Teamwork in pandal art and welcome songs

B.D.M. International

Students of B.D.M. International welcomed the festive season with a grand cultural performance and ramp walk.

The toddlers and Pre-primary section celebrated Agomoni on October 18. A pre-Puja carnival was held on the school grounds. Dressed in vibrant attires, the kids presented Gouri Elo — a musical take on the journey of Durga from her abode in Kailash to her mother's home on Earth. The Pre-primary children performed along with their teachers. It was followed by a magic show, enjoyed by students and guardians. Students also performed the traditional dhunuchi naach to spread festive cheer.

The Upper Primary section celebrated Durga's homecoming on October 13. It began by welcoming chief guests of the day — the senior citizen members of Navanir, an old-age home. The guests were gifted with saris and handmade artefacts crafted by the students.

The Agomoni programme began with Chandi path. The students of Primary and Upper Primary sections also presented a medley of Agomoni songs. A dance recital on Naba Durga, the nine forms of the goddess, was presented. This was followed by the Upper Primary children walking the ramp showcasing their new clothes.

The Secondary section conducted a special assembly on October 16. It began with Durga Aradhana. The school's interact club invited the students from NGO Samaritan Help Mission to join in the celebration.

The visiting girls mesmerised all with their foot-tapping dance performance. They also presented a performance along with the host school. The guests were also given gifts.

The Senior-secondary sections presented a narration of Bhavani Dayani. A brief session on the importance of Mahalaya followed.

"Durga Puja is a celebration of togetherness. We celebrated the Agomoni or arrival of the goddess not only with our students, but also with our neighbouring schools, senior citizens and members of an NGO. It helped our students understand their social responsibilities. They realised that happiness is multiplied many times when shared with others," said principal Madhumita Sengupta.

Young Horizons School

Young Horizons School organised a life skill development session for its students on October 7.

The meticulously planned event was held on a "bagless day" in the academic year.

The training involved students from Classes V to IX. The objective was to teach them certain life skills such as preparing simple meals, stitching a button, ironing and folding freshly washed clothes, which would make them independent in the long run.

Teachers conducted the sessions through interactions with the pupils. One of the skills imparted was non-flame cooking. The students were also taught how to mend their own clothes and attach new buttons to them.

The children were finally taught how to iron and fold their clothes and tie their shoes laces. The children were made to iron their school uniforms and fold the same along the creases. The session also educated the children on gender equality and the dignity of labour. Male teachers were actively involved in the training.

Principal Sharmistha Sen said: “It is imperative for both girls and boys to learn these basic skills. Unfortunately, in our society, household chores are given gender tags. We need to break gender stereotypes and follow an inclusive approach."

Apex Academy

Students of Apex Academy organised a dengue awareness campaign to educate the local people and join in the fight to prevent the disease on October 16.

The day witnessed the students and teachers taking part enthusiastically, joining hands to check the spread of dengue around the school's vicinity.

The school's nature club members led the campaign. They visited every drainage area of the school and spread bleaching powder. They cleaned up the school's surroundings to check the mosquitoes from breading.

The teachers joined hands with the students with as much zeal and helped them clean up the area. Principal Nayantara Roy encouraged the students and encouraged them to keep their homes and surroundings clean and educate the people around. “I am proud of my active, brave and energetic students," she said.

The school's managing committee members thanked the students and teachers, who took part in the campaign.

The students and teachers also visited the nearby dengue-affected areas and educated the people on how they can prevent the mosquitoes from breeding by keeping the area clean. The students also told the residents how to clean all the drains of the area.

"A school is one of the best places for health education and awareness campaigns. We took the initiative to organise a campaign against the spread of dengue so that it is no longer a major public health problem," said the principal.

Indus Valley World School

Students of six institutions gave a treat to their parents and the residents of Shibasram Old Age Home in Santoshpur by presenting a cultural performance at the Indus Valley World School (IVWS) auditorium on October 17.

The performers presented Agomoni, Durga's homecoming, as part of CBSE’s Hub of Learning initiative. The event was also an initiative of the school's interact club.

Four institutions — B.D.M. International, Gokhale Memorial Girls’ School, National High School and Narayana School, Maheshtala — came together to collaborate and share artistic and academic ideas under the overall mentorship of the IVWS. All schools were part of the programme. Performing along with them were members of NGO Jyotirmai Vidyamandir.

The performance was a mix of music, dance and narration, describing the history behind Durga Puja and how the monsoon gives way to autumn and Kash phool blooms. The air also emits a distinct festive flavour.

IVWS choir sang popular Bengali songs such as Aji Shankhe Shankhe Mangal Gao and Jaya Jaya He Mahishasurmardini. There was a solo rendition of Bhubanomohin and dances performed by the participating schools and Jyotirmai Vidyamandir.

"Durga Puja is one of the most inclusive festivals and what better way of celebrating it but through inclusion? I don’t think the audience could make out which performance was by the children of Jyotirmai Vidyamandir, and which one by our other member schools," said IVWS director Amita Prasad.

Birla Divya Jyoti

Students of Birla Divya Jyoti opted to celebrate World Mental Health Day (observed on October 10) and the advent of Durga Puja and Mahalaya together on October 9. A special assembly was held on the occasion.

Principal Shweta Tiwari spoke on the significance of both Mahalaya and mental health. A cultural programme followed that saw a blend of tradition and contemporary with an emphasis on mental health.

It began with songs dedicated to Goddess Durga, feminine power and resilience. The opening performance reverberated with the essence of Mahalaya.

Two skits followed on mental health and the necessity of counselling in our fast-paced lives.

The grand finale was a dance drama titled, Mahisasur Vadh. This performance gave a message of victory of good over evil and the triumph over mental health challenges by taking the right steps.

"I consistently stress on the synergy between tradition and contemporary and on the importance of maintaining stable mental health. In essence, our assembly highlighted that counselling, akin to Goddess Durga, can serve as a beacon of hope in the journey from darkness to light," said the principal.

"Mahalaya ushers in the festive season. By observing both Mahalaya and World Mental Health Day, the students of Birla Divya Jyoti cultivated a sense of hope, positivity and resilience, promoting mental well-being. It also served as a reminder to let go of negativity and embrace the joy that accompanies the festive spirit," said vice-principal Sarojini Gurung.

Delhi Public School, Megacity

Knowledge and celebrations went hand in hand as students of Delhi Public School (DPS), Megacity, organised a Durga puja on their school grounds. The 10th edition of the puja had students, teachers, support staff members and parents pitching in. The theme was "Egypt".

"Every year we have a theme. It is meant to teach the students about different cultures as they celebrate Durga Puja," said headmaster Jude Baptist, who co-ordinates the whole project, along with art teacher Sourav Ganguly. The latter starts making the idol six to seven months ahead of the festival.

"Every student is made to contribute through their artwork," said Baptist.

The teachers and students ended up decorating the inside walls of the pandal with paintings, depicting Egyptian stories about gods, goddesses, kings, queens and nature. The art teacher also created a Sphinx with recycled materials.

The pandal this year was triangle-shaped symbolising the important trio in education — parents, students and teachers.

The pathway was adorned with pillars reminding the visitors about the ancient Egyptian temples. They symbolised the foundation, strength and solidarity of the institution. Pots were painted with Egyptian symbols.

Two hundred pebbles were coloured in black and gold for display.

The students also made striking paper strips, as part of a school project, and used those to decorate the pillars.

"On the last day, students and teachers adorn the goddess with handmade jewellery. We hold a two-day celebration where students and parents perform and have a lot of fun," said the headmaster.

Some paintings and models from the celebration have been preserved to be auctioned at the school's winter carnival later. The proceeds of the auction will be spent on charity.