The State/UT Level Painting Competition on Energy Conservation 2025 was organised on November 23 by NHPC Nimoo Bazgo Power Station under the aegis of the Ministry of Power through the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) at DIET Hall, Leh.

Administrative Secretary, School Education Department (SED), Bhanu Prabha, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Sanjai Kumar Rai, Head of Power Station, Nimoo Bazgo. Guests of Honour included Director, School Education, Tashi Dolma; Additional District Commissioner, Leh, Ghulam Mohd; and Chief Education Officer, Leh, Deldan Angmo. Also present were the Principal, DIET Leh, Mirza Mehdi, and the DGM Mechanical, NBPS, N.K. Singh; Nodal Officer UT Ladakh for the competition, Dr. A. Dushyanth Kumar; and jury members Tashi Namgial and Nasreen Banoo.

The Administrative Secretary appreciated NHPC for organising the event and bringing together young talent from across all zones of Ladakh. She urged parents to encourage students to participate in diverse activities and highlighted the importance of understanding climate change—especially its impact on Ladakh. Competitions like this, she said, give children a platform to express their thoughts creatively.

Director SED emphasised that energy conservation is the need of the hour and thanked NHPC for providing students with a meaningful platform. She noted that “a picture speaks a thousand words,” a sentiment reflected in the students’ artwork.

ADC Leh, Ghulam Mohd, remarked that the competition offers students a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills, adding that such initiatives help broaden their exposure and future prospects.

Addressing the gathering, HOP Sanjai Kumar Rai thanked the dignitaries for their support and the administration for facilitating the event. He also expressed gratitude to the students for their enthusiastic participation, stating that competitions like this help inculcate the habit of energy conservation from a young age.

A total of 102 students participated in the competition from both Leh and Kargil districts — 51 in Group A (Classes 5–7) and 51 in Group B (Classes 8–10).

Winners (Group A)
 • 1st Prize: Aliya Zainab Jaffri – Sawab Public School, Baroo
• 2nd Prize: Stanzin Gawa – LPS Leh
• 3rd Prize: Stanzin Phuntsok – DPS Leh

Winners (Group B)
• 1st Prize: Skalzang Lhamo – JNV Leh
• 2nd Prize: Stanzin Chosyangs – Druk Padma Karpo Leh
• 3rd Prize: Stanzin Gyalpo – JNV Kargil

Additionally, 10 consolation prizes were awarded in each group.

The winners received prize money of ₹50,000 (1st place), ₹20,000 (2nd place), and ₹10,000 (3rd place), along with 10 consolation prizes of ₹7,500 each in both categories.

The School Education Department not only facilitated the event but also ensured participation from students in remote regions such as Nyoma and Nubra.

The winners will now represent Ladakh at the National Level Painting Competition scheduled to be held in Delhi in December.