Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun, hosted the third edition of the BSAI Student Leadership Conclave from July 18-20. The event, which brought together 93 enthusiastic student leaders from residential schools across India, aimed to foster leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking through a range of thought-provoking sessions and experiential activities.

The first day of the conclave commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and a welcome address by BSAI office bearers, who stressed the importance of self-leadership. This was followed by a Bharatanatyam performance by Welham Girls’ students, portraying Meera Bai’s unwavering devotion and courage — a powerful representation of leadership through conviction and resilience.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, senior civil servant and author, spoke on ‘The Praxis of Leadership’, emphasising the synergy between principle and practice. Referencing figures like Gandhi, MLK Jr., and Malala Yousafzai, he highlighted that true leadership is rooted in courage, consistency, and how one chooses to respond to challenges — not one’s age or position.

Educationist and life skills coach Philip Burrett led an engaging icebreaker session that encouraged students to step beyond their familiar circles and interact with peers from other schools. Interactive activities helped foster communication, teamwork, and trust — laying the foundation for collaboration throughout the conclave.

On Day 2 of the conclave, Vinay Pande, director of professional development at BSAI, focused on essential leadership traits like integrity, empathy, humility, and communication. Drawing on his experience at The Doon School and The Lawrence School, Sanawar, he urged students to embrace feedback and remain loyal to their values and institutions. His message: it’s not how you perform in school, but how you perform in life, that defines true leadership. 

This was followed by a session by Dr. Ritika Uniyal, clinical psychologist and Emotional Health Counsellor at Welham Girls’, who explored the ‘Psychology of Leadership’. She explained how different brain networks shape leadership styles — task-oriented or socio-emotional — and emphasised compassion, trust, authenticity, and shared group identity as vital leadership tools.

Sangeeta Kain, principal of Welham Boys’ School, challenged students to rethink leadership stereotypes using symbolic visuals and case studies. She encouraged curiosity, openness, and the courage to ask for support — redefining leadership as an inclusive, adaptive, and reflective journey.

In a follow-up session on ‘Leadership and Team Building’, Burrett emphasised that leadership is not about power, but about enabling others to grow. Differentiating between leaders and managers, he highlighted emotional intelligence, active listening, and empathy. Students participated in team-building activities that underscored the importance of supporting and growing together.

Jayant Krishna, a leader in skill development and innovation, led a virtual session titled ‘Deconditioning the Mind’. Drawing from his work in India and abroad, he urged students to break free from rigid thinking patterns and seek opportunity through creativity, risk-taking, and a bold mindset.

Dr. Kshitiza Singh and Ms. Vani Singh from Welham Girls’ School conducted two impactful leadership activities. The ‘Blindfold Maze’ focused on trust and non-verbal communication, while ‘Let’s Dig Deeper’ encouraged introspection and empathy. Together, these exercises highlighted the importance of trust, clarity, and teamwork in effective leadership.

Day 3 commenced with a session by Anupama Ramachandran. In her session ‘Creating Character’, Anupama Ramachandran, a former student of Welham Girls’ School, emphasised the role of self-reflection and intentional growth in shaping a leader. Drawing parallels with storytelling and sharing personal anecdotes, she encouraged students to embrace resilience, adaptability, and journaling as tools for lifelong personal development.

Entrepreneur and Welham alumna Ragini Kayal shared insights in her talk ‘Unfinished – On Purpose’, highlighting the importance of embracing the journey over rushing to the finish. Speaking about imposter syndrome, consistency, and self-belief, she reminded students that leadership is a continuous process of becoming.

Rashid Sharfuddin, vice president of BSAI, led a panel discussion with former student leaders from top schools. With over two decades of experience in education, he facilitated an honest conversation around the realities of student leadership — from managing peer pressure to making meaningful impact. The session reinforced the value of self-awareness and leading with authenticity.

The conclave concluded with reflections by Vinay Pande and Vibha Kapoor, principal of Welham Girls’ School. They reminded students that leadership is a lifelong pursuit grounded in values, humility, and service. As torchbearers of tomorrow, student leaders were encouraged to carry forward the learnings of the conclave with courage, purpose, and integrity.

Also read: Freedom to Learn, Freedom to Dream: How Education Empowers India’s Future