Students of Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali, perform during their annual day celebrations at Mecon Stadium in Ranchi on Thursday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Curtains came down on the three-day annual sports meet of Jawahar Vidya Mandir (JVM), Shyamali, on Wednesday with a glittering award ceremony and cultural programmes at Mecon-SAIL Stadium.

Chief managing director of Mecon Ltd A.K. Ghosh graced the occasion as chief guest while M.K. Deshmukh, director of the company, was the guest of honour.

The day kicked off with a warm, traditional welcome to the chief guest. This was followed by a march past by students of all the houses and a display by the school band.

Principal D.R. Singh expressed his pride and immense pleasure at presenting this year’s annual report. Announcing the names of the toppers in board exams and various all-India entrance tests into medical, engineering and law institutes, he said, “This time, 20 meritorious students of our institution were awarded the prestigious certificate of merit by CBSE for coming in the top 0.1 per cent category of students.”

The principal felicitated students who not only achieved academic success, but also performed well in state, national and international-level exams, quiz and competitions.

One of the oldest private schools in the city, Jawahar Vidya Mandir had another moment of pride when a collection of poems, I too have a dream, by Class XI students Priyanka Sahani was released. The chief guest congratulated the successful students and inspired everyone with his words, “There is no short cut to success. So plan your activities beforehand.”

The theme of one of the cultural shows, National Integration, was presented well by primary and secondary section students of the school. While tiny tots from nursery to Class II enthralled the parents and students with their performance to numbers like Vande Mataram and Yeh desh hai veer jawano ka, students of Classes III to V spread the message of Unity in Diversity through “Yeh Hai India”.

The function came to an end with Ganga ki Gatha, a tribute to music legend Bhupen Hazarika, who passed away recently. Secondary and senior secondary students performed to the song, Ganga Behti Ho Kyon.

On the field, special races for alumni, staff and parents were held. Finally, prizes for the best teams for basketball, football, badminton and march past were distributed.