Annual Appreciation Day 2024: Students put up a mesmerising show on Day 2

On the enchanting evening of December 7, 2024, Apeejay School, Saket, unfurled its grand tapestry of excellence with the Annual Appreciation Day, a magnificent celebration of talent and achievement. Themed Shiddat – The Passion to Excel, the event radiated the ethos of perseverance and determination, honouring the remarkable accomplishments of students from middle to senior school. The two-day extravaganza was a vibrant symphony of dedication and triumph, reflecting the school’s unwavering commitment to nurturing brilliance and igniting the spark of passion within its young achievers.

The second day evening, an ode to the brilliance of students, sparkled with the presence of illustrious guests. Among them were the Chief Guest KJ Alphons, Member, Rajya Sabha and ex-IAS Officer, the Guest of Honours Ms Anita Yadav, SDM, Saket Sub-Division and a distinguished DANICS officer and the celebrated Odissi maestro Ms Madhavi Mudgal. Mr Pankaj Vajpayee, Dean and Professor at IIIT-Delhi, was the Special Guest. Adding to the evening’s splendour were other dignitaries from Apeejay Education, including Ms Purnima Vohra, Education Officer, whose presence elevated the grandeur of this unforgettable celebration.

The Chief Guest, Mr Alphons, shared an inspiring message for the students and the attendees. The grand celebration unfolded with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, an age-old tradition symbolising wisdom and enlightenment. Accompanied by the mellifluous strains of Ganesh Vandana performed by the school choir, the moment set an auspicious tone for the evening.

Ms Yadav humbly shared that she felt honoured and privileged to be a part of this event and said, “As the name reflects – shiddat, the stage is set to provide opportunities to every student of this school. I was happy when I found out that every student from this school was participating in this grand celebration. It’s a moment of pride for parents, students, and teachers alike. The show is a reflection of the talent and spirit of learning and each performance I witnessed on the stage is the testimony to the commitment of efforts that went in to put across this show.”

Adding further to the spirit of cheer and excitement, Mr Vajpayee expressed, “I am taken back to the time when I used to work alongside Dr Stya Paul during my investment bank career days. I feel honoured to have interacted with every generation of the Apeejay Education’s founder family. I would like to narrate an incident: A teacher was asked how she saw the future of this country. She replied – ‘I have seen the future of the country, it walks in my classroom every day.”

Ms Mudgal expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the guidance of teachers and parents who participate in building a bright future of tomorrow. “I congratulate all students for showcasing such a memorable show. I wish each one the best in whatever they pursue in future,” the danseuse said.

Dr Neha Berlia, Co-Promoter, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group and Pro-Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, shared a special video message on the occasion. She mentioned, “I’m delighted to connect today with all of you on this very special occasion of the Annual Appreciation Day of Apeejay School, Saket. At the outset, I extend a warm welcome to the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour. I would further like to welcome the distinguished guests and members of the extended Apeejay Stya family,” Dr Neha Berlia shared and added that the theme of the Annual Day programme is aptly called Shiddat – Passion to Excel.

“At Apeejay Education, we always encourage our students to soar higher. I congratulate the school for its commendable work in all realms: Academics, extracurricular activities, sports, and community outreach initiatives. An education rooted in Indian culture has been the hallmark of Apeejay Education. Resilience, adversity, caution, and a broad spectrum of human values are blended seamlessly with the curriculum. On the other hand, arts, music, sports, theatre in education, yoga and meditation are all synergised with the curriculum. In essence, Apeejay Education is a social commitment of my grandfather, Dr Stya Paul, an eminent industrialist, educationist, freedom fighter, and philanthropist. He is the inspiration behind all of our institutions,” Dr Neha Berlia shared.

“His illustrious legacy is being carried forward under the chairmanship of his daughter and my mother, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia (Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education), who has made an outstanding contribution towards the education industry and society at large. We adopt emerging technology at all levels of a student’s journey, including the new frontiers of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things. I congratulate all those who are going to get prizes today. To those who have not, I would like to say that you should never give up on your dreams. I congratulate Principal Dr Sujit Eric Masih and his dedicated team for their commendable work. I would like to conclude my address with the words of Swami Vivekananda, who said, ‘Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is achieved’,” Dr Neha Berlia said.

The Principal, Dr Sujit Eric Masih elevated the essence of the celebration in his quintessential style of narrating a couplet dedicated to students, “Woh manzilain bhi tumhari hai, woh rasta bhi tumhara hai, jahan tak yeh zameen hai woh asmaan bhi tumhara hai. (May you all achieve the heights and vastness of the sky).”

This was followed by the presentation of the Annual Report, eloquently detailing the school’s remarkable achievements, the active participation of over 700 students, and the significant milestones reached throughout the year. The eagerly anticipated prize distribution ceremony then took centrestage, honouring the outstanding accomplishments of students across academics, co-curricular pursuits, and leadership roles, reflecting the school’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

A standout feature of the event was the thematic play, Shiddat – The Passion to Excel, staged on both evenings. This poignant portrayal of legendary figures’ like Eklavya, Meerabai, Srinivasa Ramanujam remarkable journeys of perseverance and triumph resonated deeply with the audience, evoking a sense of inspiration and resilience.

Students eloquently brought to life the story of Eklavya, the revered tribal archer from The Mahabharat, who endured societal scorn in his relentless pursuit of archery. They paid a heartfelt tribute to Eklavya’s unwavering mental strength, practising in the solitude of the forest, before the statue of his guru.

Further, the students paid homage to Ramanujam, the revered Indian Hindu philosopher and guru who championed the values of inclusivity and devotion. The play beautifully portrayed how he emphasised that true divinity stems from the heart, transcending caste distinctions. His teachings of compassion, equality, and a love for the divine serve as the unifying bonds that bring the world together.

Students also drew inspiration from Mirabai’s profound devotion to Lord Krishna, embodying the essence of Shiddat — an unwavering commitment that rises above worldly boundaries. This was beautifully showcased through a mesmerising dance performance, portraying the celestial union of Shri Krishna and Radha, as well as Mirabai’s complete surrender and devotion.

The evening concluded with the Vice-principal Ms Ashu Khattar delivering the vote of thanks, eloquently acknowledging the unwavering contributions of the entire school community. Her heartfelt expression of gratitude celebrated the collaborative spirit and relentless dedication that made the event a resounding success.

The Annual Appreciation Day at Apeejay School, Saket on Day 2 ended with the students singing the National Anthem in the end.