Daughters’ stories pave way for solutions: 4 KGBVs to receive state-level honours

• 18 stories selected from over 580 entries
• KGBVs from Ghaziabad, Kanpur Dehat, Jaunpur, and Barabanki to be honoured
• Stories address critical themes such as water conservation, rising temperatures, urban pollution, single-use plastic, and Earth through the eyes of animals

Lucknow : When stories penned by daughters go beyond imagination to become pathways to solutions, they begin to echo the collective consciousness of society. In Uttar Pradesh, during a state-level story-writing competition themed around climate change, stories by students from four Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) were selected among the best entries.

These stories reflect a remarkable blend of environmental concern, solution-oriented thinking, and creative expression. The selected schools will soon be felicitated at the state level, an honour that will not only inspire these girls but also set a benchmark in the fields of education and environmental conservation.

Over 580 entries were received for this statewide story-writing competition. After thorough evaluation, 18 outstanding stories were chosen, and among them, four schools earned top state-level awards.

Top awarded schools

• First Prize: KGBV Muradnagar, Ghaziabad
• Second Prize: KGBV Gaura, Kanpur Dehat
• Third Prize: KGBV Muftiganj, Jaunpur
• Fourth Prize: KGBV Dewa, Barabanki

A unique opportunity to understand and articulate environmental challenges

The story-writing activity, conducted in KGBVs across Uttar Pradesh, gave children a unique opportunity to understand environmental issues and articulate them in their own words. The activity was part of a larger initiative launched through Meena Manch in all upper primary and KGBVs, aimed at raising awareness among adolescent girls on climate change, health, nutrition, and life skills.

A series of online awareness sessions, conducted from September 28, 2024, to February 15, 2025, served as the foundation of this campaign.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Anita Bhatnagar Jain (Retired IAS), the interactive discussions inspired the girls to explore the topics deeply and express their understanding through research, dialogue, and creative tasks.

Through their stories, the girls painted a vivid picture of the future Earth with tones of concern, imagination, sensitivity, and solutions.

580 stories evaluated, 18 selected

A panel of experts evaluated the 580+ stories submitted from across the state. Eighteen of these were chosen as the finest and presented in various schools to encourage discussion, idea sharing, and inspiration among other students.

The Objective

The initiative aimed to encourage students to think critically about pressing issues like climate change, express themselves creatively, and develop their writing skills. Each KGBV was given a unique theme related to the environment, such as water conservation, rising temperatures, urban pollution, single-use plastic, and viewing Earth through the eyes of animals.

In their stories, the girls not only highlighted environmental problems but also conveyed messages of hope and possible solutions. Many added colourful illustrations to bring their imaginations to life. The activity was carried out as a group exercise, fostering collaboration and joyful learning.

The Award

The winning students will be gifted a signed copy of “Kukkaru”, a book by renowned children’s author and former IAS officer Dr. Anita Bhatnagar Jain. The book aims to enhance environmental awareness and sensitivity among children.

“Environmental education should no longer be confined to theoretical knowledge. It is essential to engage children through imagination and creative expression, encouraging active participation in this vital cause. Such initiatives not only broaden their thinking but also guide them towards becoming aware and responsible citizens of tomorrow.”
– Sandeep Singh, Basic Education Minister, Uttar Pradesh