Social responsibilities towards our society - What I learnt at STS

St Thomas School, New Delhi, has been actively participating in social services since many years. As an Indian citizen, and a human, Thomasites are taught about working for the society, and for the people in need, is of utmost importance in a person's life. I have had a few personal experiences, which have played a pivotal role in my personality development. I will pen down a few of them here. 

1. National Literacy Mission (NLM)

NLM as a Government of India initiative has involed a lot of social groups, and education institutons to attain the goal of 100% literacy. Read more about National Literacy Mission Programme. the middle year students of STS used to follow  "Each one teach one". I helped Jyoti, daughter of my maid, in attaining reading and writing skills. Jyoti used to wash utensils, and help Geetha aunty (my maid). Sometimes she used to sit with me, and ask about school, teachers and friends. I used to give her some books. She used to love the pictures, and make up her own stories, because she did not know how to read. In class 8, when I was handed over the NLM kit, I got the opportunity I was looking for. I used to teach Jyoti every Wednesday and Saturday. She completed her basic reading an writing in around 6 months. STS held a special convocation for all the kids/ adults who had completed the books and workbooks provided by NLM. Jyoti accompanied me to shcool that day. She received a certificate of literacy. I was a proud teacher, a proud Thoamsite. 

TV advert promoting NLM

2. Social Service every week - Class XI

When I was in class XI (I think I need a reference here, this could be class IX or X as well. I will confirm and correct if needed), we used to go to a nearby slum to teach the kids. One daunting task, trust me, this was. I recall going door to door in the slums, the small jhuggis, sitting there, talking to the ladies, trying to get the kids out twice very week for an hour, to study simple reading and writing. This is not a movie scene, sometimes I faced doors shut on my face, sometimes parents with folded hands. Any how we did manage to gather 50 kids, and started teaching them. We used to sit in a Janta Flats park, and hold the classes there.  

A morning in a Delhi slum

We held a celebration on the final day of the program. I can never forget the shine I saw in the yes of the proud parents. Amidst laddus and samosas, there was cheering for STS girls. :) 

3. Tamana School 

As a tradition, class 12 students service the society for a week. I am not sure how it happens now. In my years, a couple of sections used to go to the blind school, located at Lodhi Road in Delhi. A couple of sections used to visit the old age home. And the Science section got the opportunity be be at Tamana School. (Tamana is a non-profit voluntary organization registered in March 1984, created solely with the purpose of helping the cause of mentally challenged, multiply disabled and autistic.) It was a life changing experience for me (year 1996). I spent 3 days with the students, learning how to love the sunlight, learning the colors all over again, learning to eat, learning to love. They were around 8 - 10 years of age. I met a few of their proud parents as well. I went out with them to play. I recall loosing in the balance game. What innocent fun it was. 

Back in 2007, I went to watch Taarein Zamein Par, with my husband. The movie is about a dyslexic child, and his art teacher, who volunteered in a special school as well. The song I present below, could be one of the closest to my heart. It brings tears to me, whenever I watch it, or listen to it.  

My mind meanders into thoughts. Is it really difficult to have a heart? 

Title song: Movie Taare Zameein Par (2007)

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the nineteenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter S: S for social responsibilities: learnings at STS.. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 

Roses and Ramifications..

The ground where the new auditorium (not so new, it was built in 1996, for the school's diamond jubilee), was home to dozens of roses. There was a cobbled path which led upto the old stage, STS's landmark from the Gandhian era. On the left was the open air court. On the right was a well manicured lawn. An old banyan tree proved the "old era" theory. The lawn was lined by roses of varied colors. The mali bhaiya (gardener) used to spent a good time on the rose beds, and the lush green grass. That lawn was not to tread on everyday. It was decorated on annual days, and various other similar events.

From this blooming garden, STS ramified. From the great Kathak legend, Uma Sharma, to Femina Miss India 2014, Koyal Rana, from author Nitasha Kaul, to author Anupama Mohan and Delhi University College principal, Dr S. Lakshmi Devi :STS is making the alma mater proud. 

Leaving you with some wonderful words of my senior, as well as my college principal (perfect coincidence), Dr S. Lakshmi Devi. 

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the eighteenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter R: R for Roses and Ramifications.. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 

Queen Elizabeth II - welcome to STS

I was 3 years old, but some livid memories remain. We were waving the flag, and welcomed her with a beaning smile. 

We all were ecstatic, as the queen entered the school. 

Sometimes pictures say a 1000 words. Not that I don't recall the incidents!! :D

Leaving the readers with a video - shared by my senior - Rita Beecham Young

Proud of you St. Thomas'!! 

Photographs courtesy: Seniors, super seniors, super duper seniors, loving juniors, and the school website: www.stthomasgirlsschool.com

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the seventeenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter Q: Q for Queen Elizabeth II: visit to STS.. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 

Prospect Lodge - STS life in the queen of hills

It was warm evening, with a nip in the air. We had just come back from a long walk from Char Dukaan  Bazaar (four shops marketplace). Sitting on the rocks, sipping hot chocolate, we were waiting for the moment. The clouds swift past us, caressing our warm cheeks. The evening started to turn misty and moist. We started to get a little fidgety, it was soon to be dinner time. With a sudden gush, the clouds blew past, in a rush, to unveil the mystical twinkles, the Dehradun Lights.

Dehradun lights, from Prospect Lodge, Landour!! 

Evenings like the above, are common during the summers at Prospect Lodge. It is St Thomas' property, which is less of a lodge, and almost like a home. In fact I would suggest it to be renamed as Prospect Home. Every summer, STS organizes trips to Mussorrie, in the hills of Himalayas. Prospect Lodge in in the Landour Cantt area, which has its own history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landour). It is around 2 hours walk uphill from the Mall Road in Mussorrie.

Half way through, there is the small stop, with a few shops, and a public telephone booth. That was the only way we could contact our family, there were no mobile phones in 1994/ 1995/ 1996. A bowl of hot maggi, a hot cup of sweet tea, and a phone call to mum. Bliss was that afternoon, when I first saw the Dehradun lights from the garden of Prospect Lodge.

The lodge, in its new avatar.. 

Landour is famous for its bakeries. Prakash Stores, a English bakery, just a few meters from Prospect Lodge, had all sorts of cakes, pastries, buns. You name it, and they have it.

Talking about the lodge. It had a huge kitchen, a big dining room, a very beautifully set living room and activity area, and 4 bedrooms - blue room, green room, red room and the pink room. The pink room has 3 beds - one each for the prime minister, and two deputy prime ministers. The bunker beds could be the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in my life. Or did we sleep at all? 

A few clicks from Prospect Lodge, with my super seniors. :) 

I have lived in Prospect for three consecutive summers, 7 days each, for the cabinet leadership camps. I have some beautiful memories to treasure. 

Thanks for all the fun STS!! 

Showcasing Janaki Nagaraj, who blogs at Memoirs of A Homemaker, and is participating in the AtoZ challenge with full vigor.  Visit her, to get inspired, and read her posts. 

Photographs courtesy: Seniors, super seniors, super duper seniors, loving juniors, and the school website: www.stthomasgirlsschool.com

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the sixteenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter P: P for Prospect Lodge of STS.. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 

Orange and black bars

There was a life in school, and then there was a life in the orange and black bar, that's the STS school bus. The 90s kids will probably recall that the school buses used to identify with the school in  their typical colors matching the school's uniform colors. So Springdales had grey and maroon striped buses, and St Thomas' had orange bus with black bars/ stripes. In the mid 90s, the government instructed the schools to have a all buses painted yellow, with black stripes. Trust me, it took us a few months to adjust in the tiger skinned buses. After all, they were not our STS bus. Damn the rules!!  

STS buses. The black bars are replaced by green, following CNG rules. :) 

School bus tales are more of fun. Infact a lot more fun. 

The junior school closed down 15 minutes before the senior school. All the buses carried kids from junior school to the senior school, and then head on their routes. The following song was sung on high pitched voices, while travelling from junior school to senior school, everyday. And you know where the emphasis was.. ....ere...ere....ere....ere.... IN ZAIRE!!!! 

Once there was a battle there

In Zaire In Zaire

Hundred Thousand people there

In Zaire In Zaire

To see the rumble in the jungle

Where...ere....ere....ere..... 

In Zaire!!! 

Aage Kuchh nahi aata hai (I don't know further)

In Zaire In Zaire

Sachmuch kuchh nahi aata hai (Trust me, I don't know further)

In Zaire In Zaire

To see the rumble in the jungle

Where....ere...ere...ere... 

In Zaire!!

The memories of those long journey's from home to school, and then back, stay with me till date. Every morning was a mix of yawns and excitements, last minute test study, and  every evening was a mix of hullabaloo and sleep. 

The day I adorned the prestigious Cabinet badge, when I was in 10th, he bus conductor, Ram bhaiya (I forget his name now - Ramprem, Rampyare... So sorry, my memory :( ), told me, "babyji, ab hum bhi red lights pe darwaza khol ke side mein khade ho jaenge, minister sahab ja rahe hain hamari bus mein". (I will get down at the red lights and stand by the bus sides, after all a minister is going in the bus). God bless him, wherever he is now. 

Much Love STS!! 

Showcasing a doctor, who is a professional baker, DIY expert, doting mom, a devoted blogger, and one of the most loving virtual friend  - Gauri Kekre. Catch a glimse of Gauri's creativity at http://mindbrewblog.wordpress.com. Sending much love to you Gauri, on your blogversary, just round the corner!! 

Photographs courtesy: Seniors, super seniors, super duper seniors, loving juniors, and the school website: www.stthomasgirlsschool.com

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the fifteenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter O: O for Orange and Black bars of STS.. 

Linking this post to UBC too.