“Peace is the most powerful weapon of mankind. It takes more courage to take a blow than to give one” – MAHATMA GANDHI.
Indian Learners’ Own Academy celebrated the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 4th November 2018 with great pomp and grandeur. The Government of India had instructed all the Indian schools affiliated to CBSE to have a year-long celebration to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gandhiji. Adhering to the instructions and to pay respect to this great man, ILOA, in collaboration with Indian Embassy hosted the celebrations through various activities.
The Chief Guest for the occasion was Mr. Sanjeev Saklani, Second Secretary (Press, Information, Culture and Education). A devotional ambience prevailed as the programme started with the Quran Recitation followed by the Prayer in English. He lighted the lamp and marked the commencement of the programme. The Principal, Mrs. Asha Sharma, introduced the Chief Guest and welcomed the gathering.
The Chief Guest was welcomed into the campus with the students presenting a tableau on the Non-Cooperation movement at the reception. To uphold the values of the Father of the Nation, students of classes UKG to grade 9 performed skits on various themes like “The Early Childhood of Mahatma Gandhi”, “Incidents in South Africa” and “Ahimsa”. It was purely inspirational and encouraged the students to lead a simple life. A tableau presented by students of class 6 on “Dandi March” captivated the attention of the audience.
Students in their speech stated that Gandhiji has impressed humanity as an apostle of peace. They also added that he was essentially a man of action, not of sweet words. He had, further, what many others lacked, a constructive faculty.
The actors in the skit depicted Gandhi’s success which goes far beyond his national stature as the founding father of modern India. As such, his universal message could be measured by his immense impact on all forms of dissent against unjust regimes — this includes India — in the past half-century.
The witnesses on this special day completely devoted themselves to the principles of Mahatma Gandhi to mark it as the International Day of Non- violence.
Mr. Sanjeev Saklani was full of appreciation for the students who spread the true Gandhian values of Ahimsa and honesty in the young minds. He emphasized that such value based programmes should be conducted on a regular basis to create awareness in the minds of children who are brought up in their surrogate mother land, Kuwait. He also commended the school Principal, Mrs. Asha Sharma, who had taken the initiative in organizing such a programme.
Appreciations were extended to the students by the Principal for their commendable efforts to make the event successful.