my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 27 Jan: The 77th Republic Day was celebrated with great fervour and jubilation at St Joseph’s Academy on 26 January in the presence of Chief Guest Brigadier Sandeep Krishna Chaturvedi (Retd), an alumnus of the institution. Also present were Principal Brother Joseph, Community Leader Brother Astinus Kujur, Brother JC Caroll, Brother William, the President of the Alumni Association, Vikas Dewan, along with other dignitaries and members of the Association.
The programme commenced with the unfurling of the National Flag, followed by the resonant rendition of the National Anthem, which filled the school premises with pride and patriotic fervour.
The celebrations continued with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, symbolising knowledge, hope, and unity. This was followed by a welcome folk dance, performed to a medley of songs from various regions of the Indian subcontinent, beautifully reflecting the theme of unity in diversity and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India.
The spirit of patriotism reverberated in every heart as Navya Joshi elucidated the significance of Republic Day through her speech in Hindi, highlighting the pivotal role of the Constitution in shaping and guiding everyday lives.
Marking the momentous 150th year of the lyrical composition of the national song “Vande Mataram”, the school choir presented the inspiring patriotic song “Mere Desh Premiyon”, emphasising love for the nation and the enduring values of brotherhood, sovereignty, and unity.
This was followed by a speech in English delivered by Srija Chawla, who spoke eloquently on the relevance of democracy and the Republic. She traced India’s journey from the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters to the nation’s continued progress and achievements, including its remarkable strides in space exploration and scientific advancement.
The school choir, trained and guided by the Torrins Band, then presented a vibrant medley of “Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walon” and “Jai Ho”, energising the audience and reinforcing patriotic sentiment.
Adding a reflective dimension to the programme, Ritkriti Negi recited the powerful poem by Prasoon Joshi, “Main Desh Nahi Mitne Dunga, Main Desh Nahi Jhukne Dunga”, which deeply moved the audience.
The thought-provoking recitation was followed by a thematic dance performance paying homage to the valiant heroes of India’s freedom struggle. The dancers portrayed the courageous contributions of legendary patriots such as Mangal Pandey, who sparked rebellion within the Indian infantry in 1857, against the East India Company; Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, who emerged as a fearless symbol of resistance and laid down her life defending her kingdom against British rule; Mahatma Gandhi, whose philosophy of non-violent resistance united the masses and became the cornerstone of India’s freedom movement; Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who led the Azad Hind Fauj; Chandrashekhar Azad, who spearheaded revolutionary activities against colonial oppression; Bhagat Singh, who ignited the spirit of revolution among Indian youth; Jawaharlal Nehru, delivering the historic “Tryst with Destiny” speech; and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who urged the nation to remain united in the face of adversity.
Following the performances, the Chief Guest was invited to address the gathering. Commending the students and staff for the thoughtfully curated programme, Brigadier Sandeep Krishna Chaturvedi praised the school’s consistent excellence in academics and holistic development. Drawing an analogy with the meticulous process followed by Cadbury Dairy Milk to maintain uniform quality, he emphasised the importance of discipline, perseverance, and effective time management. He urged both students and faculty members to remain focused on their purpose, to be honest in their efforts, and to pursue their goals with unwavering dedication.
The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Principal Brother Joseph, after which a memento was presented to the Chief Guest as a token of gratitude and appreciation.
The celebration came to an end with the National Anthem, echoing once again through the school premises and leaving behind a deep sense of pride, unity, and patriotic zeal.
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