Singh Radhe, Vijay Joshi, Yogendra Sharma, Mahesh Pancholi, Vijay Kumar Sharma, Ram Mohan Kaushik, Kalicharan Rajput, R.K. Sharma, along with Rekha Saxena and Suresh Kumar Nigam from Jhalawar, and Mohan Sen, extended special support to the initiative.

In addition, institutions such as Rangitika Sanstha Kota, Samaras Sansthan Gandhinagar (Kota district unit), Aryan Lekhika Manch, the Kota unit of the International Women Poets’ Forum, Shri Karni Nagar Vikas Samiti, Gordhanpura, Mother Teresa School, and several government and private schools and their office bearers also played a significant role in supporting the program.

Dr. Singhal highlighted that a National Children’s Poetry and Story Writing Competition, organized with the support of Sahitya Mandal, Shrinathdwara, witnessed participation from 204 participants across 10 states, giving Mission Bal Man Tak its national identity.

During the current year, Children’s Literature Festivals were organized in 41 educational institutions, connecting more than 35,000 children, out of which over 19,000 students actively participated in various activities. Around 1,500 children were introduced to story-writing as a literary form. In different competitions, 415 children secured first, second, and third positions, emerging as winners and showcasing their creative talents.