‘Students are torchbearers of future India,’ says Mrs Cheshta Yadav, District Magistrate, North West Delhi

Not very often does one see a symphony of dance and drama that is brilliantly backed by live vocals, recitation, and even instruments. But this is precisely what Apeejay School, Pitampura did and delivered it with flying colours when it observed its ‘Annual Appreciation Day’ on November 26-27, 2022.

Mrs Cheshta Yadav, District Magistrate, North West Delhi (IAS) was the chief guest on the occasion. Guru Geetanjali Lal, Kathak guru and choreographer was the guest of honour.

The other distinguished guests on Day 1 included Dr VS Garg, Educational Advisor at Apeejay Education,  Mrs Anita Paul, Education Officer, Apeejay Education Society; principals of sister schools and alumni.

The chief guest was welcomed by the school’s band and the evening began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest Mrs Cheshta Yadav, guest of honour, Guru Geetanjali Lal, and Dr VS Garg to give the evening an auspicious start to Day 1’s programme.

Speaking at the occasion and mesmerised by the brilliant performance of the students, Mrs Cheshta Yadav, District Magistrate, North West Delhi (IAS) said that she was left speechless by the show and that the title says it all – Let There be Light. “There was too much light and too much fun on the stage. We should give a round of applause to the kids; they were fantastic. I would like to congratulate the management, the teachers, and the students who have come here to perform splendidly. Let there be light, aur chiirag jalta rahe ka asli meaning yeh bhi hai that students are torchbearers of future India,” Yadav said.

She added that as a District Magistrate and a Civil Servant she would like to urge all the students who pass out from Apeejay, to stand as well as shine and let the knowledge of Apeejay institution break away the myths, break away from the stereotypes, and break away the non-scientific shackles that the society is in.

“The light should not just shine within, it should shine so bright that it can be spotted from afar, and people say that these students are Apeejay who think right, who do right, and ultimately who have stepped out in the world to spread their light in India. Students who pass out from this school must spread their light of knowledge and take everyone whose life is in darkness towards light,” Yadav said.

Guru Geetanjali Lal, as is tradition with artists, stepped on the stage barefoot and paid obeisance to Mother Earth (stage) and God, and gave her blessings to all the participants.

“I saw some great talent that started with 50 students of the orchestra playing raag Bihag. It was a beautiful composition; I could see music, theatre, and dance. All the students set the stage on fire – It was not just light. I must congratulate all the teachers who have worked so hard to make the students perform on the stage. Without them nothing is possible. Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwaraha, Guru Saakshaat ParaBrahma Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha. Your teachers, parents, principal, and even the management are your gurus. When you are on stage everyone is your guru,” Geetanjali said.

Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Co-promoter, and President of Apeejay Stya & Svarn Group, President of Apeejay Education, Co-founder and Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University was unable to be part of the function due to last minute urgent commitment but her blessings were read out by Mrs Veena Goel, Principal, Apeejay School, Pitampura.

In her message, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia said:

I extend my best wishes for the annual appreciation day at Apeejay School, Pitampura, New Delhi. Congratulations to the School for its commendable work in all realms- academics, extracurricular activities, sports, and community outreach initiatives. I extend a warm welcome to our Chief Guest, Mrs Cheshta Yadav, District Magistrate, and our gracious Guest of Honour Geetanjali Lal. I welcome all the members of the extended Apeejay Stya family including students, teachers, parents, and alumni who have joined us today.

Apeejay Education is guided by the vision of my (late) father Dr Stya Paul; the inspiration behind all our institutions. Apeejay School, Pitampura has carved out an identity of excellence for itself in the last 30 years, as one of the best CBSE schools in the entire country. I congratulate all those who are going to get prizes today. To those who have not won any prizes, I would like to say that never give up on your dreams and follow them up with determination to get the kind of success you deserve.

I thank the entire parent community for the trust and faith they have reposed in us. We look forward to their continued support at all times. I congratulate Principal Veena Goel and her dedicated team for their commendable work. May the school continue to soar higher and higher.

Thanking Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia for her blessings, Mrs Veena Goel said: Mr Aditya Berlia, Co-Promoter, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group and Pro-Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, is a young entrepreneur, educationist and a prolific writer. A multi-faceted personality, he balances his role in the corporate world with his philanthropic dedication to education. He is instrumental in the strategic expansion of Apeejay Education in UAE and the Middle East, with the recent partnership with His Royal Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum. I congratulate Apeejay Education on this new partnership.”

Mrs Goel also said that she is pleased to share that Dr Neha Berlia, Co-Promoter & Member, Management Board, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group, plays a holistic, entrepreneurial role in directing strategic projects and executing key projects while holding direct operational roles in a number of companies. “An inspiration to the youth, I congratulate Dr Neha Berlia on her felicitation as the ‘Edu Visionary Leader of the Year 2022’ during the Education Summit in Mumbai,” Mrs Goel said.

‘I am extremely proud of our students for their excellent results in CBSE examinations. This year in Class XII, Ishika Singh was the topper in the Commerce Stream with 97.4 per cent followed by Priya Jain in the Science Stream with 97 per cent and Malvika Tiwari and Vanshica Soni at 96.4 per cent in the Humanities Stream. The school clocked an average aggregate of 84.7 per cent,” Mrs Goel said.

She thanked Mrs Cheshta Yadav, the chief guest, for her gracious presence and sharing her valuable time despite her hectic administrative responsibilities.

“My grateful thanks and appreciation for Ms Geetanjali Lal, our guest of honour for her charming presence. On this platform, I would also like to acknowledge the perseverance and sincere efforts of our teachers and support staff during the year whose commitment to the students enables them to live the school motto – Soaring High Is My Nature,” Mrs Goel said.

The evening’s function was presided over by Pitampura teachers Mrs Sapna Sondhi and Mrs Savita Panhotra together with Ishaan Arya and Khushi Goel. Welcoming all the eminent guests, dignitaries, worthy principals from Apeejay sister schools, alumni, parents, teachers, and students, Panhotra said: “Ladies and gentlemen, to steadily grow from good to excellent requires a carefully engineered roadmap with clearly defined procedures and processes taking all stakeholders with a shared vision.”

The evening saw over 750 enthusiastic participants on the stage to perform and entertain all those who were present. There was a reason for everyone present to rejoice as the school was celebrating its offline Annual Appreciation Day in the school after two years. The evening provided a window to the world so that it can see the school in its true form, synergy, and the vision of the Founder-Chairman Dr Stya Paul.

And there was plenty of light on the stage. The English play that showcased the victory of light over darkness through two plays by William Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth and that included a waltz by senior dance students – brilliantly sent across a message that whatever dark things may appear at first, light always wins at the end so don’t give up.

The Village Act through a story, which was extremely relatable to all present, highlighted the importance of building relationships rather than making money as the sole motivation. But probably the best part of the evening was the lessons that each student must learn – never pick up things that don’t belong to you, never be jealous of your friend’s success and always be happy and grateful for what you have.

The evening ended with a resounding applause and a vote of thanks by Dr Renuka Kamal, Vice-principal, Apeejay School Pitampura. “We express our deepest regards to our (late) Chairman Sir Dr Stya Paul whose vision of excellence in education has always been our bright light and made it possible to put our best foot forward. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our honourable chief guest Mrs Cheshta Yadav, District Magistrate, North West Delhi who motivated us with her enriching words. I extend my heartfelt thanks to our guest of honour Guru Geetanjali Lal for having spent her valuable time to grace this occasion,” Dr Kamal said.

She also extended her thanks Dr VS Garg, Mr NN Nayyar, Mrs Anita Paul as well as to the principals of sister schools, distinguished guests, dignitaries, special invitees, friends, and well-wishers for making the evening all the more special. She thanked the alumni Vaibhav Pratap Jain and Dr Vasudha Seth.

“I extend my deep sense of appreciation to our principal Mrs Veena Goel for her leadership and managerial qualities. Her vision and guidance have made this day possible. I would like to bring this beautiful evening to a close by the following lines: Let There Be Light. Let there be light of dreams; let there be light of undying hope; let there be light of warmth and love!” Dr Kamal said.