Swami Vivekananda is called the cyclonic monk in India. He had a great patriotic spirit. He was born in North early names were Bile and Narendranath. He was spirited from boyhood. He passed the Entrance Exam from the Metropolitan School and B.A from the Scottish Church College in Kolkata . He had a historic meeting with sree Ramakrishna. It was the turning point of his restless life. He became disciple of Ramakrishna and travelled all over India on foot. He saw the misery of the masses. He became known as ‘Vivekananda’. His memorable speech at the Parliament of Religion in Chicago made him famous in the world. His message to the people was ‘the poor are our gods’. He set up the Ramakrishna Mutt and Mission in may, 1897 at Belur. He was great patriot, social reformer and man of letters. His works inspire the spirit of nationalism in the youth of India. Such a great son passed away in 1902 at the age of 39. ‘Whom the gods love die young’.

Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘Father of the Nation’ was the saintly leader of India. He was born on the 2nd October, 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat. He was honest and truthful from his very boyhood. He went to England to study law. He practiced at the court of South Africa to defend the rights of the Indians living there. Gandhiji came back to India in 1919 and turned the tide of Indian history. He started Satyagraha against the british misrule. Soon he became the leader of the Indian National Congress. He led many mass movements viz. the Non-cooperation, Civil disobedience, Quit India movements, etc. He was sent to jail several times. Ultimately India won Independence on the 15th August, 1947. His method of movement was non-violent. He led a simple, sincere and saintly life. He lived close to the Indian masses. He was named ‘Mahatma’ by Rabindranath. Unfortunately, the father of the nation fell to the bullet on 13th January, 1948.

Mother Teresa was an Albanian by chance but an Indian by choice. She was born in Albania on 26 August , 1910. She had her early education in a government school in her native village. She came to Kolkata and started her life as a nun in a convent school. She felt for the poor and set up the ‘Nirmal Hriday’ in Kolkata to help the homeless. The Mother led a very modest and simple life and used to dress as a female sweeper. Her selfless service for the distressed drew the attention of the world. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in 1979. Next year she was crowned with Bharat Ratna for her service to the suffering humanity. She was received by the people as an Angel of Peace. The poor die ‘a delicious death on her lap’. She breathed her last on the 5th September, 1997. The poor around the world are now orphaned. The Mother was given a state funeral in Kolkata in Kolkata in presence of the Heads of states of the world. People bade their Mother farewells with tears in their eyes.

On the 15th August we celebrate the Independence Day in our school every year. All students are asked to attend the flag hoisting ceremony in the school ground at 8 a.m. in the morning. Some senior students under the guidance of our Games teacher display a nice parade with uniforms on. The Headmaster hoists the National Flag amid slogans of Bandemataram and Joy Hind. The Headmaster makes a brief speech on the significance of the Independence Day. He reminds us of the people who sacrificed their lives for the Independence of India. He also reminds us of the duties and responsibilities of students in free India. We are then entertained with some sweets. In the evening a musical function is held in the hall where patriotic songs are sung by the students. Sometimes a short play on the theme of the Freedom Movement is also staged by us. The dais is decorated with floral leaves, flowers, garlands and portraits of martyrs. The hall of the school becomes full with the students.