An unknown author quotes, “The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people”. And truly so- the various colours, costumes, cultures, traditions, cuisines, languages of the people of the world is truly a beauty to behold. On the 11th of March, 2022, the students of STD VI of Auxilium Convent High School, Lonavla, held the display and presentation of the diversity of three countries of the world- GREECE, ROME and INDIA.
The students along with their teachers had a year-long comparative study and research on these three countries- their customs and traditions, their history and geography, their language and costumes, their art and dance forms, their cuisines and much more….. This was creatively displayed in the beautiful and informative scrap books created by the students even in the midst of the pandemic on any one of the ancient emperors of the land and their social and cultural life of that period. They also learnt about the trade relationships the land had with other countries and also took the initiative of imbibing the skill of cooking one of their famous cuisines.
To present their hard work to their school and parents, the teachers and students of STD VI had a colourful presentation of the same on this day which began in prayer, asking God to bless their efforts and help them to encourage and appreciate the diversity around them. To add the icing to the cake, the occasion was graced by the presence of Sr. Caroline Menezes, our Animator, Mrs. Surekha Jadhav, and Mr. Kumud Poojari from the LMC as also, Fr. Ranson D’Souza, the Principal of Don Bosco, Lonavla, and Fr. Joyston Machado, sdb from Don Bosco Lonavla.
The students, decked in the traditional and historical costumes of the countries they represented, spoke of the three countries, their valiant heroes, their great scientists and philosophers, their outstanding personalities and those who have left an indelible mark in the pages of history of their countries. We could also hear the students speak in the languages of their respective countries- Greek, Italian, Sanskrit, Hindi, etc. There was also the display of their traditional dance forms, the most colourful and diverse being our own land of India which is constituted of 28 states, each with its own unique traditions and cultures.
Mrs. Surekha Jadhav congratulated the students and the teachers for the wonderful program and for taking the initiative to step out of their routine learning of India to learn about the beauty in diversity of two other countries. She encouraged them to be change-makers in the society and acknowledged the great role that the students of Lonavla, both past and present, are playing as citizens of the society. Through her dynamic and zealous words, she made the students realize that their small steps go a long way in making India a better place, a more beautiful country and that in respecting the beauty and dignity of each other as Indians and as citizens of the world, we will be taking small steps yet great leaps in building a peaceful world for the future.
Sr. Sheela Furtado, the Headmistress, also appreciated the students for their beautiful presentation and for the hard work that went in to make the program a grand success. She encouraged the other students who formed the audience to learn as they watched the program. She also acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices put in by the teachers of STD VI, Tr. Asma Nimbargi, Tr. Madhuri Shinde and Sr. Rexela Kharjia along with their collaborators, Tr. Mamta Gawade, Tr. Unita Patrao, Tr. Neeta Mehta and Tr. Bharati Ware. She exhorted the students to learn from the present and thus avoid the repetition of history.
After the stage program, the dignitaries were led to the exhibition prepared by the students in the school corridors- a wing each for one of the countries, decked in the colours of the land, displaying the country’s cuisine, monuments, jewelry, armour, and other characteristic features of the land. The scrap books of all the students were also displayed for all to see the efforts put in by the students along with their parents. The dignitaries were very appreciative of all the efforts and the achievements of the students and teachers. The students were very well-versed with what they had prepared and could narrate at length about their own findings of the land they represented.
In the afternoon, the parents of the students of STD VI were invited to view the program and the exhibition of their children. They were highly appreciative of all that they witnessed before their eyes. The parents recognized that the hard work they had collaborated in, had borne much fruit in their own children and assured their whole hearted support for all the future endeavors of the school, knowing that the teachers work for the betterment and holistic development of their wards.
The Auxilium Global Connect has led to a comparative study bringing out the richness of each country and allowed the students to explore their potentialities and bring out their best in every aspect. We wish to continue on this journey of learning by doing and explore the world together, appreciating the diversity that makes our world so rich and beautiful, increasing our love for all countries, breaking the barriers of division and thus preventing the repetition of history in the world today.