28th August’ 2015,
Welcoming King Mahabali on Onam at PodarWorld School, Sherkhi,Vadodara.
Like any other school, our school too being a micro society, and having adhered very firmly to the principle of Secularism, the festival of Onam of God’s own country, Kerala was celebrated in a modest manner. A floral Rangoli (Pokallam) with a lantern at its centre adorned the reception of Podar World School, Sherkhi with the kind intention of welcoming everlasting prosperity to the school through welcoming King Mahabali in all its humility. The legendary significance of the festival and the manner in which the ten day long festival is celebrated by all Keralites, irrespective of any discriminations of high or low, was narrated to the learners in the morning assembly at Podar World school, Sherkhi, Vadodara.
Respected Principal Ms. Preeta Pillai and one of the teachers of the Secondary section being natives of Kerala were dressed in the traditional Kerala saree (Kodi Kasav) to mark this occasion. Though plans were made to present a skit and the traditional dance (Kaikotti kalli or Thiruvathira kalli) for the learners to get a feel of the festival in all its fervour and grandeur, these have to be abandoned owing to the unexpected ‘Bandh’ declared just two days before. The laudable aspect was the interest taken by the whole school in arranging floral rangolis and preparing the arrangements to celebrate the festive mood on this day.
The Principal thanked Mr. Raghav Podar, Gem of India Award winner, and Chairman of the Podar schools who gave his whole-hearted support and best wishes. She also thanked all the Podarites of Sherkhi, Vadodara for exemplifying the true spirit of Secularism, at a time when a few of our countrymen are fighting in the name of casteism, regionalism, linguisticism etc. shaking the very base of our democratic set up.
