Embracing Uniqueness with Kartik Bajoria - Sunbeam School Balia

 

🌿 Reflection: "Knowing Ourselves and Finding Our Path"

In today’s fast-moving world, it is more important than ever to truly know ourselves. We often get caught up in the noise of society, expectations, and comparisons, but deep down, discovering who we are is the foundation of building a meaningful life. Our career choices shouldn’t just be about money or trends — they should reflect our passions, strengths, and values. A certain amount of self-awareness is not just helpful; it is necessary.

Sadly, many teenagers today face constant stress and confusion, trying to meet standards they don’t fully understand. Our parents sacrifice so much to give us a life they never had — not to control us, but because they want to see us happy and secure. That makes it even more important to stop, reflect, and ask: “What do I really want? Who am I becoming?”

Knowing ourselves isn’t selfish; it’s the first step toward living with purpose and making our parents’ sacrifices truly worthwhile.

~ By Astha Mishra, Grade 9

Sunbeam School, Ballia

It was a truly inspiring session. In this two-hour session, we first listened to the powerful experiences of Mr. Kartik Bajoria by watching his video: https://youtu.be/G5kT99UEux0?si=RDWcHfKW_BoJOR1K, which gave us the idea of embracing our own uniqueness. He was also present with us during the session, watching along and answering all our questions wonderfully.

Along with him, we were joined by Mr. Jugjiv Singh, Mrs. Manisha Khanna, Mrs. Brinda Ma’am, and nearly a hundred students from different schools.

Kartik Sir shared an incident where someone asked him, “What are you really? A singer, a teacher, or a managing official?” His answer was, “I am all of these — and I could also be a farmer someday!” What he really meant was that it's okay to have multiple interests. You can pursue one thing passionately, get tired of it, and then move on — and that's completely normal. It's perfectly fine to explore different fields and follow what excites you.

~ Akansha Grade IX-C

Sunbeam School, Ballia

Meet and Greet with Kartik Bajoria

https://www.youtube.com/KartikBajoria

Play on YouTube

My Good School, 16th June 2025

Karthik's Passion and Mental Wellness

The meeting began with introductions and a discussion about last week's activities. Karthik, a guest speaker, was introduced and shared his background, including his work in advertising, film, and television, as well as his transition to teaching and his mental wellness initiative, Driveway Devi. The group watched a TED Talk by Karthik from 2016, which discussed finding one's passion and following it. The session concluded with plans to engage in a Q&A session after the talk.

Embracing Uniqueness and True Passions

Kartik shared three pivotal moments in his life where he learned to embrace his uniqueness and passions. At boarding school, he initially felt out of place but found his true self through music, winning a competition and gaining the acceptance of his peers. He later realised his mismatch with a business-focused college course and switched to English honours, finding fulfilment in writing. Despite a successful career in media, he ultimately discovered his true calling in teaching and writing, moving back to Jaipur to pursue these passions.

Embracing Passions and Unique Paths

Jugjiv discussed the importance of embracing one's uniqueness and passions to lead a fulfilling life, urging others to acknowledge and take pride in their natural leanings. Kartik shared insights on pursuing passions despite parental concerns, highlighting the changing landscape of careers and the role of technology in democratising talent exposure. He advised seeking unbiased feedback and maintaining realistic expectations about one's goals. Rishona asked questions about the perception of stress among younger generations and how to cope with the fear of change, to which Kartik responded, emphasising the importance of self-awareness and resilience.

Developing Resilience and Discernment

Kartik discussed the importance of developing a thick skin. He shared personal experiences of being judged for his music choices, emphasising the need to be aware of one's tendency to be overbearing when offering support to someone experiencing mental health challenges. He advised tailoring the approach based on the individual's personality. Kartik also explained the difference between judgment and opinion, and highlighted the importance of discerning between normal sadness and depression by considering factors such as duration and intensity of symptoms.

Balancing Work and Smart Work

Kartik discussed the importance of combining hard work and smart thinking in today's world, using examples from his teaching experience. He explained how he initially encouraged students to use the internet for research but later banned devices due to the over-reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT, which he felt was not promoting genuine intellectual effort. Kartik emphasised the need for students to use technology wisely, combining it with their own critical thinking and personal insights. The session concluded with Kartik sharing tips on overcoming stage fright, such as knowing one's material well and taking a moment to centre oneself before speaking.

Animal Learning and Behaviour Insights

Brinda led a reading session on animal upbringing, sharing insights from "The Inner Life of Animals" about how animals, like humans, learn and adapt to their environments. She discussed her experience with a small herd of goats, highlighting how their behaviour improved after they had kids and learned from their mothers. Brinda also explained how insects, mice, and larger mammals, such as wolves and deer, learn survival skills from their elders, challenging the notion that animal behaviour is purely instinctive.

Animal Education vs Human Schooling

The discussion focused on comparing animal education and human schooling, with Brinda explaining that while animals don't attend formal schools, they are trained by their parents through natural instincts and discipline. The class discussed how animals, particularly mammals and birds, prepare their young for independence, with Brinda sharing personal experiences about goat rearing and how mothers gradually wean their offspring. The conversation concluded with Brinda suggesting that the class read Gerald Durrell's books for further insights into animal behaviour, particularly regarding how animals handle the transition of young ones leaving their parents.

Bees and Fawn Life Stories

Brinda discussed the life cycle of bees, focusing on the role of drones and the process of removing them from the hive as winter approaches. She also shared a story about a fawn that was mistakenly taken in by humans, highlighting the different ways mother love can be expressed among mammals and the potential dangers faced by fawns in modern times.

European Wildcat Conservation Discussion

Brinda discussed the European wildcat, highlighting its conservation success and distinguishing features, noting that positive identification requires genetic testing. She explained that while wildcats and domestic cats can interbreed, wildcats are generally more aggressive and unsuitable for domestication, leading to a discussion about the challenges of keeping wild animals as pets. The session concluded with Manisha requesting participants to share reflections about their pets and maintain respect for speakers in future sessions.

Next steps

• Students: Practice staying muted during online sessions and raising hands before speaking
• Students: Share pictures and stories about their pets and observations of pet behaviour before the next Sunday session
• Manisha: Publish shared pet pictures and stories from students
• Students: Submit reflections on the session through writing, doodling, or other creative ways
• Brinda: Prepare Gerald Durrell's "My Family and Other Animals" for future reading sessions

AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy.

More Than Survival - Oshi Singh

Image found on pinterest.com by Oshi

What can a man do for passion? What can a man do with the fire that drives him? He can do wonders. There’s nothing a passionate man wouldn’t do. Passion—for love, for what you love, for that little flame in your heart. But what if someone extinguishes that fire? Passion is what drives us. Yet, when a man loses the very thing he’s alive for, he might continue living, but something inside him dies. He may die at a certain age, but in truth, he died the moment he did something he didn’t have any passion for. Without passion, life becomes a hollow routine. You exist, but you don’t truly live. Passion is what gives us purpose, what makes us reach for something more than mere survival. Without it, we are but shadows of who we were meant to be. Oshi Singh Grade XI Gyanshree School

Reflections from Sunbeam Lahartara

Sunbeam School and Hostel Lahartara in Varanasi share #JoyOfLearning in their maiden newsletter!

Where Passion Meets Education - Amardeep Singh

Amardeep Singh by Sandeep Dutt

Where Passion Meets Education

Read on Substack

Passion, purpose, and what is work?
Work, eat, sleep, recharge, and get to work again! The world is all about consumption; for Amardeep, Passion must work like the sea waves—ebb and tide. He shares what Passion means for him, his life, and his work, leaving a poignant message for young people. Amardeep is a harbinger of ‘Oneness’ and shares Guru Nanak’s life and work. He moved from being a banker to an avid traveller, tracing the footsteps of Guru Nanak.

We must go beyond the life of building bank balances to find fulfilment in life, what Passion means to us, and any activity that resonates within oneself and acts as a catalyst for developing one’s mind to achieve what your heart wishes. We pursue things close to us, do not mindlessly follow emotions, take activities, and yes, you are uncontrollable beyond reasoning. Overcome barriers, and when you pursue a passion, you will unfurl your life's purpose.

Where Passion Meets Education (WPME), the host, Sandeep Dutt, converses with passionate educators only once a month.

GSI Journal is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

www.GSI.in

Swan Song - Sandeep Dutt

#JoyOfLearning #MyGoodSchool #HappyTeachers #SchoolsCanChange #WherePassionMeetsEducation #DilJeeto #BrewingKnowledge and all the hashtags of my life!

Create Your Passion - Rishona Chopra

"You see things, and you say 'Why?' But I dream things that never were, and I say 'Why not'"

There is something in life that keeps us going,

A goal that lets hope keep flowing.

A candle in the dark,

The passion that leaves its mark.

We're all here for a purpose,

Something that needs to be created within us.

A passion which must keep going,

In order to keep growing.

You can only follow your passion once you create it,

Do what you love and don't hate it.

This life is precious,

Happiness is a must.

That purpose must be there,

And leave that whiff of happiness in the air.

Rishona Chopra

Grade VIII

Gyanshree School

Passion, Commitment, and the Journey to Success - Shambhavi Nautiyal

"Fuel your journey with passion, but anchor it with commitment. Success awaits those who walk the path with dedication."

Passion is a barely controllable emotion, and that’s wholly true if you ask me: Anyone can strongly hate or love a subject or job inexplicably, but this is where ‘commitments’ enter the chat. Whether we like something or not, if we want to enhance our skills and achieve a specific goal, we have to work towards our goal consistently. 

If we aim to succeed, we have to set aside all our distractions and “passions,” other than the passion for working hard and becoming successful. To remind ourselves of the spark and determination we had while setting our goals, we should remind ourselves of our purpose through vision-boarding and reading the transcript written at the time of goal-setting. 

Because our results seem unknown, we feel demotivated to work (which is pleasant in a way as it indicates our self-awareness), which is why we should romanticize the process of working and make that our goal. Consistency and discipline make up our commitments and should be our only goal.

Leave the rest to God.

Shambhavi Nautiyal
APS

Cultivating Passion - Divyanshu Singh

Passion: The Nexus of Interest and Dedication 

What is passion capable of;

Passion, a word that can elicit smiles from some, transcends mere vocabulary; it embodies a spectrum of emotions and actions. For many, passion is an unwavering commitment, a fervor so intense they guard it with utmost secrecy. Yet, its power is undeniable; it can forge bonds or fracture relationships, spark innovation or unveil discoveries, and ultimately shape careers.

As Benjamin Franklin aptly put it, 'Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.' Indeed, passion often paves the path to a fulfilling career, as individuals willingly immerse themselves in pursuits such as fishing, boating, drawing, and beyond. This pursuit is fueled by both interest and dedication.

Interest, a complex sentiment, drives a relentless quest for knowledge and understanding, often leading to the sharing of insights with others. Without satisfaction, curiosity lingers unquenched. Dedication, on the other hand, is the unwavering resolve to see endeavors through to fruition, fueled by the fulfillment of our interests.

In the words of Franklin again, 'An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,' underscoring the enduring value of curiosity and dedication in the pursuit of passion-fueled endeavors.

Divyanshu Singh
Class - 7
Sunbeam School Hostel Lahartara

Primary Greatness - Rudranshi Rai

Primary greatness is who you really are: your character, integrity, deepest motives, and desires. It is made in our life. Greatness can also be attributed to individuals who possess a natural ability to be better than all others. Honesty is the first step to greatness. The secret life where your heart is reveals your real motives.

The ultimate desire of your life consists of four pillars of greatness: Vision, Passion, Action, and Principles. If we believe secondary greatness is better than primary greatness, we have no hope of achieving primary greatness."

Rudranshi Rai
Class - 9

Sunbeam School, Lahartara

The Jai Hind Project - Vineet KKN 'Panchi'

Streaming Worldwide

The Interns of My Good School produce podcasts with élan. Listen to heartwarming stories about schools, schooling and their passion for education. Check out the Learning Forward Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favourite podcast application.

In Season 13, Episode 5 of Learning Forward, Vineet KKN 'Panchhi' converses with Anvesha Rana and Saikiran Sahu, leaving a lasting impression on listeners with his unconventional introduction. While most guests are introduced by their educational qualifications, Vineet urged audiences to focus on his passions instead. From cars and bikes to travel and communication, music, outdoor films, voice acting, writing, leadership coaching, and Urdu poetry, Vineet is a dynamic individual with diverse interests. He describes himself as a "rolling stone" and has pursued his passions relentlessly. From being a teenage musician in a band to a filmmaker, communication expert, and Urdu poet, Vineet has done it all. He is also the founder of The Jai Hind Project and Word of Mouth Media. By showcasing his unique perspective, Vineet's approach inspires viewers to embrace and pursue their passions with the same dedication and commitment.

Tenzin Chonzom pours out her heart for My Good School!

Good evening, sir; this is Tenzin Chonzom ✨

We did a lot for today's class, but what reflected in my mind was that happiness is the result and not a cause.

I want to write a short note on this because of a discussion we had in class. 

It depends on external things. Its result, which comes from within due to our kind works, gives happiness. 

* Life of Crescendo (reflection)

. Life is a mission, not a career

. It tells About what keeps people growing

. We learned about the six paths

       : happiness is the result, not the cause 

       : stress is not bad

       : Physical exercise is essential and good 

. If you enjoy

        : Cash doesn't last

        : Stay involved in work

        : Maintenance of a robust social network

. Anyone who keeps learning stays young 🌱

. Staying focused

. It's all recognition of the abundance of facts. 

*Creating Passion 

Passions are developed through emotions, mainly through activities that you find to be fun.

As mentioned by Amerdeep sir in a previous session, he remarked, "DON'T FOLLOW PASSION. CREATE YOUR OWN PASSION." he has motivated me through all aspects of problems with his meeting in the session.

    

* Leaving 2023 and moving to 2024 ( learning I did from My Good School in this passing year )

 . Breaking goals into smaller steps makes them more accessible for students to comprehend. As mentioned by Amerdeep, sir.

My Good School always taught me never to stop dreaming and to keep learning and improving my reading, writing, and listening skills.

A good school encourages the young minds of students and is filled with positive thoughts.

Thank you, sir.

Tenzin Chonzom
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Importance of Taking Risk ! And many more - Sunbeam School Lahartara

Reflections from the Sunday School

Importance Of Taking Risks

Taking risks is important because it builds our knowledge. Taking risks is something that we all have to do in our lives. Sometimes, taking risks is essential; it builds our confidence and makes us better than if we never took them. Because it brings a good change and helps us learn. Taking risks is a core element of human life. Failure and mistakes are common when taking risks. We should not be afraid because we will realise instead and become successful men eventually.

"Great Success Always Comes at the Risk of Enormous Failure". Winston Churchill

Divyanshu Agarwal- IX D

Experiential Insights from the point of view of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Practice self-service to humanity and treat everyone equally. Incorporate daily meditation and prayer into our routine, as Guru Nanak did.

"SEWA" engages in voluntary services to help those in need. For the past several decades, societies worldwide have examined the concept of equality, debating bias in the workplace, social arenas at home, and religion. According to Guru Nanak, life's purpose is to become a truthful being and enlighten others.

"Dwell in peace of the house of your own being, and the message of death will not be able to touch you."  

Shubhangi Kashyap - VIII B

Tata'sTata Stories

My good school is a place to learn good things and morals. For me, it is always exciting to attend the sessions of good schools. Tata Stories inspire me to do something unique in life. It gives me the passion to carry forward any work with sustainability and longevity. Like Sandeep sir said, age is just a number, and we should dream big and achieve big.

Samriddhi Banerjee- IVB

A dream is not something you see when you sleep; a dream doesn't let you sleep. Dreams, the nocturnal symphony of the mind, transport us to realms unknown. As we surrender to the embrace of sleep, the subconscious weaves tapestries of imagination and emotion. In this ethereal dance, the boundaries of reality blur, and the mind becomes a canvas for the surreal and fantastical. Dreams are the silent storytellers, narrating tales that defy logic and gravity, where the mundane transforms into the extraordinary. Each night, we embark on odysseys of the mind, encountering phantoms of the past and visions of the future.

Aryan Kumar - VII A

Reflections for today's meeting - Tenzin Chonzom

Sunday School 24th December 2024

We watched a video of an American woman who is 92 years old and an advocator of social justice, an incredible woman who encouraged me and taught me that it's never too late to start something.

•⁠  ⁠Having an extraordinary meeting with Amardeep sir was the most significant opportunity I had; with the help of his advice, a lot of things struct my mind

The following are:

 1.⁠ ⁠Not to follow a passion; create your passion.

 2.⁠ ⁠Never chase recognition (you'll not achieve anything). Create your content.

 3.⁠ ⁠Keep trying many things because we don't know the emergence.

 4.⁠ ⁠Everything in life is a means to an end, and there will be a chance to excel.

 5.⁠ ⁠Religion is a subset of legacy.

 6.⁠ ⁠Dreams are supposed to be filled with challenges and obstacles.

 7.⁠ ⁠Learning is feet for every individual.

Amardeep sir, In his documentary, The Tapestry of Guru Nanak:

I highly appreciate his hard work of 30 years and self-discovery. His interest in going to every risky area shows his passion and bravery.

My takeaway from this meeting is that he motivated me through all situations 🙏.

Tenzin Chonzom (Girl) from 9th grade 
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Jai Hind - Ankit Raj

We should understand our nation. We only go to school. We live with a silver spoon and only live in our bubble. But we should not. We should break that bubble and move out to be

*Nothing is as important as passion; no matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.

*In 1907, Champakaraman Pillai coined the term. "Jai Hind'. Which was adapted as the slogan of the Indian National Army in the 1940s at the suggestion of Abid Hasan.

*The opposite of a hero is a villain, while power gives you the inner strength to fight inner problems and outer ones, too...

Ankit Raj Class 8B 

Sunbeam School, Lahartara Hostel

JOL Diaries November 23

Newsletter by My Good School

"This Children's Day of the year 2023, we are most delighted to bring you the first issue of our monthly newsletter, and we look forward to the middle of every month to get into the middle of your heart and mind with #JoyOfLearning".
Rishona Chopra, School Captain

Purpose to live - Pasang Sherpa

Like precious metals, gold and silver have a purpose, which is to satisfy people's desire for luxury. Our lives too have a purpose, but it is hidden. We can find it only if we have a hobby. Having a hobby means that we are one step ahead of finding our purpose in life. And if we are very much into our hobby, then that is the time when we change our hobby into a passion. Passion acts as a medium to sustain life; without it, our lives are futile.

Pasang Sherpa

Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

Image Courtesy- @syifatemplate

Purpose To Live - Arfa Khan

We all have a purpose. Our purpose gives us a reason to wake up each day. Without a purpose, our lives feel meaningless. Our lives become equivalent to wandering on a crooked path with no destination. In a world where money, power, and status are chased, we often forget what truly matters: a meaningful life. These pursuits don’t fulfill our existential emptiness; after all, there is always a question of why we ‘need’ power or status. To boast about it? Is that our purpose? Of course not! Our purpose plays a role here too; just chasing after material wealth won't solve the lack of meaning. Without awareness of the motive, our lives would be stuck in an endless cycle, waking up without a goal and then working a regular job to support a meaningless life financially. To find a reason to work, to live, and to keep going, we must find our purpose, but how?

Imagine you are held at gunpoint. While you’re begging to be set free to live, the criminal says, “Give me just one reason why I should let you live”. What would be your answer? That’s your purpose. A soldier’s purpose is to protect his nation’s land; an artist’s purpose is to amuse everyone’s eyes with their art; a doctor’s purpose is to save lives; an activist’s purpose is to fight for equality; and a mother’s purpose is to care for her child.

Finding our purpose takes time and requires a lot of pondering. Maybe it resides in one’s passions—to care for a loved one or to fight for justice and freedom. It gives us a reason to keep pushing forward—something to live for and die for. Each person has their own purpose, and you can find yours.

Arfa Khan

8-A  

Ahlcon Public School

Image courtesy: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/603975000052552263/

Purpose to Live - Aria Gupta

Have we asked ourselves, Why do we want to live? What is our purpose for living? How do we find this purpose if we haven't already? This simple introspection can do wonders for us. It can help us find our passion, which can give us happiness.

"Why do you like art so much?" I randomly asked Myla, a classmate I wanted to befriend. She loves to draw and is nicknamed "6D's Artist". "Well, one day, I just sat and drew something, and I had fun, so I continued drawing until art became my passion. She replied. The answer made me think. Could we find our motivation to live? This way. Soon, the bell rang, and we went back home. I sat on the bed and kept on thinking.

Soon, I saw a little bird whose wings had been injured. It was wailing loudly for help. I quickly fed it some rice and gave it water. I also bandaged the bleeding area and allowed it to heal on the balcony. Day after day, the wounds healed slowly but surely. Eventually, all the injuries were cured, and it was time for the bird to leave. The bird sang a beautiful song before flying into the wide world. At that time, something sparked in me. I felt happy. Helping the bird. Maybe this could be my passion.

It has been one month since the incident, and it has helped me find my passion. I now love helping not only people but Mother Nature as well. It turns out Myla was right. You just try and find your purpose in living, just like that.

How was this story? The lesson of this story is to just try to find your purpose for living. Just ask yourself why, and if you can't find an answer, try out everything that might seem mildly interesting until you find your passion.

Aria Gupta
Gyanshree School
Image Courtesy- Reader's Digest

Ikigai - Rishona Chopra

I am on my journey to find my Ikigai,
While wishing I,
Could see it sooner.
But little do I know,
That my journey,
Is an army,
To find my ikigai,
And that itself is an ikigai.
All ambitions and dreams,
Half-fulfilled streams.
Never have I felt this passion.
To find my meaning for being.

We all were born to do something. But this question always encounters us - What is my reason for being? The beautiful part is that knowing this takes a long journey for most people. Some of us already know our passion - our reason for being.

It's okay if you don't. It's a journey that has to enjoy. Have you ever felt that by watching a movie related to space, you want to become an astronaut or perhaps by watching a few video games, you want to be a creator?

Many people have gone through this journey, and you know you don't really have to put in any effort. Life unfolds itself with its wonders. Let it.

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School