On 29 Aug 2019, our Hon’ble Prime Minister launched nation-wide “Fit India Movement” aimed to encourage people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives and daily routine.
Schools being the light house of society help in instilling any value in young minds, thus we at City Montessori School, Gomti Nagar-1, Lucknow tried to take this initiative of Government of India in collaboration with CISCE further and organized FIT INDIA CELEBRATION at our campus on 21 December 2020.
The program began with the compere Ms. Vibha Ahuja mentioning the benefits of exercising. She stated how 2020 had been a tough year, and how fitness, which is vital to our happiness and keeps us healthy, had taken a back seat affecting the quality of our lives. She threw light on FIT INDIA CELEBRATION week and how it encourages all students as well as adults to stay fit. She cordially welcomed the Chief Guest, Mr. Sujeet Kumar Srivastava, an ex-Olympian and Hockey player, and the Guest of Honour, Mr. Jagish Gandhi – Founder Manager City Montessorri School, Lucknow. This was followed by an address by the Principal, Mrs. Abha Anant.
Mrs Anant introduced the Chief Guest of the day to the audience and addressed all the students who had joined in virtually from their homes, and spoke about how the program was being hosted for all the students so that they enter 2021 with an alert body and mind after long months of online classes.
She thanked the Chief Guest for taking out time to be present in the celebration and later closed her address by wishing her students the best for the new year.
Next was Lighting of the lamp, which is symbolic of condemning the darkness and illuminating all around.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Sujeet Kumar Srivastava also addressed the gathering. He spoke about the young generation of the nation being the fittest and how important it is for physical health and mental health to be in perfect coordination. Mr Srivastava enlightened the students about various merits of exercising on a daily basis and that the government’s initiative was a great way for everyone to begin their journey of fitness.
Various exercises followed his address. The Physical Education teachers of the school began with warm ups, stretches and jumping jacks. After that, a few free hand exercises, which do not require any complex equipment or space, were practiced with all the students. This was followed by yoga, to join one’s self with the universal spirit. Everyone performed numerous asanas, including Parvatasana, Vrikshasana and Trikonasana.
All eyes turned when aerobics was performed to the tunes of PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’, it was because the Principal Mrs Anant also joined the P.E.Ts and led the exercise setting an example of true sportsmanship spirit. To add to the zeal of the event a skipping competition also made its way to the program. Encouraging and motivating words were spoken through the course of the exercises.
After the exercise session, Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, the Founder Manager of City Montessori School blessed the assembly with a few words.
A family fitness challenge was given to all the students and parents to follow all through the remaining weeks of 2020.
Christmas carols were sung, by Ms Jyotisha and all the staff members joined in to add to its charm, to invoke the holiday spirit in all.
The program was closed with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Yasmeen Khan, the Vice Principal.
The program ended on an enthusiastic note with the promise of a fitter, happier and healthier new year.