Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Dec 23: Mumbai's Fine Arts Centre, came alive as the 21st Ryan International Children's Festival (RICF) kicked off, bringing together students from 15 countries namely Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Ireland, Latvia, Paraguay, Poland, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe and thousands from Ryan Group of Schools across the city. The week-long festival celebrated cultural exchange, creativity, and global friendship -- and this year, it holds special significance as the Ryan Group unveiled its commemorative 50 years logo, marking the beginning of its Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The festival was inaugurated by Patrick Duffy, consul general of Ireland, who declared the event open amid cheers from young participants followed by a vibrant performance, their colourful costumes symbolising unity and celebration. Dr Grace Pinto, managing director of the Ryan Group, shared her vision for the festival, "Festivals like this show that learning goes beyond books. By performing, creating, and connecting, children grow into confident, compassionate global citizens."
RICF spread over a week from 11th to 17th December witnessed international performances, collaborative workshops, students' engagement, and the much-anticipated Global Carnival -- a two-day celebration of creativity, culture, and outstanding performances.
"Today's learners grow up in a world where ideas, culture, and opportunity move seamlessly across borders. Geography matters far less than mindset," said Mr. Ryan Pinto, CEO of the Ryan Group. "At Ryan, we give students a first-hand experience of the world they will grow into, preparing them to thrive in it."
The festival was graced by eminent dignitaries. Some of them are:
Ramasawamy Venguswamy (Global Head TCS iON), Vijaya Rahatkar (Hon'ble Chairperson, National Commission for Women), Radhabinod Aribam Sharma, IAS (Municipal Commissioner Mira- Bhayander), Arun Samuel, (Chairman & MD, Wings Group), Patrick Duffy (Consul General of Ireland), Johnny Lever (Eminent Actor), Sameer Shaikh, IPS (DSP Mumbai), Diliprao More, (MD and CEO Bank – NBFC), Mehtab Jagil (IRS Joint Commissioner), Amit Bhatia, (Asst Commissioner Customs Zone 1 Mumbai), Joy Paul (Superintendent, PRO to Principal Chief Commissioner, CGST, Mumbai Zone), Sameer Wankhede, (IRS – Officer), Prabhakar Kumar Pandey (Scientist in NPCIL Mumbai, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India), Amitabh Chaudhry (MD, Axis Bank), Aditya Sharma (Sub Inspector, Central Bureau Of Investigation), Sucheta Dadas, (Mountaineer- Currently in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.), Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes (Auxialiary Bishop of Bombay), Paritosh Kashyap (Whole Time Director, Kotak Bank), Ravishankar Dakoju (Rotary International Club), Rajasekharan Pillai (Advisor & Prof Eminence -Jio Institute of Reliance Foundation), M S. Qazi (Judicial Magistrate FC, Civil Judge JD), Deepak Agarwal, (DY Inspector general / CASO, Central Industrial Security Force, Ministry of Home Affairs), Dr Vijay Manohar Bhagat (Joint Director, National Institute of Public Health Training and Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India), Mr Tarun Chaudhry (Branch Banking Head, HDFC Bank), Vishesh Agarwal (ADG, Security Training & Community Cohesion, NSPA Police Headquarters UK), Kundan Kargutakar (Sr Superintendent -Regional Passport Off, Mum), Dr Pramod Bhosale (Deputy Commissioner of GST), Dr Shubhangi Baviskar (Deputy Commissioner, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt of India), Mr. Ajay Bhat (City Head – Mumbai at HT Media Ltd), Manish Kukreja (Head - Mumbai Times NIE), Albert D'Souza, (Chairman - St. John's College of Engineering & Management), Fr. Dr. Magi Murzello, (Rector - St Andrews college and principal, St Andrew's School Bandra (West), Nancy D’Souza, (Additional Commissioner. CGST. Mumbai), Dr. Abhijit DilipraoIchake (Director in Ministry of Communications, Govt of India), Anang Desai, (Actor), Suchitra Pillai (Actor), Ashnoor Kaur (Actor), Sudhir Babanrao Shelke, (Executive Director-Hr, Nuclear Power Corporation Of India Ltd, Shashikant Prabhakar Dhame (Executive Director (Hr) Nuclear Power Corporation Of India Ltd.
For decades, the Ryan Group has combined academic excellence with values-driven, holistic learning.