Pictures by Saradindu Chaudhury

The annual sports day has been one of the most awaited events of the year for all KVians. After all, taking part in sports is a short cut to fame. So it was with a lot of excitement that we, at Kendriya Vidyalaya 1 Salt Lake, looked forward to December 20.

Though the finals were to be held that day at our grounds, the countdown had started a week ahead with many events taking place in advance.

The events were categorised into the primary section, classes VI to VIII, classes IX-X, and classes XI-XII. Then there were the inter-house competitions among Raman, Tagore, Subhash and Ashok houses. Students of classes VI to VIII took part in all the events — khokho, kabadi, table tennis, chess, throwball and badminton. In contrast, we, the students of the higher classes, being far less in number, competed in only shot put and long jump, other than the races (100m, 200m, 400m and relay) which took place across all age-groups.

The most talked-about event was the boys’ relay race. It was a neck-and-neck contest with Raman House emerging champion by a whisker.

Sports day started with an assembly of the students after which our chief guest, R.C. Gaur, DIG, Border Security Force, was welcomed. The flag was hoisted in presence of our principal Suman Lata. This was followed by march-past by the four houses and the scouts and guides.

After the oath-taking, it was time for the colourful cultural performances which warmed up the participants for the upcoming sports events.

There was applause all round when our principal released a bunch of balloons in the air and set the stage open for the kids to dance. We were surprised to find the students of the primary section to be no less than the seniors. They proved themselves in the frog race, biscuit race and marble race too. Then their guardians took over for racing and musical chairs. There was so much excitement in the innocent faces as they jumped and clapped to cheer their parents.

Finally, the hungry students got to eat when our chief guest and principal inaugurated one of the food stalls and opened the Bal Mela. This was the stall that we, from the Subhash House, were manning. The students all of a sudden realised that there was much left to see. And to taste. The cup cakes that Ma had made for our stall got sold out in no time. Our English teacher Julia Bailey had given a Christmas stall where there was a contest on to make the perfect snow flakes with paper cuttings. Many queued up at the blood group-checking stall put up by the bio-tech section.

The programme ended with prize distribution. The House Cup went to the brilliant Ramans with the Tagores picking up the runner-up shield. The meet was declared closed with the national anthem.

— Ananya Roy & Shubhroja Sen
Class XI, Kendriya Vidyalaya 1