The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

SCHOOL BUZZ
Pathways breaks new ground in school design
Smriti Kak

Pathways World School has been selected to receive the ‘Design Share Award – 2002’ from a New York-based architectural body for innovative school design from among over 85 project entries from 14 countries. Spread over a 30-acre campus, on an elevated, wooded site in the Aravalli Hills, the school has created an exceptional environment for its students and faculty.

The schools designed by C. P. Kukreja, is reminiscent of neo-classicism with a number of the main buildings built around an amphitheatre. The designer has incorporated the topography of the Aravallis as an integral part of his design.

It has been ensured that everything is built with a purpose and every space complements the innovative student-centred learning methodology. The Design Share Awards of New York, are determined by an online journal, forum and library of school designs.

The school supports both the full International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma of Geneva, Switzerland and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE from Cambridge, England).

Coke joins hands with Indian Army

Soft drinks major Coca-Cola has joined hands with the Indian Army to launch a scholarship programme for senior students in 116 Army schools across the country.

Lt-General A Nataraj, Adjutant General in the Army and Mr Sunil Gupta, vice-president (public affairs and communications), Coca-Cola India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently. The scholarship will be given on the basis of merit, but those children who cannot afford good education will be given preference.

Five hundred students of Classes X, XI and XII will get Rs 5,000 each per annum towards tuition fees, uniforms, books and other educational aid. Sixty-five per cent of the scholarships will go to the children of soldiers and other ranks, 25 per cent to the wards of Junior Commissioned Officers and the remaining 15 per cent to officers’ children.

‘The scholarship programme will come into effect from the next academic session.

DPS’ new branch in Kabul

The Delhi Public School Society has decided to open a branch in the distant Afghanistan. According to the school authorities, the school in Kabul will start in April this year. The preparations for the same are in full swing, with appointment of teachers already in place. The teaching staff will comprise local teachers as well as their Indian counterparts, who will undergo extensive training in the local Pashtun language.

Annual Day

The NDMC’s Navyug Public School, Sarojini Nagar and Lodhi Colony, celebrated their annual day. The students presented a cultural programme, which included a ballet, ‘Chandalika’ written by Tagore and ‘Raja Mangey Passina’ a play written by Vijay Tendulkar.

Chairperson of the NDMC Parminder Mandip Singh was the chief guest. Ms Singh inaugurated a mathematics resource centre at Sarojini Nagar and gave away prizes for excellence in academics and sports.

Fancy dress competition

Kids Elementary School, Ashok Vihar, organised a fancy dress and self-recitation competition. More than 400 schoolchildren took part, dressed up imaginatively, some played beauty queens, toothpaste, chocolates and even ladyfinger. Gifts and certificates were distributed to the winners and participants.

A child at the fancy dress competition at Kids Elementary School, Ashok Vihar.

Sports Day

Students of Ryan School at their annual sports day.

Ryan School celebrated its annual sports day at the Tyag Raj Stadium, with spirit, speed and sports being the highlights. While chief guest, Mr Francis Fanthome hoisted the flag; Deputy Director of Sports Authority of India declared the meet open.

Dr A. F. Pinto, Sheriff of Mumbai 2000, presided over the function. Around 2,500 students took part in various events, including drills, aerobics and athletics.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr P. Kamraj and Mr Sam Miller of the BBC were the guests of honour.

Sports Day celebration

Delhi Police Commissioner R. S. Gupta at the sports day celebration of Vidya Bal Bhavan. — Photo Anil Sharma

Vidya Bal Bhavan, Mayur Vihar, celebrated its sports day, which was inaugurated by Delhi Police Commissioner R. S. Gupta.

In his inaugural address, Mr Gupta said that any sports must be played with the notion of only sports, nothing else and sports is essential for all-round development for students. Students participated in various sports events, like judo karate, relay-race, aerobics, kho-kho, etc. DCP (East) Nuzahat Hussan, local MLA Amrish Gautam, local councillor Vidya Devi were also present on the occasion. Prizes were given away by the chairman of the school, Mr Hariduutt Sharma.

Music and dance programme

The students of the South Delhi branch of Sangeet Niketan presented a classical music and dance programme on the eve of its sixth annual celebrations, organised at B C Pal auditorium, Chittaranjan Park. Delhi Industry Minister Deep Chand Bandhu was the chief guest of the occasion. In his inaugural address, Mr Bandhu said that the Sangeet Niketan has a long tradition of promoting our art and culture. The main highlight of the programme was the spell-bounding performance of kathak dance recital on ‘Ardhanarishawar’, which was presented by the students of the institute.

The students also presented community songs, group dances, etc. Prizes were given to the best performers in different categories.

Late Gulab Rai, a famous artiste of jaltrang way, had incepted Sangeet Niketan back in 1950 to promote Indian art and culture.

(Input by Nalini Ranjan)

PRINCIPALSPEAK
Synergise to achieve

As I plodded my way to the town, the road looked endless. I was tired and the destination appeared so distant. Then, I met a fellow traveller. We walked together and the town seemed so much closer. A third traveller joined us and the journey was no longer an ordeal, but a joyous trip, full of laughter and fun. We reached the town too soon”. What seems so difficult alone, becomes so easy when tackled by a group.

This is synergy. It means working together to create a better solution than one can find alone. Synergy is everywhere in nature. Many plants and animals live together in symbiotic relationships. If you have seen a picture of a small bird feeding off on the back of a rhinoceros, you have seen synergy. Each one is benefited.

In school, we learn to synergise through the house system, group activities and team games. All these help to maximise output in terms of performance and confidence. In working together we have support, encouragement and guidance of others. Geese fly together in the sky forming a ‘V’.

Synergy calls for an open mind, celebrating differences and working as a team to find new and better ways. It does not mean bending other people’s will to yield to yours or thinking that you are always right. It is not your way or my way, but a better way, a higher way.

A musical band is the best example of synergy. Each band member in his own strength creates beautiful music. Each one retains his individuality, yet synergises with the others.

Ask any mountaineer and he will tell you that the right team members can make that vital difference between success and failure, between life and death.

It is the biggest challenge to blend people into a team and yet let them retain their individuality.

The world is fast becoming a melting pot of cultures, races, religions and ideas. Thus, we must learn to respect other’s faiths, beliefs, interests and rise above the biases and differences to work together and make world’s work easier.

‘Together we rise and divided we fall’. When the diverse people of India came together in a single-minded pursuit to seek Independence, they shook the British monarchy. This is the power of synergy.

So, let us hold hands and march together towards our goals – the journey becomes shorter, easier and more fulfilling. ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much’.

Madhu Chandra, Principal,
Birla Vidya Niketan