15 August, 2026:  The 80th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour at DES’s New English Medium School (NEMS), Shaniwar Peth, Pune. The national flag was unfurled by the chief guest, Smt. Pushpatai Nade, Head of the Child and Women’s Department and Co-Secretary of Swarupwardhini. The programme was also graced by Miss Neeraja Rajguru, a student of NEMS, who secured the first rank in the school in the SSC Board Examination 2025–26.
Addressing the students, Neeraja urged them to uphold discipline and perseverance and work towards bringing greater pride to the nation. She also appealed to the students to take the initiative in promoting road safety and traffic discipline by encouraging their parents, family members and relatives to strictly follow traffic rules. She called upon the students to begin this movement from their own homes and become responsible citizens who inspire others to follow road safety practices.
Smt. Pushpatai Nade highlighted the importance of Indian festivals and encouraged girls and women to become empowered and self-reliant, stand confidently on their own feet, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Following the flag hoisting, students of NEMS and Navin Marathi Shala presented 'Vande Mataram’, the National Song, the National Anthem, the Flag Song, the Maharashtra State Song, and a patriotic group song. The melodious performances filled the school campus with a strong spirit of patriotism.
Shri Amit Kulkarni, School Committee Chairman, NEMS; Smt. Amita Date, HM, Ranade Balak Mandir; Smt. Hema Jadhav, HM, Navin Marathi Shala and the HM of the three sections of NEMS Smt. Shilpa Kulkarni, Smt. Hemangi Deshmukh, Shri. Preetam Joshi and Smt. Asavari Singasane along with teachers, non-teaching staff, present and former students, and parents attended the celebration.
The programme was organised by the Sports and Art teachers of NEMS, while Miss Akshada Inamdar and Shri Devidas Wakale compered the event. The celebration concluded on a patriotic note, leaving the students with a renewed sense of pride, responsibility, and love for the nation.