St. Thomas School celebrated its Annual Appreciation Day for Classes VI to VIII — “Ullas Utsav: Festival of Joy” — with great zeal and enthusiasm on 27th September 2025. The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Lalit Bhardwaj, whose attendance added warmth and encouragement to the celebrations.
The program commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the spread of knowledge. This was followed by a delightful Welcome Dance performed by the students, which instantly set a joyful and festive tone for the day.
Principal Vidhupriya Chakravarty warmly welcomed the Chief Guest, parents, and dignitaries. She also presented the Annual Report for the academic session 2024–2025, highlighting the school’s achievements and milestones across academics, co-curricular activities, and student development.
The cultural segment began with a vibrant Kerala Dance performance, followed by a welcome speech by Kanishka. The students then captivated the audience with a series of thought-provoking and artistic presentations:
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A dramatization of the Mahabharata by Kritika
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A philosophical piece titled “Who Am I” by Saksham
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“All the World’s a Stage” by Devina
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A moving portrayal of Helen Keller by Aashima
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An impactful enactment of Doctor Faustus by Viviksh Sharma
The stage came alive with a colorful display of regional folk dances, showcasing India’s cultural diversity. Performances included a Bengali Dance celebrating Durga Puja, a U.P. Dance themed on Holi, a Rajasthani Dance depicting Teej, and a lively Punjabi Bhangra celebrating Baisakhi. These were followed by a humorous Hindi play “Sher Pe Savaa Sher” and a melodious group Hindi song.
The spirit of patriotism was deeply felt through dramatic representations of significant historical movements such as the Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement, and Non-Cooperation Movement. Students also paid tribute to unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle through a powerful performance titled “Swatantra ki Goonj”.
Following the performances, the Prize Distribution Ceremony honored students for their excellence in academics and co-curricular fields during the 2024–25 session. Awards were given for General Proficiency, Full Attendance, Good Conduct, District Shimla Taekwondo Championship, and Slogan Writing.
Awardees included:
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Class V: 2nd Saksham Thakur, 3rd Viviksh Sharma, 3rd Mahiya
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Class VI: 1st Prisha Sharma, 2nd Varnika Thakur, 3rd Vivaan Thakur
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Class VII: 1st Devina Bijalwan, 2nd Kritika Thakur
The felicitation of the Chief Guest was followed by his encouraging address, in which he appreciated the students’ efforts and commended the school for nurturing talent and promoting holistic development through cultural programs.
The celebration concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Vice Principal Sharon Nanda, marking the end of a memorable and inspiring day at St. Thomas School.
