Annual Appreciation Day: The stage reverberated with captivating performances

Annual Appreciation Day functions hold immense significance as they serve to honour the accomplishments and talents of students across academics and co-curricular pursuits. These events inspire a sense of pride and foster motivation. On January 25, 2025, the students of middle and senior classes at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, captivated the audience with their performances under the theme Pulse: The Rhythm of Life. This theme symbolised the dynamic flow of life, encouraging everyone to embrace its peaks and valleys as part of a larger, harmonious symphony.

Through this theme, the audience was invited to embark on a journey where music and life converge, creating a beautiful symphony of innovation and harmony. Reflecting on how life, much like music, flows in its unique rhythm — a melody that soothes the mind and stirs emotions — the stage was set to bring this vibrant rhythm to life through captivating performances.

The school had the privilege of welcoming its distinguished Chief Guest, Shri UK Sinha, Joint Labour Commission (Govt of NCT). The Guests of Honour were Shri VK Rao, Deputy Labour Commissioner (Govt of NCT) and Pt Shubhendra Rao, a sitar exponent. The other dignitaries present were Ms Anita Paul, Education Officer, Apeejay Education and the alumnus Mr Vishesh Khanna, Vice-president, International Sales-Indigo. The school auditorium was packed with parents, staff members, PTA 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 opened with a ceremonial guard of honour presented by the school band, extending a warm and respectful welcome to the esteemed dignitaries. This was followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, accompanied by a soulful rendition of Ganesh Vandana by the school choir, which filled the atmosphere with serene and spiritual energy.

Ms Surabhi Joshi, Principal of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, extended a heartfelt welcome to the Chief Guest and other esteemed attendees with a meaningful green gesture, symbolising the school’s commitment to sustainability and growth. Her address set the stage for an inspiring and memorable celebration.

The welcome was followed by a mesmerising dance performance. Adorned in vibrant red, black, and gold, the young dancers enchanted the audience with their graceful movements, performing the sacred verses Namastasye Namastasye from the Durga Saptashati. The devotional performance, marked by elegance and poise, left the audience spellbound.

Speaking at the event, Shri Sinha said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be here today on this special occasion. I would like to extend my warm greetings to the parents, the school management, the dean, and the students. I am deeply impressed by the school’s exceptional performance across all areas of education — be it sports, drama, music, or other activities. I am especially thrilled with the school’s motto and initiatives as I am a passionate lover of music myself. I hope this school continues to thrive, achieving greater success year after year, and contributing to the community, the nation, and the world at large. I would like to wish all the students the very best for their upcoming entrance examinations, including JEE and NEET, as well as their CBSE Board exams for Classes 10 and 12. I am confident that you will excel in these milestones. To conclude, I would like to share a timeless quote from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: ‘If music be the food of love, play on’.”

Pt Rao taking the stage, shared: “When it comes to education, every parent wants the best for their child. We enrol them in excellent schools and institutes, but I believe that education begins at home. As the saying goes, a mother is the first teacher. The values and lessons we instil in them during their formative years shape who they become,” he shared and added that he was deeply impressed by the orchestra’s performance today.

“It was an excellent display of rhythm and harmony. The world learns so much from our history, and while we inspire others, it is essential to remain strong in our roots, culture, and values. As parents, we must provide them with the foundation to embrace their heritage while preparing them for the future,” he stated.

“The government, through initiatives like the NEP 2020, is making efforts to preserve and integrate our heritage, but it is also the responsibility of each one of us to pass this legacy on to the next generation. Let us all work together to ensure our children carry forward the essence of our culture and values into the future,” Pt Rao said.

The Chief Guest, the Guests of Honour, and the alumnus 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 of their busy schedule to attend the function.

Dr Neha Berlia, attending the function virtually, said: “I extend a warm welcome to our Chief Guest, Guests of Honour, and other esteemed guests. Apeejay Education has been a part of this nation’s educational journey for more than five decades. Our vision has always been to provide value-based, holistic education. Staying rooted in Indian culture has been our guiding principle and dharm. Our curriculum seamlessly blends resilience, academic dedication, and a broad spectrum of human values. This vision of holistic education stems from the enduring legacy of my grandfather and Founder-Chairman Dr Stya Paul. His ideals and vision continue to inspire us, and his legacy is carried forward under the leadership of his daughter and my mother, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia (Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education),” Dr Neha Berlia said.

She shared that Apeejay Education is also embracing emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things, ensuring that education remains relevant to the changing times.

“Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, holds a special place in my heart, as I am proud to call myself an alumna of this school. Seeing its remarkable growth and achievements fills me with immense joy. The outstanding scholastic and co-scholastic achievements of the school, including CBSE Gold medals, are a testament to its consistency and commitment to excellence. Our students have won many awards, and our alumni have brought pride to the school through their contributions across various fields. 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 would like to conclude my address with the words of Rabindranath Tagore: ‘Don’t limit your child to your own learning. For he was born in another time’. We firmly believe in nurturing the sovereign spirit of our students and empowering them to strive hard, realise their full potential, and become the grandest versions of themselves as global citizens,” Dr Neha Berlia said.

The Principal then presented the Annual School Report much to the delight of the parents. 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 and serve as a source of strength in the collective pursuit of excellence.

A special and heartfelt thank you went out to Dr Neha Berlia for her unwavering support and guidance at each step. A warm welcome was also accorded to all the distinguished guests, respected parents, and teachers.

“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 shared.

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 an exemplary result in the CBSE Class X and XII results, with total distinctions of 618 (Class X) and 543 (Class XII). The students didn’t just excel academically; they also showcased their talent in the fields of art, music, dance, painting, swimming, volleyball, tennis, and even skating!

Indeed, as Pt Rao mentioned, the orchestra excelled and captivated everyone with their performance. With a repertoire that included the elegance of Lara’s Theme, the brilliance of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, the charm of Turkish March, and a soul-stirring patriotic finale, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, the performance was a testament to passion, precision, and the dignified power of music.

The seamless connection of every note, chord, and beat reflected the circular nature of life itself. It was remarkable to witness how diverse instruments came together in perfect harmony, showcasing the spirit of collaboration and unity within our school community. But there was more to follow as the students took centrestage to amaze the audience with their talent – one scene at a time.

The programme then invited the audience to step into a world where music transformed into a storyteller and rhythm became a form of drama. However, this was no ordinary drama — it was an extraordinary celebration of every step in the journey of music.

Music was portrayed as more than just sound; it was described as the heartbeat of humanity, the rhythm of shared experiences, and the pulse of emotions that transcend time. The performance, titled The Symphony of Time, was introduced as a musical narrative that beautifully blended tradition, innovation, and soul-stirring melodies.

It began with the primordial sound Om, signifying the very essence of creation. From there, the journey transitioned to the sacred city of Nalanda, to how Ashok the Great renounced violence to spread messages of love, devotion, and unity, to how Rabindranath Tagore spread the music from Shanti Niketan. From the qawwali performance that awed everyone to the Bhartnatyam to thumri to Bihu to Garba to a Kashmiri folk dance to folk music from Bihar, each performance amazed the audience as the students took them on a journey of India’s musical tradition.

But the highlight of the performance was how seamlessly all the students came together to perform on Jai Ho! With the Tricolour flying high and the audience clapping, the atmosphere brought out the true essence – unity in diversity.

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. I extend my sincere gratitude to the guiding and inspiring 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 Honours for gracing the occasion with their presence. My heartfelt thanks also go to Ms Anita Paul, and esteemed guests for joining us today,” she shared. 

A 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, particularly from the dance, English, and computer departments, who have gone above and beyond to ensure the success of this event.” 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, on Day 2 was a grand success that concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.