Unity & Caring - Penta BHIS

UNITY

CARING

 “Saavi, look out!” cried Ria. The horrid boys in my class were in the middle of one of their usual fights. In order to hurt each other very badly, one of them had hurled a metallic bottle at the other. Unfortunately, I was in the way. Despite Ria’s warning, I could not ‘look’ out. You see, I can’t see very well. I have a genetic disorder that clouds my vision. I am one of those ‘special’ children you see in classrooms of inclusive schools. Everyone tells me that I am fine. But I am not, really. The teachers print large question papers for me, I have difficulty reading the textbook or any other book for that matter.

At school, Ria has been my eyes. I cannot fathom the depth of her affection for me. We are neither related nor are our parents, friends. Ria has, since grade 3, volunteered to help me in every grade that we have moved together. Even after 4 years, we are as thick as thieves.

There are two other ‘special’ children in my class. These two boys, Avi and Krishna, are so hyperactive that they can stir up a hornet’s nest in virtually seconds! They have always been naughty but luckily were in separate sections. Suddenly I found the two in my section this year, much to my annoyance. But then, who am I to judge anyone?

The Avi-Krishna combination proved to be a disaster for my class. They fought between themselves and instigated the other naughty ones (I gather, there were around 3 or 4 more) to join in the fracas. The class erupted in a frenzy of fistfights with dusters, shoes, and water bottles being used as missiles. None of the teachers liked coming to our class. Our charts on the soft boards were torn, fan blades bent, door handle broke, and so on and so forth. Whenever these boys fought, innocents were caught in their fights and got hurt.

Strangely, they had been exceptionally careful about me. I always had the first place, in front of the teacher, and so very often in the way of the crazy fights. Ria was instrumental in keeping me safe. But I always sensed a tenderness or whatever these boys could be mellowed down to – in their attitude to me. It was certainly not pity, as nature developed a very sharp nose in me for it. Were they even capable of care?

I think I had the answer then. In the middle of the fight, somebody had hurled a 1-litre metal bottle that was filled with water. It headed straight for me. I stood stupefied in spite of Ria’s cry, “Saavi, look out!” Within seconds Avi shielded me (how did he manage to fly in my direction so soon?), while Krishna leapt and caught the bottle. It hurt his index finger. If he winced, I could not see it.

Somehow, something changed in my class that day. Of course, the fights remained but were less intense. They fought but their aggression had mellowed. Perhaps they had seen what damage their behaviour could inflict? They argued, exchanged a few slaps, but realized that together they can change.

  "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
– Helen Keller

Penta @ Billabong InternationalHigh School, Thane

- Jeeji Sanjeev, Sanika Joshi, Arpita M.G., Muskaan Menda, Radhika Anand, Supriya Naravankar & Bhavani Swamy.

Honesty and Respect - Swabhi Parmar

Honesty and Respect are the most important attributes that any individual should possess.

These two simple values lead us to live a better life. Honesty is a reflection of your own thoughts and feelings. If you want people to know who you are, be honest in your self-expression. Honesty shows maturity and self-acceptance.

Honesty can bring people closer by creating a safe connection. It forms a context for the relationship within which both parties feel secure enough to be genuine in their interactions. The relationship between students and teachers should be one of mutual respect. Students should listen to the teacher and try their best in the class. Teachers, on the other hand, need to do their best to give their students a quality education and respect them as individuals.

But how do we react when a child disrespects us? The solutions are not that simple if you, yourself do not have the quality of patience. A teacher should be capable of accepting and have the tendency of patience inside him or her. The suggestions could be, we should not react to disrespect but we should act to correct it. We should never overreact over the action of disrespect taken by the child. We should correct them and avoid their disrespect. This will create a feeling of sorry in the child from within.

Children should be always treated with respect and love. They should feel a kind of belonging with the teacher. Teachers should not be judgemental. A teacher should not take anything personally but be patient. There are situations in which we are not appreciated for the hard work we put in every work. We should not lose heart in this situation. We should keep up doing the good work. If it is not appreciated but someday it will inspire people. Respect is always a two-way street if we give it we get it. Same goes with the relationship between a teacher and a student. If we give respect to our children, they will give us the same. There is a saying if you want to see good in others we should be good in the first place. If honesty becomes an unconscious habit, you will become very attractive to other honest people and you will receive immense respect. A life filled with authentic people will be vastly enriched. 

Swabhi Parmar

The Fabindia School