Bhubaneswar: SAI International Residential School (SIRS) marked its Annual Founder’s Day with a spectacular celebration that highlighted the essence of sportsmanship, teamwork, and holistic education. The 7th Founder’s Day began with an energetic Sports Day at the SAI International Stadium on 19-20 December 2024.
On December 19, 2024, SIRS welcomed Narendra Hirwani, a renowned cricketer, as the first day of the Founder’s Day celebration to inaugurate the SIRS annual sports meet. The evening featured a vibrant performance of the Founder’s English Play, Chronicles of Harry Potter, which captivated the audience. The second day of the 7th Founder’s Day festivities featured cultural vibrancy and academic honours.
Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, Collector & District Magistrate of Cuttack, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the integration of academics, sports, and arts for holistic development. He encouraged students to integrate their studies with sports and the arts, saying, “Education is the solution to all issues and teaches you to distinguish between right and wrong.”
He remarked about his experience collaborating with Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, the founder-chairman, in Ganjam to give benefits to people from poor communities, which resulted in Ganjam winning two national awards the following year. He applauded Dr. Silpi Sahoo for carrying on the inspirational heritage of Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo and urged students to develop well-rounded personalities by balancing their studies with one good sport and one good art.
He praised Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, for his services to government schools while serving as the advisor for Odisha Adarsh Vidyalayas. His innovative work was crucial in raising governmental standards. His speech highlighted the school’s outreach efforts and its support for underprivileged communities.
The day included a Symphony Choir performance, a felicitation ceremony honouring achievers in academics and extracurricular activities, and an exhibition showcasing student innovation and creativity. Prestigious awards like the Founder’s Trophy and Overall Academic Awards were presented to the winning houses. The felicitation ceremony honored the winners of the Founder’s Cup Debate (Champion – Vajra House, Runners-up – Chakra House), toppers from Science (95.2%), Commerce (98%), and Humanities (97.6%), the emerging Global SAIoneer, and recipients of the Overall Academic Award (Vajra House), the Runners-up Award for Overall Academics (Chakra House), the Winner Award for Cultural (Chakra House), the Runners-up Award for Cultural (Dhvaja House), and the prestigious Founder’s Trophy (Dhvaja House). The celebrations concluded with a Parent-Teacher Meeting, reinforcing the school’s focus on collaborative growth.
Dr. Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson ofSAI International Education Group, reiterated the school’s commitment to holistic education, blending academic excellence with moral and personal growth. She paid tribute to the legacy of Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, emphasizing his vision for holistic and sports-integrated education.
“We are delighted to see the remarkable transformation in Mihira since joining SIRS. From being a shy and timid child, she has grown into a confident and outgoing individual who enthusiastically participates in every activity. The school’s nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and holistic approach have played a significant role in building her confidence and unlocking her potential. We are grateful to SIRS for bringing out the best in her and giving her a strong foundation for the future,” said Mihira’s mother.
Both days demonstrated SAI International’s commitment to fostering well-rounded global citizens through a unique blend of academic rigour, sportsmanship, and cultural enrichment
