Opinion
Going within and going out into the world
I pray to the Almighty that through such programmes we all become better human beings, more compassionate and kinder.
There is no end to transformation!
It is limitless and infinite.
For students, teachers, and management, I firmly believe that change and transformation have to be everyday occurrences. These are achievements that go on inspiring us, challenging us to be better than what we believe we can be.
Being part of the management at Maharana Mewar Public School (MMPS) in Udaipur, I consider it my duty and responsibility to give the maximum exposure to students and faculty alike. Everybody has to be in the learning mode; to be aware of what is happening around in the world and to be alive to every challenge.
I also believe that we have travel within before we begin travelling out into the world. Through curricular and extra-curricular activities, students and faculty begin this infinite journey in themselves. Through prayers and service to our elders, we continue the journey of inner transformation with a greater degree of security and guidance.
At MMPS, our focus has been on arts, crafts, and music along with a variety of sporting activities which provide our students with a chance to discover their own selves. What is it that inspires them, makes them think creatively and out of the box? At the same time, they also develop the ability to follow different styles and modes of thinking: it helps them to appreciate what others are doing and learn from those more experienced.
It is a very exciting and fun-filled journey that can take a ten-year-old student to discover Bach's music or the intricacies of Raag Darbari. Or an eight-year-old who begins to paint on a variety of textures to find how colours change, how shapes and form emerge.
Our Principal and senior teachers are completely involved in these creative journeys that are carried out throughout the day. Most agree that it has created a stress-free environment. The discipline, of course, has to be maintained; class timings have to be adhered to, yet there are ways and means to find 'more' time and 'make more time'.
Yes, we give equal importance to community service and travel for students and faculty. MMPS is located in the heritage city of Udaipur with more than 450 years of history and heritage. It is important for all of us to be involved, associated with heritage management activities.
Be it the walled city and its narrow streets, or the ancient temples and structures, students are taking time out to know more, and give more time for community services. Civic cleanliness drives, water-saving campaigns, pollution-free, and plastic-free environments are issues which drive our students. They are given full freedom in planning out their campaigns which first begin in the school and homes, and then reach out to different locations. Through these campaigns, of which they take full ownership, they are able to relate better to the world around them. Civic policies and problems are better understood by them as they are able to participate in these activities and experience the real world.
I sincerely hope that schools in larger cities are also able to prioritise these community campaigns and give students a far greater opportunity to know their own cities. It develops a life-long bond with the urban landscape and goes a long way in shaping their personalities.
Travel within the state, country and overseas has become the norm.
Students and faculty are travelling for inter-school competitive events. Science and art students, besides those excelling in sports, get a chance to meet their peers from different schools. Events create a marvelous setting and the sense of competition drives every one to be at their best, do their best.
Winning, I have said time and again, is not the reason why we participate; the idea is to push ourselves and find the hidden reserves of energy and positivity. At MMPS, I am proud to state our students actively participate in state-wide and nation-wide tournaments and events. The glories they earn make us even more proud of their achievements. Of course, their parents and families adore it! And make them heroes!
Students and faculty exchange programmes have become the norm. It pays to collaborate with overseas schools as it becomes yet another learning process which keeps getting better with every passing year.
At MMPS, we have been lucky to collaborate with schools in Australia. Several exchanges have been organised over the last few years, and it has resulted in great bonhomie, camaraderie, and sharing of knowledge, and best practices in education.
Our Principal and senior teachers have also gone on visits to the United Kingdom, taking the students to museums, public schools and places of historical importance. They have come back refreshed and far more aware and excited about the world than ever before!
These programmes and activities, as I said, are infinite; these can have no end. What is critical is that our learning should be as continuous and infinite. I pray to the Almighty that through such programmes we all become better human beings, more compassionate and kinder.
About the author:
Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur is Trustee, Vidyadan Trust and Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation.
