Newspaper Collection Drive 2018

It was that time of the year again, the most awaited and nail-biting event of the academic year. Sights of students carrying huge sacks of papers would greet your eyes each day. The event in question is none other than the Old Newspaper Drive- an annual inter-house competition at Dr. Pillai Global Academy, New Panvel.

The genesis of this event started in the month of September, wherein it was announced by our Principal, Ms. Shraddha Sardesai that students of their respective houses could collect old newspapers as well as conduct drives in their neighbourhood. The papers were then submitted to the House Masters/ Assistant House Masters. The collection drive was to conclude on 15th October.

The atmosphere was rent with excitement as each student scrambled to collect as many newspapers as possible for their houses. It was indeed a heartening sight as we witnessed the spirit of loyalty and commitment. Such was the perseverance that students would push their parents to take them on collection drives throughout the society on a regular basis.

The rules for this event had changed this year. Each house had to collect and deposit their papers in allotted classrooms and this process had to be supervised by the respective House Masters. The Hindu-Student edition paper distributed each day at school was excluded from the list of papers to be collected.

As the days went on, the level of excitement jumped by leaps and bounds. Anticipation was rife in the air as each house pitched in their efforts to outdo the others. Finally, it was D-DAY. The weighing of the papers was to happen in each room under the supervision of the authorities. As tense moments passed by, students were eager to know the results.

The final outcome of the house-wise collection was as follows: Ruby House came first with total collection of 402.10 kg, Emerald House collected 309.4 kg, Sapphire House collected 287.98 kg and Topaz House collected 254 kg. Overall the sum collection of the school was around 1525 kg. The proceeds of this collection were handed over to Soroptomist Charitable Trust, Chembur.

The event concluded with many learnt lessons. Team work and dedication were the uncontested winners. It held testimony to the yearly tradition of a competitive spirit as anticipation for the next year has already begun.

– Sarah Kurian