tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76146425200345344452024-03-14T12:16:03.180+05:30The Children of Shanti BhavanShanti Bhavan is a free residential school in Tamil Nadu for children from poor families. This photo blog contains images and voices of the children of the school. It is our way of communicating with the outside world.childrenofshantibhavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07769222271297588997noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-88532996479567162172012-04-12T00:16:00.006+05:302012-04-13T22:33:10.063+05:30Volunteer of the Week Story<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBB4CszUj30/T4XUDAyEwaI/AAAAAAAAANY/ze6vifTgUWQ/s1600/photo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBB4CszUj30/T4XUDAyEwaI/AAAAAAAAANY/ze6vifTgUWQ/s400/photo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730219249113547170" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>This week's Volunteer of the Week (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com/shantibhavan">here</a>), Adam Levine shared a very interesting story about his role in building (literally) the Shanti Bhavan community. We couldn't fit his whole story on our Facebook feature so here it is in its entirety! Thank you for sharing Adam!<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><div>"While I was at Shanti Bhaven, Dr. George (knowing that I was in the middle of pursuing my Masters in Architecture) asked me to design low cost homes that he intended to build for members of the local community. It was a great opportunity for me, and I enjoyed directly working with Dr. George to design a clean, efficient, and inexpensive house. The idea was to defy conventional practices, respond to the climate, and build something that would simply make the lives of the tenants easier.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward a few months. The architectural drawings were complete and the materials were thought out. We hired a mason to set the lines of the foundation and had the village show up for a Puja, to break ground properly on the first house. I even had a number of my 5th grade Math students come over from Shanti Bhaven to be a part of the ceremony.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Just before the ceremony, a local architect showed up, uninvited. He swiftly dismissed my plans for the building and began drawing out his own. He halted the work of the mason and even told the family who was receiving the house to not trust this foreigner (me), and to refuse to live in the house. He told them that I had violated rules of Vaastu Shastra by placing certain elements in incorrect ends of the house, and anyone living there would have ill fortune. Through a translator I realized that this man was trying to unravel our long planning, and I became afraid that the project was not going to be accepted. </div><div><br /></div><div>The day came and went, and I went back to Dr. George with the bad news. With a smile he assured me that we would work through this problem, and that we would find a way to satisfy all parties within our constraints. After a long night of tinkering with the plans, I found a solution that I felt answered the questions brought up by the local architect that also achieved all the practical goals that we had set out to accomplish in the project. We went on to build the house (with happy tenants), and Dr. George went on to build 7 more houses following that model. </div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I was humbled by this project, and learned to be more sensitive in my problem solving. The 'local architect' intentionally or not helped me improve the design to better suit the people who would live there. Meanwhile Dr. George taught me too see that things are not always black and white. With perseverance and the willingness to put aside one's preconceptions, solutions can be found to any problem.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "> I carry these lessons with me fondly." </span></div></span></span></div> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>103</o:Words> <o:characters>588</o:Characters> <o:company>New York University</o:Company> <o:lines>4</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>690</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:enableopentypekerning/> <w:dontflipmirrorindents/> <w:overridetablestylehps/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="276"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment-->MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-57221543020452375212011-12-28T02:03:00.006+05:302011-12-28T02:06:49.204+05:30Bye Bye ByeMore beautiful good-bye cards from our students to our teachers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06Opef2xEPk/TvosJ8pySII/AAAAAAAAALs/U4Xehcio3U4/s1600/Rahil.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06Opef2xEPk/TvosJ8pySII/AAAAAAAAALs/U4Xehcio3U4/s400/Rahil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690909628547876994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wgKJ3XbKSE/TvosGn7jk3I/AAAAAAAAALg/KLARWrl1IOo/s1600/Nanja.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wgKJ3XbKSE/TvosGn7jk3I/AAAAAAAAALg/KLARWrl1IOo/s400/Nanja.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690909571445658482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7vsvAW3mf4/TvosC6sBE6I/AAAAAAAAALU/LV-pJzqTPYk/s1600/Marisa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7vsvAW3mf4/TvosC6sBE6I/AAAAAAAAALU/LV-pJzqTPYk/s400/Marisa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690909507761279906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpOS5oUh0Tw/Tvor-iGGCdI/AAAAAAAAALI/uUUGfIwnbvY/s1600/Jay.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TpOS5oUh0Tw/Tvor-iGGCdI/AAAAAAAAALI/uUUGfIwnbvY/s400/Jay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690909432440293842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gSvSyKVC5oY/Tvor3y3e2JI/AAAAAAAAAK8/gsMMxur8mAo/s1600/Ale.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gSvSyKVC5oY/Tvor3y3e2JI/AAAAAAAAAK8/gsMMxur8mAo/s400/Ale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690909316683323538" border="0" /></a>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-37461454515250275392011-12-17T01:44:00.001+05:302011-12-17T01:44:52.156+05:30The New Little Heroes of Shanti Bhavan<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:11.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">By Shilpa Raj</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">On the 3<sup>rd</sup> of December, the whole school was treated to a pleasant surprise. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">At the school assembly, the new kindergartners stepped on stage confidently and began their well rehearsed performance. Standing in a semi circle, they went around in pairs introducing themselves in clear English and then stating the names of their favorite animals. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Using lively expressions and actions they imitated their favorite animals. For instance Kishore, said, “My name is Kishore. My favorite animal is dog.” He barked like a dog and left the audience in fits of laughter. His peer, Angel said, “My name is Angel. My favorite animal is gorilla.” Everybody enjoyed watching her beat her chest with her little fists and growl. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">As the audience rose in applause, the four year olds bowed and left the stage elegantly as their teachers and care takers looked proudly on. Just a few months ago when they arrived, none of them knew how to speak English, brush their teeth, use a bathroom and tell the difference between a fork and a spoon. But today they are bright, energetic children with amazing curiosities. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Their class teacher, Ms. Geetha says, “They are so lively. Every day the first period is spent listening to the children telling me all about what they did in the dorms.When we were learning the alphabets I would say ‘A’ and give examples of words starting with ‘A’ in English. But they would scream out examples of words in their own languages like ‘Amma’ in Tamil and Kannada which means mother.” Smiling, she adds, “I love the children very much. I enjoy teaching small ones. They are a great joy.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Besides learning their alphabets, the children watch videos, color with crayons, listen to stories, recite rhymes, and take nature walks around the huge campus. Their day begins at 7:30 when they wake up to the sound of music. After a quick wash up and dressing-up they stand around the corridor in their dorm and exercise. After breakfast, their classes begin at 9 am and end at 1 pm and in between they have a snack break and assembly.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Three years ago financial restraints made it hard to admit new children. We missed having the little ones join Shanti Bhavan. But this year the fifteen new kindergartners so far have brought great joy and happiness to us,” says Mrs. Rajeshwari, the Head of the Residential staff and first grade teacher. The children are very cheerful and confident at Shanti Bhavan. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Hardly three months ago, the four year old Jayanthi was sleeping on the floor of her tent among the thirty other tents clumped together in a squalid slum alongside a railway track in the middle of Bangalore. A small tap a little distance away from the tents is the only source of water and all the families share a common toilet.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">To get to the slum one has to leave the tar road and take a narrow mud lane which is scattered with garbage. Inside the tent Jayanthi’s feeble grandmother slept on a wooden cot while her parents, her younger brother and she sleep on the mud floor. The cooking was done in one corner of the room, filling smoke. Their few belongings lie in another corner. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">At Shanti Bhavan, Jayanthi no longer has to lie on the floor, eat just ragi once or twice a day, or shiver in the cold. A big smile shines upon her face as she goes about playing on the grounds, learning in class and shaking her hips to the sound of music. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Jayanthi is very caring towards others. She will console other children when they cry. She is very bright. She loves to draw faces,” her class teacher Ms. Geetha says. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her neighbor, Jamuna, who also comes from the same destitute slum, is just as happy as Jayanthi in Shanti Bhavan. Little Jamuna has finally brought smiles on her mother’s face. Ever since Jamuna joined Shanti Bhavan, her father tormented her mother and demanded that the child be returned home. He would ask her angrily, “What kind of a school have you put her in? Bring her back.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Two months after Jamuna joined Shanti Bhavan, her parents visited her. Jamuna’s father was shown around the school building where the older children were having their prep. He smiled and kept silent. His silence spoke of his acceptance. His wife cried when she saw him return and kiss Jamuna affectionately. Both of them were very happy when Miss Geetha told them that Jamuna was a fast learner, loves meeting new people and is very talkative. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">As for Jamuna’s peer, Samuel, Christmas is finally round the corner. When he arrived he asked his housemother with tears in his eyes, “When will I go home?”She answered, “When Christmas comes,” trying her best to simplify that the holidays will be starting in December. Ever since then he asks occasionally, “Has Christmas come? Has Christmas come?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">With only a week left for the holidays, the children are overjoyed and thrilled by the excitement of going back to their parents, grandparents, siblings and friends who they had left behind. Yet, they are simply happy spending their days with their friends in Shanti Bhavan. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></p>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-23927963170519996062011-11-26T23:04:00.003+05:302011-11-26T23:06:20.807+05:30Teacher Comments<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAxWdfiE4Hs/TtEjfNDP8TI/AAAAAAAAAKs/LLwtzs3NR3o/s1600/185765_10100195683665169_808197_56492756_1193845_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAxWdfiE4Hs/TtEjfNDP8TI/AAAAAAAAAKs/LLwtzs3NR3o/s400/185765_10100195683665169_808197_56492756_1193845_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679359624077111602" border="0" /></a><br />Below is what some students had to say about their classes and the wonderful teachers that lead them!<br /><br /> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">“I never thought a man as big as Nick could dance like an excited 10 year old!” – Puneeth Kumar</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Dancing is a lot of fun. A new volunteer named Nanja teaches us. She is an amazing dancer!” – Anjali </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Nick teaches us History. He makes the class really fun.” – Aravind</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Darius takes Civics for us. He too is very just and kind.” – Aravind</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I forgot to tell you about my new English teacher who is also our coordinator. Her name is Ms Rahil. She is a very good English teacher. Even though I am bad at English, I really enjoy her classes. However, she is also very strict.” – Naveen </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Rahil teaches us English and her classes are nice.” – Ashwath </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Mr Nick and Darius make our history and civics classes fun.” – Papitha</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Nanja is an awesome dancer and taught us 3 beautifully choreographed dances.” – Papitha</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“A volunteer named Nanja teaches us dancing. She is really good. We have learned 3 dances to really cool songs.” – Vijayalakshmi</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I enjoyed Nick and his puppet Michael the most” – Anushya (about Children’s Day)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“There are also some volunteers who are very fun and talented. One of these volunteers Nanja takes dance classes for us.” – Lakshmi</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Rahil is the volunteer coordinator. She is fun and dances really well. She takes English classes for us. Her teaching is fun. We watched a movie in her class. We all like her.” – Nandini</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Rahil is currently the volunteer coordinator. She is very positive and kind!” – Sunil</p>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-9367529384719793792011-11-15T02:39:00.002+05:302011-11-15T02:43:48.842+05:30Diwali Celebrations at Shanti Bhavan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5o7ylqL2Law/TsGEGD_njnI/AAAAAAAAAKY/rYJaDqLBRlY/s1600/_MG_5226-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5o7ylqL2Law/TsGEGD_njnI/AAAAAAAAAKY/rYJaDqLBRlY/s400/_MG_5226-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674962245149757042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"Boom! Bam." I thought I was going to turn deaf. Who cared? It was Diwali after all.<br /><br />Everyone was so excited from morning. It was a holiday and we slept in. For breakfast we had idlis and hmmm well, I thought I'd rather skip the day’s events and head straight to the celebrations at night.<br /><br />We were all ready for the evening's show. Unfortunately it started drizzling so we had the cultural program, organized by the children, in the assembly hall instead of having it outside in the dining hall like last year. There was so much fun watching children of different age groups dancing to music varying from Tamil folk dance to Chris Brown's 'Kiss Kiss.'<br /><br />After the programme was over, we had a quick dinner of vegetable pulav and got ready for the most awaited part of the day. Everyone gathered on the lawn outside the dining hall and waited for the grown-ups to equally distribute the different kinds of sparklers and crackers.<br /><br />Screams of excitement filled the air. The smaller kids lighted their sparklers, and the older ones preferred the crackers and missiles. The night turned into day, as darkness was replaced by the light from all the lighting. It was such a joy to watch the kindergartners who are new to the school light their first Diwali sparklers and scream with joy as they whirled it before them. Seeing their excitement reminded me of my first Diwali night long ago in Shanti Bhavan when the loud sounds and lights scared me.<br /><br />As I stood next to my friends, turning a sparkler, I realized that this was going to be my last Diwali at school before graduation, and my classmates and I were ready to make the most of it.<br /><br />Unlike me, those who were adventurous lit crackers and sent rockets into the sky. I stepped back to see them fly into the distance and burst into different colors. We were having so much fun.<br /><br />I wished Diwali night would last forever. It was a very special day for me because this festival of lights had brought teachers, aunties, children, some of the graduates, volunteers, and the support staff together. It was a day I will always cherish in my heart.<br /><br />-JancyMARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-59232668028206518822011-11-10T23:50:00.002+05:302011-11-10T23:55:24.961+05:30Student Poems<span style="font-weight:bold;">I am from</span><br />I am from the eyes of my mother, <br />the tears of my sister,<br />and the words of my uncle.<br /> <br />I am from the broken thumb of my grandpa,<br />the burning clothes of my mother,<br />and the cuts on her hands.<br /> <br />I am from the light in the dark,<br />the flowers in Shanti Bhavan,<br />and the warmth of my aunties.<br /> <br />I am from the letters of the alphabet,<br />the colors of the rainbow,<br />and the days of the week.<br /> <br />I am from the hopes of my family,<br />my grandpa selling cucumbers,<br />and the dusty roads of Tamil Nadu.<br /> <br /> - Puneeth Kumar, 9th Grade<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hope</span><br />A poor woman in the street<br />sitting and waiting, <br />mostly hoping,<br />someone would buy the deep fried fish<br />she has pinned her hope on.<br /> <br />A drunken man who made her his wife<br />with a promise of a better life<br />washed it away with his bottles of liquor.<br /> <br />Trucks go by<br />Buses honk<br />Vendors push their half empty carts<br />her eyes darts all over the passers-by<br />hoping<br />someone would buy the deep fried fish<br />she has pinned her hope on.<br /> <br />I stay at home<br />waiting for that knock that I have grown used to<br />she enters looking tired<br />I see the lights of the vehicles in her eyes<br />and the dust of the street on her hair<br />I see hope in her smile <br />but this time it's not pinned on the deep fried fish<br />It's pinned on me.<br /> <br />- Venu, 5th GradeMARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-75014573886849729192011-11-01T04:11:00.001+05:302011-11-01T04:12:56.212+05:30Stories 1The kids were asked to answer the question: What was your first experience with art? Here are some of their lovely responses.<br /><br /> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal">The first time I sat in the art room, I knew that art would turn me into someone great. Our first art teacher came into the art room and told us to sit down. She gave each of us a paintbrush, some paint, and a piece of paper. She shifted our desks into a circular shape. In the middle, she kept one desk, and on top of it, she kept a flower vase. She told us to try and paint a picture of the vase. It looked really complicated. As I started to paint bit by bit, I could see her staring at me with the corner of my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As I looked up and turned to her, she smiled at me. When I told her that it was difficult, she just kept smiling and then said, “Try, try, try, until you succeed.” As I kept those words in my mind, I started to paint. When I finished, I went and showed it to her. She said that my painting was the best. I was so happy! Then at dinnertime she came up to me and said, “Saranya, I cut a piece of your painting.” I was shocked. Then she said, “Please don’t be sad. The piece of your painting is going to be stuck on Dr. George’s birthday card! “<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I felt that art could do a lot for me in my life. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">By: Saranya</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Shanti Bhavan, 6<sup>th</sup> grade<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> </p><p class="MsoNormal">When Mary Mitchell first came to Shanti Bhavan, she played us songs from Dhoom Machale and Titanic. I loved her way of playing the piano. I loved the way the music that she played kept my friends happy, interactive, and excited. In my mind I thought one day, I will get to play the piano and I will be like Mary. In the 5<sup>th</sup> grade I said to myself, “You will never get to play the piano,” and then I heard the word “piano” which distracted me from my negative thoughts. It was Mrs. Ruth asking us who wants to learn the piano. Eighteen hands shot into the air. All eighteen hands restlessly waiting to be chosen. Then Mrs. Ruth saw me and asked, “Yeshwini, do you want to play the piano?” My heartbeat was 5X more than the normal heartbeat. All seventeen eyes looked at me eagerly waiting for my answer. With an excited voice, I said, “Yes!” Then Mrs. Ruth smiled at me and wrote my name on the board. I was full of mixed feelings. I wondered how easy or difficult it is to play the piano. At 4:00 pm, Mrs. Ruth called me and told Katherine to be my teacher. After my first lesson, I thought playing the piano is not as easy as you think. I walked out of the music room with a tired mind. Till now, I try my best to get to the level Mary Mitchell plays and I know I will. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">By: Yeshwini</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Shanti Bhavan, 7<sup>th</sup> grade</p> <p></p>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-19690547546274714582011-10-11T00:07:00.004+05:302011-10-11T00:10:22.441+05:30Even More Farewell Cards!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqEQXZ3dKYY/TpM7ysD90RI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Y8nXG6vbyw8/s1600/DSC01812.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqEQXZ3dKYY/TpM7ysD90RI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Y8nXG6vbyw8/s400/DSC01812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661934898542137618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwOwVFzu4Hw/TpM7ulpZB4I/AAAAAAAAAJI/JPRMWVKPPxU/s1600/DSC01813.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwOwVFzu4Hw/TpM7ulpZB4I/AAAAAAAAAJI/JPRMWVKPPxU/s400/DSC01813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661934828100585346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGXQGCli4l4/TpM7l-XGzlI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Nn1v9p3kMEg/s1600/DSC02107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGXQGCli4l4/TpM7l-XGzlI/AAAAAAAAAJA/Nn1v9p3kMEg/s400/DSC02107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661934680115957330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzmCi_1ghlI/TpM7g6em-SI/AAAAAAAAAI4/icGdfs7p1ho/s1600/DSC02113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzmCi_1ghlI/TpM7g6em-SI/AAAAAAAAAI4/icGdfs7p1ho/s400/DSC02113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661934593174337826" border="0" /></a>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-19184475724752191422011-09-24T22:46:00.005+05:302011-09-24T22:52:48.461+05:30More Farewell Cards!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jK24qLs78po/Tn4RnYGp6WI/AAAAAAAAAIY/NMx3eEQzHTE/s1600/DSC01632.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 269px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jK24qLs78po/Tn4RnYGp6WI/AAAAAAAAAIY/NMx3eEQzHTE/s320/DSC01632.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655977550206855522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tarsXpJE39k/Tn4RYa8zVpI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/hsprloXy2fE/s1600/DSC01631.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 301px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tarsXpJE39k/Tn4RYa8zVpI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/hsprloXy2fE/s320/DSC01631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655977293272798866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dPS7E6qK0wE/Tn4RQw8H7pI/AAAAAAAAAII/RngRenIZH24/s1600/DSC01616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dPS7E6qK0wE/Tn4RQw8H7pI/AAAAAAAAAII/RngRenIZH24/s320/DSC01616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655977161736580754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8S7OXmmFhIM/Tn4RHgWZShI/AAAAAAAAAIA/OZB7Vj6-YPk/s1600/DSC01587.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 329px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8S7OXmmFhIM/Tn4RHgWZShI/AAAAAAAAAIA/OZB7Vj6-YPk/s320/DSC01587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655977002664544786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZQ9RFynXeY/Tn4RBWAV0YI/AAAAAAAAAH4/8WhWZp8Gbx4/s1600/DSC01568.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZQ9RFynXeY/Tn4RBWAV0YI/AAAAAAAAAH4/8WhWZp8Gbx4/s320/DSC01568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655976896808472962" border="0" /></a>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-51756597755299696922011-09-21T02:37:00.004+05:302011-09-21T03:03:18.983+05:30Dance Class Fundraiser!<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KrtWPbv5Tlw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />Our first fundraiser for the Fall was this past Sunday at Dance New Amsterdam and it turned out to be a great success! Above is a video of the final routine that the class learned from the kind ladies at Infin8 Dance. So the only question to ask now is...who did it better? Our wonderful fundraiser attendees, above, or the kids of Shanti Bhavan, below? Thanks again to everyone who came out on Sunday!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0mfi0vL2Svo" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-16463127582399479182011-09-15T02:59:00.013+05:302011-09-15T04:19:06.561+05:30Interview with Kreethishree<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVfI5H4Fxww/TnErkRTQPhI/AAAAAAAAAHw/eNZPIWFUg7k/s1600/kreethishree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 359px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVfI5H4Fxww/TnErkRTQPhI/AAAAAAAAAHw/eNZPIWFUg7k/s400/kreethishree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652346909446127122" border="0" /></a> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph {mso-style-priority:34; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:.5in; mso-add-space:auto; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst {mso-style-priority:34; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-type:export-only; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle {mso-style-priority:34; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-type:export-only; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast {mso-style-priority:34; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-type:export-only; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:.5in; mso-add-space:auto; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:11.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1212232172; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1652571740 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level2 {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level3 {mso-level-number-format:roman-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:right; text-indent:-9.0pt;} @list l0:level4 {mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level5 {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level6 {mso-level-number-format:roman-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:right; text-indent:-9.0pt;} @list l0:level7 {mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level8 {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level9 {mso-level-number-format:roman-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:right; text-indent:-9.0pt;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">This week's <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=270277322986316">fundraiser</a>, a Bollywood Dance Class is in support of this young girl's education. Our goal is to raise enough money to send her to Shanti Bhavan for a full year, about $1600. Below you can get to know this 4th grader, Kreethishree. <br /><br />You can buy your ticket for this Sunday, September 18th <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://danceforeducation.eventbrite.com/">here</a>.<br /><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""></span></span><br />Interview:<br /><br />How old are you?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />9 years old</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />When is your birthday?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />June 29<sup>th</sup></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />How old were you when you came to Shanti Bhavan?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />3 years old</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />What grade are you in now?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />4<sup>th</sup> grade</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />Where are you from?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Bangalore</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />Tell me a little about your family…</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Keerthi’s mom and three brothers now live in Erode. She has two older brothers and a twin brother. Her older brothers’ names are Brani and Goutham. Her twin brother’s name is Kishore. Her mom’s name is Kilvali. Keerthi is close with her mom and brothers. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />What is your favorite thing about Shanti Bhavan?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Keerthi says her favorite thing is the good education. She goes on to add that everyone is kind and everything is free at Shanti Bhavan unlike at home where everything has to be paid for. Keerthi says she really likes Shanti Bhavan.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />What is your favorite food?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Peanut Butter</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />What is your favorite hobby?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Dance!</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />What is your favorite subject?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Science</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"></span><br /><br />What do you want to be when you grow up?</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />Keerthi wants to be a software engineer and a singer. Her favorite singer is Justin Beiber. </span>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-753697596673326042011-09-13T17:49:00.004+05:302011-09-13T18:17:00.284+05:30Fundraiser this Sunday, September 18th!<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gyWcBoiSfFQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" width="420"></iframe><br />This Sunday, September 18th, infin8 Dance will team up with Shanti Bhavan and hold a Bollywood Dance Class fundraiser in New York City. Infin8 dance is a group that believes that dance can inspire social movements. This is our first, major fundraiser for the Fall and it will raise money to pay for fourth grader, <span class="text_exposed_show">Keerthishree's tuition to Shanti Bhavan for a full year. </span>Visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=270277322986316">Facebook</a> to learn more about infin8, the event, and to RSVP.MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-62532349484996411512011-09-10T01:44:00.000+05:302011-09-10T01:44:29.852+05:30Teacher's Day<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxEQgiJMM4y90D4vZ_wxD_OJUSIegM1VV_3PorJywac8xGWDpTHC3uDslEU8ROcU1O7rsMEqKKVM33NBaA05A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />Volunteer teacher, Orsella asks the kids about their plans for Shanti Bhavan Teachers Day.MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-23959004914589087752011-09-06T20:04:00.000+05:302011-09-07T05:31:17.827+05:30Praveen Plays Piano<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mHZxdsVXAes" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" width="560"></iframe><br />simply beautiful.MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-73852576090490384082011-09-02T12:48:00.000+05:302011-09-02T22:19:00.946+05:30Meet Harish<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rlYZSa9zMRY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0cbqTq82Ofc" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />Videos taken by piano teacher, Allegra Boggess.
<br />MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-40626415429096828702011-08-28T11:30:00.000+05:302011-08-28T21:06:57.971+05:30"I Am From"<p>I am Puneeth Kumar from
<br />the eyes of my mother,
<br />my grandfather selling cucumber,
<br />the scoldings of my sister,
<br />the corn in the backyard,
<br />the oily smell of pooris.
<br />I am from the injured thumb of my grandpa,
<br />the burnt body of my father,
<br />the cut on my mother’s hand.
<br />I am from the smell of flowers in Shanti Bhavan,
<br />the speeches of my school’s founder,
<br />and the advice of my housemothers.
<br />I am from the blood of my dead father,
<br />the sight of the burning clothes of my mother,
<br />and from the teachings of my teachers.</p> <p><strong><em>A Poem by: Puneeth Kumar</em></strong>
<br /><strong><em> 8th Grade</em></strong></p>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-60660022459904584962011-08-26T23:41:00.003+05:302011-08-26T23:45:55.276+05:30All Dressed Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7z-khK5I-E/TlfiGKPkldI/AAAAAAAAAGs/NlCsFwPYxE0/s1600/gandhi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7z-khK5I-E/TlfiGKPkldI/AAAAAAAAAGs/NlCsFwPYxE0/s400/gandhi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645229253388965330" border="0" /></a>Meet Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru! Preschoolers all dressed up for India's recent Independence Day!
<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-26341188144466019982011-08-25T06:31:00.002+05:302011-08-31T19:45:00.920+05:30Him – A Poem About Dr. George<h3>Him
<br /></h3> <p>He-the feeling of the undefined;
<br />The heart that accepted all races’ breath
<br />That ultimate soul truthfully determined
<br />Upon us, the story of stubborn hasty death.
<br />The sculptor who carved that laughter is
<br />He—who cares to light the dying stars,
<br />His—gentle expressions of love in kisses,
<br />That mocks the hatred of man’s endless wars,
<br />Opening the artless mind from its confines,
<br />To heal the wound that didn’t.
<br />Fueling integrity to the incoherent lines,
<br />His passion for mankind which couldn’t.
<br />Him—Dr. Abraham M. George, the eternity
<br />Of his courage, to be ours for infinity.</p> <p><strong><em>By: Nivya</em></strong>
<br /><strong><em> 9th Grade</em></strong></p>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-88553244157477263572011-08-25T06:28:00.001+05:302011-09-04T23:38:47.175+05:30One Happiness is Not Enough<h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">In a town named Xian in China in the year 1914, darkness crept upon the evening light. A scream splattered the stillness, as a 3-year-old girl was having her feet bound. Distress and agony showed on her face as she struggled against the clutches of her mother. Her grandmother, who was doing the binding, looked up for a brief moment, but put her head quickly down as she felt her heart melt for her little angel, her granddaughter Chang. She knew that she had to follow her son-in-law’s order. He had already planned to join his daughter’s hand with the General’s son who lived in the lavish house next door. He had said firmly: “Bind her feet as small as you can. The smaller they are, the more impressed will the General be,” and he replied softly, “the faster she gets married, the quicker we shall get the store.”
<br /></span></h3> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"> A new scream brought her back to the present. Tears flooded Chang’s face, and her eyes were red and swollen. She would always remember this day.
<br />Through a small crack in the window, the small body, the General’s son, stood in a trance-like-state, viewing the scene before him. He saw a little girl screaming, and his heart went out to her. He quietly decided that he would make her happy one day.
<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">In 1917, the binding of feet was banned by the Chinese government, and some of those who had bound feet just started removing their bindings, but it was not possible for Chang. The General’s son, Que, had proposed marriage to Chang to her father, and according to her father’s wishes Chang had to get married with her feet bound. As for the tradition, she was carried on a royal chair to visit all the four gates of the town and was then taken to her husband Zue’s house.
<br />At the age of 13, both understood each other very well, and both understood what each other wanted. One night as Chang lay on her bed with the moonlight illuminating her face, her breathing soft and even, Zue entered the room carrying a bowl of warm water. He kneeled quietly in front of her feet and slowly started unbinding her bound feet. As the last fold was removed, he gasped with shock. Dry skin was peeling from her feet, and they were in an odd shape which clearly showed that they were broken. He had promised to make her happy, and the only way he could do that was to get married to her because he knew that other men would have considered her small feet fashionable.
<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">As he quietly bathed her feet in the warm water, she woke with a start, and her eyes fell on him. She tried to pull back her feet, but he just held them tightly, not allowing her to pull them back. He looked up to her and asked, “Chang, do you want your feet bound?” She shook her head vigorously, and her loose black hair felt straight along her shoulder.
<br />He replied, “In that case, I’m going to help you with your feet.” Gently, he kept her feet straight and bound them such that her feet would look normal and grow again. Chang, who watched him intently silently and quietly fell back to sleep. Zue kissed her gently on her forehead and left her alone in her world of fantasy.
<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">“Zue!” The General’s voice basked in the morning.”Chang hasn’t yet come to the store. Her father and I made a deal that the store’s profit would be shared between us, but if she doesn’t work, her father will not get the profit,” his voice snarled at Zue. “Go find her. Our shop is not profiting, and we need her to influence people to come to our store.”
<br />Zue went to her room and saw Chang struggling to stand and walk. He helped her, and she smiled at him and his heart soared.
<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Four years later, the General passed away, and his magnificent and profitable store went to Chang and Zue. Due to the absence of the General, many people started coming to the store. Chang walked normally with only a slight limp. The store’s two wellwishers, Chang and Zue, looked at each other as a smile escaped both their lips. They held a secret, which would become the world’s knowledge in a few months.
<br /><strong><em>
<br />By: Amrutha </em></strong></span> <span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><strong><em> 10th Grade</em></strong></span> </p>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-90470060646755980812011-08-24T22:00:00.002+05:302011-08-24T22:07:59.726+05:30"Thriller"<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xqaHDrcyTu0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" width="420"></iframe>
<br />Fourth and fifth graders perform the "Thriller" dance for Halloween in 2009!
<br />MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-55317345362831868472011-08-22T23:30:00.009+05:302011-08-22T23:39:30.104+05:30More Goodbye Cards!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FUPvs83Dz8/TlKaZIRiyVI/AAAAAAAAAF8/9eK5vVNPzHA/s1600/DSC01462.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FUPvs83Dz8/TlKaZIRiyVI/AAAAAAAAAF8/9eK5vVNPzHA/s400/DSC01462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643743039557126482" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVKqX_gJtV0/TlKaVCP5nmI/AAAAAAAAAF0/n2l2gEAdRrI/s1600/DSC01465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVKqX_gJtV0/TlKaVCP5nmI/AAAAAAAAAF0/n2l2gEAdRrI/s400/DSC01465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643742969220144738" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EzeXa_RdOg/TlKaNl_4jeI/AAAAAAAAAFk/COLTd9K_gqo/s1600/DSC01563.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EzeXa_RdOg/TlKaNl_4jeI/AAAAAAAAAFk/COLTd9K_gqo/s400/DSC01563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643742841377689058" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvRUokysyxc/TlKaJleG4BI/AAAAAAAAAFc/3UBn_kcZ6b0/s1600/DSC01564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvRUokysyxc/TlKaJleG4BI/AAAAAAAAAFc/3UBn_kcZ6b0/s400/DSC01564.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643742772516544530" border="0" /></a>More goodbye cards created by the children for our loved volunteers. Volunteer <a href="http://www.shantibhavanonline.org/volunteer/">today</a> and make a difference in their lives.
<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>
<br /></div>MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-12544407179272992011-08-21T04:51:00.003+05:302011-08-21T05:00:41.091+05:30"Baby" Dance<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwn_1mORqF4dmGHhrreeHWN8Le1-IDThqBdY6FjkZLUPRO8-vwXYfKVfcLF5if2KRjy-BKQ3DEzoLii2vXpAg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
<br />The kids perform a dance to Justin Bieber's "Baby."
<br />MARhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06273408995825769618noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-46881644440732098652011-08-18T03:41:00.004+05:302011-08-18T03:47:57.248+05:30Happy Independence Day India!<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIgtOzvVAV0/Tkw9QV3B2QI/AAAAAAAAAlA/W4Vo5-E8WqM/s400/Picture%2B22.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641951784143542530" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6bCt-RHYIg/Tkw9ZiZdWhI/AAAAAAAAAlI/v7OKiZGFUYI/s400/IMG_2100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641951942127999506" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X74ntk-73QM/Tkw9CX-ihHI/AAAAAAAAAk4/lhDSizVdMQs/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X74ntk-73QM/Tkw9CX-ihHI/AAAAAAAAAk4/lhDSizVdMQs/s400/IMG_2103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641951544193746034" /></a>Our kids celebrating Indian Independence Day on August 15th 2011. (First picture provided by CNN).childrenofshantibhavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07769222271297588997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-35322572482262750272011-08-16T23:26:00.002+05:302011-08-16T23:29:46.766+05:30Card Creations<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hhODr2NaXCI/TkqvwXNmNwI/AAAAAAAAAkg/WWXU3v_8IBs/s1600/205984_10150267916056655_510501654_7936696_726091_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hhODr2NaXCI/TkqvwXNmNwI/AAAAAAAAAkg/WWXU3v_8IBs/s400/205984_10150267916056655_510501654_7936696_726091_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641514728634595074" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3DZKTvJfXHk/Tkqvox_uOCI/AAAAAAAAAkY/vWr4f8rYqOE/s1600/281833_10150263591906655_510501654_7890066_1828359_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3DZKTvJfXHk/Tkqvox_uOCI/AAAAAAAAAkY/vWr4f8rYqOE/s400/281833_10150263591906655_510501654_7890066_1828359_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641514598385203234" /></a>Some handcrafted cards!childrenofshantibhavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07769222271297588997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614642520034534445.post-62783722527598957162011-08-10T23:47:00.005+05:302011-08-11T00:03:49.140+05:30Work Hard, Get Smart, Go to College!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyeL5vUB60KnVEBtFS7DBD9f65bfR1PxyAtDZ1ySrTYnYLSgkZf1mRaTqhPrBtzQhqFEUBDwJzcD3PVHsD67w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
<br />The kids planning out a banner. "Work Hard, Get Smart, and Go to College!"
<br />Sounds good to us!
<br />childrenofshantibhavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07769222271297588997noreply@blogger.com0