With organisations emphasising on diversity, equity and inclusion, it is a crucial step and social responsibility for the school to instil these values at the grassroots level. I commend the efforts of Principal P Subash and his team of teachers for creating a fantastic show with a strong social message.
The annual celebration is an important event for any school, where students, teachers and parents come together to showcase their talent, creativity and community spirit. At Apeejay School, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, the event, known as “Colofalco”, has always delivered quality performances and a memorable experience. As a parent whose children have been studying at Apeejay since kindergarten, attending the annual celebration is a cherished tradition and one I look forward to every year.
This year’s theme, “Women Empowerment”, was particularly meaningful to me. As the founder of Indian Institute of Hospitality Women (IWH) and an avid advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion, I am happy to see the school highlighting such an important message and making the next generation and future leaders aware of such crucial values. The cultural performance is titled “Shining Sounds” and depicts women empowerment in Tagore’s literary works as an ode to women. It is based on Rabindranath Tagore’s work “Chitrangada”, a tale of courage and strength, perfectly capturing the spirit of women empowerment. Apeejay Setia Paul Group
Apeejay stands for excellence, integrity and commitment to social betterment. Spanning education, business and philanthropy, the Apeejay Group has contributed immensely to Indian society over the decades. Founded by the visionary Dr. Stya Paul, Apeejay’s journey began with a simple yet profound mission of bringing quality education to India. Dr. Paul believed that education is the foundation for social progress and aimed to establish an institution that would nurture not just academic competence but also character, ethics and social responsibility. At the heart of the Apeejay Group is the Apeejay Education Society (AES). Since its inception, AES has established a network of schools and colleges across India, providing a holistic educational experience. The emphasis is not just on academic excellence but on developing a well-rounded human resource, ready to face the complexities of the modern world. A significant milestone in Apeejay’s educational journey was the establishment of Apeejay Stya University (ASU). Located in Gurgaon, Haryana, ASU is an Indian liberal arts and meta college that allows students to design their own learning path. It offers a range of programs up to PhD.
Year-round Day Programme – Corofalco
From the moment we walked in, with the beautiful stage set up in the schoolyard, there was a sense of energy and excitement in the air. Everywhere you looked, there was meticulous planning and attention to detail. With over 500 children and 100 teachers involved in a variety of roles including volunteering, orchestrating, performing, and providing technical and logistical support, this event was truly a team effort.
The performances were simply stunning. Dressed in vibrant, beautifully designed costumes, the young student artists performed the story of “Chitrangada” with grace and passion. The stage placement, lighting and sound were impeccable, creating a truly immersive experience for the audience. The school’s commitment to professionalism was evident in every aspect of the event. One of the highlights for me was a skit that combined drama, dance and music to depict Chitrangada’s journey. The students’ performances were convincing and the choreography beautifully executed. As the story unfolded, it became clear how much effort and dedication had gone into each performance. It was heartwarming to see different regions of India represented through their cultural heritage.
My son Abhinav and nephew Atharva had the honour of performing in the grand finale and it was a magnificent performance. The climax of the evening’s events was a breathtaking spectacle that left the audience in awe. I must have watched the YouTube recordings of some of the performances multiple times and each time I discovered something new that amazed me.
Special praise goes to the teachers who worked tirelessly to make Corofalco a success. They not only guided the students through the rehearsals and preparations but also ensured that the event ran smoothly from start to finish. The speech by the Guest of Honour, IAS Nima Arora, was equally inspiring.
The program was an unforgettable celebration of women’s empowerment, filled with amazing performances, inspiring messages and a strong sense of solidarity. As a parent, I was honored to be a part of the event and am already looking forward to next year’s celebration. I highly recommend watching Colofalco 2024 on YouTube, an event that showcases the talent, creativity and spirit of unity that makes this a great school.
Author Lakshmi Todiwan is the founder of Indian Women in Hospitality (IWH).
Published on May 6, 2024 at 1:00 PM IST
Join a community of over 2 million industry professionals
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights and analysis.
Download the ETHospitalityWorld App
Get real-time updates Save your favorite articles Scan to download the app
Source link