Date: 17th August 2022 | FICCI, New Delhi
The existence and operation of illicit markets has been an enduring problem that has escalated in scope and magnitude, impacting industries, consumers, the government, and the economy. Uninhibited growth of counterfeiting and smuggling is today one of the biggest challenges faced by Indian industry, impacting ‘Brand India’ globally. FICCI CASCADE is a dedicated forum on the agenda of fighting the evils of smuggling and counterfeiting. FICCI CASCADE has been working relentlessly on creating large-scale awareness about the ill-effects of smuggling among the most impacted segment, the consumer.
With an objective to sensitize the young minds on the need to work together to address the growing hazards posed by counterfeiting and smuggling, FICCI CASCADE organised a Youth Awareness Programme on “Ill effects of Smuggling & Counterfeiting on the Country and the Role of Youth in Making India Free of Illicit Trade” on 17th August at FICCI, Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi. The competition was divided in three categories: Painting, Elocution and Creative Writing. The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation of over 500 children from 60+ leading schools in Delhi and NCR. Students joined the programme with zeal and passion to take all necessary steps to combat illicit trade. Competition saw a plethora of ideas, innovative expressions, talent and content exhibited in way of speech, art and write ups. The youth awareness program was able to provide a platform to bring in more people, particularly youngsters, to push forward its actions to curb illicit trade in India.
The competition was judged by Mr. PC Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, and Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs; Mr. Guriqbal Singh Jaiya, Former Director, SME Division, WIPO; and Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi.
Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi in his opening remarks stated that training young minds will not only help them to make the right choice while consuming /buying a product, but it will also empower them to support the health and wellbeing of their peers, family members and society.
The winners in the competitions were as follows:
List of Winners:
| S.No. | Name of the Competition | 1st Position | 2nd Position | 3rd Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elocution | Aditya Gandhi (Venkateshwar Global School) Manan Kakkar (The Indian School) |
Bhavyansh Sharma (Gurukul The School) |
Arhaan Akmal (Delhi Public School, Noida) Aadya Malik (The HDFC School, Gurugram) |
| 2 | Painting | Vaani Gupta (Bal Bharati Public School, Noida) |
Srisoniya Subramoniam (Delhi Public School, Noida) |
Manya Baluni (New Green Field School, Saket) Tara Sahay (The HDFC School, Gurugram) |
| 3 | Creative Writing | Anuva Rai (Venkateshwar Global School, Rohini) |
Mehar Parasha (Soami Nagar Model School) Samiya Singh (Laxman Public School) |
Deborpita Das (Springdales School) |
FICCI CASCADE believes that it is important to bring the youth onboard the awareness campaign and through them influence the society. The Youth of our nation are one of the key stakeholders for advocating socially responsible behavior. Training young minds will help in empowering and strengthening our society for national development and in shaping the future of our country in a brighter and more prosperous manner.
The competitions not only witnessed the skills and creative abilities of the school children, but also witnessed the passion in them to bring about a change in the society by shunning fake products and saying no to smuggled goods. This youth awareness initiative was one of a series of such programme to be organized across the country as part of a nation-wide awareness campaign to highlight the issue and focus on the growing menace of illicit trade.
Media Coverage 17 August 2022, School EventDownload Pdf
