Celebrating the Independence – Blind Relief Association

Unfurling of the national flag followed by a cultural programme by the students and trainees with utmost fervor and boundless bliss on August 14 marked the commencement of 73rd Independence Day celebrations at the Blind Relief Association.

The big and bright day began with the gathering of young boys of JPM School waving their tricolor pompoms high in the air, eagerly waiting for the hoisting of the national flag along with the other students, trainees and staff, outside Gandhi Hall.

The Chief Guest of the occasion was Dr. Dayal Singh Pawar, Associate Professor in Lal Bahadur Shastri Sanskrit Vidyapeeth and a distinguished alumnus of JPM School. Major Gen. Alok Raj PVSM, Chief Project Coordinator, Directorate of National War Memorial & Museum and Shri Rakesh Sharma, an alumnus of JPM School and Civil Service Rank Holder added glory as the Guests of Honour.

The Chief Guest and the Guests of Honour received the Guard of Honour before unfurling and saluting the flag, followed by the resounding performance of Jhanda Geet by the school band.

The guests were greeted with potted plants and Mr. K. C. Pande, Hony. Executive Secretary introduced the three eminent guests to the audience in the Gandhi Hall. Beginning with the national song Vande Mataram, every performance of the students and trainees brought the joy of independence in better lights. Besides the singing, dancing and the acting, few students also put forth the struggle and victory of independence in deep and meaningful speech and poetry.

Speaking to their own, the alumni Dr. Dayal Singh Pawar and Shri Rakesh Sharma shared words of inspiration and great encouragement. “Challenges are meant to be challenged,” said the Civil Service rank holder who has been placed in the Indian Revenue Services. Dr. Pawar, a Sanksrit Professor boosted the audience by his words, “What you are is God’s gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.” The Major General imparted profound values in the hearts of the young minds by narrating a real-life story from which he drew two life lessons; helping others and the other, taking responsibility.

The programme came to an end with the Vice Principal of the school, Shri Keshav Kumar delivering the vote of thanks.

The following day, the hostellers and in-house staff hoisted the national flag and remembered the passion of freedom fighters through iconic songs such as ‘jhanda ooncha rahe hamara” and “kadam kadam badhaye ja”.