UDAAN 2015: a hearty farewell to our dearest students

Just few years back…… they arrived with their tiny step to make it a giant leap 

Just back in this past…..they framed their vision to extend their abilities 

Just yesterday…..they flapped their wings and set their eyes on the sky 

Just before this time… they attuned their mind, body and soul, to aim high

……and now…Fluttering with hope, elevated with flair, lifted light by blessings they are all ready to take their first flight..UDAAN…soaring new heights.

Time goes so fast, it’s hard to believe our dearest members of AVM family - students of class XII 2015 reached at the threshold of the school and were all set to bid their alma mater good-bye. Their farewell function was marked with much grandeur and magnificence as we hosted a grand party at the school’s Prarthana Hall on 19th April 2015. Our students of class XI welcomed their seniors with much gusto as they arrived along with their family members to attend this farewell function. The elegantly decorated stage with a big screen at the backdrop and banquet style sitting arrangement was adding much grace to the venue. 

An artistically created replica of an aircraft, affectionately named as AVM Airlines, was the centre of attraction. Its interior enabled our students and their family members to take a tour of the fond memories of these students of their bringing up in AVM family.

Since our class XII students were embarking on a new journey, quite perfectly complementing the nomenclature - ‘Udaan’, the witty hosts of the program - Jaybhai Baria and Sumitbhai Choudhary took up the role of zestful piolets giving the audience a feel of this pulsating journey. Hence, much amusingly, the program started with an announcement for the audience to tie their seatbelts to witness the ‘Udaan’, the high altitude entertainment package of next two hours. For the ceremonial beginning, students were called for the poojan of Thakorji. After that, a video clip of Param Pujya Swamiji was played in which Swamiji blessed the students for their bright future and also reminded them to be ‘dharmik’, to keep company of good friends and to remain committed, caring and polite to their parents.

The hosts of the program, the comical duo Sumitbhai and Jaybhai breathed life into the evening with their chirpy and cheery talks. They created sheer magic as they fabulously presented on a big screen, the adorable glimpses of all students of this departing batch. Dressed in finest of their attires, these students were called on the stage in groups to be felicitated with a gift hamper containing souvenir and memento from the school.

There was a lot to say to these students whom we watched growing up year by year and now parting from us to start a new journey. So the choir from class XI, conveyed our love and best wishes to these students through a melodious song 'Baate ye kabhi na tu bhulna'… There was yet another musical tribute to our dear students by the mime artists from class XI. Soon the tempo set in as the light and refined music filled the air, the audience was spell-bound to find mime artists moving table to table and presenting a rose to our departing students. Expressing an emotional bond of these departing students with AVM, they moved in rhythm, gracefully, with every step in sync with each other on the music and lyrics ‘Jo tu mera hamdard hai’. This captivating mime dance performance was as spectacular to the eyes as the song was an aural treat.

There after Sachinbhai Verlekar, our former head boy, extended heartfelt gratitude to AVM on behalf of the entire batch. It was followed by a speech by respected Vijay Sir, our school principal. Vijay Sir requested the parents to keep faith in these young aspirants as they are blessed to excel in whichever field they go. At last, Pujya Fuvaji, in his speech reaffirmed that nurturing at AVM has made these students entitled to be spiritual, prudent and successful in their coming years.

Afterwards, inviting the guests to a sumptuous dinner, the charismatic, chatty, witty hosts Jaybhai and Sumitbhai brought the curtains down on this ceremony.

Go….the future lies before you with an open sky 

Be firm on roots, remain attached as you fly high

For someone is watching….someone is caring…someone is blessing you for this ‘Udaan’.

Param Pujya Swamiji’s arrival at AVM

Though the onset of spring season in February month marked the parting of winter but lives at AVM campus still lacked a certain force, trees never wore the shroud of greenery, the flowers delayed their spring cheers as if stillness engulfed the whole campus and the devoted souls prayed with eager eyes …. until He came! His Divine Holiness Param Pujya Swamiji.

On the 7th day of April 2015, Swamishree’s arrival enlivened everything around. As if the entire campus had restored freshness - the trees turned jade green and the leaves and flowers of various colours danced in the vernal wind and the students, the teachers resumed sprightliness. There was an unusual verve of happiness and joy all around in the school campus. Radiance and splendour emitted by His divine aura illuminated the weary souls and the elated hearts filled with vitality. No matter how busy and hectic Swamiji’s schedule is, He arrives time to time to bless the AVM family and reinvigorate our spirits. "As and when the wick of enthusiasm burns low, comes ‘He’ yet once again to rekindle our spirits with His Torch of Love and Truth".

 

 

The blessed and most awaited moment arrived when Swamiji wished to hold a Sabha and bless the students and teachers with His golden words. Sabha started with a melodious devotional bhajan sung by students of grades 7 and 8. The senior students of class XII were called on the stage to receive Swamiji’s blessings personally. After toiling tooth and nail for board exams and having sheer anticipation of good result, this moment with Swamiji was summum bonum for them. Swamiji listened to the prayers of each and every one of them and counselled them by showering all His grace and blessings on them. As one comes nearer to Him, it seems that He is but a fountain from which there is a continuous emanation of rays of love, soothing every soul that approaches.

Everybody listened with great eagerness and attention as Swamiji addressed the Sabha and spoke His golden words. Swamishree advised the students and teachers to brush aside the laziness and prepare earnestly for hard work. Thereafter, by giving examples from history, Swamiji explained us that most essential condition of a happy life is to be God-loving and religious. Swamiji reminded us quite affectionately that nothing is impossible for us if we believe that God is our eternal father and a god realized saint is like a loving mother. Swamiji affirmed that there are three monsters which reside within all of us: ego, jealousy and obstinacy and at any cost we should get rid of them - this is the only way to be eligible to receive the ever flowing grace of the Supreme. He further added that personal association with saints helps to destroy delusion. As the students listened to Him with much devotion, Swamiji gave them the golden sutra which is a condition to keep good friends who are religious and who have integrity of character. Everyone in the Sabha had His darshan with folded hands and devoted hearts until Swamishree left the prayer hall.

What better be the sublime sight for eager eyes?

What better be the euphonious voice for curious ears?

What better be the blissful touch for weary frames?

What better be the grand feast for craving souls?

What better be the enthralling scent for withered spirits….If Param Pujya Swamiji arrives to bless us all.

Anand Divas II