WGS Annual Magazine 2020-21

THE elham
ANNUAL
2020-21



Contents

Editor's Note

Principal's Note

06 Desiderata: ISC &
24 ICSE Results and Analysis
and the new biis

Hope: On Resilience

30 Invictus: Founders' Day

40 Still I Rise: Sports Activities

52 If: School Publications

Teachers-in-charge - Ms Mamta Govil & Mr Gourab Malakar 62 Road not Taken: SC Leavers
Photography - Krisha Khanna
Design & Realisation - Narendra Bhola, Sterling Preferred +91.99970 22228

Editorial

Dear Readers, We, like this edition of the annual, are but a sum of
everything you are. Your ability to ease into discomfort,
When we began ideating for this edition of Welham's your will to carry on despite all odds, your compassion
Annual magazine, we unknowingly perceived it as a towards all those who are sheltered by the red-bricked
form of catharsis. Our inability to completely fathom walls of Welham, but most of all, your ability to laugh on
the events of the past year and our alternating ideas of days that are hardest, have become a part of who we
what we wanted to communicate to you led us to a are and what we have strived to show to the world
dead-end: in pursuit of writing something 'different', we through the next few hundred pages. Because it grows
had lost sight of the fact that what we actually needed on you, this energy, and it taught us that there is no
to be, was honest. hurdle so high that we cannot cross, and no time so
tough that it won't pass. This editorial stands testament
As we began collating the school's undertakings during to that fact.
the pandemic, the layers of uncertainty and ambiguity
gradually shed themselves and revealed the essential We are aware that there are many who've been here
attribute which Welham has always embodied: before us and many who'll come after, but the fact that
resilience. We realized that hurdles were going to be a we all stand strong is an embodiment of the institution
part of the journey regardless of which path we chose to we belong to- an institution that stands resilient
tread down, and that they will all change who we are. through every obstacle sent its way. This and everything
The true meaning of resilience, we came to understand, that comes hereafter Welham, we owe it all to you.
lies in not being reduced by the challenges we face.
Signing off,
The strength and endurance displayed by every
individual who has walked this bajri is the presence of a Taarini Saharan (B/510)
flame that refuses to be extinguished by even the Dhwani Goyal (0/298)
greatest of tribulations. It is this flame, perhaps, that
they call the Spirit of Welham. It is within each of you;
keep it burning.

Chhaya Singh, Zara Lall, Taarini Saharan, Dhwani Goyal, Ms Deep Shikha Walia, Krisha Khanna, Nimrat Kaur Chahal,
Abhijeet Kaur Sohal, Ms Mamta Govil

2 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

We will forever Principal's Note
belong to that era
of history where Dearest Welhamites,
the entire human
race was put to I cannot stop marvelling at the indomitable
test with spirit that was evident in every Welhamite as
innumerable we marched together through these trying
challenges to times,an experience the world had never
surmount. experienced before. We will forever belong to
that era of history where the entire human
ANNUAL 2020-21 race was put to test with innumerable
challenges to surmount, from Covid to the
devastating effects of climate change! We
have been witness to the untold miseries that
many faced during the several waves of Covid.
We have seen our close friends lose their dear
ones, watch many impacted physically and
economically, and several others emotionally.

I owe it to my staff for filling the space with
hope and making the school a place of
abundant opportunity for every student. Their
natural curiosity and enthusiasm to
continuously learn helped open new avenues
for all and kept the students engaged in a host
of activities with the sole purpose of bringing
about the best of human spirit together. This
online annual magazine is testimony to the
undeterred spirit of our Welhamites! It
showcases the way we managed to adapt and
continue our lives with ease even as we found
ways to help the needy, reflect the novel ways
we found to organize and conduct ourselves
through the day and represent the several
learnings the two years offered us, in our
pursuit of excellence!

My heartiest congratulations to the Editorial
Board and the staff for bringing this online
edition of the magazine in the COVID year in its
true spirit! It is a compelling story of the power
of 'Resilience' and is bound to hold a special
place in the annals of the school.

Best Wishes,

Ms. P. Sambasivam

3

1OOnne e

Desiderata

“You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

- Max Ehrmann

ISC 2020-21

(L-R) Arushi Agarwal, Khushi Goyal, Devangana Prasad, Kaavya Lal, Hansika Nath, Sanrik Chanu, Vedika Bansal
Kneeling Mr. Vishal Rawat, Dr. C.K. Rajlakshmi, Ms. Rita Vasudev, Ms. Anima Singh, Ms. Chavi Gupta, Dr. Roma Saklani,
Sitting Row Dr. Prabha Navani, Mr. V.P.S. Parmar, Ms. Vibha Kapoor, Ms. Gita Sharma, Ms. Padmini Sambasivam, Ms. Rajshree Ojha,

Standing Row 1 Mr. Sudhir Kainthola, Ms. Kusum Dandona, Ms. Neena Agarwal, Ms. Kamal Handa, Dr. Deepti Kumar,
Dr. Nalanda Pandey, Dr. Neera Kapoor, Mr. Vinod Vachani, Mr. Sanjay Dora.
Mr. Uddlak Samantha, Ms. Tenzin Pema, Ms. Ambika Bhandari, Ms. Parvati Baluni, Dr. Chavi Jain,
Ms. Deep Shikha Walia, Ms. Gitanjali Bhatia, Ms. Seema Issar, Ms. Reema Pant, Shanvi Bansal, Kanupriya Garg,
Meha Mehrotra, Siddhi Bansal, Nandini Agarwal, Prisha Manocha, Sonam Khunjuju, Soumya Saraf, Mrigya Kumar,

Tanishtha Poddar, Shrishti Goyal, Ms. Saraswati Bisht, Ms. Shefali Verma, Ms. Shivani Mehta, Mr. Kapilesh Agrawala,
Mr. S.K. Sharma, Mr. Neeraj Singh

6 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Standing Row 2 Shailly, Nitya Yadav, Shreya Deb, Ananya Khanna, Shinjini Das, Avishi Mitruka, Shemaine Vij, Vidhi Thapliyal,
Standing Row 3 Rushali Mukherjee, Sarisha Jain, Rhea Uppal, Vedika Arora, Rhea Khullar, Vidisha Agarwal, Mahek Agarwal,
Standing Row 4 Sanyaa Kanodia, Vainavi Thapliyag, Aileen Dash, Gaurangi Lohia, Anisha Kedia, Palak Agrawal, Shreya Agarwal
Standing Row 5 Zarah Chaudhary, Anusha Agarwal, Riddhima Agarwal, Dia Pareek, Anushka Kumar, Tanisha Garg, Pranjali Khanna,

Anushka Mehrotra, Navya Sahni, Eshaanya Agarwal, Aditi Singh, Prakriti Juyal, Siddhi Verma, Saatvika Bhargava,
Asmi Vaid, Jaanvi Singh, Diksha Rani
Pravisha Verma, Ramana Prakash, Jahnvi Dalmia, Jyot Kaur, Zehra Ali, Mehnoor Suri, Diya Gupta, Shreya Gupta,

Vaidika Selat, Jaya Vats
Jhalak Sahay, Anahat Grewal, Mansi Karwa, Vruckshanca Maheshwari, Aliyah Anand, Mahek Jajodia, Kanchi,
Kashvi Soni, Aradhya Arora

ANNUAL 2020-21 7

ICSE 2020-21

It is unfortunate that during the time of
the pandemic, the ICSE Class of 2020-21
was unable to gather as a group to pose
for their photograph.

Myrah Sahni Jyotika Rana

Aadhya Goel Aadya Poddar Aanya Garg Aarna Mohan Aaryaki Aggarwal Aayati Aggarwal

Amber Singh Ananya Gupta Ananya Makker Anshika Khetrapal Anushka Prakash Anvi Mittal

Anvii Agarwal Archie Khanduja Ashi Garg Ayati Gupta Bidisha Dam Chahat Gupta

Saanvi Hissaria Devika Agarwal Devna Aggarwal Heet Dhawale Himanshi Gupta Ishika Mahajan

Ishita Jain Jiya Garg Kaavyanjali Parmar Kartikee Mahadik Khushi Khushi Khandelwal

8 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Khushi Mishra Ksheerja Arora Mahi Chandra Mahima Gill Manya Grover Medha Singhal

Nandika Poddar Nandini Jalan Nandita Gupta Nikita Jain Nitya Tayal Nivedita Gupta

Oshin Likha Palak Lohia Raavya Jain Rashika Aggarwal Ritvi Agarwal Saamya Malhotra

Saanvi Goyal Saher Cheema Sanjhali Jindal Saumya Aggarwal Shivani Thakkar Shreya Singh

Shubhika Khanna Stuti Bhukania Tanvi Agarwal Tvisha Kocchar Vidhita Mittal Vidushi Mohan

Yashashvini Gandhi Yashasvi Negi Zenisha Arora Baani Chhabra Gaurisa Dhawan Nandika Auluck

ANNUAL 2020-21 9

Board Examination Results – June 2021

ResultsISC–ClassXII
Class Average Highest Marks SUBJECT-WISE ANALYSIS

Subject Average Marks Highest Marks School No & Name of the Student

94.93% 99.75% English 95.62 99 (B-070) Devangana Prasad

Optional Literature (F-131) Palak Agrawal
Mathematics
(W-277) Eshanya Agrawal
Physics
(W-332) Aditi Singh
Chemistry
Palak Agrawal Biology 93.00 93 (H-079) Aliya Anand
Economics
SCORE 94.49 100 (0-077) Khushi Goel
Psychology
Total Students Accounts (F-131) Palak Agrawal
Commerce
78 History (W-143) Anisha Mukesh Kedia

95% 45 Political Science (B-255) Soumya Saraf
90-95% 39
85-90% 4 Computer Science (B-230) Mrigya Kumar
80-85% 0 Art
75-80% 0 Hindi (F-536) Riddhima Agarwal
70-75% 0 EVS
Geography (O-565) Srishti Goyal
70% 0 Home Science
(F-377) Prisha Manocha

96.50 100 (0-077) Khushi Goel

(F-131) Palak Agrawal

(B-255) Soumya Saraf

(O-565) Srishti Goyal

84.19 87 (0-077) Khushi Goel

(F-131) Palak Agrawal

(B-320) Shreya Gupta

96.60 100 (F-131) Palak Agrawal

92.76 97 (W-143) Anisha Mukesh Kedia

(B-255) Soumya Saraf

(W277) Eshanya Agrawal

(F-536) Riddhima Agarwal

(O-565) Srishti Goyal

95.68 100 (B-070) Devangana Prasad

(W277) Eshanya Agrawal

(F-536) Riddhima Agarwal

91.79 97 (F-377) Prisha Manocha

(B-042) Nandini Aggarwal

92.64 97 (H-561) Ramana Prakash

95.760 100 (W-143) Anisha Mukesh Kedia

(B-160) Diya Gupta

(B-191) Jaya Vats

(H-242) Arushi Agarwal

97.84 100 (B-070) Devangana Prasad

(H-105) Mehnoor Suri

(W-143) Anisha Mukesh Kedia

(W-191) Jaya Vats

(H-242) Arushi Agarwal

(W-277) Eshanya Agrawal

(O-410) Pravisha Verma

(O-072) Tanisha Garg

90.43 93 (B-230) Mrigya Kumar

(F-547) Rhea Uppal

87.56 90 (B-255) Soumya Saraf

94.00 94 (O-169) Vidisha Agarwal

81.60 87 (W-605) Shanvi Bansal

89.75 93 (H-105) Mehnoor Suri

90.00 92 (H-350) Rhea Khullar

10 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Board Examination Results – June 2021

ICSE – Class X

SUBJECT-WISE ANALYSIS Class Average Highest Marks

Subject Average Marks Highest Marks School No & Name of the Student

English 92.70 98.00 (F-155) Ananya Makker 94.95% 98.40%
Hindi 95.41 99.00 (W-339) Nikita Jain
100.00 (B-269) Devika Agarwal
History, Civics & Geography 95.69 (F-136) Medha Singhal
100.00 (B-363) Saumya Agarwal
Mathematics 91.90 97.00 (H-313) Heet Dhawale Khushi Mishra
Science 92.25 (F-466) Nandika Auluck
100.00 (F-444) Himanshi Gupta SCORE
Environmental Science 97.23 (H-448) Aatmika Jain
Home Science 98.39 100.00 (F-466) Nandika Auluck Total Students
(B-436) Saanvi Hissaria
Indian Dance 96.20 98.00 (F-136) Medha Singhal 80
Computer Application 96.23 100.00 (B-363) Saumya Agarwal
Indian Music 94.67 96.00 (F-444) Himanshi Gupta 95% 42
Yoga 98.50 99.00 (O-304) Mahima Gill
Art 95.14 98.00 (H-560) Ksheerja Arora 90-95% 37
French 97.00 97.00 (H-282) Anvii Aggarwal
Physical Education 94.8 96.00 (B-436) Saanvi Hissaria 85-90% 0
(F-136) Medha Singhal
(B-363) Saumya Agarwal 80-85% 0
(F-444) Himanshi Gupta
(W-339) Nikita Jain 75-80% 0
(O-164) Mahi Chandra
(W-180) Khushi Mishra
(W-473) Jiya Garg
(B-487) Stuti Bhukania
(O-295) Nandika Poddar
(H-282) Anvii Aggarwal
(H-448) Aatmika Jain
(O-335) Tanvi Agarwal
(F-136) Medha Singhal
(B-205) Vidushi Amaresh Mohan
(W-514) Jyotika Rana
(H-468) Tanya Modi
(H-560) Ksheerja Arora

70-75% 0

70% 0

ANNUAL 2020-21 11

The BIIs are the 6th graders who joined school but
unfortunately did not get to step into it until a year
after. As a batch, thus, they come to embody the
spirit of resilience, as they adjusted with the norms

Bulbulsof a new institution online. Here, they talk about

what they missed out on most, not being able to
spend their first year in school.

Gayatri Bhatia Aaryany Singh Jasmira Saisha
Chandok Sachdeva
I was looking I missed living in a
forward to being dormitory with my I think I missed out What I missed out
able to meet my new friends and the most on on the most was
batchmates in having a fun time celebrating physically being
person so that we with them. festivals together there for Founders’
could eat together, with my friends Day since I’ve heard
study together, and teachers. so much about the
laugh together and great things we do!
live together.

Arinjayya Aanya Rastogi Kyna Gupta Prathana
Saraogi Pankaj
What I missed out I feel that I missed
As someone who on the most was out on new The thing I missed
enjoys playing the feeling of living experiences and out on the most is
sports, I think I away from my opportunities that I the opportunity to
missed out on parents, sharing a would have had if I participate in a lot
physically being dorm with my were in school. of competitions
able to participate friends and finally physically.
in the sports at understanding the
school. meaning of a
‘second home’.
12
WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Vidushi Bharti Anika Mohan Shanvi Agarwal Yashita Jain

Having another What I missed out I missed the fun of The thing I think I
family away from on the most was living in a missed out on most
home, in which being there dormitory with all was the company
teachers are like physically for my friends. you have in school. I
parents and friends Founders’ Day since Sneaking around, would love to wake
like siblings, is I’ve heard so much whispering to my up to my friends in
what I missed out about the great friends and the same room as
on the most. things we do! planning midnight me and then go to
feasts are some classes, breakfast
things I wish I could and do everything
have done. else together.

Navika Jindal Bulbuls

I think what i
missed the most
about school was
celebrating
festivals with my
friends and
teachers. It would
have been so much
fun to be a part of
all the different
traditions in
school.

ANNUAL 2020-21 13

Flycatchers

Paanya Gupta Rudrani Rajya Trisha Kukreja Kaashvi
Lakshmi Mahajan
The things I think I A few things that I
missed out on the I feel I missed out missed out on are Attending sports is
most are on playing sports. the school recs, the something that I
experiencing the Because I have bonfire before missed out on in my
exciting life in a been told many Christmas and first year of school.
boarding school for stories and have celebrating Holi. Exploring myself in
the very first time attended the Hearing about the field when I
with my new school’s Founders’ these activities is joined school was
friends. Day, I can’t wait to made me want to something that I
be a part of one of come to school had been looking
the sport’s teams. even more. forward to.

Vedanshi Dabral Chitrangda Sara Shekhar Amreen
Aanand
I think that I missed I missed out on my What I missed out
out on school food. I missed out on swimming and on the most was
As I’ve heard that forming a bond basketball sessions following a
Welhamites are big with my teachers in school. schedule in school.
foodies, I can’t wait and batchmates.
to taste the
delicious food of
Welham.

14 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Aaliyah Bindra Suhina Singh Anjanee Sodhi Krisha Seth

I missed out on I think the most I missed out the I missed out the
being physically important thing I most on attending most on interacting
present for the missed was being in the music classes, and making friends
Teachers’ Day school as a BII. I as it is my favourite with people from
celebration as I never got the activity and I was all across India and
have heard a lot chance to be the really looking learning about
about it and I junior most and get forward to being a their cultures.
wanted to dance pampered by my part of the school
for them, spend teachers. choir.
time with them and
make memories
together.

Nandini Gupta Flycatchers

I missed living in a
dormitory with my
new friends and
having a fun time
with them.

ANNUAL 2020-21 15

Hoopoes

Tiara Singh Gursirat Kaur Srinika Agarwal Maira Bansal
Arora
I missed out on I think I missed out My first day as a BII
meeting my new Being at home on living in the in Welham is
friends and during the dormitory and something that I
teachers. I hoped to pandemic made me being physically feel I missed out on
create a good bond realise the present for sports. most. I was really
with my peers. importance of looking forward to
physical exercise. I being pampered by
think I missed out everyone.
on the experience
of playing sports in
Welham.

Karen Sahdev Saachi Mittal Ahana Jindal Prisha Garg

What I missed out I think the most What I missed out I missed out on
on the most was important thing on the most was physically
getting to know my that I missed was experiencing attending
friends and being in school as a sports’ events and activities because I
spending time with BII. I could never the Founder’s Day feel it isn’t the
them. experince being production in same online.
pampered by my school, rather than
teachers. seeing it all on my
screen.

16 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Ayushi Prasad Samairah Ananya Jain Aanya Gupta
Bhatia
I missed out on I was looking Being at home, I
being with my Being at home forward to think I missed out
friends and made me miss the attending music most on being with
physically fun of living in a classes as I’ve my friends and
attending classes dormitory. always been spending quality
where I could Sneaking to check passionate about time with my House
interact with my that the matron is it. Mistress and them.
teachers and get to not around, having I feel that I would
know them better. secret midnight have made so many
feasts and memories in my
conversations with first year at
my friends were Welham.
things I feel I
missed out on.

Anisha Dhawale Hoopoes

The aspect of
school that I missed
out on the most
was definitely
having fun with my
friends.

ANNUAL 2020-21 17

Orioles

Tamanna Angel Sharanya Saranya Arora Katyayni
Bower Maheshwari Mandal
What I missed the
I missed out on What I missed the most was being a I feel that I missed
waking up early to most was having part of group out on new
go for morning fun at Welham and projects. experiences and
sports and play my engaging in the opportunities that I
favourite sport, routine of a would have had if I
which is basketball. boarding school. were in school.

Dhruvika Annika Thakur Aarna Tiwari Esther Thongam
Fatehpuria
If I were asked I missed out on the I missed out on
I missed living in a what I missed the little things like interacting and
dormitory with my most about school walking around our making friends
new friends and then it would have beautiful campus with new people
enjoying with them. to be - fun, food and decorating my from places from
and friends. locker in the dorm. all across India and
learning about
their culture.

18 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Ananya Vishal Samaira Priyanjali Nandini Gupta
Thakkar Agarwal Sharma
I missed out on
Being an athletic I missed out on What I missed out participating in
person, I think I having a physical on the most was inter house events
missed out on interaction with living like music and
playing basketball my teachers and independently dance.
in school. I have getting pampered away from my
heard so much by them. parents, for the
about the sport first time.
and the team and I
can’t wait to be a
part of it.

Saara Goyal:

Meher Edmund Hitee Goel Saara Goel
D’Souza
I missed out on I think I missed out
I missed out on
attending morning having a physical on the simple joy of
assemblies
physically as they interaction with having your friends
make me feel like I my teachers and
am meeting my batchmates and around you the
family. getting pampered whole day. It’s
something I’ve
ANNUAL 2020-21 Oriolesbymyteachers.never imagined
doing before!

19

Woodpeckers

Ira Gupta Lakshita Sia Agrawal Saanvi
Malpani
I missed out on Although I have Spending my entire
receiving love and I always thought it been to the school day with friends
empathy from the would be very several times, I still and teachers
teachers and exciting to wake up feel I missed out on around me is what I
students in school. with so many the experience of have missed out on
people around me, actually living in the most.
so I think living in Welham with my
the dormitory is new friends.
something I missed
out on the most.

Shreya Singh Anika Amit Elisha Arya Adya Vaish
Kariwala
The thing I think I What I missed out I missed out on
missed out on the Due to the Covid-19 on the most was exploring myself in
most was the pandemic, we are being with my the fields of
company you have now experiencing a friends. I feel that if activities and
in school. I would different school life we were all in sports.
love to wake up to at home. I feel there school, we would
my friends in the are many things I have had a great
same room and have missed out in time together and
spend the day my first year, the formed a new
together. most important family.
one being sports.

20 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Tanya Chauhan Anushka Yagyana Riyana Chopra
Agrawal Sharma
The dorm life, What I missed out
including meetings I missed out on A few of the things on the most was
and fun activities, interacting and I missed out on participating in
is something I making friends were being on our different co-
missed out on due with new people campus, having the curricular
to this pandemic. from different delicious Kadhi activities and being
places and getting Chawal that I have a part of the music
to know them. heard so much and dance events.
about and running
in the field.

Tara Kalsi Nysa Poddar

What I missed out I missed out on
on the most was playing badminton,
adapting to a new which is my
environment with favourite sport and
friends. I was hoping to
become a part of
ANNUAL 2020-21
Woodpeckerstheschoolteam.
21

2woTwo

H“ ope”

“Hope is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all.”

- Emily Dickinson

Resilience

It is needless to mention the impact of Covid on the school environment, and the lives of
all those who comprise it. Confined to our homes, each of us faced the pressure to adjust
to an online setting, and to continue all activities as we would ‘normally’. Our
experience, however, was anything but normal– and it was only much later that we
recognised that this was not a feeling that was necessarily detrimental. Virtually, we
stuck together, and did not let the adverse turn of events prevent us, from reaching new
heights. Reflecting on these experiences, we realized that it was the quality of resilience,
cultivated within us by this very institution, that saw us through the pandemic. This
section, therefore, is a testament to this feeling, where we explore symbols of resilience
and tenacity that have been a part of humankind’s consciousness, from global cultures
and times galore, and have helped us emerge as stronger beings.

The Helix as a symbol of stability and strength

In March 2020, when Covid-19 struck, an unanticipated consequence was
our complete dependence on technology. With every aspect of school life
taking place online, each individual at Welham displayed unwavering strength
in adapting to a newly digitalized world. Our teachers ensured that the
essence of Welham wasn’t diluted by the presence of a screen- morning P.T
took place regularly, co-curricular activities continued seamlessly and the
occasional house meetings with our House Mistress brought immense respite
in turbulent times. Welham remained true to its spirit and prospered
through the many adversities of the pandemic!

24 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Resilience

The Swallow as a symbol of resilience, freedom and a safe journey through life

Ex-Welhamites are known to carve their niche in the world, after leaving the secure walls of
school. Our alumni of brave and resilient women rose to the occasion during the global
pandemic and went beyond their call of duty in their respective fields. Ms. Rajni Sekhri Sibal
(Batch of 1975) has worked with the National Disaster Management Authority. She
assisted the government of India in preparing responses to FAQs about Covid-19. Dr. Shalini
Bahl (Batch of 1984) is the Head of Department of Pediatrics at NHS Hospital in Surrey.
She delivered care to children during the Covid crises while also assisting her colleagues on the
frontline. Ms. Abhilasha Bisht (batch of 1985) is the Additional Director General of Police in
Telangana. She worked tirelessly during the pandemic to ensure the effectivity of the
lockdown and maintaining of social distance. Ms. Gargi Rawat (Batch of 1996) is a TV
Journalist with NDTV 24x7 and reported extensively on Coronavirus to eradicate the
quantum of false information circulating in the country. Dr. Supreeti Behuria (Batch of
2003) is a Cardiologist in Wisconsin, USA who tackled the cardiovascular complications which
were caused by Covid-19. Our ex-Welhamites fulfilled their responsibilities with resilience and
determination. We are grateful to them for coming forward during the pandemic!

ANNUAL 2020-21 25

Resilience

The Phoenix as a symbol of resurrection and renewal

The campus of Welham has undergone several changes since its inception. Our
dorms, our classrooms, our labs, and all other spaces of school have been an
integral part of our time at Welham. In the past year, despite the challenges
posed by the pandemic, Welham was able to renovate multiple spaces in
school - including the auditorium, the home sciences lab, the sciences labs
and the junior labs. In addition to this, a new art room and a new hospital
with a space to quarantine were also constructed. When we returned to
school for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, these visible
changes on campus truly made us believe that we had risen from what was
trying to hold us back and kept the flame of Welham burning!

The Monarch Butterfly as a symbol of endurance and adaptation

In a period of utter disbelief, uncertainty, shock and grief brought by the
Coronavirus pandemic, the Welham community had to make an overnight
transition into a hybrid method of learning. The IT Department ensured this
transition was as seamless as possible for all teachers and students. To rely
completely on the online world was a daunting thought, but Welham’s IT
Department endured through this period of time and helped the entire school
adapt to this new method of learning!

26 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Resilience

The Gladiolus as a symbol of sincerity and faithfulness

During the course of the pandemic, Welham hosted the inter-school Saroj
Srivastav debates, conducted a liter-IT festival and celebrated its 63rd
Founders’ Day. Welhamites also participated in multiple online conferences,
webinars, workshops, debates - and even a Basketball shooting tournament.
The enthusiasm and sincerity with which these events were conducted online
replicated the contagious energy which used to vibrate through the red-
bricked walls of Welham before the pandemic. This stood testament to the
fact that the Spirit of Welham would not falter in times of difficulty, and we
would remain faithful to all that our institution believed in and stood for!

ANNUAL 2020-21 The Oak tree as a symbol of wisdom and nurturing

The most important and perhaps even the most strenuous burden of Covid-19
fell on the hospital staff at Welham. The doctors and nurses worked around the
clock to monitor the students. From monitoring us in the quarantine ward and
ensuring we would recover as soon as possible when we fell ill, to altering our
diet to cater to our immunity and also addressing the medical emergencies which
were not pertaining to Covid, the hospital staff was truly the backbone of
Welham. We appreciate their selflessness and strength and thank them for being
our pillars of support through the toughest times Welham has ever seen!

27

3TThrhereee

Invictus

“Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
“It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”
- William Ernest Henley

Founders’ Day

The year 2020 celebrated Welham Girls’ Then began the Welham Annual Cultural
63rd Founders’ Day - 'Samashti', which Programme, which encompassed a myriad
means a whole thing that contains several of events - from a Nukkad Natak that
different parts, and embodies the spirit of critiqued rampant corruption practices, to
solidarity that is imbued in each Welhamite, an enthralling Bharatnatyam and Dandiya
even as our bonds were tested by the global folk dance performance devoted to Lord
pandemic. Broadcast online, the ceremony Krishna and Radha, and, finally, the Indian
commenced with a speech from the and Western music and orchestra by the
Principal, Mrs Sambasivam, addressing the school choir. It was a truly triumphant
audience and announcing the annual Founders’ Day, performed amidst all odds in
academic reports and their subsequent the midst of the pandemic, with students
awardees, the chief guest’s address, and the coming together from across the nation to
school captain’s address. practice for the event.

30 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

ANNUAL 2020-21 31

Founders’ Day

The online invocation choir. WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL
32

ANNUAL 2020-21 33

Founders’ Day

34 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Chief Guest’s Speech (Excerpts)

Ms. Vinita Bali, a global business leader improving on their own score… So, my first insight
really that I actually very strongly believe in and live by
…first of all, this evening, like all other founders’ days is that it’s great to be ambitious, it is great to be
that I have been privy to, is more than anything else a competitive. But remember that at the end of the day
tribute to the indomitable spirit of Welham. It is this you are only competing with yourself because the only
spirit that has infected all of us over the years that we person that you can work with is yourself…
have been associated with Welham. Whether we were
students of Welham or not, it didn’t matter. There is a …attitude and aptitude. I think both of those are very,
spirit of Welham that permeates you the moment you very important. Your attitude and your aptitude will
get associated with the school…. determine how you react to things, how all of us react
to things. …Maya Angelos, another one of my heroes
… what I thought the best I could do, is to actually said, “You may not control all the events that happen
share what I think are 4 or 5 learnings you may call to you but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
them, insights you may call them, points to consider …I think it is important how we respond to something
and either remember or discard– the choice is yours… to a large extent determines how we will deal with
adversity, how we will deal with ambiguity and how
…When we start with the first, I want to call that we will deal with complexity…
ambition and competitiveness and you know one of
my big “ah-ha” moments and some of these I will … the second one is compassion and empathy. …This is
illustrate through stories, was that actually the only a story that takes place where we see images of who
person we compete with through our lives is were working in the cities, hundreds of thousands of
ourselves. …And I will illustrate this with a story, I people working in cities walk hundreds of miles or
joined the Coca Cola Company at the end of 1994 …My bicycle hundreds of miles back to their villages… One
job was the worldwide marketing director for the woman in Surat related the story which I think hit the
brand Coke … 1996 Olympics happened in Atlanta … bull’s eye on compassion and empathy …. One evening
Because I was the head of marketing for brand coke, she was cooking for her family and she was making
and because this was happening in Atlanta, I actually chapatis and the thought struck her that what will it
got to meet some of the greatest athletes … I saw the take if she makes 10 or 12 extra chapatis. She said, “I’m
athletes in training and the one thing that impacted cooking for family, it will take another 12-15 min to
me the most was, “Were any of these people looking at make 10 or 12 extra chapatis”. She she spoke to some
what somebody scored?” Absolutely not. They were friends and neighbours and they all decided to do that
practicing. … All they were interested in was and you will not believe that for 4 months these
women supplied 1 lakh 50 thousand chapatis to
migrants …

…The third is something which is sort of more personal
and that is really about saying to you or sharing with
you that life will throw many choices out at you. First
of all, don’t believe that there is a famine of
opportunities. In fact, there is a flood of opportunities.
There are almost too many choices that each of us has.
And sometimes choice actually leads to confusion. The
only way I have found of reducing the confusion and
choices is to truly ask yourself the question that is this
something that you really want to do, something that
you can really learn from, and is this something you
believe you will have fun doing…

…My last point is don’t do something because
everybody is doing it. Do it because you want to do it.
At end of the day, all of us live with ourselves before we
live with anybody else.

ANNUAL 2020-21 35

Principal’s Speech (Excerpts)

Ms. Padmini Sambasivam prejudices and read and listen to a variety of viewpoints on
a host of topics. Be in touch with the pulse of the changing
Welham as an institution has always looked for and times. Familiarise yourself with the changing formats of
focused on that one silver lining even in the darkest of times standardized tests and quiz templates, develop strategies
and emerged shining and stronger. This pandemic has been to ace your tests while you have the time. Draft a winning
no different in that sense. resume which is well researched yet is an honest
representation of yourself and your achievements.
Covid-19 made us look at things differently. …Our natural
inclination to adapt and learn came in handy and within 3 Revamp: Streamline social media presence. This year we
weeks our teachers were able to initiate online learning. have seen an unprecedented usage of social media
This is the first opportunity our parents have had in the platforms by all age groups. Remember we leave a lot of our
history of Welham to actually experience and be a part of all digital footprint which is currently used to assess our
their children’s activity, which otherwise would be limited potential, both attitude and aptitude. Therefore, my dear
to occasional visits for events such as Founders’ Day… students, clean up the posts on social media and be mindful
of what you share because these have lasting impressions
… I see this as a moment to thank you all and tell you how of you and can directly impact your future.
proud I am of each of you for standing in solidarity and
being a part of this learning, evolving experience in these Reinvent: Venture in to new territories. This is the time to
Covid times. I can say that as true Welhamites you have all learn new things with gay abandon. It could be learning a
emerged stronger and shown that you are capable of new instrument or pursuing a new hobby, learning to code
quickly adapting to even the most unfamiliar and or developing new apps / videos and rejoice through art /
unforeseen situation such as this pandemic. craft. Remember the world tomorrow is looking for people
who can multi task with a range of skills.
… my senior students who will be leaving the portals in a few
months…I want you to know that you are all very dear to me Rise: It has been our relentless endeavour to help you all
and I have missed the personal interaction with you all. The understand the importance of resilience and mental
pandemic has truly reiterated the much-clichéd skills of strength in order to face changes, face changes with hope,
21st century such as decision making, problem solving, face changes with an attitude befitting the courageous,
ability to innovate and most certainly adaptability and face changes with an indomitable spirit - a spirit akin to
conflict resolution, both within and without. …to prepare Maya Angelou’s words:
ourselves further for situations that we cannot fully
anticipate…my recommendation to you all would be the 4 “You may write me down in history
R’s to remember in the current circumstances. With your bitter, twisted lines
You may trod me in the very dirt
Read. Keep yourself well informed. Be open minded, shed But still, like dust, I will rise.”

You must rise above all that is trifle, all that is self serving,
rise above all that does not serve the collective good.
Remember, our motto “artha shanti phala vidya” and live
true to it. May your life reflect the essence of William Ellery
Channing’s “My Symphony”. I quote:

“To live content with small means.
To seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion.
To be worthy not respectable,
and wealthy not rich.

To study hard, think quietly, talk gently,
act frankly, to listen to stars, birds, babes,
and sages with open heart, to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.”

OUR SYMPHONY!

36 WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

School Captain’s Speech (Excerpts)

Hansika Nath the world. Welham teaches us to go beyond ourselves
and take conscious action for the things that really
I became who I am today back in 2013 on a sunny, April matter. It teaches us to become global citizens. Being a
afternoon when I was ten. Two pigtails, a chunni that Welhamite is not just wearing these tadpoles, it is a
didn’t stay on my shoulders and some knee-high socks. massive responsibility, to both this school and to the
That was my first day at school… world. This institution has a voice and, dare I say, a
rather powerful one. I urge you to hone your skills,
…. Welham taught me that little things matter. If you utilise this platform, become proactive and make a
can’t do the little things right, you can’t do the big difference towards the causes you believe in. Because
things. And somewhere along the way, intermingled at the end of the day, standing for what you believe in
with a little bit of debating, writing and music, I shed is what matters most…
the pigtails, my chunni fell in the right place and my
socks reached an acceptable length… …I urge you all to learn to empathise, learn to forgive,
learn to move on and, most importantly, feel grateful
…My purpose of standing here … is to show to everyone for this family because once you move away from
that every single one of you has your own story of glory school, you realise that home isn’t just a place
to weave. Welham taught me to love and to lose, to anymore, it is a feeling, and how lucky we are to have
rise and to fall but most importantly, it made realise another home away from home…
that life isn’t always peaches and cream. Passing my
captaincy through the pandemic, there were days ... there are people who forget what it’s like to be B3s
when everything seemed futile. But life goes on, with once you turn into SC’s. I know these moments will all
or without it. Welham taught me stop at the right be stories someday. And our pictures will become old
stations, be resilient, face my biggest fears, conquer photographs. And one day we’ll all be someone’s mom.
them and come out stronger. With each day and each But right now, these moments are not stories. This is
moment spent within these brick walls, you become a happening. I am here. I am in my home. I can see it. This
new person. The greatest glory in living here lies not in one moment I know, I will walk out without any
never falling but in rising every time you fall… regrets. And as I look around and see the fairy lights on
the Nasreen, the same bajri under my feet and
…when there is no hope, it is imperative for us to invent remember listening to music in the senior garden on
it, and trust me when I say this, Welham is the home of after dinner walks with the people I love the most in
hopes... this world, and everything else that makes me
… it’s very easy to sit and criticise what’s happening in wonder, I swear Welham, in these moments, we are
infinite, we are infinite.

ANNUAL 2020-21 37

4FFoouurr

Still I Rise

“Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.”
- Maya Angelou

r

Sports have always been an integral part of Welham life, and were one of the segments of our
curriculum that were hit the hardest during the pandemic. While the teams were unable to gather as a
whole, the leaders of the disciplines share their own inspiring experiences within their fields, and
display the inextinguishable team spirit that Welhamites will always carry. The pictures include the

AerobicsViceCaptainsofthedisciplines,withtheirrespectivecoaches.

Aerobics is at the forefront of my best, most part of the School Aerobics team is how to
nostalgic and heart-warming memories. I joined overcome adversity. I found that attitude alone
Aerobics as a new B1, with no home-friends and can resolve 50% of any problem and that faith is
no friend circle to call my own. The Aangan soon contagious. The more you believe in others, the
became my safe haven. Aerobics gave me an more they will believe in you. This hope- this
identity in school and all the long practices for faith- was one of the strongest factors in helping
Founders' Day after marchpasts in the sun, the me overcome the challenges that I faced
early morning meditation sessions and even the throughout school life. I owe the person that I
de-stress sessions with Ms. Pema anytime during have become today to my coach, my team, and
the day gave me strength. my sport.

The most important lesson I learned from being - Eishani Purohit (Aerobics Captain, 2020-22)

Eishani Purohit, Ms. Pema Tenzin (Coach) WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL
40

Athletics

My journey in Athletics started on the first day of school and since then, I have
completely fallen in love with the sport. Every day, after the rigor of all my
classes, I eagerly wait for this refreshing change of pace. This sport has
stimulated me to become the very best version of myself by constantly
challenging me and making life as exciting as ever. I have been blessed with
the best coach and teammates who never fail to support and inspire me. I
want to fulfil my duties by passing on the wisdom of my seniors and the
support of my team to the budding athletes who are under my guidance. I
strive to achieve every fraction of the excellence my coach expects from me. I
will always cherish the bonds and the memories that I have made here. The
field and the jumping pit never fail to bring a smile to my face.

- Chaitanya Modi (Athletics Captain, 2021-22)

Chaitanya Modi, Mr. SK Sharma (Coach) 41
ANNUAL 2020-21

Badminton

My journey with Badminton began at the age of ten, when I joined school as a
young and homesick BIII. From not knowing how to hold the racquet properly,
to winning tournaments as a team, this has been a journey of invaluable
lessons. The leadership, discipline and perseverance that I learnt on the
badminton court will be cherished and nurtured by me for the rest of my life.
This journey has been possible because of the unwavering faith of my coach
and the constant encouragement I received from my team on days of victory,
but even more so on those of defeat. Being Badminton Captain this past year
taught me to embrace responsibility rather than be conceded by it, and it is a
life lesson that I will carry with me wherever I go.

- Dia Pareek (Badminton Captain, 2020-21)

Ananya Gupta (Vice-Captain), Ms. Ambika Bhandari (Coach) WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL
42

Basketball

I joined basketball in 2013 as a BIII and today, as I am passing out from
school, I can safely say that the basketball court is where I really grew
up. In the last 8 years, basketball has given me something to identify
myself with and has acquainted me with a strong and driven team that
has become my family. Three hours of practice every day, scraped
elbows and knees, ankle sprains and punishments for being late by
minimal increments of time, have almost become sacrament.

The sport imbibed in me values of discipline, hard work and passion
which are set at the very core of my being. Under the seasoned
guidance of my coach Mr. Vachani, I learnt the most precious life
lessons and I hope to live up to his high ideals of a sportsperson.

- Aaradhya Arora (Basketball Captain, 2020-21)

Tasneen Marwah (Vice-Captain), Ms. Neelam Srivastav (Coach) 43
ANNUAL 2020-21

Hockey

For me, hockey was never limited to the 5,027 square meters of the field.
The sport formed a new perspective of existence for me by unravelling my
perfection. It has imbued in me the values of integrity, team spirit,
sportsmanship and perseverance, which will guide me through other
areas of my life. Nostalgia is hitting me harder than it has ever before, as I
walk away from something that has given me wings and seems
impossible to leave behind. The lessons I learnt on the Hockey field and the
memories I made here will always remain a part of who I am.

- Siddhi Bansal (Hockey Captain, 2020-21)

Alyssa Tssowad (Vice-Captain), Ms. Saraswati Bisht (Coach) WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL
44

Karate

Being a part of the Karate family since I joined school as a BII has
shaped me as an individual in ways that no other discipline
could have. It was while sitting at home in my SC year that I
realised how much I had wanted to lead my team as their
captain and pass on to them all that I had learnt in the past few
years. One of the core qualities that Karate imbibed in me was
perseverance- that no matter what, I had to be there at the
alma every day at 5:30 in the morning. As tiresome as it may
have felt at the time, it instilled in me a sense of discipline which
I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

- Anushka Mehrotra (Karate Captain, 2020-21)

Diva Bakshi (Vice-Captain), Ms. Shetali Verma (Coach) 45
ANNUAL 2020-21

Shooting

Shooting taught me how to remain calm even in times when I was
under an incredible amount of pressure and showed me what hard
work truly means. The sport taught me to believe in myself and I
gained a tremendous amount of self confidence in the time that I
spent in the shooting range. Through the course of my captaincy, I
transformed into someone who learnt to take responsibility for not
only herself, but also her team. I have become a more
compassionate, yet firmer person. Shooting has enhanced my
personality as I have become more decisive and disciplined, and
have also learned management skills.

- Kanchi Gupta (Shooting Captain, 2020-21)

Aaryaki Chaudhary (Vice-Captain) Mr. Mayank Marwah (Coach)
46
WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Swimming

I was never one for organized sports until I started swimming at
Welham. My coach Ms. Shivani Mehta fostered my love for
swimming and encouraged me to push my boundaries and
pursue the sport more seriously. I soon learnt the training one
undergoes in the pool was not limited to the sport itself - it
pervaded all my daily habits and made me a more disciplined
individual overall. Swimming also taught me that you don’t
have to be the best to give in your best and that the value of
perseverance and self-improvement far outweigh the merit of
an easy win.

- Aliya Anand (Swimming Captain, 2020-21)

Suhani Gulati (Vice-Captain), Ms. Shivani Mehta (Coach) 47
ANNUAL 2020-21

Table tennis

I still remember my first day of table tennis, when the orange ball was a
stranger to me. It was small and it made me wonder if I would ever be able to
do something great with it. Two days into the sport and Ms. Parvati Baluni’s
enthusiasm and effort had made table tennis my newly found passion. The
sport has taught me sportsmanship and discipline. It has made me realize
that winning and losing are two sides of a coin and, regardless of the
outcome, I have to give in my best and never give up. In learning to make the
right move at the right time l learnt that “time and tide wait for no one” and a
ball that I missed would never come back the same way. Seven years of
playing this sport and today, when I look back, I find the rare lessons and
memories which no book could have ever given me laid on that blue table.

- Shreya Gupta (Table Tennis Captain, 2020-21)

Reva Aggarwal (Vice-Captain), Ms. ParvatiBaluni (Coach) WELHAM GIRLS’ SCHOOL
48