Honouring Dr Kalam; a day of learning and inspiration

On October 16, 2024, students of class VIII-C of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, hosted an assembly to celebrate World Students’ Day, marking the birth anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The event was a tribute to Dr Kalam’s immense contributions to education and society, highlighting his journey as an inspiration for young minds.

The students presented an engaging skit that summarised the important moments from his life, underlining perseverance, commitment to learning, and importance in India’s space and missile programmes.

The inspirational songs and a beautiful poem presented by the students profoundly encapsulated the ideals of simplicity, hard work, and commitment to the nation as always envisioned by Dr Kalam. These artistic expressions created a deeper emotional connection with the audience, reinforcing lessons learnt from his life.

Speaking about this special assembly, Ms Tanu Katiyar, TGT, Science and class teacher of VIII-C said: “Special assemblies like this one play a vital role in shaping the holistic development of students. By organising events that celebrate the life and values of figures like Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, we not only honour their contributions but also instil their ideals of perseverance, innovation, and lifelong learning in young minds. These assemblies create an interactive platform where students can express their talents, foster creativity, and build a strong sense of community.”

Moreover, by integrating themes like global hunger awareness and recognising academic achievements, she added we inspire students to strive for excellence while being mindful of global challenges.

The assembly was a befitting tribute to the heritage of Dr Kalam, talking about the issues across the world. The students took the World Food Day pledge, raising concern for global hunger and bringing out people to be united in action against it.

Dheeksha Singh, a student of class VIII-C said that participating in the class assembly benefited me in several ways. “It improved my public speaking skills, boosting my confidence in addressing an audience. I also learned the importance of teamwork, as we all had to work together to ensure the assembly ran smoothly. The experience helped me manage my time better by balancing preparation with my other schoolwork. Overall, it was a valuable opportunity to develop both personal and collaborative skills,” she shared.

The topic of our assembly was World Students Day celebrated on the birth anniversary of Dr Apj Abdul Kalam, Ishaan Agarwal, a student of class VIII-C shared. “I learnt about the importance of teamwork and how working together can help us achieve great things, much like Dr Kalam emphasised during his life. The assembly also taught me to value education, dedication, and perseverance, key qualities that helped Dr Kalam contribute so much to the world,” he added.

The function concluded with an award distribution ceremony for the NOF Junior International Olympiad winners. That recognition of intellectual pursuit reinforced another cornerstone of the vision of Dr Kalam – the value of development given to intellectual pursuits – for India’s future.