Celebrating the work and life of Brinda Ghosh

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Learning for life

Season 12, Episode 7 A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom in the pupils. The most immense joy a teacher experiences is witnessing the success of their students. They pave the path for us and bring us back on the right track if we ever begin to deviate. Teachers are the lamps that light up the most tedious journeys we may experience. However, what makes them unique is that they instil the joy of learning in us! 

Tune into 2 Girls 1 mic as Simar and Oshi delve into another beautiful and hearty conversation with the teacher, guide and mentor who never fails to inspire everyone around her. Joining them on ‘Away with the Chalkboard Blues’ is Ms. Brinda Ghosh. The love she brings forward for her students and her passion for teaching is like no other. Her method of teaching truly encapsulates the students in the subject. 

Feel free to leave comments as you join us in this hearty and engaging discussion. Please leave us comments in the comment section! We would love to read them. 

My Contribution To Change The World - Pasang Sherpa

We can contribute to changing the world in a diverse manner. So I prefer to contribute to this objective by opening schools in rural areas. 

Keeping in mind, how much social importance education has in this modern, complex industrialised society. It helps in imparting values, and reforms attitudes in children, and most importantly it is of vital importance. 

But before contributing toward changing the world, one should know that revolutionizing the world is not so easy. One cannot change the world by himself/herself. The world is mammoth, it is changeless until everyone joins their hands together.

Pasang Sherpa

Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

"All people have equal value" - Nishan Karki

                                 

Reflection from Sunday School

 

All lives have equal value. And so you say, 'Why do poor children die when other children don't? Why do some people have enough nutrition or reasonable toilets and other people don't?' So those basic needs that, through innovation, actually it's very affordable to bring them...to everyone.

~Bill Gates

Everyone in the world possesses many values. We, people, are the most intelligent beings created by God. God created us as social beings who can communicate, think, walk, eat, play and work by ourselves. God has provided us with many qualities like humanity, loyalty, kindness, honesty, compassion etc. We can look out for ourselves, do our work independently and do many more things. These qualities that we possess, make us unique, unlike animals and other creatures. They may possess some qualities, but not as many as we possess. Despite differences in region, birthplace, class, financial position, gender, age, caste, language and custom, people have equal values.

We may be rich, middle class or poor, but the value we possess are the same. We should use and show our values at the right time, place and situation. I have an example for this context- "There is a homeless guy, sitting on the side of a street. Two men were walking down the street, one poor and one wealthy. Despite being a wealthy man, he is rude and hard-hearted, unlike the poor, who is kind and generous. The rich man did not give attention to the homeless and walked away. But the poor man, in an instant, saw him and decided to help him. He went to a nearby shop and bought some food. He gave him food and a little money and spent time with him. The homeless guy thanked him. His eyes were all filled with tears."

This example shows that the poor guy has shown his value as a person and helped the homeless guy with some food and money. Thus we should use our values at the right time, place and situation. We should not hesitate to help someone in distress and difficulties because even a small help can change someone's life.

I believe that all lives have equal value. That all men and women are created equal. That everyone belongs. That everyone has rights, and everyone has the right to flourish. I believe that when people who are bound by the rules have no role in shaping the rules, moral blind spots become law, and the powerless bear the burden. ... I believe that entrenched social norms that shift society’s benefits to the powerful and its burdens to the powerless not only hurt the people pushed out but also always hurt the whole.

~Melinda Gates

 

Nishan Karki

Pestalozzi Children's Village, India

My First 'Venture' to 'My Good School'...- Unnati Dabral

Did I call it a 'venture'?

Indeed yes.

You might be thinking, "Why I wrote venture instead of putting 'visit'?" Of course, to make my readers wonder why? And to make them curious.

I was a creative and rough-tough kid since I first started schooling. But that doesn't mean I was confident back then. When it comes to vivas, although my 'Know it All' attitude used to kick in, I used to get nervous. I still do.

So, the first fellow to join 'My Good School' happened to be my friend, Geetankshi. She told me about this opportunity at 'The English Book Depot'. She told me to write about 'What it takes to spread the joy of learning at schools?', mail it, and then wait for the reply. At first, I procrastinated on the task for a few days. My friend told me to visit the place and meet the founder. I thought it was a good idea. I wrote a mail to the head body before leaving for the visit.

The moment I reached there, I fell in love with the place.

I pondered, "What a wonder it would be to work in such a peaceful and calming environment!"

I went straight ahead towards our founder to greet him. With the intention of an intellectual chit-chat as I go. Alas! I end up giving an interview for the post. I was in bewilderment. Sandeep Sir asked me about learning; how do children learn?; what is the joy of learning; what can we do to spread it in our schools?

Amidst answering a few of them, I went blank for a few minutes. Firstly, I had no clue that I would be at the trigger point for the interview. Geetankshi told me otherwise. Secondly, It was an interview. Jeez, my heart was palpating. I was feeling so nervous. One could have seen my arm-hair twitch. 

The interview was over. I felt the sluggishness under my skin. Sir told me about 'My Good School', its vision, Learning Forward India, etc. And soon after, I found my heartbeats slowing down and healing. It was Sandeep Sir, and what he said at the end, "So, this is what we do. Now you are a Fellow at My Good School. Welcome. अब तो मुझसे डर नहीं लग रहा, ना?"

I called the visit 'A Venture'. 

And what a venture it was!

Have you ever 'Bungee Jumped'?

The nervousness and the feeling of hollowness in your stomach you get before jumping off the cliff is what I felt during the interview. And the power you have felt in your gut after accomplishing the task, that same power I felt after his words. And thus, I felt at home at that moment. The acceptance I got as an individual on my own was so pure. I was so happy, felt so content and thankful to god. The feeling was unforgettable.

I have always thought of being a part of such a generous vision. And getting an opportunity to work for 'Joy Of Learning' at 'My Good School' with such a fabulous team is the most 'beatific feeling' I had in so long.

I feel I am in the right place. 

Thank you so much, Sir. 🙏

~Unnati Dabral 🌻

(Fellow at My Good School)

A Letter from a Little Girl with Big Problems!!! - Aria Gupta

Opanari Society,

Sec 198, Panlangarh

12 july, 2023

Dear Aanya

How’re you doing, sis?

Everything has been challenging since Mom and Dad died in the car accident. We all hope that you’re not going through the same. We’ve shifted to a small, rented apartment in the Opanari Society. Grandma has been trying really hard to make a living for us. Happy 10th birthday to me, but no one other than her and you actually care, and both of you are busy. I could really use a friend here, but everyone calls me rude and selfish. No one could really understand me. I couldn’t do anything for anyone because of our situation, which made it hard to make new friends. So I’ve decided to focus more on my grades. I want to make a better future for us. I want to ensure that our current situation is hidden forever and is never found by anyone.

I honestly feel this brutal feeling of jealousy that makes me feel sad and angry about our situation all the time. It makes me act rude to other people. But if I tell this to anyone other than you and Grandma, I’ll be called a psychopath. They won’t understand this feeling unless they’re in my shoes. It’s somewhat a reason I don’t have any friends. When I try to make some, it’s always in vain.

I’m a bit ashamed of this situation, as I’m surrounded by children who live entirely normal lives. I want to make it better. It’s why I’m focusing on my grades so much. I want to make a better home for Grandma in the future. I want to ensure my and your future too. We’ll be living a better life in the coming years.

How’re you doing? I hope college is going well. I hope you are not like me and are doing ok.

Thank you for being my only escape from this brutal reality.

Sneha Rawalya
Your little sister

Written by: Aria Gupta Grade VI Gyanshree School

Disclaimer: Everything mentioned in the below text is imaginary, including the places.

Being Human - Keyura Rao Cheeti

My school, The Hyderabad Public School Begumpet

Human beings are unique. But what are the qualities that make us so? Our intelligence and qualities, such as kindness, compassion, love, care, and empathy, differentiate us from other living beings.

We can use these qualities to improve the world by improving our and others' lives. We humans also have a responsibility towards Mother Earth. Some of the little things around me that I observed where I feel humanity can be put to use are children in the neighbourhood can learn to be compassionate towards the stray animals, friendly with other children, adults can be empathetic towards the beggars and the poor.

We must let go of our jealousy, pessimism, greed and pride that will stop us from seeing the good in others. We need to set an example for others to learn from us. We need to bring change in the world to make it harmonious for all of us to coexist.

Keyura Rao Cheeti
Class VI
The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet

How do I develop self-control? - Januka Basnet

F𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 is 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫, 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. However, I 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 as 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. C𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬.

𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 their 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝. T𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 a 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐇𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩.

J𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐤𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 P𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐳𝐳𝐢

My foolish mistake - Aati Pema Tseagon

Looking back, I have made many mistakes in my life, but some stand out more than others, and even now, when I recall them, I see that although they were unintentional but still almost deliberate and foolish.

I was raised in Ladakh, where even today, children like me go to the rivers to swim even when we know it's not allowed. One day when my friends and I went to another one of these spots, I fell after slipping on a rock while crossing a stream and almost got swept away. I shook it off and continued on after reaching, I was the first to jump into the river and as soon as I did, I felt a sharp pain in my knee and saw that blood was rushing out; my friends at once helped me out of the river and took me back on the way back we met an adult who was lucky a nurse and helped me. Not being in a position to do much, I had 4 to 5 stitches on my knee by a stranger; talk about foolish!

After that, my mother found out, and I rightly got scolded for this. I have shared my foolish mistake with you and hope you enjoyed it and are inspired by me not to repeat what I have done. Thank you, and have a great day.

:)

- Aati Pema Tseagon
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Internship Program - Shilpika Pandey

It is spellbinding to see that Internship is no longer limited to working professionals; at My Good School, the Internship Program facilitates the schools with an exclusive internship opportunity for children. It’s a niche creative learning and growing environment comprising Values and virtues as an integral part.

The Program is one of a kind ever in the education sector. It is an excellent opportunity for children to acquire soft skills and visualise themselves as future editors, writers, authors, podcasters, bloggers, and other creative individuals by having hands-on experience while working on projects and networking extensively with professionals beyond the schools.

This is a wishful ladder of opportunities where each child picks up skills and values step-by-step and comes out with a confident, abled, skilled and complete personality.

#InternsMatter

"Future belongs to the young. We must not only trust them with responsibility but must thrust it upon them whilst they are still young and full of energy, zest, hope and even illusions". JRD Tata

1st Birthday 🎉 Celebration @ My Good School

A special podcast to celebrate Children's Day at My Good School

Release Date: 14th November 

Recording Date and Time: 13th November at 5 pm

Hosts: Anvesha and Simar

Guests:  

• Students:

1. Rishona Chopra, Gyanshree School

2. Arav Agarwal, Billabong High International School Thane

3. Yashraj Sharma, Gyanshree School

4. Vani Pandey, Gyanshree School

5. Arfa Khan, Ahlcon Public School

6. Reveda Bhatt, The Aryan School

7. Shambhavi Nautiyal, Ahlcon Public School
   

• Teachers: 

  Sandeep Sir; and Jugjiv Sir, Governing Council members at My Good School.            

The Script 

No story is ever complete, so with this script!

Anvesha: It's crazy how fast time flies and how things progress around us. We are new to My Good School, but a year has passed. We just didn't realise that. 

Simar: That is very true. My Good School has been a milestone for me. It has taught me so much, and I will forever be grateful. 

Anvesha: This journey has been incredible, full of learning and love. So today, I Anvesha

Simar: And I Simar

Anvesha: Welcome all of you to the one-year Podcast at My Good School! This celebration would be incomplete without all the interns and our mentors who are a part of this beautiful journey, right?

Simar: Truly, so I invite my friends and interns at My Good School, Rishona, Arav, Yashraj, Vani, Arfa, and Reveda, and we also ask Sandeep, sir.

Anvesha: Hi Rishona, How was my Good school? It has been quite a journey, right?

Rishona:  I absolutely agree. From "Is Your Child Ready To Face The World" By Dr Sibal to Totto-chan, Swami, friends, and now Hari Ghass Ki Chappar Wali Jhopdi aur bona pahad. It has been a journey full of learning, writing, reading and, of course, reflecting. Each of these stories carries its beauty and never fails to leave us with food for thought. I am sure we all agree that My Good School is perhaps unique and has so many outstanding memories! The most memorable part is how we all make the team and work together in coordination.

Simar: I couldn't agree with you more, Rishona. I would like to invite my friend Arav to talk about his experience. 

 

Arav: It has been an amazingly fulfilling experience at My Good School. This 1 year has helped me to explore, learn and know myself better. The books we read together helped me reflect on and taught me how we can inculcate life values in our everyday life. I think somewhere we all could find a part of ourselves in Totto Chan, Swami and Bolu. From reading to working together, My Good School has helped me experience the absolute joy of learning. I am grateful for this beautiful platform. 

Anvesha: Thank you for sharing that with us, Arav. The Hindi session is essential in The Sunday School, doesn't it? Let's invite our host for the Hindi session, Yashraj, to answer that. 

Yashraj: Yes, indeed. It is an honour to be a part of the Hindi session and, of course, to host it. Yesterday, I was self-assessing and noticed how much I've improved since the Hindi sessions started. I'm sure everyone who has participated in the sessions has benefited in some way or another from our Hindi sessions. Every Sunday, we try to make our sessions more joyful and exciting by adding short trivia and quizzes. In fact, we have decided to write a play based on the book we're reading, with everybody taking up different characters and working together!

Anvesha: Thank you, it was beautiful to hear you say so.

Simar:  What about you, Anvesha? What have you learnt from your one year at My Good School? 

Anvesha: My Good School has been a beautiful journey. All of us, the interns of My Good School, have been planted here at the Garden of Learning with so much love and compassion. Every new task is an opportunity to learn, do, and be more. There are numerous things that I have learnt from My Good School that will be impossible to put into a few words, but some of the most important lessons have been: Team Work; I learnt to work with others, collaborate and create. The stories read at The Sunday School left a deep impression on me and made me wonder whether Swami conquered another problem or what Totto-Chan did? I just love it! My Good School is a school we go to every day; it is the school of life, learning and love. 

Simar: That's great. For me, my journey at My Good School has been quite exciting. I was very keen to experience real-life work. My Good School has been helpful to me in many ways. It helped me improve my confidence level and my speaking and writing skills. Furthermore, I was introduced to so many others like me! It was a fantastic experience, one I shall never forget and will look back on in the future. But now, living it is beautiful, and I treasure all that I have been taught here, all the people I have been introduced to, and all the insightful books we read together every Sunday! 

Anvesha:  Wonderful; now let Reveda and Vani share their experiences at My Good School. 

Reveda: My Year at My Good School was great, exciting, significant, fantastic, outstanding, incredible, excellent. I would have put more words into it but let's talk ahead. So, it's brought so many changes in my personality. I can now speak in public fearlessly, yeah, right? It is totally a different concept, I wouldn't call it a School but a Freelancing Group where we can express ourselves in any way we want, and it totally brings my mind out of the box. 

Vani:  Definitely. For me, My Good School has been an outstanding learning experience. I love how we all come together from different schools, read, and share our experiences with each other, which in itself is marvellous. This has been an excellent platform where I have encouraged myself to speak out and write poems and stories. It is a perfect place for every young mind to join, and I have been telling my friends to think about it.

Simar: Thanks Reveda and Vani; now let us invite Arfa and Shambhavi to share their learnings over the past year at My Good School. 

Arfa: 

My time at my good has been fantastic, and I can see how it helped me. When I read in the reading sessions, I increased my reading skills and vocabulary. I was also able to do what I like, writing! I learnt new values each month and improved myself in a good way. In My Good School, I experienced the joy of learning and improved and made myself a better person.

Anvesha: Thank you, Arfa. After hearing you speak, I am sure that all of us love My Good School, but what is your favourite part of My Good School? 

Rishona: For me, the favourite part of the session in The Sunday School is the reflection. After the exquisite reading session, it gives me immense pleasure to reflect, share my experiences and write, speak or draw about them. As Claude Monet said, "It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly".

Arav:  My favourite part at My Good School has been exploring different things, from reading to working on podcasts and comic strips and creating posters. I loved working with the podcast team, and with the help of my mentors, I learned to do Podcast and video editing and found my joy through speaking. As rightly said, "The best education does not happen at a desk but at hands-on exploring and real-life experiences".

Yashraj: I, too, love to reflect and share my experiences with everyone! Reading everybody else's articles daily motivates me to work on my articles more and reflect every week!

Vani: My favourite part is the Joy Of Learning Diaries, where we can post our experiences and facts in the form of stories, poems, articles, drawings and even letters! It has helped me a lot in gaining confidence in writing.

Arfa: My favourite part is the reading session of the book 'Art of Focus' in The Sunday School. It is fun to learn new morals through intriguing stories and uplifting quotes!

Simar: My favourite part is making the Podcast. Podcasts are an engaging and fun way to inculcate all we learn in Sunday School. I always enjoy recording and making podcasts as they reflect everything I know. It is such a pleasure for me!

Anvesha: That's great, and the best part about My Good School for me is the Sunday School. We learn much at the Reading sessions, from Swami and Friends to the Art of Focus; all the handpicked tales flow with love and values. Sunday School is a beautiful experience and definitely, my favourite! We invite Sandeep sir and Jugjiv Sir to share their knowledge and favourite part about My Good School? 

Sandeep Sir: My first year at My Good School was like starting again from Early Years, from Nursery! New school, new friends and an unknown curriculum added to the excitement. I cannot believe how much we can learn from each other, and a classroom has been flipped from the traditional teacher-led to a comfortable space with students at the centre. This really challenges the conventional schooling system. Reading was just the beginning. What followed was pure joy in reflections through blogs, podcasts, meetings and the internship program. Our school is one living example of spreading the joy of learning. As we move to year, too, it seems excellent times ahead as the students lead, and we add to the curriculum programs like Well-being, Space, using edtech and maybe end up with a virtual school for the world! Thanks to each of you for all the joy you spread, and may you always be the young learners at heart.

Simar: Thank you so much, Sandeep, sir. 

Anvesha: With that, we come to the end of our Podcast. Comment below and let us know if you liked our Podcast. If you want to be a part of similar podcasts, join us. That's all for us today. Thanks for tuning in. 

Life is a journey with problems to solve and lessons to learn, but most of all, experiences to share and experiences to enjoy. 

We at My Good School come here today to celebrate our learnings and lessons as a beautiful year passes. 

Join us in celebrating our school as we laugh at Totto-Chan's tactics, learn from Swami's mistakes, realise the road from the Art of Focus and improve from each session hereafter. 

Anvesha Rana and Simar Kaur - Hosts from Gyanshree School

Rishona Chopra, Yashraj Sharma and Vani Pandey - Gyanshree School

Arav Agarwal, Billabong High International School Thane

Arfa Khan, Shambhavi Nautiyal -  Ahlcon Public School

Reveda Bhatt, The Aryan School

Sandeep Sir, Jugjiv Sir - Mentors at My Good School

Comment below and let us know if you liked our Podcast. If you want to be a part of similar podcasts, join us. That's all for us today. Thanks for tuning in. 

             

- Scripted by all the Interns as one joyful 👥.

Letter to the President of India - Rishona Chopra

Rishona Chopra  
My Good School
www.GoodSchools.in

Date: 30/10/22

To

Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu
The President Of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi - 110 004

Dear Madam,

Subject: Bringing the Joy Of Learning in every classroom.

I am an intern at My Good School, where we spread the joy of learning. Learning is an art that must be experienced by every individual. As Henry Ford said, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." Children find joy in everything they do in a classroom where the joy of learning exists. They make their own decisions and, when faced with difficulties, can solve them themselves. 

Learning doesn't mean learning to read and write; it means understanding life, instilling values, and making the world better. Children are the future, and it all starts with the joy of learning. We want to make this possible for every child in the world. The joy of learning isn't something special but something every individual deserves to feel.

Thank you for your consideration. Waiting for your response.

Yours sincerely,

Rishona Chopra
Student from Gyanshree School, Noida

Dear School Uniform - Yashraj Sharma

I remember my first day of primary classes when I wore you proudly and happily, but honestly, that was not my first reaction to you. Initially, I felt detached, because you replaced my favourite casual clothes, my t-shirts and trousers. But when I reached school, I saw my classmates and other children wearing the same uniform. I felt a sense of belonging. I felt like I was a part of something then.

I like you and always wear you with pride and happiness as a Shreeyan. Today, I want to confess that I know how I got you soiled in the playground and how you got stained with oily vegetable mom gave me in my tiffin, how you got wet because, at times, water spilt on you from my water bottle. Sometimes you feel lonely when I put my ID card (your companion) in my school bag during sports period. I am sorry for that. Now I am in grade 8.

After grade 12, you would not be there with me as my companion. I will miss you a lot then. And last but not least, thank you for being carriers of almonds, cashews and raisins in your pocket. I am sure my mom is also thankful to you for this. You will always have a special place in my heart, my dear school uniform.

Love you always!!

Your proud owner

Yashraj Sharma
Grade 8
Gyanshree School

A Story Is Never Born Before Its Time - Panchami Manoo Ukil

"A story is never born before its time". - an old saying.

Once its time has come, nothing can hold it back. For the last four or five years, my husband and I had a conversation about writing this story at the beginning of October. However, the conversation never progressed to writing it down, maybe because its time had not yet come. We have not spoken about this year, but the story has decided it is ready to be told. In December 1997, almost twenty-five years ago, I was in my eighth month of pregnancy and was to go to Bhubaneswar for delivery. My father had come to Delhi for work, and I was to travel back with him. Though I was all packed and ready to go, I had a sleepless night, wholly distraught and depressed. There was a reason. A Beagle puppy. One Sunday morning in September, we heard the whining of a dog close by. From the direction of the sound, I understood that it came from the house just across from ours. I opened our front door and looked out to see a puppy chained to the handrail of the external staircase that led into the flat. It was a tiny male puppy, scared, maybe hungry and utterly traumatised. It looked like a Labrador to me. Beside it was a halved shell of coconut containing water and another with some food that seemed like curd rice. I climbed up the staircase, removed the collar from the pup and picked it up. It was shivering with fright and simply snuggled into my neck. I took it home and fed it with some warm milk. The puppy lapped the milk, curled into my lap, and fell asleep in a minute.

Meanwhile, my husband had gone up to the flat and rang the doorbell. After almost five minutes, an elderly gentleman opened the door, looking somewhat grumpy. Perhaps the bell had woken him up from sleep. My husband told him their puppy had been crying for a long time. The gentleman was unperturbed and peered out the door to look at the puppy. My husband explained that since the puppy had been crying for a very long time, we had unchained him and taken him home. He had been fed and was sleeping. In the meantime, the lady of the house had come out. Hearing that the puppy was at our home, she seemed a bit disturbed, but my husband calmed her, saying we would bring the puppy back to them as soon as he woke up. She invited my husband to step in for a cup of tea. Over tea, my husband learnt that the elderly couple had been gifted the puppy by their son and daughter-in-law. The puppy had travelled by air all the way from Chennai and had been picked up from the airport by the couple. These were obviously first-time pet parents, so they appeared pretty baffled. The puppy had been indoors at night and had soiled the floor. The lady had felt so harassed that she had put him out early in the morning and was deeply regretting the entry of the puppy into their lives, but they did not wish to hurt the sentiments of their children by asking for it to be sent back. My husband returned home and updated me with these details. After a while, much against my wishes, we took the puppy back to its home. The lady was quite aghast to see that I was letting the puppy lick my face. The puppy was clinging to me and refusing to let go. I put it down with great difficulty and tied the collar and leash back around its neck. The lady told me to chain it outside again. I requested her to allow it to remain indoors, but she vehemently denied it, saying there was no one to clean up the soiled floors. Gently, I gave her a lesson on toilet training the puppy, but she said she had neither the energy nor the patience. Before I knew it, I had blurted out, saying that if it was okay with them, my husband and I would walk the puppy three to four times a day, enabling it to be toilet-trained. The couple was thrilled to hear this. I told them the only condition was that the puppy would remain inside the house. They agreed. That evening, my husband and I took turns walking the puppy. We would feed it with Cerelac, chicken and milk after the walks, and his owners were relieved that we were also taking care of its feeding. Over a few days, the puppy was almost toilet-trained. It began to whine to indicate that it needed to go out. The driver or the part-time house help of the owners would then take it for a walk. We had explained to the owners precisely what diet was to be given to the pup and had also introduced them to a vet. At night, however, my husband would take it for a walk every day and bring him to our home for a few minutes before taking him back home. The pup was named Toffee, and, as it turned out, it was a mixed breed of Labrador and Beagle. With my advancing pregnancy, I would notice the puppy's affinity towards snuggling into my belly. Sometimes it would put its ear to my stomach and then cock its head from side to side. It was strangely emotional for us as if Toffee had already found a way to communicate with our child. However, after a few days, we noticed the puppy again tied outside on the stairs during the day. The elderly lady could not trust leaving the puppy inside when she would go out, fearing that he might chew up the furniture or spill water. I was utterly distraught, the state of hormones of impending motherhood already playing havoc with my emotions. We told the lady that we were willing to keep the pup with us when she went out. She was happy to hear this but said she would take it back home when she returned. This became a regular routine, with Toffee spending more time with us than in his home. His owners were also more relaxed with this arrangement of informal joint ownership.

So, the night before I was to leave for Bhubaneswar, I suddenly felt panicky at the thought of leaving Toffee behind. I had seen the apparent disinterest in his owners who were simply tolerating his presence in their lives, keeping the sentiments of their children in mind, and, also, because we had chipped into a large extent in taking care of the dog. My husband and I had discussed the idea of me taking Toffee away to Bhubaneswar though we knew that his owners might never agree to this if we asked them. I cried all through the night, making my husband extremely worried. In the morning, we found Toffee tied outside on the stairs again, the proverbial last straw on the camel's back. I decided that I would be taking the dog home with me. I had no idea how to do that, but I had to do it. We called the Vet, who guided us on how I could carry the pup in the aeroplane cabin. With my weight and the bulk of pregnancy, I wondered how I'd have a seven-kilo puppy for a moment. But I was determined. We went out and bought a zipped bag on which we made holes. When we returned home, the pup was still tied outside. We rang the bell, but there was no response. I simply untied the dog and brought it with me. We fed it and then put it inside the bag to see if it fitted inside comfortably. It was perfect. We gave the pup its first dose of sedation prescribed by the Vet and left for the airport. Getting off at the airport, I picked up the bag and strode inside with supreme confidence. My husband was in a state of anxiety as he saw me off. I walked up to the check-in counter and said I needed to buy a ticket for my pet puppy. The manager at the counter did not bat an eyelid. The bag with the dog was weighed, and I was given a bill of Rupees Nine Hundred. The ticket was done. I was asked to open the bag and show the pup at the security check. The puppy was fast asleep, and I was allowed to pass. I'm sure most people around must have been aghast at seeing a heavily pregnant woman carrying a large bag, huffing and puffing, and looking absolutely hassled. Anyway, I saw my father walking into the boarding area with a few other colleagues after a while. I went to him and told him about the pup in the bag. The smile on his face vanished. I have perhaps never seen him more livid than he was at that moment. After giving me a mouthful on even daring to do something like that, he said to me that I was on my own on this and that I should not be expecting any help from him at all. I decided that having come this far, I would not relent to any pressure. Toffee, the puppy, had woken up and was moving inside the bag. I opened the bag and ruffled his ears. He looked at me sleepily and went back to sleep> When boarding was announced, I went ahead in the queue, showing both tickets. I got off the bus, carrying the bag, and the pup was absolutely still. I showed both the tickets and climbed the stairs into the aeroplane. At the entrance to the aircraft, the air hostess asked me what was inside the bag. I told her it was my puppy and I had a ticket for him. She told me the bulky bag did not seem to carry a puppy. I opened it and showed it to her, saying it was a Labrador pup. She said it was big enough to qualify as a dog and the captain's prerogative to allow its presence inside the cabin. She called the captain out. The captain was in no mood to let the pup remain inside the cabin. He was sceptical about him remaining calm in case of turbulence and said that I should get off the aircraft. I told him I had no choice now but to travel with the pup in my present state, as my husband had already left the airport after I had gone through the security check. I expressed profound helplessness, begging him to allow me to travel, assuring him that the pup had been sedated well and would not cause any problem. Most importantly, the bag was zipped up, so there was no way he could jump out. Finally, the captain agreed to let me in as we were causing a jam at the entrance to the cabin. He told the air hostess to allow me to place the bag at my feet.
As I walked into the aisle, I saw Shri Naveen Patnaik, Member of Parliament, in the first seat on the first row. I walked past, a tad embarrassed that so many people were witness to the discomforting state that I was in. I settled into my seat in the third row, not daring to look at my father, who was in the second row with his colleagues. I imagined his fury and embarrassment at the chaos I had created. I was, however, relieved that we were finally on our way. A minute later, the air hostess came to tell me that the first seat in the first row had been vacated by Shri Naveen Patnaik to accommodate me so that I could sit comfortably with adequate leg space for the bag. He had voluntarily moved to the last row. I was stunned and overwhelmed. Busy in settling into my seat, I had not seen the tall man walk by to the last row. I told the air hostess that I would like to go and thank the Hon'ble MP for his extreme kindness, but she said there was no way they would allow me to leave the puppy bag alone. She said I could thank him after we had landed. As I walked to the first row, I whispered to my father about what had transpired. My father told me – look at the inconvenience you have created! After all the day's drama, the journey was uneventful as Toffee, the puppy, slept throughout the flight. My mind, however, was focused on the empathy of the leader who had understood my state of distress. Living in Delhi, we hardly connected with Odisha politics, and I barely knew anything beyond the fact that Naveen Patnaik had taken over the mantle from his father. As soon as we landed, I was desperate to rush to the Hon'ble MP and thank him. Those days passengers would exit from the front as well as from the rear. I asked the air hostess if Mr Patnaik was still seated. She said that he had exited through the aircraft's rear door. With my dog in the bag, I was the last to get off the bus. I stepped onto the bus and looked around, but Mr Naveen Patnaik was obviously not there. He would have boarded an earlier bus. Getting off, I found my sister waiting for me. I handed over the puppy to her and asked if she had seen Naveen Patnaik. She said that she had seen him going out. I told her the entire story. My father said I could write a letter of thanks or meet him sometime later to thank him. Over the years, neither the letter nor the meeting happened. Over the years, as a family, we have reminisced about this incident time and again. Toffee lived for fourteen years in Bhubaneswar, adored and cared for in my parent's home. In the meantime, Shri Naveen Patnaik had become Chief Minister of Odisha. Two decades later, when I met the Hon'ble Chief Minister several times, it was no longer possible to engage in a personal conversation with him. I have repeatedly wanted to remind him about his huge act of kindness, but somehow I have held back. It is said that great men never hang on to their acts of generosity which is why I was apprehensive that he would obviously have no memory of something that had transpired ages ago. He expressed childish enthusiasm when I explained the Peregrine Falcon is the fastest creature on earth when it swoops to pick up prey. He chipped in with the scientific name of Palash when I presented him with a Palash sapling, requesting him to launch "Mission Palash" he narrated the story of a famous photograph taken on Children's Day in which he was seen seated on Pandit Nehru's lap, he has indulged the children of our school with the best chocolates and affection, and, of course, very kindly inaugurated our new school campus.

About three years ago, I was seated behind the Hon'ble Chief Minister in the aircraft. Throughout the journey, I saw him watching video clips of his pets, two playful beagles whose antics brought gentle smiles onto the face of the CM as he watched. In the last twenty-three years of his Chief Ministership, reams and reams of commentaries and opinions have been written about Shri Naveen Patnaik's personality and governance. As someone who has been personally impacted by his one act of kindness twenty-five years ago, I firmly believe that nothing about Naveen Patnaik is fake. His charm, enigma, stature and governance are his own, honest and original, deeply appealing to the masses. Most of all, his empathy is real. Small wonder then that he is the longest-serving Chief Minister and the No. 1 Chief Minister in the largest democracy in the world.

The story was published with the author's consent, Ms Panchami Manoo Ukil, and posted on Facebook on the 17th Day of October 2022. Panchami, is School Leader & Vice Chairperson, The DN Wisdom Tree Global School. Panchami Manoo Ukil is a school leader with a difference. Multifaceted, spirited, and dynamic, Panchami Manoo Ukil has an infectious positivity that reaches out to everyone around her. Passionate about children, she infuses the curriculum with her brand of original ideas, be it a celebration of our culture and roots, bonding with nature, or simply engaging with the little ones with a heart overflowing with love. She gathers everyone into a happy circle woven in with her brand of wisdom, warmth, affection and concern, an inspiration for many and a supportive motivator for the team.

THIS POST IS BY SPECIAL INVITATION.

Wisdom Tree School is not a part of the Good Schools Alliance. The story is all about the #JoyOfLearning.