DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

A three-day long 177th Founder's Day celebrations commenced amid Gandhian thoughts, nostalgia of yesteryears, old memories and sporting spirits at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, the world's oldest co-educational residential school on Wednesday.

The students, management and Old Sanawarians gathered to mark the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti wherein Justice Arvind Malhotra, District and Session Judge at Solan graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The Chief Guest announced and felicitated the Gandhi Award winners Sirat Dua, Tanmaya Sahni and Inaaya Kumar on the occasion. The Gandhi awards were instituted by Navin Chawla, former Chief Election Commission of India and an alumnus of the School.

This followed by felicitation of ten employees identified as Safai and Paryavaran Mitra, who were honoured for their commendable contribution in Svabhaav Swachhta, Sanskaar Swachhta under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan campaign.

In his address, Justice Malhotra lauded the infusion of a bit of Gandhism despite the era of competitiveness for the betterment and positive change in the society. Thereafter, a basketball and a festival futsal matches were played between Old Sanawarians (OS) and Present Sanwarians to brace up a sense of sportsmanship in both the counterparts. Present on the occasion, Pankaj Sapru, President, Old Sanawarians Society (OSS) emoted,"Tthis playground had been the foundation of their fitness. It is a nostalgic feeling for the entire OS team to get into the actions against young ones."

The afternoon witnessed a special assembly for the jubilee students at the school's chapel. As many as 80 alumni of the 1954, 1959, 1964 and 1999 batches refreshed their memories with the students. The Headmaster, Himmat Singh Dhillon, highlighted the school's achievements of recent times and appraised about the upcoming projects. The students made the atmosphere more emotional by reading the messages sent by numerous Old Sanawarians. Many fondly reminisced about their school days, sharing memories of teachers who played a magnificent role in their upbringing.
(editor@dailyworld.in)