Republic Day Competitions 2026

This event is postponed to 1/31/2026 due to last week’s inclement weather.

Our Annual Republic Day competitions are announced for Jan 24th Sat, These are for 3rd grade and older kids only. Younger kids will participate in Fancy dress parade!

Backup day – 2/1/2026 Sun 10:30am-12:00pm – Writing and Speech only

This year the theme is centered around Amrit Mahotsav- Celebrating 75 years of Chinmaya Mission and Gurudev’s contribution in spreading the knowledge of the Gita to the masses.
Time to think deeper and higher and in all colors! Explore your creativity!

Parents, please encourage your kids, discuss ideas and various competitions they can participate in. We look forward to enthusiastic participation from everyone! Do signup your kids to help the planning. 

Writing topics:
Elementary school – ‘Why is Bala Vihar is important to me’
Middle school –
1) How to Make your Mind your Best Friend- Gita Panchamrit -1st verse
2) Gurudev’s Vision: Vedic Yagna to Jnana Yagna
High school –
1)Gurudev’s Vision: Vedic Yagna to Jnana Yagna
2)Gita Panchamrit My Life Guide- Use verses from Gita Panchamrit that can guide our life

Rules for writing: 
Please join 5 mins early as the instructions will be given at the beginning.

1)Put your first and last name, grade, session(S1,S2,S3, Marietta), teacher’s name on the top of the essay. Add page numbers before turning it in

2)You will hand write the essay during the competition on the paper we provide. Please bring a clipboard, pencils, eraser.

3)The essay should be 2-3 pages in length. Try to be creative adding quotes, names, BV learnings.

Speech topics: 6th grade and up:
1) Gurudev’s Vision: Vedic Yagna to Jnana Yagna
2) Gita Panchamrit My Life Guide- Use verses from Gita Panchamrit that can guide our life

Speech topics: CHYK
1) Leadership lessons from Bhagavad Gita
2) From Self Doubt to Self Mastery – Journey through the Gita

Rules for Speech:  (You can do speech competition after Art/writing if participating in multiple competitions)

1. Prepare your speech so that when you present it to the audience it is 3-4 mins long. It should be a minimum of 3 mins and not more than 4.5mins.
2. You may use a note card for cues but cannot read it verbatim.
3. Points will be given for:
Length of speech – not too short or too long
Clarity of speech – not too fast, clear and audible
Organization of content (good beginning, middle, ending, not repeating)
Quality of content (relevant to topic, usage of quotes, BV learnings, humor)
Presentation of content – Effective delivery and eye contact with the participants

Speech topics – Adults
We are introducing a category for adults to participate in Speech Competition and the topics are:
1) My Spiritual Quest – Have you started your quest and where is it leading you?
2) Why I send my child to Bala Vihar

Rules for Adult Speech Competition: 

It’s Really simple! 
Prepare a 3-4min speech and record a video of your speech.

Send a link to the video recording of your speech on one of the above topics by 2/15/2026 via email to bvcompetitions@chinmayamissionalpharetta.org.

Art -Topics are based on Gita Panchamrit
Grades 3rd and 4th : Shri Krishna’s Assurance
some ideas:
a) Draw a picture of Lord Krishna standing by you or with you while you are doing something important or challenging
b) A symbolic image of Shri Krishna’s message offering guidance, peace, and hope during times of confusion or sadness.

Grades 5 and Above:
1) Take charge of your life and rise up:
some ideas:
a) Illustration of making a good choice (e.g., choosing to help, study, or be kind) instead of a bad one.
b)Use a visual metaphor (like climbing a mountain or crossing a river) to show how you overcame a problem through your own effort.

2) How Does One Uplift Oneself?
some ideas: :
a)Showing a simple activity that makes you feel happy, stronger, or better (like reading, exercising, or meditating).
b)Depicting the inner and outer tools you use to be a better person (e.g., gratitude, focused study, good habits).

3) Develop an Attitude of Dedication
some ideas:
a) Illustrate a time you worked very hard and were proud of what you made or did (e.g., a perfect drawing, cleaning your room, finishing a chore).
b) An illustration of the difference between being a focused worker and a worried worker, emphasizing that the effort is more important than the reward.
c) A deep symbolic representation of Karma Yoga, performing duty as a form of worship, where the action itself is the offering

Rules for Art: 
1) Please plan to come 5 min early so the kids can settle down
2)We will provide the Drawing sheet (11 X 14) to all
3) Please bring your own pencil, erasers and whatever coloring materials. Please note only dry coloring materials like color pencils, crayons, pastels, brush pens etc can be used.  No wet painting materials (water colors, acrylic paint) are allowed.
4) Before submitting, put your first and last name, grade, Session (S1,S2,S3, Marietta), teacher’s name on the back of the sheet.
5) Write the topics you have chosen and optionally a brief description of the painting on the back.

Check out the videos of the various competitions from previous years.