The 64th Founders’ Day celebrations of WGS did not fail to impress! Despite the challenges of the lockdown, the programmes spanning two days were very well received. The Founders’ Day celebrations commenced with the Annual Sports Meet that included the March Past, Athletics Track Events, Karate and Aerobics Demonstrations. Many athletes who participated in the various events organized are medalists who have represented the Uttarakhand State and also played at the National level. The events culminated in the Prize Distribution by the Chief Guest and School Principal, Mrs. Padmini Sambasivam at 11:20 A.M. This was followed by her speech wherein she encouraged the students and the concerned staff with her motivating words and commended the efforts made by them in promoting sports in school. The main day’s Founders’ celebrations began with the inauguration of the Exhibitions by Mr. & Mrs. Singh, parents of the School Captain. They did so virtually by clicking the button to play the first presentation. The morning programme included Nukkad Natak presentation ‘Samanvita’ and Exhibitions that were streamed on the school website between 9:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. ‘Samanvita’ illustrated through a family conflict, the contribution of co-curricular activities and various art forms in the development of multidimensional personalities that are more humane and alive to their environment, thereby possessing an ability to make a difference. ‘Anveshika’ displayed the spirit of self-exploration that helps each Welhamite discover her hidden abilities and talents through pursuit of various avenues offered in school. The students of classes VI to XII created presentations on their chosen Art Form ranging from Folk Dance, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Music (Hindustani Classical and Western Choir) to Design and Art revealing how these mediums of expression add a new dimension to their learning in school. ‘Anveshika’ provided a platform to the students pursuing different activities to come together to corroborate the school’s commitment to endorse multi-dimensional learning and help them carve their own niche with confidence, and thrive in diversity. It was an endeavour that helped the audience to appreciate the immense intangible life-long learning that comes from it. The main Founders’ Day programme included Speeches, Prize Distribution and the main production a film, ’Nun on the Run’. The renowned Padma Shri Ms. Rani Rampal Captain of the Women’s Hockey Team that represented India at the Tokyo Olympic Games, 2020 presided at the celebrations as the Chief Guest. Padma Shri Ms. Rani Rampal addressed the virtual gathering. She shared her journey since childhood and how she was determined to overcome every obstacle to follow her passion. She encouraged the students to never give up on their dreams and hoped more and more girls took up hockey! The School Annual Report was presented on the occasion by the School Principal, Mrs. Padmini Sambasivam wherein she enumerated the achievements made by the students in both academics and co-curricular arena. She spoke about how “Welham’s strength lies in its ability to view every challenge as an opportunity and emerge stronger and robust” and how the school “offers the best of education, an education that assimilates the requirements of changing times, an education that uses technology as a tool to enhance learning but never succumbs to it.” She spoke about Welham as a place “where young girls are nurtured into strong, witty, empathetic young women who believe in living a life that matters, women who are not afraid to take the road not taken.” She ended her speech with the encouraging words by Christian D Larsen exhorting the students “To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but in great deeds. To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you”. True to the School’s traditions, the Awards given out were not just to recognize marks alone or achievements in Sports and academics 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 two Teachers and three Support Staff for having served the institution for 25 years. Mr. Deepak Kapoor also shared his vision regarding the school with everyone. He said that all the efforts and endeavours of the Board of Governors revolves around the achievement of each student’s potential, academically, socially and emotionally. He added the school deems itself responsible and does its utmost to ensure that each one of the student realises her full potential. The highlight of the celebrations was the School Production: ‘Nun on the Run’ - A Musical Film. Rising up to the challenge of the prevailing circumstances, the Founders’ Day main production for the year was another milestone achieved in the history of Welham. It was a film produced indigenously by Welham Girls’ School which was streamed on the official school website after the speeches and awards ceremony. The movie. A musical comedy, revolves around a budding singer who witnesses a murder and is forced to go into hiding as a nun in the convent. The film has been entirely shot in school and directed by the Mr. Avinash Dhyani, a known film maker. In the course of its production, the students learnt many nuances of acting through the lens of a filmmaker. They were also exposed to the many technicalities of film-making like dubbing, editing and cinematography etc. The screenplay, songs’ lyrics and film music, make up, costumes and art sets were created by the staff and students of the school. This movie is a labour of love and the school’s penchant to tread on new roads.