KATHMANDU: Six grader Jhuplal Sunar who emerged one of the 14 winners of the worldwide painting completion, was all smiles today to learn that his watercolour painting had fetched him a life-time's reward.

He was flown to the Capital, for the first time, to collect his prizes.

Coming of a down-to-earth working class family in Suikot VDC- 9 in Salyan district, Jhuplal had never dreamt of flying to Kathmandu, let alone winning a global competition.

Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports Ram Swaroop Sinha and the WFP country representative Richard Ragan jointly gave away a certificate and a cash of $ 100 (Rs 7,300) to Jhuplal, amidst a special function.

He not only received the prizes from high-level government officials but also hugged with international celebrities in the capital, something he does not believe at so tender an age.

"I feel honoured to make it on to this stage and receive such a big cash prize which I had never stumbled”on," visibly elated Jhuplal spoke after receiving the prizes.“

"I'll expend this money to buy stationary," shared Jhuplal, whose sole aim in life is to become a good teacher.

"I want to be a good teacher and educate the children as it will help them progress in f”ture," Jhuplal said, ad“ing, "Painting for me is just a leisure pursuit."

Speaking on the occasion, Ragan credited Jhuplal's extraordinary achievement to his strenuous effort, supportive teachers and the WFP which provided him with a plat-form to showcase his talent.

Of the 120 drawings scribbled by primary level schoolchildren from across 14 countries in WFP Children's Global Art Competition, 2009, Jhupal emerged one of the best performers.

The theme of the drawing was: 'The differences WFP School Meals Makes to My Life". The design will be incorporated into wall calendars.

Jhuplal goes to Shree Janata Higher Secondary School in Ragechaur of a far-flung Salyan district.

Students vying in the competition were part of WFP's Worldwide School Meals Programme, designed to fortify the health of primary school children and motivate them to regularly attend the classroom.

Ragan, meanwhile, said that since the children like Jhuplal were the future of Nepal, investing on them would earn a huge dividend in future.

"Children are like soft clay that you can mold to any shape," he added.

Tile Sunar, Jhuplal's father was overwhelmed by his son's achievement.

"Without my son winning a prize like this, I would not have figured out how Kathman”u looked like," he“said, adding, "I found it a h”aven on earth."

Jhuplal's father enthralled the audience “hen he said, "I have a plea to make: Let the government and the UN agencies help us send our children to schools and colleges for we don't have money.

Sunar is the father of five children and has difficulty in finding money for the education of all his children.

Ram Kumar Lamichhane, school headmaster, said that Jhuplal was a promising student and stood second position in grade 6.

Speaking on the occasion, Sinha lauded the role played by the WFP in feeding tens of thousands of schoolchildren in the country.

"Healthy bodies and minds enhance the learning capacity of the children, which have an ultimate impact on achieving Millennium Development Goals," Sinha added.