Students to judge pandals

8220;For me, the criteria to judge pandals will be safety measures and art display,8221; said Poulami Lahiri, a Class XI student of South Point.

8220;Every year I go out with my parents. It will be exciting to visit pandals as a judge. It is a matter of pride and responsibility,8221; said Rishav Mitra, a Class IX student of MP Birla Foundation. Each student will study art work, idol designs, clothes, illumination and also find out whether the pandals have adopted adequate safety norms.

8220;They will see whether the pandals have taken all the precautionary measures to control fire as per our specified guidelines. Being young, these students will be fair in their judgment,8221; State Fire and Emergency Services Minister Pratim Chaterjee said.

The students will be split into eight teams and will visit nearly 100 shortlisted pandals for two days on Sasthi and Saptami from 3 pm onwards.

The students will be escorted by teachers and individual evaluation sheets filled up by them will be tabulated to come to the final verdict.

Although the names of the winners will be announced on October 7, the awards will be presented during the prize distribution function of South Point High School on July 4 next year. The awards will comprise of a gold chain, an angavastra, a certificate and a trophy.