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It was a moment of immense pride for Mahabodhi Residential School as we secured the First Prize in the Cultural Performance category during the 77th Republic Day celebrations held at the historic Polo Ground. The celebrations were organised by the UT Administration of Ladakh.
On the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India, the students of Mahabodhi Residential School were honoured to present a special cultural performance as part of the official celebrations. On this occasion, the students presented, for the first time, a thoughtfully designed cultural performance based on the Black-necked Crane, the State Bird of Ladakh. The presentation was widely appreciated for its depth, creativity, and meaningful message, earning the top recognition among participating institutions.
Following their return from the celebrations, the students were warmly hosted at his residence by Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, our revered Founder and Chairman of the School Management Committee. He personally congratulated the children for their outstanding achievement and expressed heartfelt joy at their success. On the occasion, the students were treated with sweets and special refreshments as a gesture of encouragement and affection.
Expressing his appreciation, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena lauded the collective efforts of the entire team involved in the performance, including the Principal, teachers, musicians, choreographers, singers, and support staff, whose dedication and teamwork made the achievement possible.
The cultural presentation was thematically dedicated to the Black-necked Crane, a rare and revered migratory species that holds deep cultural and ecological significance in Ladakh. Through graceful movements and symbolic narration, the students portrayed the bird as a messenger of peace, harmony, and coexistence, conveying a powerful message on environmental stewardship, compassion for all living beings, and the urgent need to protect Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem.
Presenting this message on Republic Day held special significance, as the ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution call upon citizens to protect and improve the natural environment and to show compassion towards all living creatures. Through this performance, the students reaffirmed these constitutional values, reminding society that true patriotism lies not only in honouring the nation, but also in safeguarding its land, wildlife, and future generations.
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The initiative also reflected the long-standing commitment of the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, under the guidance and blessings of Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, towards nature conservation, environmental protection, and wildlife preservation in the ecologically sensitive region of Ladakh.
Dr. Pankaj Chandan, senior executive of the Save the Himalayas Foundation and a member of MIMC, was also present on the occasion and appreciated the students for conveying an important environmental message through cultural expression.
This cultural offering was more than an artistic presentation. It stood as a meaningful tribute to the spirit of Republic Day, blending national pride with environmental consciousness, and inspiring a collective resolve to uphold peace, compassion, and sustainable living as fundamental duties of every citizen.