“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” -Charles Darwin
The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet has been a torch bearer in transformation and keeping with the times. The School in its centenary year hosted their Investiture Ceremony on Friday, the 21st of July, 2022, at 9:00am on its verdant campus. The programme was hosted in the Hall which was regally decorated, in keeping with the stature of the Investiture ceremony, as this is a significant event, not only for the school but also the city.
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, The Chief of Air Staff, was the Chief Guest for the ceremony. Mrs Neeta Chaudhari, President AFWWA was the Special Guest for the occasion.
Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE DLFCA FRSA, was the Guest of Honour on this occasion.
This traditional ceremony was graced by Mr. Gusti J Noria, President , HPS Society, Mr. Faiz Khan, Vice President HPS Society and member of BOG, Mr. Raghuram Reddy, Vice Chairman, BOG, Mr. Jalagam Venkat Rao, Secretary & Treasurer, HPS Society and BOG, and other respected members of the HPS Society and the Board of Governors.
The Chief Guest inspected the impressive parade led by The Nishan Toli bearing the School Flag and the flags of the four colour houses- Nagarjuna, Nalanda, Taxila, and Vijayanagar. This followed closely by N.C.C. Cadets of the three wings of the armed forces, the Army- both boys and girls, the Navy and the Air Force. The Chief Guest unfurled the School Flag while the School Brass Band played the School song.
The Parade Commander was Lieutenant Lav Ravi.
Ms. Anuhya Perwala, Head Girl Designate, spoke about how enthralled she was at being part of this legacy. She reminded her friends to pursue their dreams while cherishing the memories they create here. She quoted Billy Joel’s philosophy for her peers- ‘Hit a pause and smell the roses’- take in this moment to enjoy school life as it will end soon.
Head Boy Designate Master Amaan Ali Khan, in his reminiscences spoke about his time at school in the Primary. He emphasized how they learnt as much outside the classroom as they do inside it. He spoke on how he identified with The Eagle- the school emblem. He spoke on how the ethos of the school ensured that each student passing out of its legacy seeped corridors was allowed to live in liberty, soar and fly and have courage to lead.
Dr. Skand Bali, The Principal, presented the School Annual Report, lauding the multifarious achievements of the students in the academic and co-curricular fields in the year 2023-24.
The Chief Guest invested the Prefectorial Board for 2023-24.
The Guest of Honour launched the Leadership Programme, an exclusive and unique programme open to students from grades 1 to 12. This programme appropriately titled LEADER- which stands for Learn, Excel, Act, Discover, Empower and Reflect. The Leadership Programme is unique to our school which aims to inspire and shape students into leaders for the future. This programme will be our road map for success.
Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea CBE DLFCA FRSA, expressed his absolute delight at being back at his old school, and spoke on how the campus brought back happy memories. He reminded the audience of the historic inception of the school and how the school has consistently been producing leader after leader since. He acknowledged how the School provided the foundation for leadership by mentioning Ajay Banga, Satya Nadela and himself, on how they were not aware that they would become world leaders, while at school. The leaders of tomorrow were reminded that they need to be ‘Best for the World’. They were reminded of the African saying, “You want to go fast, go alone. You want to go far, go together”. He advised them to keep the ‘trust’ intact and keep the eagle soaring. Lord Karan Bilimoria also spoke on how Hyderabad as a city, and India as a Country were going places.
The Chief Guest, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, The Chief of Air Staff, in his address congratulated the newly invested young leaders. He humorously drew a parallel to the eagle on his uniform to the eagles worn by the prefects. He referred to his own self as ‘Prefect of the IAF’. He congratulated the three wings of the NCC and commended them for a parade well done.
He spoke on how education was not merely collecting degrees but developing leadership and ensuring life changing and world changing events. He emphasized that in this rapidly changing world, adaptability was the key. He urged students to get out of their comfort zones. The newly vested prefects were reminded how they need to appreciate diversity and further inclusivity. He inspired the young eaglets to join the IAF and ‘touch the sky with Glory.’ Finally, he quoted
“Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!”
from the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling, while emphasizing how it’s applicable to both boys and girls of today.
The event ended in jubilation with the students forming a corridor, cheering on the Chief Guest and other dignitaries who graced the function.
