INDIA FEST 2022-23
“Share our similarities, celebrate our differences.” – M. Scott Peck
Delhi Public School, RK Puram hosted the annual India Fest on 26 November 2022, organised by the Department of Humanities for the students of classes XI and XII, on the theme ‘Celebrating Diversity.’The students in grades XI and XII were encouraged to learn, explore and go beyond their comfort zone in order to catch the eye of the judges in a variety of creative challenges.
The event began with the school choir singing “Madhumaya Desh Hamara” an original composition on stage, accompanied by a live tabla performance, followed by a tribal Odissi performance. The radiant and synchronised dancers, dressed in traditional, vibrant attire, lit up the stage with grace and rhythm.
The event began with an address by the Principal, Ms Padma Srinivasan, who emphasised the importance of learning from such events. She motivated the students to persevere in spite of the hurdles that may come their way, reiterating that only from failures do we get the drive to steadily move towards success, which helps them scale even greater heights. The principal felicitated the judges with a token of appreciation and regard.
The events included:
अभिव्यक्ति – A DEMONSTRATION (DANCE DRAMA)
The participants had to present a Dance Drama based on the themes of “Power of one”, “We rise by lifting others”, and “The Value of Self-worth” showcasing their best facial expressions, dance and dramatisation. Ten teams from different schools were judged on the basis of expressions and overall impact coupled with psychological and sociological relevance. Every act was beautifully prepared and enthralled the audience. After the completion, the judges – Nirmal Kuthari, Ruchika Rai and Gayatri Seth gave the students constructive feedback on their performances.
आओ, रखें, मन की बात- DECLAMATION COMPETITION
As a part of this challenge, the participants had to present a speech on a wide range of topics, giving millennials a platform to express their views. The participants had to choose from 4 themes-’Unity in India Epitomises its Diversity’,’ Swawlambhi Bharat – Your Vision of a Self Reliant India’,’ Role of Youth in Nation Building’ and ‘Diversity: The Art of Thinking Independently Together (Malcolm Forbes)’. The participants were judged on the basis of the relevance to the topic, coherence, originality, diction and accuracy of facts.
The judges- Mr. Anupam Lal Das, a senior advocate and Ms Yashee, a senior copy editor for the newspaper Indian Express, also asked questions and judged the participants based on their promptness in answering. The participants exuded confidence and showcased their knowledge of the topic.
अतुल्य भारत – TABLEAU ON STATES OF INDIA
The event showcased the physical features, forests and wildlife, traditions and cultures, dances and languages of specified states assigned to each participating school. The tableaus were a splendid sight, and the students acted as ambassadors of the various states with exuberance, skill and confidence. The jigsaw game and quiz questions kept the audience enthralled and protein bars as prizes energised the students and teachers. The judges, Dr Ashis Kumar Saha and Ms Rajyashree Ball felt rejuvenated and asked the students to stress the use of eco-friendly material, handmade and self-written models and titles. The speech, presentation and creativity were all a part of the judging criteria.
चित्रकथा: – A VISUAL PRESENTATION THROUGH INDIAN TRIBAL/ FOLK ART
In the event, the participants had to choose a folk tale and depict it through Tribal/Folk Art using different mediums. The detailed, layered artwork portrayed fables and folklore of the past, evaluated by the judges’ Ms Binu Chanan and Ms Nilanjana Nandy.
At the culmination of the event, Ms Shruti Mishra, the Head of the History Department proposed the Vote of Thanks. She conveyed her appreciation for the principals of all the participating schools on behalf of the principal Ms Padma Srinivasan. She also thanked the organising team, including teachers, students, and the support staff and emphasised the importance of celebrating India’s Cultural Heritage.