Woodstock School celebrates Indian Independence Day

August 15th Woodstock School closed down in order to celebrate India's 61st year of independence. By 9:30 the entire school was assembled at the Flag Pole, most dressed in Indian national dress. South Korean students came in their national dress as August 15 is also South Korean Independence Day.

After listening to the Indian Staff Choir sing Vande Matram, Dr. Laurenson introduced Mrs. Arti Ahuja, a long time friend of Woodstock and member of the board. Mrs. Ahuja eloquently addressed the school on the issue of fairness, pointing out that most of the students who attend Woodstock have not experienced fairness in their lives, but rather have benefited from a distinct lack of fairness. She pointed out that, if life had been fair, they would not have had the privileges and advantages they have enjoyed. She went on to challenge them to use the resources they have gained through their position in life to benefit others for whom the lack of fairness has produced the opposite result.

The Indian Choir sang Sarai Jahan Sae Achcha and then student David Shastri raised the flag, letting loose a burst of confetti as it unfurled. After the entire school sang the Indian National Anthem, student Shubhashish Bhutiani led the school in a loud chant of Jai Hind that was surely heard into Mussoorie. Mr. Ben Lall closed in a Hindi prayer followed by a great feast of Indian food in the Quad. As the festivities wound down in the Quad, a stalwart group of volunteers headed to AlterRidge dining hall to serve the Woodstock employees a celebratory luncheon as well to thank them for their service to the school on this auspicious day.

Jai Hind!