2nd Open Page Educator's Award 2015-16

Genius Group of Institutions feels proud to announce themselves as the host of 2nd Open Page Educator's Award 2015-16 at Gardi Vidyapith on 19th December 2015

Young Innocent Minds

The campus has come live after the reopening of Diwali vacations and the academic as well as co-curricular activities of the students have started full-fledged. Till our school goes on, we wait for the vacations to come so that we can have a break from the never ending questions and tasks from the students, but once they all move for the vacations, the scenario is totally different!!! No matter how much ever we get angry on the kids, we feel their emptiness when they are not around. The same feeling we have at our homes as well. We also cherish the moments we have spent with the kids. Shouldn’t we accept that this is the effect of the small innocent minds that lingers on in our minds for a long time??!!!

Countdown starts...Intellect Meet 2015

Wishing Everyone Happy Navratri!!!

A Tribute to Annie Besant

A Tribute to the First Woman President of Indian National Congress –

Annie Besant on her 168^th Birthday on 1^st Oct, 2015. She was the great woman who had played her significant role towards the Indian independence movement to make the country an independent country.

Why do we worry so much!

Read a very good article one of the newspaper which I would like to share here with you on the topic –Why do we worry so much!

We worry because we are fearful or apprehensive about the future. However, at the root of worrying lie issues of self-worth and self-esteem that create insecurities. Many of these can be traced back to childhood, to our growing up experiences. We have to take responsibility of our own serenity and happiness. Also, if we look back, we will realize that each obstacle has been part of a process of growth. Nothing is a waste. It appears an arbitrary chance because we have limited vision.

However, most of our fears are imaginary. First: ask yourself whether what you are worrying about is in the present or future. What is the probability that it will actually happen? Have faith in yourself, and in a nurturing higher power. Each obstacle overcome only adds to our abilities and experiences.

We need to change the way we think and be convinced that our natural state is to be happy. Happiness is a state of mind, so think positive. We have to only act with integrity and to the best of our abilities.

Seek out the calm within. One good way to do this is to take a few minutes every two or three hours to meditate. Seek peace and strength from within. Regular practice brings serenity and joy.

Join hands…bring PEACE!!!

The recent times are going very hard in Gujarat. People everywhere are getting crushed at all times. The fault lies within the unity of the citizens. Since so many days a group of people, security forces and the government are being criticized every now and then. All are playing the game of forcing the matters onto others’ shoulders. But the realistic lies in the hands of the citizens. Why can’t we all start behaving with maturity, why can’t we see the fact that by spoiling the social properties, we are causing destruction to things which in future are to be helpful to us, why can’t we see that from any point of view, not only the people but the Indian government also would be pushed back by a certain time period in terms of development, progress and economic grounds. Join hands together so that we could simultaneously bring along PEACE!!!

An excerpt from Unposted Letter authorized by Mahatria Ra

Read a very good excerpt from the book ‘Unposted Letter’ by Mahatria Ra which has so much of meaning and opens the window to a new thinking which needs to be understood in our lives.

The fact is “We Don’t”

and not “We Can’t”

It does not matter

how much we have,

But what really matters is

what we do with what we have.

We cannot do much to change

what we have, but we can

certainly change the way we use

what we have.

A pawn, if used well,

Will become the queen.

Few words on the legend- Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam

We all know Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam by the famous name of A Missile Man for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. His original name was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. He was an astrophysicist, scientist and above all a TEACHER too. He has contributed a lot towards India. He came from a poor family, but then too he worked hard and after schooling he toiled hard by selling newspapers and funding his own studies. He studied Physics and Aerospace engineering and further spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved in India's civilian space program and military missile development efforts. He also served as the 11^th President of India. He collapsed during the most appreciable work according to him-to give someone knowledge.

India has lost a gem of a person!!

Innocent Minds

On the way to school, observed the kids dull and lazy just like the atmosphere outside. Today’s morning arose with the sun hiding behind the clouds just like a white colored-blanket had been spread all-over.  It was silent everywhere, not a single leaf was moving and every aspect of nature had come to a standstill. Wondered whether how does this have an impact on the kids too? We, grown ups also feel the same many - a - times. The surrounding has a direct or an indirect effect on us some time or the other.  But one cheerful child took the initiative and started discussing whatever he was observing passing by. The other kids joined in and within minutes everybody was into the group discussion in which they were observing the things from their own point of view. The whole atmosphere became lively and chirpy with the innocent talks of the children. I wondered why can’t we, the elders be such acceptable and adjust to the difference in nature of our surrounding people? When would we be the ones to take initiative in abolishing the limitations in talking terms with each other? If the children can, why can’t we?

A Refreshing Rainy Morning!!!

After a long, tiring and exhausting summer, the monsoon season has finally arrived and drenched the city with cool breezy showers. Many times, the life comes to a standstill in the surrounding area. But students feel fresh and energetic as ever for going to school. Came across a beautiful poem on 'Rain' which matched the morning scene today and so thought of sharing it here:

In the morning, when it was raining,

Then the birds were hectic and loudy;

Through all the reign is fall's entertaining;

Their singing was erratic and full of disorder:

They did not remember the summer blue

Or the orange of June. They did not think at all

Of the great red and bursting ball

Of the kingly sun's terror and tempest, blazing,

Once the slanting rain threw over all

The colorless curtains of the ceaseless spontaneous fall. 

“The Seven habits of Highly Effective Teachers”

Two days back, we got a chance to attend a seminar by one of the leading personalities of Rajkot city. He delivered us the seminar on the topic of “The Seven habits of Highly Effective Teachers” which he edited from one of the best-selling books of New York. He had altered the topic and had figured out criteria which were related to the bonding of teacher-student relationship. The seven habits which were listed out by him were-

1.Be Proactive

2.Begin with the End in Mind

3.Put first things first

4.Think win-win

5.Seek first to understand, then be understood

6. Synergize

7.Sharpen the saw ( based on Emotional Quotient, Intelligence Quotient, Physical Quotient and Spiritual Quotient)

How children could be understood with little marking and an initiative from our side was explained in an easy manner.

Lack of patience

Hello friends!!!

Just got a chance to meet some of the new people every day. Everyday, while leaving to meet a group of people, would think and try to figure out how they would be. Some were good and supportive while some were rude and arrogant. Some didn’t have time to listen to what was to be discussed with them and some were cross on extending their hands even to attend. What are we going to take away with ourselves from this world that some of us behave with others like they would take away our whole treasure from us? Could not we be that much patient to listen to someone?

Exams..Exams..Exams

The State as well as the CBSE boards have started their Board exams. The schools who are having exam center are gearing up every morning for the same. We could see parents and relatives hovering around the school campus to drop off their ward for the exams. It looks like the parents are more tensed then their children to appear for the exams. What a surprising situation it is!!! The child who has to actually appear for the exams does not look so tensed and instead their parents’ face seems that a whole mountain has dropped on them!! Don’t you think the parents have to play the role of being self-composed and control their anxiety so that they could support their wards who are actually getting nervous on appearing for the board exams?

Farewell

The spring season is coming very fast and nature is changing its colour and appearance quickly too. Similar scenes are observed in the schools where old students are bid farewell to keep the cycle moving. The board graders are treated with farewell ceremonies which they cherish in their minds as their whole school life. The teachers who were always strict towards them suddenly start pampering them. The teacher-student bonding suddenly changes into a very respectable relation in which many a times the teacher themselves have to play the part of their counselor too. Why do the students have the fear of board exams? When will the legacy of this fear in the minds of the students vanish? Could not the parents and teachers join hands to remove it?

If SOMEONE can, why can’t WE?

“I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.

I will not refuse to do something I can do.”

-Helen Keller

What an inspiring words from the first deaf-blind person holding the degree of Bachelor of Arts – Helen Keller!!!

If we read the above words again, we would come across the fact that even when Helen Keller was deaf and blind, she had so much positive attitude towards life. It did not matter to her that she could not do MANY things like the normal people, but wanted to do SOME thing which added to her achievements.

When people come to terms with doing task anytime anywhere, the first thing they express is they are not having this or that. If one has the willingness to do something, he/she could not be refrained from it and could achieve whatever he/she desires. The smallest motive in a direction would also lead to so many discoveries. Helen Keller believed in the same and never stopped doing her part of work  which led her to being a successful author, political activist and even a lecturer.

"Never stop working, no matter howmuchever small or big the work is" Should we not rethink on the idea ?

Fear of Board Exams…

Winter is fading away and so is the academic year…The board exams are approaching very fast. In fact, the practicals and the preliminary exams are already going on. Students and teachers have kept aside all the things and have started gearing up for the same. Many students who do not have the capability to tackle the stress of board examinations are facing the worst part of the year. They have worked throughout the year, have a good academic background score, have done their prelims well, then why so? Why do the students have the fear of BOARD EXAMS???? 

Who decides our future-God or Karma?

Everyday I see kids coming unwillingly to the assembly at the starting of the day. This plight of absence of the students in the assembly forces me to think do they really not have time to offer prayers or do they have a difference in thinking in this criteria too..

I discussed this issue with the educators as well as the students. The adults believe that whatever we are and whatever we get totally depends on God’s wishes and blessings. So, it is necessary to offer Him prayers for the same as a mode of connection. On the other part, students who have modernized themselves believe in one’s own ‘Karma’. The opposition from their part is that we get everything on the type of Karma that we do, the hard-work which we do. The kids find it boring to attend the assemblies which follow the same old pattern. I have seen kids bunking the assembly for a last-minute revision. According to their mindset, a last-minute revision would help in scoring some marks whereas an assembly or a prayer would bore them no fruits. Scientifically opposing them, a last-minute revision would definitely help them score few more marks, but the mind which is tired due to exertion of studies would need a five minute break from the same to be fresh. This helps in maintaining the fluidity of answers coming up in their minds. So why not, for their own sake, students should relax their minds in the form of a prayer?

Also, the ones who do not believe in hard-work and only wish to move ahead only by offering prayers at different temples do not utilize their time in doing hard-work or good deeds. They think that God would listen to their prayers and make their life simple which contrasts the matter discussed ahead. This leaves the child confused  whether he should be as strong believer in God or Karma?

“Uttarayan” – a fair game or a show-off competition?

“Uttarayan also known as “Makarsankranti” is actually a depiction of the transition movement of the Sun from one horizon to other. This event is celebrated all-over India in different ways.

Gujarat celebrates the festival in a very festive mood. The Gujaratis gorge on the delicacies like Undhiyu, Khichdo, different types of chikki, etc. The terraces get overcrowded with the people and come alive with their shouts and laughter with excitement during the ‘Dav-pech’ of the kite-flying ritual. The people believe in donating on that day to the trusts who upbring the stray animals especially cows. They donate grass, money and other requirements to please God to lessen their sins.

The neighbours and relatives compete within themselves for a smooth kite-flying and they cut off other’s kite by entangling the thread and then making certain movements accordingly. This whole competition is just a celebration for the kids. But many a times, the grown-ups find this as a chance to show themselves as more superior by winning in the kite-flying process. They purchase a thicker thread or a plastic thread, which is nowadays available in the market known as ‘Chinese Manja’ which easily cuts the thinner thread of the competitor.

But they forget that it also cuts off theirs’ and their kids’ fingers which leads to infection and above all the wings of the birds which soar high in the sky. After the festival we come across incidents mentioning how many birds were injured by the threads. They are rendered helpless and disable life-long as their wings get cut off or their legs get damaged. Many of them are also not able to return back to their nests as the whole tree gets entangled in the network of threads which makes it impossible for them to reach their abode. Not only the stray animals, but even the two-wheeler riders on the roads also get entangled in the threads and get injured, rendering them to a state of pity for their whole life.

On one hand, people donate generously on that day for the welfare of the animals and on the other hand they use harmful threads and injure the same. In what way is this just? When the people will stop using Chinese Manja or the plastic thread for kite-flying?