Turmoil to Triumph: Masterclass Saturday March 15, 2025

Chapter 18  Turmoil to Triumph: The Man Who Saw Tomorrow by Naga Tummala

Q1. "Education must enable young people to effect what they have recognized to be right, despite hardships, dangers, skepticism, boredom, and mockery from the world." – Kurt Hahn

How can educators empower students to stand by their values and make the right choices, even when faced with hardships, skepticism, or societal pressure?

Q2. Miracles happen when people trust in their abilities. What strategies can educators use to help students develop inner confidence, trust their abilities, and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth?

Q3. Setbacks and struggles often pave the way for growth and success. How can educators shift students' mindsets to view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than obstacles? What strategies can reinforce the idea that resilience and perseverance lead to long-term success?

Q4. "We were at the right time, in the right place, and in the right field." Was it sheer luck, or were they keen observers? How can educators help students develop the skill of noticing opportunities rather than relying on luck? 

Chat messages:

17:31:00 From Isha Kashyap to Host and panelists:

Good evening sir

18:04:43 From Priyanka Soni to Host and panelists:

Wow, that's an excellent msg, sir

18:05:57 From ila gautam to Host and panelists:

Today, education has turned out to be a business, leaving true educationists with struggles

18:08:53 From Anita Dhar to Host and panelists:

Business gives a lead when it has ethics or pure intentions along with profits.

18:20:44 From Asham Patil to Host and panelists:

Great session

18:21:00 From Ritu Agrawal to Host and panelists:

Good 👍

18:21:11 From Lakhwinder Kaur to the Host and panelists:

👍

18:21:15 From Rajwinder Kaur to Host and panelists:

Thank u sir

18:21:27 From Vidyotma Singh to Host and panelists:

thankyou

18:21:27 From Lakhwinder Kaur to the Host and panelists:

Thanks sir👍👍👍

18:22:36 From Vidyotma Singh to Host and panelists:

Thankyou Sir

Next week on Saturday, we will read Chapter 19, The Education Lab.

Samudra Manthan in the month of Shravan - Rajeshree Shihag

Fourteen divine items and amrita, the drink of immortality emerged out of the ocean. Halahala; a deadly poison came out as a by-product and Lord Shiva gained the name of Neelkantha. This story resonates very well with our education system and with our prized educators. An education system which had been yearning for a step up went on a massive churn in the last three months; the churn is still on. Teachers transformed overnight into 21st Century Educators and voyage continues.

Teachers even at the remotest of the locations transformed into tech-savvy Educators. Domestic help disappeared, dusting, mobbing, sweeping became a daily affair, dining out disappeared, elaborate meals, multi-cuisine everything was served at home by the same teacher who learnt the skills of teaching from home. Data ran out of the count, health issues seeped in by countless hours of screen time. The family took them for granted as they had no salaries to contribute. No one has been able to figure out the turmoil the teacher has been going through. 

The Halahala poison, which was consumed by Shiva symbolizes suffering and the pain he went through to save the universe. The teachers played a heroic role in this educational transformation with the intent to upscale the learning opportunities provided through Online Classes. The qualities of Lord Shiva reverberate with the qualities of a teacher; their courage to embrace change, compassion for school kids withstanding the chaos at home, willingness to learn and plunge into initiatives ensuring that none are left behind. 

Rajeshree Shihag 
The Fabindia School
rsg@fabindiaschools.in

Hope and Friendship - Engaging Minds BHIS

A friend is the hope of the heart...

Good friends help you to find important things when you have lost them…..

Your SMILE, your HOPE, and your COURAGE.

‘Oft hope is born when all is forlorn’

In 2015, a grade 10 student Sachin lost his father to suicide due to financial crisis. His father had hung himself to the ceiling fan of their living room when everyone in the house was fast asleep.  He had left a handwritten note to Sachin’s mother, which read “I m sorry …but I can't face it any more”.  

Sachin, who was the only child to his parents, his entire life was shattered. He himself was an introvert but a smart child, having only one friend Sunny. He used to share almost everything with him about what he was going through. After a months’ time, when he came to school, he was trying so hard to overcome all his emotions. That sudden loss of his father who was his hero had broken him completely.

Sachin shared a good bond with his class teacher, Mrs Paul but somehow he was reluctant to open up with her as well. Mrs Paul spoke to Sunny and got to know that Sachin was not in a good mental state and has tried to harm himself on several occasions; he had lost hope in life. Mrs Paul then called Sachin and tried speaking to him. Sachin initially was reluctant but then told her “ Whenever I see my dad’s photo I feel how selfish he was to run away from his problems and put us in this grave situation where my mother is struggling every day to arrange basic needs”. He further said he is not comfortable with his classmates as they all belonged to rich families and he found himself out of place.

On hearing this Sunny immediately held his hand and told him money never comes between friendship and he is always there by Sachin’s side. They both hugged each other and cried a lot. Mrs Paul sowed a seed of Hope in Sachin by saying, “ In the midst of any turmoil of life, just remember there is always a ray of light waiting for you on the other side of the dark tunnel and you should walk towards the light“. She convinced him to be optimistic in his life and look ahead as he had to take care of his family. After lots of counselling by his teacher, over a period of time, Sachin was finally looking to a better life and eventually was academically stronger.

Today after 5 years, when Mrs Paul met Sachin he was totally a changed person full of hope and optimism with Sunny by his side. Sachin thanked Mrs Paul for igniting the hope in him and Sunny for his friendship.

Sometimes all you need is a strong FRIEND to hold you in your difficult times and an educator to guide you towards that ray of light called HOPE.

A friend gives hope when life is low, a friend is a place when you have nowhere to go, a friend is honest, a friend is true. A friend is precious, a friend is you….

Engaging Minds @ Billabong High International School Thane 

- Ginny Franklin, Yojana Suryarao, Ishita Thakkar, Kiran Pandey, Nilka Gandhi, Geeta Mali, Meenaz Khan.