“Excellence is the result of high intention, sincere effort, skillful execution and above all, the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.”– Aristotle, ancient Greek philosopher and scientist 

Salwan Education Trust, a venerable name in education, annually hosts its prestigious Felicitation Ceremony to honour the remarkable achievements of students, distinguished alumni, and dedicated teachers who have significantly contributed to the esteemed legacy of Salwan Schools. The Felicitation Ceremony 2024, held on Saturday, 13 July 2024, was a resounding celebration of dedication and accomplishment. Set against the backdrop of India Habitat Centre, known for its cultural and intellectual significance, the ceremony commenced with reverence and jubilation. The audience, comprising esteemed trustees, alumni, directors, principals, teachers, and meritorious students, gathered in admiration and celebration of Academic and Professional triumphs, underscoring the profound impact of education and dedication within the Salwan community.

Address of the Chairman Trust Sh. Sushil Dutt Salwan

Chairman Trust Sh. Sushil Dutt Salwan began his address by highlighting the core philosophy of the oneness of God and the timeless truth of divine grace, drawing from Guru Nanak’s teachings. 

“There is one God and truth is his name. He is the creator. He is without any fear and does not hate anyone. He is immortal and without form. He is beyond birth and death. He is the enlightened one. He can only be known through the grace of Gurus. Meditate on his name. God was true when the world was made. God shall remain true through the ages…” 

He shared the historical journey of the Trust, founded in 1941, inspired by the founder’s personal experiences of educational denial. The founder’s vision of ‘Education for all’ led to the creation of several educational institutions, starting in 1947 after the partition, with the establishment of a school despite financial constraints. This commitment was furthered with the establishment of Salwan Boys and Swlan Girls Senior Secondary Schools, followed by Salwan Public School in 1953. The Chairman emphasized the importance of self-respect, honour, and the unwavering vision for education, which his father upheld, and which led to the expansion of the Trust to include seven more schools in Delhi NCR, with a new one opening in DLF Phase-1 this year. He urged the young Salwanians to serve the nation, uphold the institution’s values, and contribute to humanity.

Citing a couplet “ख़ैरात में मिली ख़ुशियाँ हमें पसंद नहीं हैं, हम तो गम में भी नवाबों की तरह रहते हैं“—he inspired the young Salwanians to embrace challenges, look beyond the obvious, and find comfort in imperfections while striving for perfection and excellence in life. 

The Chairman, Salwan Education Trust, honoured Maj. Gen Bhavnish Kumar for his unwavering dedication to the nation, citing a poignant couplet to commend his valor: “अगर किसी पर मिटने को इश्क कहते हैं तो फौजी से बड़ा कोई आशिक नहीं है।” He also extended his salutations to all the defence forces for their selfless service to humanity, lauding their bravery and courage at the borders, which ensure the comfort and safety of civilians in their homes.

He inspired the young Salwanians and future leaders of our nation by imparting wisdom, on behalf of the trustees, chairpersons, and managing committee members, to the talented young generation gathered on the occasion. He shared the following profound insights:

1. Life waits for no one. Rise every day and persevere, regardless of circumstances.
2. Take care of yourself. If something happens to you, the world will move on, and you will be left behind.
3. If you don’t work to build your dreams, someone will hire you to build theirs.
4. Work in silence and celebrate in private. People love to ruin things.
5. Don’t regret your past. Learn from it and move on.
6. No one cares. Work hard to improve yourself every day.
7. Ignore advice from those who don’t live the life you aspire to live.
8. Overrule your emotions. A calm mind can handle any situation.
9. Always be generous and have a large heart. “बड़ी मंजिल के राहगीर, छोटा दिल नहीं रखते I”

The Chairman, Trust expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity to honour the achievers annually, celebrating their remarkable achievements in academics. 

He concluded his address with the famous proverb – 

“कुछ अलग करना है तो भीड़ से हटकर चलो, भीड़ साहस तो देती है पर पहचान छीन लेती है। बड़े लोगों से हमें फासला रखना चाहिए। दरिया जब समुन्दर से मिलता है तो दरिया, दरिया नहीं रहता।”

Felicitation of Alumni:

The ceremony commenced with the felicitation of distinguished alumni who have excelled in various fields. The alumni were honoured by respected trustees of the Salwan Education Trust:

• Sh. Harpal Singh
• Lt. Gen. Arvind Mahajan
• Smt. Janak Juneja
• Sh. Justice Manmohan Singh

The following alumni were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments:

1. Shri Rakesh Vaid: Senior Vice Chairman, Apparel Training and Design Centre, Batch of 1968, Salwan Boys Senior Secondary School.
2. Shri Anil Mohan: Noted academic and former security officer, Batch of 1969, Salwan Boys School.
3. Ms. Pinki: Arjuna Award recipient, Batch of 2004, Salwan Girls Senior Secondary School.
4. Ms. Khyati Gulani: Level 2 cricket coach, Batch of 2004, Salwan Girls Senior Secondary School.
5. Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta: Esteemed judge of the Delhi High Court, Batch of 1981, Salwan Public School, Rajendra Nagar.
6. Lt. Gen Bhavnish Kumar: General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, Batch of 1984, Salwan Public School, Rajendra Nagar.
7. Dr. Nitish Kumar: Senior Resident Doctor, Batch of 2011, Salwan Public School, Mayur Vihar.
8. Dr. Shivanya Singh: Senior Resident Doctor, Batch of 2013, Salwan Public School, Mayur Vihar.
9. Dr. Sapna Singla: MD in Anesthesia, Salwan Public School, Gurugram.
10. Mr. Dinker Sharma: Actor and director, Salwan Public School.
11. Architect Vipul Gupta: Renowned architect and miniature artist, Batch of 2016, Salwan Public School, Trans Delhi Signature City.
12. Dr. Piyush Dafauti: Resident Doctor, Government Medical College, Meerut.

Each honouree exemplifies the values instilled by Salwan Education Trust and serves as an inspiration to current and future generations.

Felicitation of Students

The achievers of Classes X and XII from all six schools, under the aegis of Salwan Education Trust, were honoured in this prestigious felicitation ceremony. The achievers were felicitated by the Chairpersons, Directors, and Principals of respective schools, acknowledging the outstanding accomplishments of a total of 80 students.

Achievement Highlights:

• Salwan Boys Senior Secondary School: Recognised 3 students from Class XII, 2 from Class X, and 4 achievers in sports.
• Salwan Girls Senior Secondary School: Honoured 5 students from Class XII, 1 from Class X, and 4 achievers in sports.
• Salwan Public School, Rajendra Nagar: Acknowledged 11 students from Class XII, 1 from Class X, and 4 achievers in sports.
• Salwan Public School, Mayur Vihar: Honoured 7 students from Class XII, 2 from Class X, and 4 achievers in sports.
• Salwan Public School, Gurugram: Commended 13 students from Class XII, 7 from Class X, and 3 achievers in sports.
• Salwan Public School, Trans Delhi Signature City (TDSC): Recognised 3 students from Class XII, 1 from Class X, and 9 achievers in sports.

The felicitation ceremony exemplified the dedication and perseverance of students, applauded by the leadership of Salwan Education Trust. It underscored the commitment to fostering holistic development and academic excellence among students across its institutions.

Felicitation of Teachers

During the felicitation ceremony, a touching tribute unfolded as two distinguished alumni of Salwan Education Trust honoured the dedicated teachers. Sh. Rakesh Vaid, a notable alumnus, bestowed recognition upon Smt. Archana Dixit, from Salwan Girls Sr. Secondary School and Sh. nAshutosh Kumar,  from Boys Sr. Secondary School for their exemplary service and contributions to education. Following suit, Sh. Anil Mohan, another esteemed alumnus, extended his heartfelt appreciation to Smt.Bhaskar Valli, from Salwan Public School, Mayur Vihar and Smt. Preeti Kapoor, from Salwan Public School, Gurugram, acknowledging their profound commitment and significant impact as educators. This gesture not only highlighted the pivotal role of teachers in moulding young minds but also exemplified the enduring connection between alumni and their alma mater.

As the day concluded with reflections on achievement and aspiration, it reaffirmed the commitment to nurturing future leaders and fostering a culture of excellence within the Salwan community.