CBSE fest heads for photo finish

Kochi: The third day of the CBSE state school youth festival at Holy Grace Academy at Mala in Thrissur on Saturday witnessed a neck and neck race between Ernakulam and Thrissur districts as students from schools of both districts fought hard to win each event.

At 8 pm on Saturday, it was Ernakulam that held its  slight lead with 3536 points while Thrissur was snapping at its heels with 3533 points. The other districts are way behind with Kozhikode being placed third with 832 points and Kollam at fourth with 743 points.

Among schools, it was the host Holy Grace Academy, Mala which is leading the pack with 459 points. Rani Public School at Vadakara in Kozhikode district is chasing the host with 415 points, while IES Public School Chittilappilly in Thrissur is placed third with 406 points and Nirmala Matha Central School at East Fort in Thrissur is at fourth with 343 points.

Competitions in Oppana, Group Dance, Mono Act, Bharathanatyam, Folk Dance, Kuchipudi, Mapilappattu, Patriotic Song, Light Music, Classical Music, Malayalam, Sanskrit and Hindi Recitation, Hindi, Sanskrit and English Extempore and Violin were held on Saturday.

The third day of the fest also saw legislators V.D. Satheeshan, V.S. Sunil Kumar and Anwar Sadath leading a student-campaign to protect the environment and to make Kerala waste-free.

The fest will conclude on Sunday afternoon. Member of Parliament K.P. Dhanapalan will inaugurate the valedictory function, while legislator T.N. Prathapan will preside over it. Actor Manju Warrier will deliver the keynote address.