Special assembly for Gurupurab

“Dwell in peace in the home of your own being, and the Messenger of Death will not be able to touch you.”
Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. 

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab or Prakash Utsav, is one of the most sacred festivals of Sikhism. The day marks the birth anniversary of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. At our School, Guru Nanak Jayanti was celebrated on 30 November 2020, Monday. Students of different classes celebrated this occasion differently in a unique manner.

Students of class I made a wall hanging as a craft activity where they inscribed the teachings and famous quotes of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. They also took a pledge to serve their society and nation and to become worthy individuals. 

Students of class II celebrated Guru Nanak Jayanti on 27 November 2020 in the virtual classes. They dressed up in traditional attire, covering the head. Teachers apprised the students of the principles and teachings of the great saint. A video on his life and spiritual journey was played for the students and it reiterated the message of ‘One God’ and the ‘Eternal Truth’.

Teachers briefed the students about the childhood of Guruji. The Mool Mantra, the first hymn in the Guru Granth Sahib ‘Ik Onkar Satnam’ was sung aloud and this was followed by a short discussion on the Prabhat Pheri, visiting a Gurudwara and the Nagar Kirtan to make the students aware of Sikh culture. The children were told that Guru Nanak taught his followers to take the path of universal brotherhood and peace for  national integration and communal harmony.

Students of class 3 took it upon themselves to do a good deed for the friendly neighbourhood on the occasion of Gurupurab. Some students made nests and placed them in their colony parks, some fed animals, provided blankets to street dogs while some provided them shelter in their verandahs. Some students donated old clothes and filled bowls of milk and water for birds and street animals.

The students of class IV celebrated Gurupurab by making a little book of the famous 5 K’s of Sikhism. The little book taught them the meaning and significance of the Kakkars (Sikh symbols of faith and the attributes of the baptised Sikhs- Khalsa)

Students of class V were told about the occasion, why the day is a celebration, who Guru Nanak Ji was and the essence of Sikhism. 

Students of classes VI – VIII attended a webinar to mark Prakash Utsav or Guru Nanak Jayanti on 26 November, 2020.

Ms Sangeeta Aswani, Citizenship Programme Head, emphasised upon the inspirational life of the spiritual guru, portraying his life and teachings. Ms Aswani explained the relevance of Guru Nanak's  teachings in the context of present times. She explained the importance of Kar Sewa.

The active exchange of ideas on how one can become independent and responsible kept the students engaged and animated. Students acknowledged the importance of being helpful at home and earnestly promised to work dilligently and improve in the areas where they are lagging. With an elevated spirit and a desire to be the best, students took up the challenge of recording and sharing videos of ‘My Kar Sewa at Home’ with their class teachers.

To conclude, Ms Sukhmeen Cheema, Acting Principal, encouraged the students to uphold the spirit of brotherhood and develop a love for humanity through compassion and a helpful countenance. A vote of thanks was accorded to Ms Sangeeta Aswani for her constant guidance and support in instilling moral values and ushering the young Foundationeers on a virtuous path. 

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