‘I congratulate the school for its excellence and decades of hard work in the field of education’, says Mr Jagdish Raj Raja, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar

Annual Appreciation Day marks the time for celebration and recognition of the students’ and school’s achievements. The day also provides an opportunity for the students to yield the result of the hard work and diligence that they have shown throughout the year. To mark this event, Apeejay School, Rama Mandi held its Annual Appreciation Day on the theme – Anandam-A Symphony of Gratitude – on December 24, 2022.

The event was graced by the chief guest Mr Jagdish Raj Raja, Mayor, of Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar. Mr Aditya Berlia, Co-Promoter Apeejay Stya and Svran Group and Co-Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University, virtually presided over the function. Dr Rajesh Bagga, director at AIMETC, Jalandhar among others was the special guest at the event.

The function commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the chief guest, Mr Jagdish Raj Raja, accompanied by Ms Sangeeta Nistandra, principal, Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, and other special guests. The celebrations began with a dance performance paying homage to Lord Shiva. Students gave a mesmerising dance performance on the song Shiv Shankara invoking the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Raja said, “Apeejay School, Rama Mandi not only focuses on education but gives equal importance to human values and encourages students to achieve something big in life. Apeejay aims to fulfill Dr Stya Paul’s vision where scientific and career-building knowledge can be provided along with inculcation of values and an appreciation of Indian culture, arts, and heritage.”

He congratulated Apeejay School, Rama Mandi for their excellence and decades of hard work in the field of education. “I wish them the very best in this journey. I wish Mrs Sangeeta Nistandra, the teachers, the students, and their parents the best,” Mr Raja said.

Mr Aditya Berlia addressed the audience and said that “we have had an extraordinary couple of years post-COVID and I have seen how all of us including parents, teachers, and our wonderful students have gotten up to truly meet the challenges”. Students who have stepped up not as individuals or virtual learners but truly exploring technology.

“Our curriculum has been benchmarked now with all the top places in the world. We are also taking and bringing curriculum be it Mathematics from Singapore, Scottish English, and American Entrepreneurship, and blending it to create a truly globalised experience for our students. We have been validated by this by seeing this last year in our teachers, staff, mentoring consulting supporting schools in the Middle East, Europe, North America, and North Africa. It’s a testament to all the hard work that our staff, principals, and Apeejay community has put together,” Mr Berlia said.

He added that Apeejay education has stood up for values and we will continue to stand for values. “When you will talk to our alumni and particularly during COVID-19 they say it wasn’t curriculum, teaching method, or innovative practices but rather it was the values and character building at Apeejay that allowed them to be who they are. They are not only just helping their communities but helping each of us create a very vibrant alumni network which I am excited to know all of our wonderful scholars would be part of,” Mr Berlia said.

Highlighting the importance of education in a student’s life, Mr Berlia said, “I am amazed at all your achievements and I know that from year to year you will achieve more and more. Education is your best friend in life. One that will shower you with support, enlightenment, blessings, and success no matter where you are and what is going on in your life. The one constant companion with you will be education. Your job as a great friend is to love it, respect it, nurture it and spend some time with it.  Education is what allows you to see the world but more importantly, transform the world in your own eyes and truly be able to walk your path or whichever way you want to go.”

Mrs Nistandra, principal Apeejay School, Rama Mandi addressed the audience and presented the school’s annual report for the academic year 2022-23. She said, “Some people dream of success while others get up every morning and make it happen. We at Apeejay inspire and aspire students for their bright future and to achieve excellence in all physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth. Here at Apeejay Rama Mandi, we believe in man-making and nation-building.”

She added that the school is committed to Dr Stya Paul’s vision ‘soaring high is my nature’. “The school toppers in secondary and senior secondary Board exams have achieved an aggregate score of above 97 per cent. The school has been awarded the certificate of excellence at the 11^th edition of the Education Summit in the category of Outstanding Pedagogical Approach in teaching and learning. The school was also conferred with the Brainfeed School Excellence Award and Innovative Practices for academic excellence,” Mrs Nistandra said.

Academic toppers and sports achievers of session 2021-22 were also felicitated with certificates, trophies, and medals by special guests at the Annual Appreciation Day. The grand success of the function witnessed the coming together of students, teachers, parents, grandparents, and staff in huge numbers to celebrate joint labour of love.

The evening was unforgettable as students took to the stage to showcase glimpses of the essence of The Gita through a scintillating Indian classical dance performance. Through the performance, they expressed the key teachings of The Gita, namely: Keep no expectations as not expecting anything will lead you towards happiness; keep doing good work and results will automatically follow you; never lose hope in life.

Meanwhile, the message to ‘Never Give Up’ was conveyed through a special dance-drama depicting a student’s life, performed by students and teachers. Everyone present at the occasion also took a pledge in keeping with the central theme — Anandam-A Symphony of Gratitude.

What captivated and enthralled all the guests present was the much-awaited Bhangra. The participants captivated the audience with their passionate performance of Gidda and Bhangra to lively Punjabi folk tunes. The function also witnessed some brilliant singing by the students of the school. Their voices kept the audience truly mesmerised.

A vote of thanks was given by Ms Aarti Shorey Bhat, vice-principal, Apeejay School, Rama Mandi. “Swami Vivekananda once said love and gratitude are the keys that open the door of abundance in your life. I want to express our gratitude to each one who has made this event a grand success. I extend my gratitude to Madam Sushma Paul Berlia for her support and guidance. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our honourable chief guest Mr Raja for taking time out from his busy schedule to grace the occasion and congratulating student achievers,” Bhat said.

She thanked Mr Aditya Berlia for gracing the occasion with his eminent presence and words of encouragement. “I thank all the special guests for gracing the occasion. A heartfelt thanks to all the parents for supporting the students and allowing them to participate with great enthusiasm. We also congratulate all the students for their participation and achievements. I would also like to thank principal ma’am for the success of Anandam-A Symphony of Gratitude. As you always say ‘gratitude is in our attitude’. Most importantly, my kudos to the students and teachers for their extra effort in making the annual day performances a grand success. A special note of appreciation to the non-teaching staff for their hardworking effort to make this annual day a success,” Bhat said.

The audience was wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The celebrations concluded with the National Anthem sung by the school students.