The DSOBS delegation at the Arthur Foot Academy

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!

Websites:
The Doon School Old Boys' Society: www.dsobs.net
Arthur Foot Academy: www.ArthurFootAcademy.org
Learning Forward India Foundation: www.LearningForward.org.in

Coming soon:

Find out more at https://schooleducation.com/my-good-school-retreat

 

My Good School, Sunday 9th March 2025

Sunday School # 179 

Summary of Episode 15: Suddh Uddesham from Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels:

In this episode, Guru Nanak emphasizes the importance of purity in intention and action. Suddh Uddesham (pure intention) refers to acting with a heart and mind free from selfish motives, aligning oneself with a higher spiritual purpose. Guru Nanak teaches that actions performed with pure intentions can lead to spiritual enlightenment and a deeper connection with the divine. This episode reflects Guru Nanak's teachings on how true purity is not just about external rituals but is rooted in the inner state of one's mind and heart.

Guru Nanak's travels in this episode highlight how pursuing a higher truth requires shedding personal desires and ego. It is not enough to follow external practices or customs; one must cultivate sincerity and a clear, unselfish purpose in all actions. The story encourages individuals to examine their intentions, emphasizing that purity in one's heart can lead to true spiritual fulfillment.

Guru Nanak's message of oneness and interconnectedness was key in integrating diverse saints' teachings in the Guru Granth Sahib. Amardeep explained that Guru Nanak traveled across the Indian subcontinent and engaged in dialogues with spiritualists from different traditions. He emphasized the concept of Ek Niranjan, the belief that the creator and creation are one, transcending religious boundaries. This philosophy allowed Guru Nanak to recognize the common threads in the teachings of saints like Bhagat Namdev, Bhagat Trilochan, and others and incorporate their verses into the Sikh scripture. The Guru Granth Sahib became a unifying text that celebrated the diversity of spiritual thought while highlighting the underlying unity.

In summary, Suddh Uddesham is about transforming one's internal state to reflect divine qualities through genuine, selfless action.

Reflection Question - Reflect on when aligning your actions with a deeper purpose brought clarity or transformation to your path.

Chapter 1: A Man for all seasons from The Door to Door Bookstore:

1. The Power of Books

• Question: What does the character's fascination with books tell us about the importance of reading in their life?

2. Personal Connections

• Question: How do the interactions between the main character and the people they meet in the bookstore reveal the significance of human connections?

• Question: In this Chapter, what changes or discoveries does the protagonist experience, and how might these shape the story's progression?

4. Finding Purpose

• Question: How does the main character seem to be searching for something more in life, and how might the bookstore be a part of that journey?

5. Mystery and Curiosity

• Question: What elements of mystery or curiosity are introduced in the first chapter, and how do they make you want to keep reading?

You can email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in or post them as comments below!