Painting competition a damp squib

The competition could not be completed because of the heavy downpour and the students were drenched in the absence of any shed at the venue.

Many parents, who had accompanied their children to the Open Hand Complex, were agitated at the quot;non-professionalquot; approach of the administration.

quot;They could have arranged for some conveyance and should have at least chosen some sensible venue,quot; they said. Some of them said they didn8217;t know where the Open Hand complex was situated.

However, Joginder Moti, deputy director for adult education, who was also present at the venue, denied that the venue was changed. She also termed the competition as success. quot;The idea of having this venue was to make the city students aware of various locations in the city,quot; she added.

More than 1,500 children participated in the competition which was for four age groups: 6-9, 9-12, 12-15 and 15-18. The themes were City beautiful, City of Gardens, Sukhna Lake and 50 years of India8217;s Independence. The results will be declared tomorrow, a spokesman of the Education Department added.