Manthan, an Education Today Foundation initiative is a two day Art, Craft and Science festival. Each year, the schools around Thane District await and get geared for the event hosted by Arya Gurukul School. This year Manthan took place on the 10th and 11th August at Arya Gurukul School, Nandivali. The festival saw a good turnout of students accompanied by their parents from around 23 schools. Over 600 Students from standard 1st to 12th participated in Manthan 2019, displaying their talents, generating ideas, researching and presenting to a crowd of adults and fellow students.
Highlights of Manthan 2019-
The Theme for this year’s Manthan was Metamorphosis- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) bringing Aesthetics, Technology and Research on one platform. The festival was a combination of performances in categories like Poem recitation, Collage and poster making, Model making, Street theatre and Debate competition.
The performances that raptured everyone were the ones depicting Classical Dance and Singing. Integrated Projects and Research based projects that allow collaboration, were the highlight of this year. This presented a rare and excellent opportunity for the students to build on their life skills. It was inspiring to watch the children present their researches on stage and answer the judges’ questions confidently. The events and competitions spread across 10 categories and the participants were divided in groups ranging from 1st to 12th Standard to provide structure to the event.
The Valedictory Program in itself was a sight to behold with beautiful songs and dances. The Winners were awarded by Dr Oommen David (Director, Holy Angel School and Jr. College, Dombivali), Shri Gurubhai Thakkar (MD of Perfect Woman Pvt Ltd, Writer, Producer, Director) and Dr. Khooshi Thakkar (Cosmetologist, Editor & Publisher of Perfect Woman Magazine).
Remarks by Special Guests
Shri. Bharat Malik, Chairman of Arya Global, Smt. Neelam Malik, who represents Education Today Foundation, Smt. Rashamani Iyer (Principal Arya Gurkul School, along with the entire staff of Arya Gurkul School put their heart and soul in planning and executing this event. The special guests for the event who lit the lamp and inaugurated the event were Ms. Vinita Rane (Mayor Kalyan- Dombivali Municipal Corporation), Shri. Sheshrao Bade (Education Officer Secondary Zilla Parishad, Thane), Dr. Haripal Singh Sonawat (Rtd Scientist, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research) and Shri. Manoharlal Thakkar (CEO, Arya Gurukul School Kalyan).
Shri Bharat Malik remarked that Manthan is an event that brings all students of numerous schools together and he thanked the guests who encouraged the children through their speeches and gestures for the efforts and the diligent work put in by all the students. Smt. Radhamani Iyer stated that Manthan was ideated to encourage students to push their limits which in turn can bring about a change around us.
Conclusion-
The joy and pride was evident on the faces of each parent when they witnessed the outcome of the work put in by their children. Some students had started preparing for this event almost a month back. Some of the research work and art displays were at par with professional level work. Manthan is a live example of the feats that the children of this generation can achieve if they put their minds to work. The students have enthusiastically vouched that they will continue participating in the event year after year and in larger numbers.
