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.
The inter house sports events displayed remarkable athleticism, teamwork, and sportsmanship by the students of Classes IX to XII. Their commitment to their respective Houses and their outstanding performances in various sports have brought honour and pride to their teams. Final results of the events : Results SPORT WINNERS RUNNERS UP Football: Senior Boys Shanti Ekta Table Tennis: Mixed Shakti Shanti Football: Senior Girls Shanti Shakti Basketball: Senior Boys Shanti Ekta Basketball: Senior Girls Shanti Ekta
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.
Tagore International School,Vasant Vihar has always worked for international goodwill and understanding by forging close ties with students and educational institutions across the world.Recently we were honoured to be the only Indian school invited by the Chinese Embassy in India on behalf of the hosts, The Good Neighbourliness Friendship and Cooperation Commission (GNFCC) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to the Shanghai Cooperation Junior Journalists International Summer Camp from 13 July to 25 July 2023. This event gave an unique opportunity to our students Tishya Chandok and Snehpreet Kaur (both of Class X) to learn about the workings of the media and gain exposure in a foreign country. The Opening Ceremony was held on 17 July at Volga Manor, Harbin, where our students danced to the catchy Hindi song Gallan Goodiyan and Ms Sonia Bhatia, who had accompanied the students, also gave a speech. A Seminar for the teachers on ‘Diversity in Education’ was held on 20 July at Lindu Hotel, Yichun. An impressive closing ceremony on 24 July at Yueju Chateau, Yichun concluded this event. Shehpreet and Tishya enthralled the audience with another Indian dance.The students grasped a lot about how the media functions and news is broadcast in China. They also absorbed a lot from their peers about different food and cultures and it was a great chance to share some delicious Indian eats and thus reach out to the other delegates. The interaction with students from various countries and the glimpse of China with its fascinating ancient history and culture as well as its amazing modern technological advances was indeed a unique takeaway for the students.
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.
The month of May witnessed various sports events such as Badminton, Volleyball and Table Tennis for Classes VI to VIII. Ekta house established their lead by bagging the first position in Volleyball and TableTennis. Easc of these events encompassed a wide array of disciplines that tested the skills, endurance, and mental fortitude of our athletes. Whether it was individual or team-based, the events challenged the students in unique ways, pushing them to their limits and beyond. Here are the final results of the various events. Results SPORT WINNERS RUNNERS UP Badminton Jr Boys Pragati Ekta Badminton Jr Girls Shanti Shakti Volleyball Mixed Ekta Pragati Table Tennis Mixed Ekta Shakti
The month of April witnessed a plethora of Inter – House sports events such as football, cricket and basketball for Classes VI to VIII. Each event differed in intensity with the participants pushing each other to their physical limits. The level of dedication and competitive spirit demonstrated by each team was a clear indicator of the pride harbored for their respective houses. The diverse range of challenges were a testament to the talents and sportsmanship of our school’s young athletes! Here’s an overview of the events conducted and the medal tally. Results SPORT WINNERS RUNNERS UP Basketball Jr Boys Ekta Shakti Basketball Jr Girls Pragati Shanti Cricket Shakti Ekta Football Shanti Pragati
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.