Apeejay School, Saket celebrated its 27th edition of the Winter Carnival “La Fiesta”. This event brought together students, teachers, parents, alumni, and distinguished guests, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with joy, creativity, and community spirit. Held on the school premises, La Fiesta aimed to provide a platform for fun, entertainment, and meaningful connections while promoting charitable causes, particularly through initiatives like blood donation camps.
The event witnessed the presence of several prominent guests who graced the carnival with their esteemed presence. The chief guest, Shri K.J. Alphons, a revered IAS officer and former minister, shared his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to his current status as a celebrated public figure. Alongside, Mrs Reena Ramachandran, President of the Co-Federation of RWAs in South Delhi and Shri I.P. Singh Bawa, a former news anchor and influential personality, further added grandeur to the carnival.
Dr V.S. Garg, Education Advisor, Apeejay Education, Mr N N Nayyar, Senior Education Officer, Apeejay Education, and Ms Purnima Vohra, Education Officer, Apeejay Education, were among the other distinguished guests who contributed to the success of the event.
A Grand Opening with Inspiring Words
The carnival kicked off with the chief guest, Shri K.J. Alphons, cutting the ceremonial ribbon, signaling the start of the grand La Fiesta carnival. Sharing a warm welcome for the distinguished guests, teachers, parents, alumni and students, Dr. Sujeet Eic Masih, Principal of Apeejay School, Saket, introduced the chief guests and other distinguished members to the audience.
Shri K.J. Alphons began with his signature charm as he shared, “Children need more than good grades. The real goal is to become great human beings. I grew up in a village, studying by the light of a kerosene lamp because there was no electricity. I scored only 42% in my 10th board exams – don’t follow that! I had to teach myself English from a dictionary. From there, I became a national debater, an IAS topper, and held the best collector award for four years.”
Shri Alphons urged perseverance and bold dreams. “You can become anything you want. This carnival is about more than just academics. What we truly want is for children to dream big and follow their passions.”
He concluded with a call to action while requesting young minds to read his book The Winning Formula, which tells stories of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things. “Everyone has the potential to make a difference. Let’s encourage our children to dream, strive, and make an impact,” he added.
Sharing his thoughts for the School, Shri I.P. Singh Bawa, began his speech by reflecting on the core values instilled at Apeejay School, Saket. “The most important thing is that we remember our childhood when we gather here together. As far as school is concerned, I saw the word ‘Apeejay’ written. The spelling itself reflects the basic qualities of every staff member and student who passes through here. The alphabets read as:
A – Astonishing
P – Polite
E – Efficient
E – Energetic
J – Jovial
A – All-rounder
Y – Yielding”
Further sharing his personal story that resonated deeply with the audience, he said, “If we focus on a child, they grow. Similarly, if we focus on a problem, it grows too. Therefore, whenever there’s any problem — whether it’s sadness, pain, or disease — ignore it. Move away.”
Dr. V.S. Garg, Education Advisor at Apeejay Education, took the stage to reflect on his journey and the growth of the school. “Winter Carnival allows us to learn so much from each other, and that’s exactly what the carnival is all about. This is a beautiful school. In fact, I was just talking with my colleagues and teachers, reminiscing about when I was principal here from 1997 to 1998. After 25 years, seeing the school now, it’s truly beautiful. Everyone has worked so diligently, and this is all under Mr. Sujeet’s leadership. Our entire faculty, each and every one of them, deserves recognition.”
The Festive Atmosphere and Activities
In addition to the inspiring speeches, La Fiesta featured a host of activities designed to entertain the attendees. One of the attractions was the blood donation camp organised by the Interact Club. Over 30-35 donors participated, reinforcing the event’s commitment to social responsibility and community service. This initiative garnered much appreciation, as it aimed to highlight the significance of giving back to society. Joginder Singh, the first blood donor of the day, shared, “I am feeling very happy because I donated blood after a long time. Last time I donated for my mother only. And now I donated for the cause. I am feeling great.”
The carnival grounds were adorned in red and white, creating a festive ambiance that set the perfect tone for the day. Guests and students enjoyed a variety of stalls, including food outlets, game stalls, swings, and lucky draws. Shri I.P.S. Singh Bawa, the chief guest, emphasised the value of these stalls, saying, “The stalls give basic knowledge of vocational study. So the children get to know how to earn. And when children are sitting in a stall from morning to evening, whether they are earning 10 rupees or 100 rupees, they get to know the value of money as well as understand not to waste their parents’ hard earned resources.”
The day further featured marvellous performances that were very engaging. From carol singing to Vandana dance, the school’s talented performers left a lasting impression. The school choir’s melodious tunes and vibrant dance numbers also added to the overall atmosphere of celebration.
One of the key highlights was the talent show, where students showcased their creativity and skills. The superhero parade featuring Nursery, KG, and Class 1 students dressed as adorable animals added an element of innocence and charm to the carnival.
Subsequently, Dr Sujeet Eric Masih, the Principal of Apeejay School, Saket, highlighted the entrepreneurial skills nurtured through events like these: “The setting up of stalls by students is a unique opportunity for the children to develop and hone their entrepreneurship skills. They learn how to set up their own stalls, manage them, attract crowd, and sell. Outreaching different people, speaking to them, and sharing the concept — all of this is a training for the children to become entrepreneurs, develop their personalities, and enhance their creativity skills.”