Anugoonj-The Echo of Gratitude turns Annual Appreciation Day into a meaningful reflection

An Annual Appreciation Day is often seen as a celebration of achievements, but its significance runs deeper than applause or recognition. It offers a rare pause in the academic year, a moment to look back not just at what has been accomplished, but at how those milestones were reached. This year’s Annual Appreciation Day at Apeejay Svran Global School, Faridabad, Sector 21 D, unfolded as an evening that felt less like a formal event and more like a shared reflection on growth, effort, and quiet transformation. Titled Anugoonj-The Echo of Gratitude, the celebration held onto a simple idea and allowed it to deepen with every segment that followed.

The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Ms Kirti Gupta, Additional Commissioner, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs; Guest of Honour, Ms Shweta Mishra, renowned Kathak exponent; Special Guest, Mr Harbir Adhana, AEO Sports; and Mr Krishan, District Science Specialist, District Education Office, Faridabad. Also present were Mr Rajesh Arora, Rotary Club and members of RWA: Mr Shukla, Mr Rana, and Mr Mavi.

The event was also graced by Captain Parveen Roy, Principal, Apeejay School, Sector 15, Faridabad, teachers from sister schools, esteemed alumni, parents, and grandparents. Green symbolises life, prosperity, growth, and renewal, the very heartbeat of nature. Ms Purnima Vohra, Officiating Principal, Apeejay Svran Global School, Faridabad, Sector 21 D, to honor the commitment to a sustainable future, welcomed the guests with a gift that breathes and grows. She also felicitated the guests for taking time out and attending the function.

The programme opened on a poised note, with the junior orchestra setting the tone through a welcoming performance that carried both discipline and warmth. The transition into the senior orchestra followed naturally, where the scale expanded. The compositions felt fuller, the coordination more layered, and the confidence of the performers unmistakable.

The ceremonial lighting of the lamp grounded the evening in tradition. What followed was a classical invocation through the Sri Hari Stotram. The performance did not rely on spectacle. It held its strength in restraint, in controlled movement and expression that felt intentional rather than rehearsed for effect.

Extending a warm welcome to all the dignitaries, parents and grandparents present, Ms Vohra said, “On behalf of Apeejay Svran Global School, I welcome this august gathering. The theme reflects a spirit that stays with us, reminding us to pause and recognise the guidance and support that shape our journey. Education here is seen not just as the pursuit of knowledge, but as a path towards self-discovery, empathy, and meaningful contribution. This vision draws strength from the ideals of Dr Stya Paul, Founder-Chairman, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, whose philosophy continues to guide us.

“Carrying this legacy forward is Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, and Chairman, Apeejay Education. I also acknowledge Mr Nishant Berlia, Co-Owner and Director (Family Business Board) Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, Lead-Pharmaceutical Vertical, Office Bearer, Apeejay Education, Member of the Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, and Pro-Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University, Mr Aditya Berlia, Co-Owner and Director (Family Business Board) Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, Lead-AI Vertical and Innovations, Office Bearer, Apeejay Education, Member of the Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, and Pro-Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University, and Dr Neha Berlia, Co-Owner and Director (Family Business Board), Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, Lead-Education Vertical, Office Bearer, Apeejay Education, Member of the Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, and Pro-Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University for their leadership and contributions,” Ms Vohra said.

Taking the stage, Ms Gupta said, “It is an absolute privilege to be part of this Annual Appreciation Day celebration. I truly enjoyed every performance, each one reflecting the dedication of the students and their teachers. The programme beautifully echoed values of kindness, generosity, and gratitude. I congratulate the Apeejay Family for its strong leadership and a clear commitment to excellence in education.”

While we celebrate student achievements, we must also acknowledge the silent strength behind them, the parents, she shared. “Your support and belief form the foundation of your children’s success. I also pay tribute to the teachers, whose influence shapes lives far beyond the classroom. My dear students, success is not one dimensional. It is built through curiosity, integrity, inclusivity, and joy. These values will guide you throughout life. Remember, true fulfillment comes not just from achievement, but from compassion and purpose,” she added.

Attending the event virtually, Dr Neha Berlia welcoming all the esteemed guests said, “Today is not just an event, it is a celebration of our students, your determination, creativity, and discipline. Your joyful spirit gives this day its true meaning. Every performance, every achievement, and every lesson learned through the year reflects your sincere effort and growth.

“This year’s theme beautifully highlights the power of appreciation. It reminds us that gratitude is not just a single act. Our Founder-Chairman, my late grandfather, Dr Stya Paul, believed education must harmonise values with knowledge. That vision continues under the dynamic leadership of my mother, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, as well as our generation,” Dr Neha Berlia shared.

Dear students, Dr Neha Berlia said, remember, medals and certificates are wonderful, but your real success lies in your curiosity to learn, your resilience when challenges come your way, and the kindness you show even in small moments. These qualities will take you further than any award ever could.

“Your parents and teachers take immense pride in your journey. Keep exploring, keep questioning, and keep dreaming. The world needs your honesty, energy, and imagination. Let me leave you with a simple thought. Gratitude turns ordinary days into blessings and small moments into lasting memories,” Dr Neha Berlia said.

It was time to then read out the Annual Report of the school. To do the honours Ms Vohra took the podium. “The academic year saw meaningful progress across both scholastic and co-curricular areas. Our students did excellent in Classes X and XII CBSE exams. Students also performed well in Olympiads, with 34 participants, 18 gold medals, and several advancing to higher levels, including international recognition in Spell Bee. Beyond academics, the school maintained a strong cultural and developmental calendar, celebrating national and social occasions that encouraged awareness and participation. Literary Week provided space for creative expression through storytelling, poetry, and stage performances,” Ms Vohra shared.

A range of initiatives, she added included awareness programmes, self-defense workshops, and collaborative sessions with the Ramakrishna Mission, focused on building confidence, values, and responsibility. “Regular engagement in sports, yoga, and co-curricular activities ensured balanced growth, helping students develop both skill and character,” she stated.

From there, the programme widened in scope. The anchoring brought attention back to the theme, not as a line repeated for formality, but as something threaded through the experiences of the year. Gratitude was not presented as an abstract virtue. It appeared in references to effort, to guidance, to the small, often overlooked acts that build a student’s journey over time.

The presentation, built around the narrative of Arav Mehta, became the emotional centre of the evening. It moved away from achievement as applause and leaned into introspection. The story followed a young man surrounded by material comfort but disconnected from meaning, with each phase of his journey revealing a deeper understanding.

It began with the lesson of effort, where work was no longer distant, but experienced firsthand, allowing the character to confront the value of labour.

The idea of money followed, stripped of its usual authority and placed in a context of responsibility, where value shifted from accumulation to impact.

The narrative then moved to dreams, not shaped by comparison, but by personal purpose, allowing space for doubt and eventual clarity.

The final segment on gratitude grounded the journey, bringing attention to everyday moments and the quiet recognition of what already exists.

As each lesson was learnt, the students took to the stage to wow the audience with brilliant performance; be it the Rajasthani dance, the song on spreading one’s wings or the amazing performance by the young learners. As the narrative concluded, the transformation did not feel dramatic, but earned.

It was then time for prize distribution to celebrate the achievements of the students of all classes, be it academic excellence in Class X and XII results, or co-scholastic achievements including sports. To give away the certificates, medals and trophies the school Principal escorted the Chief Guest and other dignitaries on the stage to do the honours.

The grand finale brought the focus back to the institute. It tied together the threads of the evening without over-explaining them. The emphasis remained on balance, on rising with ambition while staying rooted in values.

The evening closed with a ‘vote of thanks’ that carried sincerity rather than formality. A heartfelt gratitude went to Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Dr Neha Berlia, the esteemed Chief Guest and other dignitaries. Parents, teachers, students, and staff were thanked for their collective efforts in making this event a grand success.

The event did not try to impress at every step. It trusted the process, allowing each segment to build on the last. In doing so, it reflected something essential about education itself. Anugoonj, in that sense, was not just a theme. It felt lived.

The event concluded with the singing of the National Anthem!