New Delhi: In a heartwarming celebration of creativity and urban vision, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) continued its three-decade-long tradition of empowering underprivileged children through art on World Habitat Day.
World Habitat Day 2025: Minister Inaugurates Exhibition at Vigyan Bhawan
The official World Habitat Day celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan witnessed the inauguration of an inspiring exhibition by Hon’ble Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu.
The exhibition showcased award-winning paintings from this year’s competition, highlighting the creative brilliance of children from vulnerable communities.
176 Young Artists Envision Urban Solutions
Held on September 20, 2025, at HUDCO Bhawan, IHC Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, the painting competition saw enthusiastic participation from 176 children representing various NGOs and orphanages across the capital.
The young contestants competed in two distinct age categories—Junior (8-11 years) and Senior (12-14 years)—demonstrating remarkable artistic talent and urban awareness.
World Habitat Day 2025 Theme Aligns with UN-Habitat’s Global Vision
This year’s competition theme, “Urban Solutions to Crisis,” aligned perfectly with UN-Habitat’s identified focus for World Habitat Day 2025. The theme encouraged participating children to reflect deeply on urban challenges and propose innovative solutions for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities.
High-Level Dignitaries Grace the Occasion
The award ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished personalities including Shri Srinivas Kathikithala, Secretary MoHUA, Shri Sanjay Kulshrestha, CMD HUDCO, Shri Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary MoHUA, and Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, India.
Winners received their awards directly from the Hon’ble Minister, marking a memorable moment in their young lives.
HUDCO Releases Three Special Publications
To further enrich the occasion, three HUDCO special publications were officially released during the ceremony. These publications aim to promote awareness about sustainable urban development and inclusive housing solutions across India.
Three Decades of Creative Empowerment
HUDCO’s painting competition, highly valued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and participating NGOs, has been providing children from underprivileged backgrounds with an invaluable platform for over 30 years.
This initiative enables children to creatively express their vision of ideal urban habitats, fostering awareness about sustainable development from an early age.
Commitment to Inclusive Urban Development
As a Navratna NBFC-IFC, HUDCO remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing creative expression among underprivileged children.The corporation believes in empowering the next generation to envision and actively contribute to the future of India’s urban spaces.
Read more: Building Future-Ready Cities: 58th ITEC Training Program Wraps Up at HUDCO’s HSMI
The continued success of this initiative underscores HUDCO’s dedication to promoting sustainable and inclusive urban development, aligning perfectly with global efforts toward creating better urban futures for all citizens.
Building Tomorrow’s Urban Leaders Today
Through this annual competition, HUDCO not only recognizes artistic talent but also instills values of urban planning, sustainability, and community development in young minds. These children represent the future architects of India’s smart cities and sustainable urban ecosystems.The initiative serves as a powerful reminder that inclusive urban development begins with including voices from all sections of society, especially those who are often unheard.
About HUDCO
The Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) is a Navratna NBFC-IFC under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, dedicated to promoting sustainable habitat development and improving the quality of life in urban and rural areas.
