Sports' Day, 2014, 20 November.

Several hundred blinking electric torch lights illuminated the evening sky at the Tyagaraj Stadium in a befitting finale to a resplendent extravaganza that marked the Sports' Day celebrations of our School on 20th November, 2014. The Chief Guest on the occasion Brigadier Ashok Abbey, AVSM, a distinguished mountaineer who has summited Mount Everest on 2 occasions.The other dignitaries present included Ms. Renu Sharma, Deputy Director of Education (South), School Chairman, Mr. Prafull Goradia, Dr. (Mrs) Nayana Goradia (Vice-Chairperson) and Ms. Brinda Shroff ( Vice-chair, The Indian School).

The meet commenced with the large school choir soulfully singing the Ganesh Vandana set to a fusion of Carnatic and Hindustani music. The spiritual gently blended with the motivational as the rhythmic drum variations electrified the atmosphere. The chief guest reviewed the guard of honour and the drill by the four houses: Chandra, Indra, Surya and Varun. The dulcet notes of the flute created harmony with the drum beats in a splendid display of unity and harmony of the marching house and the band. The solemn oath ceremony was followed by the release of balloons. The colourful balloons representing the four houses gently soared carrying with them the message of love, hope, peace, freedom and success. [gallery]

In his address the chief guest lauded the school for the spectacular display of enormous talent and the commendable march-past. He congratulated the four houses for their excellent drill, turnout and timing. Calling children the future of our great country he appreciated the holistic environment provided by our School in shaping the outlook of its students. He complimented the school on rendering yeoman service to the nation by producing outstanding future citizens and hoped to see Olympic champions from amongst them!

Quoting Sir Edmund Hillary he said, ' it is not the mountain you conquer but yourself', Brig. Abbey laid emphasis on the importance of sport in shaping the personality of children and how the spirit of sportsmanship imbibed would hold them in strong stead in their adult years.

The highlights of the evening were the short distance races -100 metres, 200metres and 400 metres, 4x100 metres relay for classes VI to XII ,100 metres hurdles for Classes IV-V and fun races themed Keep your city clean and the bunny race for the pre-primary. Interspersed with the races were myriad displays, a graceful Ball exercise, the fierce Krav Maga warriers, deadly Nunchakus, the feisty Pom Poms, serene Taichi and spiritual Yoga.

The Prize Distribution and Vote of Thanks was followed by the National Anthem infusing patriotic fervour into a memorable and magical evening.

Indra house won the Trophy for the Best March Past. Varun house won the Champion House in Sports 2014 Trophy. Best athlete senior boys : Nischay Luthra and Raghav Kapur. Best athlete senior girls : Shrishti Gupta and Harshini Thibu. Best athlete junior boys was Prajjwal Roy and amongst the girls, Meghna Nawariya. Chinmaya Iyer took the 1st position in 3000 metres for boys and Shivika Palliwal stood 1st in the 800 metres for senior girls.

Filed by Ms. Navreet Shergill, Acting Vice-Principal. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Principal, The Indian School. Dear Ms. Principal, Congratulations for a brilliant Sports Day bearing precision, defly organized schedule and classic imagination. The fluorescent dresses of the junior section participants and twinkling lights of the grand finale were a perfect synergy to the late evening programme. It was a spectacular rhythm of light and reflection. The Bunny race was pretty ingeneous and the "Swaccha Bharat" abhiyan by pre-primary students was an exemplary effort to infuse solidarity and alignment to a National mission in the young children. Extending support to a noble cause in which ever way possible is in-itself a grand gesture. The primary section teachers do deserve special appreciation for controlling such large number of small children and keeping them in high spirits throughout. The winner of almost all the flat races from Varun house was outstanding and holds immense promise. The function falling on a Working Day had led to initial apprehensions of poor attendance of parents but surprisingly they did oblige by being in full force.The sale of omnipresent cups of coffee on that single evening must have exceeded its annual sales. The disobedience of parents in moving to the enclosures or blocking main passage by reckless parking of cars are nothing but relics of the immortality of an old adage viz. " Habits die hard". Kind Regards, Ajay Awasthi