68th Independence Day
VIBGYOR may have descended on Planet Earth on a rainy day but the colours spelling green, saffron and white ruled the roost on India’s Independence day with the blue Charkha as its guiding light! Fluttering in regal abandon on the Modern tarmac, the erudite young scholars paid obeisance to Bharat Mata this day.
Our school celebrated the 68th Independence Day of our country on 13th August 2014.
Gen (Dr) V.K.Singh, PVSM AVSM YSM (Retd.), Former Chief of Army Staff, Hon’ble Minister of State for Development of North East Region (Independent Charge), External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Flag hoisting, the Chief Guest’s Address to the students, talks in English & Hindi, Roopak titled ‘Loc – Line of Control’ and performance by the school choir were the highlights of the celebration which enthralled nineteen to a dozen.
Teachers’ Day
Teachers’ Day is intended to be special days for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honour them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community in general. The teacher and taught hold a special place in each other’s hearts. Modern School as an institution pays obeisance to teachers as protégés of the Goddess of Learning. The students leave no stone unturned to make the day special for their beloved teachers. The teachers too regale their young audience through their dancing and singing prowess. Every year the day is celebrated with elan, making it as special as one would wont it to be. In this garden of warmth and bonhomie both the teacher and taught appear as two peas in a pod. Modern School as a temple of learning provides a conducive environment where the teacher and the taught grow from strength to strength in terms of academic excellence and other creative pursuits. The pursuit of excellence is inculcated in the ideology of each individual.
Blood Donation Camp 2014
In the materialistic world of today very few are bestowed with the ability to give selflessly. We at Modern School believe that this blessing of giving must be imbued within the conscience of our students from a very young age. Also, we would like to further our initiatives to the world community. Blood is the inevitable elixir of life and what better way of achieving our objective than maintaining the noble tradition of organizing our Blood Donation Camp.
The morning of 1st November saw the school auditorium abuzz with donors as it organized its 33rd Annual Blood Donation Camp. The months devoted to hard work spreading of awareness finally paid off as large numbers turned up to donate blood. The cut off, numbering 100 donors stipulated by the Rotary Blood Bank was achieved within an hour’s time. Our former student President Shrama, Ghosh was our 100th donor.
Well known personalities such as Mr. Tajinder Singh Luthra (Additional JT. Commissioner of Police), Mr.C.K.Mishra (Additional Secretary and Mission Director N.H.M.), Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi (Member of Parliament) and Ms. Nayantara Rai (CNBC television) graced the occasion with their kind presence.
While the Interact Club of Modern School constantly strives for excellence, the success of past Blood donation camps could not be possible without the unconditional support and propensity of the Rotary Blood Bank, the country’s largest and the most modern blood bank service.
Ikebana has been an integral part of our Annual Blood Donation Camp. The Ikebana exhibition creates an atmosphere of positivity and happiness, which encourages, and lifts the spirit of our donors. Ms. Neelu Kohli and the Ikebana club were responsible for this miracle of display and aesthetic ambience.
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.
94th Sports Day 2014
“Discipline yourself by sports” — Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir, the celebrated Indian cricketer though the Chief Guest, donned his school blazer, tie, belt and shirt not only to be an integral part of the 94th Annual Sports Day of Modern School but to give a glimpse of discipline. The world renowned batsman stated that he wanted to go back to that time when he was being cocooned by his teachers. “Sports, according to me, is the best way to discipline your body, mind and soul and just being on the plush grounds of the school electrified me, giving wings to my sports vision,” added Gambhir.
Dr. Vijay Datta, Principal, said that winning or losing is not as important as keeping the spirit of the sports going on. Games and sports symbolize the youth of the nation. They keep the nation young as they keep the people young. A drowsy inactive nation seldom makes a mark anywhere in the world. The intellectual growth of a nation too depends upon its physical health.
A huge gathering of parents and grandparents was there to encourage the budding sportstars of the future.
Various activities, in the spirit of fun and frolic and of course expertise, included — march past pageant by all the Houses, Yoga display, “Swachh Bharat”, races for seniors, juniors and sub-juniors, drill display and Tae-K-Wondo. Continuous commentary by the students enthused one and all throughout the proceedings
March past was won by Laxmibai House while the runners-up was, Ashoka House and the third position was captured by Azad House. Inter-House Team Championship Trophy was bagged by Gandhi House. Gandhi House was declared the overall Best House. The best athlete for the juniors slot were Pranjal Dangwal (Ashoka House) and Sanskar Nagpal (Ranjit) in the Boys category and Tanvi Sikka (Gandhi) in the Girls category, while for the sub-juniors, it was Ishaank Chopra (Pratap) in the Boys category and Snigdha Mathur (Ashoka) in the Girls category. The seniors laurels went to Aamir Raza Khan (Lajpat) in the Boys category and Ridhi Kapoor (Gandhi) in the Girls category.
Mr.Ashok Pratap Singh thanked all those present saying that Sports play a pivotal role in the makeup of a young athlete by making him disciplined, responsible, selfconfident, sacrificing and accountable.
Fare-thee-well 2014
It was the day when Sir Shankar Lal Auditorium was dressed to the nines.It was a day when young men in their tuxedos and young ladies in their divanesque finery graced this paradise of a venue.The Principal Dr Vijay Datta blessed the congregation of the batch of 2014-2015 with the most apt words FARE THEE WELL.Revelry in the form of music and dance rent the air.The chosen ones scorched the ramp in utmost dignity to receive their titles.Yes Modern School Barakhamba Road celebrated its young scholar denizens and gave them a fitting farewell. The hallowed portals seemed to whisper ‘Besaame Moocho or We Love You’ from every nook and corner!
Graduation Day 2014
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams
The “Graduation Day” for the class 12 students at Modern School is not only the crunch occasion for the students’ whole school life span but also the most long awaited one. It’s a day of achievement — an occasion to be cherished throughout life for more than 400 students on the new threshold of their lives in the presence of their teachers and parents!
We believe that Graduation is not the end but a new beginning. The exercise therefore, commenced with the customary address by Dr Vijay Datta, the Principal wishing all the students the very best. In his speech, he said, “Graduation is one of the few genuine rites of passage left in our society. You are, individually and collectively, passing symbolically from one place to another, from an old to a new status. And, like all such rites, it is both retrospective and prospective. You are graduating (or being graduated) from college, which is the end of something. But the ceremony we are participating in is called commencement.”
Dr Datta further added, “Perhaps the most useful suggestion I can make on the day when most of you are ceasing to be students, is that you go on being students- for the rest of your lives. Don’t move to a mental slum.
If you go on being students, if you do not consider you have graduated and that your schooling is done, perhaps you can at least save yourselves and thereby make a space for others.”
After the moving address by Dr Datta, in a symbolic gesture, the teachers handed out the’ lamp of knowledge’ to the class of 2015 — almost 400 of them. It was followed by the traditional tossing up of the graduation caps into the air.
Then followed the session of touching mastery of oratory by the students — most with their eyes welled up in tears — the worthy Valedictorians that day. It was perhaps the address of the millennium by Arudhra Rao, also an ace debator who astonished one and all with his command over oratory. The debate in charge, Mr Firoz was ecstatic about the fact that in Arudra, he discovered a Cicero.
Arudra said, “There often comes a moment in a man’s life, only if my teachers allow me to call myself one, where they are forced to look themselves into the mirror, the mirror of reality, the mirror of self-realization and have the courage to judge themselves before waiting to be judged by others. Sadly yet optimistically Ladies and gentlemen for us that time is now.
Shantanu was another masterstroke with his emphatic words, “We stand here today on the precipice of the future. It’s not a distant reality anymore. It begins here. It begins today. We began high school as children, but we’re leaving here as adults.
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
Ishaan Madan too was full of ideas, “Take action. Every story you’ve ever connected with, every leader you’ve ever admired, every small little thing that you’ve ever accomplished is the result of taking action. You have a choice. You can either be a passive victim of circumstance or you can be the active hero of your own life.”
The occasion was graced by the President, Board of Trustees, Modern Schools, Mr. Ashok Pratap Singh, who was the Chief Guest of the Graduation Day Ceremony.
R(Ai)eigning Volleys
This Friday morning saw the Sir Shankarlal Auditorium in Modern School Barakhamba Road agog with enthusiasm as the Greek Gods of Tennis descended on its hallowed tarmac. Yes, we are referring to none other than Goran Ivanisivec, Tim Henman and Mr. Paul Hutchins, who were here to promote the HSBC ROAD TO WIMBLEDON initiative for Juniors. It was a soul-igniting moment as the stars from the tennis galaxy took centrestage!
Modern School Barakhamba is endowed with a great sports legacy: what with its very own student Vishal Uppal having made a mark in tennis and having won accolades par excellence in the international circuit!
After having fielded a volley of questions specially an interesting one by the Principal of the School on Goran’s equation with Pete Sampras, the former declared that the latter was a great inspiration. Questions included the kind of obstacles one, had to surmount to attain supremacy in the sport, the pressure et al. Both Goran and Tim answered that they managed pressure diligently and with aplomb. The Tennis Clinic headed by Dan Bloxham, Head Coach of the All England Club, with faculty and student participation won hearts all over.
Dr. Vijay Datta, the Principal, a sports aficionado himself had a game with Goran and latter was impressed with his prowess in the game, rather delighted! The highlight of the was when Tim and Goran had an interesting game of tennis seated on the horseback. Yes Equestrian is back on the Modern School terrain, an initiative among many noteworthy ones mooted by the illustrious Principal Dr. Vijay Datta, an avid horse-rider himself! The Modernites couldn’t have asked for more; a day which will go down in the annals of their history. Yes, Goran’s Believe in yourself and Tim’s Give your 100% will be the slogan that will ring in every true blue Modernite’s ears for years to come! Vive La Tennis the world over! HALLELUJAH! Praise be the Lord!
Heritage Walk at Teen Murti
World heritage is the shared wealth of humankind. India, a land the abounds in diverse traditions and cultures, proudly boasts of a rich cultural heritage. From Shah Jahan’s magnum opus to Gandhi’s legacy of Satyagraha, Indian history is replete with path-breaking creations and events which have played a significant role in shaping our roots. To celebrate this remarkable heritage and to bridge the gap between the past and the present, history students of S7A and S7A+ participated in a heritage-walk conducted by Ms. BeebaSobti in collaboration with the Teen MurtiBhavan (Nehru Memorial Museum and Library) on 17thApril, 2015, the eve of the World Heritage Day (18th of April).
Beeba Ma’am’s introduction to the Teen MurtiBhavan premises as well as an overview of its historical significance set the tone for the day. Upon crossing the busy round-about at Teen MurtiMarg, the students beheld the structure of the three bronze lancers to which the building across owed its name. They learned that the Teen Murti statue, a 1922 creation of the British sculptor Leonard Jennings, is a memorial, commemorating the death of numerous lancers from the Indian states of Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur who lost their lives in the Great War (1914-1919) in Sinai, Palestine and Syria.
The walk gave the young historians yet another reason to marvel at this great capital city of ours, Delhi. The day came to a close with Ms. Sobti’s much-loved shayari: “aasmaankikyataaqat, jochurayedillihumse? Dilli hum par fidahai, hum fidaDillipe.” Like the book Indian legacy is perennial and will inspire generations to come. It will stand tall and extol the virtues of this great land. Motherland, we bow our heads in obeisance to you, our Goddess!
95th Founder’s Day at Modern School
New Delhi: November 1 — On the occasion of the 95th Founder’s Day of Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Science, Subhash Ghei, the celebrated filmmaker and script writer, SY Qureshi, the ex-Election Commissioner and Ashok Pratap Singh, President, Modern Schools Board of Trustees, graced the occasion. The Chief Guest, Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that Modern School is an extraordinary school with diverse activities and character. Praising the efforts of the Principal, staff and students, he requested the august audience to give a standing ovation for the extraordinary efforts put in by all.
In his presidential address, Mr Ashok Pratap Singh, President, Board of Trustees, Modern Schools said that education being very close to his heart, he has perpetually inspired both the teachers and students to live up to the motto of Modern School, “Perfection cannot be achieved by the weak willed”. He laid stress on the four aspects of holistic education which are part of the school curriculum for the past 95 years being part of its pristine glory — academic excellence, co-curriculars, physical fitness and values.
Subhash Ghai, the celebrated filmmaker and script writer who presided over the function, stated that in the comity of schools, Modern School shines like the polestar. He added that it has been the benchmark of excellence for the overall development of body, mind and soul. He also mentioned that the school is a mine of talent. The real purpose of education is to simultaneously and harmoniously co-exist with the world around .
Amidst a gathering of about 3000 parents and grandparents, while reading the annual report, the Principal, Dr Vijay Datta categorically mentioned the glorious feats of students in all walks of life proving that it’s Modern School’s habit to be at the pinnacle of glory in academics, sports, debating, music, dramatics and umpteen other fields. Dr Datta stated that even today, the institution has retained its top position as the vanguard in almost all paraphernalia of what is best in education. He further added that students have made a dent felt in the national and international fabric of equestrian and baseball in less than a year’s time thus making it once again as the prime institute of the nation.
Dr Harsh Vardhan took the guard of honour, inaugurated all the visual arts, photography, woodwork and aeronautics, aero modelling and umpteen other exhibitions besides bolstering the students participating in the inimitable mountaineering and hiking show that was the pick of the day. He said that there was no dearth of talent and daredevilry acts on the part of dauntless Modern students. About 100 students were given away prizes by the Chief Guest in various categories with Parth Bhatia (best all rounder), Alisa Warsi (best girl horse rider) besides, Prabhav Bahuguna (best basketballer).
The major attraction of the evening was the ballet, Tathagat which is based on Lord Buddha’s life of detachment and sacrifice. The performance, according to parents and connoisseurs of art, was breath-taking, impeccable and professional! Orchestra was another great feat by a large number of students besides other cultural activities.
The vote of thanks was given by Dr SY Qureshi, who said that Modern School has been the flagship of excellence in school education. It’s students, current and former, have been enriching India’s forward march in every field of human endeavor. Modern has been the trend-setter, he added.
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