Students Showcase Artistic Talent to Support Education for Underprivileged Children

Chandigarh, December 6, 2025: Sixty-Four paintings created by students from nine leading schools across the tricity were showcased at the Sector 17 underpass as part of a unique fundraising exhibition. The event was inaugurated by chief guest Chandigarh Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla. The inauguration marked the start of the opening chapter of the two-day initiative ‘Udaan 2.0’, being organised by Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Cubs Club in collaboration with Navjivan Health Service. Notably, Cubs Club is a dedicated not-for-profit organisation, committed to supporting and empowering underprivileged children across the tricity.

It is noteworthy that the exhibition was conceptualised as a fundraiser to help strengthen teaching infrastructure in schools that serve children from economically weaker and underserved communities.

Harpreet Kaur Babla, said, “The young artists of our tricity have shown that when children use their talents for a noble cause, they become powerful agents of change. I applaud Cubs Club and Navjivan Health Service for creating a platform that supports underserved schools.”

Meenu Prashar, Founder of Cubs Club, who has consistently worked for the upliftment of underprivileged schoolchildren, said, “Funds raised from ‘Udaan 2.0’ will directly support Cubs Club’s adopted schools: Bright Sparks School, Greenwood School Kharar, ATS Daycare Mohali, Government School Togan, and Kandala. We will provide needy schools with essential educational items to boost their infrastructure.”

“Another way that private schools are helping is by provision of surplus material that can significantly benefit under-resourced institutions. Through the initiative we hope to cultivate a long-term culture of community support,” said Dr Monica B. Sood, Convenor, Intellectual Cell, BJP Chandigarh State, who’s organisation Navjeevan Health Service is supporting Cubs Club’s endeavour.

The exhibition witnessed enthusiastic participation from young artists from nine reputed schools of tricity and near about. Student artists from Guru Nanak Public School (Chandigarh), St. Soldier's School (Panchkula), Stepping Stones School (Chandigarh), Chitkara International School (Chandigarh), Ankur School (Chandigarh), Amity International School (Mohali), ATS Valley School (Derabassi), Pinegrove School (Dharampur) and Pinegrove School (Subathu) displayed their awe inspiring paintings.

The paintings were evaluated by Ravinder Sharma, Vice Chairman, Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi and Artist K R Kohli. The winners of the painting exhibition will be awarded on December 13 at the Government Art Museum Auditorium, Sector 10. This ceremony will mark the concluding chapter of ‘Udaan 2.0’ and will feature a vibrant cultural showcase wherein children from the adopted schools will present storytelling acts and group dances, celebrating creativity, confidence, and expressive freedom.

“We want to offer these children a platform to shine and interact with peers from mainstream institutions. By bringing students from diverse backgrounds together, our initiative encourages social sensitivity and a deeper understanding of educational inequalities,” said Meenu.

Dr Monica added, “With this initiative, students from private schools will have the opportunity to recognise not just the challenges but also the resilience & talent of their less privileged peers.”

Beyond its role as a fundraiser, the exhibition championed the message that schools with abundant resources remain equally invested in uplifting education for the less privileged. The artwork symbolised a bridge between the “haves” and the “have-nots,” reinforcing the belief that every child deserves access to quality education regardless of their financial or social background.

Meenu Prashar informed that the contributions of privileged schools were helping the NGO spread awareness, mobilise communities, and work toward adopting more schools in the future.