Tuesday 5 February 2013

Republic Day celebrations - Secondary section


REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS


- Mrs. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School
26th January 2013

The Constitution of India came into force on 26th January, 1950 – a day when India was formerly declared a Republic. Sixty three years later, we Indians indeed have reason to jubilate and celebrate this event.  On 26th Jan 2013, the students of the Secondary Section and the entire staff of St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala, assembled on the school ground for the Republic Day celebration at 8 a.m. The Chief Guest, Rev. Fr. Roy Noronha, sdb, was warmly welcomed by the Guard of honour by the NCC cadets of our school.  He was accompanied by the Guests of Honour - Fr. Bernard Fernandes (Principal), Ms. Nicole Britto (Vice-Principal), Mrs. Sangita Bhattacharya (Secondary Supervisor) and Mrs. Matilda Fernandes (Primary Head Teacher). 

After a smart march past by the NCC cadets under Mr. Raj, the programme commenced with a meaningful prayer service invoking God's blessings on all Indians. The poem in Hindi ‘Bas chahane se manzil nahi milti’ wonderfully recited by a student and the patriotic song sung by a group of students reflected the patriotic fervour and sentiments of everyone present. Some other creative expressions were there in the offing too:  One of the students read out a passage relating the relevance and significance of this day in the life of every Indian. A few other students displayed charts and banners for a better motherland as also cherishing the gift of our Constitution on Republic Day. 

The talented Master Chaitanya Harikrishnan, a student from Std. II, defined the rich culture of India by his exquisite performance on the mrudangam.  With his father by his side assisting in the rhythm, Chaitanya was in full flow as the music beats progressed, and he touched everyone through his music .
Rev. Fr. Roy Noronha, in his address to the gathering, drove home the truth (by way of a parable) that the power to do good or evil is in our hands, and that we as Indians could likewise either contribute to India's progress or cause harm to her.

The students who achieved incredible success in academics and sports received certificates and prizes at the hands of the chief guest.  Later, Fr. Bernard Fernandes, our Principal, specially credited the performance of Master Chaitanya Harikrishna who played the mrudangum with elan and confidence,  Master Varun Tirthani the winner of the prestigious Hindustan Times scholarship from among the many students of the other schools in the city, and Master Nimit Kamdar selected by the NIE newspaper as their ‘Star correspondent’ .  Fr. Bernard thanked the teachers and students who contributed to the success of the day’s program and appealed for a positive contribution from each of us for a better and peaceful India.




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