Varanasi students create sand sculptures on sensitive issues

Students in Varanasi made sand sculptures on sensitive and burning issues on the bank of revered River Ganges.

Schoolchildren from around the town converged at the banks and created their artwork with coloured sand to give their work a different look.

One of the sculptures commemorated the ill-fated AirAsia flight that crashed in December last year, killing all passengers and crew on board.

"We have made a sculpture on Clean India mission through which we want to tell people to keep their surroundings clean by which they can stay healthy. We especially want to tell the new generation," said student sculptor, Jyoti.

Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 lost contact with air traffic control in bad weather on December 28, less than halfway into a two-hour flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.

The cause of AirAsia's first fatal crash is not yet known, but seasonal storms are believed to have been a factor.

Meanwhile, another student created a sculpture on Clean India mission with an aim to create awareness among young generation to keep surroundings clean.

"We have made a sculpture on Clean India mission through which we want to tell people to keep their surroundings clean by which they can stay healthy. We especially want to tell the new generation," said another student sculptor, Khushboo.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission n October last year.

The bank was teeming with children and adults who braved the cold winter to see the sand arts.

"Making sand sculptures is very difficult but artists have managed to portray violence against women, Bharat Ratna (highest civilian award), World Cup and Clean Ganges mission in a very beautiful manner. They have managed to draw our attention very effectively," said a visitor, Hemant.

The topics ranged from women empowerment, militancy, Peshawar school attack and Indian President awarding the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna.