You have been asked to attend a school fair organised with a view to raising funds for the school.
Write an account of the fair to be included in the school magazine. This may be a descriptive account rather than a simple report. You may include the following items: Date and venue of the fair — games — stalls — sale of tickets and coupons — brochure — spectators — prizes — collection of money — the colourful atmosphere — noise etc. You may also include relevant points of your own.
The fair was befittingly called, “Ananda Mela.” It was organised by the school at the far-flung field that overlooks the main building. It commenced on the 11th of January, the date being the birthday of Swami Vivekananda; although this year the English date did not coincide with the tithi according to the Hindu calendar. Yet the glorious saint was remembered with glowing tributes.
The school brought out a brochure/booklet. It contained a compact synopsis of the school’s past and the photo exposures reveal a glorious precedent. The brochure laid out the activities of the fair spread over three days and, but for some minor alterations, the program was followed with meticulous (= detailed) accuracy. There were sports and games on the first two days – heats and finals, songs, recitals and cultural shows is the evening. The aspect was original and in some ways remarkable. In one stall a boy of the plus-two standard was seen handling a computer set. Another was an art gallery. It displayed some compositions that betrayed rare command of the artist in line control and colour sense. There was one stall where some boys were briskly preparing snacks of brinjals and potatoes that sold fast and hot. This was the most crowded corner as it catered to the needs of the guests at this hour of the season. Each stall made business as the buyers were inspired variously. Some bought to patronize young talents while others bought by being really drawn.
Apart from these the school had organised a magic-show by hiring a magician. Incidentally, this man of the ‘black art’ was an erstwhile (= past days) student of this school. Naturally his charge was nominal and he was more considerate as it was a ‘fund-raiser’ venture of the school. Apart from his commission, the school honoured him with a memento of ‘Nataraj’ carved in a wooden frame.
The popularity of the school was most evident in the flow of visitors on all the days notwithstanding (= inspite of) the hazards of the weather on the first day. The Headmaster, it appeared, is indeed a competent organiser. It was evident in the neatness of the style with which he accomplished the whole show. He delegated powers and duties to his staff in due consideration of their competence and aptitude.
The first two days were teeming with events. The announcements of events and their spacing; the care taken to avoid any jumbling of events and the competence with which some times more than two events were run concurrently (= together) – these were strong proof of good thinking and execution.
The school was elegantly decorated, the main gate being designed in the pagoda style. Atop the main building there was a microphone that treated the public to popular songs, comics and strips of memorable Bollywood dialogues. The premise was agog (excitedly busy) with colour and gossips. The ladies flaunted (-moved slowly) with their costly winter garments, colourful dresses and proud miens. The gents and the boys shuffled between the stalls in apparent unconcern, but really to entice the ladies.
The atmosphere was humming with mingled noise and a gaiety ruled supreme. The third day was set apart for the prize distribution and a variety programme surmounted by the closing address by the Chief Guest.
All told, the function was indeed a success. The pandal, on the last day, was adorned by seven dignitaries who had been students of the school. They announced their donations in their speeches severally and were accorded honour with token gifts. At last the Commissioner, who was the Chief Guest, promised a respectable sum out of his Discretionary Grant. These, along with the revenue from the sale in the stalls, made up a sum quite commensurate with the needs of the school.
The entire operation bespoke a genius of organisation of the authorities.
