In an inspiring story of initiative and creativity, an Amritsar-based young art enthusiast has won a national award for highlighting the significance of the desi kikkar (Vachellia nilotica, or babool tree) as a tree of life in an art exhibition competition titled “Tree of life competition”.
Organised by the Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), the competition invited entries from students of classes VII to IX from across India.
Sahiljit Singh Sandhu, chairman of Spring Dale Educational Society, said the exhibit prepared by Sehajpreet Singh Sokhal, a Class VIII student of the school, had been selected as a national winner in the prestigious competition, which required students to submit poster art depicting indigenous trees from their respective regions while highlighting their significance in the cultural and natural landscape.
The competition witnessed an overwhelming response, with nearly 12,000 entries from across the country.
Sehajpreet’s poster depicted the significance of the kikkar, a hardy tree found widely in India, especially in Punjab, and other South Asian countries.
Featuring a saint or an ascetic seated under the soothing shade of a kikkar tree, the poster carried the caption: “Malwe De Kikkar Haithan, Sakoon Bhariyan Gallan” (roughly translated as, “Under Malwa’s kikkar trees, one finds peace and tranquillity”).
“It is one of the native trees of Punjab that is disappearing rapidly. As a native tree of the state, it is naturally adapted to the local climate, rainfall and hot summers. It is ecologically and culturally significant and also supports livelihoods through its role in farming,” Sehajpreet said.
The kikkar’s value lies in its practical use in everyday rural life in Punjab. It thrives in harsh conditions, is used in agroforestry, provides fodder for livestock, and its wood is used to make agricultural implements.
It is also a symbol of the simple and resilient life of Punjab’s rural communities.
Sandhu said, “Sehajpreet’s achievement is truly remarkable and a matter of immense pride for the school and the state of Punjab. Among the 15 students shortlisted from across the country, he is the sole representative from Punjab.”
Sehajpreet has not only won a national award but also earned an educational trip to Delhi, scheduled from July 8 to 12.
The itinerary includes visits to heritage sites such as Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Gardens and the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, besides an interactive session with heritage experts.
