DPS Srinagar Hosts Students from Sarhad School for a Transformative Exchange Programme
In a cross-cultural camaraderie and educational enrichment, Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar recently welcomed 20 students and 4 teachers from Sarhad School Katraj Pune, as part of an exhilarating week-long student exchange programme from August 2nd to 8th August. The programme, aimed at fostering mutual understanding, building lasting friendships, and promoting cultural diversity, has already proven to be an impactful experience for both the host and visiting students.
The exchange programme brought together students from two distinctive educational institutions – DPS Srinagar and Sarhad School, Pune each with its unique cultural backdrop and diverse student body. DPS Srinagar, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and holistic development, opened its doors to a group of students from Sarhad School, an institution known for its tireless efforts in providing education and empowerment.
The exchange week was meticulously planned to ensure that students from both schools could immerse themselves in each other’s lives, cultures, and educational methodologies. The visiting students from Sarhad School had the opportunity to attend classes at DPS Srinagar, gaining insights into the academic rigour and innovative teaching methods employed by the institution. They participated in various interactive sessions, engaging discussions, and workshops that exposed them to a wide spectrum of subjects and extracurricular activities.
Simultaneously, DPS Srinagar students took the role of hosts, showing their visitors around the school campus, local house visit, and introducing them to the local way of life. The exchange programme went beyond the school campus and further enhancement of cultural exposure, special sessions and trips were organized for the students. The delegation was taken to Dala Lake, , Shankarachariya Temple, Hazratbal Shrine, Jamia Masjid and Mugal Gardens. Day trips were oragnised to Gulmarg, Verinag, Kokarnag and Daksum. The program also entailed “Shikara rides” in Dal Lake & gather an experience of “floating houses”.
As the exchange programme drew to a close,, a valedictory session was organized at Indoor stadium where students from both schools showcased their talents through music, dance, and drama performances, and shared their experiences during the week that added a vibrant touch to the exchange programme. The impact it had on both sets of students was evident.
Bonds formed during the week had grown into genuine friendships, and the learnings gained were imprinted on the hearts and minds of all involved. The visiting students from Sarhad School returned home with a renewed enthusiasm for education, a broader perspective on life, and memories of a week that was nothing short of transformational.
Commenting on the programme, Chairman DPS Srinagar Said’ “The success of the DPS Srinagar-Sarhad School exchange programme serves as a reminder of the potential of such initiatives in building bridges and breaking barriers. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the value of fostering intercultural understanding cannot be overstated. I hope is that this exchange programme becomes a stepping stone for continued collaboration between educational institutions, promoting empathy, diversity, and the spirit of global citizenship”.
Speaking on the event, Principal Ms. Shafaq Afshan said, “In a world where differences often divide, initiatives like these remind us that, at the heart of it all, we share more similarities than disparities. The DPS Srinagar-Sarhad School exchange programme stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards a future built on understanding, friendship, and unity”.
