26th Foundation
Day Celebrations
Omkarananda Saraswati
Nilayam Inter College, Muni-ki-reti,
1st Dec. 2008
Omkarananda Saraswati
Nilayam started on 1st December 1983 with 3 students and now has
got a strength of 2400 students. The 26th Foundation Day on 1st
December, 2008, saw the culmination of the year long Silver
Jubilee Celebrations which had commenced on 1st December, 2007.
The Silver Jubilee year was a galore of activities, both at the
Inter House and at the Inter School levels. The year passed off
very quickly, it just seemed the other day, that we had started
off with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations and now we had reached
the threshold of completing the year.
The
programme was inaugurated by the traditional lighting of the lamp
to invoke the blessings of the Almighty, by the Chief Guest Swami
Ram Kripalu Dasji, Swami Vishveshwaranandaji Maharaj, Kumari
Somashekhariji, by the Guest of Honour Shri Waryam Singhji, our
honourable Principal Col. (Retd.) D.L. Sachdeva, Mrs. Kiran Taneja
and Mr. R.K. Shrivastava.
The cultural bonanza was preceded
by a Vandana, to invoke the blessings of Maa Saraswati. Thereafter
the teachers presented a song dedicated to the memory of
Paramahamsa Swami Omkarananda Saraswati. The lyrics of this song
was written by one of our ex-teachers, Mr. Sunil C. Jakhmola and
it was composed by our teacher Dr. (Mrs.) Quaylee Chakravorty.
The
next performance was a beautiful fusion of Indian dances which
enthralled one and all sitting there. The next on the line was a
prayer by the students of the Junior Wing which elucidated the
qualities of a good human being and if the man made barriers are
removed, we will live in a world which is full of peace and
serenity. The Rajasthani dance just added to the brilliance and
the razz matazz that was spread all around. This was followed by
yet another cute performance by the tiny tots of the Preparatory
Wing which left the audience asking for more.
Our
revered Swami Vishveshwaranandaji Maharaj had an earnest desire to
recognize the hard work, devotion and dedication of the entire
Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam Family towards their work. This
desire he put into deed by felicitating the entire OSN family. Not
only on this occasion, but ever since the inception of the school,
whenever we, the OSNites have looked up to him for help and
support he has always been very generous and forthcoming in his
response. As a token of appreciation, the entire teaching, non
teaching staff and the Managing Committee were presented with
mementos.
This
was followed by a Group Song performed by the students of the
senior wing. This song highlighted the importance of music in the
life of human beings. The star performance of the programme was
the Dhunuchi Dance. It is performed on the beat of a drum (dhak)
and cymbal. It is basically an Aarti which is performed in the
honour of Maa Durga during the Durga Puja celebrations. The
scintillating performance left the audience spell bound. The
dexterity with which the dancers performed the movements of hands
and feet was to be seen to be believed. This is a traditional form
of dance of West Bengal.
In the Orchestra, the precision of
the players on the different instruments made the audience sway to
their beat and rhythm and gave a befitting end to the lovely
cultural programme.
The most touching moment was, when one
of the oldest teachers, Mrs. P. Nautiyal, (now retired) climbed up
the stairs of the stage and was greeted warmly by Swami
Vishveshwar'anandaji and the Principal. She was overwhelmed by the
kind gesture of Swamiji, Principal and all the teachers. She was
followed by Mrs. Majumdar, Mrs. Usha Saxena, Mrs. Amita Rastogi,
Mrs. Kusum Srivastava, Dr. Pushpa Srivastava, Mrs. Shalini Singh,
Miss Pooja Tyagi, Mr. Sunil C. Jakhmola, Dr. Yuvraj, Mr. Ba'bulkar
and Mr. Sharad Agarwal.
The
entire atmosphere was purified by the presence of Swami Ram
Kripalu Dasji, the Chief Guest, and his inspiring and lively
speech infused everyone with zest to live life to the fullest. He
appreciated the performance of the students and felt like a child
while watching the tiny tots performing. He applauded the hard
work of the students, teachers, Principal and the guiding force
behind all this, Swami Vishveshwar'anandaji. He was impressed by
the overall performance of the students on the stage. He
congratulated the school on completing 25 years of establishment
and wished further on success in the future. The Guest of Honour,
Mr. Waryam Singh, a great educationist, too, congratulated the
Inter College on its Silver Jubilee and conveyed his best wishes.
He advised the students to study diligently and to gain new
heights.
Swami
Vishveshwaranandaji Maharaj, in his speech, expressed his
heartfelt adorations to all the students, teachers, staff and the
Principal for completing 25 glorious years. His magnanimity could
be seen when he recognised the hard work and dedication of the OSN
teachers and staff when he presented a memento to each of the
members of OSN. He expressed his happiness at the sight of the old
teachers who once served in this institution and wished them
success.
In his Vote of Thanks, the Principal Col. (Retd.)
D.L. Sachdeva thanked Swami Ram Kripalu Dasji for his benign
presence and Swami Vishveshwar'anandaji, Kumari Soma'shekhariji,
Swami Narasimhuluji, Mr. Surat Singh Negi and all other members of
the Managing Committee for taking out their precious time and
being a part of the 26th Foundation Day. He welcomed all the old
teachers and thanked them for sharing their feelings on this
occasion.
In a nutshell, the culmination of the Silver
Jubilee Celebration was a roaring success.

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