After what seemed like almost an eternity, the students of SAI International revived the 13th edition of one of the most quintessential flagship events that bolsters up the culture of SAI & the country's Largest School Based, Student Driven Mega Cultural Fests, UNWIND on Sunday, December 11, 2022 with the theme "Fantasy: Embrace the Unknown", entertaining a footfall of 30,000+ people. This was a day-long, event managed by the students of Class XI from the Commerce & Humanities stream with handholding support from mentors.
UNWIND, a brainchild of Founder–Chairman Dr Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, held every year with the sole motto to learn, lead and serve, provides a mega forum, to inculcate entrepreneurship, leadership & 21st-century learning skills in the students.
The event housed more than 100 food stalls having a wide array of scrumptious national and international cuisines and & 60+ game stalls, accompanied by high voltage cultural performances, fun-filled adventure sports & enigmatic wonders of VR. The whole day was punctuated by multiple enthralling activities.
UNWIND 2022 was graced by the chief guest, Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, Government of Odisha who declared the event open for all in the inauguration ceremony. While addressing the students and appreciating the cultural fest, he said, “I am happy to be here at UNWIND 2022 as this platform proffers an entrepreneurial outlook in children & inculcates leadership skills in them, from a really young age, as envisioned by my friend, mentor & guide Late Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo.” His words were embodied in the efforts of our budding entrepreneurs, who have worked tirelessly to make this event a huge success.
On the advent of the mega cultural fest, the kids of Pratibha Ashram, a child care home, visited SAI International School & their presence added to the merriment of the event. As a part of community service program, a diverse set of books were donated to these kids under the 100 Library Project, a brainchild of visionary Founder-Chairman, Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo.
The Women’s Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) under the aegis of ‘Mission Shakti’, Govt. of Odisha were an integral part of UNWIND 2022. The cultural mega fest hosted a lounge solely dedicated to this endeavour efficiently managed by these women self-help groups which depicted financial independence & women empowerment, significantly contributing towards their social empowerment as well.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson, SAI International Education Group, Dr Silpi Sahoo said, “It gives me immense joy to see my SAIoneers of Commerce and Humanities put up such a mega and immersive fest for UNWIND 2022. The vision of Founder-Chairman Dr Bijaya Kumar Sahoo was to build critical thinkers, problem solvers with insightful and focused thoughts, the future entrepreneurial citizens of India. He dreamt of creating global leaders who are critical-thinking innovators with flourishing careers and ready to re-shape the world for the better. I am elated to see my SAIoneers walking on the path laid down by our Founder –Chairman.”
The highlight of this fest was, indisputably, the evening concert, featuring spectacular fireworks & the star of the event, renowned musician and Bollywood Singer, Rituraj Mohanty right from the Unwind GrandStand.