Graduation Day 2024-2025

The Graduation Celebration for Grade 12 students of NPS International was held on Saturday, 31st January 2025. 42 students from the graduating class received mementos from the school and were officially declared graduands of the school. The Chief Guest for the day was Mr. J. Vaidyanathan, Senior Vice President of IndusInd Bank. The event was also graced by the presence of NPS Founder Chairman Dr K P Gopalkrishna, Vice Chairperson Dr Bindu Hari, Administrator Mrs. Lalitha Das, our Principal Ms. Sudha Balan and our Vice Principals, Ms. Ranjani Ayyar and Ms. Radhika Madhavan.

The doors to the auditorium were opened at 5:00 PM. While the parents of the graduating students took their seats, they were treated to a video presentation of various moments shared by their children over the years. Hundreds of photographs and video clips were curated and artfully set to background music, beautifully capturing moments from classrooms, field trips, stage presentations and more.

The Chief Guest and dignitaries arrived at 6:00 PM, marking the official commencement of the function. The Student Procession, set to Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, was led by Grade 12 Class teacher Ms. Meenakshi L and concluded by Ms. Tharunya Balan. The students made their grand entrance into the auditorium and took their seats.

To set the evening off to an auspicious start, the proceedings began with the lighting of the lamp and an invocation seeking the blessings of the almighty. The dignitaries lit the lamps, and young students presented a hymn praising Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, followed by a kriti extolling the virtues of Swaminatha Paripalaya.

The opening remarks were made by Vice Principals of NPS International Chennai, Ms. Ranjani Ayyar and Ms. Radhika Madhavan. On behalf of the Principal Ms. Sudha Balan, they welcomed the Chief Guest, dignitaries and parents, and congratulated the graduating class on their achievements while wishing them the best for their future. Mementos were given to all the dignitaries, appreciating their presence at the august occasion.

This was followed by the Convocation Address by the Chief Guest. Mr. J. Vaidyanathan spoke about the need to be a forever learner, impressing upon students the value of adapting to changing situations and new environments. He narrated anecdotes of his own journey from using ledgers to adopting the latest accounting software, and how he always learnt the local language of any location he was posted at. His advice was much appreciated by the audience. After his speech, Mr Vaidyanathan presented mementos to the first fourteen students of the graduating class. While each student walked on stage to receive their memento, a brief message talking about their character, passions and future plans was read while a slide capturing the student’s days at school was on the screen.

NPS Founder Chairman Dr K P Gopalkrishna then addressed the gathering, sharing his wisdom of over six decades. He encouraged students to work hard to follow their dreams, speaking of the increasing range of opportunities before them. Dr. K. P. Gopalkrishna then handed over mementos to the graduating students, followed by Administrator Mrs. Lalitha Das.

Next came perspectives shared by two sets of parents. Mrs. Selvi Arunkumar and Mr. V.P. Arunkumar, parents of Yalini Arunkumar, and Mrs. Rosemary Baby Alapat and Mr George Attokaran, parents of Joseph Attokaran, spoke about their journeys with the school, thanking the Principal, teachers and staff for their hard work, guidance and support. This was followed by a student dance performance – Thillana, composed by Sri Balamuralikrishna in ragam Kadanakudalam and set to Aadi talam – by students of Grade 6 to 9.

Vice Chairperson Dr. Bindu Hari then addressed the gathering. She shared how twelve students from the graduating class had been with the school since the very first year, and thanked all the parents for placing their trust in the school. Through an interactive, entertaining and colourful presentation, she emphasised the importance of mentors in one’s life, emphasised the importance of empathy, and expressed a wish that all the graduating students would go on to help others in their life journeys. The third set of fourteen students received their mementos from Dr. Bindu Hari.