Jury members share words of encouragement at 18 Under 18 Awards

Play a team sport and an individual one, focus on pursuing something with passion, and remember that not all efforts are rewarded — these are some of the advice shared by jury members of the Edugraph 18 Under 18 Awards at the grand finale on March 22.

A nine-member jury — Anupam Roy, singer and musician; Kunal Basu, author and professor; Joydeep Karmakar, Olympic shooter; Dibyendu Barua, chess Grandmaster; Partha Pratim Chakrabarti, professor and ex-director of IIT Kharagpur; Paul Walsh, founder, Jungle Crows; Sreenanda Shankar, actor, dancer and makeover consultant; Paoli Dam, actress; and Jai Ranjan Ram, psychiatrist — picked 18 young achievers from among 50 finalists after several rounds of interviews.

Six of the jury members were present at the awards ceremony at GD Birla Sabhagar to encourage and motivate the talented youngsters.

Excerpts from what they had to say:

Kunal Basu, author and Oxford University professor: I come from the world of writing. Publishers say that kids these days don’t read. They only read what is important for them to get ahead in life, but there is more to life than getting ahead. During my interactions with the children, I discovered that they had a considerably deeper awareness of the human condition than I had anticipated. I asked them difficult questions, which they graciously answered, and when the time came, they started asking me questions (laugh).

Dibyendu Barua, chess grandmaster: I’m sure this award will motivate and inspire students. My advice to parents would be to encourage children to participate in at least two sports, one individual and one team. Participating in a team event will help a youngster learn to share, acquire leadership skills, and comprehend the concept of teamwork. The team will triumph as a result of collective events and efforts. It is the individual player’s responsibility to win in an individual sport. This will educate them to accept defeat, which is a crucial lesson for young people who are so driven to succeed. To all the children, I would say create dreams and work hard to achieve them.

Anupam Roy, musician-composer: It was wonderful to be part of this unique initiative. I would like to congratulate every participant and thank their mentors who helped them in their respective crafts.

Paoli Dam, actress: Aside from books and academics, a few strokes and clicks are also vital in laying the foundation for a student’s future. I attended Loreto Day School, Bowbazar, where extracurricular activities were given importance. I thank everyone associated with the Edugraph 18 under 18 awards. It’s a place where you can nurture and promote these youngsters’ hobbies, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Jai Ranjan Ram, psychiatrist and Mental Health Foundation-Kolkata founder: I'm not here to bestow awards. I'm here because I admire the effort and dedication that all of the children have put into mastering a craft. I believe it is critical, rewards may or may not occur. As a life lesson, remember that not all efforts are rewarded, but pursuing something with passion often gives life meaning. Be kind or considerate to those who are unable to achieve or pursue anything with tenacity owing to their living conditions. We live in an incredibly unequal world. By sharing your accomplishments with people who have come in from difficult circumstances, you can strive to uplift their spirits and brighten their moods. True happiness, I’ve discovered, is found at the confluence of meaning, skill, and recognition.

Paul Walsh, Jungle Crows founder and former diplomat: All these children inspire me. Keep up the good work, follow your passion, be kind to people.