![Students posing for a group photograph along with dignitaries during Annual Day function at Stephens International School in Jammu. Students posing for a group photograph along with dignitaries during Annual Day function at Stephens International School in Jammu.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/page10-3-1.jpg)
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 2: Stephens International Public School, Miran Sahib celebrated 12thAnnual Day with pomp and show here today.
The theme ‘NISARG’ was well brought out in the meticulously planned cultural extravaganza in which nearly1300 students enthralled the large gathering with a wide array of activities and emotions on the newly inaugurated stage.
The Chairman of the school, Dr Kamal Saini, retired IGP, extended a warm welcome to the invited guests including former Minister Sham Lal Choudhary, KB Agarwal, Financial Commissioner, Housing & Urban Development Department and Shaleen Kabra, Chief Electoral Officer J&K.
The event began with the lighting of the traditional lamp, chants of mantras and invocation of Saraswati, the goddess of creation and learning.
The cultural ensemble unfolded with a charming performance “Snow White” by the young toddlers from the junior wing of the school, which was followed by a dynamic and soul-stirring enactment of the five physical elements of earth, air, water, fire and space by large groups of students. The performance depicted the journey from the moment of creation of our planet to the present. The theme of the annual day became clearer when the students presented the subsequent acts on “Pollution” and “Save the Mother Earth”.
The young children displayed placards and banners reminding the audience of the urgency with which we should focus on environmental issues.
Other performances such as Aerobics dance and Martial Arts brought home the message that a balanced and healthy lifestyle is as important as the balanced eco-system around us.
The most powerful performance, however, was the magnificent Gatka and Bhangra presented by the incredibly agile and well-built students mostly hailing from the R. S. Pura area.
The Principal of the school, Manoj K. Agnihotri, presented the Annual Report and highlighted the school’s progress in the British Council International School Award accreditation.
Expressing satisfaction with the accomplishments and growth of the school over the past decade, the two special guests gave away the prizes to the students under various categories in the presence of Vice-Chairman, Amarjeet Singh, Director, Satvinder Saini and Dean Academics, Rama Jamwal.
At the end, the school Head Girl and Head Boy presented the vote of thanks.
The function concluded with the reciting of National Anthem.