In the preliminary round held for both junior and senior categories today, six schools — D N Model School Jeend, Bakshi Spring Dale Kota, Saraswati Shiksha Niketan Barot, St.Mary English School Mumbai, Maharishi Vidya Mandir Guwahati and Dashmesh Public school Faridkot — qualified for the final round. The quiz competition will conclude tomorrow and winners will be given away prizes.

Enthusiastic students fielded various questions posed by the quiz master related to India with aplomb. Parmod Dadu, national secretary of Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) said that the aim of the quiz was to acquaint children with different aspects of India. Earlier all the guest students reached Kundan Vidya School in the form of “Sadbhawna rally” along with members of Bharat Vikas Parishad.

Pankaj Jindal, convenor of the quiz competition, appreciated the efforts of the children who got selected for the quiz from their respective states. “The quiz is based on a book “Bharat ko Jano” written by M.P. Gupta. Every year, we update this book with latest information related to India,” said Pankaj.

While Parmod Dadu said, “If anyone wants to add any information regarding India, we welcome it. The information can be sent on our website www.bvpindia.com, http://www.bvpindia.com.”

While inaugurating the competition, Punjab Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla urged the children to follow Indian culture and values. “It is a matter of grave concern that children do not know about Veer Sawarakar, Subhash Chander Bose and other national heroes. We are blindly following the western culture. For instance while celebrating the birthday instead of lighting up the candles, we blow out the candle flames. Our own culture is very rich but we have forgotten it,” she said.

A cultural programme was also organised in the evening. Children of Shivam Public High School, Partap Singh Wala presented a choreography “Faansi” depicting the feelings of martyr Sukhdev, Bhagat Singh and Rajguru when they were being hanged. Kali Vandana, a prayer dance presented by the children was also appreciated by all. While some guest children also presented their folk shows.