Annual Day 2024

The Indian School celebrated Annual Day 2024 with panache on 14 and 15 December. The theme, I am the Change I Want to See, was skillfully woven into the tableaux and the mesmeric dance-drama which celebrated the unyielding spirit of women who dared to challenge societal norms and paved the way for a more equitable future.

The School choir comprising 119 artists from classes 3 to 12, created magic with a repertoire which began with a profound Gita Shlok, a tribute to women empowerment, followed by Satyamev Jayate, the hauntingly beautiful O Ri Chiraiya,  the Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel, the powerful Aarambh Hai Prachand, and Ye Honslon Ki Udaan hai to reach a thrilling finale with We Will Rock You by the British band QUEEN. Their high-octave performance showcased the synergy of men and women to bring a transformative change to the world.

Bhumika Puri of class XI-E and Akshat Panwar of class XII A were the hosts of the show.  

Principal Ms Tania Joshi warmly welcomed Chief Guest  Mr Himanshu Gupta, Secretary of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). 

The other guests included School patron Dr (Mrs) Nayana Goradia, Ms Brinda Goradia Shroff, chairperson of the School Managing Committee, Ms Madhavi Divan and other eminent members of the School governing board and the PTA.

Mr Gupta, in his address, shared instances from his personal experience to deliver the powerful message that “ It’s okay to fail, it’s okay to learn from your failures and to keep on giving your best.  Life is a sine curve. It will first take you down and then take you up”. He urged parents to strengthen their children’s mental health and well-being. They should instil in them from a young age, the values of resilience, hard work, accepting failure, never giving up and continue giving their best to ultimately achieve happiness and success.   

He advised students to have a dream and work towards achieving it. They should accept that they are individuals and not draw comparisons with their peers.

Mr Gupta asked the teachers to bring new elements into their teaching as they were engaged in the most important role of all – human development as they possess the power to influence and shape human lives. 

The School PTA graciously released the annual day souvenir to commemorate the occasion.   

The musical that followed was an audio-visual delight as it skilfully presented a joyous family photo celebrating two milestones in the life of the main protagonist, Heera: her granddaughter becoming a pilot and her grandson becoming a chef—traditionally seen as unconventional for their genders. Heera’s resilience and determination empowered the women in her family to chase their dreams, starkly contrasting her unfulfilled aspirations.

The effervescent jamooras, voiceovers and audio-visuals brought alive Heera’s past which symbolised the struggles of countless women of her generation, whose ambitions were often stifled by traditional gender roles and societal pressures.

The musical then focused on trailblazing women who defied the odds to create change: the legacy of the Lijjat Papad women’s cooperative in Gujarat, the environmental activism of Gaura Devi in the Chipko Movement, and the courage of Bhanwari Devi, a rape survivor and activist in Rajasthan and the Phogat sisters. Their stories of empowerment, filled with courage and determination, were juxtaposed with the plight of women like Nirbhaya and Abhaya, whose tragic experiences underscore the ongoing challenges of gender-based violence. The play also addressed the pervasive issue of eve-teasing, reflecting on a case in Australia where an Indian-origin man had justified his actions by citing Bollywood’s normalisation of such behaviour.

The drama wove together a poignant narrative with mesmerising dance performances, captivating the audience with its emotional depth. Interspersed throughout the sombre storytelling were vibrant dance sequences, showcasing the energetic and playful spirit of children. The riveting performance featured an eclectic mix of styles, including the dynamic energy of jazz, the expressive fluidity of contemporary, the classical elegance of kathak, and the lively folk rhythms of free-style, ghoomar and garbha. As the dancers moved in perfect harmony, their colourful costumes and energetic movements added a kaleidoscope of colours and emotions to the performance, weaving together a rich tapestry of sound, movement, and emotion that left the audience spellbound. The stars of the evening were our tiny tots dressed as pilots, chefs, lawyers, firefighters, and politicians. 

The grand finale saw all the participants, led by class XII, dance to the motivational score “Hai Junoon” and echoed the lessons of the evening to a resounding standing ovation.

... Yaaro Jee Bhar Ke Jee Le Pal

Lagta Hai Aaj Kal Daur Apna Aayega

Yaaro Jo Khud Pe Ho Yakeen

Jo Zindagi Haseen

Tujhe Kal Bulayega

Hai Junoon

Hai Junoon Sa Jeene Mein

A vote of thanks was offered by the Principal to a cheering house. Ms Joshi thanked the management, parents and the PTA  for their unrelenting support in making this event a mega success. She expressed her gratitude to Ms Madhavi Diwan, member of the Managing Committee for her guidance from conceptualising to the staging of the grand play. She also applauded the efforts of Ms Sunita Singh, Mr Madhav, Ms Nidhi, Ms Pooja and Mr Sanjeev for bringing alive the germ of an idea to its fruition with aplomb. The tech team received a special mention for its computer graphics and movie-making skills in showcasing the preparations for the event. Manifold messages of appreciation and applause from our parents made for the icing on the cake, as it were!