Inter School Jaipuria Fest 2026: Day 1

The fifth edition of the five-day Inter School Jaipuria Fest (ISJF) 2026 got off to a memorable start at Seth M. R. Jaipuria School on 18 August 2026. It saw a record 1,886 students from 36 schools come together to celebrate creativity, innovation, and intelligence. As with the recently concluded Jaipuria Symposium 2026, the ISJF is also completely student-led, demonstrating the students’ exemplary leadership skills in organising a large-scale event with meticulous precision and foresight.

The opening day began with the traditional Lighting of the Lamp led by the Principal, Ms. Promini Chopra, along with the School Heads and the Directors of the six flagship events of the ISJF. This was followed by vibrant renditions of the National Song and the Jaipuria Anthem. Next, the students performed the Ganesh Vandana, adding a classical touch to the event. The Head Boy, Sudev Nair, and the Head Girl, Shivangi Singh, who are also the Directors of the event, addressed the audience. Their speeches emphasised the importance of using the festival as an occasion to realise the School’s motto of ‘Conscious Transformation’ and uphold the principle of ‘Community Collaboration’, for which the School was recognised by T4 Education in its World’s Best School Prizes.

The Principal was invited to address the audience and declare the festival open. In her moving address, the Principal said that she hoped that the students would consider the festival as an occasion for enriching their learning experience rather than view it as a result-oriented exercise. She said that the event is officially called a ‘Fest’ rather than a competition because it is about the shared spirit of joy. She also explained that the seemingly paradoxical presence of ‘competition’ in such events is to enable one to aim for perfection and also to learn to deal with failure, an inevitable part of the human experience.  She also spoke about the genesis of the six flagship events of the ISJF and acknowledged those who helped shape the ISJF.

The ISJF features six distinct events, each devoted to organising competitions centred around a particular discipline: Meraki focuses on events related to literature; Techvista organises events connected to technology and innovation; Sciencia highlights activities related to science and discovery; Sollertia facilitates creative expression in the field of arts; Jhankaar provides a platform to nurture the performing arts; and Legacy Quest engages with the relevance of history. The opening day was devoted to Legacy Quest and Sollertia.

Legacy Quest was a new addition to ISJF, marking its inaugural edition in the festival. According to Naman Kumar and Abhijai Pandey, the Directors of Legacy Quest, history is more than memorising dates. For them, history is about ‘the story of human choices, pivotal moments, and how they have shaped the world we live in today’. The purpose of Legacy Quest was to provide a platform to ‘bring these stories to life with creativity and passion’. The event featured six competitions: History Quiz, Historical Documentary Making, Echoes of the Past, Wall Magazine, History Re-Imagined, and Antaraal, all of which saw robust and enthusiastic participation from the students. Through these diverse formats, the event encouraged students to move beyond conventional representations of history and engage with the past through research, interpretation, visual storytelling, and creative re-imagination.

Sollertia provided a platform for young artists to explore, experiment, and express themselves. Sara Negi is the Director of Sollertia, while Shivani Gautam is its Co-Director. According to the organisers of Sollertia, the event seeks to ‘nurture creativity beyond the classroom, providing students with opportunities to challenge conventions, develop original ideas, and engage in meaningful artistic dialogue’. The theme for the year was ‘Unseen Emotions’, which was inspired by the classical Indian concept of Navarasa. The event featured six competitions: Pleroma (Installation Art), Off the Chassis (Live Painting), Monotone Muse (Monochrome Art), Dualities in Bloom (Conceptual Art), Atelier Silhouette (Fashion Design), and Overspray (Graffiti Art). The students’ creative skills came to the fore as they explored art through diverse forms and expressions. The art installations in the assembly area offered an evocative visual expression of ideas and emotions, while their varied formats showcased originality, experimentation, and independent thinking.

Dr. Preeti Singh, a former Professor of History at the University of Delhi, was the Chief Guest of the day. She is an eminent scholar and educator with vast experience in both higher education and school administration, and has also presented papers in national and international seminars. She said she overcame personal challenges to be at the School to honour her respect for the institution, which she said she holds in high esteem. Being a historian herself, she encouraged students to approach history with curiosity and perspective and reinforced the central message encapsulated in the vision of Legacy Quest’s Directors. In addition, Sollertia had invited two Chief Guests for their events. Ms. Mansi Didwania, Founder and Director of Kalasrot, brought her extensive experience and insight from curating national and international art exhibitions to Sollertia, and enriched the event with her knowledge and perspectives. Similarly, Dr. Shraddha Shukla, Director of Uttar Pradesh State Lalit Kala Akademi, with specialisation and expertise in painting (both in digital and manual formats) added depth to Sollertia.

One of the central tenets of Legacy Quest was to view history not as a relic of the past, but to reimagine it in the present and underscore its continued relevance. This philosophy extended beyond the events themselves to the functioning of the school, with the school’s alumni playing an active role in mentoring students and supporting the conduct of various events. The Principal specially acknowledged the role of alumni in helping shape the ISJF. For Sollertia, the alumni Gaurang Agarwal (Founder of Sollertia), Sanskar Srivastava, and Jaideep Singh played an indispensable role in the smooth and efficient conduct of the events. For Legacy Quest, alumnus Sarthak Misra made vital contributions by serving as the Quiz Master. Working in close collaboration with the alumni, the Directors brought their creative vision to life through innovative platforms that encouraged students to think critically, move beyond conventional ideas, and explore new possibilities.

The event concluded with the prize distribution ceremony. Modern Academy emerged as the Overall Champion of Legacy Quest, while Seth M. R. Jaipuria School, Kursi Road, and La Martiniere Boys’ School were declared joint Runners-up. Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Lucknow, emerged as the Overall Champion of Sollertia, with CMS, Kanpur Road, as the Runner-up. The Principal warmly commended everyone for their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm, particularly Ms. Deepa Wahi, Vice Principal (Academics). Ms. Deepa Wahi expressed her gratitude to everyone for their support in ensuring the smooth and efficient organisation of the event. The curtains came down on the day with the National Anthem, with everyone leaving with a sense of joy and accomplishment, setting the tone for the days ahead.