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Schools ‘force’ parents to buy books Sonepat, May 16 Most of the schools take payment even for uniforms meant for the next season. And while the schools and these traders continue to make brisk earnings, it is the parents who are the sufferers. Mr KK Sharma, whose daughter is studying in class XI here, says that he had to shell out more than Rs 7,000 for purchasing books, stationery and school uniform for his daughter. With the schools including extra charges on the pretext of extra curricular activities like horse riding etc. and several other funds like building fund, the monthly fee being paid by the parents is already a burden enough for the ones belonging to the middle class. Such measures like specifying shops to buy books and uniforms are adding to that burden, the parents say. Disclosed a parent: “The school charged a hefty sum for horse riding and swimming, despite my repeatedly telling them that my daughter abhorred horses. Not only that, she was never even able to avail the facility of swimming pool in the school. But I had no option, than to pay.” And its not that one has to shell this heavy an amount for wards studying in higher classes only. Even if one’s kids are studying in KG or say class V, the amount spent is no less. Talking to the NCR Tribune said a few parents, whose wards are studying in junior classes, “They force us to buy books and uniform from specified shops, which is highly unfair.” A shopkeeper in the Mandi area said till the last minute, the list of books is kept a closely guarded ‘secret’ by the schools. Hence all booksellers except the chosen one are not able to for books that are required by that particular school. Parents demand that the schools should be directed by the authorities to display the list of books atleast six weeks before the commencement of the new academic session. Several booksellers here are also forming their associations to fight out this exploitation. The shopkeepers are also approaching the school principals and headmasters regarding this issue. |
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SCHOOL BUZZ Bhatnagar International Summit presented its annual cultural eve ‘Rhapsody’ at Manav Sthali School, R block. The evening showcased a kaleidoscope of foot-tapping dances and pulsating melodies. The programme began with the little ones dressed as angels taking the audience to a virtual paradise. This was followed by an offering to Lord Ganapati. The school choir at its very best saw music filling the whole environs. The amateur performers gave a display of their talent in ‘Oliver’s Angelical Chum’, a stage show that showed how love and affection can change the stream of our lives. The voyage of ‘Rhapcruise’ took audience on a journey to savour the experiences of a multi-layered culture. The Border Security Force (BSF) Director-General, Mr Ajai Raj Sharma, was the Chief Guest. An awards ceremony was organised to felicitate students for their meritorious performance.
Roots cultural programme
Children of the Roots Play club in Dr Mukherjee Nagar participated with zeal in the cultural programme organised by the school. The show began with an invocation to Goddess Saraswati. This was followed by a series of lively performances by children, which highlighted the cultural diversity of the country. Dressed in colourful apparels, they danced to the tunes of folk music. The programme wound up with the Principal, Ms Mamta, addressing the audience and stressing the need for an overall development. Birth centenary
celebrations Students from GHPS India Gate participated in various contests organised by the Pingalawara Charitable Society to mark the birth centenary celebrations of its founder Bhagat Puran Singh. The school bagged the second prize in the quiz competition and Harman Kaur won the first prize in the poster painting competition. The school also bagged the third prize at the All India Inter School Shabad Recitation Competition held at GHPS, Vasant Vihar. The wining team was awarded a trophy and certificates.
‘Spectra 2004’
GHPS Kalkaji organised the annual day celebrations ‘Spectra 2004’. The celebrations began with the invocation to the Almighty followed by a welcome song performed by the tiny-tots of the school. Students also staged plays in Hindi, Punjabi and English. The Punjabi play was based on Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Mai Bhago was the title of the Hindi play and the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy and Tagore’s subsequent refusal of his knighthood was the theme of the English play. Dances from various states, including Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir were also full of verve. Prahlad Singh Chandok, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was the Chief Guest. He highlighted the need for a holistic education. |
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Principalspeak The country has given its mandate and elected new leaders with the hope that the new governance will represent their aspirations and usher in a more just social order and individual dignity. They have voted out whom they considered ‘misleaders’ and now pin their hopes on being shepherded into greener pastures by men and women who they believe have integrity, honesty and social service as their chief interest. Nevertheless, the question that troubles them is will the new lot deliver and live up to their expectations or are they the flip side of the same coin, made of the same metal and churned out of the same mint? Years of patience and hope have given way to cynicism and apathy and the masses just shrug off all politicians as personal power-seekers and devils incarnate, who are corrupt to the core and resort to the most devious and muscle wrenching ways to exercise their clout. Why is there a credibility gap and distrust in today’s leaders? It is because their promises amount to nothing more than lies. They, like the devil, would cite scriptures for their purpose and sit on the fence, waiting to see which side would benefit them more. Where are today’s leaders in whom people can repose complete trust as their benefactors and look up to as role models? Most people and even books cite examples of leaders from the past to show who a noble leader; a colossus is, only to highlight in contrast the pygmies of today. What is true leadership? To quote Shiv Khera, “It is the ability to be a catalyst for change, to inspire and persuade people to follow the righteous path. A leader puts ideas into people’s minds and inspires them into action. Empowering one’s followers rather than controlling them is the hallmark of true leadership.” Gandhiji was one of the greatest leaders, a messiah, who served the downtrodden and the oppressed not by pitying them but awakening them to their own potential and inspiring them to stand up for their rights through a non-violent fight for principles. Leadership is not about making passionate speeches and inflaming the emotions of gullible people or about making headlines with gimmicks and demonstrations. Such a person is only a rabble-rouser. A true leader inspires trust and works for the greater good. Gandhiji did not have to buy supporters. He did not have the money or guns, but he had the power to move people. He won their trust and a whole country walked behind him ready to sacrifice whatever the country required of them. He restored in them a respect for themselves, a love for their country and awakened in them the virtue of freedom, which frees the mind from all fears and opens out a whole new world of opportunities. He led them to believe it was in their own hands to achieve this. This was true leadership. It requires virtues of courage, honesty, determination, sense of selfless service and a vision to enlighten people to their rights as well as their responsibilities. Martin Luther King said, “If a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.” A leader should take a definite stand and be firm but not stubborn. Good leaders guide and lead and bad leaders misguide and mislead. However, leadership is not only demonstrated in great contexts or in times of crises but in our everyday deeds. Parents who nurture their children with the right values and raise them to be good citizens and human beings and help them to build an ability to see beyond darkness are as great leaders as any. A person who can initiate his group to clean up the dirt around or inspire each person to help even one needy person shows values, which are respected by others. Even in classrooms and on the field, we can be effective leaders through our sincerity of purpose and high character. That is the difference between a bully and a leader. We should indeed take our lessons from our true leaders who have been our guiding stars: “Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time.” Madhu Chandra |
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