Music and magical memories for teachers

Eternal bond

Students and teachers alike donned colourful outfits to celebrate the special bond they share during the Teachers' Day festivities on the grounds of Calcutta Public School (CPS), Bidhan Park.

The day was filled with excitement as each class organised a unique programme for their teachers, showcasing creativity and talent in diverse ways.

Classrooms were festively decorated with streamers and balloons, and students expressed their gratitude through singing, dancing, cake-cutting and gifting to honour their teachers.

The celebrations extended beyond the classroom, with the school management treating the teachers to a special outing at a restaurant in Salt Lake. The teachers were also presented with gifts, and four educators who had completed 10 years of service were especially honoured. The day concluded with teachers enjoying themselves, dancing and bonding, making their day memorable.

"Our students went out of their way to make this Teachers’ Day unforgettable for us. Their boundless energy, creativity and heartfelt gratitude were deeply touching. Celebrations like these remind us of the profound impact we have on our students' lives," said principal Protichi Lahiri Sengupta.

Draw on dedication

Flowers lined the pathways, and students played instruments on each floor as the teachers arrived — a heartfelt gesture by the students of K.E. Carmel School, Sarisha, to honour their mentors on Teachers' Day.

The celebration, held on the school grounds on September 5, began with a hand-washing ceremony, where students washed the hands of their teachers as a mark of respect.

Eashan Mondal of Class IX recited a Sanskrit verse highlighting the eternal bond between teachers and students, while school captain Dhriti Das from Class X delivered a welcome address, acknowledging the dedication and hard work of the teachers.

Class II students delighted the audience with their energetic Salsa performance to the popular song, Senorita. This was followed by a dramatic retelling of the story of Eklavya and Dronacharya, with Rajan Mandal of Class IX portraying Eklavya and showcasing his sacrifice for his guru.

Students also crafted vibrant handmade cards for their teachers, adding a personal touch to the celebration.

A live drum performance by Avidipta Pattanayak of Class III was a crowd favourite, and the programme concluded with a dance performance by students from Classes IX to XI.

In a special twist, some Class X students took on the role of teachers, instructing Classes VI and VIII for two periods. This experience gave them first-hand insight into the hard work and effort their teachers invest regularly in classrooms.

"Teachers’ Day is the day to show gratitude to all our dedicated educators who shape the minds and future of our students. Their unwavering commitment and passion for teaching inspire not only the students but also the entire school community," said principal Fr Jojo Thuruthayil.

Time to relax

St Augustine’s Day School for Boys celebrated Teachers' Day over two days.

On September 4, students held individual class celebrations, inviting their class teachers to enjoy special performances organised in their honour. The next day, the 11-member student council treated the teachers to a more formal celebration.

The event began with a prayer service, followed by speeches from students expressing their gratitude to the teachers. A tea break was arranged for the teachers to relax and enjoy some light-hearted conversation.

The highlight was a series of performances by the students, including speeches, songs, dances and skits. Each teacher was presented with a token of appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

To the delight of the students, the teachers also took the stage, singing and dancing amid cheers and applause. The celebration concluded with a grand lunch for the entire staff, leaving the teachers with cherished memories of their special day.

"The celebration was heartfelt this year. All the students look forward to this day, eager to give their teachers a special time. Even the teachers want to relax and enjoy. They feel very happy when their hard work is recognised," said Krishnendu Bagchhi, head of the institution.

Rich legacy

The Shikshayatan Foundation celebrated its 104th Foundation Day on September 7 with a cultural programme on its Lord Sinha Road premises.

The event brought together the Foundation’s four institutions — Marwari Balika Vidyalaya, Shri Shikshayatan School, Shri Shikshayatan College and Calcutta Business School — to honour a legacy that began in 1920.

The guests of honour were Swami Vedatitananda from Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math; Madan Mohanka, chairman of Tega Group of Industries; and ABP CEO Dhruba Mukherjee. Other notable attendees included trustee member Pavan Poddar, secretary-general Vinod Agarwal, senior adviser Sourav Ghosh and Shri Shikshayatan School principal Sangeeta Tandon.

Hosted by Shri Shikshayatan School, the programme commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, accompanied by the recitation of the Ganesh Shloka and Shanti Mantra. A series of cultural performances followed, with a focus on women’s empowerment.

Students of Marwari Balika Vidyalaya performed Ganesh Vandana and Durga Stuti, while those from Shri Shikshayatan School presented a ballet on Rani Laxmibai.

Swami Vedatitananda spoke on the vital role of educators in shaping future citizens. Madan Mohanka highlighted the need for technological literacy and imparting industry-relevant skills. Dhruba Mukherjee stressed the value of embracing failure and fostering curiosity in students from an early stage.

"We celebrated the 104th foundation of our organisation. This organisation was born in 1940. It is an auspicious day for us. The four institutions came together, and we took part in an exercise in bonding," said Sangeeta Tandon.

Talent show and lessons

Students of M.P. Birla Foundation Higher Secondary School dazzled in saris and dhotis as they performed a Santhal dance advocating for sustainability and the protection of animals and life.

Despite the challenge of synchronising their steps to the energetic beats, the young dancers from Classes IV and V perfected their routine through several practice sessions during the zero hour, ultimately winning first prize.

The performance was part of the folk dance event Dhamsha Madal at Vibgyor 2024, the 11th edition of the cultural fest organised by M.P. Birla Foundation Higher Secondary School in association with Telekids.

The event, held on September 27 in the school auditorium, was open exclusively to Primary classes (III, IV and V), with 93.5 Friends FM as the radio partner.

Twelve city schools competed in seven events, both on and off stage.

The fest was inaugurated by principal Purnima Chattopadhyay, vice-principal Sravani Roychoudhury, CEO S.K. Singh and the event judges, who lit the ceremonial lamp.

Each participating school was assigned a code to ensure anonymity and prevent bias during the judging process. In Geetanjali (singing), students performed songs themed on Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, blending elements of nature and culture.

In Jantram, where groups of three students presented instrumental performances, Garden High School claimed victory with their skilful rendition on the veena, mandolin, and tabla.

Garden High also won in Jugalbandi, with Class V student Tiasha Lahiri reciting Leela Majumdar's Halde Pakhir Palok while Class IV's Mayush Kar painted a representation of the Earth.

Garden High School emerged as the overall champion of Vibgyor 2024, with the host school finishing second and South Point School securing third place.

"Vibgyor is our cherished initiative, born out of teamwork. Launched in 2012, it serves as an excellent platform for children to showcase their talents. While older students often shine at inter-school events, we realised the need to spotlight younger children," said the vice-principal.

"Over the years, the event has evolved, embracing new ideas that reflect changing times and children’s perspectives," said the principal.

Stress break

Students from Classes V to XII took part in an inter-house solo vocal music competition at Modi Public School, Siliguri.

The four houses — Valabhi (Yellow), Vikramshila (Blue), Takshashila (Red) and Nalanda (Green) — each fielded three participants per house, divided into three groups.

Group A featured participants from Classes V and VI, Group B included students from Classes VII to IX and Group C showcased talent from Classes X to XII.

The competition began with renditions of popular English and Hindi songs, ranging from Kishore Kumar classics to contemporary hits by Imagine Dragons and Hozier. The audience enjoyed the performances, including the touching Maa from Taare Zameen Par, Nadaan Parindey from Rockstar and Bruno Mars’s Count on Me, among other well-loved tracks.

The jury — musicians Pankaj Khati, Amrita Banerjee and Anuj Gurung — declared Takshashila House the winners with Nalanda securing the runner-up position.

The event unearthed numerous talents and provided a refreshing break for students.

“All the performers were par excellence. It doesn't matter who wins or loses because everybody is a clear winner," said academic director Jayanta Pal.