Vidyanjali’s Bugle

V o lu m e 2, I s s u e 6 12t h April 2 017

Contents Light to light 1 At Vidyanjali 1-5 A Motivational Introspection 6

Light to Light Simple Ways To Keep Your Mind Sharp

The importance of keeping your mind sharp cannot be

overstated. We’re all part of a fantastic intellectual and

information economy, which thrives on ideas, creativity,

and intelligence. Keeping your mind sharp is sure to

give you an edge over the competition, and more im-

portantly lead to your own higher levels of happiness.

Continue reading, absorbing knowledge and experi-

encing culture

Education is not preparation for life, education is life

itself. Read blogs on subjects both within your field and

in new fields you know nothing about; read books;

watch lectures on fascinating new subjects; read about

ancient societies; take in a new form of art you’ve never

experienced; you get the idea. Challenge your mind to

continually broaden your horizon and soak up new in-

formation like an infinite sponge.

Learn a skill or craft you’ve never tried before like

playing an instrument, composing music, painting,

building a model airplane, or even coding computer

programs.

Engage your mind in learning a new skill. You’d be

surprised how much learning a new skill will open up

many new paths in your mind.

To improve memory don’t write everything

down

If you can, try this for a week: write down every-

thing you need to do at the beginning of the week,

as you normally would, but take your list and put it

out of sight. Instead of keeping that list visible at

your desk, internalize your projects and simply

remember and know what needs to be done, priori-

tize it in your mind, and do it. Your brain is ex-

tremely powerful and you’ll find that, in time, you

may not have to write anything down to remember

everything .

Give your mind time to assimilate knowledge

We live in a culture where we are constantly expe-

riencing and learning new things and taking new

information. Find your own place that allows you

to assimilate all you have learned and frequent it

often.

Eat well, sleep well and exercise often

Giving your mind the proper rest and energy is

essential to getting the best performance out of

it. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but people

often forget that you need proper fuel and proper

rest to function optimally.

Alumni Meet

Every year Alumni meet is being organized in Vidyanjali Academy for Learning. For this year, the Alumni meet was planned on 12th February

2017. The invite was floated on Facebook page of Vidyanjali on 21st January to invite the ex-students for the Alumni meet ‘Relive 2017.’

The venue for the event was school auditorium. The Principal , Academic supervisor, admin team, coordinators of Montessori, middle School and

high School were involved in preparation and smooth conduct of the programme. The director Mrs. Rekha Reddy addressed the students and invit-

ed them. She expressed her desire to see them every year. Students were happy to meet their friends and cherished their memories of school.

Going out in Primary Montessori

As part of Montessori curriculum Going out was arranged to Lal Bagh Botanical garden on 2nd

March and 6th March 2017. Teachers and children assembled in the school at regular school tim-

ings. We reached the Lalbagh botanical garden, the adults of the respective environments took their

mixed group of children to explore the garden. Children were amazed to know about different kinds

of plants and flowers. They were intrigued to see the Cacti garden and Bonsai park. They enjoyed

the view of lotus pond, Lal Bagh Lake, Flower clock, Tree fossil and many more things. They saw

many trees and came to know that they were brought to Lalbagh from different parts of the world.

They even acknowledged the president of Russia of 1957 and Queen Elizabeth II for planting pride

of India tree and Christmas tree respectively. This going out was an excellent experience where

elder children were seen helping the younger ones to explore and study about the parts of plant and

in first level determination. Children were amazed to know that the rock hill in Lal Bagh is a result

of volcanic eruption of 3000 million years old. The tree fossil was brought there from Tamilnadu

and it was 20 million years old. These amazing facts encouraged the children to explore more.

Ganesha Homa

Ganesha Homa is conducted every year for the benefit of grade X students who appear for

the boardexam. This year Ganesha Homa was conducted fervently in our auditorium on 3rd

March 2017. Students of grade X, parents, teachers and non-teaching staff attended the

programme. Ganesha homa was conducted in the presence of our honourable Director Mrs

Rekha Reddy and Secretary Sri Lokesh Reddy. The priest who performed the Homa spoke

about the significance and benefits of the rituals. Eventually it was followed by the distribu-

tion of hall tickets to the grade X students. Our Director Mrs Rekha Reddy addressed the

gathering and wished the students for success in the board exam; she also advocated the

significance of charity and contribution towards the lesser privileged. She quoted “Kottidu

Tanage Bacchittiddu pararige”. Ganesha Homa spread the spirit for divinity. It gave a plat-

form to parents to express their gratitude, opinions and their association with the school,

which has contributed to the overall development of their children. All parents felt blessed

and happy.

Farewell Report

Farewell program was conducted in the Auditorium on 18th February 2017 for the students

of grade X. The quote on the backdrop, “Fly high give wings to your dreams” itself spoke

volumes about the best wishes expressed to the batch bidding farewell to Vidyanjali. The

program started with an invocation dance with the release of a dove that fluttered high

above the auditorium symbolizing the freedom of the outgoing students to seek their own

future. The students of grade IX presented dance, drama and magical show which kept the

students and teachers entertained.

Shivarathri celebration

Shivarathri was celebrated by Preparatory, Pre-Primary & Primary Montessori and C.B.S.E I,II,III on 23rd February 2017.

Montessori Pre-Primary and Preparatory

Montessori Pre-Primary and Preparatory celebrated

Shivaratri festival and arranged mass lunch for the

children. Teachers decorated the stage with the Shiva

linga and rangoli, deepas and flowers with the help of

Art teacher. Meanwhile other teachers were explain-

ing children about the importance of the day, showed

them animated video and chanted shlokas and devo-

tional songs in their respective classes. At 11am all

the children h gathered in the auditorium. Primary

Montessori and CBSE teachers brought their children

to see the puja. Ganesha puja and Shiva puja was

performed with the help of Senior Kannada high

school teacher. Along with the teachers all the chil-

dren have sung devotional songs in the auditorium.

After the puja, the mass lunch had started. Mont-1

and prep-1 children sat for lunch and Mont-3 and

prep-2 children were serving them. Later mont-3 and

prep-2 children sat for lunch and teachers served

them. After lunch, Mont-2, Mont-3 and prep-2 chil-

dren were sent back to their respective classes.

Primary Montessori

Details of the program: Shivarathri was celebrated in Hoysala. All the students of Kadamba and Cha-

lukya environments also assembled in Hoysala for the celebration. The program started exactly at

1:30 P.M. It started with an invocation song by Primary Hindi teacher. After the Invocation song,

different stories related to ‘Signifance of Lord shiva’, ‘Asuras and devas (why Shiva is also called

Neelakanta)’, ‘Bhasmasura and Lord Shiva’ were told, followed by slokas sung in the praise of lord

shiva. After that discussion on how the festival is celebrated in different states was held. Later a me-

lodious devotional song “Brahma murari sura chita lingam.” was rendered followed by explanation

on the five elements of nature .Then children were taken to VMTI to show videos on story of Lord

Shiva, Mahashivarathri celebrations in India and the fasting rules to be followed on Mahashivarathri.

Children of grade II and grade III wrote composition on Shivarathri celebrations.

C.B.S.E I,II, III

In CBSE I,II,and III also Shivarathri was celebrated in their respective classes. Im-

portance of Shivarathri, story of Shiva was conveyed to the children. One of the chil-

dren had come dressed like Lord Shiva, video on “The Story of Shiva” was shown,

‘Panakam’ was prepared and distributed to children and all Vidyanjali staff. Songs

and slokhas on Shiva was sung by children and teachers.

Ugadi Celebration

Teachers from all the environments along with the children assembled in Chalukya environment for celebration of Ugadi at 10:35 A.M. The cele-

bration started with an invocation song of “Shakthi sahitha ganapathim” from III and II grade girls of Chalukya which spread the message of divini-

ty and created a festive ambience. The teachers took the lead by giving etymology of the day and its celebrations with reference to special delicacies

prepared on the auspicious day. The significance of the jaggery, neem and mango on Ugadi was highlighted which indicates balancing of life with

all kinds of emotions. (Jaggery’s sweetness for happiness, Neem’s bitterness for sadness) The same was distributed to all students and staff . Few

mythological stories related to the festival like – stories of king Shalivahana, the creation of universe by lord Brahma ,Vishnu’s Matsyavathara were

narrated. The importance of the culture related to the festival – panchanga shravana, abyunjana (oil bath) were also informed to the students. The

celebration of the festival in different parts of the country with vivid cultural and traditional significance was discussed and students were instigated

to research on the same.

Primary Graduation Ceremony

The Primary Montessori conducted their Graduation Programme on 10th April 2017. Dr. Geetika Agarwal , a Behaviour Analyst and a Psychologist

from USA was the chief guest. The event was planned and organized with the suggestion of the administrator Ms. Swathi Reddy.

The program started with a melodious invocation song followed by welcome speech. The main highlights of the programme are skits on ‘Parts of

speech', 'Leaf - the kitchen of plant’ and ‘Fundamental needs’ . To showcase the importance of grammar “adverbial extension” (Karaka) in Kanna-

da was presented. A presentation on the concept of area and divisibility skills were also witnessed. The entire session was interactive. Later the

director and the chief guest distributed the graduation certificates to the grade 3 children. The programme ended with 4 th standard receiving the 3rd

standard graduates in a ceremonial manner by distributing roses and chocolates. The wonderful words of the chief-guest, the director of the school

and the feedback shared by the parents made the program more meaningful. The program was concluded with a ‘vote of thanks’.

Pre-primary Graduation Ceremony

Pre-primary Montessori graduation ceremony was held on 9th April 2017. Dr. Supraja Chandrasekhar was the guest of the ceremony. The ceremo-

ny started with a melodious invocation song sung by the children, followed by welcoming the gathering. The program was a blend of music and

activities . Children showcased their ability of singing, dancing and also playing instruments on the stage with lot of enthusiasm and confidence.

They performed few songs which they have learnt in the class. The programme continued with lot of activities like recognizing shapes, colors, con-

tinents, numbers through different materials. Children explained about each activity. Master of ceremony spoke about philosophies and thoughts of

Dr. Maria Montessori throughout the programme. The highlight of the programme was involving the parents in one of the action song where Master

of Ceremony gave instructions to the parents to repeat the actions and dance to the music played. Programme continued with senior children’s ac-

tivities where they recognized various shapes, sung beautiful song about Karnataka, and spoke about the different features of our country. The pro-

gramme continued with quiz session which had interesting questions of various subjects. All the children enthusiastically participated in the quiz

session. They enjoyed interpreting the commands given by their friends. Director, Guest and Parents wrote few words on the board where children

read with great confidence. Certificates were given to all the senior children by Chief Guest and our Director. The pre-primary children expressed

their happiness by singing graduation song. The Pre-primary children were warmly welcomed by the Primary children. Chief Guest shared her ex-

perience and gave tips to the parents on nutrition and health. Parent shared their experience and gratitude towards teachers and the institution. The

program was concluded by thanking all the people who helped in the grand success of the program.

A Motivational Introspection

The youngest teacher and head master in the world.

“While boys of his age went to play after school, he taught children of his age”

A twenty-three year old man BabarAli from a village

in West Bengal taught more than three thousand

children in the last fourteen years in a school he

started, when he was only nine. At a time when his

peers were still studying or looking for jobs, Baba-

rAli already had a unique post – ‘as head of the

school’ which he started more than a decade ago in

his village in Murshidabad district of West Bengal.

He is hailed as the youngest principal in the world.

His motto is to fight poverty through education, but

his path has not been without hindrance, including

allegation on proselytism.

It was a walk that changed the direction of his life.

Babar says “While returning from school I saw chil-

dren playing in the fields wasting time grazing the

cattle. He says “I would ask them playfully, if they

would study if I taught them, they always said yes”.

Babar Ali started teaching these kids at the backyard

of his house. He started a school in 2002 when he

was just 9 years old. He named the school as Anand

Siksha Nikethan- meaning a joyful learning.

He initially started with eight students, his sister was

one of his students. What started as a school play

activity just like most of the children do, became

serious when the children started waiting for Babar

to return from school. He gets support from his par-

ents and few of his friends became volunteers for the

school.

Babar Ali approached few government officials and

volunteer’s organization to donate books and food

for the school children. Local media recognized his

efforts and reported in the television. Slowly his

school started growing. Babar purchased around

7200 square feet of land at a cost of Rs. Ten lakh,

donated by Ms Amitra Patel an N.R.I in 2003. The

new school was inaugurated on November 2015 with

about 800 students. Six of the students who studied

with him in school earlier were appointed as teach-

ers. A seven member committee comprising village

elders and retired teachers look after the administra-

tion of the school.

In 2012, Babar was featured in Aamir Khan’s popu-

lar TV show “Satyameva Jayate”. He became a Ted

fellow, talking about his school at the Ted talks in

Mysore Karnataka.

Babar’s Biography was included in the Central Board

of Secondary Education syllabus for class 10th and

by the Karnataka government in the class 12th English

textbook. Babar says, “The school is expanding too.

We expect to extend our classes up to class 10th by

next year after state government affiliation.” Babar

says, “ we also plan to start vocational courses for

students to help them to become self-reliant as most

of them are taken out of school by poor parents who

send them to work in distance states.”

Money is a constant constraint and the state govern-

ment has not extended any financial support. He re-

ceives donations from well wishers and spend around

rupees 10 lakhs in running the school every year. But

he laments that the amount is not enough. Babar him-

self completed English honors from Krishnath col-

lege in Berhampore in 2013 and enrolled himself for

his master’s in Arts at the Kalyan University. Where

he is completing his distance learning. His father

wants him to become an IPS or IAS officer.

“I will take the UPSC exam to fulfill my father’s

dream but my own dream is to teach children

till my last breath” Babar says, “I want to see each

and every child educated.”

There can be a Babar Ali in each one of us. Let us

introspect and impart the knowledge that we have

gained to the lesser privileged , which in turn would

contribute for the betterment of the society.

Babar Ali

The school building was constructed last year in a

7,200 sq ft property donated by an NRI