Activity High School Celebrates Gold!

On 17th November, 2019, Activity High School celebrated its Golden Anniversary – fifty glorious years of excellence in education at the NCPA, Mumbai. The evening began with the school office bearers singing the school anthem and a vibrant swagat dance by the students. This was followed by the lighting of the lamp by the dynamic Principal Mrs. Perin Bagli and the Chief Guests – Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastur, outstanding Bollywood actor and theatre personality, Boman Irani and Dr. Emmanuel, the Chairman of the Association of All India ICSE Schools.

 

After lighting the lamp, Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastur chanted a prayer and invoked the blessings of Ahura Mazda on the gathering. Next, Dr. Emmanuel spoke about the importance of teachers and lauded Principal Bagli’s indispensable contribution to the council as the Secretary Treasurer over the years, and felicitated her on behalf of the council, with, “She takes care of not only Activity, but schools all over India. I would like to appreciate her for all the wonderful things she has been doing for the council for all these years. I’m from Ahmedabad, which is known for creativity, cooperation and collaboration and Mrs. Bagli is the epitome of all that for our Council.”

Bollywood and theater celebrity Boman Irani, an ex-parent of Activity School had the audience in splits with his wit about the education system. He spoke about how Activity accepted his son, Kayoz Irani, with open arms and made a man out of him, adding, “Mrs. Bagli, all thanks to you, my son is the Associate Director on India’s biggest budget film – ‘Tak’.” He got the audience on their feet to give Bagli a standing ovation for her tireless efforts in shaping the lives of so many students, over the past 50 years.

Praising the standards of the school, Vada Dasturji deemed Activity as “one of the best schools in South Mumbai today”. Addressing the audience, Bagli shared her sense of gratitude to her mentor, the late Mrs. Doongaji, as also her team of teachers, staff and alumni association. Speaking to Parsi Times, she said, “I’m jubilant about Activity completing 50 years. It is all thanks to my fab team and the overwhelming support of the parents and students, both past and present.”

Next in line was the launch of ‘Zenith’, Activity’s annual magazine celebrating 50 years of excellence in education, post which felicitations were in order for every teacher, office staff and peons announced as per years of experience. It was worthy to note that many had served for over 25 years. Finally they felicitated the Alumni Association, who’s support was instrumental to the organization of the eve. This was followed by an impressive documentary on Activity made by ex-student Rehan Balaporia, supported by Equinox films.

The latter half of the evening was full of fun and amusement with a section ‘This is Entertainment’ which traced numerous foot-tapping Broadway musicals through the years – from the ‘60s to Michael Jackson’ – regaling the elated audience. What made the performances even more exciting was the brilliant visual effects on the Croma screen, created by ace photographer Sam Bagli. All in all – a stellar performance and a great evening… Kudos to Principal Bagli and Activity High School!

About PT Reporter Khushnuma Dubash

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