The 14th Faber-Castell Spectra 2022 was held by the ICRF.

The Indian Community Relief Fund (“ICRF”), under the patronage of the Embassy of India, Kingdom of Bahrain, has conducted this year’s art carnival titled “Faber Castell Spectra 2022” on Friday, December 9, 2022. The art carnival, aimed at encouraging and honouring artistic skills among the youth, is the largest art competition for students in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The 14^th “Faber Castell Spectra 2022” carnival was held at the Indian School—Isa Town premises.

After conducting on a virtual platform for the last 2 years due to a pandemic situation, everyone was excited to see the joyful moments of drawing and colouring together for a cause.

Sri Ravishanker Shukla, Second Secretary at the Embassy of India, inaugurated the final competition by lighting the lamp.

1,200 children from nearly 25 schools in Bahrain participated in the competition after being selected in the preliminary rounds organised in their respective schools. Participating schools are Al Noor International School, Al Raja School, Naseem International School, APG School, Britus International School, Al Mahd Day Boarding School, The Asian School, Bahrain Indian School, St. Christopher’s School, Hawar International School, Ibn Al Hytham Islamic School, The Indian School (Riffa and Isa Town), New Millennium School, Quality Education School, The British School of Bahrain, SNEHA, The New Horizon School, The New Indian School, Sacred Heart School, New Zing Kindergarten, Philippine School, and MultiNational School. This annual event aims to unearth young artistic talent and create a future generation of catalysts for social change.

The participants were divided into four age groups: five to eight years, eight to eleven years, eleven to fourteen years, and fourteen to eighteen years.

All participants in Bahrain were provided with drawing paper and materials, and they were allowed to take the materials home.

The winning entries and other outstanding creations by the children will figure in the wall calendars and desk-top calendars designed for the year 2023. These calendars will be launched at a function to be held on December 30, 2022. A large number of each of these calendars will be made available to all sponsors, including corporations, banks, insurance companies, educational institutions, clubs, associations, and businesses.

In addition to the national-level online competition, the ICRF will be conducting the Second International Online Competition Spectra 2022. The International Spectra competition will be held on a virtual platform on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

ICRF invites participants from schools across the globe to take part in Spectra 2022 International and win fabulous prizes and certificates. Last year, more than 550 children from around 80 schools spread across 17 countries participated in the art competition held online.

Net proceeds from the competition go towards a Family Welfare Fund to provide relief to the families of deceased Indian labourers drawing wages below BD100 per month. As per the scheme, the Family Welfare Fund will provide financial assistance in the amount of Rupees One Lakh (₹100,000) to the dependents of a deceased Indian. This scheme has been a great solace to many families who, unfortunately, lost their sole breadwinner. The scheme, since its inception, has supported hundreds of families. None shall be victims of any unfortunate tragedy or loss of life, and the ICRF always tries to ensure that the families are extended a supporting hand to face the unexpected adversity.