Sarvodaya Diwas with our grandparents

Our grandparents are that common link between our history and our present.

As customary at The Indian School-Second Shift, the students observe Sarvodaya Diwas with their grandparents each year on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. This year the occasion was celebrated on 29th September 2023.

Based on the ideals of truth, non-violence, service and sacrifice, ‘Sarvodaya’ refers to a movement started by Mahatma Gandhi, which propagated the idea of universal upliftment and the development and progress of all. School invited its grandparents and honoured them, seeking to link the timeless lessons of the past with the missions of the present and the responsibilities of the future.

The event commenced with the Saraswati Vandana and moved on to an invocation dance by the tiny tots of Pre school to the timeless ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’, touching each heart present. Music touches many hearts and the soulful singing especially that of our younger children overwhelmed the grandparents. The senior students sang ‘Vaishnav Jana To’, one of Gandhiji’s favourite devotional songs.

The students paid tribute to their grandparents in a skit which showcased how grandparents become our friends, our parents, our mentors, our teachers and our partners in crime too! The children also spoke about the invaluable contribution of Lal Bahadur Shastri to his motherland. The grandparents were then invited to share their perspectives on the meaning of freedom in today's context and the invaluable contribution of the founding fathers of our great nation.

The occasion concluded with the school song and kindled our hearts with new joy.  The guests left  impressed with the skills of the students and School's commitment to promoting cultural and social values. The values that are carried down the generations by the precious bonds with grandparents, were reiterated at this glorious celebration of them.

A popular Gujarati breakfast of jalebi-ganthia and masala chai was a perfect culmination for this family affair on a great occasion.