Students of Hariyana Vidya Mandir celebrated Independence Day with patriotic songs, skits and speeches but of course, it all began with the hoisting of the national flag and the national anthem sung in chorus.  

Students then performed songs like Saare jahan se achchha, a dance drama weaving in songs like Rang De Basanti and Sarfaroshi ki Tamanna. The act explained the significance of the colours in the national flag. There was also a street play on the life of former president APJ Abdul Kalam.  

“Students had first performed the play Bharat ke Missile Man at Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM) and it proved to be so popular that others insisted we perform it again at school before our own students. And what better occasion than Independence Day?” said Hindi teacher Sangeeta Agrawal, who had written and directed the play. Another teacher Rajni Goenka had assisted her. 

The script of the play was in lyrical form and seven students of class VIII and X recited them individually and in chorus. Incidents from Kalam’s life were narrated, such as when he sold newspapers as a child, joined Defence Research and Development Organisation, won the Bharat Ratna and became the president. 

Students were also feted for academic excellence. I (Digangana) received a prize for being the Class X topper. Sunanda Agarwal of Class XI got a prize for achieving a CGPA of 10 and said it was her dream come true. “I received the award in front of my father, who doesn’t come to my school often. So it was a big day for me,” she smiled. Teachers too were awarded for their contribution.

Participants of the show enjoyed themselves. “These are the times when we can relax as well as perform,” said Ankit Dey of Class XII.

The chairman, school managing committee, Hari Krishan Nigania asked us to hold on to the spirit of independence round the year and principal Nandini Sen asked us to salute India.

— Shrija Bose (Class XII) and Digangana Das (Class XI)