Dastak Day 2: Ecology concerns addressed in contests

Lucknow: Standup comedy, poster-making, cartooning, collage making, group dance, face painting and nukkad natak (street play) were the highlight of daylong activities in which students showcased their creative prowess on second day of 18th Dastak Youth Festival at the International Buddhist Research Centre on Wednesday. The festival is being organised with the support of the UP Tourism department, Yuva Club and Eco Tourism initiatives. More than 200 students from over 55 colleges are participating. The campus transformed into an open gallery as students holding posters and collages clicked pictures with each other. Many students set up stalls selling calligraphy artworks such as paintings, postcards, bookmarks and keychains. Students made creative posters and cartoons pertaining to the theme.
Participant Shiva, said, "My cartoons are based on the theme ‘Sheher ki zehrili hawa' (polluted air of city). I have depicted it through a frog wandering city streets wearing a mask, eyes turned red by air pollution".Another participant, Vibha Tiwari, who participated in face painting on the theme of ‘deforestation', said, "I have shown tears rolling down the eyes of birds, animals, insects and reptiles as their home is being deconstructed by cutting trees".Participants of poster making were given the theme of travel experience. Madiha Tanveer made a poster portraying a family's visit to famous monuments of UP including Taj Mahal, FatehpurSikri, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sarnath". The competitions concluded with nukkad natak performances highlighting issues such as wildlife and forest conservation.Founder and coordinator of Dastak, Veena Rana, said, "In keeping with concern for nature and environment, youth are travelling to peaceful, clean and healthy environment of forests, wildlife sanctuaries and becoming curious to visit heritage monuments which is the reason why we based contests on such themes."