500 schools expected for Parle Saraswati contest

Parle Products Pvt. Ltd announced the fourth year of 'Parle Saraswati Vandana-2005', an initiative to help children showcase talents during 'Saraswati puja'.

This was a conceptualised by the Parle center of excellence..

Schools of the state would be awarded based on the decoration of the 'puja pandal', said Shalin D Desai, product manager, Parle.

Nearly 500 schools were expected to participate in this year competition. Last year, 378 schools participated.

Schools would be from Kolkata, Siliguri, Durgapur, Howrah, Asansol, Kharagpur and Midnapore, Desai said.

The first prize will include cash prize of Rs 75,000 along with two second prizes of Rs 50,000 each, five third prizes of Rs 25,000 each and 30 consolation prizes of Rs 2,500 each.

"The cash prize is primarily meant for upgrading infrastructure, improving laboratory facilities, buying books and other study materials for the schools," said Desai.

The entry to the competition has been kept free, he added.