Education excellence on full display everywhere

Delhi Public School, Newtown

Twenty-three events, over 15 participating schools and two days of excitement — that was Yuvakarshan, a fest organised by Delhi Public School, Newtown, in a nutshell. The event — held in association with The Telegraph, Young Metro — encouraged students to "Innovate Beyond Horizons" on July 25 and 26.

Students from Classes IX to XII took part in events that were a mix of regular and innovative ones.

The participating schools were Delhi Public School, Megacity, Pramila Memorial Advanced School, Birla High School, The Heritage School and others.

There were contests catering to every taste. While sports buffs took part (or cheer) at Kick-off, a knockout football tournament, gamers had a blast at the competitive event, FIFA. The fashion show (Veil Velvet Vogue) showcased a crossover between the Mughal and Rajput eras. The participants also staged dramatic representations of some customs of the era. An extempore (Tik Talk) had participants discussing issues such as the effect of the death penalty on crime rates.

Royal Rumble again saw gamers playing BGMI in a competitive format, while karate champs showcased their skills at Combat through Conflict. The quiz (Jiggyasa) and dance contest (D-Feet) were both loudly cheered. The creative writing skills of students were challenged in The Manuscript and creative crafting was displayed in Artisan Alley.

YSE presented a simulation of the stock exchange to test participants' analytical skills while Investor’s Den had young entrepreneurs demonstrating their business acumen. The YK Review saw student reporters running around to report events.

Cine-Scope and Visual Voyage had participants display their cinematography and photography skills, respectively. Music was at the centre of Electric Euphoria — the western band event — and Melody Mantra or antakshari.

MasterChef was the culinary showdown while Rook and Roll tested the participants’ chess skills. The Game of Jesters was a standup comedy, while Justice League presented a moot court for students. Resurgence tested the participants' marketing skills and Cyberverse their hacking knowledge.

The host school won. They passed on their trophy to the runners-up, Delhi Public School, Ruby Park.

Principal Sonali Sen said: "Yuvakarshan was a platform where students identify their talents, hone skills and learn to collaborate. It's an experience that teaches them event management skills and to win and not win graciously."

Sri Sri Academy

An ode to nature — that was Prakritinama 2024 in a nutshell. Organised by the Fellowship for Sustainable Services (FFSS), the nature club of Sri Sri Academy, the first edition of the inter-school fest saw participants from 10 Calcutta schoolslocking horns.

The fest was meant for Classes IX to XII. The participating schools included M.P. Birla Foundation H.S. School, St Xavier’s Collegiate School, Assembly of God Church School, Loreto House, Garden High School and Mahadevi Birla Shishu Vihar, among others. Each event focused on conservation and aimed to achieve one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) recommended by the United Nations. The chief guest was Karuna Singh, regional director of Earth Day Network,an NGO.

The students of Sri Sri Academy also set up stalls, where handmade items such as candles, coasters, foodstuff and T-shirts were on sale.

The first event was Prakriti Paridhan, a fashion show, in which participants showcased outfits made of eco-friendly or recycled materials such as plant fibres and dyes, vegetables, old clothes, plastic waste, newspapers and old CDs.

Chitrakatha — a hand painting and storytelling event — encouraged awareness of endangered species. Prakriti Srijan saw participants repurposing electronic waste and creating pieces of art. For Raag Tatva, school bands performed with reused discarded items. Prakriti Vigyapan was the ad-spoof event.

Mahadevi Birla Shishu Vihar was declared the winner of the fest.

"This event highlighted our school's dedication to environmental awareness, community building and student-led initiatives. The school's in-house nature club (FFSS team) has inspired us to cherish our natural world, explore innovative eco-friendly solutions and show responsibility towards the planet," said principal Gargi Banerjee.

K.E. Carmel School, Amtala

K.E. Carmel School, Amtala, felicitated its ICSE and ISC toppers at an event held on the school grounds in May. The awardees' parents were inthe audience.

Principal Fr Paul Thamarachery, vice-principal Fr Joseph Parappall, Rev Fr Jojo Thuruthayil CMI, principal of the Sarisha branch, and Rev Fr Johnson Kadamthottu CMI, principal of the Behala branch, also attendedthe event.

The programme began with lamp-lighting by the principal, toppers and their proud parents.

A Rabindrasangeet, Dariye acho, followed.

The felicitation began with Srijita Sardar, who scored 99.20 per cent followed by Oishik Samanta, who got 98.80 per cent in the ICSE. Next, came up on stage ISC topper Anjali Ray (98.50 per cent). Sixty-nine students out of 155 scored above 90 per cent in the ICSE, and 40 out of 83 scored above 90 per cent in the ISC. Resounding claps and cheers echoed from the auditorium as achievers went up to receive their awards.

The principal addressed the audience followed by a speech from the former principal and now the head of the Sarisha branch, Rev Fr Jojo Thuruthayil.

"We are overwhelmed with the success that our children have brought to us. We hope that the upcoming batches are getting motivated by the shining stars," said the principal.

Contai Public School

Contai Public School hosted its third Investiture Ceremony on July 3 at their Silver Jubilee Hall.

The event is the most-awaited one in the school calendar. The school selects its leaders through a carefully thought-out procedure and has a lot of expectations from those chosen for different roles.

The ceremony began with the lamp-lighting by principal Principal Samarendranath Das, head mentor J.B. Michel and others. “We should foster qualities of leadership, responsibility and a sense of community among our students to groom them for future leadership roles. They will play a pivotal role in nation-building in future,” said the principal in his address to the audience.

The students presented a dance to the Rabindrasangeet, Anondodhara bohiche bhubone, before members of the new student council were given their badges.

Captains, vice-captains and other prefects head the school cabinet. They were called on the dais to receive their sashes and badges. Finally, the leaders took an oath. The event closed with the national anthem.

Delhi Public School, Megacity

Delhi Public School, Megacity, hosted its annual day concert, Beyond Eternity, at the Science City Auditorium on July 19 and 20. The event marked the school's 20th year.

The students and teachers took part in music, dance and drama performances, woven around the theme of spiritual harmony.

The concert attempted to creatively interpret the holy books of the Bhagvad Gita, the Bible, the Quran, teachings of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Pope Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives.

The students showcased the lives and teachings of Lord Krishna and Jesus Christ, alongside lessons from the Quran. Mary and Yashoda (Krishna's adoptive mother) were showcased as universal mothers. The aim was to highlight the secular values of the nation.

More than one thousand students took part in the three-hour concert. The in-house choir of over 100 students sang songs in Latin, Sanskrit, English, Hindi and Bengali.

The guests included Archbishop of Kolkata Archdiocese Reverend Father Thomas D'Souza, vicar-general of Kolkata Archdiocese Father Dominic Gomes, assistant secretary of Belur Math and Ramakrishna Mission Swami Tattwabhidananda and minister of fire and emergency services Sujit Bose.

Months of research and practice went behind the final production. Anirban Roy, headmaster of middle and senior school, said: "After research of numerous religious texts, we integrated this concert as an epic celebration of mothers and motherhood and their expression of love, angst, agony and ecstasy."

"We were able to showcase the talents of our children at our annual concert. It provided a platform for holistic development, crucial for nurturing individuals who excel academically and in personal growth," said vice-principal Tilottama Mallik.

M.C. Kejriwal Vidyapeeth

Guess what they did this summer? Students of M.C. Kejriwal Vidyapeeth (MCKV) made coloured seed balls that will help restore the green cover of many areas in Bengal this monsoon.

The seed balls were made in different shapes and packed in eco-friendly bags by the teachers and students. A team consisting of select students, headmaster Biswajit Majumdar, middle school coordinator Debjani Kundu and head of the biology department Lipika Dhar handed them over to a non-government organisation, Concern for Earth, on June 29. The organisation will use it to increase the green cover in many areas.

Given the heatwaves this summer, Classes VI to VIII decided to do their bit for the environment. For summer vacation they began making seed balls — encasing seeds of many plants in a mixture of soil and compost. A seed ball is a low-cost and effective means of fast plantation.

The students mainly used the dried seeds of indigenous fruits and vegetables that they had consumed during their summer vacation. They rolled these seeds in a mixture of mud and compost and created seed balls. They also added some colour to these balls. They packaged their creations in cloth, paper and gunny bags. The seed balls will be planted in barren areas.

"We owe to Mother Nature for our sustenance. So, it is our responsibility to make students take care of nature for a better future," said headmaster Biswajit Majumdar.