EDUCATIONAL QUALITY - CURRENT PRACTICE AND EXPECTATIONS

               One of the educationists of Nagpur, Ms. Manjeet Bedi, says,"Schools in India have merely become curriculum delivery machines." If this becomes the biggest tragedy, then our nation can be dilapidated. There are no endeavours to spend quality time and effort in fostering the mental and intellectual development of the students. As the educational sensex soars to new heights each year, with 90 percent plus being regarded as peanuts, schools are struggling to transact the normal curriculum. This enormously pressurized scenario creates a certain culture of its own, a culture where the cut-throat competition is the order of the day, where the devil takes the hindmost becomes the beacon for all. The education sensex is touching unrealistic heights but the country is paying high price for the bloodbath following its wake. We have not ensured quality education. Some who have access to elite schools pass out as mere literates. We are getting literate people with big heads but small hearts. In a nutshell, the education system is churning out Homo sapiens and not human beings. The emphasis is given only to bookish knowledge and pedagogy or curriculum which is prosaic. The spotlight on creativity and innovation is nadir. In many schools, students are not given opportunities to explore and create but to mug up answers. The students are thus bound in chains.

               This gesture of reckless irresponsibility keeps them bereft of quality education- personality development, life-building, man-making, character-building and assimilating fine ideas. They do not strive to expand their horizons of thoughts and amplify their vision. A plethora of students do not upgrade their skills, talent and mettle. The learn to make a living but not a life. They restrict themselves to sheer academics. Their potential, therefore, remains untapped and untested. The root cause of this debacle is the deficiency of Quality Education as lifeblood.

               The existing education system is ramshackle to the core of it. The system has a myriad of loopholes and drawbacks. There are seemingly overt demands for marks being made by the system. The education system is money and marks oriented. But the onus doesn't entirely lie on the schools and the education system, the quality of individual students also plays a top-level role.

               Indira Gandhi said,”Education is a continuing process from the minute we are born until we die.” Education has prodigious and momentous might to empower the citizens to conquer the world. Education can revamp a nation, give hope for a better future and ameliorate the lives of individuals within a society. Education takes human beings to higher plane of existence, a world found through perfection of knowledge. With education, we get a key to the vast ocean – “An ocean full of treasures and gems, knowledge and wisdom. The treasure that will change our life forever.”

               The great philosopher Socrates had said,” Education is not the filling of a vessel but kindling of a flame.” The word education itself comes from the word “Educere” which means to bring out what is already in and not blindly stuff in. The purpose of education is to detect talent proactively. For this it is indispensable that education has to be based on the application of mental development. Swami Vivekananda said, “Education is the manifestation of perfection already present in man”. Unless there is perfection in education that perfection cannot be drawn out. Real education should enable a man to discover what is uniquely in him. This is what matters in practicle life, not bookish knowledge. Education accomplishes the full sense of its meaning rather than being restricted to bare academics. In the end, the students will have a final treasure to take home, the sense of empowerment.

               Vinoba Bhave said,” It is enough if the children know how to obtain items of information when they have a use for them, and it is the task of the education to teach them how.”

   An education system isn’t worth great deal if it teaches young people how to make living but doesn’t teach them how to make life. If ethical practices do not grow in proportion to the growth of knowledge then there is a possibility of the misuse of knowledge. Growth of knowledge is indeed horrendous if there is no subsequent growth of moral obligation. Education simply meant for the promotion of new knowledge may prove dangerous to the society. Education should be for the flowering of a personality and not for the subjugation of creativity or natural skill.

              Swami Vivekananda said,” Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brains and remains there, undigested, all your life. We must have life-building, character-making and making them your life, you have more education than any man who has got by heart a whole library.”

              Education, in scientific sense should flourish and proliferate moral principles which have been proves bountiful from the point of view of Darwinian evolution. The role of the moral education should be one, of enlightening the learner on the blueprints of good and bad actions in the light of scientific truth about human behavior. The mind should be led forward into ever-widening thoughts and actions. We need to revamp the education system so that we can effectively collaborate mental development with academics. It is incumbent on every student to receive education of highest caliber. We need such a blend of education which can turn out a new manhood, vigorous yet calm, mighty yet tolerant and sympathetic, idealistic yet practical to the backbone.

“Die with the sinking ship or jump for life”

        Rajkumar Hirani, the maestro who knows the pulse of the nation, in a very subtle manner, has portrayed the loopholes of the existing education system in his blockbuster- “3 IDIOTS”.He points out how academically oriented our education system is where we are more bothered about the marks rather than learning something new; our educational institutes do not nurture the talents, they do not impart the education, they simply tell us to read and spew in the exams what is written in thick fat books. Aamir’s prolific mantra was, "Pursue excellence success will automatically follow you."

               To make education an efficacious tool for the social transformation for a better future, the education system should be based on rational principles and policies, especially relating to the subject matter of education. A scientifically oriented education with strict adherence to the pedagogy of psychology is what is needed for a better and intellectually free society. If education is not found on rationalism, motivated by democratic socialism, the fate of the society will depend not on the education but in beliefs and practices of the mob, which may lead the country to catastrophe. It is only if the education system is guided by benevolent intellectual force, it can be an instrument of social change towards a sane and free society.

The word IMPROVEMENT begins from 'I'

               “What lies before us and what lies behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us”. Truly, these jolting words of Emerson gives me that flashback of what Socrates had promulgated centuries ago, “know thyself.”

               The most vital ingredient required in knowing thyself is to keep enhancing & improving oneself at every opportunity & become aware of one's frailties, abilities and even virtues. Too many people are dreaming of some magical rose garden on the horizon rather than rejoicing the one growing in their own backyard. Let’s discover the untapped potential & dexterity within us and stop emulating the crowd and give a second thought to our endeavors. Life doesn't always give us what we ask for but it always gives us what we need.

               Aldus Huxley always reminds me of the golden exhortation i.e. “There is only one corner in the world where you can be certain of improving and that is your own self”. Yes, nothing can defeat us unless we checkmate ourselves. Even Shakespeare in Julius Caesar points, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves, that we are underlings".

               During the second half of the 18^th century, John Wesley rode up and down through the English country side. He was disturbed by the poverty, badness and the ugliness of the village life. One day, he hit upon the scheme of distributing various kinds of flowers, seeds to the housewives offering prizes for the most beautiful garden, with the result that today the English countryside has the reputation of becoming the most colorful one in the world. One man almost single handedly changed the profile of rural districts of an entire nation!

               The moment we refuse to be average and strive to be excellent, we are on the way to change. Change is what keeps us fresh and innovative! 

               To put the world in right order, we must put the nation in order. To put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order, to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right!

               A caterpillar asked a butterfly: “How do you become a butterfly?” The butterfly replied: “You have to be willing to die”. The caterpillar asked with astonishment: “Die?” The butterfly answered serenely: “Well, it feels like you’re dying. But it really turns out to be a transformation to something better!”

               Yes friends, to bring about a distinct transformation in ourselves, we need to savor the life’s flavor. Even if the life offers us a difficult situation, it depends upon our perspective, whether we make or mar ourselves through it. The humdinger, Sachin Tendulkar, is truly an epitome for us. This personality is beyond the ordinary and the robust foundation of his success story has been laid by his hallmark of Self-Improvement. The master blaster says, “The stones which people throw at me, I consider them as milestones and move on courageously!”

                A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such speed. It feels an impulsion……. This is a place to go now! But the sky knows the reasons and patterns behind all the clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond the horizons.

               The golf maestro, Tiger Woods, once said, “I view my life in a way….. The greatest thing about tomorrow is, I will be better than I am today. And that’s how I look at my life. I will be better as a golfer, I will be better as a person, I will be better as a friend. That’s the beauty of life. The lessons I learn today I will apply tomorrow, and I will be better!”

               What we see in ourself is what we see in the world. By imbibing the attribute of self-improvement, we’ll build tenacity and spiritual fitness needed to meet any hurdle and obstacle. We’ll greet each morning with anticipation. Our God-given purpose will sparkle in our eyes and our heart will be filled with genuine joy and bliss.    

               Once a British newspaper asked its readers, “What is wrong with the world?”  One of the letters it received was from the famous writer, G.K Chesterton. His answer to the query was very short. It just said, “I am”. It is rightly said that, “It is far better to wear shoes than to carpet the whole earth!”One of the finest reformers of the world, Mahatma Gandhi, once said, “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE”. You cannot change the world, but you can present the world with one improved person, yourself! Self-improvement funda is like an onion, a constant discovery, layer after layer, until its very heart is reached. It adds taste, zest and vigorous yet calm qualities that enriches our lives. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam inspired the youths with his electrifying saying, “Each one of us has a divine fire in us. And our aim should be to give wings to this fire.”

                Never despise life’s fiery trails. They are the God’s ways of bringing out the best in you. We need to take high moral ground and believe that we are God’s gift to the society. Always remember, you are like a diamond and the more a diamond is cut, the more it glitters. The more we try to revamp ourselves, the more exceptional we become. Success will never lower its standard to accommodate us. We have to raise our standards to achieve it. For every bird, God provides food, but not in their nest. The Almighty has bestowed upon us a plethora of talents and passions and our fervent desire should be to manifest them. The power to make a difference lies within each one of us & the self-improvement technique can fuel our aura to reach the pinnacles of glory.

               Robert Frost has incredibly enthused in me the gusto “to give so much time to improve myself that I don’t have time to criticize others” with his dictum:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep!

An Ode To A Teacher

From A School Principal's speech at a graduation..

He said "Doctor wants his child to become a doctor...
Engineer wants his child to become an engineer...
Businessman wants his ward to become CEO...
BUT a teacher also wants his child to become one of them..!!!!
Nobody wants to become a teacher BY CHOICE".... Very sad but that's the truth.....!!!

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued,
"What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

To stress his point he said to another guest;
"You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Teacher Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,
"You want to know what I make?
(She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the winner.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't
make them sit for 5 minutes without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?
(She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them how to write and then I make them write.
Keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.
They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need
to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they
were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life

( Bonnie paused one last moment and then continued.)

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ALL YOUR LIVES, EDUCATING KIDS AND PREPARING THEM TO BECOME CEO's, AND DOCTORS AND ENGINEERS..........

What do you make Mr. CEO?

His jaw dropped; he went silent!

A MOTHER'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

            
            When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you. You thanked her by crying all night long!

            When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk. You thanked her by running away when she called.

          When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love. You thanked her by tossing your plate on the floor.

          When you were 4 years old, she gave you some crayons.  You thanked her by colouring the dining table and walls.

          When you were 5 years old, she dressed you for the holidays. You thanked her by plopping into the nearest pile of mud.

          When you were 6 years old, she walked you to school. You thanked her by screaming, “I’m not going!”

          When you were 7 years old, she bought you a baseball. You thanked her by throwing it through the next-door-neighbour’s window.

          When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice-cream. You thanked her by dripping it all over your lap.

          When you were 9 years old, she paid for piano lessons. You thanked her by never even bothering to practise.

          When you were 10 years old, she drove you all day- from soccer to gymnastics to one birthday party after another. You thanked her by jumping out of the car and never looking back.

          When you were 11 years old, she took you to the movies. You thanked her by asking her to sit in a different row.

          When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV shows. You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.

          When you were 13 years old, she suggested a haircut that was becoming. You thanked her by saying that she had no taste.

          When you were 14 years old, she paid for a month away at summer camp. You thanked her by forgetting to call/msg her, not even during lulls.

          When you were 15 years old, she came home from work, looking for a hug. You thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.

          When you were 16 years old, she taught you how to drive her drive. You thanked her by taking it every chance you could.

          When you were 17 years old, she was expecting an important call. You thanked her by being on the phone all night.

          When you were 18 years old, she cried at your high school graduation. You thanked her by staying out partying until dawn.

          When you were 19 years old, she asked whether you were seeing anyone. You thanked her by saying, “ It's none of your business.”

          When you were 20 years old, she suggested a plethora of careers for your  future. You thanked her by saying, “I don’t wanna be like you.”

          When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you. You thanked her by moving half-way across the country.

          When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby. You thanked her by telling that, “Things are now different.”

          When you were 40, she called to remind you of a relative’s birthday. You thanked her by saying you are “Really hamstrung with a lot of tasks now.”

          When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you badly to take care of her. You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children.

          And then, one day, she silently died. And everything you never ventured to do came crashing down like thunder & dynamite! Ah, if only…………………..

                   IF YOU ARE FORTUNATE & SHE’S STILL AROUND, MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR HER AND THANK HER FROM THE HEART OF YOUR HEARTS!

                               

              Love and appreciate your “MOM”!

SPREADING SEEDS OF EDUCATION AMONG THE LESS FORTUNATE CHILDREN

        "When you find a dream inside your heart, don't ever let it go. For dreams are tiny seeds from which beautiful tomorrows grow"...                      
        A dream which inspired me walk an extra mile, a dream which kept me on my toes, a dream which never failed to increase my gusto, a dream which made me slog day in and day out and a dream which became my obsession...
        And that DREAM was to add a meaning to the lives of the less fortunate children.
        Children are the purest and most innocent of all of God's creations. They open their eyes in a completely new and surprising world where they learn from their mistakes and continue the learning process till the very last breath.
        All this while, they mould their attitude, behaviour, thought-process and discretion based on what they see, hear and experience from thier immediate surroundings. The mind of a child is very vulnerable. We are aware of the predicament of the children in our country who have no other option but to kill the most precious phase of their lives. Their financial conditions and physical inability does not allow them to savour the flavour of life. What future will these kids have? We never come to know about the hidden potential trapped in them since they never get the chance to escape the daily drudgeries of life. It is often observed that children who are not able to receive an education due to their adverse circumstances are often the ones who show great affinity towards learning. If they are only provided with a small boost-up, they will certainly excel in some way or the other, making optimum use of their available opportunity.
        My project is : Treasure Them!
        A child is the most valuable element for every parent. A child has immense courage and strength to overcome the impediments of life if he is provided with the much-needed motivation and push. My project: TREASURE THEM is an innotive solution which is giving the less fortunate children and orphans, a fresh lease of life. This project is dedicated to the enrichment and upliftment of the less fortunate children.
        Under the canopy of "Treasure Them", we ignited the spark of education among the orphans. We organized workshops, a painting competition, a medical camp and various activities for these children. With the help of inspirational presentations and videos, stories, narrations and participatory exercises, we encouraged the children to lead a dignified life, a life away from the social rejection. We inspired them to dream and work hard to fulfill those dreams. We cited the examples of a plethora of personalities who reached the heights of glory in the face of pathetic circumstances. The tremendous response and enthusiasm of these children thrilled us. This reminds of the beautiful lines, "To live for others is the most fertile pleasure in this world"...
        Health always plays a vital role in every man's life. Keeping this mind, a medical camp was also held for these children. We provided them with iron and multi-vitamin tablets. It was really disheartening to see the deteriorated health of the children. I hope the treatment and pros and cons which they received during this camp help them to become hale & hearty!
        The painting competition witnessed the emergence of some budding painters. The theme of the painting competition was "Dream Big". The wonderful paintings and spectacular imagination of the children was enough to leave us spell-bound. The aim of this event was to hone their skills and talents. A tiny tot named Shahnawaz painted a fantastic picture of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam as he dreamt of becoming the President Of India. If only Dr. Kalam could see! The event has boosted their self-dignity, sense of achievement and sense of satisfaction.
        At this juncture, I cannot fail to remember the Baba Amte's words, "Give them a Chance not Charity." However severe his/her disability may be, each person has uniquely invaluable gifts and capabilities to give to the world. We must make an attempt to overcome any disability, however great it may seem. We shall strive to help these children to overcome the social prejudice, taboos and ignorance. As important as physical cure, if not more, is the restoration of a person's sense of self-respect and dignity. To achieve this, the way forward is not charity but empowerment.
        The children participated in all the activities with rapt attention and passion. It was a display that will remain indelibly imprinted on the minds of those who witnessed it, thanks to my parents, Sarfaraz Ahmad and Afshan Ahmad, Fr. Ivan Lobo and Mrs. Anita Thombre who made it possible. I look forward to continue this work and bring smiles on the faces of these children. . . .

Thanks!

AN INCIDENT THAT CHANGED LIFE!

           

             I would like to throw light upon an incident, not a big moment, perhaps. Yet small moments sometimes last a very long time. And a few words though they mean a little at that time to people who say them, can have enormous power. "This is good writing". Words like that can echo.

             As an eighth grader, I was terribly insecure and an introvert. I had few friends and no self-confidence. Then one day in October 2008, my high school teacher, Mrs. Edwina Moses, gave the class a test on writing-skills. The students had to write an essay on ‘'All that glitters is not gold'’.

             I wrote my essay and turned it in. Today, I cannot recall anything special about that essay I wrote and what marks Mrs. Mosses gave me. What I remember, what I will never forget, are the four words Mrs. Moses wrote in the margin of the paper: ‘THIS IS GOOD WRITING’!

             FOUR WORDS. THEY CHANGED MY LIFE!

             Until I read those words, I had no idea of who I was or what was I going to be. After reading her note, I went home and wrote a short story, something which I dreamed of doing but never believed I could do.

             Over the remaining years in school, I wrote many articles and always brought them to school for Mrs. Moses to evaluate. She was very exactin but very honest and very encouraging. She was just what I needed.

             Later, I started writing for The Hitavada's Twinkle Star, and other magazines and emerged victorious in many essay-writing contests. My confidence grew, my horizons broadened. And I started on a life of fulfillment.

                          My teacher had cast an incredibly long shadow!

A JOURNEY FROM KID TO WIZKID!

The South Asian Finals of Horlicks Wizkids, B'lore

            “Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared to believe that something inside them is superior to circumstances.”

            I believed in my dreams, my passions, my efforts and ultimately myself. And what was the repercussion? I got a brilliant opportunity of representing my city in the South Asian National Finals of Horlicks Wizkids 2011 which was held in Bangalore from 15^th November to 19^th November 2011 and thus, break new ground.

            Amazing, adventurous, prolific, spectacular, fabulous, etc. all these adjectives fail to capture the whole essence of the experience I had in the Finals with 40 extremely dexterous Wizkids. It’s rarely that one gets treated to such sumptuous fare! The South Asian Finals witnessed tremendous participation from the countries like India, Sri-Lanka and Nepal. The evaluation took place at School Of Ancient Wisdom, a sprawling institution enveloped by greenery, lush and brilliance in Yelhanka, B’lore.

            The thrilling voyage kicked off with Ice Breaker Round and Introduction Round where every Wizkid introduced himself through a prop which best described him. This helped us to know one another, swap experiences and make new contacts. An array of activities was on the horizon. The G.K Test & the Psychometric Test compelled us put on our thinking caps! Then came Wizkids Word War, a group discussion and Wizkids Wango Tango, a set of mind-boggling games, to fascinate us and give rise to the child-like attitude which was buried deep within. The Music/Dance/Theatre workshops honed and refined our skills. I opted for Theatre workshop owing to my flair and penchant for theatre. An excellent director and actor from B’lore, Mr. Aniroodh, directed a fabulously hilarious play titled “Two Sitting Ducks” where all the budding actors manifested their acting skills. This was followed by the most colorful and mind-blowing round, the Cultural Round, where all the Wizkids had to portray the culture and tradition of their regions dressed in their traditional attires. Every contestant had to decorate his stall with the delicious sweets, dishes and specialties of his region/state. What I concluded from this round was that it is only love and affection that binds all the Indians so strongly. In the teeth of great disparities, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani! The rich beats of “The Kannad” set our feet tapping especially when the east beat developed in the west. Dance and music electrify one’s body!

            Physical activities and games are indispensable to stimulate the grey cells, provide an energetic boost up and maintain a clean bill of health. Keeping this in mind, a lot of ‘outbound learning activities’ were held which were nerve-racking yet enjoyable and grueling yet vibrant. These activities put into test every contestant’s leadership skills, patience, sense of tolerance, fortitude and guts. Then, all the Wizkids decked up for the Talent Round which was sure to set every heart on fire. The Talent Evening stunned, shook, hypnotized and regaled all and sundry. Every participant put forth a sensational performance in two minutes. I feel fortunate to join this bandwagon of extremely talented Wizkids. From rip-roaring dances to heart-warming melodies, from stunning stunts to eloquent speeches, one could sense a powerhouse of talents in offing.

            Then, the spotlight was on some serious stuff. Syed Sultan Ahmed, the man behind Horlicks Wizkids & EduMedia, addressed the Communication Workshop. It was the workshop where every participant got a chance to repair and revamp his communication skills with some impeccable pros and cons of communication. It is rightly said, “Luckily or unluckily, your conversation is your advertisement.”  It was then time to gear up for the Speaking Round where every participant had to speak about an incident that changed his/her life. This was followed by the most awaited Project Presentation & Personal Interview Round. It was incumbent on all the participants to execute a social project and thus, make a difference to the world they live in. In this round, every participant had to present his project report and inspire others to do their bit for the society. The Valedictory Function did the honours of putting full stop to the 3 days bonanza but it could not curb the unflinching passion and enthusiasm which emerged on Day 1.

The events convened from Day 1 to Day 4, the gusto and zeal of the 40 Whiz Kids, the amalgamation of fun, learning and bliss which led to production of young kids with sterling characters, and the breath-taking atmosphere were a perfect cherry and icing on the cake. How does one test character? An excellent test for character is the way a person reacts when chips are down. This test was applied in the personal interview session and Wizkids Word War.

            But the important test of character is how one behaves when no one is looking! Indeed, “Character is what one is in the dark.” The psychometric test had immense power to do this. Syed Sultan Ahmed rightly says, “We are here to make a difference.” Making a difference does not mean making a big splash or doing something which will make people yell ‘wow’. It is doing ordinary things, extraordinarily.

The brain behind the Horlicks Wizkids, Syed Sultan, deserves kudos. In four days, he transformed the participants from barren desert to a fertile oasis. I would need days, not hours to recount all his achievements.  But let me highlight one outstanding characteristic of this multifaceted person- his Most Charming Personality – in smile, in word, in deed. It is this which attracts him to all people, but the magnetic pull is most strongly felt by the youth. A special word of thanks to the Edu Media team- without them the sailing would not have been as smooth as it has, or as rough as it could have been.

The South Asian Finals of Horlicks Wizkids has been an enriching journey which has equipped me with the tools required to take wings, soar high and reach the paramount height.

Let me conclude by quoting Grantland Rice,

“When the One Great Scorer comes,

To write against your name,

He writes not that you won or lost

But how you played the game.”

SOUTH ASIAN FINALS OF WIZKIDS = GRIST TO THE MILL!

Following is the collection of some brilliant photographs:

The Introduction Round

Talent Round (Enacting Shylock From The Merchant Of Venice)

Enacting Portia from The Merchant Of Venice

Project Presentation

Har Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hai!

Wizkids Rock!

Day 1: A pic clicked randomly before the breakfast!

Witnessing the splendid finale....

Syed Sultan Ahmed

The 40 Wizkids before the Grand Finale

Day 2: Outbound Learning Activities

With Nakul Patel Sir

Grand Finale

BEAT BOX! They set the stage on fire!

Talent Evening

Cultural Evening

The Theatre Group 

Speaking Round

Workshop4Gurus: An Exclusive Peek

http://www.burooj.org/

          "A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step." In an endeavour of great success, the initial step of igniting the lamp of islamic educational excellence is taken by the great and eminent scholar, Mr. Mohammad Dawood Vaid. His brainchild 'Burooj Realization' is an organization with a vision to impart quality education to the new generation, transforming them into meaningful and dynamic citizens.
          Today, the seed of the dream of taking islamic education to higher level of existence has metamorphosed into a magnificent tree of learning which holds under it's canopy 'Workshop For Teachers.'
           An attempt towards excellence and churning out creative zeal among the teachers of Burooj Angels, the Workshop For Teachers convened on 29th of September 2011 at Red Camel in Nagpur was a phenomenon. The main thrust area was to provide knowledge, expand the horizons and unleash the potential of the teachers with the mind-blowing HBLT (Hook, Book, Look, Took) technique.
           The Quran says that the person who has knowledge but does not implement has invoked Allah's wrath, as they possessed knowledge but did not act accordingly. The Workshop For Teachers, undeniably, provided the teachers with some wherewithal to implement their knowledge and be real assets who can change the fortune of the children for better. As it is said, "If something cannot be attained in its fullest, one should not neglect what can be attained of it."
           "The workshop ignited a spark in us," says Faiza Rehman, one of the teachers of Burooj Angels, "it was truly motivational and enriching." The teachers were resonant with excitement and gusto before the workshop. Their gusto gained momentum when the workshop commenced and it was at it's peak by the end. "We looked forward to it," says another teacher of Burooj Angels, Uzma Yusuf, "we knew Dawood brother would make a difference and his innovative technique of HBLT has made learning more absorbing for children."
           From the verses of the holy Quran to thrilling stories, from the authentic Sunnahs to the personal life experiences, from statistics to anecdotes, Dawood Vaid's every narration added a scintillating flavour to the workshop. The vocab game and other interactions during the workshop were the icing and cherry on the cake. "On cloud nine fails to describe my state of mind after attending the workshop. I can now sense a 'better me' in offing!" exclaimed Shaika Tanveer, a mentor at Burooj Angels, after the workshop.
           The teachers entered the frontiers of Red Camel with stars in their eyes and left with dreams in their minds. The aspirants who are looking forward to glowing and promising careers in academics snatched at the opportunity and got benifitted from the pros and cons.
           The workshop ended on a jolly note and satisfaction emerged in the hearts of all the teachers for they underwent a 'revamp'. The electrifying words of Robert Frost lingers on our mind as we are all decked up to hitch the wagon to a star and execute our responsibilities impeccably...
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
           We ask Allah (s.w.t), the Exalted, to reward everyone who participated in this noble deed of propogating knowledge. May the Lord accept from them their good deeds and magnify their blessings. May The Almighty place upon us the light as brilliant as the sun!

HBLT Technique

BAPU: A True Satyagrahi

Mahatma, the enlightened one,

Won a war without sword or gun.

Born in Saurashtra, a small coastal town,

This because of him achieved world renown.

A gentle human with a rare philosophy,

Left his imprint in the annals of History.

He threw back the conquerors across the seas,

By showing them the power of his inner peace.

Ahimsa, he followed and brought a bloodless revolution.

Without him our country, we would not call our nation.

His message to us is simple and clear,

If we ignore it, the price we pay is dear.

Discriminate not on creed and caste,

Stand united, be Indian first and last.

Bapu, sometimes, I dream if you were in our midst,

Wouldn't you face up to the terrorists?

Wouldn't you revamp him who smuggles and plunders?

Wouldn't you set aright our wayward leaders?

Wouldn't you today save my country?

And restore it to its ultimate glory?

Bapu, I dream a dream, will my dream come true?

Will you be born again?

MY COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!