Confluence 2013 at CMS Lucknow

On 4 December, 2013, 5 students each from Junior and Senior School accompanied by Mahima and myself, travelled to Lucknow to participate in the 4-day International World Unity and World Peace Festival 'Confluence-2013', held at CMS Lucknow from 5 to 8 December, 2013.

Around 600 students from various parts of India and abroad, chiefly, Pakistan, Nepal, Iran, Bangladesh and Uganda participated in this mega event. A grand inaugural ceremony was held at CMS Gomti Nagar to open the 4-day Festival.

An array of exciting and innovative competitions were organized for the following days with the dual aim of developing talents and constructing confidence amongst students, whilst simultaneously building bonds of brotherhood across cultures.

Our students participated with great enthusiasm in these competitions which included the following events.

My Dream Canvas (Poster- Making) This competition was to be judged under a special category i.e., the school category Each team had to prepare and bring a poster on the theme Give Peace a Chance and submit it at registration.

At A Glance (Collage-Making) The team comprising of 2 students Sehaj Kaur Bedi and Navyaa Singh from the junior section displayed creativity and imagination to present an ensemble of different forms under the theme Our Hopes and Fears

Rhythmic Taal ( Choreography) - The troupe consisting of Khushi Arora, Tanya Nayyar, Sathyadeep Khullar, Sehaj Kaur Bedi and Navyaa Singh from the junior section offered a novel perspective set to music, on the theme, Natures clarion call".

Word Truce (Debate) The debate was open for one participant in the senior section and Saheb Kohli of class IX spoke against the motion, Freedom of an Individual is a Myth

Opera House (Dramatics)-The troupe consisting of 5 students from the senior section Ritwik Arora, Bhavika Sharma, Pratishtha Kohli, Saheb Kohli and Sara Sharma, impressed the audience as they enacted the significant event in the life of Lord Budha which had changed his life,The topic of the opera house being historical play which may depict the turning point in the life of ..

The UN Crusades (Campaign) - Our senior team used jingles and slogans to compose a campaign against Aids HIV/AIDS reduction in spread and stigma. The other topics for the campaign were:

a) Promoting child rights

b) Poverty alleviation

c) Combatting illiteracy

d) Fostering peaceful co-existence

Euphoric Trills (Western Singing - Duet)-Theme A message to Humanity- here Ritwik Arora and Pratishtha Kohli sang Wavin Flag by KNaan.

In a Nutshell (Proverb Enactment)-The junior team presentation their view of the timeless proverb United we stand, Divided we fall. They performed with grace and elan on stage.

Page Tech (Power-point Presentation)- A digital exhibition of thoughts, vision and dreams using Microsoft Power Point was prepared and presented by 2 students Ritwik Arora and Prathishtha Kohli in the senior category, the topic being Live and Let Live

A Poets Day Out (Poem Enactment)- At this competition we got a glimpse of our budding Kipling, Tennyson, Yeats and Keats as they took the stage in to present a harmonious blend of poetry, music and drama. Our junior team enacted the poem The Seven Ages by Shakespeare.

After an extremely enriching and eventful day, the students and teachers of all participating schools were taken to one of the popular malls in the city where the children dug into their favourite food and enjoyed the evening with their friends.

Last but not the least, we were treated to a delightful ghazal night on our last evening where the music teachers of the host school regaled us with ghazals and recreated the magic of Jagjit Singh.

The train ride home, the next day was just as fun-filled.

The entire trip had been a wonderful learning experience for all of us. It only further strengthened our belief that sharing, caring and love for each other are the lasting values.