New Delhi, September 19, 2026: Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO), a Navratna NBFC–IFC under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), organised its annual Painting Competition for children from underprivileged and vulnerable communities at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, as a run up to World Habitat Day celebrations.
For over three decades, HUDCO’s Painting Competition has been an integral part of its World Habitat Day observance, providing children from underserved communities a creative platform to express their aspirations and ideas about the places they call home. The initiative seeks to sensitise young minds to the importance of safe, inclusive and sustainable habitats, while nurturing creativity, confidence and self-expression.
The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation of around 260 children from various NGOs and orphanages, who competed in two categories—Junior Group (8–11 years) and Senior Group (12–14 years). The theme for this year, “Adequate Housing for All”, encouraged the participants to look beyond the idea of a house as merely a physical structure and reflect on what makes a home safe, secure, healthy, accessible and dignified. Through their paintings, the children were encouraged to portray their vision of housing that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of people across different social and economic backgrounds, and contributes to resilient and sustainable cities.
Shri Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman & Managing Director, HUDCO, along with the Directors and senior officials of HUDCO, interacted with the participating children and appreciated their enthusiasm and creativity. Addressing the children, Shri Kulshrestha encouraged them to become torchbearers of an inclusive and sustainable future, observing that their paintings offered a glimpse into their vision of tomorrow’s cities—cities that are safe, resilient, inclusive and sustainable.
He further emphasised that the initiative goes beyond a painting competition, as it provides children with a space to dream, express their aspirations and inspire others. HUDCO remains committed to nurturing such young voices and promoting the values of inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Adding a vibrant dimension to the celebrations, a Live Talent Show was also organised, giving the participating children an opportunity to showcase their talents in singing, drama, poetry and dance. The programme provided a platform for children to express themselves beyond the canvas and underscored the importance of recognising and nurturing diverse talents among children from underserved communities.
In a new initiative aimed at fostering greater social inclusion and interaction, children of HUDCO employees also participated in the event alongside the children from NGOs and orphanages. The initiative was conceived to provide an informal and inclusive environment where children from diverse social and economic backgrounds could interact, participate and enjoy the celebrations together. By bringing children together without distinctions, the initiative seeks to encourage mutual understanding, friendship and a sense of belonging, reinforcing the broader message that inclusive communities begin with inclusive spaces for children. The award-winning paintings will subsequently be exhibited at Vigyan Bhawan as part of the World Habitat Day celebrations in October and winners will be felicitated by the chief guest.
