By Fr Ashwin Macwan for BIS Mumbai

The 30th Value Education Day was successfully organized at Don Bosco Chottaudepur by AmrutDhara Don Bosco Animation Centre, Kapadvanj, on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of six schools, including Don Bosco Dakor, Don Bosco Narukot, Don Bosco Chottaudepur, Devashish School, Waghodiya, Jesus and Mary Convent School, Halol and Don Bosco English Medium School Dakor. A total of 430 students from Class 9 actively engaged in the program, making it a significant gathering of young minds dedicated to learning and moral development.

The day commenced with the arrival and registration of students, who were welcomed with team badges and pens as souvenirs. After a short refreshment break, SYM youth volunteers from Don Bosco Kapadvanj conducted engaging icebreaker activities, forming students into ten different teams to foster interaction and teamwork.

The formal inauguration ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest, Fr George Carlos SDB, Rector of Don Bosco Kapadvanj, who warmly welcomed all participants. Fr Ashwin Macwan SDB, Director of AmrutDhara, then presented an outline of the day's schedule. A short prayer followed, setting a reflective tone for the event.

The keynote session was delivered by the renowned motivational speaker, Mr Shailesh Christie, on the theme, "The Dream That Makes You Dream." His inspiring talk encouraged students to aspire towards greater goals and believe in their potential. He cited various role models, including Ranjitsinh Disale, Abraham Lincoln, Swami Vivekananda, Alia Bhatt, astronomers, and Amitabh Bachchan, emphasizing how values and perseverance shaped their lives.

To provoke thought, the session presented two images on the screen—one of Hitler and another of Mahatma Gandhi asking students, "Whom do you want to follow?" This powerful visual representation emphasized the significance of values in shaping one's life and character. Mr Christi stressed that values help bring transformation and enable individuals to make meaningful contributions to society. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, where students actively engaged with the speaker, seeking guidance on personal growth and moral decision-making.

Following this, participants dispersed for lunch. The post-lunch session brought an energetic turn as students danced to the traditional Timli beats, joyfully celebrating their cultural heritage. After a short break, students engaged in theme-based presentations covering topics such as Encouragement, Dreams, Aims, Hope, Education, Life, Humanity, Patience, Feelings, and Salvation.

A thematic exhibition was also arranged, where students displayed creative charts and logbooks, showcasing insights on value education and moral development. This provided a platform for schools to exhibit their perspectives and learn from one another.

The cultural program that followed included skits and a theme song, creatively conveying the core message of the event. A special highlight was the lucky draw, where a boy and a girl from the audience won prizes, adding an element of excitement. Fr George Carlos SDB personally honoured the winners, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Special appreciation was extended to the organizers and volunteers whose dedication ensured the smooth execution of the event. The day concluded with a thanksgiving prayer and a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging the efforts of all contributors. Gratitude was expressed to Don Bosco Chottaudepur School and its management community for their unwavering support in making the event a resounding success.

The 30th Annual Value Education Day left an indelible impact on the students, inspiring them to integrate values into their daily lives and strive for excellence in their future endeavours.