Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre marked its illustrious 40th Annual Day, “Padmanjali – Kanpur Ek Khoj,” on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at its premises. The distinguished Chief Guest was Ms Monika S. Garg, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Minority Welfare and Waqf, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Among the dignitaries were the Chairperson, Smt. Manorama Govind Hari Singhania, the Vice-Chairman, Mr Abhishek Singhania, the Vice-Chairperson, Ms Varsha Singhania, and the Vice-Chairman and Director, Mr Partho P. Kar.

The ceremonial lamp was lit by the Chief Guest, Ms. Monika S. Garg, the Chairperson, Smt. Manorama Govind Hari Singhania; and all the distinguished members of the management.

The School Prefect, Vaibhav Mishra, extended a formal welcome to the dignitaries, esteemed parents, and other invitees.

Subsequently, the eloquent anchors, Avika Singh, Rudraksh Singh, Vaibhav Mishra, and Vaibhavi Singh, skillfully showcased the accomplishments of Singhanians and detailed school activities throughout the Academic Session 2023-24. Their presentation was a masterful blend of a meticulously curated Annual School Report and an impeccable PowerPoint Presentation.

The Chairperson, Smt. Manorama Govind Hari Singhania graced the gathering, bestowing her blessings upon the students for their achievements and future endeavours. She enlightened the audience about the school’s notable accomplishments and its ambitious aspirations.

The Prize Distribution Ceremony, a long-standing tradition, acknowledged the top five scorers in all three streams with a total scholarship of Rs.4,50,000. Scholars were also recognized for qualifying in entrance examinations such as IIT, NEET, IISER and AILET. City toppers, Satwik Wadhawan and Shikhar Agarwal were felicitated for clearing the Chartered Accountancy Intermediate Exam. ‘Smt. Manorama Govind Hari Singhania Fellowship for Aspiring Authors’ was awarded to three authors of the school. In the category of special awards, the Lady Anusuiya Singhania Memorial Award, was conferred upon two students Sampurna Rastogi and Kratika Singh, the outstanding student of the year went to Abhigya Singh and the Founder Chairman’s Gold Medal Award, was bagged by Vaibhav Mishra. The teachers Ms. Puneet Saluja, Ms. Reema Bhatia & Ms. Harneet Kaur were also felicitated for completing 10 years of service. The Best Teacher Award was conferred upon Ms. Vibha Dwivedi.

The Chief Guest, Ms. Monika S. Garg eloquently commended the assembly, expressing utmost admiration for the students, teachers, and management for orchestrating a profoundly message-driven program. Her delight was palpable as she acknowledged SPSEC’s practice of inspiring both students and educators through awards, serving as a powerful catalyst for their exceptional performance. She enlightened the pupils on the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Kanpur, emphasising its pivotal role in witnessing crucial events and movements that have indelibly shaped India’s history.

The motivational School Anthem, ‘Saahas Dheeraj Ke Hum Saathi,’ resonated through the school choir. Arindam Naha and Avni Dua paid a heartfelt tribute to the Late Founder Chairman, Shri Govind Hari Singhania in ‘Shraddhanjali.’

Tanmay Shukla and Yashi Pandey served as the formal overall comperes, while cultural anchors included Aviral Agarwal, Vedanshi Hemrajani, Drishti Rajput, and Arjun Rajawat. The cultural programs, starting with the traditional Vandana-Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum, took the audience on a spiritual journey.

Kanpur’s evolution was portrayed through a well-synchronized choir, ‘Kanpur Ki Gaurav Gaatha,’ highlighting the city’s institutions, religious sites, and historical places. ‘Brahmavart Ghat,’ one of Kanpur’s holiest ghats, was depicted in a captivating dance drama, Brahmavart Gaatha, narrating its religious and historical significance.

A play on the Mutiny of 1857, ‘Kranti Ki Jwala,’ showcased the conscious beginning of the independence struggle, with Kanpur being the first town to break free from British clutches.

The cultural extravaganza continued with the vibrant ensemble of dances themed ‘Retro to Metro – Rangon Ka Safar’ by the tiny tots of Root, Bud, and Bloom, capturing the essence of Holi with classic songs.

Musical ecstasy ensued with the School Choir and Orchestra mesmerizing everyone with melodious compositions by RD Burman in ‘Pancham Geet’. The celebration extended to the students’ rhythmic dance, ‘Chandra Vijayotsav’ to commemorate Chandrayaan 3’s moon landing, creating a sense of pride. Varied fillers, violin and guitar presentations, and soulful vocal performances by students added to the brilliance of the function.

Vaibhavi Singh of class XII delivered a formal Vote of Thanks, concluding the program with the National Anthem.

SPSEC’s adeptness in managing diverse events shone through the grand stage setup for the Annual Function. The exhibition showcasing students’ creations in Science, Social Science, Mathematics, Vedic Mathematics, Robotics, Art, and Sculpture earned a commendation for fostering hands-on, imaginative learning.

The celebration drew a gathering exceeding 3500, embodying the school’s vision of offering holistic growth opportunities and nurturing an affection for their city and its rich cultural heritage. A literary gem, ‘Kanpur – Ek Khoj,’ was unveiled—this book is a collective endeavour intricately detailing the religious and historical gems explored by the Singhanians in their vibrant city, Kanpur.

The Management, visitors, and parents lauded the teachers and students for the program’s grand success. The Principal, Ms Bhawna Gupta; the Manager of Accounts; Mr Ashish Bhargava, the Manager of Administration; Mr Surendra Yadav, the Vice-Principal, Ms Kavita Chadha; and the Head Mistress, Ms Vandana Trivedi, spearheaded the event.