‘Walk the path of progress and make India proud’ says Mr Priyank Kanoongo, Chairman, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

Orchestra, band, theatre, skits, music, songs, solo dance performance, tiny tots in their colourful attire, and much more was Day 2 of the ‘Annual Appreciation Day’ on November 26-27, 2022 at Apeejay School Pitampura. The participants ensured that there was never a dull moment as each program blended into the next seamlessly.

The chief guest Mr Priyank Kanoongo, Chairman, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights could not attend the program due to an injury. But the other dignitaries guest of honour Padmashree Geeta Mahalik, Ms Ranjana Prasad, member of Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Ms Harsh Arya, Deputy Director, District North West, Directorate of Education, were welcomed by the school’s band.

The evening began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Padmashree Geeta Mahalik, Ms Ranjana Prasad, Ms Harsh Arya, Ms Ritu Kohli, Director of Apeejay School Noida, Mrs Anita Yadav, principal of Apeejay School, Faridabad to give the evening an auspicious start to Day 2’s program.

While Mr Priyank Kanoongo could not be present in person, he sent a video message. “My blessings to Apeejay students, teachers, management, and the principal for the Annual Appreciation Day. The annual day is not to just showcase the progress that has been made for the school but this is an opportunity to sow the seed of joy among the students as well. I would have loved to be a part of this joyous event but an unfortunate accident prevents me from being there in person; I fractured my leg. But I promise that when the school celebrates its annual day next year, kindly remember me and I will be there,” Kanoongo said.

He said that he would love to be part of the celebrations next year. “My love and best wishes to the students. Walk the path of progress and make India proud and take the country to new highs,” Kanoongo said.

Starting with a quote: You will never win if you never begin, Ms Harsh Arya said, “I want to not only congratulate the winners, but I want to give a message to those who remain on the sidelines. I want to see them on the stage in the next academic year. As Deputy Director of the Directorate of Education, I have around 150 schools in my district – both public and Government. I can say that Apeejay School, Pitampura is one of the best schools in my area. The discipline and the confidence that the students of this school have showcased today are worthy of praise. Kudos to the principal of this school who is dynamic; she has innovative ideas that have been seen on the stage today that left everyone spellbound,” Arya said.

Padmashree Geeta Mahalik said: “It is a pleasure to be here among all of you today. It has been such an amazing program. I want to thank the school especially Mrs Veena Goel, principal, Apeejay School, Pitampura for inviting me. It is amazing to see so much talent among children and the interest they take in our art and culture. Art and culture are very important in one’s life. It develops a well-rounded and holistic personality of people. The students of this school are very lucky to be studying here; this is because Apeejay is one of the best schools in India. The school not only excels in academics but in co-curricular activities as well. To be successful in life you need three things: Dedication, hard work and passion,” Mahalik said.

Mesmerised by the show put up by the students, Ms Ranjana Prasad said that she didn’t know whether to praise the kids who received medals for their brilliant academic performance or those who lit the stage on fire.

“I am completely mesmerised by what I have seen. Apeejay has hypnotised me today. I want to tell the students that whatever is their passion, they should never let their creativity die. Ensure that today’s theme — Let There Be Light — keeps burning inside you forever. While academics are important, so is creativity,” Prasad 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 (in absentia):

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, Mr Priyank Kanoongo, Chairman of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and our gracious Guest of Honour Padmashree Geeta Mahalik. 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: “I feel immensely elated to welcome all the parents who are with us today, whose consistent support and cooperation is our true strength. It is my pleasure to welcome all the dignitaries and special guests. I feel privileged to be a part of Apeejay Education which is an extremely vibrant organisation, playing a highly proactive and positive role in the narrative of the nation’s educational canvas. Our motto ‘Soaring High is My Nature’ enshrines the belief that true education inculcates a constant pursuit of excellence on the strength of human values,” Mrs Goel said.

She said that Apeejay Education has a legacy of more than five decades of providing education built on human values and innovation with alumni across the globe. We salute our visionary founder Chairman Dr Stya Paul who laid the foundation stone with his firm belief that the mission of education is “Man making and Nation building”. His rich legacy is proliferating in the hands of his only child Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Co- promoter and President Apeejay Stya & Svarn group, President Apeejay Education, Co-founder and Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University.

“Under her dynamic leadership, the numerous awards that have been earned by Apeejay Education have given us a distinct place in Education. Madam Berlia has been personally felicitated with many awards, the most recent being the Legendary Shiromani Award for her contribution to Excellence in Education at the NRI World Summit 2022 at House of Lords, London,” Mrs Goel said.

The school Head Boy Aaditya Sharma, Head Girl Anusha Arora, Sports Captain Prabhav Gupta- and Interact Club President Divisha Dua shared some of the accolades achieved by the students in myriad fields including Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values that went to Anika Chauhan of Class VII and Prabhav Gupta of Class XII who had also secured cent percent in Math.

Mr Subodh Kala, father of Soha Kala was called upon the stage to give away the Soha Kala Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in English. It was given to Vedanshi Talwar of Class V (Primary group II-V) and Anusha Arora of Class XII (Seniors IX-XII).

The evening’s function on Day 2 to was also presided over by Pitampura faculty 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: “The Apeejay School, Pitampura creates a challenging environment for young children to have the confidence to learn, and the freedom to take risks where they can discover what really matters to them and realise their true potential to be global citizens of the 21^st century.”

Each year the school picks up a theme; this year, the school sought the illumination of the self and passing on the light. The theme for the Annual Appreciation Day evening was: Chirag Jal Uthe… Let There Be Light. 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.

The light on the stage was provided by tiny tots who in their colourful attire left the spectators speechless with the coordinated movements. Dancing to the tune of Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine, the young ones won the hearts of everyone present as they clapped with the toddlers on the stage. The song — Sing Hosanna — by the junior choir group had people tapping their feet and singing with them.

Dancing to the tune of The Little Light of Mine, the students once again mesmerised the guests and parents with their foot-tapping moves. The stuti – Asto Maa – sung by over 10 students was a treat to the ears.

The evening ended with an emphatic round of applause and a vote of thanks by Dr Renuka Kamal, Vice-principal Apeejay School, Pitampura.

“It is my proud privilege to present the vote of thanks on behalf of the Apeejay School, Pitampura. Let me start by giving glory to the mighty God for making today’s occasion a resounding success. 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. We are extremely fortunate to have Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, our revered President of Apeejay Education Society to have been the inspiration behind all our endeavours. We thank her from the core of our hearts,” Dr Kamal said.

She thanked the chief guest Mr Priyank Kanoongo for sharing his words of wisdom. “My gratitude to Ms Ranjana Prasad for her inspiring words and guest of honour Padmashree Geeta Mahalikji for having spared her valuable time to grace the occasion. A special thanks to Mrs Harsh Arya for her gracious and motivating presence and words,” Dr Kamal said.

She added that the day’s program would not have been possible without the consistent guidance and encouragement of the esteemed members of the management board and erudite education officers whose trust we always try to uphold. Dr Kamal also thanked Noida director Mrs Ritu Kohli, principal of the sister school, other distinguished guests, dignitaries, special invitees, well-wishers, and alumni Ms Arzoo Khurana, Mr Sumit Deshpande, Mr Gurpreet and Dr Rahul Singh who made this occasion special.

She extended her deep sense of appreciation to the principal Mrs Veena Goel for her leadership and managerial qualities. “Her vision and guidance have made this day possible. A big appreciation to our event coordinators, directors, script-writers, anchors, choreographers, art department, technical team, and support staff who took up the challenge and worked tirelessly. A huge appreciation to all the participants who made this evening such a splendid unforgettable evening. I would like to bring this beautiful evening to a close by the following lines: Let there be light; let there be a light of knowledge; let there be a light of enlightenment and soul! The evening ended with the brilliantly sung school song: Soaring High Is My Nature.