Birla High School
The birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated on January 12 as National Youth Day all over India. The Class III students used the occasion to acquaint their friends with the teachings of the monk. In a virtual programme the students performed a skit on the life of Vivekananda, to spread his ideology and philosophy.
They also sang and performed to devotional music. The skit highlighted how the monk served God through serving humanity. Service to mankind brought him closer to God and religion. Through the skit the students enumerated what real enlightenment is all about. They also spread the message of unity in diversity.
The virtual audience enjoyed the event that was planned as an awakening for all. It was a learning experience for everybody as Swamiji’s life, struggles and achievements were revisited. “Swamiji’s clarion call reverberates all the more in the current challenging scenario. At this juncture, the youth of today have a chance to steer our shared future towards a climate conscious tomorrow,” said headmistress Farida Singh.
Ruby Park Public School
The school celebrated Republic Day in hybrid mode. The teachers and staff members came to the school to attend the flag hoisting. Not to be left behind, the students caught the celebrations live from their official Facebook page. The latter also presented a short performance that was pre-recorded and uploaded on January 26.
The school event began with the unfurling of the tricolour and singing of the national anthem. Principal Joyita Majumder spoke about how the day fosters a spirit of brotherhood among all. The chief guest was Indian chess grandmaster Dibyendu Barua. He addressed the teachers on the essence of sacrifice. “The auspicious day reminds us how many sacrifices have been made for the nation. We must honour their sacrifices and build a better society,” he said.
The teachers sang and danced followed by a multi-lingual recitation session. The students also performed, played the synthesiser and sang patriotic songs. The instrumental rendition of Ae mere watan ke logo was much appreciated. Their half-an-hour performance highlighted how it is up to the younger generation to take the glorious legacy of our nation forward.
“Republic Day celebration fosters the spirit of brotherhood and unity among the citizens, who are reminded that the nation and her emblems are our pride and we must protect the integrity of our motherland,” said principal Joyita Majumder.
Asian International School
Not to let Covid dampen spirits, the school celebrated Republic Day virtually with equal enthusiasm. A cultural programme was organised on the occasion. A student of Class IX Aritra Gupta, was the emcee of the day. It began with hoisting of the tricolour. School director Alok Sharma, principal Vijaylaxmi Kumar, headmistress Simran Sanghera and senior students addressed the students. The principal spoke about the significance of the day and how it was the students’ responsibility to uphold fraternity, unity in diversity and the multilingual identity of their motherland.
The students of classes XI and XII presented a medley of patriotic songs such as Ae mere watan ke logo and Dhonodhanne pushpe bhora that infused a spirit of patriotism and unity.
The special guest was Dr Ashok Mittal, head of the department of pediatrics and neonatology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital. He spoke about the impact of Omicron on children and various career opportunities for aspiring students in the field of health-care.
The headmistress showcased some sketches done by students from LKG to Class IV that depicted their patriotism. The best part of the event was a mime act, Proud to be an Indian, by students of class VI to VIII. The act was about why we are proud of our nation. Class XI students presented a dance performance on azadi to cap the programme.
“The real tribute to the nation would be when the young minds upgrade themselves and contribute to the growth of the country. My message to the young students will be to pick up a minimum of 75 skills or good habits by Independence Day that is almost 200 days away. That would be real celebration of seventy years of freedom and a step towards self-reliance,” said principal Vijaylaxmi Kumar.
Sushila Birla Girls’ School
The primary students celebrated Republic Day virtually. The little ones of Nursery dressed up as freedom fighters and spoke about the national heroes. A quiz tested their knowledge of national symbols, freedom fighters and the tricolour.
The tiny tots celebrated the day by making the Indian flag using paper-folding technique. They also did a number worksheet on the Magic of 73. The students of classes I and II dressed up in tricolour hues and spoke about the constitution and the reason for celebrating the occasion. Class III students presented two skits on Unity in Diversity and the Rights of Citizens.
Students of classes IV and V were educated through a presentation on B.R. Ambedkar and the constitution he framed. Role plays and recitation added colour to it.
“The students celebrated Republic Day with great zeal through a gamut of activities. Teachers discussed the significance of our constitution and the reason for celebrating Republic Day to educate the students. The celebration rekindled the spirit of patriotism in the children,” said headmistress Vidisha Panja.
Apeejay schools
Sharing anecdotes from Swami Vivekananda’s childhood – the Park Street, Salt Lake Bhubaneswar and Haldia branches of Apeejay schools celebrated National Youth Day with role playing and storytelling on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
The young ones also used the occasion to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of youth. The children had planned out several virtual activities throughout the day to remember the teachings of the monk. Children from Lower Kindergarten to Class V indulged in gratifying role play. Dressed as young Narens, they shared stories of his childhood with an engrossed virtual audience.
A collage-making competition was also organised on the occasion. It saw the children putting together various aspects of the monk’s life through art and colours. The students sang songs and recited poems in memory of the great visionary and to spread knowledge about his service to mankind. They also promised to follow his ideals in life. The senior section of the schools paid tribute to Swamiji by writing essays about him. Ideals of volunteerism, participation and inclusion were discussed in detail.
The students expressed their ideas and thoughts and iterated the role of youth in nation-building the essays that gave a fitting tribute to the great man. “Our schools organise special celebrations for National Youth Day every year. The philosophies, teachings and ideologies of Swami Vivekananda are shared on the occasion. His belief in the youth of the country and his ideas of nation-building are still relevant for the students and teachers of today,” said CEO Kiranjit Pannu.
Vivekananda Mission School
The students were in for a pleasant surprise when they logged into their school’s Facebook page to view the Republic Day celebrations held in their school. The teachers were present during the flag hoisting. The annex building playground was beautifully decorated on the occasion. There were streamers in national colour all around and seasonal flowers to add to the beauty of the surrounding. The 20-minute celebration was about honouring the nation’s heroes and their sacrifices. It began with the principal Sarmistha Banerjee hoisting the tricolour and the teachers singing the national anthem.
Banerjee also told the students what it means to be an Indian, the rich heritage of the nation and the legacy of brave leaders that it has had. Vice-principal Ananya Dutta spoke about the freedom struggle and educated the students about the Constitution of India.
“We all should remember that school plays a pivotal role in shaping minds. It is our responsibility to educate our children about their motherland,” said principal Sarmistha Banerjee.