Founder’s Day celebrations at Sanawar end on high note

The 177th Founder’s Day celebrations at Lawrence School, Sanawar, drew to a close today with renowned personalities like former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Olympian Shiva Keshavan among others making their presence felt.

Kiran Tandan Nadar, an alumnus of the 1966 batch, Chairperson, Kiran Nadar Museum of Arts and Trustee, Shiv Nadar Foundation, presided over the trooping of school flag parade as the chief guest.

As many as 120 students marched with grace and reverence for the school flag. The chief guest gave away the awards and prizes after the parade. The key feature of the celebration was an old students’ march-past, which was attended by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Olympian Shiva Keshavan, Bollywood director Apoorva Lakhia, actor Iqbal Khan, director Iqbal Rizvi, corporate entrepreneur Vivek Mehra, and local MLA Vinod Sultanpuri, besides others.

Addressing the media, Omar Abdullah expressed his admiration for remarkable improvements in infrastructure at The Lawrence School, Sanawar. He particularly highlighted the significant upgrades in sports facilities.

“There has been phenomenal improvement in infrastructural facilities at Sanawar in recent years, especially in sports. Sanawar’s playing grounds look very impressive now. Children can play hard without having to worry about getting bruised,” remarked Abdullah. He commended the school’s efforts in creating a safer and more conducive environment for students to pursue sports, noting that such enhancements play a crucial role in fostering the overall development of the students.

Headmaster Himmat Singh Dhillon elaborated upon the school’s academic, sports and co-curricular achievements of the year. Welcoming the chief guest, he said, “It gives me an immense pride and joy to state that the school has grown from strength to strength in general and in particular during the last year. The school has won many awards and accolades including receiving the top rank.”

The Chief of the Army Staff Trophy was given to Ananya Goyal and Jai Mukund Bhan. Dia Atal was adjudged as the winner of the Yashpal Chaudhary Gold Medal.

The Nellie Lovell OS Gold Medal was given to Jayant Sharma while Dia Atal was again conferred with the Shadi Ram Gold Medal.

Masoom Chauhan was awarded the Bhagwati Devi Gold Medal. Anit Toor and Aditya Das were conferred with the Thimayya Cup.

The Khetrapal Trophy for School Band Leader was given to Adeev Pratap Singh Dhillon. The Carlill Cup was given to Ranav Singh while Neelu Sharma Trophy and Cash Award were presented to Muskan Malhotra.

This year’s Somdutt Trophy was given to Dia Atal. Catherine Longman Public Speaking Trophy was given to Vindhya House, while Mahindra Search for Talent Scholarship was handed over to Himalaya House.

Kiran Tandan Nadar also inaugurated a girls’ dormitory. OS Lifetime Achievers Award was given to Siddharth Kak, presenter of DD’s Surabhi, golf coach Jaskirat Grewal and film critic Aruna Vasdev (posthumously).