Jan. 13: It was a fun-filled evening as Happy Child High School celebrated its silver jubilee celebrations today.

Students presented colourful cultural programmes, setting the tone for the yearlong academic and cultural activities, which have been chalked out to mark the completion of 25 years.

The programmes were preceded by an inaugural address by A.K. Absar Hazarika, deputy commissioner, Kamrup (metropolitan). He urged the students to set high goals for themselves and forge ahead with a positive attitude and enthusiasm.

The cultural programme was inaugurated by S.C. Das, the education commissioner and secretary, by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

The school had made a humble beginning in 1980 and has, since, climbed the success ladder step by step.

Looking back on the road travelled, school headmistress . Aggarwal said she has witnessed tremendous changes in the past 25 years. “Earlier, the competition was confined within the classroom, but now, competition is everywhere. The students are more focussed and ambitious,” she added.

The education institution had started as a primary school with classes from pre-nursery to Class II. With every passing year, new classes were introduced and it matured into a high school. As the school expanded, more space was required and the new building at Rehabari came up. Subsequently, Class IX was introduced.

The school banner has been kept high by its students, many of whom have charted a success story in examinations and in various walks of life.

The first rank holder of the school, Arun Sangeneria (14th state rank holder, 1996), did his MBA from Cardiff University, UK, and is now engaged in business in Guwahati.

In 1997, Frincy Khandelwal secured the fourth rank in the state in the Higher Secondary Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination.

In 2001, Shivaji Choudhury and Kapish Saraf secured the seventh and ninth state rank respectively.

The performance was repeated in 2002 when Gaurav Dutta and Panchali Deka secured the 11th rank in the state and Amit Das bagged the 16th position.

Keeping pace with the changing times, the school introduced computer education in 1988. To encourage literary activities, the school brings out an annual magazine called Milestone.

Extra-curricular activities were given equal importance for all-round development of the students. The school introduced the house system in 1992 to encourage such activities. The school has four houses — Raman, Teresa, Lachit and Tagore. Besides, excursions were arranged — the first destination being Kashmir.

Scouts and guides were introduced in 2003. The school is also an active member of the junior Red Cross and the students have extended their hand of support to the underprivileged sections of society.

The school, which had started with 80 students, today imparts education to 2,000 students. The alumni association of the school was formed in 2001.