ANNUAL PRIZE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION
Annual prize distribution function is the greatest event in a school. The Principal, the staff and the student look forward to this day with great zest and zeal. Like a birthday it comes once a year and prize distribution day is usually often the foundation day of the school.
The annual prize distribution day is the most important and the most significant day in an institution. It is eagerly awaited by the staff and the students, whether they are prize-winners or not.
Quite often I attend the prize distribution of the Guru Harkrishan Public School in Delhi. Its Principal, Sardar Gurdial Singh Dhillon, is a devoted and dedicated man. Its entire staff is hard working. Its students are highly disciplined and intelligent. They are not only studious but also have wide general knowledge of the world. It is a wonder to watch its students during the prize distribution ceremony. It is a joy to see how they guide the guests to their seats and how they look after their comforts. They boys are naturally trained and not specially rehearsed for the occasion, because even otherwise they behave brilliantly during the school hours and even outside the classes.
The chief guest, who distributes prizes, is a very important man. Once Sardar Gurdial Singh Dhillon, Lok Sabha Speaker presided over the function. So this was the occasion when the principal and the chef guest had the same name. They are old friends and it was a rare occasion for them to meet together.
In Guru Harkrishan Public School the students and staff arrive two hours before the prize distribution day to look after the arrangements. The guest are expected to be their seats half an hour before the arrival of the chief guest who usually arrives punctually in the nick of time.
There is an introductory speech by the principal, then a speech by the chief guest, and then the prizes are distributed. It is followed by a variety of shows which includes dramas, dances, and colourful shows and other interesting items in both English and Hindi, besides Punjabi. Then there is farewell speech by the President of the Governing Body. It is followed by the tea and snacks for the guests. It is altogether a memorable occasion.
One special feature of the annual prize distribution in Guru Harkrishan Public School is that prizes are also given to those students who attend the school regularly and do not remain absent even for a day throughout the year. This prize is received by the parents rather than students, because parents too are responsible for regular attendance. Quite a large number of parents do get the prizes!
