The customary School Library and Literary Week, held from 21 to 25 April 2025, was a vibrant celebration that captured the hearts and minds of students from Pre primary to class XII.
In harmony with the National Education Policy's emphasis on holistic learning, the Week embraced the concept of edutainment, blending education with enjoyment to engage both the mind and spirit. The activities through the week were a testament to the School’s rich linguistic diversity, with events conducted in English, Hindi, Sanskrit, and French, inviting students to immerse themselves in the beauty of different languages and cultures.
Dr (Mrs) Nayana Goradia, Vice Chairperson, played a pivotal role in shaping the week’s activities, offering insightful suggestions that inspired much of the programme and ensured a wide range of engaging and thought-provoking sessions. Principal, Ms Tania Joshi, attended several events through the week, further strengthening the connection between leadership and the students' creative journeys. The events were also attended by several parents, whose presence added a layer of warmth and encouragement, reinforcing the School’s strong community spirit.
The event was inaugurated on 21 April 2025 by Dr Anu Singh, Vice Principal, and Ms Vandana Tewari, Head Teacher (Primary), who led a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the commencement of the celebrations. Dr Singh’s stirring address inspired students to immerse themselves in the world of literature, transforming the week into a true voyage of imagination.
The opening sessions immediately set the tone: Ms Swetcha Pershad captivated class III with her storytelling session "Shh…Kisi se na kehna", while Ms Shefali Malhotra’s puppet storytelling delighted classes I–II, blending music and art into a vivid tapestry of wonder. Senior students from classes XI-XII were immersed in history through the screening of Victoria and Abdul, which brought the complexities of the Victorian era and colonial India into sharp focus. The day continued with a thought-provoking screening of episode 4 from Netflix’s Freedom at Midnight, tracing the poignant story of the Partition of Punjab, leaving students reflective and engaged.
On 22 April 2025, the momentum soared. Ms Vasudha Ahuja brought to life the beloved tale, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein for classes IV–V, teaching lessons of love, generosity, and selflessness through her evocative narration. Meanwhile, Mr Amitabh Srivastava sparked critical thinking in classes VI-VIII with an enlightening session on The Evolving World of Media and Journalism. Simultaneously, a group of students visited the National Book Trust of India, where Ms Usha Chhabra led an inspiring story-writing workshop, igniting young minds to craft their own tales.
The celebrations reached new heights on 23 April 2025 with a series of dynamic and engaging activities. Classes VI–XI participated in an exhilarating drama workshop at Akshara Theatre, exploring the nuances of theatrical performance and stagecraft. Meanwhile, Pre primary students experienced a whimsical journey through Ms Seema Wahi Mukherjee’s storytelling session, Friendship Tales, discovering the magic of storytelling from a tender age. In the library, Prof. Satyaketu Sanskrit guided classes IX–X through an enriching session on creative writing in Hindi, encouraging students to develop their expressive skills in their mother tongue. Later in the day, classes VII-IX participated in Ms Monisha Gupta’s workshop The Light Between Lines: Exploring Meaning in the Spaces Between, prompting them to delve deeper into the spaces where meaning often hides. Simultaneously, classes X–XII visited the Partition Museum in New Delhi for a deeply emotional and engaging session led by Ms Niharika and her team (on behalf of Lady Kishwar Desai), who shared powerful stories from the time of the Partition, leaving a lasting impression on the students.
24 April 2025 was yet another day of intellectual exploration. Dr (Mrs) Nayana Goradia, acclaimed author of Lord Curzon: The Last of the British Moghuls, delivered an insightful lecture on The Partition that Shook a Nation to classes IX-XII, captivating students with her profound understanding and meticulous presentation of the Partition of Bengal in 1905. Meanwhile, selected students from classes XI-XII engaged in a live online Q & A session with Ms Shrabani Basu, renowned author of Victoria and Abdul, who shared fascinating insights into her book and its movie adaptation. In addition, students from classes VII–VIII visited the British Council Library, where they explored world-class resources and discovered the immense joy of reading in an inspiring environment. Simultaneously, Prof. Madan Mohan Jha led a vibrant session of for classes VI-VIII, rekindling interest in the ancient language through interactive learning. Ms Parvati Sharma’s storytelling session Rattu and Poorie’s Adventures in History: 1857 for class VI transported students into a riveting chapter of India’s struggle for freedom.
The grand finale on 25 April 2025 brought the week to a stirring close. Capt. Akhilesh Saxena delivered an inspiring address to classes IX–X on his experiences during the Kargil War, igniting patriotism and courage in young minds. Ms Mamta Nainy conducted a stimulating workshop on The Art of Reading and Writing Visual-Based Narratives for classes XI-XII, while Mr Gaurav Chaudhary’s Hindi Theatre Workshop for classes IV-VI filled the auditorium with dramatic energy and vibrant performances.
Library and Literary Week was not just about the scheduled activities. It also featured unique attractions that added excitement to the celebrations. For instance, the book exhibition by Full Circle invited students to explore a variety of books and stationery, generating lively enthusiasm. The DEAR Time (Drop Everything and Read) activity, held daily for 15 minutes, encouraged everyone to embrace the habit of reading. The Book Donation Drive inspired empathy as students contributed personal books for their specially-abled peers, highlighting the values of giving and sharing. Another favourite was the Book Exchange Corner for classes VI-XII, which offered a fun, coupon-based system allowing students to exchange previously read books for new ones, sparking excitement for fresh reading experiences. The popularity of this corner stood as a clear testament to the students' growing love for books and reading.
The English-language activities added vibrant hues to the week’s celebrations, weaving a tapestry of creativity, expression, and lively competition. Students captivated the audience with stirring poems, dramatic skits, and insightful book reviews during special literary assemblies. The spirited inter-house debate competition, filled with fiery arguments and eloquent speeches, saw Indra House claiming victory.
Slam poetry sessions unleashed a wave of self-expression, while students delved into the worlds of humour, brevity, and beauty through limericks, haikus, and tankas, capturing vivid landscapes in just a few lines. Creativity truly took centre stage with the character parade, followed by a hilarious twist with the satirical funny newspaper, where students crafted playful editions. Word map challenges and an exciting treasure hunt turned language learning into thrilling adventures.
Literary quizzes, games, charades, flash fiction, novel reimaginings, alternative endings, and imaginative literary-themed T-shirts and bags showcased the vibrant enthusiasm and boundless creativity students brought to literature.
In the heart of the Hindi sessions, students gathered in a whirl of thought and imagination, sharing the treasures of their literary world—their favourite books and the characters that had captured their hearts. With minds brimming with creativity, they designed stunning cover pages for their chosen books, each stroke of colour and each shape thoughtfully reflecting the essence of the stories within.
To further enrich their understanding, the timeless film Bade Bhai Sahab was brought to life on the smartboard. As the scenes unfolded, students were transported into the world of the story, their minds opening to the depth of the characters and the nuanced themes woven throughout the narrative.
In a quiet moment of reflection, the class also immersed itself in the world of autobiographies, each story unfolding like a tapestry of human experience. Through the words of renowned authors, students gained a window into the lives of those who had walked before them, their struggles, dreams, and triumphs becoming a mirror through which they could better understand the journey of self-discovery and growth.
These activities were not just exercises in learning; they were journeys of imagination, reflection, and insight. They ignited the students' creativity, expanded their literary horizons, and deepened their connection with the world of Hindi words.
In Sanskrit, students immersed themselves in a vibrant array of activities, from shloka recitation that honed their pronunciation and memorisation skills to skit performances and storytelling that brought the beauty of the language alive with expression and flair. Through engaging language games, they strengthened their vocabulary and grammar, while dialogue writing—where they crafted lively conversations between a brother and a sister on a family picnic—encouraged them to express their thoughts and emotions with confidence. The activities not only deepened their linguistic abilities but also kindled a lasting love and enthusiasm for Sanskrit.
In French, students created colourful bookmarks to build vocabulary and enhance their artistic expression, designed imaginative book covers to strengthen their understanding of French titles and themes, and participated in an exciting classroom treasure hunt to reinforce their comprehension and communication skills in a fun, interactive manner.
Throughout the week, School buzzed with a contagious energy, as students across all classes embraced the magic of literature and the library in their myriad forms.
As the final page of Library and Literary Week 2025 turned, its echo lingered in the hearts of students.
“We read to know we are not alone,” said C.S. Lewis, and this week, literature brought all students together, guiding them on a shared journey of creativity and imagination.
Just as we, at The Indian School, strive to build ocean liners with Indian anchors and ethical rudders, so too did this week anchor students in the deep waters of knowledge, steering them with the ethical compass of literature. May the power of books and the boundless world of stories continue to inspire and guide them, propelling them forward with wisdom and purpose.
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