The oldest school of the city, Arya Senior Secondary School, housed in the majestic colonial building of the last century has churned out doctors, lawyers, statesmen and many other eminent people of the society.

The school has inherited a rich legacy since 1889. It developed from infancy to maturity in a decade or so as it was patronised by renowned personalities of Arya Samaj, Ludhiana, who are highly experienced and devoted educationists and philanthropists. It started as a Hindu school in a small building close to old Head Post Office, Ludhiana. Later on it was taken over by the Arya Samaj, Saban Bazar, Ludhiana, in 1889 and named Arya High School. Mahatma Munshi Ram Ji later known as Amar Shaheed Swami Shardhanand ji, a great disciple of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, laid the foundation stone of the present school building on the Old Sabzi Mandi road, Ludhiana with his benevolent hands on March 29,1913.

The school has the privilege to produce distinguished and prominent personalities who made a mark of their valuable service to the Indian government.

This institution is fully devoted to advocate and champion of the basic ten principles of Arya Samaj as propounded by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati.

The founder-Principal the Late Mr Ram Lal, was the heart and soul of the institution, who dedicated his whole life for the uplift of this premier institution. With his untiring and relentless efforts, the school earned a name in the field of education during the era of undivided Punjab.

The height of glory was further maintained by the able stewardship of Principals and Headmasters the late Saravshri Dalip Chand Dhir, Sant Ram, Roop Lal, V.P. Mohindru, Bhagwan Dass Sood and O.P. Tandon. During the tenure of Mr Roop Lal, the school was raised from High School to Higher Secondary School. The late Mr Jagan Nath Grover, a famous historical and devoted educationist, worked as Headmaster for several years.

A large number of possible steps have been taken so as to provide all the educational and modern co-curricular facilities, including sports and cultural competitions throughout the year. Besides regular routine, remedial teaching, educational and vocational guidance is also provided to the talented and needy students so as to improve their careers. Outstanding students showing all round good performances get scholarships and other financial aid.

Keeping in view the old academic tradition, this year too the results of all the groups of +2 class are above the board’s pass percentage. The results of class V111 and +2 are above 90%. The school has got highly qualified, scholarly and experienced staff. The school has more than a century-old colonial structured building still going strong, spacious playgrounds and facilities for library and laboratories.

At present there is a provision for medical, mon-medical, commerce and humanities groups and efforts are in progress to get permission to start technical groups for +1 class with effect from this year.

The school was affiliated to the PSEB in 1964. The school fee structure is minimum in Arya School among all the aided schools. The financial health of the school is excellent without putting any extra burden on students and parents.

The school has three branches. The main branch is at old Sabzi Mandi, while the second branch is in Malerkotla House opposite Dayanand Hospital, and the third branch is on Brindavan Road. The students’ strength in the main branch in 950, at Malerkotla 900 and at Brindavan 500, with a 70-member staff. 

On Education

The policy of appointing teachers on a contract basis is a good decision taken by the government. This system would highly improve the education system. The security of service of staff is insecurity to the students as the teachers have become extremely negligent. Now they cannot be called the backbone of society. Increment of the teachers should be based on the results. Guide books or so called ‘help books’should not be used by teachers. The PSEB should use the books prescribed by the CBSE with minor changes whenever required to promote the cause of cultural heritage but not at the cost of nationality. Science students of PSEB have to buy big books of science at exorbitant rates. Mr Verma also feels during the summer vacations, the teachers should be taught new methodolgy of teaching.

On religion

Imparting moral education is very necessary in the presentday context. Moral education is given to students on the grounds where prayers are conducted.

He believes in imparting morals to students by telling interesting stories in the morning assembly. From January 1, 2003, the school is going to devote a period to dharam shiksha. It was earlier the norm but was stopped. He feels imparting moral education is the moral duty of the entire staff. Havan is performed once a month in which all students participate. Every function of Arya Samaj is celebrated at the district level with special emphasis on Swami Dayanand’s teachings.

On discipline

The outward discipline is temporary. Inward discipline is the best kind of discipline. The principal says that he is proud of the discipline of his students as even without a teacher, the students behave themselves. He feels that generally discipline is vanishing from life and teachers have to show the way. For this reason, the number of holidays for teachers should be restricted. There is no house system in the school. Discipline is maintained by monitors and senior staff members.

Happy New Year.

My mother

Mother, Mother sweet mother,

there is no one like mother.

She always prays to God in my favour

and never feels tired and serves me for ever.

When I get back home from school

she awaits me at the gate for taking food.

When I get some problems in lesson

she helps me to solve those problems.

At the bed time before sleeping,

she tells me stories .

When I suffer from sickness

as a nurse she serves me

till I get well and free for ever.

So there’s no one like my mother, mother, my sweet sweet mother.

Purnima Budharaj, class IX Nature’s beauty

‘O’ see the nature’s beauty nature’s beauty, nature’s beauty

is visible in the morning, the day, the night.

Nature’s beauty is all very bright. We love to see the sight of the surprising nature’s night.

‘O’ see the nature’s beauty

the morning seems to be like an angel.

With a golden glow spreading marching from east to west.

‘O’ see the nature’s beauty. The day seems to be like a pearl.

At the top of its head shine

the bright rays of the sun.

‘O’ see the nature’s of beauty the night seems to be wearing a

black coat with the white little spots.

‘O’ see the nature’s of beauty nature’s beauty, nature’s beauty

Purnima, class IX

Mera Bharat

Mera Bharat, Mera Bharat, Lovely dear, Mera bharat Bharat is my country

a bouquet of different religions.

We don’t believe in caste everyone is alike.

We love our India.

It offers us many opportunities of learning and growing. Never will I leave my India

to go and settle abroad.

Snehsa Sharma