Mr Kabir Shaikh -CBE, Director for Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development in New Delhi, Mr. Boris Jelosvek ,Head of Consular Section & Minster Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in New Delhi and Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan – Chairperson, Amity International Schools graced the Valediction Ceremony and felicitated the winners within various categories.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Kabir Shaikh -CBE, Director for Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development in New Delhi said that the movement of Peace, Sustainability and Global Citizenship is gaining momentum across the world, which is duly supported by the youth of the world. Education is the key driver which ensures to make Peace, Sustainability and Global Citizenship a reality. He stressed that the main purpose of education should just not to churn out employable youth but also to nurture good human beings, who realise the importance of Peace, Sustainability and Global Citizenship. He admired Amity Schools for spreading the values of peace, harmony, India’s rich culture and traditions amongst the youth of the country.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan – Chairperson, Amity International Schools said that today’s youth has boundless energy, which needs a right direction and proper channelization. Quoting Rig Veda, she said that even age old Rig Veda promulgates that only people with small hearts say this is mine, that is yours whereas people with magnanimous hearts say everything is ours ie the world is one. He stressed that today’s youth need to imbibe the spirit of unity in diversity through which they will be able to resolve majority of the problems faced by the world.
Also present during the Ceremony were Ms Yasmin Shaikh, wife of Mr Kabir Shaikh CBE, Ms. Jyoti Arora- Head, Amity Education Resource Centre, Mr. Zac Ellington, International Program Director, The World Scholar's Cup, Mr. Nathan Levin, Asia Regional Director, World Scholar’s Cup, Mrs. Renu Singh- Principal, AIS, Noida and Mrs. Mohina Dar- Advisor, Amity International Schools.
In the “Scholars Bowl Round ”, Modern School, Barakhamba Road was declared Winner in the Juniors Division and Amity International School, Sector- 46, Gurgaon in the Seniors Division. In “Scholars Writing” Round, Ashna Wadhwa from Amity International School, Noida was declared the Winner in Juniors Division and Shubham Jain from Amity, Noida in the Seniors Division. In “Scholars Challenge Round”(based on the performance in all the 6 subjects), Pragya Parihar from Ryan International School, Noida was declared Winner in the Juniors Division and Harshit Kumar from DPS, Ghaziabad in Seniors Category.
Devesh Goel from Class XI, The Heritage School, Rohini, who participated in the Senior’s Category, appreciated the nerve racking and challenging rounds of the Scholars’ Cup which he also found, entertaining and amusing.
Another participant, Avi Patni from Class VI, AIS, Noida and a first timer described the event as “intellectual and entertaining” which helped him to learn out of the box thinking and to work as team within stipulated deadlines.
Miriam Kroc from Batavia High School, Chicago, USA, who participated in the Junior’s Category expressed her joy and exultation for participating in the Scholars Cup, which she said, provided her an opportunity to befriend students from various nationalities and exchange knowledge. Talking about World Scholar’s Cup, she said that WSC is very informative and educative event which inspires students to think beyond books and kindle a fire of inquisitives in the participating students.
The event saw the conglomeration of young scholars and leaders who discussed issues and ideas relevant to present and future scenario.
During the Scholar’s Cup, each team undertook different academic and social challenges that required them to practice leadership, to hone and demonstrate important new skills. . Students between the age group of 11 to 14 years participated in the Junior division and students between the age group of 15 – 18 years participated in the Senior Division.
Top 20 teams will qualify for the 2014 Global Round in Singapore, with 2,000 students from over 30 countries. Teams that excel in Singapore will advance to a special final conference and tournament at Yale University in the United States.