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Youth Day Celebrations - 2006
December 17-18, 2005 Essay Writing Competitions:
Every year
Vivekananda Vidyapith celebrates Swami Vivekananda’s
birthday as “Youth Day.” Youth Day celebrations consist
of prayer, reflections on Swami Vivekananda’s life and
teachings, and essay writing and speech competitions.
On Saturday, December 17, 2005 and Sunday, December 18,
2005 contests were held for coloring pictures, writing a
story from a picture, and extempore essay writing.
During the assembly, Uncle (Dr. Mahendra Jani) talked
about Swami Vivekananda’s love for humanity, especially
for the poor and the deprived, who are neglected by the
society. Swami Vivekananda said that along with
spiritual practices like japa, meditation and others,
one should try to see God residing in the hearts of all
beings whom he called “The Living God,” and selflessly
serve them. To emphasize his point, he even told his
disciples in India that they should put aside worship of
all the forms of gods and goddesses and serve the poor
and neglected people while seeing God in them. Swami
Vivekananda made it clear that without spiritual
foundation it is extremely difficult to serve people
selflessly. After the assembly, students went to their
classes to take part in Essay writing competitions.
There was the excitement of anticipation in every class
as the students took this competition as a challenge to
bring out the best in them.
January 7 and 8, 2006
Speech Competitions:
On Saturday, January 7th, and
Sunday, January 8th, 2006, students of the
third, fourth, and fifth grades had their speech
competitions. Both the days, the Prayer Hall was packed
with students, alumni, teachers, and parents. Excitement
filled the air as everyone eagerly waited to hear all
the little ones who stood ready to deliver speeches on
their given topics. Both days began with the regular
prayer at 9:00 a.m. After prayer Uncle welcomed all
with New Year’s greetings and best wishes. He recounted
how a few students, teachers and parents began the
Vidyapith’s New Year on January 1st at 7:00 a.m. with a
special worship of all gods, goddesses, and Sri
Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami
Vivekananda. Uncle then talked about the beautiful 2006
Vidyapith calendar put together by Aunty (Dr. Vandana
Jani), Neirah Aunty (Neirah Bhargava), Uma Aunty (Uma
Ramakrishnan), and student Dhairya Dalal. The
calendar’s theme is “Light,” and it contains inspiring
quotes from various religious scriptures of the world.
He pointed out that January is the month in which Swami
Vivekananda was born and that we celebrate his Birthday
every year as “Youth Day.” Describing briefly Swami
Vivekananda’s life and teachings, Uncle encouraged all
the students to do their best in the competitions. He
told them how he enjoys listening to each student and
what a great learning experience it is for him. After
the assembly, a small platform was set for the speakers,
and chairs arranged for the judges. There were three
judges for each competition; one alumnus, one parent,
and one non-Vidyapith guest judge. As usual, the alumni
of the Vidyapith took charge as moderators of the
events. Finally, the competitions
began.
(It
was the first time that the) third graders were
participating in the speech competitions. They were a
little nervous, but all spoke very well. No one forgot
their lines, and each one brought wonderful thoughts on
what he/she would do if he/she could become a butterfly
or a star in the sky. This was followed by the fourth
graders’ competitions. On Saturday, the topic was “My
Most Memorable Family Trip” and on Sunday, “My Favorite
Festival.” It was very enjoyable to listen to what
appeals to the children when they go on a trip. They
described various places in the U.S., India and other
parts of the world that they visited. On Sunday,
students spoke about many colorful festivals celebrated
in various parts of India and America. The fifth graders
spoke on the subject, “Little Things Do Count.” With
their excellent presentations, the students explained
how seemingly insignificant things can be found to be of
great value and importance. Sunday fifth graders spoke
on “My Friends have it; why can’t I?” They brought out
the conflicts that come between them and their parents
when they demand to have things because their friends
have them. Everyone enjoyed the speeches, impressed by
the way little children walked up the stage in front of
a packed auditorium and expressed their thoughts
fearlessly. The judges had a difficult time in choosing
the winners because of the high caliber of the speeches.
All gathered back
at 12: 15 p.m. in the Prayer Hall for the trophy
distribution ceremony. Both the days, a young student
had selected a Chief Guest by (randomly) picking a name
from a basket filled with the names of parents who were
(present at) the function. Saturday’s Chief Guest was
Mr. Bhupendra Kinariwala, and Sunday’s was Mr. Parag Oza.
They awarded all the trophies to the participants. All
the participants received trophies, honored with
continuous applause from the audience. Then, the
winners were announced and they received their
trophies. The winners were happy with their
performance, while the other participants looked
determined to do better next time. With the hard work of
innumerable people the two day function went very
smoothly.
January 14 - 15, 2006
Speech Competitions:
The speech competitions of Saturday, January 14, 2006 (Makar
Sankranti Day), and Sunday, January 15, 2006 were the
last two events of the Youth Day Celebrations. Students,
alumni, parents, and teachers of the Vidyapith began
gathering at the George Washington Middle School in
Ridgewood from 7:00 a.m. The stage of the auditorium was
made ready with the Vidyapith banner and microphones,
and the seating rows were marked with signs for the
participants according to their grades. The weather on
Saturday was excellent. It was surprisingly warm for a
winter day, filled with bright sunlight. Everyone felt
that it was a special treat from Mother Nature in honor
of this celebration. Sunday, on the other hand, was a
different story. A few inches of snow mixed with ice
fell early Sunday morning, causing everyone to worry
whether the Sunday competitions would take place at all.
However, to the surprise of all, students, alumni,
parents and teachers arrived at the school overcoming
the perils of driving on dangerous ice-covered roads.
Both the days, the program started at 9:00 a.m. with
Pranam Mantras and Shanti Mantras. Then, Uncle welcomed
all with New Year’s Greetings. He spoke of Swami
Vivekananda and how Swamiji wanted youngsters to work
for all-around development – physical, intellectual,
moral, and spiritual. Giving the example of a car and a
driver, he pointed out that our physical body is like
the external frame of a car. Our intellect is like the
engine of the car. Even if both are in good condition,
there is grave danger if the driver behind the wheels is
drunk. If the driver is sober, but his or her motive is
harmful, then also it is hazardous to all people. Moral
development makes us a decent human beings and
spiritual development motivates us to live and be guided
by higher and nobler principles. At the conclusion of
his talk he told all the participants to do their best
and always compete with their own selves by doing better
than before. After Uncle’s talk, alumni moderators
conducted the competitions. They announced the rules and
guidelines for the participants and the judges, and
called participants one by one to the stage. Everyone
was amazed to see how students of various age groups
walked up the stage and fearlessly presented their
well-prepared speeches in front of an audience of more
than 400 people. No one spoke beyond the allotted time
limit. Some speeches were serious in content, some
hilarious. Each student had something special and unique
to say. It was a great learning experience for all.
After the break there
was an exciting
extempore speech competition for the eleventh graders.
Their topic was given to them just one hour before the
competition. They sat in a room away from the auditorium
with index cards and pencils, writing down their
thoughts on the topic for an hour. Then, one by one,
they were randomly called to the auditorium to deliver
their speech. Everyone enjoyed the eleventh graders’
creativity and resourcefulness in gathering their
thoughts in such a short time and presenting them
fearlessly in front of an audience that waited with
breathless anticipation and cheered on each contestant
as they ascended the stage.
The two-day program included breaks for snack and
lunch. At the end, twelfth graders presented their
symposiums. Each day, the program concluded with
announcements of winners and trophy distribution. Both
the days’ Chief Guests were selected randomly from the
parents who were present, by picking a name from a
basket. Saturday’s chief guest was Mr. Bhimsen Dhingra
and Sunday’s, Mr. Vipul Desai. In addition, Sunday we
had a special guest, Ms. Melissa Kopecki, a librarian at
the Livingston Library, who has served as a judge for
several years in the Vidyapith’s Youth Days
competitions. These chief guests distributed the
trophies. After all the participants received their
trophies, the winners were awarded their trophies. The
competitions concluded around 5:00 p.m., with salutation
to Sri Ramakrishna and the mental offering of the
celebration at his feet. Everyone left the auditorium
feeling elated and inspired by the 2006 Youth Day
celebrations and looking forward to Youth Day
2007!
Saturday Twelfth Graders
Symposium:
Topic: “East and
West: Parts or Counterparts?” Participants:Dhairya
Dalal, Ranjani Venkataramanan, Ami Shah, Simool Sangoi,
Shuchi Parkih, Sheela Krishnan, Priya Dhar, Alopi Patel
and Payal Patel. Advisors: Dr. Raghavan Krishnan and
Dr. Lalitha Krishnan. Summary: For the past 12
years, we have been continually exposed to two different
cultlures, and we have attempted to find a middle
ground. As twelfth graders, at the crossroad of two
vastly differed cultures and lifestyles –cultures that
appear to be at odds on the surface. Through our
analysis of the history, philosophy, and culture of the
East and the West, both share complimentary parts. Our
symposium seeks to find out whether it is possible to
integrate the two into a single path or must we choose
between the two. As a new generation growing up with
Eastern morals and Western ambition, we have established
through our presentation, that we can live a dichotomist
lifestyle. Through assimilating the best of both worlds
we can lead a more balanced and fruitful lives.
Sunday Twelfth
Graders Symposium: Topic: “Ecology, Economics
and Ethics” Participants: Dhruvin Dave, Vinayak
Thakur, Saagar Patel, Smit Shah, Rickin Desai, Samir
Sampat, Ramyata Joshi, Ketan Gujarathi, and Preeti
Sheenoy. Advisors: Dr. Vandana Jani and Dr.
Krishnamurthy Prasad. Summary: We need to look
closely at our activities from a worldwide perspective.
Ecology and economy mean study and management of our
home, the Earth. Ethics is a set of values that govern
our actions. Recently, the definitions of these terms
have been forgotten. Ecologists prioritize human
interests over protection of the environment, and
economies are structured with only personal gains in
mind. A lack of morals has also led to the emergence of
a black market. In order to make the world a better
place, we must take an ethical approach to life, and
think about the global consequences of all of our
actions.
Alumni
Participation: Every year in Youth Day Celebration
several alumni of the Vidyapith participate and help
various ways including moderating the competitions, as
judges of the competitions, and in all other
activities. It a great joy for all to see them working
for the Vidyapith with great enthusiasm and vigor. This
year the following alumni participated: Nilesh Shukla,
Yesha Naik, Jyoti Shah, Sona Mehta, Mansi Mehta, Nina
Sivadasan, Lina Sivadasan, Neeraj Patel, Satvik Patel,
Achyuta Adhvaryu, Vivek Kocharlakota, Ohm Deshpande,
Nirmal Deshpande, Jill Patel, Nisha Parikh, Meena
Untwale, Meera Rajani, Kalindi Doshi, Jayinee Adhvaryu,
Neha Patel, Medha Kirtane, Haresh Naringrekar, Bhavin
Rokad, Sheila Shah, Deepali Dhar, Anil Shah, Nisha Shah,
Kanchi Kacharia, Pooja Bhatt, Resha Parikh, Niti Mehta,
Neha Pandey, Karishma Parikh, Ryan Chadha, Ravi Mehta,
Himanshu Tailor, Shekar Krishnan, Ameya Moghe, Jasmine
Gadhavi, Ketan Prajapati, Avantika Bhargava and Ami
Savalia.
Saturday Winners: Grade 3A: (Story writing
competition): Topic: “Caps for Sale”; 1st:
Mihir Sangoi, 2nd: Ravi Patel, 3rd:
Srujanee Pradhan; Honorable mentions: Amie Patel, Akshar
Amin, Vishal Gullpalli, and Sita Uyemura. (Speech
Competition): Topic: “If I were a Butterfly…”; 1st:
Mihir Sangoi, 2nd: Srujanee Pradhan, 3rd:
Ashka Sevak; Honorable mentions: Akshar Amin, Rucha
Gopal, and Adin Vashi. Grade 4A: (Essay Writing
Competition): Topic: “That’s what I Want to Be”;
1st: Shivani Shah, 2nd: Sivasruthi
Senthilkumar, 3rd:Pooja Patel; Honorable
mention: Abhinaya Aroll, Heerak Bhatt, Utsav Rana, and
Samir Wadhwani. (Speech Competition): Topic: “My
most memorable family trip”; 1st: Sana
Perti, 2nd: Sriram Vemparala, 3rd:
Heerak Bhatt. Honorable mention: Sivasruthi Senthilkumar,
Dhara Bhupatani, Shainey Patel, Bhoomi Bhupatani, and
Sakhi Patel. Grade 5A: (Essay Writing
Competition): Topic: “Come and Visit My Town”;1st:
Shruti Kanthan, 2nd: Aditi Desai, and 3rd:
Chandani Vekaria; Honorable mention: Angi Vora, and
Shruti Patel. (Speech Competition): Topic: “Little
things do count”; 1st: Angi Vora, 2nd:
Sajni Desai, and 3rd: Ansh Patel; Honorable
mentions: Chandani Vekaria, Ishani Desai, Shruti Patel,
and Shruti Kanthan. Grade 6A: (Essay Writing
Competition): Topic: “Dig the Well Before You Are
Thirsty”; 1st: Shreya Chaturvedi, 2nd:
Rohan Bhargav, 3rd: Esha Bhave; Honorable
Mention: Nishank Mehta and Janaki Patel. (Speech
Competition): Topic: “My Best Friend Is the One Who
Brings Out the Best In Me”; 1st: Chaitali
Gandhi, 2nd: Shreya Chaturvedhi, 3rd:
Esha Bhave; Honorable Mention: Alisha Parikh, Nishank
Mehta, and Meera Varshnaya. Grade 7A: (Essay
Writing Competition): Topic: “When You Go In Search
of Honey, Expect To Be Stung By Bees”; 1st:
Nikita Manavi, 2nd: Krishna Dave, 3rd:
Dharini Adhvaryu; Honorable Mention: Bhoomi Kinneriwala,
Purva Patel, and Shiv Mistry. (Speech Competition):
Topic: “He Who Angers You, Conquers You”; 1st:
Bhoomi Kinneriwala, 2nd: Krishna Dave 3rd:
Nikita Manavi; Honorable Mention: Sanjay Vemparala,
Purva Patel, Saagar Kinneriwala, Kishan Patel, and
Dharini Adhvaryu. Grade 8A: (Essay Writing
Competition): Topic: “Turning It Over In Your Mind
Will Not Plough the Field”; 1st: Dhara
Dalal, 2nd: Astha Chaturvedi, 3rd:
Menaka Dhingra; Honorable Mention: Kashmar Rajagopal and
Shikha Patel. (Speech Competition): Topic: “Every
Winner Has a Scar”; 1st: Pooja Shah, 2nd:
Astha Chaturvedi, 3rd: Menaka Dhingra;
Honorable Mention: Kashyap Rajgopal, Dharti Patel, and
Dhara Dalal. Grade 9A: (Essay Writing
Competition): Topic: “Facts Do Not Cease To Exist
Because They Are Ignored”; 1st: Ankur
Vashi, 2nd: Shika Surati, 3rd:
Vidhi Kacharia; Honorable Mention: Bhavini Prajapati.
(Speech Competition): Topic: “The Loftier the
Building, the Deeper Must the Foundation Be Laid”; 1st:
Vidhi Kacharia, 2nd: Sidhharth Parikh, 3rd:
Premal Kamdar; Honorable Mention: Bhavini Prajapati.
Grade 10A: (Essay Writing Competition): Topic: “Sometimes
Only a Change of Viewpoint is Needed To Convert a
Tiresome Duty Into an Interesting Opportunity”; 1st:
Gaurav Bhargava, 2nd: Apurva Gandhi, 3rd:
Rushil Desai; Honorable Mention: Abhay Patel. (Speech
Competition): Topic: “Vision Without Action is a
Daydream, Action Without Vision is a Nightmare”; 1st:
Abhay Patel, 2nd: Anish parameshwaran, 3rd:
Apurva Gandhi; Honorable Mention: Samir Sheth. Grade
11A: (Essay Writing Competition): Topic: “Habit
is Either the Best of Servants or the Worst of Masters”;
1st: Nupur Patel, 2nd: Ayushi
Desai, 3rd: Ami Shah; Honorable Mention:
Nishal Shah. (Speech Competition): Topic: “Think
Differently….”; 1st: Nishal shah, 2nd:
Nickita Rokad, 3rd: Amit Nigalaya; Honorable
Mention: Nupur Patel, Kruti Patel, and Ami Shah.
Grade 12A: (Essay Writing Competition): Topic: “Truth
Hurts…Not Seeking It, But Running From It…..”; 1st:
Sheela Krishnan, 2nd: Payal Patel, 3rd:
Ami Sha;. Honorable Mention: Alopi Patel.
Sunday Winners: Grade 3B: (Story writing
competition): Topic: “Picture - Tortise and Hare”;
1st: Simran Ohri, 2nd: Shruthi
Patel, 3rd: Devaki Prabhu; Honorable mention:
Herisha Shah, Sheeba Karmarker, Pooja Banker, and Aditya
Srivaisal. (Speech competition): Topic: "If I were a
star in the sky"; 1st: Sahil Vaswani, 2nd:
Herisha Shah, 3rd: Ashwini Ramantihan;
Honorable mention: Eesha Desai, Simran Ohri, Sahil S.
Patel, and Aakash Parikh. Grade 4B: (Essay
writing competition): Topic: "If I were a teacher";
1st Ruchi Desai, 2nd: Sohum Pawar,
3rd: Kanchan Railkar; Honorable mention:
Arthi Nithi, Suchir Pongurlekar, and Rohan Agrawal.
(Speech competition): Topic: "My favorite festival";
Kanchan Railkar, Vivek Panchananam, Sohum Pawar;
Honorable mention: Kishan Patel, Ruchi Desai, Arthi
Nithi, Ram Ajvalia, and Rohan Agrawal. Grade 5B
(Essay writing competition) Topic: "Come and Visit My
School"; 1st: Yash Parmar, 2nd:
Naveen Yegnamuthy, 3rd: Maghana Nervrkar;
Honorable mention: Bianca Karmaker, Radhika Parikh, and
Tushar Gupta. (Speech competition): Topic: "My
friends have it; why can't I?" 1st:
Naveen Yegnamurti, 2nd: Debanian Saha, 3rd:
Rishi Dhar; Honorable mention: Samir Oza, Yash Parmar,
Disha Jani, Radhika Parikh, Mihikaa
Naik. Grade 6B: (Essay writing Competition):
Topic: “It’s ok to say “Sorry” when...”; 1st:
Pallaavi Tatapudy, 2nd: Swarna Racha, 3rd:
Richa Patel; Honorable Mention: Seema Patel, Neil Mehta,
and Alak Mehta. (Speech competition): Topic: “You
cannot get ahead while you are getting even”; 1st:
Seema Patel, 2nd: Madhumita Parmar, 3rd:
Pallavi Tatapudy; Honorable Mention: Alka Mehta, Sailesh
Doraiswami, and Richa Patel. Grade 7B: (Writing
Competition): Topic: “Listen Before Judging, and
Think Before Speaking”; 1st: Suman
Naringrekar, 2nd: Kunal Malkan, 3rd:
Mehak Aswani; Honorable Mention: Tanya Gupta, Kirti
Nahar, and Gaurav Ohri. (Speech competition):
Topic: “The aim of an argument or discussion should
not be victory, but progress”: 1st:
Gaurav Ohri, 2nd: Devika Gadhavi, 3rd:
Annika Balraj; Honorable Mention: Bhargav Maheta, Neepam
Shah, and Bindi Parikh. Grade 8B: (Writing
competition): Topic: “When Looking at others’ faults,
use a mirror not a magnifying glass”; 1st:
Romil Malkan, 2nd: Mahaesh Jayaraman, 3rd:
Rohini Rani; Honorable Mention: Akhil Balraj and Tania
Maheshwari. (Speech competition): Topic: “Be like a
postage Stamp; stick to one thing until you get there”:
1st: Tania Maheswari, 2nd: Mahesh
Jayaramban, 3rd: Akhil Balraj; Honorable
Mention: Munoharan Jayaraman, Rohini Ravi, and Poonam
Patel. Grade 9B1: (Essay writing competition):
Topic: “Discipline is the refining fire by which
talent becomes ability”; 1st: Sneha Shah,
2nd: Giri Nathan, 3rd: Abhishek
Senjalia; Honorable Mention: Priya Parikh and Pooja
Shenoy. (Speech Competition): Topic: “Integrity is
practicing what you preach”: 1st: Priya
Parikh, 2nd: Sneha Shah, 3rd:
Abhishek Senjalia; Honorable
Mention: Puja Gujrathi, Benesh Chudasama, and Pooja
Shenoy. Grade 9B2: (Writing Competition): Topic:
“Well Begun is Half Done”; 1st: Neha
Jariwala, 2nd: Ami Mehta, 3rd:
Ankur Shah; Honorable Mention: Neil Shah. (Speech
Competition): Topic: “Mind are like parachutes; they
only function when open”; 1st: Arvind
Krishnamurthy, 2nd: Neha Jariwala, 3rd:
Radha Shah; Honorable Mention: Ritee Parikh, Ankur Shah,
and Vikas Desai. (Essay writing Competition): Topic: “Thunder
is impressive, but it is the spark of lightning that
does the work”: 1st: Stuti Desai, 2nd:
Radha Dhar, 3rd: Sharmila Railkar; Honorable
Mention: Keya Thakkar, Shraddha Desai, and Sonali
Tatapudy. (Speech competition): Topic: “Circumstances
are the rulers of the weak and the instruments of the
wise”; 1st: Sharmila Railkar, 2nd:
Kinjan Parikh, 3rd: Nishikant Pandey;
Honorable Mention: Ronak Parikh, Sonali Tatapudy, and
Radha Dhar. Grade 11B: (Essay writing
Competition): Topic: “Chance favors the prepared mind”:
1st: Anand Krishnamurthy, 2nd:
Parinitha Sastry, 3rd: Sheila Kundu;
Honorable Mention: Kushal Shah. (Speech Competition):
Topic: “Hey, You never know!”; 1st:
Anand Krishnmurthy, 2nd: Vrunda Dalal, 3rd:
Kushal Shah; Honorable Mention: Adit Shah. Grade 12B:
(Essay writing Competition): Topic: “There are two
kinds of light: the glow that illumines and the glare
that obscures”: 1st: Smith Shah, 2nd:
Preeti Shenoy, 3rd: Ramyata Joshi; Honorable
Mention: Dhruvin Dave.
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