Christmas wishes 2020

 Dear friends , colleagues and former pupils As we come to the end of the year, it is time to pause, ponder a while & reflect on the year that is almost at an end What a year this has been- phew! A year of unprecedented stress, innumerable difficulties, quick decisions, fear & new beginnings – all rolled into one. Above all – a year of realization. At times it was like being on a large Ferris wheel, which suddenly began caving in & falling apart without warning! The very word PANDEMIC is all that is needed to get you to reminisce with utter dismay, on a year gone by and not a day too soon. We have all felt the strain, the anguish, the paralysing anxiety, and the sheer loss – of time, people, resources and opportunities. Many families are grieving the loss of loved ones and we pray that the almighty gives them the courage, strength, and fortitude to endure the pain. 2020 will go down in History, and just imagine – we were part of it! However, I do not intend this to be an article of sadness, despondency, desolation, or despair – that would defeat the very purpose wouldn’t it? Let us look on the brighter side of life. We have been tested to the limits and are emerging wiser & stronger. Life for me has always been about HOPE! I have been tested often, and I would like to believe, that has made me a better person. I am sure so many of you have overcome challenges and adversary too – that is part of life isn’t it? There comes a time, in all our lives, when we realize who and what matters, and if there is just one takeaway from this pandemic, it is this. It has wiped away the cobwebs from our eyes, removed the blinkers and suddenly we are all seeing more clearly- or at least we are beginning to. That is a massive positive for me and I am sure for you as well? So, what have been the other plus points from this pandemic? Keeping it simple- our lives are slower for sure and we have become calmer and more tolerant. We are more open to learn and change. We have become more resilient, caring, confident, committed, courageous, passionate, and patient. Our determination & drive to succeed amidst the turmoil all around, has been sharpened. Simple pleasures and pastimes are more appreciated. Gardens, parks, and hikes have taken the place of malls, clubs, and restaurants. There has been an unprecedented mobilization of scholarly efforts, and we have all been contributors in one way or the other. On one hand we have become more self-reliant and self-contained in so many ways, yet there has, simultaneously been, so much collaboration and innumerable connections on various fronts- that is heart-warming and so good for the world around us. We have also witnessed an all-round change for the better in our personal and professional lives and we cannot deny the fact that despite work and family pressures, most things just feel better. I feel a sense of wellbeing. And oh yes – we have all realized that FAMILY COMES FIRST. In various industries there have been the inevitable salary cuts and job losses – BUT WE ARE ALIVE! For this reason and this reason alone, I feel we should celebrate because there is no denying the fact, that with the positive news of the various vaccines from around the world, we are turning the corner. We are not yet out of the woods, COVID is still lurking, but things are certainly looking up, the world is more upbeat, and we have every reason to smile, be optimistic and thank God. Hopefully, the worst is over. I have been an Educationist for forty years now, and hence I speak on behalf of all my friends in this field - we have proved to all and sundry that we are “Frontline workers too” who need to be congratulated & applauded. We stood up, said “count me in” and then without much fuss, got the job done while maintaining the highest standards of ethics & professionalism. Thankfully, this has been recognized by the world at large. Looking back, I now feel that all of us are braver than we ever imagined! As the year draws to a close, I intend to use this winter break to relax and spend time with family and friends- we must do what makes us happy – that is important and one of the best ways to rejuvenate. All festive occasions are times to celebrate and to spread good cheer, peace and love. I take this opportunity to wish you and your families all the very best for Christmas and the new year. We pray to God almighty to continue to bless us all and keep us healthy and safe, as we get set to enter 2021 

Warm regards and all good wishes

Christmas wishes 2020

 Dear friends , colleagues and former pupils As we come to the end of the year, it is time to pause, ponder a while & reflect on the year that is almost at an end What a year this has been- phew! A year of unprecedented stress, innumerable difficulties, quick decisions, fear & new beginnings – all rolled into one. Above all – a year of realization. At times it was like being on a large Ferris wheel, which suddenly began caving in & falling apart without warning! The very word PANDEMIC is all that is needed to get you to reminisce with utter dismay, on a year gone by and not a day too soon. We have all felt the strain, the anguish, the paralysing anxiety, and the sheer loss – of time, people, resources and opportunities. Many families are grieving the loss of loved ones and we pray that the almighty gives them the courage, strength, and fortitude to endure the pain. 2020 will go down in History, and just imagine – we were part of it! However, I do not intend this to be an article of sadness, despondency, desolation, or despair – that would defeat the very purpose wouldn’t it? Let us look on the brighter side of life. We have been tested to the limits and are emerging wiser & stronger. Life for me has always been about HOPE! I have been tested often, and I would like to believe, that has made me a better person. I am sure so many of you have overcome challenges and adversary too – that is part of life isn’t it? There comes a time, in all our lives, when we realize who and what matters, and if there is just one takeaway from this pandemic, it is this. It has wiped away the cobwebs from our eyes, removed the blinkers and suddenly we are all seeing more clearly- or at least we are beginning to. That is a massive positive for me and I am sure for you as well? So, what have been the other plus points from this pandemic? Keeping it simple- our lives are slower for sure and we have become calmer and more tolerant. We are more open to learn and change. We have become more resilient, caring, confident, committed, courageous, passionate, and patient. Our determination & drive to succeed amidst the turmoil all around, has been sharpened. Simple pleasures and pastimes are more appreciated. Gardens, parks, and hikes have taken the place of malls, clubs, and restaurants. There has been an unprecedented mobilization of scholarly efforts, and we have all been contributors in one way or the other. On one hand we have become more self-reliant and self-contained in so many ways, yet there has, simultaneously been, so much collaboration and innumerable connections on various fronts- that is heart-warming and so good for the world around us. We have also witnessed an all-round change for the better in our personal and professional lives and we cannot deny the fact that despite work and family pressures, most things just feel better. I feel a sense of wellbeing. And oh yes – we have all realized that FAMILY COMES FIRST. In various industries there have been the inevitable salary cuts and job losses – BUT WE ARE ALIVE! For this reason and this reason alone, I feel we should celebrate because there is no denying the fact, that with the positive news of the various vaccines from around the world, we are turning the corner. We are not yet out of the woods, COVID is still lurking, but things are certainly looking up, the world is more upbeat, and we have every reason to smile, be optimistic and thank God. Hopefully, the worst is over. I have been an Educationist for forty years now, and hence I speak on behalf of all my friends in this field - we have proved to all and sundry that we are “Frontline workers too” who need to be congratulated & applauded. We stood up, said “count me in” and then without much fuss, got the job done while maintaining the highest standards of ethics & professionalism. Thankfully, this has been recognized by the world at large. Looking back, I now feel that all of us are braver than we ever imagined! As the year draws to a close, I intend to use this winter break to relax and spend time with family and friends- we must do what makes us happy – that is important and one of the best ways to rejuvenate. All festive occasions are times to celebrate and to spread good cheer, peace and love. I take this opportunity to wish you and your families all the very best for Christmas and the new year. We pray to God almighty to continue to bless us all and keep us healthy and safe, as we get set to enter 2021 

Warm regards and all good wishes

Make today count

 The 5 am club ! Something to ruminate over. Friday morning musings This day will not come again – so make the best of it – every second- every minute – every hour . Spread good will wherever possible Smile and be happy . Its contagious. Learn something new ( even if it's to draw a cat ) Read – a book- an article – anything that stimulates the thought process Be helpful Say a kind word Do not talk ill of anyone Try and make someone’s day special . It's easier than you imagine Plan ahead but live in the present . Try and learn from your mistakes but don’t dwell on them Work on removing negativity from your life. Be thankful for what you have. Many have much less. Think of those who have much less than you and try and help them if you can Be generous in thought , word and deed . You can start by giving away things you don't need any longer . Say a silent prayer whenever you can – its calming . Be determined to have a good day . Make today count . Send out positives vibes into the universe – they will come back to you threefold . Hope this makes some sense !! SMILE EVEN IF IT DOES NOT – AT LEAST I TRIED !!!!!!!!!!!!. God bless

Make today count

 The 5 am club ! Something to ruminate over. Friday morning musings This day will not come again – so make the best of it – every second- every minute – every hour . Spread good will wherever possible Smile and be happy . Its contagious. Learn something new ( even if it's to draw a cat ) Read – a book- an article – anything that stimulates the thought process Be helpful Say a kind word Do not talk ill of anyone Try and make someone’s day special . It's easier than you imagine Plan ahead but live in the present . Try and learn from your mistakes but don’t dwell on them Work on removing negativity from your life. Be thankful for what you have. Many have much less. Think of those who have much less than you and try and help them if you can Be generous in thought , word and deed . You can start by giving away things you don't need any longer . Say a silent prayer whenever you can – its calming . Be determined to have a good day . Make today count . Send out positives vibes into the universe – they will come back to you threefold . Hope this makes some sense !! SMILE EVEN IF IT DOES NOT – AT LEAST I TRIED !!!!!!!!!!!!. God bless

I am waiting for the day

I am waiting for the day When masks and gloves are no longer items on my shopping list When I can greet a friend without a care in the world Unflinchingly and with unadulterated joy And not with elbows and fists! Have started abhorring those parts of my body! I am waiting for the day When Social distancing, Virus, Pandemic, Outbreak, Quarantine, Contact tracing Super spreader and Isolation Are all just bitter memories To be sealed and buried. I am waiting for the day When schools are living institutions once again Abuzz with Teaching, Learning and engagement With cheerful kids and vibrant classrooms With teachers and taught- deep in discussion. When lesson plans can be executed to perfection With spirited collaboration and engaging experiments Making the topic come to life I am waiting for the day When connections, microphones, and cameras Stop hampering the flow of everyday education And hindering progress. When a pat on the shoulder Or a shake of the hand Make that friendless pupil feel welcome & accepted And then there are those special pupils Who thrive on tenderness, and care Who need smiles, hand holding &tender hugs. Who flourish when persuaded, coaxed and cajoled To forget their fears and insecurities While joining the mainstream I am waiting for the day When teachers can teach fearlessly And pupils can learn from the best Mentored, guided, and counselled As they always did I am waiting for the day When newspapers are not just depressing sheets of paper Where rancorous politicians spew forth Their venom on seemingly insipid opponents Why can’t good news sell? Must headlines always be depressing statistics of rapes, murders, and death? Don’t we deserve better? I am waiting for the day When I can pack my bags and travel To where and when I want To relax, unwind and not be worried About getting stranded in some foreign land Unable to return to the place I call home I am waiting for the day Just like you are.

I am waiting for the day

I am waiting for the day When masks and gloves are no longer items on my shopping list When I can greet a friend without a care in the world Unflinchingly and with unadulterated joy And not with elbows and fists! Have started abhorring those parts of my body! I am waiting for the day When Social distancing, Virus, Pandemic, Outbreak, Quarantine, Contact tracing Super spreader and Isolation Are all just bitter memories To be sealed and buried. I am waiting for the day When schools are living institutions once again Abuzz with Teaching, Learning and engagement With cheerful kids and vibrant classrooms With teachers and taught- deep in discussion. When lesson plans can be executed to perfection With spirited collaboration and engaging experiments Making the topic come to life I am waiting for the day When connections, microphones, and cameras Stop hampering the flow of everyday education And hindering progress. When a pat on the shoulder Or a shake of the hand Make that friendless pupil feel welcome & accepted And then there are those special pupils Who thrive on tenderness, and care Who need smiles, hand holding &tender hugs. Who flourish when persuaded, coaxed and cajoled To forget their fears and insecurities While joining the mainstream I am waiting for the day When teachers can teach fearlessly And pupils can learn from the best Mentored, guided, and counselled As they always did I am waiting for the day When newspapers are not just depressing sheets of paper Where rancorous politicians spew forth Their venom on seemingly insipid opponents Why can’t good news sell? Must headlines always be depressing statistics of rapes, murders, and death? Don’t we deserve better? I am waiting for the day When I can pack my bags and travel To where and when I want To relax, unwind and not be worried About getting stranded in some foreign land Unable to return to the place I call home I am waiting for the day Just like you are.

Bringing up kids

Times change - Bringing up kids has never been easy for any generation. To put it in perspective ' it's no child's play!' (There are however exceptions to the rule ) Parents to school going kid – 80' and 90's( All ) Wake up and get ready for school Hope you have kept your uniform clean from yesterday Go and eat your breakfast – I have put it on the table Have you had air filled in your cycle tyres? Be a good boy in school Don’t fight with anyone Make sure you eat all your tiffin Wash your hands before you drink water from the tap Have you completed your homework for the day? Copy your homework for tomorrow Bring all your books home Be polite to your teachers Don’t get into any trouble Don’t dirty your clothes when playing Remember to copy the notes dictated Take this 50 p for guavas If I am not at home when you return , put your bag near the front door, then go and play I hope you pass in the exams. Parents to kids now a days ( Not all ) Sleep a little while longer , I will wake you later I have put on the geyser and ironed your clothes What would you like for breakfast today – will tell the maid to prepare it If you miss the bus, I will drop you to school – don’t worry Enjoy your day in school - don't play in the sun If that boy makes fun of you I will write a complaint I have put some money in your purse to use in the canteen – bring back the change as it’s a big note Buy a bottle of water Tell your teacher you never had time to complete your homework Remind the teacher to upload the homework for tomorrow Don’t carry unnecessary books home – your bag is too heavy for you Let me know if any teacher was rude to you Have fun my son I will buy you a new laptop this weekend Call me before you leave school If you don’t get over 90 % don’t even show me your report card .(