8th August, 2015
The much awaited Investiture ceremony for officially announcing the members of the school council and handing over the responsibilities from the old office bearers to the new members was organized on the 8th August’15 at Podar World School, Sherkhi, Vadodara. The school ground was all set for the programme with the students having taken their positions in their respective houses waiting for the instructions to march. The programme started at about 9 a.m. with the arrival of the Chief Guest, Ms. Revathi Shankar, a leading educationist and the former Principal of Podar World School, Sherkhi escorted by the Principal Ms. Preeta Pillai and the Head Mistress Ms. Shivani Kanakia in accompaniment of the music of the school band. The day started with an invocation to the Almighty God. Soon after the prayer, the choir sang a beautiful song which had indeed lifted the spirits of all as it conveyed the message, ‘to keep smiling in the face of difficulties’. Then the Chief Guest was felicitated by the outgoing head boy and head girl (Master. Karan Dalal & Ms. Aparna Binu) by presenting a bonsai bamboo shoot. The Principal Ms. Preeta Pillai in her own dignified and gracious manner welcomed Ms. Revathi Shankar and talked in volumes of her National and International accomplishments, besides giving her sincere advice to all the student leaders to instill in them the feeling of ‘WE ‘and not ‘I’ while imparting the duties towards the schoolmates and the school. She quoted Abdul Kalama’s quote on Leadership qualities and advised the student council to be ‘fair and just’ in their dealings to exhibit transparency and work with allegiance and integrity in executing their duties.
Then commands were given for the March past, which was led by the present Head boy Master. Rahil Rami and the Head girl Ms. Saumya Singh who were handed over the school flag by the Chief Guest. They were followed by the other House Captains and Deputy Captains of each of the four houses along with their contingent in the March (Satya, Adarsh, Ahimsa & Seva). It was indeed a feast to the eyes to see the proud Podarites with their faces lifted, chest thrust forward marching swaying their hands in precision to the music of the band. When the Marchers had taken their positions, the Chief Guest, along with the Principal and Headmistress were invited to present the Council members of the year with the badges and sashes and they also administered oaths. Since the school had decided to bring out a magazine as a souvenir for the academic year, some of the students were selected as student editors for the four languages viz English, Hindi Gujarati & Sanskrit by the Chief Editors. They too administered oaths to work with integrity and dignity to uphold the revered heritage and reputation of Podar World School. Then the Chief Guest shared a few words. She in her brief talk foremost shared her happiness to be in her Alma matar and even expressed her pleasure to see such disciplined students right from beginning of the programme to the end. She emphasized in her talk that the council members have to be well aware of the significance of their positions they hold and by virtue of their office project such demeanour, so as to be called worthy of a Podarite!
Finally the Vote of Thanks was given by Simran Tyagi, a student of Std. IX who is also the Deputy Captain of the Adarsh House, wherein she not only thanked the Chief Guest for gracing the occasion with her presence but also expressed her gratitude to all.
The Principal also thanked Mr. Raghav Podar, Gem of India Award winner, and Chairman of the Podar schools who gave his whole-hearted support and best wishes.
