“The arts and humanities teach us who we are and what we can be. They lie at the very core of the culture of which we’re a part.”                                                                 

— Ronald Reagan 

Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram’s  Inter-school ‘Humanities Fest’ on the theme of  ‘Peace, Prosperity And Progress’ hosted on 26 July 2025 was a vibrant celebration of the world of arts, literature and culture, igniting creativity and curiosity among students. The fest took place in a hybrid mode, with seven offline and two online events. The event was a kaleidoscope of thought-provoking activities, captivating performances and innovative exhibitions showcasing the boundless potential of human expressions through the window of the Humanities. With enthusiastic participation and passion, the participants brought the arts to life, exploring new ideas and perspectives. As the Humanities Fest coincided with the Kargil Vijay Diwas, to honour the bravery and sacrifice of our armed forces an event was specifically included to honour their valour and courage.

The following nine events took place:

1. The Quiet Ties That Bind – Mime Competition

This mime competition showcased the ancient art of wordless expression. Participants used gestures and movements to convey themes of peaceful coexistence, harmony and brotherhood. 

2. From Pitch to Perception – AD Analysis

The participants were given advertisements on the spot, and had to analyse and  examine techniques, target audiences and effectiveness.  The competition explored how advertisements communicate messages and influence viewers through themes of gender, class, race and emotional manipulation strategies.

3. Abhivyakti – Poetry Enactment 

This event celebrated the raw, rhythmic and real energy of “spoken word poetry”.  Performers interpreted the themes ‘Voices without Borders’ and ‘Harmony in Chaos’ through musical poetry, creating powerful expressions where every whisper and roar demonstrated meaningful impact.

4. Conflict to Concord – Stories of Resolution

It was a powerful fusion of theatrical expression and storytelling, where school teams enacted a conflict scenario and also its peaceful resolution.Students creatively dramatized and peacefully resolved real or mythical conflicts through compelling theatrical storytelling. The school teams showcased diverse scenarios from history, society and mythology, perfectly embodying the fest’s inspiring theme: ‘Conflict Resolution – A Path to Peace and Harmony’.

5. Green Graffiti – Progressing towards a Sustainable World

Green Graffiti challenged students to create sustainable art using only organic materials like crushed leaves, flower petals, natural clay and vegetable dyes. Teams designed artworks promoting critical thinking about environmental responsibility through creative expression for a sustainable world.

6. Sur Sangam – Group Song Competition

This event paid tribute to the valor and sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil War. Participants composed and performed original songs centered on themes of global peace, patriotism and national unity. Through the universal language of music, the competition became a heartfelt expression of gratitude and a celebration of heroic courage.

7. Youth Voices for Peace and Prosperity – Elocution Competition

The Elocution Competition challenged participants to deliver articulate speeches on contemporary Indian themes which included soft power diplomacy, cultural bonds, railway lessons on coexistence, global trust-building and ecological wisdom for collective survival.

8. Vision in Motion – Movie Making Competition

This event challenged participants  to interpret the theme ‘Healing hearts, building peace and living in harmony with nature. Students showcased artistic vision and creativity while exploring humanity’s relationship with environmental harmony and inner peace.

9. Pixels of Progress – A Photography Competition

The participants were required to capture hidden moments of everyday life through their lens. Photographers voiced unique perspectives by revealing overlooked details that demonstrated technology’s role in fostering community understanding.

The Valedictory Ceremony began with an enchanting orchestra performance by the students of DPS R.K. Puram. It was followed by a  dance fusion on the theme, ‘A Dance for the Brave’. In his address, the Principal, Mr. Anil Kumar, emphasized on the vital role played by peace in fostering progress and prosperity. To underscore that peace often comes at a great cost, he recounted the heroic story of Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Yogendra Yadav,  recipient of the Param Vir Chakra Award for his extraordinary valour during the Kargil War. The Principal highlighted how despite sustaining sixteen bullet wounds, he conveyed critical intelligence about enemy positions, contributing significantly to India’s hard-fought victory. He also paid a tribute to the indomitable courage and resilience of the Indian Army. Speaking about the Humanities Fest, the Principal  lauded the Humanities Department for their exemplary organization and seamless team coordination.

Next, the much awaited results were declared, with the overall winners trophy going to Delhi Public School, Faridabad. 

RESULTS 

OVERALL WINNER

Delhi Public School R.K. Puram Delhi Public School, Faridabad

OFFLINE EVENTS 

THE QUIET TIES THAT BIND: MIME COMPETITION
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School R.K. Puram
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School, Mathura Road
THIRD POSITION	Delhi Public School, Indirapuram

FROM PITCH TO PERCEPTION: ADVERTISEMENT ANALYSIS
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School R.K. Puram
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School, Rohini
THIRD POSITION	Delhi Public School, Dwarka

ABHIVYAKTI: POETRY ENACTMENT
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School R.K. Puram
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School, Noida
THIRD POSITION	Tagore International School

CONFLICT TO CONCORD: STORIES OF RESOLUTION
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School, Faridabad
SECOND POSITION	Tagore International School, EOK
THIRD POSITION	Delhi Public School International, Saket

GREEN GRAFFITI: ‘PROGRESSING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE WORLD’
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School, Rohini
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School, Sushant Lok
THIRD POSITION	Delhi Public School R.K. Puram

SUR SANGAM: GROUP SONG COMPETITION
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School R.K. Puram
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School, Faridabad
THIRD POSITION	Delhi Public School, Noida

YOUTH VOICES FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY: ELOCUTION COMPETITION
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School, Greater Noida
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School R.K. Puram
THIRD POSITION	Delhi Public School, Faridabad

ONLINE EVENTS 

VISION IN MOTION: MOVIE MAKING COMPETITION
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School, Sushant Lok
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School International, Saket
THIRD POSITION	Delhi Public School R.K. Puram

PIXELS OF PROGRESS: A PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School International, Saket
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School R.K. Puram
THIRD POSITION	Delhi Public School, Noida

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“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” — Steve Jobs

The Spark Lab, the innovation hub of Delhi Public School R.K. Puram, hosted its annual inter-school fest- Ignite 1.0, on July 26, 2025. The flagship event celebrated individuality, innovation and experiential learning, serving as a platform for schools across Delhi NCR to showcase their innovation, creative thinking skills and ability to solve problems. 

The event was conducted in hybrid mode, allowing both onsite and virtual participation. The event featured a mix of five dynamic events, each of which allowed the young, brilliant minds to put their problem-solving skills to the test and adopt a more solution-oriented mindset. Ignite 1.0 garnered enthusiastic participation from over twenty schools across Delhi NCR.

The following events were a part of the summit:

I AM A SUPERHERO: MY SUPERPOWERS, MY SOLUTIONS, MY IMPACT (ONLINE):

In this event, individual participants from classes VI-VIII made digital or handmade posters along with a short backstory of their unique self-created superheroes to showcase the real-world problem they solve, all within a budget of ₹50,000. This gave students the opportunity to combine their problem-solving skills with entrepreneurial thinking. Students were judged on their creativity, relevance of the project, budgeting and presentation skills by Ms Deepa S Garg, Associate Professor, College of Vocational Studies, University of Delhi and Dr Kohinoor Kaur, Assistant Professor, Institute of Home Economics at Delhi University.

The specific topics included:

• Using technology to make life better
• Creating a greener, cleaner world
• Standing up for what’s right

INNOVATOR’S LENS: LIGHTS, IDEAS, ACTION! (ONLINE)

This event comprised teams of two students from classes VI-VII wherein they selected a topic and created a three-minute video, in which they addressed a real-world problem with an innovative solution and explained how it could be turned into a viable and sustainable business model. The young minds used this opportunity to show their vivid imagination which also helped to foster their entrepreneurial thinking. The judges, Dr Nisha Bamel, a PHD holder in Strategic Management from IIT Delhi, and Ms Abhilasha Chandra, a representative of Keystone Integrated Marketing Services, judged the students on their creativity, problem identification skills, the solution created and its impact. The topics were as follows:

• A Startup for Startups: An idea that helps others start their own businesses
• Disaster Management: Innovative ways to improve disaster response and recovery
• Healthcare: Making quality healthcare accessible to the poor

INDIA’S THINK TANK: INNOVATE TODAY, TRANSFORM TOMORROW (OFFLINE)

The think tank invited students from classes IX-X in teams of three to tackle the distinct and urgent problems faced by India. Held in two rounds, the first in which the participants pitched their ideas and the second, in which they made it come to life. Tapping into their problem-solving capabilities, they analyzed one given problem statement and then formulated a creative yet feasible solution before presenting it to the judges, Chef Sambhavi Joshi and Mr Nisshant Laroia.

The problem statements were:

• The plastic dilemma
• Safer nights on the roads
• Taming the noise
• Cooling without a plug
• Touchless Tech
• The space-saver challenge

CHANGE MAKERS’ ARENA: REFORM THROUGH RHETORIC (OFFLINE)

This competition aimed to promote civic awareness and critical thinking leadership among students. Students from grades XI and XII, working in teams of two, had to reimagine and reconstruct broken systems within India’s major social institutions. Researching a pressing societal issue from the ones provided to them, they created a well-designed, impactful solution, which they then presented to the panel of judges, Ms Inakshi, Assistant Professor, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi and Ms Monika Bansal, Associate Professor, Deen Dayal Upadhyay College, University of Delhi.

Societal issues were provided from the following social institutions:

• Judicial system
• Police and Law enforcement
• Media and misinformation
• Bureaucracy and Public Services

BUILD-4-IMPACT: FOUR THEMES. INFINITE POSSIBILITIES.

Students from grades IX-XII participated in this dynamic model-making competition in teams of two. Participating teams selected one prompt from each of four innovation categories and then developed and constructed a physical prototype that offers an innovative solution to a real-world problem. This event stayed true to its name as the participants showed that their imagination had no limits while displaying impressive entrepreneurial problem-solving skills. The judges, Professor Umesh Bamel, Associate Professor, IMI Delhi and Professor Mahima Kaushik, a member of the Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, judged the students on the basis of their innovation, integration of prompts, feasibility and impact. The four categories were: 

• Science
• Technology
• Social impact
• X-factor

Valedictory Ceremony – IGNITE 1.0
The Valedictory Ceremony marked the formal conclusion of IGNITE 1.0 which commenced with a traditional Indian harmonic performance by the students, setting a dignified tone for the proceedings. In commemoration of the 26th anniversary of the Kargil War, a poignant dance performance titled ‘Dance for the Brave’ paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Indian soldiers, evoking deep patriotic sentiment.

The Principal, Mr. Anil Kumar, addressed the gathering, highlighting the innovative spirit of IGNITE 1.0 while honouring the legacy of the Kargil War. He made special mention of Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Yogendra Yadav, who, at just 18 years of age, fought valiantly in the war despite being critically injured. His story served as a powerful reminder of resilience and dedication, inspiring students to strive for excellence. The Principal concluded his address by commending the participants for their creativity and commitment. Ms. Sangita Bajpai announced the results, bringing the event to a close.

RESULTS 

EVENT: I AM A SUPERHERO
FIRST POSITION	Indraprastha World School
SECOND POSITION	DPS International, Saket
THIRD POSITION	Mount Abu School, Rohini

EVENT: INNOVATORS’ LENS
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School, Faridabad
SECOND POSITION	Amity International School, Sector 44, Noida
THIRD POSITION	DPS Indirapuram

EVENT: INDIA’S THINK TANK
FIRST POSITION	Springdales School Dhaula Kuan
SECOND POSITION	Darbari Lal DAV Model School
THIRD POSITION	Amity International School

EVENT: CHANGE MAKERS’ ARENA
FIRST POSITION	Mount Abu Public School
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School, Gautam Budh Nagar
THIRD POSITION	Summer Fields School and Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram

EVENT: BUILD-4-IMPACT
FIRST POSITION	Delhi Public School, Indirapuram
SECOND POSITION	Delhi Public School, Faridabad
THIRD POSITION	Bal Bharati Public School, Pitampura

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Ehimay Shankar, a student of Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, and a member of The InnoPreneurs Club, participated in the prestigious Young Innovator’s Program 2025, an internship initiative organised by Hero MotoCorp, India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturer.

This immersive program selected only 28 students from across Delhi NCR, providing them a unique opportunity to explore the world of innovation and enterprise. Over the course of the internship, participants were introduced to key concepts such as design thinking, branding, and market research through expert-led sessions and practical exposure.

A key highlight of the program was the industrial visits to Hero MotoCorp’s Dharuhera and Gurgaon plants, where students witnessed the company’s cutting-edge manufacturing processes and innovative practices in action.

The final leg of the program culminated in a pitch presentation by the students, showcasing their learning and ideas, followed by a certificate distribution ceremony to honor their successful completion of the program.

As part of an international entrepreneurship program involving youth from over eight schools, students were introduced to fundamental business principles used by innovators around the globe on 26th and 27th June. This initiative was part of a broader International Entrepreneurship Pre‑college Program hosted by Northeastern University, with mobile bootcamps in locations like Mumbai and New Delhi. The bootcamps are part of the Accelerate Pre-College Programs portfolio (https://precollegeprograms.northeastern.edu), which includes residential programming options at the university’s US (Boston, Oakland) campuses and UK (London) campus

Their mission was to help students conceive innovative solutions by putting classroom theory directly into practice.

Bridging Theory and Product Development

At the core of their learning was the concept of a value proposition—understanding who their customers are, what they truly need, and how their solution uniquely meets that need. In class discussions, students learned that defining a compelling value proposition is critical: it lays the foundation for designing products that people genuinely want.

What was especially inspiring was how they transitioned from theory to tangible prototypes. Each team:

• Identified a real-world problem (for instance, portable tooth-cleaning kits for travel, biodegradable floss alternatives, or smart reminders to brush).
  
• Crafted a clear value proposition, expressing it in terms of customer benefit—e.g., “Helps busy kids brush properly, even on school mornings.”
  
• Developed solutions, often using recycled or eco-friendly materials, and even basic electronics for reminder alerts.
  
• Presented their ideas, pitching to peers and mentors, simulating the investor feedback process entrepreneurs undergo.
  

This exercise didn’t just teach product design fundamentals—it immersed students in the full innovation pipeline: empathize with users, ideate solutions, build, test, and pitch. The topics which were highlighted were:

• Value proposition as the keystone: Learning to define what makes a product meaningful—what it offers, to whom, and why it matters—is the essential first step in any entrepreneurial journey.
  
• Experiential entrepreneurship in action: Northeastern’s model, highlighted in its Accelerate Pre‑College Programs, emphasizes exactly this journey—from ideas to prototypes to pitches—within a supportive, real-world framework
  
• Global collaboration and impact: Bringing students together from multiple schools and even countries broadened perspectives and underscored that great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere.
  

Overall, the project was a wonderful example of learning by doing, showing that when students grasp business principles like the value proposition—and then immediately apply them—they can invent truly meaningful products. And with more than eight schools participating, this international initiative is helping shape the next generation of globally minded, innovation-driven entrepreneurs.