The Kothar Building Ground of the school was transformed from a mere ground to a battlefield where records­­­­ – mental as well as physical – were deemed to be broken, where there were going to be learning experiences for success and failure.

It was none other than the preparation for the grand 12th Annual Athletic Meet at Atmiya Vidya Mandir.

This grand function is held every year in AVM to foster the spirit of true sportsmanship in every individual, to bring out the hidden capabilities of the children and to promote oneness among all.

One of the biggest contributors to this event were the team of matchlessly talented sports teachers of AVM: Ritesh Sir, Hemant Sir, Devang Sir, Bankim Sir, Tejas Sir, Himanshu Lad Sir, Kalpesh Sir, Vijaybhai, Mahesh Sir, Jayesh Sir, Himanshu Patel Sir and Mitesh Sir. Adding to that were the tireless efforts of individuals like Vallabh Mama, Arvind Mama, Pankaj Sir and Tarun Sir. All of them worked together with superb teamwork and coordination to set up the ground with tracks, arenas and the stage.

Despite the FAT’s knocking the door, the students started working hard two weeks before the athletic meet, with great zeal to prepare themselves and make their bodies fit.

Finally, on 31st of December, 2015 arrived the eve of AAM’s opening ceremony, much to the joy and fulfilling anticipations of students as well as teachers. It began with the esteemed chief guests being escorted by the student council members to the stage, under the leadership of School Sports Captain Rahulbhai.

The presence of divine saints such as Pujya Prem Swamiji, Pujya Prabodh Swamiji and Pujya Brahmvihari Swamiji made for a blessed evening. Adding to the charm of the event was the wonderful, lively and fun-filled oratory by Prabhudarshan Sir and Gautam Sir. In sync with the customs of AVM, poojan of Thakorji was performed by the chief guest and our principal, respected Vijay Sir.

The poojan was followed by the walk-past of the entire school, introducing the four houses and their captains. After its completion, the junior and senior students depicted their sense of unity and coordination through a pattern drill and a ring drill.

Superb coordination was at play when our junior brothers performed an enthralling dance on the song- ‘Duniya ka nara, jhame raho. Manzil ka ishara, jhame raho’. The crowd couldn’t hold themselves from clapping enthusiastically and giving cheers.

Then the students of AVM took the oath with the ferocity of a lion, pledging to uphold the true meaning of sportsmanship during the next three days. After the oath, the house captains raised the house flags and Vijay Sir raised the school flag, symbolizing the beginning of the momentous event. With the lighting of the ‘fire’, Vijay Sir officially declared the 12th Annual Athletic Meet open.

But, amidst the event, on everyone’s faces one could see the anticipation that this was just the beginning of an amazing carnival that would follow.

-Yathansh Joshi & Smit Patel (Std 10)