— Indian schoolchildren expressed solidarity with students who lost their lives at Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, Iran, through an exhibition of paintings and letters during a cultural event held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai's Nariman Point on Sunday.

The event, titled "Solidarity with Minab: Children Beyond Geopolitics," was organized by Qalamkar Parishad (Mumbai Chapter) under the coordination of Engineer Syed Zia Azmi. It brought together students, educators, cultural figures, and members of the Indian and Iranian communities to promote peace, compassion, and humanitarian values.

A highlight of the program was an exhibition showcasing artwork created by children on the themes of peace, friendship, coexistence, and hope. Organizers said a total of 71 submissions were received, including 58 paintings and 13 letters and personal messages.

According to the organizers, 50 paintings and 10 letters were contributed by Indian children between the ages of 3 and 10, while 8 paintings and 3 written messages were submitted by the children of employees of Iranian institutions and companies based in Mumbai.

At the conclusion of the event, each participating child received a wooden commemorative plaque bearing the name of a student from Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, intended as a tribute to the victims and as a symbol of remembrance.

Among those attending the event was Mohammad Reza Fazel, Director of the Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mumbai. Addressing the gathering, he thanked the organizers, participants, and the children who contributed to the exhibition, and expressed condolences for the victims in Minab.

Fazel announced that the paintings, drawings, and letters created by the participating children would be formally sent to Minab as a gesture of friendship and solidarity, conveying messages of compassion and peace from Indian children to the city's families and children.

An online exhibition has also been launched to extend the reach of this heartfelt initiative beyond the physical venue, enabling global audiences to view the children's artworks and messages of peace. The online exhibition is available at: https://metasteps.com/viewer/2df37a45-4a9c-4903-b093-a891409deb5b

The exhibition featured artwork depicting white doves, classrooms, flowers, and the national flags of India and Iran, reflecting themes of peace and shared humanity. The accompanying letters expressed hopes for a world free from war and emphasized empathy and friendship across national boundaries.

Organizers said the event demonstrated the role of children's artistic expression in promoting peace and intercultural understanding, underscoring the belief that compassion can transcend geographical borders, political differences, and language.