Annual Appreciation Day: A vibrant display of talent that won hearts

Annual Appreciation Day functions are vital for schools like Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, as they celebrate the achievements and talents of students across academics, co-curricular activities, and personal growth. These events foster a sense of pride, motivation, and community among students, parents, and teachers. They provide a platform to showcase creativity, teamwork, and excellence while emphasising the school’s holistic approach to education.

On January 24, 2025, the students of Pre-primary and Primary classes showcased their talent through the title — Pulse: The Rhythm of Life. The theme symbolised the essence of life’s rhythm, encouraging everyone to embrace the highs and lows as part of a greater symphony. It underscored the importance of finding harmony in the present and appreciating the beauty of life in all its forms.

The day commenced with an atmosphere of honour and celebration. The school had the privilege of welcoming its distinguished Chief Guest, Ms Rashi Sharma, Joint Secretary, Indian Postal Service and the Guest of Honour was Ms Jayaprabha Menon, a Mohiniyattam exponent. Among the dignitaries present were Dr VS Garg, Education Advisor, Apeejay Education, and Mr NN Nayyar, Senior Education Officer, Apeejay Education.

The function was attended by Mr Sharad Tiwari and Mr DK Bedi, Education Officers, Apeejay Education. Also present were Ms Veena Goel, Director, Delhi Apeejay Schools (Principal, Apeejay School, Pitampura), school Principals Dr Sujeet Eric Masih, (Principal, Apeejay School, Saket), Ms Komal Nathani, (School Head, Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld, GK II), and illustrious alumna Dr Nishit Bhatnagar. The school auditorium was packed with parents, staff members, and teachers.

Dr Neha Berlia, Co-Promoter of Apeejay Stya & Svran Group and Pro-Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University, attended the event virtually.

The event commenced with the ceremonial guard of honour given by the school band to all the dignitaries present. This was followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp as the students of the school choir sang the soulful Ganesh Vandana that set the tone for the evening.

The Principal, Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, Ms Surabhi Joshi, welcomed the Chief Guest and the other esteemed guests with a symbolic gesture of a green welcome, setting the tone for a memorable and inspiring event. This was followed by a dance performance. Decked in red, black, and gold, the devotional dance with its graceful and soft movements held the audience captivated as the young dancers performed on the Namastasye namastasye (a line from the Durga Saptashati).

Speaking at the event, Ms Rashi Sharma said, “It is my absolute privilege to be here today. I am thrilled to witness the performances of these young talents; they have truly made my day. Since this is the annual day of the Primary school, I would like to take this opportunity to share a simple yet meaningful message with the young participants. First, I want to emphasise the importance of self-love. Take care of yourselves by eating healthy and going out into the field and playing. Second, take care of your mind. Reading is essential. It gives me immense pain to see young children with mobile phones. I urge you to spend time reading instead. Along with physical health, taking care of mental health is equally crucial,” the Chief Guest shared.

The third message that Ms Sharma gave was — always be a lifelong learner. “Education doesn’t end when you graduate from school, college, or even when you start working. Learning is a continuous process. In the 21st century, we are facing unique challenges. Fourth, be a dreamer. Never stop dreaming, and don’t give up on your dreams. Finally, I urge you to be kind and compassionate. The happiness that comes from helping others is far more sustainable than the temporary joy of material things. I also want to commend the teachers and education advisors of Apeejay Schools for their incredible efforts. This institute, now completing 50 years, exemplifies the essence of the NEP 2020. It brings me immense pleasure to see every child being nurtured and celebrated,” Ms Sharma stated.

With a similar sentiment, Ms Menon shared, “I am truly honoured to be here this evening, surrounded by the enthusiastic faces of children, supportive parents, and the vibrant energy of the principal. Apeejay School stands out for its holistic approach to education, nurturing students’ mental, physical, artistic, and ethical growth. I urge parents to encourage children to participate in activities beyond academics. Extracurricular pursuits like dance, music, and sports not only enhance skills and intelligence but also foster leadership and creativity. Success today is about more than just grades; it’s about developing a well-rounded personality.

“Classical dance and music, for instance, are not merely art forms — they promote inner peace, physical and mental health, and concentration. These traditions are vital in shaping balanced individuals. Looking back, our most cherished school memories often come from such activities. Let’s ensure our children also experience this joy and create lasting, meaningful moments in their school journey.”

The Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour were called upon the stage to give away awards to meritorious students in different fields — be it academics, sports, art, music, or dance. They were also presented with a memento by the Principal thanking them for taking time out from their busy schedule to attend the function.

Dr Neha Berlia, attending the function virtually, said that it was a matter of immense joy and honour for her to address everyone present on this special occasion of the Annual Appreciation Day of the school. “I extend a warm welcome to all the esteemed guests along with members of the extended Apeejay family. I feel privileged to share our journey of providing value-based and competency-based holistic education. Under the aegis of Apeejay Education, we ensure that learning is deeply rooted in Indian culture and seamlessly blends human values with academic and co-curricular excellence. Our curriculum integrates arts, music, sports, theatre, and yoga to provide a well-rounded education,” Dr Neha Berlia said. 

“This social commitment reflects the vision of my late grandfather, Dr Stya Paul, a renowned industrialist, educationist, and freedom fighter. His legacy is the guiding light for all our institutions and continues to be carried forward under the inspiring leadership of my mother, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia (Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education). Our commitment to inculcating human values is the cornerstone of our educational philosophy, fostering harmony in the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development of students,” Dr Neha Berlia said.

We remain at the forefront of adopting emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things, ensuring that our students are prepared for the challenges of the 21st century, Dr Neha Berlia added.

“Our school not only excels academically but also emphasises value-based education, incorporating the teachings of luminaries like Swami Vivekananda and other philosophical ideals into its programmes. I congratulate all those who have got prizes today, and to those who have not, I would like to say that never give up on your dreams. I conclude with the inspirational words of Swami Vivekananda: Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is achieved. At Apeejay Education, we firmly believe in this philosophy and encourage all our students to strive relentlessly to realise their fullest potential and become the grandest versions of themselves as future global citizens,” Dr Neha Berlia said.

The Principal then presented the Annual School Report. She began by thanking Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Mr Nishant Berlia, Co-Promoter Apeejay Stya and Svran Group and Pro-Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, and Mr Aditya Berlia, Co-Promoter of Apeejay Stya and Svran Group and Pro-Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University for their unwavering support and guidance that continue to inspire us and serve as a source of strength in our collective pursuit of excellence.

“I am extremely grateful to Dr Neha Berlia, a graduate in Economics from Stanford University, she holds a PhD in Finance and a Master’s Degree in Management and Banking from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. She is at present, pursuing the Owner-President Management (OPM) program at Harvard Business School,” Ms Joshi said and extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to all the distinguished guests, respected parents, and teachers.

“At Apeejay schools, education is a journey that sparks curiosity, empowers minds, and shapes character. Following the principles of the New Education Policy 2020, we have consistently ranked among India’s top institutes. Our experiential, student-centric approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning, preparing students to succeed as compassionate, innovative, and inclusive leaders. This commitment reflects the vision of our Founder-Chairman, Dr Stya Paul, who championed quality education rooted in human values,” Ms Joshi stated.

The much-awaited list of achievers was read out by the students, starting with the fact that Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, has been awarded the prestigious No. 1 rank in South-east Delhi under the Leader’s Category in the Times Now School Survey 2024. The school also had exemplary results in the CBSE Class X and XII results, with total distinctions of 618 (Class X) and 543 distinctions (Class XII). The students didn’t just excel academically. The students also showed their talent in the fields of art, music, dance, painting, swimming, volleyball, tennis, and even skating!

The highlight of the event was the programme that unfolded on the stage as students from Pre-primary and Primary classes showcased their prowess in dance, music, oratory skills, and skating, to name a few. The young minds took the audience on a journey that was filled with foot-tapping music and moves that had everyone clapping to the rhythm of the music.

The orchestra comprising students from Class I to III mesmerised everyone. From the tabla to the drums to the percussion, the students showed that being young doesn’t come in the way of talent. The dance drama through the chess pieces — the king, queen, rook, bishop, knight, and pawn — took the audience on a Grand Circus that had acrobats, skaters, wild animals, and dancers who, with their performance, wowed everyone present. What won the hearts of the audience were the songs that students sang, including I believe in angels.

The highlight of the act was the clowns. They made the audience laugh, did antics, and danced away to glory on the song from Taare Zameen Par titled Bum bum bole. The upbeat and energetic dance even had the packed auditorium clap as the students went around with their routine, which in essence was the message of the drama — that routine is good and everyone has a role to play — however big or small it may be!

The event culminated with a Vote of Thanks by the Vice-principal Ms Vandana Bansal. “I would like to begin by thanking the Almighty for blessing us with this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our students. My heartfelt gratitude goes to our Founder-Chairman Dr Stya Paul. It is his vision that has enabled our school to grow and achieve such remarkable heights. I extend my sincere gratitude to the guidance and inspiration of Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia who has been a constant source of motivation for our success. My special thanks also go to Mr Nishant Berlia, and Mr Aditya Paul Berlia for their support and wisdom have been invaluable,” Ms Bansal said.

A special note of thanks went to Dr Neha Berlia for her blessings and encouragement for the team. “I would also like to express my deep appreciation to the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour for gracing the occasion with their presence. My heartfelt thanks also go to our Education Advisor, Dr VS Garg. I am grateful to Ms Veena Goel, the principals, and esteemed guests from our sister schools for joining us today,” she shared. 

Gratitude went to the alumni, PTA members, parents, and the dynamic Principal for her unwavering commitment to excellence. “I would also like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our technical staff and teachers, especially from the dance, English, and computer departments, who have gone above and beyond to make this event a grand success.” Finally, I want to appreciate the little ones, the stars of today’s programme. Their hard work has undoubtedly paid off,” Ms Bansal said.

Overall, the Annual Appreciation Day at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, was a grand success that concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.