school | Citizen Matters, Blogs

Reimagining Elections

July 26, 2019 Sanjana Shahane

The start of a new academic year brings a lot of things, new friends, new classes, an atmosphere of excitement. For the 11th and 12 graders at my school, it also brings along election frenzy.

Theatre Review: Rakt Kalyan, by Drama School Mumbai

March 23, 2019 Deepa Mohan

It is not a common occurrence for me to be able to watch a well-made promo video of a theatre school; I did that for the first time when I reached out to the Drama

My grandchild’s school, and why we are very happy she’s there

June 8, 2016 Deepa Mohan

Aradhana Academy is not on the list of “elite” schools of Bangalore. But here’s our experience. I sent this email to Rajane Prasad, Admissions Co-ordinator, and Sister Moly, the Principal of the School. Dear Ms

Volunteer Diary

Chronicles of courage – channelizing personal inspiration for public good

November 27, 2011 Pushpa Achanta

When we come across a unique not for profit organisation, social campaign or initiative, we may be interested in knowing more about its regular activities and achievements. But do we try to find out why

JP Nagar school kids go green for Environment Day

June 5, 2011 Yogaraj S Mudalgi

Sohni D S, 14, a Class IX student replies in an instant when asked to name a threat to our environment, “Plastic covers,” she says. A much younger Rajeev Singh, 10, a class V student,

Volunteer Diary

Engaging and entertaining children down the ages

May 12, 2011 Pushpa Achanta

You are visiting Bangalore and want to spend a few hours outside with your family or friends, preferably in a clean and green environment. Or are an ‘old’ Bangalorean who wants to relive her/his childhood.

Volunteer Diary

Recycling scrap in Bengaluru for Ladakh

August 27, 2010 Pushpa Achanta

Where is the world’s highest motorable road? And the nectar of seabuckthorn (better known as Leh berry)? In Leh, Ladakh, obviously! As many of us know, recently, terrible landslides and flash floods devastated this exotic

Volunteer Diary

From Akka to Miss!

September 7, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

Coming from a family of academics, I assumed that teaching ability should be second nature even without formal training. And I’m apparently fine according to many children I have volunteered with although I may not

Touching and transforming young lives

July 30, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

Ever visited a BBMP school? Or met children studying in one? When I first heard of it, I immediately visualized a dilapidated building with a loud bell and boisterous children. But this one was different.

“All are equal miss…

July 13, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

…Hindus, Muslims, Christians, boys and girls", were the heart warming words of Afreen Sultana, a promising class IX student of a government aided English medium school in Matadahalli, R.T. Nagar. A fornight ago, it all

A Class Apart…

June 15, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

Have you ever observed or interacted with children from low income families (and sometimes first generation literates) studying in private or government aided English medium schools, in their school or outside? Who are their friends?

Money Matters!

June 3, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

ABBA’s song "Money, money, money, must be funny, in a rich man’s world. All the things I could do if I had a little money… " comes to mind at the plight of a few

Unity in Diversity?

May 23, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

Different language, faith(religion), caste. Similar socio-economic background, residential neighbourhood, age and school. Do they divide or unite? Fortunately the latter in most cases I have encountered over several years of teaching and counselling children from

Government Schools for Daughters, Private Schools for Sons

May 13, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

Ever come across a worker from the unorganized sector striving hard to ensure that her/his daughter(s) and son(s) study? Probe a little and most probably the girl(s) will be in a government school and the

In English Please…

May 2, 2009 Pushpa Achanta

All children I have voluntarily tutored (often, first generation literates from low income families) over the last several years yearn to become fluent in English irrespective of the languages they speak or study in. And