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May 19, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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SCHOOL BUZZ
Mira model School, Janakpuri, celebrated its 30th Founder’s Day recently on the school premises. Dr Uma Tuli, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, presided over the function as the chief guest, while Mr Jitender Tuli, Consultant, WHO, was the guest of honour. The evening included the annual award ceremony for academic excellence, awards for outstanding performances in sports and cultural activities. The hallmark of the cultural programme was the rendition of the Saraswati Vandana and Haryanavi dance, presented by both the students and teachers. Since the founder’s day dedicated to the ‘the right to learn’ for everyone and the theme was ‘inclusive education’, it was most appropriate to have an inspiring figure as Dr Uma Tuli, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities as chief guest. The high point of the evening was the ballet ‘Subhashini’, which was an adaptation of Tagore’s story. ‘Subhashini’, the story of a girl, who is differently abled. Challenged by her disability, shunned by society, rejected by her peers, she finds solace in her undying love for nature. The ballet finds a friend and guide in Pratap, who helps her in discovering herself. Through motivation, courage and determination, she finds a way to be herself. The ballet sings of the indomitable human spirit that conquers all and emerges a victor, joyous in the divinity of its soul, in spite of the hurdles that life places in the path. Summer coaching camp Bhatnagar International School, Vasant Kunj, organised a special summer coaching camp from May 13. The workshop, which will commence tomorrow, will train students in table tennis, riding and basket ball on the school premises. The camp was inaugurated by Mr Ranbir Bhandari, renowned table tennis coach. The workshop is being attended by over 100 students of various age groups. Students felicitated The Punjabi Academy felicitated 43 students from GHPS, Vasant Vihar, for securing more than 75 per cent marks in the examinations, conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). In a function organised in the Capital, the students were honoured for their meritorious performance by Mr Manjit Singh, IRS, Dr Harmeet Singh and Dr Rawail Singh of the Punjabi Academy. Bhagidari Mela A Bhagidari Mela was organised by Bal Bhavan Public School along with the Environment Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi. Stalls displaying various handcrafted items, including flowers vases, penholders were appreciated by the audience. Among those present on the occasion were Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Transport Minister Ajay Maken and Naresh Singh, MLA. The aim of the mela was to bring different government and education bodies together to work for the cause of environment. |
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PRINCIPALSPEAK The mercury has soared to a blistering 45 degrees Celsius. The sun’s white light pierces the eyes like needles and there seems no solace. I wondered where all the trees had gone. The stone and concrete world appeared heartless. Dejected and sapped, as I walked on with my eyes downcast, a tiny, cheery little wild flower, peeping out of a crevice, nodded happily as it swayed in the hot wind. It instantly put a smile in my heart. Nature had taught me yet another lesson. My heart brimming with gratitude, I wondered if I would have to wait for ‘Environment Day’ to show my respect and appreciation for the limitless blessings of nature, foremost of which is life. In today’s fast paced life, we hurry forward in the ‘heat of hope’, desperate to get ahead like somebody running up an escalator. So many things to do – school or workplace to attend, schedules to meet, records to smash - these are our goals and all to often our gods. It is time for us to pause and ponder – aren’t we missing out on the essence of life and the joys it offers as we rush forward with our blinkers on? God created Nature before he created Man. Nature nurtured us in her lap, introduced us to the delights and joys of the world, fed us, healed our wounds and soothed away our cares. We have drawn our strength from her, have learnt our lessons from her innumerable yet diminishing resources. Though drained and exploited, she continues to smile. Her patience deserves to be respected, not rudely ignored. In the primordial societies and even today in the tribal and tradition-bound communities, the elements of Nature are deified as protectors of life. People revere the beneficent nature and appease her fearful moods. Today scientific theories and explanations may have stripped Nature of her divine aspect but they too endorse that man’s sustenance depends on Nature and on an understanding of our interdependence. All civilisations have flourished along the banks of rivers, whose holy waters quench our thirst, cleanse our bodies and souls and become our life force. We, however, have only polluted pure waters, over-drawn from resources and choked banks and riverbeds with plastic bags. Every drop of water is precious. We need to save it. Today, it is heartening that there is a renewal of concern for environmental issues. People are no longer waiting for governments to act. Grassroots’ movements are springing up everywhere and the vitality and creativity of these movements in India, especially rural India, are a source of inspiration. Where Nature is venerated, movements like the ‘Chipko Movement’ take on a new strength. It is time for each one of us to participate in this change in our own small ways - by sowing a sapling, protecting our trees, using eco-friendly products, not polluting the water bodies and not letting our taps drip. These will make Nature bless you. We owe it to nature to curb our greed and lead simpler lifestyles. Even the animals in the jungle drink water from the stream only to quench their thirst and leave the rest to flow for others to use. They uphold this law unflinchingly. Surely, we too can obey rules and not grab what is not ours. We are often reminded that we have inherited this world to bequeath it to the future generations. Let us pay our tribute to Nature by preserving her beauty and riches. Madhu Chandra, Principal, Birla Vidya Niketan
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Chandni Chowk Festival on May 25 New Delhi, May 18 “This
time the festival will disseminate the message of patriotism. The
festival will present composite style of Mughal and Indian culture,”
the organiser of the festival and Union Minister of State for
Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Vijay Goel, told reporters last night. “There
is a need to declare Chandni Chowk a heritage city by the government
and UNESCO,” he said. During the festival, the road between Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid would be decorated and all temples, mosques and gurdwaras illuminated. Union
Minister of State for Road Transport B. C. Khanduri,
Lieutenant-Governor Vijai Kapoor and Police Commissioner R. S. Gupta
were also present on the occasion. |
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