Anil Swarup, a retired IAS officer turned author, who founded Nexus of Good, a NGO post retirement and remains one of the best minds on school education in India after his brilliant stint as secretary in the Department of School Education & Literacy (from 2016-18) in a recent address motivated students to learn from failures.
He was the chief guest at the 1st Graduation Day of Apeejay School International, Delhi and delivered keynote wherein he said that one who learns from failure necessarily succeeds in life.
In the first graduation day ceremony both IB Primary-Years-Programme (PYP)– V and Diploma Programme (DP) students of Apeejay International received their certificates of merit. Dr. V. S Garg, Senior Education Advisor at Apeejay Education, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour, and used the occasion to announce that Apeejay Education is expanding with more schools. He said, Apeejay School International, South Delhi is the first and only comprehensive international day boarding school in the capital city with state-of-the-art infrastructure and excellent sporting facilities and “More such schools from Apeejay Education are on the anvil.”
The graduation event began with the ceremonial lamp lighting and an invocation song. The auditorium reverberated with several rounds of applause with the entry of graduating students, wearing convocation outfits. A special video presentation was made to take the audience through the journey of the DP and PYP students.
Purshottam Dutt Vashist, Principal, said “It is a momentous day as the first badge of graduates from Apeejay School International are ready to spread their wings. We are guided by the vision of our inspiration, Dr. Stya Paul Ji, whose legacy is now being carried forward by his daughter, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Education.”
Apprising the audience about the recent developments and achievements of the school, students Saanvi and Rosanne presented the school report. They highlighted school achievers at inter-school, national and international levels and spoke about special assemblies, celebration days, guest lectures and non-governmental organisation tie-ups of the school.
Lavanya Sharma of DP 2 received the most prestigious ‘Valedictorian Award’ for academic excellence. Rishit Manoj Sharma and Prisha Jain received ‘Student of the Year’ awards for their achievements in academics and co-curricular activities.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Anil Swarup said: “It is a pleasure to be here today because youngsters give us hope and energy. They are the light of our country and I must tell them that failure is their biggest teacher. Those who fail and learn are the ones who succeed in life.”
Also present on the occasion were Ritu Mehta, Director of New Schools at Apeejay Education, Sandeep Kathuria, Principal, Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park and Komal Nathani, Headmistress, Rhythms Kinderworld School, Greater Kailash –II.