As part of the social outreach program Outlive Yourself, the students of Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, organized a Blanket Donation Drive on 24 November 2023, to aid those in need during the winter. Students worked hard to collect and donate blankets to the inmates of Swarg Vridh Ashram, Nihar Vihar. With a shared commitment to giving back to the community, over 70 blankets were collected and donated during the drive. The spirit of generosity and compassion was evident. This substantial contribution reflects the dedication of our students to making a positive impact in the lives of those in need. The event not only provided warmth to the old people there but also fostered a sense of community, empathy and shared responsibility among the students.

Pride Parade is an incredible experience that can be both exhilarating and emotional. It’s a chance to celebrate diversity, love, and acceptance, and to be surrounded by people who share your values of acceptance and inclusivity. This year too our school was invited to be a part of the  Delhi Pride Parade on 26  November 2023. Under the banner of our campaign Breaking Barriers, our students attended this event with great enthusiasm for this noble cause. The students prepared for the day with excitement, creating posters and getting their faces painted in diverse vibrant colors. With beautiful brightly-coloured posters showing our strong advocacy for the community, the students soaked in all the positivity. The energy at the Pride parade was electric, with music, dance, and laughter everywhere. The street was filled with people of all ages, races, and sexual orientations, all united by their support for the LGBTQ+ community. Apart from having a lot of fun, they also interacted with members from the other campaigns supporting the community, along with many other influential advocates. One of the most moving aspects of the parade was seeing the pride of the community on full display. People were not afraid to be themselves, and were proud of who they are, giving out a powerful message of self-acceptance and love. This was certainly  an unforgettable experience for every student.

ORGAN India (Organ Receiving and Giving Awareness Network) is an initiative that was launched in March 2013 by The Parashar Foundation, (a Delhi-based NGO) to address the unhappy state of organ donation in India. They seek to remedy the shortage of organ donors and spread awareness about it. Ms Sunaina, CEO ORGAN India, accompanied by Ms. Divya, visited our school on 31 October, 2023 to conduct a session on organ and tissue donation. The students of Class IX along with the team of ‘Outlive Yourself’ and ‘Flawless Flaws’ participated in it. Ms. Sunaina addressed the students about the dire need for organ donors, organs and tissues that can be donated, types of organ donation and the side effects of a transplant. A short movie about  heart transplantation, provided a glimpse into the complex process. She spoke about the World Transplant Games and representation by Indian athletes there. Students were given an insightful glimpse into the life of Mr. Karhun Nanda, who exemplifies vitality after a successful heart transplant. The interaction culminated in an engaging quiz, where those who answered correctly were delighted to be rewarded with diaries. 

People who challenge binary social constructions of gender have traditionally faced discrimination and humiliation in society. The Breaking Barriers team has been working very sincerely to create a more inclusive mindset and to sensitise students to the needs of the LGBTQI+ community. As part of this effort, on 16 October 2023, our students had the opportunity to interact with Hiten Noonwal, who is a very successful drag artist, model, cosplayer and fashion designer. Hiten uses the pronouns ‘they’ and ‘them’ and  speaks openly about their genderfluid identity. They started with a beautiful live performance and the graceful dance moves spoke of acceptance and self–love. Hiten’s sensitive video exploring the concept of identity through music, dance, colours, costumes and creative visuals was deeply moving. Using simple language, they proceeded to share their journey of self discovery, of discrimination, ridicule, loneliness and finally the use of art as a therapy to express oneself and find one’s own place in the world. They made sure to put a special emphasis on expression as a form of letting out pain and vulnerability. Their struggle touched every listener and clearly students could empathise with their pain.The students were given a chance to express emotions through bodily postures in a theatrical display with groups of 8-10 students where they were given two minutes to prepare a scene and enact it just by stationary expression. Students came up with different situations ranging from a masquerade ball to a scene unfolding in a football field. Hiten gave their inputs and explained how this art helped them express their deepest emotions – an eye opener for all the hidden artists in the room !  The Q&A session which concluded the event showed how much students were inspired by this tale of struggle and self discovery.

A panel discussion was conducted by Alliance India in Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar on 13 October 2023 with the Breaking Barriers campaign members from both branches of Tagore International School,  i.e Vasant Vihar and East Of Kailash. Mrs Anubhuti is a Project Manager at Alliance India and looking into their new project named SAHAS which focuses on  issues faced by the transgender community. Ms Veronica Tyagi, a transgender woman who aspires to be a marine biologist, shared her inspiring and fascinating story as a transgender woman, with the audience. She started working in NGOs to support her education. She highlighted the issues that the transgender community faces, for example unavailability of transgender friendly washrooms, surgeries that can be very risky, lack of money and support, side effects of hormone therapy, decreased immunity, increased risk of HIV-AIDS, pills that they have to take throughout their lifetime in order to avoid hormonal imbalance and social stigmas as people consider being trans as irreligious, unethical, or unnatural. She recalled personal instances of ragging and name calling. Where sensitization is concerned, she commented that the discrimination was caused by lack of awareness among people, not only of society as a whole  but also of our own parents. Hence, ways to bring about an inclusive change were discussed, among which were transgender friendly restrooms , the use of social media, myth busting reels, and more.

To further its mission of raising awareness for organ donation, Outlive Yourself organized a compelling Nukkad Natak at Sarvodaya Hospital, New Delhi on 10 October 2023.   The storyline was poignant and relatable, touching upon the lives of ordinary people and how organ donation can transform tragedy into hope. It showcased real-life scenarios, depicting individuals in need of organs and the life-altering impact of a single donation. Through the Nukkad Natak, attendees were able to connect with the importance of organ donation on a deeply emotional and personal level, many of whom were visibly moved by the performance, and were seen wiping their eyes. The Nukkad Natak was clearly a powerful medium to convey the significance of organ donation and its life-saving impact as a significant number of attendees pledged to become organ donors.

Team Outlive Yourself  conducted a stage play at Sarvodaya Vidyalaya Government School on 12 October 2023. The event aimed not only to raise awareness about the significance of organ donation but also to engage the students of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in a unique and interactive manner. Additionally, the team  took this opportunity to teach them the play, encouraging active participation in the cause. Our talented actors presented a compelling skit that revolved around the importance of organ donation and how a single decision could save multiple lives. However, the play was not just a performance; it was an interactive experience designed to educate and involve the audience. The students of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya were not mere spectators; they actively participated in the play under the guidance of our team members. This unique approach helped them to truly understand the play’s message and its significance. The students were encouraged to ask questions, express their opinions, and share their thoughts about organ donation. Later, the team conducted a workshop to teach the students of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya how to perform the play themselves. Guided on acting, dialogues, and presentation, the students showed remarkable aptitude. By the end of the workshop, they were prepared to stage the play  independently. This strategy of active involvement  ensured  that the message of organ donation would resonate with them and also encourage them to become ambassadors for organ donation, propagating the message further within their communities.