Children' s day

 Dear Boys and Girls / or should I say Ladies and gentlemen !

Let me begin by wishing you a HAPPY CHILDREN"S DAY !

Children’s Day always brings fond memories of my years with you – from the iconic Boys High School in Allahabad, the unforgettable-  Bishop’s School,  Pune, The Modern High School in Dubai, to The Millennium School , Dubai  and the GEMS schools I work with across the UAE. 

My Classroom teaching , the tests and exams, the attempted cheating , the laughter, the antics, the games, the clubs, The scouts,  the functions  and yes, even the “sneaky escapes” are still etched in my mind! 

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose birthday we celebrate today, would be thrilled to know how the mischievous, determined young minds I saw every day - some for many years - have grown into such accomplished, responsible adults ( Hopefully ) 

Who can  forget those who attempted to “bunk” a class (of course, to rehearse for school functions or a big cricket match – or so I was told!). The Bishops boarders who slipped out at night , the sports fields and courts  where we shared countless games of volleyball, badminton, and table tennis, and those intense matches where no one ever wanted to lose! What about the Founder's days in BHS and Bishops - and let’s not forget the Bishop’s boarders who I looked  after-  as both Dorm incharge and later Boarding Suptd. – the shared meals, the camaraderie, the dorm feasts  the unspoken bonds formed over meals in the dining hall. 

I still remember so many boarders in Bishops  who helped put up the stage curtains and lights and put away the chairs after the Friday movies - while walking through a haunted passage ! 

To each one of you who lent me a hand in school activities, from organizing grand school functions, to daily class duties, thank you. Some would remember doing my attendance register for me and helping me with marksheets ! 

Our Literary club, My Debaters, the actors , the elocutionists - My House and school captains and prefects  ! Wow - memories are made of this .  

You probably didn’t know it then, but each task you undertook was a tiny building block in shaping who you are today. and I hope you see it that way .

 I definitely see it in the way you have become leaders and contributors, creative thinkers, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, doctors, and more.

 From the school campus to social media, your success stories fill me with immense pride and joy. The fact that so many of you still keep in touch, even from all corners of the world, speaks volumes about our shared journey and the bond we’ll always have. I have met dozens of you , years after you have passed out and the joy and catch ups has been memorable. Some of our batch get togethers are etched in my memory.  

Today, you are indeed movers and shakers in society and the world at large . 

But remember, while achievements are certainly admirable, it is your character and kindness that make the lasting impact. 

Raise your own children to be the same – compassionate, kind, loving , humble, and true to their values, for, in the end, this is what matters the most. If you can do that- you are a success . 

On this Children’s Day, as we celebrate the spirit of youth and the legacy of Nehru, I want to thank you for your love, respect, and all the amazing memories. 

Here’s to continuing this journey of being good human beings together.

With all my love and blessings

Michael Guzder