Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram played host to delegates from Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan and officials from the Environment and Forest Department on 16 January 2018. The Principal, Ms. Vanita Sehgal welcomed Mr. Hiroshi Ogawa, Governor, Fukuoka Prefecture and Mr. Akira Higuchi, Assembly Chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Asssembly, along with their colleagues; Dr. B.C Sabat, Eco Club Incharge of Delhi School and College, Govt. of NCT of Delhi; Officials from the Environment and Forest Department and a team from OISCA International.
Vice Principals, Ms.Anita Singh and Ms.Padma Srinivasan, along with the Headmistress, Ms.Rashmi Malhotra were present for the occasion. Ms. Niva Chhonkar and Ms. Rupa Das organised the event.
The event began with a melodious rendition of the song, Swagatam by the school’s Indian Music Choir. The Principal felicitated the Guests with token of appreciation.
In her welcome address, Ms. Sehgal expressed her gratitude towards the delegates for choosing DPS R.K Puram for their visit. She emphasised the importance of saving the environment by stating that the future will either be green or nothing at all. She went on to highlight the urgency of planting trees by quoting Warren Buffett, “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Mr. Ishwar Singh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF), Forest Department, spoke about the activities of the Eco club and how the prime objective of starting this Eco-scheme was to get the students interested in environment preservation.
Mr. Hiroshi Ogawa, Governer, Fukuoka Prefecture, focussed his attention on major issues such as air pollution, water pollution and sound pollution. He further gave an example of how the use of modern techniques enabled Fukuoka to be reborn as a rich environmental location.
Mr.Akira Higuchi, Assembly Chairman, Fukuoka Prefecture, further went on to thank the school for the very warm welcome and expressed his wish to see the young people from both the countries engaging in exchange programs so as to strengthen the relationship between Fukuoka and New Delhi.
This was followed by the cultural programmes, starting with a dance performance, paying homage to Lord Shiva in a classical dance “Shiv Stuti”. Next came a short video showcasing the activities conducted by the Eco Club of the school and a street play, showing how it was crucial to generate awareness about the need to protect the environment. There was a self-composed Japanese poem, based on the theme, ‘Environmental Protection’, a theatrical dance about ‘Saving Trees’ and a presentation by Ms. Ritu Prasad, a representative of the OISCA International, North India. Thereafter, there was a tree plantation by the dignitaries present. Saplings of medicinal plants like Chlorophytum, Ashwagandha, Asparagus, Tulsi, Curry plant, Amla were planted. Plantation was organised by Ms. Dimple Menon.
The vote of thanks was proposed by the Vice Principal, Ms. Anita Singh. The event concluded with the National Anthems of Japan and India.
