Beyond Books: The Essence of True Learning - Lotus Petal Foundation

 

My Good School Reflections - 26th October

True learning goes far beyond the boundaries of books and classrooms. It begins when we start observing the world around us with curiosity, exploring new ideas with an open mind, and connecting different concepts to make sense of our experiences. Books provide knowledge, but understanding comes from reflection, experimentation, and engagement with real-life situations. When we learn to question, explore, and relate what we study to the world we live in, education transforms from mere information into wisdom that shapes who we are and how we think.

Lotus Petal Foundation

GSA Calendar November 2025

 My Good School

2nd November 2025
Book Reading- The Inner Life of Animals
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

9^th November 2025
Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

16^th November 2025

We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate their dreams and aspirations while embracing their goals. The YES workshop on Communication with Kartik Bajoria
Book Reading- The Inner Life of Animals

23^rd November 2025
Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

30th November 2025
Amardeep Singh Screening of Episode 23
गुरु चेला (मुर्शद और अभिलाषी):Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels 
Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore

The Teachers Academy

Brewing Knowledge 
Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal
What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning

Saturday Masterclass 
Meeting at 5:30 PM: The Courage to Be Disliked: The life-changing global bestseller recommended by Steven Bartlett on 'Diary of a CEO’, co-hosted by Gurdeep Kaur and Sandeep Dutt

Learning Forward Saturday
Early Childhood Development training sessions for teachers at 2:00 PM every Saturday - Hosted by Ms Neelashi Mangal

GSA Meetings and Events 

GSA Squad

We review programs and plan for the coming week.

At 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers, and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving 

AFA Weekly Review

Zoom Meeting for Arthur Foot Academy: 4th Friday of Every Month at 4:00 PM in association with Asteya Services

Good Schools of India

Are you signed up for the Good Schools of India Weekly yet? Don't miss out on valuable insights—published every Monday at 7:00 AM! #JoyOfLearning 
Subscribe at: www.GSI.in

Meet and Greet with Dr Manu Kapur

Friday 28th November 5:30 

Productive Failure: Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing

MANU KAPUR developed the theory of Productive Failure and applies it in classrooms and workplaces around the world to transform learning and growth. He is a Professor of Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and has spent the past two decades understanding the science of how people learn.

Open to All

Follow the Brewing Knowledge WhatsApp Group for further details

Annual Day and AGA at the Arthur Foot Academy 14th of November 2025

By invitation only, please contact Kunal Rajpurohit at KR@LearningForward.org.in

Learning Through Communication and Conscious Listening - Sunbeam School Ballia

In today's session, we had the great personality Mr. Kartik Sir. He told us about the types of communication and gave us more knowledge about communication. He also guided us on how we can communicate with different types of living beings on Earth, like animals, humans, etc.

He also played a song which was about emotions.

He told us about the benefits of conscious listening.

I am really happy to get this beautiful ❤️ opportunity to join this webinar, understand new things, and improve my vocabulary.

In the second session, there was a ma’am, Mrs Manisha Khanna. She read a story called "Taiyar Ho Jao". It was a very interesting story related to scouts — an amazing session indeed.

Both sessions were really awesome, and we learned many new things.

I really thank Sandeep Dutt Sir and Jugjiv Sir for encouraging us to come and enjoy this platform. 🌸

Thank you,

Talat Bano, 5C

Through this session on Communication Skills and Conscious Listening,

I understood that communication is not just about speaking, but also about listening with full attention and awareness. I learned about different types of communication—verbal, non-verbal, visual, and written—and how each plays a unique role in expressing ideas and emotions.

The session also highlighted the importance of being a conscious listener, which means understanding before responding and being aware of what the other person truly wants to convey.

Developing conscious listening skills helps in avoiding small misunderstandings that can turn into big mistakes later. I realised that when we listen carefully, we can interpret messages better, form relevant opinions, and respond thoughtfully.

This class taught me that effective communication is a fundamental skill that empowers us in personal, academic, and professional life. Overall, it made me more aware of the value of mindful communication and how it can positively impact our interactions with others.

Arushi Srivastava, IX A

Today’s Good School Alliance session was really insightful. Mr Kartik talked about speaking skills and helped us understand that everyone thinks differently, which affects how we communicate. His tips on coping with the fear of public speaking—like focusing on the message rather than worrying about judgment—felt practical and easy to try.

After that, Ms Manisha shared a story titled "अब तैयार हो जाओ". Her storytelling was lively; it highlighted the importance of being ready and taking action.

Overall, the session prompted me to reflect on how I approach communication and fear, and I feel motivated to speak more confidently while being aware of different perspectives.

Janvi Singh, IX F

Communication is More Than Words

Communication is more than words — it’s understanding, observing, and connecting. This was the spark that Kartik Sir ignited in our communication session. What struck me the most was the power of being a good listener. Listening actively, noticing subtle details, and valuing every perspective are the foundations of meaningful communication, and Kartik Sir made this idea come alive with real-life examples.

I sincerely appreciate the example explanation of my question by Sandeep Sir, showing how our Good School Alliance itself is an example of how one can build a career in social media on the platform of mass communication.

Astha Mishra, IX D

In today's class, we had the great personality Mr. Kartik Sir. He informed us about the various types of communication and provided us with additional knowledge on how to communicate effectively with animals, humans, and others. He also played songs that were about emotions and explained the benefits of conscious listening.

I am really grateful to have this opportunity to join this great webinar, as I got to learn new things and improve my vocabulary.

The second session was by Mrs Manisha Khanna. Ma’am, read the story "Taiyar Ho Jao", an interesting story related to scouts.

I really thank Sandeep Sir and Jugjiv Sir for creating such an interactive platform.

Thank you,

Riffat Bano, 6D

Jai Hind!

Dear readers, I am Aayush Kumar Singh of Class X-A, and this is my reflection.

The session began with a short conversation between me and Manisha Ma’am about Diwali and the excitement of buying things for the festival. We talked about how everyone gets busy preparing for the celebration and how the festival brings a happy spirit everywhere.

After that, Kartik Sir showed us two versions of the same video, each with different background music. It was surprising to see how just changing the music could completely change the feeling and message of the video. Through this, we understood that communication is not only through words, but also through emotions, tone, and expression.

Sir then explained how humans and animals communicate in their own ways — humans through language, and animals through gestures and sounds. This helped me realise that real communication comes from understanding feelings, not just speaking.

Overall, the session taught me about empathy, connection, and meaningful communication — lessons that help us express ourselves better in every form of life.

Aayush Kumar Singh, Class X-A

In today’s session, we had the privilege of learning from the inspiring personality, Mr Kartik Sir, who taught us about various methods of communication and their objectives. He also explained the importance of conscious listening and how we can become better listeners.

One of the most interesting parts of the class was when he showed us a video that demonstrated how changing the background music can completely alter the interpretation of a scene.

After Kartik Sir’s class, we had Manisha Ma’am’s session, where we read the story ‘तैयार हो जाओ’. I really enjoyed this class and found it both engaging and meaningful.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Sandeep Dutt Sir and Jugjiv Sir for giving me this wonderful opportunity to learn and explore new ideas on this platform.

Thank you,

Adrika Sahu, Class 8 A

Fun, Learning, and Growing with My Good School

Reflections 19th Oct.docx by Manisha Khanna

The Lotus Petal Foundation is delighted to share reflections on the insightful session conducted by Mr Kartik Bajoria on Communication Skills this past Sunday.

The session was an engaging and enriching experience for our students and team members alike. Mr Bajoria’s dynamic approach and practical examples helped participants understand the essence of effective communication — not just as a tool for expression, but as a bridge for connection and confidence.

Through interactive discussions, relatable anecdotes, and hands-on exercises, participants explored how tone, body language, and clarity play vital roles in everyday interactions. The session encouraged everyone to reflect on their own communication styles and discover ways to express themselves with greater authenticity and impact.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr Bajoria for his time, expertise, and passion in empowering young minds. The learnings from this session will surely inspire our students to communicate with purpose, empathy, and self-assurance.

Thoughts Left Unheard: Life in Nazi Germany - Rishona Chopra

I thought we were born to be good, to be kind, to be loving, to care for anyone who needed it.  Isn't that what they told us when we were young? To always help, to never judge, to never discriminate, to imbibe the values of peace and harmony. I grew up believing that these values would be all anyone needs for life, grew up never knowing that things would be far from perfect. I wonder why they taught us lies, lies that a world is kind and caring. Lies that beneath everyone, is a good soul. Lies that happy endings exist. Because they never will and they never did. The world runs on hate not love, on greed not compassion, on violence not peace. That’s the way it was and the way it will be and it’s this truth that hurts more than ever because now I know that all the things I ever believed, were nothing but forgotten dreams.

When did it all end? When did smiles turn into cries, when did the sounds of laughter turn into painful sobs? Now, as I walk by the streets, I see the blameful glares, how people shift away,     how no one wants to talk to me anymore, as if I’m just a stranger. I’m not as furious as I am hurt. Hurt that all it took was a man named Hitler to change years of friendship into nothing at all. All this because of a three letter word - Jew. I never thought a small word could make such a big difference in my life. I’m no longer good old Hannah, I’m a Jew. Labelled not by who I am, and what I do, but by the fact that I’m a Jew. And now it’s like a leash that binds me from being who I truly am. People don’t see me for me, but the only thing they ever see is that I’m a jew.

And now, there’s nowhere left to go. Nowhere left to run. Nowhere to hide. Because they’re everywhere. Like vultures they’ll find you and they won’t rest till every last piece of you is gone. And as everyone I’ve ever known slowly disappears with the wind, I’m left wondering if kindness was ever real, if love was ever true or if it were just another story.  - Just another ordinary young girl Thoughts voiced by Rishona Chopra, Grade IX, Gyanshree School

गुरु नानक देव जी के जीवन का संदेश – Lalita Pal

एपिसोड २२ ने मेरे मन को गहराई से छू लिया। हर दृश्य ऐसा प्रतीत हुआ जैसे गुरु नानक देव जी स्वयं हमारे सामने खड़े होकर सच्चाई, प्रेम और समानता का संदेश दे रहे हों। उनके शब्दों में सादगी और शक्ति का अद्भुत समन्वय था, जिसने मेरे हृदय में श्रद्धा की भावना जागृत की।

इस एपिसोड में सबसे अधिक प्रभावशाली बात गुरु नानक जी का धैर्य, विनम्रता और ईश्वर पर अटूट विश्वास था। जब लोग उनके विचारों को नहीं समझ पाते या विरोध करते, तब भी उनका मन शांत रहता और चेहरे पर हमेशा मुस्कान रहती। यह दर्शाता है कि सच्चाई की राह पर चलने वाला व्यक्ति कभी अकेला नहीं होता, उसके साथ स्वयं ईश्वर होते हैं।

गुरु नानक जी का संदेश "सब मनुष्य एक ही ईश्वर की संतान हैं" मेरे दिल को गहराई से छू गया। उन्होंने धर्म, जाति और ऊँच-नीच के भेदभाव को मिटाने की शिक्षा दी। आज जब समाज में लोग छोटी-छोटी बातों में भेदभाव कर लेते हैं, तब उनका यह संदेश और भी प्रासंगिक हो जाता है।

उनकी शिक्षा यह सिखाती है कि सच्ची पूजा मंदिरों या मस्जिदों में नहीं, बल्कि हमारे कर्मों और प्रेम में छिपी है। सेवा, सिमरन और संत जीवन का वास्तविक मार्ग हैं। मानवता का सही अर्थ तब है जब हम सभी एक-दूसरे से प्रेम करें।

गुरु नानक देव जी ने सिखाया कि प्रेम और सच्चाई की आवाज़ को ऊँचा बोलने की आवश्यकता नहीं होती; यह खुद ही सबके दिलों तक पहुँच जाती है। अगर हम उनके बताए मार्ग पर चलें, किसी की मदद करें, सच्चाई बोले और भेदभाव न करें, तो हमारा जीवन सुन्दर और अर्थपूर्ण बन जाएगा।

— ललिता पाल, आर्थर फुट अकादमी

गुरु नानक देव जी: सत्य, समानता और करुणा की गाथा — Simran Kaur

गुरु नानक देव जी का जीवन सत्य, समानता और करुणा की अमर गाथा है। उन्होंने हमें सिखाया कि सच्चा धर्म इंसानियत में है—जब हम दूसरों की सेवा करते हैं, सभी के साथ प्रेम और आदर का व्यवहार करते हैं, तभी हम ईश्वर के निकट पहुँचते हैं। उनका संदेश केवल धार्मिक नहीं, बल्कि मानव जीवन का आदर्श मार्ग है।

उन्होंने कहा—

"ना कोई हिन्दू, ना मुसलमान—सब मनुष्य एक ही प्रभु की संतान हैं।"

यह विचार हमें याद दिलाता है कि हर व्यक्ति में वही ज्योति है जो ईश्वर में है। जब हम किसी के प्रति भेदभाव करते हैं, तो हम उस दिव्यता को ठुकराते हैं। आज के युग में, जब समाज में विभाजन, ईर्ष्या और प्रतिस्पर्धा बढ़ रही है, गुरु नानक देव जी का यह संदेश पहले से कहीं अधिक प्रासंगिक है।

अगर हम उनके बताए मार्ग पर चलें—सच बोले, मेहनत करें, और ईमानदारी से बाँटकर खाएं (कीरत करो, नाम जपो, वंड छको), तो निश्चित ही जीवन में शांति, संतोष और सुख की प्राप्ति होती है। उनकी शिक्षाएँ हमें यह सिखाती हैं कि शिक्षा केवल ज्ञान प्राप्त करने का माध्यम नहीं, बल्कि अच्छे इंसान बनने का साधन है।

गुरु नानक देव जी का प्रकाश हम सबके हृदय में उजाला फैलाए, और हमें प्रेरित करे कि हम अपने जीवन से दूसरों के जीवन में भी उजाला बाँटें।

"जहाँ करुणा है, वहीं ईश्वर है।

जहाँ प्रेम है, सच्ची उपासना है।"

— Simran Kaur, Arthur Foot Academy