Six students from Nagaland will represent the state at the national-level Painting Competition on Energy Conservation 2026 on December 11, following the state-level contest organised by NEEPCO at De Oriental Grand, Kohima.
The competition was held under the National Campaign on Energy Conservation initiated by the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), with the themes “Save Power, Secure the Future” and “BEE Star Labels Shine, Energy Security Is Divine”.
A total of 1,860 students from 56 schools participated at the school level. The top 100 entries were shortlisted for the state-level contest. Group A comprised Classes V to VII, while Group B included Classes VIII to X.
In Group A, Issina Rangkau of Little Star Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, secured first prize, followed by Jasper Varay of Ember Art Academy School and Hardik Khemani of Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, both from Dimapur. In Group B, Anamika Ghose of Chitrakala School of Fine Arts, Dimapur, won first prize, followed by Smiti Debnath of PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dimapur, and Lhüvese Medeo of Government High School, Yoruba.
The first, second and third prize winners in each group received Rs. 50,000, Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000 respectively. The next 10 entries in each group received Rs. 7,500 and certificates. All students selected for the state-level competition received Rs. 2,000 and a smart watch.
Chief guest Er. James Khala, Director of New and Renewable Energy, Nagaland, spoke on climate change and called for greater use of solar, wind and hydropower. He urged students to conserve electricity, use eco-friendly transport, recycle and protect natural resources.
Guest of honour Deenabandhu Panda, Additional Director of the Directorate of School Education, highlighted India’s dependence on imported crude oil, calling for alternatives such as biogas and ethanol. He also highlighted electric mobility.
NEEPCO General Manager (HR) and State Nodal Officer for Nagaland, N. Khogendra Meitei, said the national competition had been conducted since 2005, with over 80 lakh students from around 1.1 lakh schools participating last year. He stressed the role of students in promoting energy efficiency and energy security.
