‘Be impartial and honest in performing your duties’: Ex-IAS officer

Donning the mantle of responsibility and accountability, students of Apeejay International School, Greater Noida, pledged to bestow their duties to the best of their abilities at the school’s Investiture Ceremony.

At the event, the school elected student leaders for the academic session 2022-2023. The importance of the occasion was its child-centric approach that will help frame responsible citizens of tomorrow. And to signify this spirit, the newly appointed student-members were welcomed with great pomp in a special ceremony at the school’s ground.

It was presided by Chief Guest, Mr. Hari Om Gandhi, Senior Commandant CISF, Greater Noida and Guest of Honour, Shri Dinesh Rai, a retired IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh cadre, batch of 1974. The ceremony was carried forward with a high degree of earnestness and passion.

The programme commenced with the auspicious lamp lighting by the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and the school Principal, Dr Sarita Pande. Parents of the appointed student council were also present on this momentous day. This was followed by Ganesh Vandana as a tribute to Lord Ganesha to seek his blessings. The council then marched up to the centre stage, holding the school and houses’ flags high up in the air. They symbolised their ambitions and the motto of the school, “Soaring High is My Nature”.

The ceremony was further led by Ms. Maninder Kaur, the Senior Coordinator in the school. She acquainted the gathering with the names of the position holders. Shortly, they were conferred with the badges and sashes by the Honourable Chief Guest, the Guest of Honour and the Principal. Mr. Gandhi and Shri Rai congratulated the students and guided them to be impartial and honest in performing their duties. They also exhorted to uphold the school’s values and reminded them that with position comes great responsibility towards themselves, their school and peers. They further advised the students to inculcate the values of punctuality, dedication, discipline, and determination as they become the torch bearers of tomorrow.

It was a proud moment for all the parents to witness their children embark on a new journey. The newly elected Head Boy and Head Girl of the school also delivered powerful speeches in the ceremony.

To make the audience resonate with their energy and motivate them to be responsible citizens, the school’s choir sang, “Ae Bharat ke bacchon, utho jaag jaana”. The same espoused confidence, development of leadership qualities and a sense of duty in others.  

Dr Pande also congratulated the students and advised them to become role models for fellow Apeejayites. She said, “Students must extend a supporting hand to the students’ council for the smooth running of the school.” She related a beautiful story of an ant to make the young minds realise that no matter what happens in life, one should always fulfil their responsibility.

To enlighten the new council, the outgoing Head Boy, Samridh Srivastava, shared his experiences. The outgoing Head Girl, Harshita Tripathi also motivated the council members to soar high. She quoting the favourite couplet of Apeejay’s Founder-Chairman, Dr Stya Paul, “Tu shaheen hai parwaz hai kaam tera, tere samne aasman aur bhi hai” to pass on the beacon of charge.

The event ended with the Vote of Thanks extended by the Vice-Head Boy and the Vice- Head Girl after which the National Anthem was played.

The event witnessed excitement and outstanding coordination of students and proved to be an exhilarating moment for all the office bearers.