Graduation Day marks the rite of passage for all students passing out of school. From that day onwards, all that one is left with are memories - memories of time spent in school together. The worth of such time is immeasurable. We, the batch of 2010, celebrated our Graduation Day on 9 April, 2010.

We took turns to speak about our experiences in school and showed our appreciation to everyone who supported us all along. With each speech, emotions came flowing out. When our teachers spoke about us, it truly brought out how much they cared for us. We never expected that saying goodbye to our friends would be so heart wrenching. Some of us may not even meet again. Just the thought was enough to make us misty eyed.

The simple gesture of lighting candles after we had received our certificates, had a very profound significance. It showed that it would be our constant endeavour to illuminate the world with the light of knowledge. Though we all came from the same institution, we were entering another world with different dreams and aspirations. What we learned here in school would be a guiding light to achieve our goals. After the ceremony ended, our teachers asked us about our future plans. We had chosen paths that would lead us to our destinations. Our accomplishments, if worthy enough would hopefully be a tribute to our institution.

Republic Day is a very important day in the history of our nation, India. It commemorates the day on which free India gave herself the country's own constitution It is also to honour the memory of the declaration of independence.

We celebrated this special occasion during the school assembly by hoisting the Indian Flag. As the flag was unfurled, multi coloured flowers floated out. We sang our National Anthem as we watched the Tricolour fluttering high in the wind. Our hearts soared with pride as we watched it rise. Proud to be an Indian, wherever in the world we may live.

Our kindergarten classes performed a few dances and they were fabulous... for their age. One of them even performed a cartwheel! Great effort by the kids!

After that performance, one of our ninth standard classes performed a skit where they acted like radio jockeys. They interacted with the students by asking various questions about Republic Day, refreshing our memory in the process.

The DPS choir took the stage for the grand finale. They sang a song with a really peppy and catchy tune about India. This was also sung earlier that day at the Indian High Commission.

Our Republic Day celebrations were thoroughly enjoyed by all the students.

The children shook a leg with the teachers.

Though 20th November is universally celebrated as Children's Day, in India this special day is celebrated on 14th November, the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India because of the fondness he had for children. The school pulled off all stops to ensure that we felt special on that day. A beautiful song sung in chorus by some teachers kicked off the hour long programme which had been painstakingly strung together for our enjoyment. Bollywood songs and dances that unfailingly add a pizzaz was also a part of the medley. Such a rip-roaring programme it was, that repeated requests for maintaining discipline was like water off a duck's back as students kept bouncing up, time and again, to shake a leg to the popular songs. It was also fun to see teachers who are often so authoritative, engaging in light hearted tussle in an Antakshari contest (a contest that tests the retentive and singing skills of Hindi songs) to prove their one-upmanship. A beautiful classical dance rounded off a day's celebration that would be remembered by all for a long time to come.

Deeparaya, a term uniquely Singaporean, is reflective of the celebration of Deepawali and Hari Raya (or Eid) in a multi-cultural society that's common to both India and Singapore. On 19th October 2006, the students of Class IV transported all present at a special assembly - to India, where the celebrations never end and where these festivals are symbolic of the spirit, culture and dynamism of our nation.

An enchanting narration and enactment of scenes, both mythological and real, interspersed with a couple of poems, dances and songs, caught the imagination of the audience, much to the delight of the performers.

The celebrations were brought to a close through the exchange of huge Deepawali and Hari Raya Greeting Cards, the purpose of which was to communicate the importance of reaching out to one's brothers and sisters at a time when parochial sentiments are threatening to erode the secular fabric of nations across the world. The rendition of a song on religious harmony was befitting of the grand finale.

Celebrating religious identities while fostering a spirit of collective harmony was indeed an accomplishment for all involved and it left a lasting impression.

Hum Hain Chotte bacche, Pyare  Bhacche ....HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY.... as the choir took their bow, the enthralled audience put their hands together to cheer the young confident performers of Class III A, B, C.

Keeping up with our school’s tradition of welcoming an important calendar day into the hearts of the children by highlighting the day’s significance through special assemblies, the students of Class III (A, B, C) put up a wonderful show on 14th of November 2006. The entire show was handled superbly by the enthusiastic participants. The Assembly began with a student speaking about Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru whose birthday is celebrated in India as Children’s Day. Children were amused to see Pt. Nehru amongst them as he spoke to them about the joys of childhood. The students sang to “We are the world …” with emotion that showed their willingness and determination to help others. The graceful dancers performed folk dances from various parts of India. Rajasthan, Goa, Punjab, that added colour and life to the show. The audience was enthralled by these foot-tapping numbers.

The show came to a close with a grand finale song, a chirpy rhythmic number specially composed for this occasion. The children had put up an amazing performance and the audience definitely had a satisfying experience.

The year 2006 turned its last page to welcome another year with the Yuletide celebrations coupled with New Year wishes. This was amazingly done by the students of Class 5(A and B). The special assembly presented by the young artists really left an impression on everyone present to witness the spectacle. The assembly began with the significant message on Christmas followed by a short skit on Nativity. Melodious Christmas carols mesmerized all but the highlight was the stunning entry of our very dear Santa Claus with his bag of goodies. Santa Claus mingled with the audience and amused everyone with his hearty laugh. This was the best way to come to an end of the year and welcome another one with outstretched arms.

Singapore National Day is a significant event in Singapore. The people of Singapore show their love and respect for their country by holding a National day Parade on 9th August every year with great fervor. As an Indian community living in Singapore, we at DPSIS also decided to pay our reverence to our adopted country. The typically seven year old students of class 2 were deemed with the task of preparing for the event.

On 8th August 2006, we were all set to present a spectacular show. We all gathered at the assembly hall situated at the rear of the school. Our Pro-Vice Chairman Mr. Kabra and our Principal Dr. A. Ebenezer graced the occasion by there presence.

The event was kick started with an opening speech from our Principal Dr. Ebenezer. In his speech, he highlighted the positive and endearing aspects of Singapore. It was an inspiring speech. A range of speakers were prepared to highlight the aspects which have made Singapore what it is today. The show was based on showcasing the 'Racial Harmony' practiced in Singapore. The Racial Harmony maintained by the Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian communities is a Unique Selling Proposition of Singapore.

The first set of students presented a famous dragon dance paying tribute to the Chinese community. A Malay song 'Rasa Sayang' enthralled the audience. The song was followed by a Dance on a Tamil song written by the famous poet 'Bharathiyar'. An English song was sung for the Eurasian community. The forty-five minute program was brought to a close with the singing of the Singapore National Anthem when the whole school stood up and sang with the choir.

It was an enthralling performance made possible by the relentless effort put in by our ever enthusiastic students, the excellent script writing and coordination done by the class teachers, invaluable support provided by the talented Music teachers and the vibrant and colourful backdrop on the stage done by our very creative Art teachers.

'A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new; when an age ends; and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance.'
~Jawaharlal Nehru

Modern day India represents the largest democracy in the world with a seamless picture of unity in diversity, unparalleled anywhere else. However, this would not have been possible without the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and the accomplishment of their dreams to make India an independent nation. August 15th marks for her the end of an old era and the beginning of a new age in areas political, social, cultural and spiritual.

To celebrate such a momentous day, there was a special assembly in the morning and the tri-coloured flag of India was hoisted with great pride. It was on this day that the Prefects' Investiture Ceremony took place along with the Distribution of Awards to students of the academic year 2005-06. The hoisting of our first ever-blazing blue coloured school flag made this day even more special.

The programme commenced in the traditional manner of the lighting of the lamp by Mrs. Jyoti Kabra and Mrs. Neeta Kapoor.

This was followed by a divine rendition of the Shri Ganesh Vandana, invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesh. Mr. Amit Dhamelia, our music teacher, through his beautiful and moving composition "India, yeh hai India", sung by the DPSIS choir group, reflected the true spirit of India and filled our hearts with pride for our country.

The Welcome Address by our Head Mistress, Dr. Manju Sharma, was truly encouraging and inspiring. It was unfortunate that our Principal, Dr. Ebenezer, could not make it due to his illness. However, Mrs. Aarti Kansal shared his message with us.

Chetan Singhal's patriotic song, "Ye Dharti Hai Balidaan Ki" took us back to the time, when Satyen Bose directed "Jagriti", a patriotic film that captured the imagination of a young nation.

The School Captain, Eshita Kabra, has been chosen for her academic as well as leadership abilities and is aided by the House Captains and Prefects; students chosen for their leadership acumen. They took the oath to office on August 15th, 2006.

Walter Savage Landor once said- "Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven." Sarthak Bhatnagar of class 3, a young talented 'tabalist' in the making, delighted the audience with the resonating beats of the tabla and Saloni Gupta of class 8 'pianoed' us through the staccatos and dynamics of a western classical composition of Bach and her favourite piece, "Polonaise".

"If you can dream it, you can do it!" The achievers of DPSIS have held onto their chosen goals as one would hold onto a kite string in a strong wind. They have proven that with hard work, determination, dedication and perseverance one can attain great heights. Mr. Narain Murthy (Chief Executive Officer of IOB), Mr. C.P. Kabra, Mr. Devendar Kapoor, Mr. Manek Maheshwari and Mrs. Jyoti Kabra did the honour of presenting the awards to the students. High Achievers, Rank Holders, Scholar Badge Holders, All-Rounders and Special Awardees were recognised and awarded.

Early this year, DPSIS had sent its 1st batch of Class 10 students for the ICSE board examinations and each Dipsite has secured a distinction. Some of the trailblazers were present on the day and were honoured for their excellent performance.

The cultural show triggered off with an Italian Dance performed by girls of class 4. It was absolutely superb and nearly got everyone onto their feet! Next, three boys of class 7 sang their hearts out on a song by Greenday- "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". The Bubblys of class 3 danced fantastically to the hit song from Bunty aur Bubbly "Dhadak Dhadak". Following this was a performance of a Tamil Song by our young, cute students of Class 2. Three students from class 4 danced beautifully to "Maa Tujhe Salaam" by A.R. Rahman. The students of classes 5 and 6 put their heart and souls into a dance drama 'Krishna' that was performed next. It was directed, conceptualised and choreographed by Mrs. Patralekha Dasgupta. It was, no doubt, simply marvellous. The girls of class 9 then danced to "Desh Rangeela" from the movie "Fanaa", which reminded one and all of just how unique our country really is. The show ended with a patriotic song sung by our teachers.

August 15th 2006 was a memorable day, not only because it celebrated India's 59th birthday but also because it was the day when DPSIS accomplished another milestone by the introduction and installation of the Prefects.

I would like to end with the words of Joel Barker-
"Vision without action is a dream.
Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference."
...The Dipsites are truly making a difference.