Live Positive Way

 Vels Group of Schools is happy to invite you to the free live webinar scheduled on August 29, 2020, 4 pm – 5 pm.

*Zoom Link* : https://tinyurl.com/y52uwsc3

*Zoom ID* : 815 8166 5992

*Passcode* :  920860

*FB Live* : https://tinyurl.com/y333y5yx

*Topic: Why it is important to address learning difficulties?*

*Guest Speaker* : 

Mrs Suganthi Sankaran

Empathetic Special Educator and a blogger

Catch me live on *29 August 2020*, *Saturday* between *4pm - 5pm*.  Use the link to log in & kindly spread the word in your circle.

- Suganthi Sankaran

Live Positive Way - A tribute!

Live Positive Way - A tribute!

A little girl, who was staying away from her dad, at her uncle’s place, got hurt once. She lost a good amount of blood and got a big bandage wrapped onto her leg. She was taken care off well by her aunty, but still, she kept weeping and repeatedly said, “Appa inga irun-dirun-dah, evlo-nalla-irun-diruk-kum” (How nice it would have been if dad was here with me now?). The girl was missing her dad terribly and was dozing off due to medication. When she opened her eyes, she saw her dad sitting next to her wounded leg. That was in the year 1987, when telephones were considered a luxury and there were no mobile phones or WhatsApp available to contact others. By the way....on the very same day her dad came all the way from Chennai to Vadalur, which is roughly about 200+ kilometers away. That is the kind of bonding that the father had with his daughter.

Recently someone appreciated me for my blog posts and writing skills. I said, ‘I owe it to my dad.’ She replied, ‘but it's you who studied well and became capable of writing.’ She knew very little about my dad, but she doesn’t know that my dad was the finest orator that I knew and he can grab the attention of the entire crowd with his amazing oratorical skill and proficiency in Tamil language. I just follow his narrative style while I write. 

When I was in tender age, he started encouraging me by bringing ‘Ambulimama’, ‘Gokulam’ books regularly despite the little money he had for himself. He encouraged me to read more since he believed books are the best friends. He took pride in me even for the smallest things I did. Slowly but steadily he groomed me as a mentor. More than a dad, on many occasions he doubled up as my friend with whom I have shared all of my challenges for which he always had some solutions to offer. When at times I got average marks he softly used to say, ‘What happened this time? I hope you will score well next time’ and motivate me to aspire for better results next time. I even had the privilege of signing his signature on behalf of him. He trusted me since I was very small, and I am happy and proud now to say that I had that place intact in his heart till his last breathe. He used to tell everyone that his daughter listens to whatever he says. I am happy to hear from everyone now that how much he used to speak about me to them. He allowed me to explore my life. He sent me miles away when I got a job in New Delhi. My dad believed in me, my abilities and talents, he kept encouraging me whenever I had a fall.

My dad had a unique way of connecting with people. Everyone loves him. He can relate to people of all ages -- from a senior citizen to a toddler. The best extrovert, I have ever seen in my life is my dad. He was instrumental in me getting connected to all of his relatives, friends and the ones he loved much. No one will believe if I say that I was an introvert before, and he changed me for good. When I expressed my displeasure of not able to stand in front of people and talk confidently, he started coaching me by taking to beach and asked me to start talking loud to the waves. It’s because of my dad ‘Marina’ beach became my most favorite place on earth. Numerous times he took me there and created an emotional bonding with it.

When I look back at my journey... I realize .. 

since 'he was fond' of his culture and heritage, I learned Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Since he loved MGR and Rajnikanth, they remain special in my heart even today.

Since he believed, having more people is the most valuable asset in life; I earned many friends, wherever I went. 

He may be a simple person to many, but 'for me' he is my pillar of strength, my powerhouse, the most influential person in my life. He had chosen my subjects for higher studies; he had chosen my husband, and he had chosen my first job and even the present profession of being a 'Special Educator'. Dad visualized me as a passionate Special Educator even before I thought of taking it as my profession. He even expressed what I must do before I start my last journey. That much is his influence in my life. 

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.”- Jim Valvano

I have quoted this many a time in my posts on Father's Day or in some of my blog posts. This quote validates my entire journey so far. It is painful to see that my dad is physically not present today, with whom I was so much connected since I came into existence. He is the one who understands my pain and unsaid emotions. He believed in me when I haven’t even known the meaning of the word ‘belief.’

It is now been more than a fortnight since he left for his heavenly abode. Suddenly, I lost all my confidence. I have become an introvert, almost stopped communicating with many, staying away from social networks (otherwise remains active), restricting myself to just four walls and engaging in household chores. Then suddenly realized that this is not how my dad will like me to be. This is not the one for whom he felt proud. I have to get back to my real persona, which he will certainly love seeing. He has read all my blog posts so far and have appreciated me. I just can’t stay silent since I must keep ‘Sankaran’ alive forever through my name Suganthi ‘Sankaran’.

I lost my dad, that's a fact and as a cheaper mortal, I cannot change it, it is indeed a painful experience that I haven't endured ever in my life, but I commit to myself that I must remain grateful for everything that he did for me. I am sure he has left a great impact on many lives. He taught me how to stay grounded by not forgetting the past. Only that can keep us humble and genuine. I will love you and miss you appa forever. Since we in our culture believe in eternal connection, I am sure, you are with me now as a guiding star, staying in my heart and going to show me the right path as always.

A simple tribute to the greatest dad!

By the way the little girl at Vadalur was Suganthi, and she had that telepathic connect with her appa Sankaran, who rushed to be with his daughter. Within a few hours after he had arrived, they both went to Vadalur Vallalar Temple, that too by walk! 

- Suganthi Sankaran

Live Positive Way - From my lockdown diaries (3)

Live Positive Way

She was born with a silver spoon, and she was pampered with love and care.

All through her life, she only met beautiful souls and her life was a blissful sail.

The breeze never forgot to touch her face and bring a refreshing....soothing.....smile.

She had never faced hurdles, since she's blessed to live without hassles.

Is she an angel?

An enlightened soul?

Does she live in heaven?

Or in lovely woods?

No way!

Her eyes opened....bringing her back, to her 'real present'.

She remembered.....

How she dreamt of those small things in her childhood days but later learned to adjust her ways.

How she believed, everyone will stay kind to her but only to realise kindness has quit humanity and taken a back seat.

Then....,

She wandered in the skies to check for her stars, to change her charm and make her shine.

She wandered in the sea and in the sea waves, to make her sorrows stay away.

She wandered in the land, to find a place, which can keep her always safe.

She wandered everywhere around, to learn how to be a happy soul.

She wandered back and forth with her loaded thoughts to know what is 'life' and what is 'happiness'......after all?

She was flying inside in her mind to find it all, and now she knew what it means to love oneself and to stay content......it is the secret recipe which has it all!

- Suganthi Sankaran

From my lockdown diaries 3.0

Live Positive Way - From my lockdown diaries (2)

Live Positive Way

“A real friend is one who walks-in when the rest of the world walks-out”. – Walter Winchell.

Yes! 'Friendship' is one factor in our life, which we all feel so important. I really pity those who say they don’t have any friends. This life can be felt as 'totally incomplete' if we are not with friends.

We can have so many people--- 'acquaintances'---whom we call as 'friends'. But are they our 'real friends'? 

Dude! Don’t get confused with the two contradicting statements above. I am not here to write about this new era of friendship. I want to talk about 'the friendship', which still stands out as 'unique' and validates the quote that I shared at the starting of this blog.

When I was young, my most favourite pass time with my dad was hearing bedtime stories. He always chose to tell me either Ramayana or Mahabharata stories in installments. Even the smallest character of the epic(s) wouldn't escape my dad’s narration. Those stories formed an integral part of my upbringing. When I fast-forward a few decades, and now, when I am watching the old Television episodes of Mahabharata---after a long gap of 30+ years---I feel delighted and feel a sense of gratitude permeating me fully for the valuable and quality time spent by my Dad in narrating those stories to me.

I register my gratitude and respect to my dad for spending his valuable time for me. Those were the days in which he used to be very tired, but still, he never ever had disappointed me by skipping the doses of narration from my favourite epic Mahabharata. May be it is now my favourite, but the truth is, he made me cultivate that fondness through his passionate narration. 

Oh! Guess this post is getting diverted now. I have infinite number of things to talk about my dad, which I can in my other posts, now coming back to “friendship”.

'Hinduism' is such a lovely religion in which each and every character, everything has some thing to teach us. I have always loved Mahabharata over Ramayana. My close associates know the reason. It is special because of my Shri Krishna's presence in it. My other reason is the Great character, eminent warrior, “Dhanveer”(a man who would never refuse the request for any donation), the most charming, sensible and extra-ordinary person “Karna” in the epic.

To the people who don’t know who he is… he is the eldest and spiritual son of Kunti (by the blessings of Surya, the Sun God) who got estranged from her immediately after birth. He later got identified by Duryodhan for his skills, and he gifted his small kingdom called “Anga” to him at a critical juncture. Duryodhan can be the main antagonist of Mahabharata but the love he had for Karna is also extraordinary. Some people say that it his selfishness to have someone so skilled like Karna at his side but I have never seen him as a coward Prince. He himself is a great warrior. It may be a boon that he got a great friend like  “Karna.” Karna’s friendship towards Duryodhan should be considered as an 'Epitome of Friendship' in my opinion.

Karna knew ‘Pandavas’ were his own brothers much before the Kurushetra war but he valued his friendship and honoured the trust his friend had in him and decided not to leave Duryodhan.

My dad used to say if he had expressed even once to Duryodhan that he is the elder brother of Pandavas, Mahabharath war might have never taken place and Duryodhan would have accepted his friend as his own brother and given up the plan to wage war and even sacrificed his throne for his friend Karna.

The amazing virtue possessed by Karna didn’t allowed him to disclose his birth secrets even to his wife. Just before the war his mother Kunti meets him and pleads to change his side, but he declines it by saying he cannot leave Duryodhan who gave him love and affection when the whole world degraded him. The greedy mother Kunti (sorry for saying so but it’s painful to see she didn’t accept him even after many years.) took a promise from him that he should only fight with Arjun and not with his other brothers and he should not attempt to kill any of them. She also pleaded with him to use “Nagastra” (divine weapon) only once on Arjun. He promised all that knowing well it will only led him towards death but still he stood by his friend and for the friendship. Somehow the North Indian version of Mahabharata narration misses out some beautiful aspects which we read in South Indian depiction of Mahabharata about the Karna-Duryodhan friendship. It was even recorded that Duryodhan mourned only for Karna in the entire loss.

We always miss out some positive qualities in antagonist since we get engrossed in the core story of the epic. But it is not that always a person will be bad with everyone. He can be an antagonist in the story, he can be against dharma or good people but that does not make them 'absolutely bad' either. If you happen to revisit Mahabharata via YouTube telecast or books don’t restrict yourself with Krishna-Arjun friendship and Gitasaar. See the unseen part of Karna-Duryadhana friendship too. That is the true example of unconditional love among friends and an Epitome of Friendship.

I wish to be a “Karna” to my friends, and I pray that I could always stand by those friends who need me in their lives, since…, ”A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”

From my lockdown diaries… 2.0

- Suganthi Sankaran

Live Positive Way - From my lockdown diaries....

Live Positive Way

My hubby asked me, “what happened to your blog posts? You have enough time now to write!"  So here comes my new post!

It's 'Lock down time'! Yes, too much news buzzing around about the present pandemic situation. What to do? What not to do? My mind is engrossed in the daily emerging data, its ups & downs. But as a 'positive thoughts blogger' isn’t it my priority and responsibility to post something positive to my blog walkers at this time?

Restricted movements. Even walking exercise confined to ones’ home. No cable TV connection to watch movies. In a way it has become a blessing in disguise since I am restricted only to watch a few news updates.  Otherwise, I might have tuned into Times Now, Republic and CNN most of the time.

Many more compromises in kitchen zone. Unable to make and eat what we like, but still feel blessed we have food to eat, whereas many still wander with hunger.

Fine! These are my challenges and hope that is yours as well. Now what can be done to make use of this time productively. How to stay positive despite the challenges?

Here are a few things I am doing to keep myself active.

First of all, whenever we see a news related to the present situation, we must mute our negative thought button. Switch back to the positive affirmation, “this too will pass”! Yes, this will surely pass since nothing is permanent here, so is this too.

Secondly, re-engage with the hobbies which can give you utmost satisfaction.  Something which you did in your childhood days but couldn’t pursue due to various reasons.  My regular readers know that I keep insisting on this. Practising your hobby can help you stay young and happy.  I love singing and dancing. I had never ever left it. It helps me to stay self motivated and keep me going even in this tough time. Doing Zumba with my daughter and daily singing practice with her (we just finished our karaoke sessions singing a telugu song, the language which we are not familiar with), gives a lot of happiness to both of us. Specially to my female buddies, who are now burdened with so much work, I want to say that those chores can wait for a while. It’s nothing wrong if you decide to spend some time for yourself. Take some time out for yourself.

I am both a spiritual and religious person. I wish my child too, to follow those religious practices.  So I am using this time to educate her about our customs, cultures and values which make us a mature human being! Luckily my child is not hooked to cartoon characters and hence it is easy for me to pull her and make her watch and learn them. Watching Mahabharata together is our most favourite bonding time now. I believe any parent can influence their child by doing things which they want their children to do. I am sure they will surprise you by doing them along with you!

Books indeed are great friends! I don’t feel bored since I have so many books to read. With many online links available for readers free of charge we can choose what we like and start reading. I have a few friends who keep saying, “I can’t read a book post one page". I feel that is perfectly fine. Just read that one page a day.  If the content is good, we will end up reading the whole book soon. Think about the knowledge we can gain through this process instead of reading some fake news which can create a panic attack in our heart?

I was in Vippasana Meditation and had the bliss of enjoying 10 days of noble silence (I am not asking you to practice noble silence but can meditate for a while to boost your inner consciousness). This silence that you are feeling around you now is never going to repeat again hence make the best use of it. Instead of tiring car horns and speeding vehicle sounds, we are now able to hear birds chirp and can see birds flying peacefully in clean air above. Let them also have a great time.

I just remember my conversation with my husband about an old tamil story of a famous writer Sujatha, “Yen Iniya Iyandira”. The story revolves around robots taking over the universe. I told my hubby, like every other creature what if some day humans go extinct on earth? But never thought a small micro element can destroy so many lives and cage the entire universe before even we could realise what was happening. Think friends!  Nothing is superior to 'Nature' including the human intelligence. Hence let us all bow down in front of mother nature, God or whatever you call it and feel good that we are still there alive. We can change for better.

Much more to come in coming days…..

From my lockdown diaries……….. 

- Suganthi Sankaran

Live Positive Way

She inspires me to stay alive,
with her lovely smile.

She motivates me to stay strong,
with her gentle pat on my back
when I am down.

She uplifts my spirit to a new high,
when she reassures me that she is
there to support me.

She helps me cherish every moment
of my life, with her bright lovely eyes.

She, at times scolds me (sweetly),
and then pampers me,
when she role plays me.

She inspires me, motivates me,
lifts me up when she says,
“I’m there, your supporter,
your daughter ma,
stay the way you are ma,
do whatever you want to do,
never quit your work, never change,
be you, since I am there for you”.

The one and only, Ananya Parmesh, my darling daughter,
She Inspires Me. Every daughter inspire us so #SheInspiresUs
Dedicated to all the daughters of India
- Suganthi Sankaran
Thanks for this opportunity our PM Narendra Modi ji 

Live Positive Way - Happy New year 2020!

Live Positive Way - My friend!

Often, people these days feel, they are well-connected through whatsapp, facebook, instagram and other social networks. We feel that we get connected easily with anyone and everyone through these networks, but does it really work that way?

I am recollecting my childhood days, when people have to share something or discuss something, they have to physically reach their friend's place and have a discussion with them, but now, they all are "just one touch away".....that's how we feel, isn't it. But does it work that way?

Nowadays, we all are added to various social networking groups, which includes, office groups, school friends' group, college friends' group, which at times gets further extended to other small to big friends' groups connected to different communities, associations, etc.  To add to this, if you have a school-going-child at home then you are 'by default' be part of all those school groups too.  Does this really mean we got so many people to stand by us?

I hardly find anyone having time these days (including you & me). We all are in social networks just to read and forward messages. To be frank I am so weak in that too.  Half of the forward videos I hardly even download fearing filling up my phone memory and the add-on memory card.

In normal days still all these are just fine.  We are busy with our own work and job and set in the routine life.  Suddenly when something happens, we get struck in between in a terrible situation, feeling overwhelmed due to some sudden change, feeling low and upset and really want someone to care then this big panic struck situation will hit us hard and we will realise all these days we were just 'connected' for receiving and forwarding messages.  When you long for someone to share their shoulder to cry on, or to call and listen to you or want a soothing message, we feel an emotional emptiness. We may get to face the hard reality that though there are so many 'known' to us yet there is no one really there for us, yet we cannot blame them for being busy!

These words coming from a positive thought blogger is not to make you feel upset. Not at all.  There is always a solution for every challenge. I keep blogging about it always and I follow what I preach.  There is one magical solution, which can help us during difficult times…. All the time.  Still not able to get it? 

It is your hobbies friends!

Never leave your hobbies, whatever be your favourite hobby, hold on to it.  It will help you keep your emotions in control. It can provide you the much needed support you anticipate and will make you feel like someone being around during the tough days.  It will help you to stay busy and can keep you happy and motivated. On the personal front, even during the rough phase of my life I have continued singing and sharing my tracks with my friends, they might have even wondered how am I able to sing during my worst phase but actually it is the other way around…singing helps me stay calm.  I will also be seen practising Zumba with my daughter or at times read back-to-back books of my choice.  All these hobbies has helped me stay happy, keep going and get less disheartened when I see no messages from the ones I wish to hear from or when I anticipate an enquiry message from the loved ones during my tough days and when it does not happen. 

Again there are always few buddies who keep extending their support to us, as always, but it is not good to take advantage of them, burden them with all our tensions and instead we can steamline our thoughts to keep ourselves happy.

Hobbies are and will continue to be our greatest friends. I sincerely wish, the one who had left singing, dancing, painting, gardening, reading will start doing them right away after reading this blogpost.

Wishing all very Happy Days ahead! 

Stay Positive & Keep yourself happy!

- Suganthi Sankaran

Live Positive Way - My little sweet human beings.....

My little sweet human beings.....

"Look at her! She hasn’t completed her work".

"Oh God, how many times should I tell him, still he doesn’t seem to follow anything that I say".

"Why isn’t she able to do the chores herself?"

"Does he have any problem? I am tired of explaining him several times but still he is not able to follow my instructions".

"Why can’t she write legibly? She is now 6 years old and still not able to write."

---------

These are some comments I get to hear from people around me on a daily basis.  This blog post is addressed to them. 

It’s not tough to be a 'special educator' and handle children with learning difficulties but yes it is painful to explain people around me to not to keep on complaining about the children with "learning difficulties".

Yes, they are not like you and me, they are 'different'. But they are not like other children who forget to wish you ‘Good Morning’ when you pass by.  They just love you with 'full heart' since they are not like you and me. 

They come running to you, cuddle you, shower all their love on you. They are not like you and me who just remembers others only if something is required.

At times it takes just a few seconds for them to make you happy with their innocent smile or continuous imaginary talks. Yes, they are not like you and me who knows to talk diplomatically only to grab the attention and to seek recognition. 

They clap for their friends without an iota of greed when their friends get appreciated for good grades or badges. They are not like you and me, yes, because they just don't know how to fake it in front of the world.

These tiny human beings are simply trying to gain a small space in this world, in their home, in the school and in your heart. Yes, they are not like you and me. They don't hurt others deliberately with their tantrums, they simply don't know how to express their inner feelings in a 'matured manner' like you and me.

Yes, they are not like you and me. But they at times amaze us with some of their unique talents and even teach us life lessons.... but as most of the times we are busy ignoring them we don't even recognise them, since they are not 'like you and me'.

You and me are on a constant pursuit of success, money and fame, so it is but natural that they don't have time to care about these little angels who just need some acceptance and recognition. This world is so cruel. Oh yes I know, they are not like you and me.

Call it a phrase that troubles me, or an outburst of my emotions or the pain that I feel in my heart every time I see these kids getting ignored and hear others complaining about my sweetheart--since I am their therapist and I know them well--I thought I should pen it down today.

Just one thing I can ask you all.

Be more empathetic, loving and caring towards them.

A little more patience, a little more affection and a little more time to share, will make a big difference to them.

You know better they are not like you and me, yes, but for me they are above all of us in leading an 'authentic happy life'.

- Suganthi Sankaran

Live Positive Way - Cast your vote wisely

Almost a decade back—to be precise—in 2008, I was pursuing MBA and used to go for my “Personal Contact Classes” in Mumbai.  Our batch was filled with a mixture of students, professionals, and a few homemakers like me—who have taken a break in career.  It was indeed like revisiting my college days after a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed those classes.  The highlight of those classes was the students who came from Gujarat for their contact classes since the University in which I enrolled for the course had “contact classes” only in a few selected cities. We used to sit with other-course students during our break-time or during lunch hours to chit-chat.  We used to have conversations like, which is their course? from where they have come? etc. Something caught my eyes during one such conversation, are their phones.

Smartphones were not that popular in those days, but many students used to have colour phones, which allowed them to keep ‘screen savers’, ‘backdrop pics’, etc. It’s quite natural that it grabs one’s attention when kept on the table or if something flashes on the screen.  In a few phones, I saw a middle-aged person’s picture as the screensaver. I got a bit curious, and to have a closer look, I requested the students to show it once. To my surprise, the picture they had was that of Narendra Modi-Ji. (Even though, I have heard about him and also knew that he is one of the popular Chief Ministers of our country, I personally was not a big fan of him then as I did not know much about him). I immediately asked them, ‘why him’ as a screen saver? To be frank, I was totally surprised to see his photo, since, it is but natural to see the picture of one of the close family members or some cricketer or an actor/actress and not his picture. The reply that came from them surprised me even further.  They said, “he is no less than a hero for us. He has done so much for our welfare and this is nothing in front of that”.  Only after this incident, I started reading more about Modi-ji, both, to know him personally and to know about his vision and policies, which had given him such a stature amongst the people of Gujarat.

A person who is biased, cunning or corrupt can’t earn such respect, that too from the younger generation. People sometimes get carried away by other people’s statements and often make assumptions about someone based on it.  Hence it's required to check details oneself before making any decision/opinion about anyone.  My journey to know him through books, articles and his speeches helped me to understand him better.

When he contested 2014 elections I felt so positive that he will become our Prime Minister and surely make us feel proud. I was campaigning for him by encouraging my relatives, friends to vote for him. There were a few people who even felt he is not going to win and I am wasting my time in supporting him. I believe, before 2014, none of us were this vocal about our political choices, thanks to Modi-ji again, now people freely talk their mind out. Freedom of speech has reached a stage where they have used all possible abusive expressions against the Prime Minister of the country. I used my social networking sites requesting people to vote for him in 2014 too. Whenever I posted something positive about him, the post mooted several conversations, with so many people.  That, of course, continues even now but the number of pessimistic replies have gone down phenomenally compared to the earlier election.  Happy to see many of them have even started supporting him after seeing his good governance.

Once I was surprised to see his picture in some mobile phones and now, my social networking sites has his picture as DP or Profile picture. He is the only politician for whom the general public is campaigning. I am not a politician, not even a secretary/leader of my residential society but I do campaign for him since I trust him and his vision for all of us. I am quite sure if we miss him, he will be moving with his small bundle of things, heading towards the Himalayas but we will be left to suffer in wrong hands.  My humble request to whoever reads this post is vote him back. Trust me, he will keep our security and welfare first than anything else.

All the best to Modi-Ji and to the people of India for good governance.

- Suganthi Sankaran

Live Positive Way - Appreciation

Live Positive Way - Appreciation

I asked Life,

“Why are you so difficult?”

Life 'smiled' and said,

“You people never appreciate easy things”.

What a powerful message?

This is not my first blog post about 'appreciation'. I keep posting on this topic. But this time, it’s a special blog post for me 'on appreciation'.

Whenever we talk about appreciation, we always think about ‘elders appreciating the younger ones’, ‘parents appreciating their children’, ‘seniors appreciating the juniors in work place’, ‘colleagues appreciating each other’ or ‘friends’ or ‘partners’.

A small girl made me realise that children too have the ability to 'appreciate elders' and motivate them.

The past few months were tough for me and I was trying hard to bring out my best in all areas. As a 'Specialist' working with the 'children with learning difficulties' in an International School, I often find happiness helping the children and spending more time with them. Yesterday was a lovely day for me. I was in a class helping my children with "special needs" and suddenly one girl from that class came to me. Normally, I go to classes and take care of the children referred to me and being in the age group of 4-6, sometimes out of curiosity, other students too come to me to know what I am doing. A few children, to grab my attention will keep asking me some doubts or spellings to complete their work.  So I thought she is one such a child and asked her what she wants? She showed me a beautiful drawing of two images. I said, ‘That’s really nice. Good job!’. She immediately responded with a broad smile, “Ma’am, that’s for you!” I was surprised and enquired, “but why for me”? For that she replied, “I like you”. Though I was delighted by the response, still had my own doubts and further asked, “but I never teach you, still you like me?” For this she replied, “Yes ma’am. You don’t teach me but I love you so much since you help my friends to read and write, which they found difficult to do before”. I was totally moved by this gesture of her's. A small child of age 6 is so connected and concerned about her friends and not just that she is also able to appreciate the work of a person who is 41 years old.

I was feeling out of the world hearing her “APPRECIATION” for me. At that moment, I felt like, my 4 years of association with this field is rewarded. All my efforts and passion were recognised by this child and I saw her above anyone else who can rate my performance in the organisation.

Hats off to the parents of Tanvi (that’s her name which I will never forget in my lifetime) for giving such an upbringing who cares for her friends and at the same time have the attitude of appreciating others. She changed my perspective and made me realize that even a small child can appreciate elders and the appreciation from anybody---regardless of age, group, society, person----adds more value to what we do. 

Due to so many personal 'engagements' I was not able to sit and pen down my thoughts for almost 2 months now. Two of my other blog posts (drafts) are only half-way through in my 'reflective journal'. But this small girl moved me so profoundly that I completed this blog post in no time.

I am double-charged now to work more closely and effectively with my students and I feel I have finally chosen something, which is so apt and fulfilling for me. 

Who knows, may be this is my 'real calling'?!

- Suganthi Sankaran