Energetic, electrifying and eclectic: Mumbai school hosts carnival

Neon lights, Ferris wheel, exciting competitions and sumptuous food stalls. Surely, carnivals bring out the child in each one of us. To uplift the spirits of one and all, Apeejay School, Kharghar hosted “Exuberance” on January 29, 2023. A cultural extravaganza, it was managed by Valedra Education that offers value-added activities and services inclusive of extra-curriculars for school and college students.

The agenda of the fest was simple, to provide each attendee a platform to display their skills and capabilities. And so, Apeejayites left no stone unturned in hosting 4,300 people with great ardour and zest.

The event was inaugurated by Shri Prashant Thakur, Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. On the occasion, he lauded the initiative of the school and its management by stating that it is only through such a creative event, children learn the most and are able to prepare themselves for the future.

“Apeejay Education strives to provide holistic value-based learning to further the overall development of students. In the same spirit, the carnival held at Apeejay School, Kharghar was a splendid platform to encourage pro-active participation, share responsibility and build the community.”

–DR NEHA BERLIA, CO-PROMOTER, APEEJAY STYA AND SVRAN GROUP & Pro-Chancellor
of Apeejay Stya University

On this special day, he lit the ceremonial lamp along with the school’s Principal, Ms Tejaswini Katdare and declared the day open. Shortly, students performed a mesmerising devotional dance embodying Goddess Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Durga to welcome him. This was followed by a melodious song by the choir of the school.

Aditi Singh, a class 8 student who performed the Invocation dance says, “It was a spectacular show! During the carnival, I participated in a solo dance competition as well and showcased a fusion of the ‘Mahabharata’. The dance teacher of the school, Avitha Poojari Ma’am and I, spent weeks practicing for it. The final performances boosted my stage confidence.”

Other cultural activities during the fest included solo singing, group singing, along with dance drama and tongue twisters that won everyone’s hearts. Besides, ‘Antakshari’ and ‘Musical Chair’ provided a chance for parents and teachers to bond with each other. Fun rides across age groups were open to children and they competed for activities like Tambola, Shoot Trick, Puzzle and Play stations.

Student, Aarav Jha, says, “I along with my classmates were responsible for a gaming stall that included three different games. And, this was the first time I managed a crowd. So, I learned how to handle cash and coupons which was quite challenging! But throughout the day, I had my teachers to guide me.” Sharing the same sentiment, his classmate, Adya Namdiar says, “I was part of the organising team for the junior-level drawing competition. This was the first time I interacted with the junior students. They were quite disciplined and hardworking. Needless to say, they put their best foot forward in the competition.”

A key highlight of the evening was the exhilarating and colourful fashion show by the senior students. “My son, Vaheen, got a chance to walk the ramp during the fest. The opportunity amplified his confidence and communication skills. He answered the contest’s questions very well and was applauded by many people,” says Ms Pallavi Gandhi, Lead-Sales at a multi-national company. What made the experience all the more special for her was to remember how she too participated and won several Beauty Pageants in the past. “My experience was nothing less than outstanding. I would like to commend the efforts of all the students, teachers and staff. Their hard work was showcased on the big day,” she adds.

For student, Nalin Agarwal, the school carnival meant nothing but fun. “It had everything, right from rides to games and food. My favourite was the ‘Tora Tora’, a roller coaster ride, followed by the Ferris wheel. Both of these were extremely thrilling! The best thing about the school’s carnival? The food! I enjoyed the pizzas and fries”

An array of edible delights, raffle draw and exciting prizes ensured an unforgettable time for all.

Ms Smita Singh, mother of two says, “The carnival was our family’s day! Why? We bagged so many prizes for dance performances, tongue-twisters and many more! I was pleasantly surprised to witness how the teachers encouraged students to run the stalls single-handedly. In addition, everything was curated with thought. My daughters Aditi and Agrata were actively involved throughout the day and delivered power-packed performances. It was a necessary stress- buster from our routine lives. I am already looking forward to Exuberance 2024.”

At the closing of the programme, Ms Katdare thanked everyone for their presence and participation.