National Bal Shree Honour is one of the three highest national honours for children of India, ranking 2nd, after the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puruskar (previously National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement)
Etymology
In Hindi the word 'bal' means a child and 'Shree' denotes fame and also used as an aura of glory. Shree is also a name for Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and knowledge.
History
Bal Shree Scheme was conceived in 1993. After working out its modalities, it was finally launched in 1995.[2]
It was last in the year 2020 for the year 2015 and has since been discontinued.
Areas of creative expression
The Bal Shree Honour is awarded to creative children in the age group of 9–16 years in the following areas of expression.
Creative Performance
Creative Art
Creative Painting
Creative Scientific Innovation
Creative Writing
Mode of Selection
The selection of creative children in four areas is done at three levels:
Local Level (by respective Bal Bhavans)
Zonal Level (by respective State Bal Bhavan)
National Level (At National Bal Bhavan)
Local Level
At this level National Bal Bhavan and all affiliated State Bal Bhavans undertake preliminary screening for selecting candidates for National level camp. A 2- days camp for member children is organized at State Bal Bhavans. After local selection 8 children (2 in each stream) are nominated by the affiliated Bal Bhavans for their respective Zonal level camps. An additional nomination is sent in case the nominee is a child of special needs or from tribal areas.
Zonal Level
In the zonal level, the country has been divided into different zones – North, East, West, Central, and South. As there are large number of Bal Bhavans in the southern region, South Zone has further been divided into two zones – South-I and South-II Zones. Every year different Zonal Centers are identified for organizing zonal selection camps. As there are certain states where there are no Bal Bhavans, representation of these states are ensured through the Chief Secretaries of these states. Children selected at the local levels participate in these 3-days zonal level camps where the second round of selections is made by local experts, specialists from the Zone and National Bal Bhavan. The local resource persons are thoroughly briefed by the National Bal Bhavan before the start of the camps.
National Level
This is the final level where the qualifying students from different States are provided a common platform to prove their creativity in their respective fields at the 4-days National Level Camp held at National Bal Bhavan. New Delhi. A panel of experts and resource persons drawn from the various streams is identified to administer the tests. In the National Level camp the psychological tests are also conducted by experts. These include verbal tests and tests on creativity. On the basis of these tests and other tools, the children are finally selected.
Criteria of Selection
While selecting children, the process and product are assessed on the basis of:
Originality
Innovative approach
Fluency
Flexibility
Divergent thinking
Elaboration of ideas
Creative process culminating into meaningful product
Effective functioning in the group
Analytical and critical approach
Tools used for selection of children
There are two types of tools used for selection of children
Activity related tools
Psychological tests
Activity Related Tools
For identifying the creative talents of children, an exhaustive list of activities is planned in four identified areas. The tools are specific to the activity as well as according to the different age groups. These tools are continuously being evolved and every time new and innovative tools are administered for identifying creativity of children.
Psychological Test
Standardized Psychological tests on creativity are administered.
The participant must not be below 9 years nor above 16 years of age as on 1 April of the year of participation.
The three age groups would be 9 to 11 years, 11 to 14 years and 14 to 16 years. The age group will be decided on the basis of age as on 1 April of the year of participation.
As has been regularly intimated to State Bal Bhavans since 2001, a child can participate in Bal Shree selection process a maximum of 2 times, be it at any level (Local, Zonal or National), that too provided the stream or age group is different at the time of participation for the second time. A Bal Shree Awardee is debarred from participating again in the Bal Shree selection process.
Bal Shree Honour
Plaque Award
Citation or a Certificate Award
Cash Prize of Rs. 15,000 (Kisan Vikas Patra)
Literature Set (Consisting of Books/CDs)
Eligibility
Age - 10 to 16 Years (As on 1 April 2015)
Age groups
10 to 12 Years Age Groups
12 to 14 Years Age Groups
14 to 16 Years Age Groups
Number of attempts - Each child can participate maximum two times and the second attempt is permitted only in another age group. Attempt made at ‘State Level’ will be treated as attempt for Bal Shree Selection.
