Kudankulam teenagers on a musical voyage to Russia

Three students will take part in a show alongside an international team

Golden opportunity: R. Poornaprakash, K. Hariharan and R. Suryakumar will perform in Russia early next month.

13-year-old R. Suryakumar is very excited, and for good reason. He, along with two of his classmates, are all set to go on a fully-funded trip to Russia to participate in a musical show.

“I have been reading a lot about the country and its people, especially about St. Petersburg. And I’m so happy to hear that we will be living there for a while,” he said with a wide smile.

Suryakumar, along R. Poornaprakash and K. Hariharan, students of the Atomic Energy Central School, Kudankulam, have been selected to participate in ‘Nuclear Kids’, an international children's art project held by the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation ‘Rosatom’, which constructed the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. “The aim of this project is to strengthen the friendly relationship between children of employees of nuclear industries from different countries, encourage their creativity and provide a platform for them to get exposed to knowledge on the latest developments in nuclear energy,” said Audrey Lebedev, vice-president for projects in south Asia of ASE Group of Companies (a subsidiary of Rosatom).

‘Much to learn’

R.V. Pillai, librarian of the school, helped short-list the three from the almost 40 dance videos submitted to him. This is his fourth trip to Russia leading students to the event. “Each time is a new experience. There is much to learn and explore. I hope the children enjoy it too,” he said. Nuclear Kids was started in 2009. The children will leave for Russia on Wednesday. For the first three weeks, they will receive training, along with fitness exercises, including swimming, and rehearse with international students. They will be choreographed by a professional from Russia, and the final show will be held in the first week of August. Other countries participating include China, Bangladesh and the United States.

“I know my son will be away for many days. I will miss him but at the same time, I am really excited for him and the wonderful time he is going to have in Russia. Also, he’s the first from our family to travel abroad,” said a proud Haripriya, Poornaprakash’s mother.