Lucknow: The third edition of the Democratic Citizenship Festival, hosted by Study Hall School, Gomti Nagar, came to a successful close after two days of vibrant inter-school activities designed to place democratic values at the heart of education. The unique event brought together over 180 students from 15 schools across Lucknow, Varanasi, Bareilly, and Gurugram, who engaged in thought-provoking debates, artistic expressions, and stimulating competitions that celebrated the spirit of democracy.
Participating institutions from Lucknow included M.R. Jaipuria, A.R. Jaipuria, Arvind Academy, G.D. Goenka, Maharaja Agrasen, Scholar Home, Modern Academy, Prerna Boys and Girls Schools, and Vidyasthali. From outside the city, Sunbeam Varuna and Sunbeam Lahartara (Varanasi), Chikkar International School (Bareilly) and Vidya School (Gurugram) were among the active contributors.
Learning by Doing
The festival, inspired by the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP), was aimed at promoting dialogue, creativity, and critical thinking among students through democratic engagement. Events were tailored to explore the intersection of democratic principles with real-world concerns and academic subjects.
Among the standout final-day presentations were:
- “Dance of Democracy” – a compelling performance using dance to interpret democratic ideals and challenges,
- “Civitas: We the People” – a dynamic social science forum that encouraged debate, collaboration, and civic problem-solving, and
- “Chain Reaction 2.0” – a science-based project linking innovation to real-world socio-economic issues.
Encouraging Active Citizenship
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Principal Meenakshi Bahadur emphasized the festival’s experiential impact:
“Over these two days, our students didn’t just learn about their rights and responsibilities — they practiced them, lived them, and celebrated them.”
The festival concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, honouring the best-performing students and schools. More than just a school event, the Democratic Citizenship Festival reaffirmed Study Hall School’s commitment to nurturing informed, responsible, and participatory future citizens — a step forward in reimagining education for a stronger democracy.
