Independence Day celebrations at school often mean a beautifully decorated and adorned campus in ribbons and balloons of our national flag’s colours. Students proudly sing the national anthem and look forward to presenting some fantastic dance and song performances. But this year, Covid-19 has fastened schools indefinitely and added a twist to the 75th Independence Day celebrations.
Beautiful dreams of the future and passionate memories of the glorious past with resilient faiths for a new India marked the spirit of the 75th Independence Day Celebration at Ved Gruh Public School, Panvel, Navi Mumbai. They were celebrating Independence Day, keeping Covid-19 in mind. On the sunny morning of 15 August, the event commenced as soon as the coordinators and staff, Mrs Meeta, Mrs Maaya, Mrs Sunita, Mrs Haseena, Mrs Vasudha and Mr Sandeep, reported to the school, following which teaching staff of Primary and Pre- Primary reported. The program began with a welcome speech by Mrs Meeta Kourani. The teachers unfurled the National Flag followed by the National Anthem while strictly maintaining the social distancing norm heeded by the preamble and pledge by the chief guest Mr N.T. Sawant. We didn’t carry out many activities as such. It was a short programme arranged to keep social distancing norms in mind.
The entire program was moderated by the teaching staff, who shared their views about the nation’s past, present, and future and recalled the role played by the martyrs to let students have the taste of freedom. Mrs Usha Mal gave the speech in English. After which Mrs Mrinal conveyed a speech in Hindi. The students were delivered a speech in Marathi by Mrs Mitali.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of our Independence, but the COVID-19 pandemic has put paid to full-fledged celebrations. Most institutions fastened events online to avoid public gatherings and allow for social distancing. This did not undermine the enthusiasm of students for celebrating. At Ved Gruh Public School, Panvel, Navi Mumbai, it was celebrated with patriotic fervour. Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has been a dampener for most events, the school didn’t let it bring down its patriotic spirit. The program was summed up by the National Anthem sung by all the teaching staff. Mrs Sunita Wawa presented a thank you speech at the end and marked the finale of the program.
