I’ve seen children go to school each day, with a big bag full of books and wisdom of all sorts. I’ve seen generations grow old and fade away. I’ve seen relationships break and I’ve seen friends unite. I’ve lived through every second every century and never did I ever find someone who truly truly cares. I’ve seen all the broken promises and posters. How people claim they love and protect Mother nature. “Go Green.” What good is going “green” when each one of those plants lives a life worse than death? A life so torturous, a life that isn’t worth living. Every day, I see cars go by, leaving their pollution for us to see. Every day I see people walk by and throw their wastes at parks or at the roadside. And by the end of the day, a storm comes in and sweeps my family away. These posh humans go to havens of knowledge each day-learn about all parts of plants, parts of cell, how plants grow, how they get their food but out of all that load of information, these lousy humans didn’t seem to understand one crucial thing- that we are as living as them. Somehow, everyone seems to know how we make our own food, how we survive the days but they can’t wrap their head around the fact that we too feel. We’re hurt and in pain. We’re broken. And no one seems to know it. So why make big promises when you can’t take the smallest step. We don’t need campaigns or plant drives. We don’t need you to water us each day-the rain does that. We certainly don’t want to hear the usual rants about “going green”. All I ask for, is just care. Just care enough to not ruin each day. Just care enough to see us as who we are- living breathing souls and not entities you can use. That’s what I felt today. I felt so tired, so fed up with everything, I knew I needed to vent. I can only hope that there’s someone listening.
Nature- From the plant community
Thoughts voices by Rishona Chopra, Grade IX, Gyanshree School
Reflection questions based on Chapter 3, "The Red and the Black," from The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn:
1. Character Perception and Transformation
In this chapter, Carl assigns literary nicknames to his customers, such as "Mr. Darcy" and "Dr. Faustus." How do these names reflect Carl's perception of each individual, and what does this reveal about his character?
2. The Role of Books in Personal Identity
Carl believes that "books and people were made of the same substance." How does this metaphor deepen our understanding of the connection between literature and personal identity?
3. The Impact of Routine on Life
Carl's daily routine of delivering books is disrupted by unforeseen events. Reflect on how routines shape our lives and the challenges that arise when altered.
4. The Influence of External Perspectives
Schascha's presence introduces a fresh perspective into Carl's world. How does her viewpoint challenge Carl's established ways, and what does this suggest about the value of external influences in personal growth?
5. Community and Human Connection
The chapter emphasizes the importance of human connection through shared stories. Reflect on how literature fosters a sense of community and belonging among individuals.
(What small step can you take today to achieve your dream?)
"My Good School" Session: Cultivating Personal Growth through Dreams, Reflections, and Values
Key Insights:
Inner Strength and Stability:
Just as a tree draws strength from its roots, personal stability and resilience stem from one's purpose, passions, and self-belief. These foundational elements guide us through life's challenges.
Dreams as Catalysts for Growth:
Like the inspiring stories of Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., dreams, when aligned with purpose, spark meaningful change and require perseverance and dedication to make a lasting impact.
Authentic Expression Over Judgment:
The meeting emphasised the power of expressing one's true self despite external judgment, highlighting the importance of finding strength in one's individuality and unique talents.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Tree Metaphor: Building Personal Strength
Jugjiv Singh used the metaphor of a fallen tree with weak roots to illustrate the importance of purpose and inner confidence in human development.
The discussion explored how "roots"—purpose, passion, and self-confidence—are a foundation during challenging times, helping individuals remain strong despite life's "storms."
Expressing Emotions and Talents: Antra's Journey
The group watched a video about Antra, a girl who overcame social isolation by embracing her talent for singing.
Lessons focused on the importance of authentically expressing oneself and having supportive mentors in fostering self-confidence.
Discussion centred on judging people by appearances versus recognising their inner strengths.
Book Discussion: "The Door-To-Door Bookstore" Continues
The discussion of Schascha and Carl's relationship revealed how books serve as a tool for personal growth, teaching empathy and the importance of understanding others.
Carl's advice to Schascha, that no single book pleases everyone, highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives for growth.
Dreams and Purpose: Hindi Session with Manisha
Manisha led an insightful session on dreams and their role in defining one's purpose, inspiring students with the examples of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.
The DREAM acronym (Dedication, Respect, Education, Attitude, and Motivation) was introduced, offering a framework for approaching dreams with purpose and intent.
A distinction was made between intrinsic motivation (inner drive) and extrinsic motivation (external rewards).
Ikigai Reflections and Student Projects:
Students shared their "Ikigai" trees, exploring their passions, talents, and aspirations.
Sahiba presented her Ikigai diagram, reflecting her dream of becoming a pilot.
The session also featured creative student projects that illustrated how they are beginning to apply the concepts of purpose and self-discovery in their lives.
Next Steps and Action Points:
Ongoing Reflection: Students are encouraged to continue reflecting on their growth through their Joy of Learning Diaries.
Youth Engagement: The GSA Council will lead initiatives to promote reading and peer leadership among students.
Upcoming Book Reading: Khushi will read from My Good School at a Friday evening (5:30 PM) session.
Dream and Ikigai Reflections: Students will create reflections and diagrams to share, with Chetan offering feedback.
New Initiative: Sandeep announced the development of Dreamtime's My Good School, in collaboration with a partner organisation.
I'd love to hear your reflections on today's session. ๐ Kindly take a moment to share your thoughts and insights by writing an email to mk@learningforward.org.in, or feel free to leave a comment below our post. ✍️ Your ideas and feedback are truly valuable, and I can't wait to read them! ๐ฌ๐
The session, led by Ms. Komal Khetal, focused on the concept of Ikigai—a Japanese philosophy that helps individuals find purpose and meaning in life. She explained how aligning our daily choices and chores with our core values can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life. By identifying our Ikigai, we can make better decisions, stay grounded, and approach challenges with clarity. Ms. Khetal emphasised that when we face difficulties, acting in line with our values allows us to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
๐ Finding Your Ikigai: A Journey to Purpose & Joy!
We had a fantastic session led by Komal Khetal from Dreamtime Learning School, where we dove deep into the beautiful Japanese concept of Ikigai—your reason for jumping out of bed in the morning!
๐ Big Ideas That Stuck With Us
Ikigai is about blending what you love, what you're great at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for
Your Emotional Intelligence (EQ) plays a bigger role in success than IQ ever could
Doing things because you enjoy them (intrinsic Motivation) beats doing them just for rewards or praise
Self-reflection is the first step to building a life and career that truly fits you
๐ก What We Explored
✨ Welcome to Ikigai
Ikigai = "reason for being"
It's about waking up excited and motivated
Passion + Skill + Purpose + Livelihood = Ikigai!
๐ง The Power of EQ
90% of success? Yup, that's EQ talking!
Understand yourself + connect with others = win-win
Empathy, resilience, and adaptability are key in the real world
๐ฏ What Drives You?
Intrinsic Motivation = Doing it because you love it
Extrinsic Motivation = Doing it for the reward
The first one lasts longer and feels way better!
๐ณ The Ikigai Tree Activity
You all created your personal Ikigai trees! ๐ฑ
Roots = What you love
Trunk = What you're good at
Branches = What the world needs
Fruits = What you can be paid for
⚖️ Passion vs. Practicality
We talked about turning dreams into real-life plans
Tips on having open conversations with parents about careers
You can follow your passion and be practical—yes, both!
๐ Be Future-Ready
AI is changing the world—so how do we stay relevant?
Build skills AI can't copy: creativity, empathy, and curiosity
Stay flexible and open to new paths!
๐ What's Next?
Complete your Ikigai trees ๐️
Reflect on your passions, values, and strengths.
Join us for more My Good School sessions like MAP (Music, Art & Poetry) ๐จ๐ถ
Keep exploring who you are and what lights you up
๐ฌ Ready to reflect? Reflection means taking a pause to look inward, thinking about what you felt, learned, and how it connects to your own journey. It's a powerful way to grow and discover more about yourself ๐ฑ
We'd love to hear what sparked your curiosity in this session! Share your thoughts, insights, or even your Ikigai tree with Manisha via email- mk@learningforward.org.in. Your story might just inspire someone else too ๐✨
Episode 16 – "Gyan Bohit: Boat of Wisdom" from the Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels series:
"Inner Awakening Through the Wisdom of the Guru"
This episode explores the metaphor of the Gyan Bohit—a wisdom boat that carries seekers across the ocean of illusion and ignorance toward truth, understanding, and liberation. The boat represents Guru Nanak's teachings, which guide individuals through the storms of life with clarity, courage, and compassion.
In Episode 16, Gyan Bohit: Boat of Wisdom, Guru Nanak's journey is shown as a physical exploration and a deep spiritual voyage. He meets people caught in rituals and superficial religious practices, and through dialogue and song, he gently steers them toward inner reflection and truth. The Gyan Bohit (wisdom boat) symbolises his teachings as a vessel to cross the worldly ocean (bhavsagar), freeing individuals from ignorance and leading them to a deeper purpose. The episode emphasises introspection, ethical living, and the transformative power of wisdom.
Reflection Questions:
What does the 'Boat of Wisdom' symbolise in your own life? What helps guide you through difficult times?
How do Guru Nanak's teachings encourage us to question blind rituals and seek truth through self-awareness?
Can you think of a moment when knowledge or insight helped you overcome a personal struggle?
Why is wisdom considered more potent than mere information or tradition in life?
How can we become 'boats of wisdom' for others around us—family, friends, or community?
Summary of Today's Session:
Amardeep led the session, focusing on Episode 16 of the 45-episode documentary series on Guru Nanak's travels. The key highlights included:
The teachings of Guru Nanak emphasiserespect for nature and understanding the symbolic meanings of natural elements (like rivers, trees, and mountains).
A strong message on the importance of inner purification and genuine spirituality over mere external rituals.
Coverage of Guru Nanak's journey from Bharuch, where he engaged in meaningful dialogues with saints and visited spiritually significant sites, promoting interfaith understanding and universal values.
The session encouraged reflection on spirituality, simplicity, and reverence for all forms of life—core themes in Guru Nanak's philosophy.
I am looking forward to our continued discussions. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need clarification.
The Doon School Old Boys' Society is a member of the Good Schools Alliance.
Photo courtesy: Instagram handle @thedsobs
5 March 2025 The DSOBS delegation visited Arthur Foot Academy (AFA) to understand its educational endeavors and extend a hand to support the Good School Alliance (GSA) work as part of the Dosco Impact initiative.
An Aristocracy Of Service
The motto of the Doon School Old Boys' Society (DSOBS) is An Aristocracy of Service, borrowed from Arthur Foot's statement at the formal opening of the school on 27 October 1935: "Truly, we mean that the boys should leave the Doon School as members of an aristocracy, but it must be an aristocracy of service inspired by the ideals of unselfishness, not one of privilege, wealth or position.
In honour of Arthur Edward Foot's ideals, a dedicated Old Boys of The Doon School led by Asad Khan joined forces to create a lasting legacy for their first Headmaster, the Arthur Foot Academy. The academy is committed to providing a well-rounded education to the children of Bandarjhud, a small village near Dehradun.
As a member of the Good Schools Alliance, the academy is committed to nurturing each student's personal and social growth, focusing on service, skill, sport, and study. The school's mission is to prepare students to face the world confidently. #JoyOfLearning.
Culture of trust and learning
Exciting news! Learning Forward India Foundation has teamed up with the Arthur Foot Academy, backed by the incredible duo Asad Khan and Feroza Khan of the AFZAL KHAN FOUNDATION! Together, we are on a mission to equip the village's children to thrive in the world.
We are excited to announce our transformation of the Library into a vibrant Community Learning Centre equipped with WiFi and digital learning devices. This Centre is vital to the world. Each week, teachers, students, and local community members will gather for engaging Zoom sessions, discovering the joy of learning together.
We encourage you to join us in supporting the Arthur Foot Academy and helping create meaningful change. Your contribution goes beyond a donation; it is crucial in advancing our initiative. Together, we can positively impact the world. Your support is essential to our mission!
What does oneness mean to you? What is its true meaning and why is it relevant in today's times?
Oneness means being there for each other, being each other’s guardian angel and to me, it means seeing yourself in other people and deciding your consequent course of action. Oneness is the opposite of jealousy because you can feel happy for people, which truly marks self-love. If you feel happy for others, then you will be able to feel happy for yourself.
I’ve been tested as to whether I believe in oneness by god and now I don’t feel bad for anything that happens to me anymore because if I don’t feel bad for deprivation, discrimination and other things happening to other people, then I don’t have the right to feel bad for myself either. All I can and should do is ‘embrace’ it all. Since the past can’t be changed but can be, I choose to let go of it.
If you want to become like Lord Buddha, you have to have a sense of oneness. Oneness is feeling others’ pain and knowing that their win is your ‘win’ too. Brotherhood and sisterhood are the actual true essence of our being. Oneness is not denying or neglecting the Truth in you, but rather unleashing it. Comparison is not the key, acceptance is.
It’s relevant in today’s times because it helps us find our set of people, who care about us and are ready to understand us. Oneness is a motivation to uplift each other and try to do what’s meant for each other’s good on an emotional level since we come from one Source and then merge into it.
If you feel overwhelmed or want to stay in shape, it is a great idea to exercise. Exercise helps you feel happy and productive.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, it is a rajasic activity, i.e., an activity that makes you feel vigorous and fervent, and a way to worship God since you are sacrificing your comfort to do something productive. It is consequential to maintain both your physical and mental health. If you are someone who experiences low self-worth or insecurity about. If you are not productive enough when giving yourself a self-care day, then this is a sign for you to exercise.
Exercising helps regulate your breathing and hence grounds you at the moment (i.e.increasing your mindfulness) whilst releasing the "feel-good" hormones of serotonin and endorphins. It regulates your thyroid, makes your heart stronger, improves your memory, and concentration, and keeps diabetes at bay for you. Knowing all these benefits will certainly leave you feeling less stressed out as you meditate on how you are blessed with such good health.
Investing in 30 minutes of exercise every day. Exercise is implicitly fruitful for people with mental conditions like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, as it helps ease the symptoms and also leaves the average person feeling easier than usual. If you are healing from depression, then it can give you something, like a purpose to focus on, and help distract you from negative thinking. patterns. It can also provide you with a community if you go out and join yoga classes or a gym. This can aid in removing feelings of isolation and loneliness. You move through the day feeling like you are at the helm of your decisions and have gifted your body something in return for all that it does for you. Your body feels agile, robust, and healthy. So appreciate your body be body-positive, and keep exercising!
In season 10, episode 11, Anna Paolucci is in conversation with Sandeep Dutt, the Founder of the Learning Forward India Foundation.
Slooh has democratized school space access through innovation, and in association with the Learning Forward India Foundation, Slooh is spreading the joy of learning in India #JoyOfLearning.
Space Program Technology: From backyard telescopes to networked mountaintop observatories, 15 online robotic telescopes, including a flagship observatory at a top site in the world U.S. Patent 7,194,146 B2, issued in 2006 for instant imaging via networked telescopes, 18 hours of live feeds per day, 1000 plus daily "Missions" to space
Community: From a solitary experience to a social one Student communities sharing control of the observatories Live Star Parties syndicated to the media attract millions of viewers Education: From textbooks to experiential learning Gamified, asynchronous STEAM curriculum from elementary to college Fulfils NGSS requirements by enabling the capture of phenomena for analysis Join a global community, and explore space via a network of robotic mountaintop telescopes.
Live online telescope feeds unique astronomical events from Slooh's observatories in the Canary Islands and Chile. School Space Program makes learning a fun process. My Good School curriculum focuses on service, skill, sport and study. The Slooh program adds value to the school curriculum.
The Learning Foward India Foundation through My Good School encourage schools and students to become involved in activities beyond study; this helps develop confidence, knowledge and networks.
Slooh India partners with Slooh and spreads the joy of learning with community Astronomy.
Witness the beautiful Blood Moon Eclipse of 16th May. Hope you enjoy this excellent presentation!
Slooh makes real-world, real-time space exploration accessible for every student without the hassle of purchasing, storing, and maintaining a fleet of expensive student-grade telescopes.
Right here is an image of the lunar eclipse on the 16th of May as the Moon reached totality. The photo was taken from Mobile 3, active during the great eclipse! Believe me, it wasn't visible here in India. Total Lunar eclipses aren't as rare as they happen occasionally. Hope you enjoy this wonderful image!
Dakshya Mishra of Class 8-D Ahlcon Public School has been a member of Slooh since December 2021. He has earned 12119 gravity points, loads and observations and is active all day!
www.Slooh.Org.IN Join a global community, and explore space via a network of robotic mountaintop telescopes.
It will inspire you by reading and reflecting, sharing examples of where children and adults in real life are using values and is very useful to stimulate discussion and philosophical debate.
The Joy Of Reading Program is only one part of our standard core curriculum or the Life Skills Program - Reading, Speaking and Writing.
On Sunday mornings at 11.00 AM, you can join us for live reading sessions. Best you attend with a copy of the book and experience the Joy of Reading.
Post the session, the readers reflect and share their real-life experiences on our blog Joy Of Learning Diaries - writing, audio, video, graphic, and poetry. #JoyOfLearning
Mentors
Sunita Mehta is a dedicated educator and is the Headmistress at Gyanshree School Noida. She has had the opportunity of teaching in schools all over India.
Sandeep Dutt, School Improvement Coach, has empowered thousands of teachers and touched the lives of near a million children.
The Annual Day at School is an occasion where we ignite the concealed explorer inside each child. Be it the sports day, the investiture ceremony or the theatrical performances. All these functions at school initiate children to think beyond the blue. Studies are not the only thing we go to school for; school is about friends, teachers, skills, sports, services and most importantly, Fun!
If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. If we all love to go to school, then we will indulge in all the activities there, and by doing that only, we will be able to experience The School of Life.
Annual Days have always been special to me. The teamwork by everyone to put up the show is evident in the performances, the zeal with which everyone performs is irreplaceable, and the sense of belonging to the school lasts forever. Annual Days are an excellent way to create mutual trust between the students. All the kids strengthen their bond and spark respect for their school by performing together. Annual Days should celebrate the community and promote the diverse cultures in the particular region.
The Annual Day should be one such day when the entire school comes together for a single cause. It should celebrate each student's creativity, uniqueness, interest, skills, and values as part of this colossal organization. A school without students is like memory without a picture. Students make up the school. Thus, it is vital that the students are happy.
My Good School presents Joy Of Reading. The community reading program helps inspire you by reading and reflecting, sharing examples of where children and adults in real life are using values and is very useful to stimulate discussion and philosophical debate.
On Sunday mornings at 11.00 AM, you can join us for live reading sessions. Best you attend with a copy of the book and experience the Joy of Reading. Post the session; the readers may want to reflect and share real-life experiences. Our blog www.JoyOfLearningDiaries.com helps them express themselves in writing, audio, video, graphic, poetry, or how they experience the joy of learning. #JoyOfLearning
The community reading program helps inspire you by reading and reflecting, sharing examples of where children and adults in real life are using values and is very useful to stimulate discussion and philosophical debate. The Joy Of Reading Program is only one part of our Life Skills Program - Reading, Speaking and Writing.
On Sunday mornings at 11.00 AM, you can join us for live reading sessions. Best you attend with a copy of the book and experience the Joy of Reading. #ReadToLead
Post the session; the readers may want to reflect and share real-life experiences. Our blog www.JoyOfLearningDiaries.com helps them express themselves in writing, audio, video, graphic, poetry, or how they experience the joy of learning.
18 Chapters
1. Humility; 2. Beating The Odds; 3. It's Never Too Late; 4. Courage; 5. Handling Pressure; 6. Making Mistakes Accepting Flaws; 7. Be A Dreamer; 8. Finding Your Calling; 9. Compassion; 10. Making Others Happy; 11, Never Give Up Hope; 12. Determination; 13. Giving; 14. Be The Change; 15. Gratitude; 16. Goals; 17. Honesty; and 18. Forgiveness.
Is Your Child Ready To Face The World?
Dr Anupam Sibal highlights the role of values in education and how the Joy Of Reading is a life skills program that prepares young people for the world.
