Meet & Greet with Ambalika B

 - Jan 1, 2023, • 09:58 minutes
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Meet and Greet at My Good School.

We invite authors, artists, mentors, creators and individuals who love to work with young people, inspire them and help them find their calling in life. This is how we spread the joy of learning at our school - Reading, writing and speaking, picking up values and virtues for life.

In the International Short Fiction Day podcast, we speak with Ambalika B, Author & Folklorist. She is Celebrating India's 75th year of Independence, one Indian folklore a week on 'Author Ambalika' @YouTube. Talks about #author #lifecoaching #personalbrand #communicationskills #emotionalintelligence

The Great Tribal Warriors of Bharat

Rupa Publications India

Authors: Tuhin A. Sinha  & Ambalika B

'In our 75th year of Independence… we needed quality literature about our great tribal freedom fighters. This book is a genuinely commendable start in that direction. —Arjun Munda, Minister of Tribal Affairs

The meticulous lines drawn out from the intricately woven Indian history narrate a tale of courage and patriotism, courteous and courageous fighters astounded the invaders with defiance for crumbling in pain their fragile and ancient machinery might lay down on the battlefield. Still, the spirit of freedom ignited further after losing. Indians unified is a resilient symbol of Pure Indian Strength; our most significant asset lies in our people.      

Our impregnable freedom is a culmination of the endeavours of numerous freedom fighters; the depths of oppression create such heights of character.

Our Independence was not a birthright. It was fought for with life and death by these tribal communities.  

Our first war of Independence was not in 1857.

Tribal mutinies against the British began at least 75 years before the 1857 revolution.

These battles were fought with traditional bows and arrows and spears and predated the reported political movement that came to the fore in the latter part of the nineteenth century. As we complete 75 years of Independence, it is only fair to acknowledge that a parallel freedom movement existed in our far-flung villages and jungles, away from the mainstream freedom movement recognised in the books of history. The Great Tribal Warriors of Bharat is a humble attempt to honour these largely unsung heroes of an epochal movement whose contribution remains largely unacknowledged.

The book begins with Tilka Manjhi, who unleashed guerilla warfare to combat the British and includes Jaipal Singh Munda, one of the most nuanced speakers of our Constituent Assembly, tracking the trajectory of this movement. These brave warriors came from all parts of India, including the Northeast and the South, and all tribes in the country. The book is a rare collection and a journey into self-discovery for our civilisation-turned nation. If you want to be a part of similar podcasts, join us.  

Our question and chat:

Anvesha : Life is complicated like a tangled ball of yarn but stories are those colourful, bright strings which need to be intricately intertwined along to narrate a tale full of splash, and that is the Beauty Of Life!

Rishona : Yes indeed and as we are here on National Short Story Day, we welcome you to My Good School Show Season 9 where passion meets education. Today I, Rishona 

Anvesha : and I, Anvesha will be your hosts for the event. We have a very special person here with us today, we have the co-author of the Great Tribal Warriors of Bharat Ms. Ambalika Bhat with us. We welcome you ma’am, would you like to speak a few words ma’am ? 

Rishona :  Thank you ma’am, it is great to be here alongside you on this day. Authors are simply like storytellers and stories are the way life works. 

Anvesha :  Yes we hear and tell stories everyday, when we need to narrate an incident to someone we tell a story or the time when a quick excuse is needed, our mouth blurts out the best story. 

Rishona : Yes, in order to learn something effectively, we often learn it as a story. Moreover, whenever we have to learn about values or lifeskills, then they are best learned as stories. 

Anvesha : Indeed, Ambalika ma’am what do you think about the role of stories in human life ? 

Rishona : Stories are indeed very important ma’am. They have a meaning which surely puts an impact in some way or the other.The Great Tribal Warriors of Bharat is definitely a book of one of a kind. I am sure ma'am that your book influenced you and motivated you in one way or the other. 

Anvesha:I absolutely agree with you. Each story influences us, it has a unique message that is portrayed throughout the tale. I personally love to read stories, of all kinds. Sometimes they are a means to elude from our everyday life and at other times, stories are advisors. Each story, each character, each message is a tie that connects us all. It is not the extravagance but the simplicity of stories that lies embedded in the minds of the readers leaving indelible impressions.  

Rishona: Stories can be used in a negative way but those which lend out a positive message, definitely inspire us,help us and some stories just touch our hearts. It is rightly said by Rudyard Kipling - “If history was taught in stories, it would never be forgotten.” To conclude, I would like to quote a line by A.C Benson " All the best stories in the world are one story in reality - The story of escape.It is the only thing that interests us all and at all times how to escape". 

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. We hope to meet you soon again! That’s all for us today.

About the podcast

Stories surely have an impact on our lives.  In order to learn something effectively, we often learn it as a story. Moreover, whenever we have to learn about values or lifeskills, then they are best learned as stories. Afterall, our lives are our stories! On the occasion of National Short Story Day, we have come with a podcast with the co-author of The Great Tribal Warriors of Bharat. Join Rishona and Anvesha as they explore the vast world of stories.

Rishona Chopra and Anvesha Rana -  Hosts from Gyanshree School 

Enjoy our shows on www.DilJeeto.com.  

You will love the stories our students, teachers, and passionate educators share.  

Please find out more about My Good School at www.MyGoodSchool.in.

The Special Gateway - Kunal Rajpurohit

I have gone through many gates. It can be someone's home, the glorious forts of Rajasthan, or Haveli's entrance, but I always find that gates never speak, and that's so true. How can a non-living thing tell? They say and share feelings if they see you worth it. I got to talk with the gate but only twice in my life!

15 years ago, when I had my first day at school, My School's gate spoke to me and said, Hi! Kunal, What you are finding out is inside me. Let's see if you can crack it and find it. 

Though I find it true that time that everything is inside my school, my hope, prayers, friends, everything that goes in my mind comes again within my school, and that's very true for a child or a student who has been there for 15 years, part of an immensely great 30 years old institution. I was completing my 15 years in the school, and the school gate talked for the second time, and I was well prepared. Gate spoke, "Did you find the thing which you wanted?."

I said yes, "Yes, I found it."

Gate said, " You would find it. I knew that I was there but did you crack it?"

I said, "I find it but, What to crack?

Gate said, "Kunal! You think everything is inside me, but it's the learning which is inside me, and that's true that you have found it very right and a perfect form of education.

 I said, "I had good learning inside you. Did I crack it?

Gate said, "No, the challenge which had to be cracked is that everything is not inside me. I had learning which will help you to get further learning opportunities. There is further learning."

That's so authentic learning is not in the six-wall classroom. (Yes, we have a six-wall classroom at our school)

True that everyone considers learning within your institution, but institutions give us better learning opportunities even beyond.

So learning is always open to institutes. It is everywhere, so let's learn with passion.

Kunal Rajpurohit

The Fabindia School
Images - archives of The Fabindia School.

Humility - Nishan Karki

 

Nishan is a student at Pestalozzi Children's Village India
and a regular contributor to the Joy Of Learning Diaries. 

The Power Of Love - Shambhavi Nautiyal

Have I felt the power of love?
(Thoughts and experiences)

Feeling the power of love, love to me is loving someone without any self-seeking interest; it may be full of evergreen thrill, adoration and concern, but it can also be thinking about a friend, being reminded of a glimpse of each other laughing together or having deep conversations and having a good time.

I feel love whenever I hear of someone's trust in me and how they can rely on me after coming a long way together with them in life. I feel love whenever I practice self-love by looking out for myself, no matter what, feeling that I have matured in myself and invested that time for myself.

Love is like a journey; the deeper you go, the more immersed, wise, and experienced you become and the more content and happier you feel with life. You may die, but your love shall stay on to be. 

Follow your heart; everything will be alright and meaningful, and helpful. It may be a journey of a relationship with someone else, something that goes down the lane of life with you such that if it's gone, it feels like there is no purpose in life. Love is what drives us all. It keeps us alive, whether it be the love for a hobby, for yourself, someone else or this world.

I feel love when someone listens to me carefully, is understood, has a place in someone's life and is cared for whilst the other person looks out for and considers themselves and wants the same respect in return is what is love to me.

The true mark on human memory is when you leave any impression on someone's soul with your heartfelt actions. That's all it takes to manifest your love for anyone by doing or saying whatever comes straight from the heart, which forms the phrase, 'Follow your heart and all shall be alright', a short but meaningful and helpful one.

Just the way it is famously said that your bad times give you a reality check about your close ones only, the ones who actually love you will come forward to extend a hand of assistance. If the love in you guides you to help someone who looks at you with distaste in their bad times, they will come to help you if they are a good person. Love leads you to goodness.

Love teaches you patience, and the good you do remains good no matter how the person responds. Your karma is only yours. Even if it is not returned from the person you do good for, it does come around.

Go on and love yourself!
Shambhavi Nautiyal

Class 8D
Ahlcon Public School

Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging - Shilpika Pandey

It is definitely a tiny world inside our homes, like we say, and the moment one steps out, the circumference magnifies. The realization hits us that now, we depend on our social behaviour to make the outer world OURS.

And here enter the vital aspects of social life, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, and BELONGING, that teach us 'how' to interact and align everyone from diverse backgrounds, include them in our learning journey and help them in the belongingness of the same.

We must appreciate the incredible Diversity around us that helps us grow socially into an enriched and better person that finds joy in knowing people from everywhere, absorbing their learnings, communicating, and exchanging opinions, while training to be globally concerned individuals.

When we have a group that is diverse and different, we gain a bank of multiple values, ethics, cultures, and working styles, which becomes a strength of a dependable team, leading to brilliant productivity and effectiveness!

The lesson of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging is the crucial ingredient of a Good School.

- Shilpika is a Happy Teacher at My Good School

Something that I want to change - Tenzing Dhekyong N

The photo is from the book: The Little Book of Values: Educating Children to Become Thinking,
Responsible and Caring Citizens by Julie Duckworth and Ian Gilbert

The caste system is not a big issue these days, but I would love to change the system of the higher and lower classes by educating others about beliefs and disbelief.

India is also called "the place where girls are not safe". So I want to change this thought of everyone on this. Not only me but everyone could help by being respectful towards women and giving them full fundamental rights.

The Power Of Love - Anvesha Rana

                           

 Earlier I was a mysterious soul,

Inside me, I had a deep hole. 

Which neither time nor work could reap, 

All I needed was a retreat. 

The vacancy grew larger, 

The loneliness grew bigger, 

But I still lurked in the corner, 

Still searching for something warmer. 

But then I saw a beautiful white dove, 

Which perched up my tree, 

Once it went, it came later affectionately, 

And became a family guarantee!  

I realized my family, 

My mother, father and sister, 

I saw them care, caress, fluster and support, 

All in the name of love. 

I understood my friends, 

Calling me to make amends, 

Or to catch up with the latest trends, 

All in the name of love. 

Then I discovered my passion, 

Which taught me dedication

And devotion and compassion, 

All in the name of love. 

I learnt a lot from them, 

But I also learnt a lot from myself, 

Which made me learn one more thing

And that is Self-Love. 

Thank you for 

making me realize, 

making me believe 

And making me feel 

The Power Of Love. 

Anvesha Rana, 

Grade 10-B, 

Gyanshree School

Merry Christmas 🎄!! - Oshi Singh

 Weihnachten

Merry Christmas ⛄🎄!!

Wir alle lieben Weihnachten!

In Deutschland wird der Weihnachtstag 25, Familien lesen Weihnachtsgeschichten und singen Weihnachtslieder zu Weihnachten. Sie sitzen zusammen und essen traditionelles Essen. Die Deutschen haben zu Weihnachten einen Countdown-Kalender "Adventskalender".

Vier Wochen vor Weihnachten wird jeden Sonntag eine Kerze angezündet. Die kleinen Kinder freuen sich über ihre Geschenke. Ein weiterer wichtiger Tag vor Weihnachten ist der Nikolaustag am 6. Dezember. St. Nikolaus ist bekannt als der Geschenkebringer für Kinder. Am Vorabend des Nikolaustages stellen die Kinder ihre Schuhe vor die Tür, die er mit Süßigkeiten und Schokolade füllt.

An Weihnachten wird traditionell gerne Kartoffelsalat mit Würstchen gegessen. Bei den Süßigkeiten sind Lebkuchen und Spekulatius bei allen am beliebtesten. Sie sind bereits ab September auf den Weihnachtsmärkten und in den Bäckereien erhältlich. Ich finde Weihnachten seid sehr lieb. Jedes Jahr fahre ich mit meiner Familie in den Winterurlaub. Wir alle lieben Weihnachten für die Feiertage, Weihnachtsbaum, Geschenke und Süßigkeiten!

Was machst du an weihnachten?

What do you do at Christmas?

Oshi Singh

VIII D

Gyanshree School 

Merry Christmas! - Rishona Chopra

Merry Christmas !! I know most of us don't believe in the stories of Santa Claus, but sometimes it's good to play along with it and enjoy the festival!    

A small act of giving could mean everything to a person. Giving not only makes the other person happy but also makes us happy. As said,' make others happy, and you will be satisfied in the same way give and give, and you will feel better. When we give, we shouldn't expect the same from a person. We should give from our hearts.

At Christmas, we receive gifts but have we ever thought that instead of receiving, we should give more and buy things, not for us but others in need. If we can afford it, buying stuff for us when we need them makes sense. There is a tremendous difference between want and need. When we want something, we don't really need them; when we need them, we want to use them properly. So on Christmas, we should give and not take, and we should give it in such a way that we do not mind if the other offers a return gift. So today, On Christmas, let us pass, share and give selflessly!!

Christmas reminds us of beautiful angels with wings and a divine wand in their hands. Wings symbolize the angelic and light stage of the mind, which is experienced through purity and soul-consciousness, and the sacred rod is a symbol of positive blessings we receive from God and then share with each soul in the world!

Christmas is not only about giving but also about love and care. Time and commitment. Let's spend some time with our loved ones on this beautiful festival of joy. If you can see the love between plants and animals, then why do only we humans fall into the trap and ego and anger?

Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. -The Bible

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Cloud Formations - Rishona Chopra

The beautiful clouds hover over the sky, 
Some hide behind like they were shy!
Cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and nimbus clouds,
There are cirrostratus, cirrocumulus, altostratus,
Altocumulus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus, 

And cumulonimbus clouds.
Some are dark, high and loud!
Others are light and pretty.
Some make the shape of a cute kitty.
Those beautiful clouds I look at,
Few are flat, few are fat!
A miracle in the sky,
They shine proudly, meeting me in the eye!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School