An Inter-school Japanese Language Festival ‘Nihon no Kaori’ or ‘The Fragrance of Japan’ was organized at Delhi Public School, R.K.Puram to mark ‘Japanese Day’ on 30thOctober 2010. The programme was a DPS Society initiative. It aimed at promoting social and cultural learning and also at strengthening the bonds of Indo-Japanese friendship. Twenty-three schools from Delhi and the NCR participated in the different events dealing with Japanese language and culture. The items consisted of a Quiz, Tongue twister, Group Song, Fancy Dress, Origami and Calligraphy.
The Chief Guest was Mr. Ashok Chandra, Chairman of DPS Society, the Guests of Honour were Mr. Teruyuki Hoshina, Director of the Japanese Language and Studies at the Japan foundation, and Mr. Shinichi Yamanaka, Chief Representative of the JICA (Japan International Cooperative Agency). Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Mrs.Renu Mittal, Director DPS Society; Mr.Pramod Grover, Vice Chairman, DPS Society; Mr.P.C.Bose and Mr.V.K.Sharma from the DPS R.K.Puram Managing Committee; Mrs.B.N.Kirpal; Mrs.Deepa Raghavan, former Vice Principal, DPS R.K.Puram and other guests.
The judges for the events were Mr. Yamaguchi Satoru, Professor of Japanese at Delhi University; Ms. Jumko Yamanoi, Director of Jenesys Organisation and Ms. Ohata Mariko, the representative of JICA. In the Fancy dress competition DPS Maruti Kunj, DPS RK Puram, and DPS Gurgaon won the first, second and third positions respectively. For the Group Song, the third place was a tie between DPS RK Puram and DPS Dwarka , DPS Mathura Road came second and Ramjas School, R.K.Puram bagged the first position. In the Tongue Twister competition, DPS Dwarka and Muni International emerged at the first and second positions respectively, while the third position was a tie between DPS Panipat and Arwachin International School. The Quiz was bagged by Bluebells School and the first runners-up was DPS Dwarka.
The closing ceremony began with a Japanese song sung by a student. The Principal, Dr.D.R.Saini warmly welcomed all the guests. He expressed his deep appreciation for Japanese culture. The Guests of Honour, Mr.Hoshina and Mr.Yamanaka also shared their views of how such programmes went a long way in forging bonds and helping people to learn about their respective cultures. The Chairman, Mr.Ashok Chandra expressed his admiration for the giant strides taken by Japan over the last few years. Mrs.Renu Mital, Director of DPS Society stressed on the need to carry the learning of Japanese forward. The much-awaited Prize distribution took place and all the participants were felicitated. Ms.Vanita Sehgal, the Headmistress of middle school and the coordinator of the programme, delivered the vote of thanks. The National Anthem of both the countries was played.
The event was a wonderful opportunity for all the students learning Japanese in various schools to hone their skills and learn more about the culture and traditions of Japan.
Principal,Dr.D.R.Saini, Chairman, Mr.Ashok Chandra, Mr.Shinichi Yamanaka, Mr.Teruyuki Hoshina,
Mrs.B.N.Kirpal at the Japanese Language Festival at DPS R.K.Puram
