Bhubaneswar: Over the past 14 years, since its inception in 2008, city-based SAI International School has transformed education progressively. The institution under the able leadership of its Founder Chairman Late Dr Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, has pioneered events, workshops and other activities which are aimed at holistic growth of students.
In the process, Dr Sahoo conceptualised an annual event on the lines of ‘Relax, Indulge and Unwind’, which is driven entirely by students of Arts and Commerce streams. This year, the student-led team decided to organise the annual event as e-UNWIND 2021, keeping in mind the restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
While the event was held completely on a virtual platform, with students, parents and their family members attending it from their homes, there was no drop in enthusiasm and attendance. The innovative ideas by the students to host e-UNWIND 2021, was class apart and garnered praise from all quarters. There was fun, games, cultural activities, food, inspirational speeches and much more, all on the virtual platform on computer.
The cultural fest was held on Sunday over an immersive and lifelike virtual 3D venue. It was hosted and led by the Class XI & XII students of Humanities and Commerce. e-UNWIND this year replicated the features of a physical event; however it was attended from the comfort of the home.
UNWIND, a brainchild of Dr Sahoo, aims to render a unique learning experience for the students as it prepares the students for a promising future thereby developing an entrepreneurial mindset along with cultivating human values. e-unwind was declared open by the Chairperson, SAI International Education Group, Dr Silpi Sahoo in the opening ceremony.
The inaugural event was followed by a classy Odissi performance by ace dancer Saswat Joshi. UNWIND had 11,250 participants in 6 tracks, enjoying learning from the 24 workshops, activities and competitions. Students from Nursery to Class XII of SAI International School, SAI Angan and SAI International Residential School participated in the Virtual Platform.
The one-day mega fest is completely student-led, and not just encompasses a gamut of interesting activities but also some CSR initiatives. On the occasion, the SAIoneers along with their parents showcased their musical and dancing talents in the virtual platforms during UNWIND 2021.
The larger than life pictorial island 3D virtual platform encompasses Help Desk, Track Lobby, Main Auditorium, e-Booths, Agenda and the Gaming Deck on different parts of the island. The agenda gave an idea of the various activities being held and students could accordingly plan a fun day on the island with friends and family.
Other than the parent and student performances the Chef from Japan, Chiho Nakagawa & Team demonstrated some mouth-watering Japanese delicacies and their recipes with the participants in the cookery workshop.
There were workshops such as:
• Tie and Dye, Get groovy (Salsa dance),
• Pseudobulbar for Standup Comedy,
• Face Painting,
• Film making,
• Mock tail and snacks cooking,
• Environmental Art and Art & Craft workshop by Nationally acclaimed experts to a motivational session.
Online game such as:
• Spin the Wheel, Kahoot,
• Guess the Logo,
• Emoticon Battle,
• BGMI,
• Valorant.
“Other games on the deck such as Packman, Football etc, kept the children glued to the Booths. Many of them won food coupons from Swiggy – the food delivery partner which are valid for the next seven days. So the fun continues for the next seven days for the students. There were also virtual tours to the world offered by the students in one of the track led by the Going Global Club of SAI International,” said Punit Subudhi, a member of the IT Team.
A message oriented movie Dumbo was screened on one of the tracks of the platform. The entire day concluded with the mesmerizing Main stage stellar and charismatic celebrity performances i.e. a fusion dance performance by a leading Kathak Dancer of India Sharvari Jamenis
and well known face of in the choreographers of bollywood, Manasi Patil’s troupe from Aadya Creations, a melodious musical band performance by Ankur Dobrial from Scoop Whoop and spellbinding Sand Art by Santosh Kumar Sethi one of the finalists of India’s Got Talent.
“The event gave us an opportunity to work and engage in a professional environment with proper designations and work profile. We had to interact with corporates and request them to be a part of the event and support us with our CSR activities. Warm clothes were distributed in the tribal areas Jaria sahara sahi, Gahalabanka, Banki and Bhagipur Sahara Sahi, Banki, Cuttack and of the nearby locations of Twin City,” said Richa Dash, Assistant MD of the organising team.
Speaking on the occasion Chairperson, SAI International Education Group Dr Silpi Sahoo said, “It gives me immense joy to see my SAIoneers of Commerce and Humanities put up such a mega and immersive platform for UNWIND 2021. I am sure that all the students would have enjoyed the entire session. UNWIND is a platform where children learn the skills of leadership, entrepreneurship and empathy.”
“The vision of Founder-Chairman Dr Bijaya Kumar Sahoo was to build critical thinkers, problem solvers with insightful and focused thoughts, the future entrepreneurial citizens of India. He dreamt of creating global leaders who are critical-thinking innovators with flourishing careers and ready to re-shape the world for the better. I am happy to see my SAIoneers walking on the path laid down by our Founder – Chairman,” she added.
