Upholding its motto of ‘Aartt Shanti Phala Vidya’ and striving to achieve the state where one's thoughts, speech and the actions coincide, Welham Girls’ School celebrated its 65nd Founders’ Day on 21st & 22nd October, 2022. The celebrations spread over two days included Annual Sports Meet, Exhibitions, Cultural Productions and Speeches and Distribution of Awards and more. As a preliminary to the celebrations, ‘Welham Woman Real Talk’ featuring candid conversations by eminent Ex-Welhamites with the students of classes 10, 11 & 12 in a bid to broaden their perspectives about diverse careers was held on 20th October. The special invitees this year are the ex-Staff Members and Classes celebrating their golden and silver jubilees, the alumni of 1972 and 1997 batches respectively. The Chief Guest for this year’s Founders’ Day was the Global CEO of Ogilvy, and ex-Welhamite Ms. Devika Bulchandani. Ms Jyoti Ann Burrett, professional football player, and an Ex-Welhamite, was the Chief Guest for the Annual Sports day. The School Annual Report was presented on the occasion by the School Principal, Mrs. Vibha Kapoor where after, she urged the students to “follow the road not taken” and stand for their beliefs by daring to defy the herd, without being afraid to be their own selves. She requested the parents “to be equal collaborators” in their daughters’ journey by “encouraging them to fight their own battles.” She further said, “The American author Susan Cain says: ‘Everyone shines given the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplight desk.’ And I think this thought echoes with what I personally believe we do here. Welham, with its army of caregivers, fosters each girl to become a woman who carries her own light, be it a spotlight or a lamplight.” Ms. Devika Bulchandani also addressed the gathering and encouraged the students by marking out the five lessons she learnt in school that helped her in moving ahead in her life’s journey. She urged the girls to be fearless, to be articulate, take risks, master the art of persuasion, imbibe the life lessons that go beyond the curriculum and controlling one’s reactions can be extremely liberating. She said, “I want to say to all you teachers today: you play a critical role in shaping who we become. The lessons you teach us go well beyond the classroom; humour, teamwork, friendship, perspective, spontaneity. Lessons that we take with us for the rest of our lives. While the girls still in school may not realize this now, your contributions to their future will be unparalleled. Here’s a fact: not everything important is achieved by men. Woman have also changed the world. And we will continue to do so. As you sit here today, I want you to believe in yourself, because if you don’t, how do you expect others to? Believe in your ability to do anything. Believe that a barrier is just an invitation to climb that tree and if you fall you can climb it again. Believe that your potential is your beauty.” True to the School’s traditions, the Awards given out were not just to recognize marks alone or achievements in Sports etc., but to extol those qualities which build a person’s character – Good Citizenship, Helpfulness, Creativity, Compassion and Community Service. ‘Long Service Awards’ were also presented to three staff members including Mrs. Vibha Kapoor herself for having served the institution for 25 years.