A complete year of schooling on a physical platform after the dreaded pandemic, lock-down and restraints of online classes was bade adieu in a befitting manner by the little children in classes 1 to 5 at Maria’s Public School on March 20, 2023. The session ending Annual Day spoke of nothing but positivity when the tiny tots captivated the audience comprising the Founder and Managing Trustee of the school Mrs Nellie Ahmed, Ex Principal of Rajhans Shishu Vidyalaya Mrs Lonie Chaliha, Ex Principal, Maria’s Public School Mrs Krishna Dutta, award winning director of Assamese cinema, Samujjal Kashyap, popular actress Rima Das, present Principal, Maria’s Public School Mausumi Mahanta, Vice Principal Mr Anjan Gogoi, Academic Director Mrs Shahnaaz Rahman, the effervescent parents and family members of the young lot and the entire Marian fraternity.

The curtain was raised with the school choir and the audience singing the National Anthem. The Founder and Managing Trustee Mrs Nellie Ahmed in her welcome address reminisced about the glorious past of the school which is agog with excellence not only in academics, but also in the other areas of a child’s holistic development over the years. She also spoke about the school’s mission of ‘Learning beyond the classroom’ which is homogenous to NEP 2020 guidelines in essence. Ex Principal, Rajhans Shishu Vidyalaya Mrs Loni Chaliha, applauded the great leadership of the Managing Trustee which led the school to attain its current status. Director Samujjal Kashyap reeled through the days of the shooting of his new film in the school premises and how this experience taught him more about the school. Renowned actress Rima Das while addressing the students said that it’s important to choose one’s career wisely. Principal Mausumi Mahanta while delivering the annual report and a quick flashback of the past session said, “Under the guidance of the Founder Managing Trustee Nellie Ahmed and the dedicated teaching staff of Maria’s Public School, the concerted efforts bore fruit and we found our students gradually settling down and engaging productively in different co-curricular activities, innovating and creating, and excelling in inter-school competitions.”

The highlight of the day were the performances of the children who took to the stage donning their beautiful attires and confidence. ‘Walk to the Sunshine’ – aptly conceptualized and beautifully narrated by Aradhana Bora, the Headmistress, Primary Section was a tale on the stages of development, learning objectives and outcomes in the primary years in school. The children choir group, guided by Pauting Kaurinta on the piano sang popular numbers in tune with the theme. ‘Walk through the Northeast’ was a ramp-walk where children attired in traditional outfits not only showcased the colourful extravaganza that Assam and the Northeast is so proud of, but it was also a testimony to the diverse cultures that flourish in this region. Thereafter the children dance troupes presented a melange of the major festivals celebrated in this part of the world, making all present tap their feet to the joyous tunes.

Four students, namely Ameya Gupta (Chess), Anish Goswami (Chess), Sanvi Buragohain (Swimming) and Chao Changfa Dihingia (Swimming) were also felicitated for their extraordinary performances in sports in regional and national levels in the same evening.

A spectacular event finally came to an end with the Vote of Thanks offered by Mrs Aradhana Bora, the Headmistress, Primary section. The entire event was seamlessly anchored by Urshita Bhuyan, a teacher in the Department of Social Science.