“Celebrate the colours of Holi and the patterns of pi — for both remind us that life is a blend of order and chaos.”
DPS R. K. Puram has always upheld its legacy of being a trailblazer and a pioneer in introducing innovative approaches in the world of education. The Pi Day Holi Milan at DPS R.K. Puram was more than a celebration — it was an intellectual symphony, a poetic blend of colours and cognition. It celebrated π not just as a mathematical constant but as a symbol of infinity, complexity, and wonder. The event left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all present, inspiring students to embrace the elegance of mathematics and the boundless joy of discovery.
On the illustrious evening of March 14, 2025, the vibrant halls of Delhi Public School, RK Puram, came alive with a kaleidoscope of colours and concepts as the school hosted its grand celebration — Pi Day Holi Milan. This extraordinary event seamlessly wove together the jubilant spirit of Holi and the profound elegance of mathematics, paying homage to the enigmatic constant π (pi), symbolized by the date 3/14 (14 March)— an eternal representation of the number 3.14. It was not merely a celebration; it was an ode to curiosity, creativity, and the boundless nature of intellectual pursuit; or in other words- a celebration of intellect and festivity.
The event witnessed an impressive assembly of luminaries.The Chief Guest for the event wasShri. Ashish Sood, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, and MLA from the Janakpuri constituency, accompanied by his wife Smt. Anupam Sood.
The Guests of Honour for the event werePadma Bhushan Shri V. K. Shunglu,theChairman of the Managing Committee, DPS R.K. Puram and Vice Chairman of the DPS Society and his wife Smt. Madhu Shunglu; Shri Anil Kumar Sharma, MLA from R.K. Puram and Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive & Secretary of CISCE, and former Director Academics at CBSE, a pioneer of progressive educational reforms.
Some of the distinguished guests who graced the occasion were Ms Dolly Chanana, Joint Director, DPS Society; Smt. Sandhya Awasthi, Director, DPS HRD Centre; Professor Umakant D. Rapol, IISER, Pune; Mr Chandrakant Singh, Managing Director, LearnX; Ms. Uttara Singh, Director, The Shriram Millennium School, Noida; Ms. Renu Bali, Founder, Tender Heart; Ms Ambika Kaul, Counsellor, DPS Society; Mr Sanjeev Kaura, Pedagogue; Shri GSS Rao, Principal, Global Indian International School, Singapore; Shri Harish Sachdeva, Principal, DPS Sonepat; Ms. Deepti Vohra, Principal, DPS Vasant Kunj; Ms. Sangeeta Chakravarty, Principal, DPS Faridabad; Ms. Manju Balasubramanyam, Principal, DPS Bangalore; Ms. Priya Narayanan, Principal, DPS Dwarka and Mr Anant Mudgal, Mathematician and Author.
The meticulously orchestrated event unfolded like a symphony, with each segment harmonizing intellect and artistry. The ceremony commenced with the Lighting of the Lamp, an age-old tradition signifying the dispelling of ignorance and the illumination of knowledge — a fitting metaphor for an event dedicated to both celebration and scholarship.
The atmosphere resonated with a mesmerizing Indian Vocal Song performed by the talented students of DPS R.K. Puram. Their soulful rendition of Hindustani Classical melodies, set a contemplative yet festive tone for the evening.
The address by the Principal of DPS R.K. Puram, Mr. Anil Kumar, was a stirring reminder of the school’s unwavering commitment to nurturing intellectual curiosity. He eloquently emphasized how mathematics is not merely about numbers and equations but a celebration of logical beauty, intricate patterns, and endless possibilities.
A moment of great significance followed thereafter— the release of The Book of Zero Knowledge: In Search of All That There is to Know authored by the eminent mathematician, Mr. Anant Mudgal, an alumnus of the prestigious Chennai Mathematical Institute and Trinity College, University of Cambridge.He has been one of the leading coaches of the Indian IMO program and has been on numerous committees including the problem-selection committee of the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad and the Indian IMO Team Selection Tests. He served as the Scientific Observer A to the Indian IMO Team to IMO 2023 held in Chiba, Japan and was a Coordinator of the IMO at IMO 2024 held in Bath, United Kingdom. This groundbreaking work is a masterful blend of fiction and mathematics, chronicling the quest of twins Sola and Luna, guided by their wise mentor Lucius, as they unravel complex mathematical ideas through the art of dialogue and discovery. The book transcends traditional pedagogy, inviting readers to experience the sheer joy of problem-solving, logical reasoning, and mathematical thinking.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Colours of Mathematics — an insightful session led by Mr. Anant Mudgal. With captivating eloquence, he explored the fusion of storytelling and mathematics, urging students to embrace the thrill of mathematical exploration. His illustrious achievements — representing India at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) four times, winning multiple medals, and being the only Indian to propose the formidable Problem Six at the IMO — added depth and inspiration to his address. He focussed on the effectiveness of discovery and dialogue based learning approaches, specially for mathematics. His passion for mathematics was palpable, leaving the audience spellbound.
The Address by the Chief Guest, Shri Ashish Sood, was a powerful call to action, applauding DPS RK Puram for fostering an ecosystem where the arts and sciences coexist in harmony. He underscored the importance of innovative learning methods and lauded the event for merging the abstract elegance of mathematics with the celebratory vibrancy of Holi. He assured all present that the government will work hard to improve education and infrastructure in Delhi. He applauded the effort of the author for adopting the art of storytelling for mathematics. Shri Sood reiterated the importance of education reforms and promoting new talent . He stressed on adopting new innovations and pedagogy for defining new learning outcomes. He expressed a desire to introduce ideas by young authors like Mr. Mudgal to improve the education system.
The Guests of Honour shared their profound insights. Padma Bhushan Shri VK Shunglu highlighting the indispensable role of language in shaping young minds. He lauded Mr. Mudgal for amalgamating literary style with mathematical concepts as language is fundamental to understanding. Dr. Joseph Emmanue, during his address shared his thoughts on modern educational reforms and competency-based learning. He stressed on the importance of providing the right encouragement to the right student at the right time.
As the event drew to a close, the Vote of Thanks by the Vice Principal, Mr. Mukesh Kumar, was a heartfelt tribute to the collective efforts of the guests, organizers, and participants. His words resonated with gratitude and pride, capturing the essence of a celebration that transcended mere festivity. Finally, the event concluded with the singing of the National Anthem — a solemn yet uplifting reminder of unity and patriotism.
