BANGALORE: The investiture of the students' council of a school symbolises the empowerment of students and their assumption of responsibilities to meet challenges. For the students of the Indus International School here, the ceremony was more than symbolic. It was an occasion to be part of the presentation of the school colours, a rare sight considering that the next time the colours would be presented will be in 2053.

The school colour is arguably the only one of its kind for any international school in the south. The flag in British racing green, depicts an eagle with outstretched wings ready to soar high in the sky, propelling the leaders of tomorrow. The eagle has emblazoned on one side, the names of the four houses, and on the other, the core values of Indus — love, empathy, discipline and courage.

The colours, a hallowed institution of the Army, has a rich lore. It cannot and should not fall into the hands of the enemy. With this tradition in mind, the school had taken much care. Dupion silk was imported from China and it was emblazoned with intricate Zardozi work of over 700 manhours.

Addressing the students, teachers, administrators, trustees and parents on the occasion, Lt. Gen. Bhupinder Singh, Director-General, military training, said the investiture was an ancient and important ritual in the life of an institution. "It is a ceremony and regalia that goes back to the ecclesiastical roots," he said, adding that the occasion was symbolic of the veneration that soldiers and scholars held ever since man realised that knowledge was power. To the student council members, he had this message: "Listen with an attentive ear to those who offer wise counsel. Barbara Tuchman's essay `March of Folly' indicates that it is not our lack of knowledge that often makes us act wrong. It is our arrogance."

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