Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Sunday released the judicial calendar for 2023 featuring paintings of school children for the second consecutive year.
Painting competitions were held among the students of Class VII to X across the state on the theme “Nature and Wildlife” by the district courts under aegis of the High Court on November 12. Total 1,477 children participated in the competitions and 3 paintings were selected from each district.
As many as 90 paintings adjudged 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the districts were brought to Cuttack and out of those, 12 paintings were selected by the Committee of Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, Justice Savitri Ratho, Justice V Narasingh and Justice Gourishankar Satapathy. Those paintings found place in the Judicial Calendar, 2023.
The calendar was released by Chief Justice S Muralidhar in the presence of the Judges of the High Court at a function in Odisha Judicial Academy. Eminent artist Prafulla Mohanti, noted Odissi exponent and academician Dr Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi and acclaimed sculptor Rabi Rath were the special guests. Former Judges of the High Court, Deputy Solicitor General of India for Odisha, office bearers of High Court Bar Association and government officials also attended the event. Among others, noted sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo was present.
The 12 child artists were felicitated by the Chief Justice, Judges and guests with certificates of appreciation, medals and prizes.
Delivering the welcome address, Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, Chairman of the Judicial Calendar Committee of the High Court highlighted the importance of literature, music and art in human life. He also stressed on the need for protection of nature and wildlife for human existence.
Rabi Rath, who was a part of the selection process, said art is the expression of an artist’s thought and it cannot be judged. He applauded the children’s work saying that they have done their best in expressing their artistic skill through colours by space management on paper.
Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi congratulated the High Court for taking up the work of identifying young talents from across the state and showcasing them. Prafulla Mohanti appreciated the art of each of the children and urged them to continue looking at the world as a child in whichever age they are.
Justice V Narasingh encouraged the children saying that their art works have transformed the mundane date calendar into a visual delight. Justice Savitri Ratho stressed on identifying the talent in children. Quoting a famous writer she said, while worrying about his future we should not forget what the child is today.
Delivering the key note address, Chief Justice S Muralidhar said the speciality of Odisha has been the proliferation of art and culture and the way it has been preserved. Mentioning about children, he said their experience with the courts is often not good as they visit courts in difficult circumstances, either being torn asunder by rival affections of the parents fighting custody battles or as witnesses to or victims of crimes, and therefore, with the objective of telling them that the judiciary cares for them, such initiatives are being undertaken by the High Court.
Justice Gourishankar Satapathy proposed the vote of thanks.
