Harshit: Once upon a time, there were about 130 spirited and wonderful individuals. These people, all strangers to each other, and all incredibly unique, were united in one thing. They would each answer the call of duty (cue dramatic music), wage battles both alone and together (continue displaying pictures), and grow closer as comrades in adventure... and as friends. One day –
(squeaky vinyl sound)
Nidhi: The first chapter? Really? You start from there?
Harshit: Wha –
Nidhi: Oh noooo, don't you think you're starting too late? You should start back all the way when they were four years old or something.
Harshit: Hey, I'm just doing my job –
(dramatic majestic music)
Anshika: Greetings, oh humans, the creators and listeners of your stories, and all other beings magical and otherwise that may be present in this kingdom! It is I, the teller of tales, the watcher of all, the omnipotent narrator! And on this day we hear –
Harshit: Um, hi, sorry to interrupt, but uh... no.
Anshika: (music stops) What do you mean? Wait a minute... dramatic gaspe! Is it who I think it is??
Harshit: I really wish it wasn't.
Anshika: Why it's my old friends, Harshit and Nidhi! How wonderful to see you here!
Nidhi: Hey, Nidhi! Dramatic as usual, I see?
Anshika: Ah, you love it.
Harshit: How can you tell (sarcastic)?
Anshika: Ah well, I have ze marvellous history on my side! Remember all the fun we had in school together?
Harshit: I do not. I was too busy studying. For my exams. Which we had.
Nidhi: No you weren't, you were the one organizing class meet ups and being popular. I was the one studying for you all. (sigh) Oh, the black market of notes was really booming back then.
Anshika: Well, it was nice to meet you, and we really should get together sometime, maybe at a llama farm? Ah well, I really should get to work now. I have to narrate, you see!
Harshit: No.
Anshika: Pardone? Do you not like llamas?
Harshit: I'm the one supposed to narrate here. I took on the job of telling this story. And I hate llamas.
Nidhi: Really? Then that makes two of us!
Harshit: Wait, you hate llamas too?
Nidhi: What, no! They're adorable. I'm here to narrate! You didn't think I would let such an interesting story go, did you?
Anshika: Harold!
Harold: Yes your honour
Anshika: Wasn't this story on my schedule?
Harold: Yes your honour
Anshika: Kay, thanks. See?
Nidhi: Ooooh, interesting turn of events. You know what this means?
Anshika: A fight.... to the death!
Harshit: (groan) It means we have to do it together.
Anshika: A joint narration... to the death!
Nidhi: Well, I think we can compromise on the death bit, but yes. And hey, considering how we're meeting after such a long time, I think this is an appropriate chapter.
Anshika: Spectacular. Brilliant. Talented. Amazing.
Harshit: Let's begin.
Nidhi: Welcome, one and all, our wise mentors, revered Director of Academics Rekha Agarwala ma'am, our beloved Principal Geetha Vishwanathan ma'am, Overall In charge Rajyalakshmi ma'am, Coordinators Mala ma'am and Neeta ma'am, teachers and friends, and especially, welcome to you, our champions! The students of Delhi Public School Hyderabad, batch of 2020-21! You have braved your plotline, gathered your group of friends, and achieved your character arcs. And now, as you set off to you next adventure and slay the metaphorical dragon, the time has come for...
Anshika: The last chapter – the Farewell. The part of the book each reader both dreads and longs for. And while it is entirely possible and reasonable to be the saddest chapter of the book for a number of reasons, it's consequently our job to make it the most memorable.
Harshit: And to start it off on a, well, heavenly note may I welcome our friends with a prayer.
Anshika: Ooooh I see what you did there! Heavenly –
Harshit: Shh, pay attention!
(end of prayer)
Anshika: (wiping tear away) that was... wonderful. Divine. Soulful.
Harshit: Hey.... uh... are you okay?
Anshika: No! That was just too beautiful. It has inspired me...
Harshit: I don't like where this is going.
Anshika: To be kind! To have faith! To live my life to the fullest! To sing! (singing opera)
Harshit: Called it.
Nidhi: You say that like it's something she would never do ever and it has shocked the very core of your being. And speaking of inspiring... well, I guess you can see this next act for yourself.
(classical dance)
Harshit: You know, I'm not impressed easily, but...
Nidhi: That's new.
Harshit: People change, okay? Never mind, I don't –
Nidhi: No no, go on.
Harshit: Well, that was... nothing short of magical.
Nidhi: Do you feel inspired to fling all your worries away and look at life through a more colourful lens?
Harshit: That's a bit too far for me, perhaps, but yes, that was... nice.
Anshika: 'too far for you' that used to be your whole personality! I know we've all grown into different people than we were but that's just... I don't know.
Nidhi: Yeah, our dynamic used to be different.
Harshit: Don't get so emotional now-
Anshika: You know, just a thought, but I've always felt like life would be so much more dramatic and fun if we had background music.
Harshit: That's kind of unnecessary... but you're not wrong.
Nidhi: Woah. You both just agreed on something.
Harshit: Oh no. OH NO YOU'RE RIGHT! What is this? You've tricked me into agreeing with you! HOW DID YOU DO THIS!?
Anshika: Just my charm, I guess.
Nidhi: Hey, if it's music we need, then I've got some friends who can help with that! It may not be exactly what you expected, but I think you'll find this perfect for the occasion. Please give it up for our band!
(band)
Harshit: That's just dripping talent.
Nidhi: You're being sarcastic, aren't you?
Harshit: I am not! I genuinely loved it. In spite of what you may think, I am capable of enjoyment. You, on the other hand, are constantly surprising me with the number of friends you've brought to perform here.
Nidhi: What can I say? I guess my latent social skills acted up after school. Books open worlds, and being smart is... hard work and fun both, but good friends make everything better.
Harshit: Well, well, well. Character development much?
Anshika: Hey, I've got a great idea! I've got some friends backstage too, let's see whose are more talented, mine or Nidhi's!
Harshit: I take that back.
Nidhi: I don't really mind either way, so if you want to, then go for it, Anshika!
Anshika: Great! Hit it, dance group!
(western dance)
Anshika: wonderful. Gorgeous. Amazing. I'm reduced to tears.
Nidhi: Yep, that was so good!
Anshika: So, Harshit, whose was better?
Harshit: Nope, I'm not saying a word! Moving on! Nidhi move on move on move on –
Nidhi: Now, we all know that no story is over without the ever-quotable words of wisdom of the teachers whose guidance led to this point.
Harshit: Let us now hear what our respected Academic Director,
Rekha Agarwala ma'am has to convey to our outgoing batch.
(Rekha ma'am's message read by Noshita Arora – message to be displayed in PPT)
Harshit: Wise words indeed! I can't believe how lucky I am, to witness this today.
Anshika: Yeah, and I can't believe you won't agree that my friends had a better performance than Nidhi's!
Harshit: Oh sure, refreshing to see that one of us still had the mannerisms of a fifth grader.
Anshika: Hey, one of us has to! Besides, don't get all sour now. Remember how we used to help each other make up the most unbelievable stories for our lost homework. Or how we begged for free periods with so many tears that the teachers had to listen.
Harshit: As I remember it, you just used to talk them into wasting time.
Anshika: Whatever, we were a great team.
Nidhi: For what it's worth, we still are. I don't think it's possible to spend years learning alongside someone, stick together through thick and thin…
Anshika: Breaks and exams….
Harshit: Morning assemblies and late night cramming….
Nidhi: And not have some kind of bond.
Anshika: Ah, the memories.
Harshit: Yeah... I'm glad we get to reminisce together.
Nidhi: But hey! This isn't about us. It's time for you, our beloved champions, to reminisce for yourselves. Let's have a presentation, and some messages from the students yourselves!
(ppt and messages)
Anshika: I don't know if you can tell, but I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry right now, and I'm trying really hard not to do both.
Nidhi: I see no reason why you cannot do both.
Anshika: Gaspe! Nidhi you're a genius!
Nidhi: I know :)
Anshika: In honour of this occasion, I shall express my emotion through a song! AAAAA –
Harshit: DO NOT. Anshika. Calm. Too hyper.
Anshika: Right.
Nidhi: So, following that, I think we're up for a few more steadying words of wisdom! We would now like to invite our beloved Principal, Geetha Vishwanathan ma'am to share a few words.
(speech 2)
Anshika: Thank you, ma'am, for the words that every character and reader of this marvellous story shall hold dear to their hearts. And now, we invite the Head Girl and Head Boy of the batch of 2020-21 to share their sentiments.
(HB & HG speeches)
Harshit: That was brilliant! But why stop there? Memories are those treasures that no one can steal from you. They remain with you always, to be cherished and relive again and again. We now request a few of our seniors to share their thoughts about their days in DPS briefly
(Speech by seniors – [FYI there may be some 12-13 seniors speaking] )
Nidhi: (disappears off screen)
Harshit: Nidhi….where did you disappear to?
Nidhi: I'm right here (carrying tissues)
Harshit: Are you crying?
Nidhi: NO! Of course not!
Harshit: I don't know why not, that was undeniably magnificent!
Anshika: If it's any consolation, I'm crying.
Harshit: Yeah, but see, you can literally cry on cue.
Anshika: And what about it? It's an art.
Nidhi: Well, that's the end of it then, I guess. Main characters, you've been a delight to have around, and an inspiration too. You've been a colourful, dynamic batch, and shown strength and resilience in these unprecedentedly distressing times.
Harshit: We're sorry to hear your showdown with the metaphorical dragon got cancelled though. I mean, exams.
Anshika: Well, I like to think of it as the dragon being so scared of them, it just turned tail and fled.
Harshit: That's not how it... you know what, I'll take it.
Anshika: Regardless, you've been amazing, and made some wonderful memories. Life may not be as much a Dream Valley, as much as it is a roller coaster to rival the Universal Studios ones, but I guess you'd be the better judge of that.
Nidhi: No night camp might ever rival the one spent at school with your friends, but you know what? It doesn't have to be. Each story is unique, and we're grateful to have been a part of yours.
Anshika: And now, the most heart wrenching part of the book has arrived.
Nidhi: With the closing vote of thanks, we must say goodbye.
Harshit: This moment is sad, yet happy too,
Nidhi: Your next journey begins, but this one's through,
Anshika: Do reread this story sometime,
Harshit: Revisit this world you're leaving behind.
Nidhi: This goodbye isn't for good but the ending is final,
Anshika: Time moves on, but you've spent this time well.
Harshit: The pages may be limited, but the story goes beyond them.
Nidhi: One part may be ending, but the characters live on.
Anshika: This book may be over, but the sequel is up to you, champions.
Anshika: This book may be over, but the sequel is up to you, champions.
Harold: Ma'am I've put the papers for the games right there don't forget it after the vote of –
Anshika: Hush Harold, have some respect for the vote of thanks!
(vote of thanks By Aarohan Hariharan)
ANNOUNCEMENT: (NIDHI)
We will now proceed with some games to entertain our seniors. Break out rooms will be created for the same. Teachers who wish to participate in the games are welcome. We thank everyone for being with us and gracing the farewell ceremony.
Harshit: Well, that's done. I don't even feel like abandoning you two with a promise to meet up that I'm never going to keep.
Nidhi: Something doesn't feel right.
Anshika: Yeah, no kidding! You'd leave us hanging, Harshit?!
Harshit: Well, not after this!
Nidhi: No, I mean seriously, something doesn't feel right. I think we're forgetting something.
Harshit: Apart from our sense of maturity, you mean?
Anshika: We're not forgetting anything, don't worry Nidhi. (fans herself with papers)
Nidhi: I – Anshika, what are those papers?
Anshika: Hmm? Oh, some plans for games. I don't know –
Harshit: Game plans? OH WAIT WE HAD GAMES PLANNED FOR THIS! Anshika!
Nidhi: That's what we're missing!
Anshika: Well, don't blame me. Harold forgot to mark these –
Harold: (from distance) NO I DIDN'T!
Nidhi: Well, better late than never! Everyone please join the break out rooms to play an assortment of games designed specifically for your enjoyment! Let the games begin!
Anshika: And may the odds be ever in your favour!
Anyone: I would like to make mention of the fact that the teachers present here, too, have the liberty of joining the games if they'd like. Have fun!
(games)
THIS PORTION CAN BE REMOVED