Kenyan and Norwegian Students Emerge as Champions in Punjabi Language Olympiad
The third International Punjabi Language Olympiad has wrapped up with a remarkable outcome. Students from Kenya and Norway have clinched the top positions in this prestigious competition. They outperformed thousands of local participants from Punjab and other regions.
Global Reach and Surprising Results
The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) announced the results on Monday. Seven students from Nairobi, Kenya, and four from Norway achieved the highest ranks. This competition attracted more than 2.25 lakh participants worldwide. It demonstrates a growing fascination with the Punjabi language among the diaspora.
The Olympiad featured a rigorous three-stage format. It aimed to foster cultural pride and linguistic confidence. Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains championed this initiative. He emphasized moving beyond traditional testing methods.
Competition Structure and Participation
Online registration for the event took place from August 18 to October 31, 2024. It saw unprecedented engagement from government, private, and CBSE-affiliated schools. Students from Class III to XII could participate. They were divided into three age groups.
The competition welcomed participants from Punjab, other Indian states, and non-resident Indians abroad. This broad inclusion highlighted the language's global appeal.
Advanced Technology and Rigorous Selection
To maintain integrity, the PSEB used advanced face-recognition technology during the online stages. The selection process was thorough and demanding.
In the first stage, held from December 5 to 8, more than 2 lakh candidates competed online. Over 20,000 students qualified for the second stage on December 15. Finally, on December 23, 3,748 finalists took a written examination at district-level centers across Punjab.
Rewards and Recognition
Under the leadership of PSEB chairman Amarpal Singh, the board allocated Rs 3.3 lakh in total prize money. The top 10 candidates in each category received awards.
- First place winners got Rs 11,000 each.
- Second place winners received Rs 7,100 each.
- Third through tenth place winners earned Rs 5,100 each.
The board also plans to honor schools with the highest registration and engagement levels. This record turnout reflects strong support for the state's pro-mother-tongue education policies.
A Platform for Cultural Identity
A board spokesperson explained the Olympiad's deeper purpose. "This is not merely a competitive examination," they said. "It is a platform to reinforce cultural identity and integrate the mother tongue meaningfully into the education of our youth, whether they reside in Amritsar or Oslo."
The success of Kenyan and Norwegian students underscores the Punjabi language's expanding global footprint. It shows how cultural connections can thrive across continents.
