Independence Day at Modern School

I just received the photos taken at Modern School during their Independence Day celebration on 15 August, so here's a short photo essay in (mostly) chronological order. (All photos were taken by Modern School personnel.)

Nothing can be celebrated in India without percussion!

Color/honor guard.

The beret is mandatory for the flag hoisting! The large rosette -- it's not a name tag, just a mark of honor. (I was the "Chief Guest".)

Monsoon rains came out in full force when it was time for the flag "hoisting". (It's really more of an unfurling -- see my prior Independence Day post.) Only the guests of honor got wet -- everyone else watched from the shelter of the school.

Flag unfurled. The national anthem is being sung at this time.  More time to wait in the pouring rain!

The school is built around an open courtyard. The students watched the ceremonies from the protected walkways. Girls on one side ...

… and boys on the other.

Singing is part of every celebration. (Boys play the drums. Girls sing.)

I'll skip photos of all the speeches -- there were at least a half-dozen of them -- mostly short.

The festivities concluded with the planting of about a half-dozen trees on the school grounds. Fortunately, the rains had ended by then.

This boy is Modern School's 10th Standard "topper" for the past academic year. He got the top "marks" on the 10th Standard state-wide exams. (A big deal!) He was the "Guest of Honor".

One of the school trustees plants the final tree.