OIOP Clubs inaugurated at Mulund schools

One India One People Foundation opened two more One India One People Clubs, one each at Jnana Sarita High School & Junior College and Jai Bharat English High School & Junior College in September 2007. Both the schools are located at Mulund.

Inaugurating the clubs, Mrs. Sucharita R. Hegde, trustee of OIOP Foundation and Managing Editor, One India One People magazine, emphasised the need to promote values and cultural heritage amongst youth. She said, “The objective of OIOP Clubs is to teach children good citizenship in contemporary times. Meaningful activities such as rainwater harvesting, disaster management, vermiculture, global warming, etc., are being organised by the club to sensitise the youth towards issues concerning the society. The Foundation also intends to find ways to revive interest in Indian culture and arts, so as to preserve our rich tradition.”
The Principal of Jnana Sarita School, Mrs. Ila R. Ruparel, expressed her pleasure in initiating the OIOP Club activities in the school and expressed hope that the club would serve as a platform to motivate and inspire students to be participating citizens of the nation.
Mr. Inder Bhatia, Chairman, Jai Bharat High School and Junior College, lauded OIOP for its ideals and its activities that were in line with its 20-point charter. He advocated the students to adhere to three main principles in their life, namely: punctuality, discipline and respect for our country’s rich diversity.

The students took the OIOP pledge and also presented various cultural programmes on the occasion.

Mrs. Sucharita R. Hegde, Managing Trustee, OIOP Foundation unfurls the OIOP banner at Jnana Sarita School. Also seen Mrs. Ila R. Ruparel, Principal (L)	Mrs. Hedge presenting the OIOP badge to a club member
Inder Bhatia, Chairman, Jai Bharat English High School speaks at the OIOP Club inauguration, as Mrs. Hegde looks on.	Students present an inspirational song on the occasion

Marching ahead with its motto - to make India a Great, Strong, United country, where every citizen is an Indian First, Last and Always, One India One People Foundation launched its seventh OIOP Club on August 12, 2006, at Vivek Vidhyalaya in Goregaon, Mumbai. OIOP Clubs are aimed at sensitising children towards the issues concerning our nation and encourage them to be better citizens.

The function began with a prayer followed by lighting of the lamp, unfurling the One India One People flag and singing of patriotic songs by the students. The highlight of the day was a speech by Alok Verma, a 9th class student on national integration, an issue that needs special attention in today’s atmosphere. Suresh Nair, the principal of the school, in his welcome speech said that the Club with its various programmes will be a learning experience for the students.

Inaugurating the Club, Mrs. Sucharita Hegde, trustee, OIOP Foundation, stated the purpose behind OIOP Clubs and urged students to preserve Indian values and culture.

Twenty students from Class 8 and 9 of the school were nominated as OIOP Club members. The students read out OIOP Pledge and were given OIOP badges. One India One People magazine was also distributed to the Club members on the occasion.

We reproduce excerpts from Alok Verma’s speech on National Integration: National integration means a well-knit society in which all are loyal to their country. It means that every Indian, irrespective of caste, creed, language or religion belongs to India and is proud of his country. It means cementing all the Indian people into one single nation. The safety and prosperity of our country depends upon national integration. It must grow out of people and cannot be brought about by empty slogans and speeches. Our states are the limbs and the citizens are the muscles of our Mother India. An ailment anywhere paralyses the whole system. People from different walks of the society should pledge to give preference to the nation over their self. They should realise that the good of the country and their welfare are inter-linked. Disintegration of the nation will go against their very existence.

Mrs. Sucharita Hegde lights the lamp. Also seen are (L-R) M. Subramanian, PR Manager, OIOP, Principal Suresh Nair and Dr. S. B. Pandey, teacher of the school	Club members with OIOP staff and teachers of the school
Students in rapt attention	The Club members taking the OIOP pledge