Speech on passing out of school - Tenzin Tsomo

Good morning, I, Tenzin Tsomo of Pestalozzi, studying in 7th class, writing a speech on passing out of school.

It was very exciting and nervous when I joined the school for the first time. But after some days, I made many friends in school, and I enjoyed it a lot, but now as I'm leaving school, I am despondent about it because it is the best school I have ever joined. I am proud that I studied at this school. I learned a lot and had a lot of memories. And I cried on the first day of school and now on the last day.

Tenzin Tsomo

Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Multifaced - Reveda Bhatt

 A fact about life is that everybody (in singular) has faces (in plural).

Okay, so isn’t that true?

Some will say, “At least I don’t have it.”

Well, that isn’t true.

You’ll be in denial for a while, but you come to believe it!

 

In this world, when even after being pure at heart, you’re betrayed, then you come to realise,” What’s the point of being the same with everyone?”

The scenario above is when you are the same in your acts with everybody, be it those who do good to you or those who don’t.

 

Ravan, you know what, the ten heads he had, each symbolised a man’s ability to have faces.

 

Having faces is not bad, but yes, I call it dangerous.

Not bad because it helps you act differently without having an “emotion tag” or without having people ask you about the reason for the change in your mood.

Dangerous because you could lose your originality in a pool of faces that soon, if not controlled properly, even you don’t know of. 

That’s what!

The loss of your own true self, so, you know, know yourself because “To Thine, Own Self Be True.”

Reveda Bhatt

Grade X
The Aryan School

Meet and Greet with Nirmal Ghosh

Learning Forward Podcast Season 10 Episode 15

Nature has its way of calling upon us, but we often ignore those rare signs. We build homes in seclusion away from the abode of wildlife and nature; when we can live peacefully together, why are we so adamant about living apart? Consider this beautiful conversation where Nirmal Ghosh deciphers his book, ‘Blue Sky, White Cloud: Three Novellas’. Our anthropocentric behaviour has indeed broken the typical bond of friendship between nature and us. Learn and reinforce to reconnect with our roots.

Nirmal Ghosh  - Author of ‘Blue Sky, White Cloud: Three Novellas.’
Anvesha Rana - Host from Gyanshree School
Rishona Chopra and Sandeep Dutt join in as guests.

There was a lot to learn, and there is now a lot to reinforce, but the lifeline remains that beauty lies in simplicity; we might try to complex situations, but deep down, we are all the same man who used to live with nature to now the man who has built homes in seclusion away from the abode of wildlife and nature.

We are the only species with the power to share our feelings with the world, and we should use this power wisely.

Nirmal addresses some interesting questions:

It is vital to write about what we know simply for authenticity, so what was your process of writing these three novellas, what set off that spark, and how did you go about it?

What do you believe is the key to establishing a relationship with our environment, and how did you do it?

Blue Sky White Cloud is a heart-touching tale that echoes a powerful message of empathy and compassion. Amidst all you do, sir, how do you continue fostering your passion for writing?

Talking about ‘Blue Sky, White Cloud’ is a compilation of three novellas. A novella is a short novel, and this tale revolves around the lives of three distinct animals who live in varying geographies and current independent views. Still, somehow deep down, they are all interconnected.

There is more; this is a heart-warming podcast filled with empathy for nature, real life-changing moments and how humans must learn to respect nature.

Listen to the podcast on www.DilJeeto.com, Spotify or your favourite Podcast App.

Coffee With The Coach : Our Happiness - Anvesha Rana

Today We Talk About Our Happiness

Many of us feel that we will only be happy when something big happens when we finally get promoted or get an expensive gift. Why are we so adamant about linking our happiness to worldly possessions? Why can’t we be happy for no reason? Our joy is always because of something, and as long as this lasts, we can never be pleased since someday, the best dress in your closet will look worn out. Eventually, the best game you got once will look very old and ultimately, the job that you had always dreamt of will turn out to be a nightmare.  

There should be no because when it comes to happiness, I am happy. After all, it is just not okay. I am happy, that’s it. I need no reason to be happy. Someday that reason will go, and then I will be sad. So I am happy, as simple as that. But even I agree it's tough to be happy without any reason, once you think about it, do we always have something to be sad about? Is the world always falling apart for us? Are we always struggling? Then why are we always so gloomy and upset? If we can always be sad, we can learn to be happy. 

Happiness is a choice, and it’s not a miracle that a wand will be waved and all the miseries of life will vanish, but it is a choice that we make each day. Despite everything that takes place in our lives, we should still have the strength to face the world and to sideline that sadness to accept the fact that whatever may happen shall happen but I chose to be happy.

Being happy is rather misused, we are not happy if we are troubled by the presence of others, we are not happy if we have restricted it to a definite zone and we are not happy simply by trying to act happy. Happiness comes from within and we can never thrust the responsibility of something as important as our happiness onto someone else’s shoulders because believe it or not, expectations are born to die, no one in this world should be the reason for your contentment. When you are the reason behind your own happiness, you find solace in yourself and there is nothing better than that. 

Something as commonly expressed as happiness which is still yet completely vague for all of us is a big problem. We don’t know what happiness is and well we don’t even have to know what it is. Happiness is like love, when you are happy you will know it and you will be happy without any reason at all. 

Anvesha Rana

Grade 11 

Gyanshree School 

Small things are big things - Tenzin Jambey

The tallest building in the world is made up of small pieces of bricks. Who said that small things don't make a difference? Yes, it does for me. It does make a difference. 

People become greedy and avaricious when it comes to achieving something; because of greed, we try to gain it at one grab; we think of something big and put all our efforts and hard work at once, but, at last, we are unable to get it. We fail to achieve it because we think a miracle will happen when we put all our energy at once, but it still needs to happen. 

Many students have a habit of studying at the last moment; they think that they would really work hard at the last moment and achieve to get good marks, but only those students who study from the very first day succeed in getting good marks. I genuinely agree that "little progress each day adds up to a big result," as I have experienced it. 

Even little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Tenzin Jambey
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Life in places - Aati Pema

Imagery Lunatic Laboratories

loonylabs.org

My memory was very feeble when I went there, but I will tell you what I still remember. On a calm summer afternoon, the air blew lazily, and the local dry fruits and vegetable sellers who had all settled down at early dawn were now taking turns looking after their produce while some went to rest in the comfort of stores. There was a restaurant on the store's second floor beside a highway; it was no special occasion. l had a holiday, and my mother took me to that place; the aromatic ambience of the restaurant reached me before I even got near the foot of the cold iron staircase. 

I held my mother's hand and took help in climbing the steep steps of the store. When we entered, there was no worry about not getting a seat as almost the whole hall was empty. The window curtains were translucent, letting light pass while giving it a reddish hue. We sat near one of the windows and ordered our lunch. My mother had a plate of fried noodles while I thought of having them boiled, which my mother protested, saying it's too hot to eat such food, but after a while, my mother let my stubbornness win.

We could hear the wind whisper through the open windows as we waited for the meal to arrive. I talked with my mother casually as I sat lost in other thoughts. Now it's a useless regret that I had not been there with my mother even though her life was on such a tight schedule, but my mother had given her well-earned moments with me. After I had left the restaurant then, I had not realized anything of such, but that place still hold those memories, and I am grateful to have them. 

Aati Pema
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Sharpening The Saw - Tenzin Jambey

"Sharpening The Saw" can be beautifully defined as preparing a person or trying to bring a change in one's mind and attitude. Some so many people have contributed a lot to get a change, a development in me. 

Now when I think about my past and try to remember the people who have contributed their efforts to develop me, then the picture of my family and the faces of all the teachers come into my mind whose efforts were brilliant but, at the same time, my hearts says that there is a significant effort made by the family of Pestalozzi and My Good School which is also helping me to bring a change, a development within me. 

Here in Pestalozzi, we are provided with all kinds of niceties, and a high level of education is offered to us. This place where I live is known as a hostel by almost everyone, even at my best friend's home or my father and mother's. Still, they are unaware that this place feels more like a home than a hostel, and sometimes I feel like I don't want to leave this place, but as we know, everything has an end. 

Living with people from different regions of India and some from other places of Nepal with their own language, customs, and beliefs helps me understand their traditions and beautiful culture. Our friendship bond is powerful, and we are always there to help and assist each other regarding work or studies. Friends teach each other many things, including sound and bad habits, and it's a sour truth of friendship, but it is in our hands, and it's our choice whether we take bad morals or suitable lessons. 

In the case of our friendship bond, we teach each other only those acceptable to the person; our bond is so strong that we come to know about the other person's thoughts. My roommates are very good at creating motivational quotes, and their words and views help me to keep moving when I am broken. Some of their quotes are:

" The business graph never goes in a straight line at some point. It has to divert ".

"Rome was not built in a day, but it can be destroyed in a second". 

"The bad thing is time flies, but the good thing is I am the pilot". 

"Failing is a good sign to make a difference in you".

Sometimes I feel lucky to be with such good friends, namely Nawang, Norsang, Aati, Passang, Sandip and Nishan, who try to develop me and always help me.

The office staff put a lot of effort and hard work into developing every child of Pestalozzi. Cheme la Ma'am, the Director of Pestalozzi, always try harder and harder to keep us on track, and she becomes strict with us just for our own benefit; she always uses the most suitable examples to make us understand things in the best way. Upasna Ma'am is found wandering around the campus to meet every child and communicate with them to discover the troubles children face. I remember she once came to me also when I having issues.

The eyes of Shelja Ma'am would pop out one day as she spends a lot of time near the screen. The reason behind this is she is concerned about every child's future. By looking at the students' names and their obtained subjects, she is busy seeking colleges and universities for children's further studies. Anudev sir, Rakesh Sir and Rahul Sir, the three handsome men, also contribute a lot to assisting every child with any queries, and they'll be found busy the whole day as their business calls on.

My charming and lovely House Mother, Minaxi Ma'am, is often misunderstood by many people as a student. When I saw her for the first time, I thought she might be our age, and I was surprised to know that she was serving us as a house mother. I thought, " Yeh madam kya house mother karegi ". Her outlook is like a student, but she is a wonderful multi-talented woman. Even after pursuing a master's in Micro Biology, she considered joining an NGO. She helped us out with almost everything thing and especially with our studies. I was shocked when I learned she knew everything about us, including our naughty and decent actions. Every day has been a learning day since she joined Pestalozzi and served as a House Mother. I never knew that "pakorde" is called fritters in English. She is always there to help us with everything, and I see a significant improvement in my studies and other activities, which is 60% because of her motivation. When I came  3rd in class, she was happier than anyone else, even more optimistic than me. I know our bond is strong, but sometimes we really eat each other's mind, and mostly I am one to irritate her, because of which she gets angry.

There is a saying, "Where two utensils are kept together, then ultimately would become one". I don't feel she is my Ma'am, but I think of her as more like my older sister. My mind prevents me from touching her as my mother because she is young to be a mother, and people might get a heart attack when I start calling her mummy because she looks like a student.

Nowadays, I can focus on my studies and other activities too, but once, I was also a very distracted child and never got full marks in any subjects; many thoughts came into my mind. When I was in class 6th, it was a nightmare going to school as I had no friends nor was I doing good in my studies. While returning from school, I would sit at the window seat and look at the environment, and strange thoughts filled my mind. I used to think I was useless. I was wasting Pestalozzi's resources, I am wasting the food, the books in my bag, the uniform that I wore and the fuel of the bus, and at last, a lot of money and reason behind doing not well in academics, and because of my rude behaviour and attitude that I had, at that time I hardly had a smile on my face but, from now onwards I would never get to see these days as the family of Pestalozzi and My Good School are sharpening me. They have become the tool of sharpening when I am a saw. 

My Good School, or The Sunday Good School, is a good learning platform that helps me think beyond my limitations of thinking abilities. It's not only the school's name which is good but also the morals and lessons taught here are excellent and fun. By being regular in classes and because of writing my reflection continuously, I can understand things in a better way. I also thought how Good School would change me and develop my writing, reading and speaking skills, but now I know. I can now reflect on my actions and think deeply about them because I have no limitations on writing, like in school, we write an essay of 350 words, and I am allowed to put my thoughts on a piece of paper as many words as I wish too. 

When I sit to write a reflection, I automatically forget all other work, and my hands continue until I finish writing. My Good School is really 'Sharpening the Saw' for me and bringing a vast development in me, it would be great if more students joined My Good School, but I feel like the current strength we have is better than better as we are starting with a small step by taking that small step ideally.

Here are the pictures of the people who are my sharpeners! 

Upasna Ma'am, Chemela Ma'am and Shelja Ma'am

Rakesh Sir

Rahul Sir

Anudev Sir 

Minaxi Ma'am