Students stage a cultural programme at the 22nd Mahatma Hansraj Aryan Athletics Tournament. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Tots take sports break

The recently-concluded 22nd Mahatma Hansraj Aryan Athletics Tournament organised by DAV Public School was a treat to watch.

The cultural programme organised during the opening ceremony was thoroughly enjoyed by the students.

About 74 DAV Public Schools from the Ranchi zone participated in the tournament. An yagna was organised to mark the opening ceremony. Two students chanted the hymns and performed the yagna. The chief guest unfurled the sports flag which was followed by a march past by all the participants.

Rohit Sarkar

DAV Public School, Bistupur

Musical night

The musical evening organised by our school?s Interact Club was a hit with the students. The students were divided into three sections, with children from Class V to Class VII competing with each other in the patriotic song round.

Students from Class VIII to Class X vied for the top spot in the old songs round. The Plus Two section students exhibited their skills in the ghazal round.

Gulshan won the first prize in the patriotic song round, while Sweety Mukherjee was declared the winner in the old songs? contest.

In the Plus Two category, Rudra Prasad Chatterjee snapped up the first position. The western group song and the Indian dance competitions were open for all the classes. Rudra Prasad Chatterjee won the western group song competition, Ashish Gyan snapped up the first position in the traditional regional dance contest. The overall best performance award was given to Arun Dev Yadav, who was judged the best singer. S.M. Sharma, chairman of the school, was the chief guest.

Ankit Gaurav

Vidya Bharti Chinmaya Vidyalaya

Festive spirit

I fail to understand why we cannot celebrate Durga Puja without playing jarring music from loud speakers. It not only mars the festive spirit but also is an environment hazard.

However, the deputy commissioner's orders for a pollution-free puja came as a relief. The most encouraging aspect of the pujas this year was the decision to award the best organised puja committees.

I think all puja committees should follow pollution norms. Zero sound pollution, efficient crowd management and clean pandals will make pujas a even more delightful experience.

Kaveri Paramesh

Kerala Public School, Kadma

Clean drive

Schools are abuzz with eco club activities, especially during this time of the year.

Bhartiya Sevashram Sangh- Pranavs Children?s World joined the eco-network recently. Along with the various projects in hand, which include the complete makeover of the Nirmal Nagar slum, the students have also undertaken tree plantation projects.

Just before we closed for the puja vacations, our eco club members launched a cleanliness drive in the market close to the airport. Littered with polythene bags and chocolate wrappers, the whole area resembled a garbage dump.

So, we got down to some real work from 6am. We divided ourselves into groups and began cleaning the market area. We also made it a point to educate the shop owners on the need to keep their surroundings clean.

Needless to say, the residents of the area were more than happy at our initiative and congratulated us.

After an hour?s effort the entire place was sparkling clean.

Shilpy Singh

Bharat Sevashram Sangh Pranav?s Children?s World