St. Joseph’s Sr. Sec. School recently hosted a remarkable Green Diwali Celebration, beautifully blending traditional festivities with environmental consciousness. This special event, in collaboration with the Chandigarh Administration’s Department of Environment and the Youth Innovative Society led by Mr. Sachin, underscored the importance of celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly way while honoring the age-old customs. In a unique move, St. Joseph’s also extended the celebration to students from government schools, providing them an opportunity to actively participate in the festivities and showcase their talents.

The celebration kicked off with a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, Dr. Nemi Chand, State Liaison Officer for the National Service Scheme, who was presented with a symbolic planter. In his speech, Dr. Chand lauded the school’s commitment to celebrating a sustainable Diwali, noting, “Your efforts to uphold Diwali traditions while promoting environmental responsibility sets a remarkable example for all. Students, continue to honor these values and embrace green choices.” His words inspired the students, reinforcing their dedication to adopting eco-conscious lifestyles.

Adding to the occasion, another special invitee RJ Rex, graced the occasion.Known for his vibrant personality, RJ Rex shared insightful advice with the students, particularly the dancers, encouraging them to elevate their expressions and performances. His feedback added a fresh layer of enthusiasm to the event.

The celebration featured a series of lively cultural performances, beginning with a beautiful welcome song. A highlight of the event was a captivating jugalbandi performance by Yashika Narula and Vanshika, whose seamless collaboration and rhythm mesmerized the audience, symbolizing the unity of the Diwali spirit.

In addition to the performances from St. Joseph’s students, students from various government schools participated enthusiastically in the event’s Talent Show. Their involvement was a significant part of the celebration, marking an effort by St. Joseph’s to make the government school community a part of the Diwali festivities. These students showcased their skills in multiple categories such as dance, singing, mimicry, painting, rangoli making, and advertisement creation. Not only did they participate actively, but they also earned top honors in several categories, further enhancing the event’s collaborative spirit.

Students Archit Garg and Saanvi Vats from Class 10 presented a powerful speech and a heartfelt poem, urging the audience to embrace an eco-conscious Diwali. Their message echoed the event’s central theme: celebrating with mindfulness and responsibility.

The youngest attendees from Primary-2 brought an infectious energy to the event with their “Show and Tell” segment, where they creatively showcased their understanding of green practices. Their enthusiasm for environmental sustainability left a lasting impression on all.

A key feature of the event was the Talent Trove competition awards, where Dr. Nemi Chand announced the winners from both St. Joseph’s and government schools. The competition included diverse categories like dance, singing, mimicry, painting, rangoli, and advertisement making. Each winning student was met with enthusiastic applause as they proudly accepted their prizes, marking the success of this inclusive celebration.

Another standout of the day was the Green Diwali Exhibition, which was inaugurated by Dr. Chand. This exhibition displayed a variety of innovative, eco-friendly projects crafted by students. These projects served as both educational and inspirational tools, encouraging everyone to incorporate sustainable practices into their daily lives.

As the event drew to a close, school management members Sukhdeep Grewal and Paramdeep Grewal shared words of encouragement, highlighting the importance of sustainability and urging everyone to embrace eco-friendliness in all aspects of their lives. Principal Monica Chawla also shared her thoughts, emphasizing that celebrating a Green Diwali is not just about preserving our heritage, but also about making a commitment to our environment. “As we light up our homes this Diwali, we should also illuminate our responsibility toward the environment. Celebrations should bring joy as well as a mindful approach to our surroundings,” she remarked.

St. Joseph’s Sr. Sec. School’s Green Diwali Celebration not only honored the festival of lights but also lit the way toward a more sustainable future. By collaborating with government schools and actively involving their students in the festivities, the school set a shining example of community engagement and environmental awareness. This year’s celebration inspired all participants to celebrate responsibly while preserving traditions and caring for the planet.