“Life is a gift, and the act of organ donation is the most precious way to share that gift with others” In a heartwarming display of compassion, our students have embarked on a mission to make a difference in the lives of the elderly and champion the cause of organ donation through their remarkable initiative, ‘Outlive Yourself.’ This student-driven social outreach program is a commitment to the vital cause of organ donation. Collaborating with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, our students are actively working to raise awareness and promote organ donation. The mission is to save lives and create a brighter future for many. The project has now expanded its scope to working for the welfare and mental well-being of the elderly. On 15 September 2023, the students partnered with Hotel Radisson Blu to donate essential items such as hospital beds, mattresses, pillows, sheets, and more to Swarg Vridhashram, in Nihal Vihar. This Ashram provides shelter to senior citizens who have been abandoned by their families. With the active support of Radisson Blu, the empathy of the students brought some cheer into these lonely lives. The students had the privilege of interacting with the residents, gaining insight into the challenges they face. They shared a meal and listened to their heartrending stories. The gratitude and blessings of the elders was deeply moving. ‘Outlive Yourself’ exemplifies the true spirit of community service and is a shining example of how young minds can make an impact on society.

From the day of its inception, our dedicated campaigners have invested much time and effort to expand the scope of ‘Outlive Yourself’. Their most recent endeavour was to understand the ramifications of organ donation in greater detail and to engage with healthcare professionals to understand the possible reasons why people could hesitate to donate their organs. On 22 August 2023,  group of students visited  the Renal Transplant, Liver Transplant and Bone Marrow Transplant departments of  BLK Max Super Specialty Hospital. The hospital staff welcomed them warmly and helped them understand the complex processes involved in organ transplantation, from patient evaluation to the surgical procedure itself, significance of organ compatibility, pre and post-operative care and the transformative impact of organ donation on the lives of recipients. The shortage of available organs and the critical importance of timely interventions was also discussed. The students were deeply impressed by the courage and determination displayed by patients undergoing such procedures. They  also had an opportunity to discuss the reasons behind people’s reluctance to donate organs. The professionals shared valuable insights, citing factors such as cultural beliefs, misconceptions, and fear of medical procedures. This visit not only left a lasting impact on our students but  highlighted the vital importance of such awareness campaigns to address these concerns and bring a positive change in society.

A sensitization and awareness workshop  on organ donation was  conducted by our  students for the educators at Tagore International School East of Kailash on 19 August 2023. The purpose of the workshop was to educate and encourage teachers to become organ donors and spread awareness about the importance of organ donation within the school community. The day began with a presentation on  the significance of organ donation and its impact on saving lives followed by an interactive session on the legal and ethical aspects related to organ donation. The message was reinforced through a Nukkad Natak, that captivated one and all. Teachers were encouraged to fill out organ donor forms, and they willingly participated, showing their commitment to the cause.

The Breaking Barriers Team organized a session on the LGBTQIA+ community on Friday, 18 August 2023, with the  aim of dispelling misconceptions and promoting  inclusivity among the senior school students of TIS EOK. The session featured prominent members of the Naz Foundation (an organization advocating LGBTQIA+ rights), who shared their personal experience, highlighting the challenges faced, the process of self-discovery and the significance of acceptance. These narratives aimed to humanize the LGBTQIA+ experience and create a sense of connection. Participants were encouraged to ask questions and engage in an open dialogue with the speakers. The interactive session encouraged queries and worked on clarifying misconceptions. The session successfully achieved its goal of breaking down barriers, and fostering inclusivity.

In the month of June, the Breaking Barriers team hosted Prismatic – an online Intra-School Competition with the theme Ruminate, Radiate, Illuminate. Students competed in four categories namely;Artistic Alchemy: a piece of art (either traditional or digital ) to help spread the message of diversity and inclusivity.Essay Enigma: Essays reflecting  thought-provoking insights and demonstrating a genuine passion for bringing change in society.Poetry Pinnacle: express emotions in verse. The Seniors also took part in the “Reelovation” category, which required them to create a reel that raises awareness of the LGBTQIA+ community, in order to keep up with the social media age. Congratulations to all the winners.

Interact envisions a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves, which is not only true of what we believe at Tagore International but also what we are embracing as part of the inclusive precepts of  G20 and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The Installation Ceremony of the Interact Club was held on 24 July 2023. The ceremony began with the students  rendering ‘We Shall Overcome’ in English, Hindi and French, followed by the lively Chirni dance. The encouraging words of the distinguished guests, namely Interact Chair, Rtn. Sameer Mehrotra; Club Secretary, Rtn. Sudip De and Director, Youth Services and New Generation, Rtn. Sandeep Pal Mandal served to motivate the students to put in their best.   After being honoured with a medal and badge, President, Rhea Sehgal took the stage and delivered an inspiring address, emphasizing the importance of leadership, dedication and teamwork, followed by the introduction and installation of the 2023-2024 team. The ceremony came to a close with a vote of thanks delivered by the Vice President, Yashaswi. This will undoubtedly prove a  wonderful opportunity for Tagoreans to learn and grow !

On July 28, 2023, Tagore International School Vasant Vihar (TIS VV) witnessed a spectacular interschool competition called “Connect Saathi” that aimed to raise awareness about organ donation through various artistic expressions. This event was organized as part of the campaign “Outlive Yourself,” in collaboration with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). The theme of the competition revolved around organ donation, and students from different schools participated in three exciting categories: Goonj (Nukkad Natak), Abhivyakti (English and Hindi Poetry), and Rangrez (Art). The competition’s first round took place online, attracting more than 40 entries from enthusiastic participants. The creative works submitted in the initial phase demonstrated the young minds’ passion and commitment to spreading the noble cause of organ donation. Following the online round, the second round was held offline at TIS VV, where the top four teams from each category had the opportunity to present their talent and compete for the prestigious first and second positions. The school campus was bustling with energy and excitement as the participants eagerly awaited the chance to showcase their artistic brilliance. The esteemed panel of judges, consisting of Mr. Anjon Bose, Ms. Sarmishta Chakrabarti, Ms. Puja Dewan, and Ms. Priya Pal, brought their expertise to evaluate the performances and artworks. Each entry was assessed based on creativity, relevance to the theme, and the impact it could potentially have in promoting organ donation awareness. The event’s grandeur was enhanced by the presence of the distinguished chief guest, Dr. Krishnan Kumar, OSD, NOTTO. His inspiring speech emphasized the importance of organ donation and how it can transform and save lives. In addition the Guest of Honour PP Rtn. Sanjeev Verma and Rtn. Sudip De from Rotary International graced the occasion, further adding to the event’s significance. As the performances and presentations unfurled, the audience was captivated by the powerful messages conveyed through Nukkad Natak, heart-touching verses of poetry, and thought-provoking artistic creations. The students’ dedication to the cause was evident in their exceptional performances, reflecting their commitment to making a positive impact on society. Finally, the event culminated in a grand prize distribution ceremony. The judges applauded the winners for their efforts in advocating for organ donation. However, it was evident that each participant contributed significantly to the cause, making them all winners in their own right. “Connect Saathi” proved to be a resounding success in fulfilling its objective of raising organ donation awareness among the youth and the wider community. The event not only showcased the creative potential of young minds but also ignited a collective passion for a cause that holds the potential to save countless lives. The spirit of camaraderie and compassion displayed during this competition will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on all participants and attendees, inspiring them to become ambassadors for organ donation awareness in their respective communities. As the curtains fell on “Connect Saathi,” the echo of its message continued to resonate, with the hope that the seeds of awareness sown during this event would blossom into a future where organ donation becomes a readily embraced practice, thus gifting the invaluable gift of life to those in need.

Ms. Anjali Gopalan, Founder and Executive Director, NAZ Foundation, conducted an interactive session for the students of grade XI and the Breaking Barriers team on Tuesday, 11 July 2023. The session started with Ms Anjali clarifying basics like what exactly does each of the letters in LGBTQI+ stand for and addressing the commonly misunderstood, ignored and misconstrued information pertaining to these terms. This was followed by an extremely informative discussion wherein strong opinions were shared from both ends on topics ranging from homosexual matrimony in India to unequal laws, parental pressure to societal rejection and sensitization to acceptance. Students zeal to learn more about the community was equally matched with Ms. Anjali’s patience to address each query. It was a unique opportunity for one and all to gain insight into the struggles faced by today’s youth due to discrimination and set-thought process of the Indian society at large.

A three hour session on Diversity  Equity and Inclusion was conducted by renowned activist, Harish Iyer, on 10 May 2023 for the members of the Breaking Barriers Campaign at TIS,VV. Harish Iyer is currently the head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Axis Bank. Harish’s valuable insights and fun references to pop culture kept the students hooked throughout. They appreciated his humour and approachability The main objectives of the workshop were  to: Raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity and diversity. Encourage open dialogue and create a safe space for students to share their experiences, thoughts, and ideas. Foster empathy, respect, and understanding among students from different backgrounds. Understand why is equitable distribution important for inclusivity  To let students hear real life experiences and take snippets of popular culture to understand and empathize with the problems faced by certain groups of people. Guest speakers shared their personal experiences and expertise related to inclusivity and diversity. The speakers discussed topics such as racial and ethnic diversity, gender inclusivity, LGBTQ+ rights, disability awareness, and cultural sensitivity. The sessions were informative, engaging, and sparked meaningful conversations among the participants. Students were divided into small groups to facilitate deeper discussions on various aspects of inclusivity and diversity. This encouraged students to share their perspectives, challenges, and ideas and focused on developing practical strategies to promote inclusivity within the school community. Students were encouraged  to think out of the box and try to break societal stereotypes. Some amazing ideas emerged from the students, proving that this workshop had successfully  helped children  become  more inclusive. Participants had clearly gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals from different backgrounds and developed empathy towards their peers. The event provided students with a platform to engage in meaningful discussions, develop empathy, and formulate action plans.

On 11 February 2023, Project Saksham, a student-led initiative of Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat, held a unified sports event where students with and without intellectual challenges played together. This event was a unique opportunity for people to come together and enjoy sports while promoting inclusivity and breaking down barriers. The event was attended by employees of Macquarie, and commenced with a short presentation by Raman ma’am (Director Marketing and Communications at SOB) along with SOB youth leaders. followed by campaign president, Tishya Chandok, introducing Project Saksham to them. Football and basketball matches were enjoyed thoroughly by all participants. Students of Classes V to XI of our school were invited to play with the athletes. The event was organized by campaign heads, Tishya Chandok and Sanvi Awasthy along with a team of youth leaders from Classes VII and VIII. Vrinda Arora was the compere. At the end, a medal ceremony was held where all participants were awarded by Air Cmde Sharma, Executive Director, SO Bharat and TIS, VV Principal, Dr. Parul Tyagi.A photobooth was prepared by the art team and was much appreciated by the audience. Refreshments were served to all attendees. The event was a huge success and it was a heartwarming sight to see people working together, laughing, and having a great time. The atmosphere was filled with positivity, as everyone cheered each other on and celebrated each other’s achievements. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and reminded us that we can all come together to make a difference in each other’s lives.