Bhutan royals grace Lawrence School celebrations

KASAULI: Lawrence School, Sanawar on Friday received its chief guest King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk of Bhutan, who joined his queen Jetsun Pema - school alumna from the batch of 2008 - for the 167th Founder's Day celebrations. While Pema, who has come back to the school for the first time after her 2011 wedding, had reached before the start of the three-day celebrations, her royal consort reached Kasauli on Friday afternoon and arrived at the school later in the evening.
The royal head is staying at the Army guest house in Kasauli and the couple was present to watch a play in memory of Sanawar alumnus 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal later in the evening. Other known guests who are attending the school's 167th Founder's Day celebrations include actor Pooja Bedi and Omar Abdullah, who are from the 1989 batch of the school. Abdullah had also served as the school head boy.
Earlier in the day, hockey and basketball matches between present and old Sanawarians were held post lunch. Friday, which was the second day of the founder's day celebrations began with the 167th athletic meet presided by Debabratamay Mitra of the 1964 batch. Athletes displayed the spirit of 'Never Give In'. Tushar Nandi and Shivam Ahlawat together won the Fateh Pal Cup for best athlete in the under-14 (boys) category, while Kudrat Bains and Jayant Malla were awarded the Bala and Kalinga Cups for best athlete in the girls (opens) and boys (opens) categories respectively. Himalaya House (girls) was the winner of March-past cup. The PD, BD and GD Cups were bagged by Nilagiri House, Siwalik House and Vindhya house respectively. Siwalik House won the coveted over-all trophy. This was followed by the parent-teacher meet.
Later in the afternoon, a concert was held in the historic Barne Hall that with a variety of entertainment items like Indian classical orchestra based on Raga 'Kedar', a presentation of Indian classical dance titled 'Euphoria' showcasing a perfect blend of Kathak in three parts that included - Ganeshvandana, Indrastuti and Breathless. English play titled "Heroes Never Give In" based on the odyssey of 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal, Paramvir Chakra was also staged.
The evening concluded with a 'tattoo show', performed in the military tradition of the school. The show included music, dance, mass PT, gymnastics, high-horse and bugle band. The 'Yoga show' offered the path of self-realization through a balanced existence and an energized body, mind and spirit. The 'Rock-n-Roll' dance sequence was performed by 150 boys and girls of junior school and bhangra was gracefully performed by 450 boys and girls of senior school.