94th Founder’s Day 2014
2014Quantum Leap towards perfection including Archives Building, Heritage Clock, umpteen Sports, Academic activities.
“Entertaining, energizing, electrifying, enthralling, and above all, educating!” That’s how, Shri.LK Advani, the Chief Guest, former-Deputy Prime Minister and the seniormost Parliamentarian, expressed his views on the occasion of the 94th Founder’s Day of Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi. He said that institutions like Modern School have pioneered education, co-curricular activities and sports into a path-breaking benchmark. Shri.Advani added that Modern School, where his own daughter Pratibha had been lucky to have studied, has been a synonym of accomplishment.
Amidst a gathering of almost 3000 plus parents and grandparents, while reading the Annual Report, the Principal, Dr Vijay Datta categorically mentioned the glorious feats of students at the pinnacle of glory in academics, sports, debating, music, dramatics and other fields. Dr Datta stated that even today, the institution has retained its top position as the vanguard in almost all walks of school life. He further added that students were very enthusiastic about the introduction of equestrian, boxing, baseball and shooting as part of the sporting schedule of the oldest Public School of the capital.
Dr SY Qureshi, the ex-Chief Election Commissioner, the Guest of Honour spoke high of the overall educational excellence emphasizing that the school’s motto, “Self-realization cannot be achieved by the weak-willed”, fits in perfectly. He spoke highly of the shooting and debating champions from the school, who have been winning laurels at national and international championships. He mentioned that his vast experience of globe-trotting made him proud of Modern School, an Indian institution head high above shoulders in comparison to the schools abroad.
Another eminent Guest of Honour, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff, took the guard of honour, inaugurated all the visual arts, photography, woodwork and aeronautics, aero modelling and other exhibitions besides bolstering the students participating in the inimitable mountaineering and hiking show that was the pick of the day. Admiral Sunil Lamba stated that there was no dearth of talent and daredevilry acts on the part of the dauntless Modern students.
The major attraction of the evening was the Ballet, Mehboob-e-Ilahi: Jahanara based on the life and times of the Mughal princess and the eldest daughter of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan. The performance, according to parents, was breath-taking and par excellence! Orchestra too ruled the roost by a large number of students.
A book on the history of Modern School by Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, senior teacher from the faculty of Commerce was released on the occasion by Shri LK Advani who said that it would go a long way to add to the lustre and glory of the institution. More than 500 prizes were given away to the students.
As one of India’s most reputed heritage schools, Modern School is also gearing up for its Centenary Celebrations in 2020. A glorious “Archives Building” with more than 6000 photographs and almost the same number of press clippings, and the age old “Heritage Clock Tower” under the guidance of Mr.Ashok Pratap Singh and with the efforts of Ms. Ambika Pant and Mr.Nawal Singh, is being readied.
Besides, “Time Capsule”, “Science Park” and the “Globe” too will be part of the school’sheritage.
Under the recent initiatives, DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), BALA (Building As a Learning Aid) have become a part of the school curriculum. Equestrian, rugby, boxing, shooting and baseball too are a part of the salient features that add colour to the sporting canvas of the school.
The vote of thanks was given by Dr SY Qureshi, who said that the manner in which Modern School in Delhi has been the trend-setter, so will be the other new Modern Schools, one of which has made its presence felt amidst sylvan surroundings in Kundli.
