An old book with coarse pages,
A new book with smooth
The ink on the cover dried and peeling
Or glossy, shiny, and fresh
Running my fingers across the pages
This is how I can touch happiness.
The smell of my washed hair
The scent of a delicate perfume
The aromas of a bustling street
With untouchable foods in the open
Catching a whiff of the earth on a rainy day
This is how I can smell happiness
The taste of the seasonal mango
The tang of a sour candy
The warmth in a cup of cocoa
Or inexpensive flavoured ice
A classic chaat from ye olde vendors
This is how I taste happiness
The mellow music while sitting in the bus
The loud metal that drowns your thoughts
The soulful indie when I’m all alone
With headphones on against the wall
Birds chittering at five a. m.
This is how I hear happiness
The genuine smile so rarely spotted
The bold colors on a canvas
The pile of gifts at my birthday party
Shiny, new, and begging to be opened
Particles of dust illuminated by a ray of light
This is how I see happiness
They say happiness is intangible
Abstract, untouchable, invisible
But at moments like these, I feel
Like I can almost touch it,
As though it is a literal object
Just out of reach by a mere millimeter
That is when I feel happiness.
By, Pragya, Grade 10, Ekya BTM
Dear Teachers,
I hope all of you are safe and healthy, amidst these testing times!
Within the nine years of my journey as a student at Ekya ITPL, I've realised the importance of gratitude and giving back to people.
Sandwiched between Student Council work, UT 2, and the upcoming Triton fest, this mail was kept in my drafts folder for quite some time, but I'm glad I could finally send it across!
I was overjoyed to receive a percentage of 95.8% in my CBSE Grade 10 Board Examinations, and I wanted to take the time to thank everyone who helped me throughout the process, especially my teachers!
The previous year encompassed a plethora of challenges - adjusting to a new mode of synchronous learning was definitely new for me. However, I truly appreciate the Management's effort in making online school an incredible experience for its students.
The passion exuded by all my teachers has inspired me to be a leader, think, doer and changemaker! I've learned how to manage my time more efficiently, how to present my opinions in a professional manner, and how to stand up for myself when faced with a difficult situation.
I will remember everyone who has shaped me into an independent, responsible, mature, and diplomatic young woman. Looking back at these nine years that I've spent here, I've developed an emotional connection with the school - and I'll fondly remember Ekya as my second home.
With that said, I am continuing to work hard this year as well!
A big thank you to each and every one of you for your constant support and encouragement!
Regards,
Richa Thyagarajan
Vice Head Girl and Student of Grade 11 B, Ekya ITPL
As a facilitator, any aspect of change in the teacher-student relationship impacts me deeply and leads me to transcend and reflect on my role in today’s world. We have long been proud of our traditional methods of education and the relationships like the one between the guru and the shishya have been seen as sacral.
Recently there have been many instances that portray this beautiful relationship in a new light – not always positive. Are these rare incidents or do they symbolise the deep chasm that seems to have developed between the tutor and the taught and are they a sign of the times? This has struck at the very basic root of the educational system in India and has created unease and led to soul searching. Indeed it is a wake-up call. If only we could open our eyes, look with compassion, and listen with our hearts.
More than that, we have to lend our ears to the pleas of the teaching fraternity toiling under great compulsion and struggling to enlighten the minds of the future citizens of our nation.
Education should be the one area of constant revision, change, and improvement for any country which seeks to establish itself as a power. Revolutionary progress is much needed at all levels of our education system. A complete overhauling of the system and a more open-minded approach to teaching and learning should be our call.
Much needs to be done. Constructive and effective dialogue has to be set up between the teachers, the parents, and the students. The channels of communication and facilitation should be opened and widened to allow for more awareness and understanding. Parents and teachers both have a great impact on the mind of a young child. If the home environment is conducive and children are encouraged to respect their teachers, then the school too will become a place of illumination and learning. Creating an optimistic feeling towards school and teachers will only help parents to enable their children to establish strong bonds with their alma mater and their teachers. Similarly, school staff to need to be sensitized to the pressures faced by parents and children today and be facilitated to handle them with sensitivity and sensibility. This will lead to mutual respect and acceptance and further strengthening of the teacher-student symbiotic relationship.
Let us begin this noble task. Let us make platforms that will enable our future citizens to fly high. Let us say “We Are Together”
By, Madhuri.V. Iyer, CCA Coordinator, Ekya BTM
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