HPS has extraordinary events spread across '23 to mark centenary celebrations

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Public School (HPS), Begumpet, established in 1923 as Jagirdars College, is in its centenary year now and its celebrations are spread across the year 2023.

Founded by the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad State with inspiration from the famous Eton College of Britain, HPS opened its doors to the public in 1951. With just five students and six teachers under the first principal H W Shawcross, and the first batch appearing for Senior Cambridge ‘O’ levels in 1929, the school has sure come a long way. Apart from its distinct standards, the school is known for churning out alumni that have gone out into the world and placed the city and school on the tech map. Their celebrations began with alumnus and celebrated actor Nagarjuna unveiling the centenary logo in March, while Lord Karan Bilimoria MP of the UK House of Lords, another alumnus, will be visiting for the closing ceremony.

Not one to shy away from being the best at what it does, HPS has lined up several extraordinary ways to mark the year. With innovation and purpose at its core, the school kickstarted its year-long celebrations with the India Science Festival, one of the country’s largest such fests with support from the Telangana State Innovation Council (TSIC). A stellar Bharatanatyam dance theatre performance titled ‘The Dance of Life’ by Dr Mallika Sarbhai’s troupe from the Darpan Academy of Performing Arts added vigour to the fest. HPS is also coming up with a 4000-5000 sq ft large innovation centre to gear students up for the startups in future. Symphony Orchestra of India performed high-quality Western classical music at HPS' open-air theatre. To focus on pure classical Western form apart from Hindustani classical music HPS collaborated with Tata Cultural Center, Mumbai.

World Cycling Alliance president Sir Graham Watson came down to HPS and encouraged the students for cycling. This was part of the HPS cycling club launch event.

The school also initiated synchronised swimming for India with technical help from the Swimming Federation of India, where it funded the training and coaches from Malaysia or Kazakhstan. The school opened a swimming pool of 50 meters by 21 meters, with a deck area of 16,000 square feet with 8 lanes. A team of Kazakh synchro stars (Olympic swimmers) performed at HPS. The school is building a sports complex where they will have sports apart from badminton, a squash court, a gymnasium, and new Olympic disciplines.

Their investiture ceremony in July will focus on leadership, with the presence of Lord Karan Bilimoria from the UK Parliament who would address the students that day. HPS will also have a car rally to bring awareness to the students on sustainable transportation. Not to forget their 10km run for Health, and an international educational conclave to absorb the modern pedagogy and practices from all over the world.

Some other interesting events from the celebrations include a Symphony orchestra, Round square international conference, Cento buzz learning fest, a mountaineering expedition, parents' pageant, a masterchef competition, sports day, staff sports day, school fete & carnival, school concert, fund-raising dinner, alumni golf tournament, reunion dinner and a finale show on Dec 27, 2023.

Through the many events, the school also hopes to raise Rs 100 crore from alumni to improve infrastructure as part of their 'Vision 2025' campaign.