Forgiveness - Simar Kaur

My reflection post-reading chapter 18 of the book. I deem forgiveness as an opportunity to look at the situation positively. When someone does something to hurt us, we start hating that person. It often results in adverse changes in our mood and a thirst to take revenge. We don’t get satisfied until and unless we retaliate. Once we maintain this as a habit, people notice behavioural changes, and that is how we enter into a vicious cycle that traps us for life.

My middle school experience is something that I describe as terrible. The reason for that is the bullying I faced as we entered into a wider world. Till fifth grade, our innocent selves don’t let materialistic items affect our judgement. But in sixth grade, as we enter into the world of unavoidable changes, we can’t help judging a person by the way they look, how someone performs in their studies and much more. I was a victim of that and possibly an attacker. I kept that with me for a long time, resulting in my grades and academic life deteriorating.

Eighth grade was a breath of fresh air. Covid pandemic hit, and we were all trapped into lockdown. 

Eighth grade was like an opportunity to escape my struggling social life. I had a chance to get away from all my friends and classmates and be the ones I loved. And that made all the difference. I felt refreshed, and I was a lot more cheerful and happy. But I realised that my happiness was not a by-product of avoiding people. I became happy when I decided to forgive everyone who hurt me in the past in one way or another. I forgot all about my past misery and people who had actively been a part of it. It made me feel a lot better. 

After two years of break from social life, I enjoy school. I may not have a lot of friends, but I have what I need. Going back to school wouldn’t have felt this good if we wouldn’t have been trapped in lockdown, and I wouldn’t have been as forgiving as I am now. But now I know that forgiveness is extraordinary, and I am trying my best to apologise and forgive anyone I hurt or anyone who hurt me.

Simar Kaur Grade X Gyanshree School

Forgiveness - Ananya Bhatia

My reflection on Forgiveness after reading the chapter in Doctor Anupam Sibal's book called Is Your Child Ready to Face the World?

Forgiveness is the key to Happiness.

Happiness and Forgiveness are both connected to each other. If we forgive, we will also feel a sense of Happiness. Bhagavad Gita says that if you want to be brave, look to those who can forgive. It means that a weak person can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of a solid and courageous person. I conclude by saying that we forgive others for being happy ourselves.

My Name is Ananya Bhatia. I study in Ahlcon Public school in class 9th. I like Reading books.

Meeting Sandeep Sir - Rishona Chopra

Today Sandeep, Sir of Learning Forward India Foundation, visited our school,  Gyanshree Noida. It was indeed a pleasure to have him here; it was the first time I saw him in person and met one of my friends too! 

It was great to be in school and meet him. He is one of the best mentors I have had till now. I also met a few other teachers and students. We, along with a few teachers and students, discussed a small marketing plan and how we could motivate people to write in languages other than English to feel comfortable with the language they like.

We plan to read the chapter "The Annual Day At School" from the book My Good School, Where Passion Meets Education by Sandeep Dutt on the 20th of March.

I hope to meet him once again and be back in school physically!

Rishona Chopra
Grade V
Gyanshree School