My Good School Retreat makes a big impact - Kunal Rajpurohit

I’m back from the My Good School Retreat (April 2025), and I must say — I’ve returned to the place where it all began. This year’s retreat was a beautiful blend of meaningful impact and timeless fun. Now, as I wander through the beloved landscape of my hometown — a place I’ve returned to for a long, soulful vacation — memories keep flooding in like monsoon rain.

Just the day before yesterday, while we were on our way to the majestic Ranakpur Jain Temple, a friend brought up a hilarious, nostalgic moment. It was from one of the earlier MGS Retreats when they used to be hosted at The Fabindia School. We’d gone to eat at a nearby restaurant — joyfully carefree as students — only to face a minor storm the next day when the school received the bill. Oh, the expressions on everyone’s faces! That single memory brought back an entire season of laughter, learning, and camaraderie.

These retreats have always been more than events. They are gatherings of minds and hearts, places where friendships bloom and ideas travel faster than trains. Back in 2018, we hosted Mayo College Girl's School, Ajmer and MGD (Maharani Gayatri Devi School Girl's School), Jaipur. In 2019, Life Express Unschool Dehradun and The Iconic School, Bhopal joined us. We escorted them through the region — sharing stories, thoughts, food, and moments of pure joy. We didn’t just welcome them; we walked with them, side by side, as learners and leaders. It was leisure with a purpose, fun with depth, and learning in its most joyful form.

Today, as I sit in the quiet of my room and count the editions, I realise I’ve witnessed all five physical retreats:

• Two at The Fabindia School,

• One at The Doon Girls School,

• And now two at Arthur Foot Academy, including the most recent one.

Yes — all five. Even Mr. Dutt (though might playfully protest) he has only been to three. I’m not that old — I just started early.

I’ll never forget 2023 — the year I became the lone ranger. A freshly graduated schoolboy, I boarded a train alone from Falna to Dehradun, heading into the unknown. I had promised Hukam I’d take every precaution. It was an 18-hour journey — and I received calls nearly every hour, with well-wishers showing up at almost every station. My co-passengers were convinced I was some kind of VIP!

But perhaps the most hilarious moment came at the end. Exhausted upon reaching Dehradun, I was escorted to my hotel and fell into such deep sleep that I didn’t hear the EBD staff knocking... for four hours. Eventually, they had to use the master key to open the door — and there I was, snoring away. We still laugh about it. But that retreat  taught me so much. It was a hard first step, but one that filled me with confidence. After that, I didn’t just attend retreats — I began managing them (Mr.Dutt must confirm that)

And God had been great in the form of my mentors:
Mr. Dutt,
Mr. Jugjiv,
And the “Master’s Master” — Mr. RP.

From being an escort boy in the early days to now becoming one of the people trusted to manage an entire retreat — it’s been a journey of growing up in the most meaningful way.

It’s not easy being young and being trusted, but I’ve been fortunate to find people who believed in me. This year, at Arthur Foot Academy, it felt like a new chapter — a new playground — a place where old dreams evolved and new ones were born.

And as I galavant through the golden dust and green fields of my hometown, my heart is full.
Of memories.
Of mentors Love.
Of moments that turned into milestones.

Enjoy the Summer and stay hydrated.

Kunal Rajpurohit
Fellow & Analyst 
Learning Forward India Foundation