“Never blame a day in your lives. Good days give you happiness and satisfaction; bad days give you positive lessons and experience. Both are essential in life.”
Graduation Day is always of a highly esteemed solemn occasion in all school and colleges which every student anticipates with enthusiasm and cherishes every moment of their student life. The Sesquicentennial graduation Ceremony of the 150th batch was held on Sunday, the 18th January 2015 where 551 students from classes 10 and 12 bid adieu to their Alma Mater confident to step out of the portals of the school into the unsecure world and into the helm of an unknown future.
The feeling of nostalgia in the air was omnipresent as the graduating students said farewell to their teachers, friends and school. The students took their seats up on the massive stage in front of the administrative block. Each student’s name was called out and his achievements and qualities were displayed in a presentation compiled by the teaching faculty. The theme for the evening was- ' Leaving your footprints on the sands of time'. The combined student and staff choir enthralled the audience during the eventful ceremony.
The chief guest for the event was Dr. Shashi Tharoor whose speech was filled with wit and humor. He highlighted the technological advancements especially in communication systems over the years stressing on how education is a powerful tool in empowerment of people and upliftment of the nation. Advising the graduates on facing challenges in life, Dr.Tharoor gave meaningful insights as to how we must be original, unique and innovative. He congratulated the school and implored it to continue doing good for the society. The MP also spoke about different mindsets of politicians and his venture as a writer and author. He acquainted us with the greatness of India, its heritage of ancient times and brought to light the discoveries made by our forefathers which were vital in the field of Maths and Astrology. Truely! A delightful and sensational speech that made us feel that contribution of each one is important in making india a well developed nation.
The school captain's speech on behalf of the graduating batch focussed on cherishing the memories of 14 years spent in this great school and remembering the values that it has imbibed in us. Praising our principal, he expressed gratitude to all the parents because of whom we were here and our teachers for making our stay at Cottons an exemplary one. The work by the Canteen, Pantry and Maintenance departments were acknowledged and his fellow classmates were told to do what they like and never to let go of the Cottonian Spirit.
Prof Zachariah led the students in taking the pledge, an oath which saw all students promising to lead their lives as true Cottonians, swerving neither to the right nor to the left but going ‘On Straight On’.
The achievements of the multi-faceted students who have contributed to the growth of the school were recognized by special awards. Cottons also said farewell to five retiring staff of the school by felicitating them.
The outgoing Captain Shiva Grover passed on the mantle of responsibility, our school flag to the next school captain Naveen Suthar.
The program concluded with the magnificent candle lighting ceremony by taking the spark given to the school captain by the principal. It was the most glorious sight to see over 500 candles lit while everything else was in darkness. The students left in a procession uniting under the green and gold for the last time. Under enhanced feelings both bitter and sweet, the parents, teachers and students made their way towards a well-organized sumptuous and tantalizing dinner buffet and celebration was on till the midnight hour.