By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 28 Oct: Dehradun Hills Academy celebrated its Founder’s Day on 26 October with a special event, titled ‘Synergy of Skills: Indo-Thai Pathways to Real-Life Success’. This unique celebration brought together Indian and Thai cultures while helping students develop useful life skills. Under the theme ‘Celebrating Heritage, Building Skills’, students will learn how traditional values from both cultures can help them succeed in today’s world. The event shows how combining cultural roots with practical skills can create better learning opportunities for students.
Present on the occasion was Chief Guest Rupesh Rai, Founder and Director of Green People, celebrated for his work in sustainable tourism and rural revitalisation. In his address, Rai shared his inspiring journey from corporate leader to social entrepreneur, urging students to seek purpose beyond personal success. “The future belongs to those who can see beyond themselves and contribute to the greater good. Dehradun Hills Academy’s ethos aligns perfectly with this vision,” he remarked.
Student hosts Harshita and Ayaan, under the mentorship of Nidhi and Aman, led the celebration. Notable attendees included the founders, Mrs and Mr Sandeep Puran Singh; Managing Director Yudhishter Puran Singh; and special invitee Indrani Pandhi.
“Our boutique residential school model proves that ‘small is beautiful,'” stated Yudhishter Puran Singh. “We focus on creating future-ready learners through hands-on experiences and cultural integration.”
The evening began with a traditional Saraswati Vandana. Students showcased their talents through original poetry recitations in English, Hindi, and Thai, reflecting the academy’s international community. A theatrical adaptation of Chekhov’s “Chameleon”, directed by Mohammad Hammad Farooqui, an award-winning theatre director and educator, brought satire and contemporary relevance to the classic tale.
The cultural programme featured diverse performances, from a lively French Can-Can choreographed by Aditi Hirnwal and Simmi Kunwar to a mesmerising Thai classical dance. Students also performed a thought-provoking mime show, titled “Digital Detox”, addressing technology overuse and emphasising the importance of balancing digital engagement with real-world connections.
The celebration showcased the academy’s unique Indo-Thai cultural integration through three distinctive segments: Chitra Yatra: Photography Exhibition – the Media Club organised a compelling photography exhibition in which students displayed their talent behind the lens, capturing everything from landscapes to thought-provoking portraits.
Also, Swarna Shilpa: Art and Craft Showcase – students exhibited their creativity through handcrafted items including coasters, keychains, hand-painted diyas, candles, and bookmarks, demonstrating their artistic skills and dedication to craftsmanship, ably led by Robin, and Pooja Koshyari.
There was also the ‘Rasa Fusion: Culinary Experience’. The evening featured an Indo-Thai culinary exhibition, offering a fusion of traditional Indian and Thai dishes prepared by students under the mentorship of Preeti Dasila, Head of the Cooking and Baking Team.
In his Annual School Report, Principal Sunil Jakhmola highlighted the Academy’s recent recognition at the Indian School Awards as the “Best School in Experiential Learning – Hands-On Learning”. He stated, “At Dehradun Hills Academy, we empower students to be thinkers, innovators, and leaders. Our focus on experiential learning creates an environment where they can develop real-world skills that go beyond the classroom.”
The evening marked the inauguration of the school’s Media Club. Indrani Pandhi inaugurated the club with Naved Faoroqui and emphasised the importance of responsible journalism. Students will be working in depth on various facets of the Media going forward with a structured curriculum with the help of experts. There was also saw the launch of “The Thought Exchange Programme,” designed to provide students with a structured platform for discussing global issues and developing critical thinking skills.
The event concluded with a celebration of the school’s motto, “Happy, Healthy, Inspired”.
Prominent attendees included Monika Bora, Balbir Singh, RK Chettri, Hem Chandra, and many others.
