THE SHEPHERDIAN(2014-2015) - Good Shepherd International

www.gsis.ac.in
Good Shepherd International School - Palada Campus
Volume : XXXVIII 2014 - 2015
THE SHEPHERDIAN
E-mail: [email protected]
LOCATED AT THE GOOD SHEPHERD GARDENS
GOOD SHEPHERD FINISHING SCHOOL
Web: www.gsfs.ac.in
THE SHEPHERDIAN
[2014 – 2015]
Good Shepherd International School
Good Shepherd Knowledge Village,
Palada P.O., Ootacamund - 643 004,
Tamil Nadu, India
Phone: 91- 423 - 2550371 (30 lines)
Fax:
91- 423-2550386
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.gsis.ac.in
GOOD SHEPHERD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
VISION STATEMENT
Good Shepherd International School, in its pursuit of a holistic
education, envisages inspiring and fostering a community of
caring, progressive, lifelong learners to embrace and celebrate
all Creation.
MISSION STATEMENT AND DESCRIPTORS
Good Shepherd International School endeavours to prepare
each student for academic, social and personal success by
creating a community of empowered and diverse learners
striving to be globally-minded citizens in an atmosphere of
mutual respect, understanding and trust.
GSIS is an International School by:
• maintaining a global perspective in an Asian context wherein
it is situated
• embracing a diversity of cultures represented by its staff and
students
• being sensitive and accepting of all cultures
• upholding a secular perspective within the School
community
• offering national and international curriculums
Academic Success at GSIS is:
• acquisition of academic skills
• training to apply knowledge to real-life situations
• provision of qualified staff to ensure quality education
• being in a residential set-up that facilitates holistic academic
growth and development
• benchmarked results and learning outcomes on global
standards
• entry into leading colleges / universities in the country and
worldwide
Social Success at GSIS is:
• development of a strong identity and self worth; ability to
relate, connect and communicate effectively with others
• cultural sensitivity and acceptance
• valuing justice and fairness in social living
• being service-oriented unconditionally
• having an acceptable level of decorum
Personal Success at GSIS is:
• being a lifelong learner equipped with a keen spirit of inquiry
• developing a value-based and ethical outlook on life
• imbibing cognitive and behavioral skills to take on the world
• acquiring a sense of purpose and being goal-oriented
• possessing a sense of equanimity and ability to balance
reason and emotion
• having acceptable standards of deportment
• having a spiritual-rootedness within a secular context
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Community Life at GSIS means:
• staff and students living in a multi-cultural ambience /
context
• having a sense of being in a ‘family’
• developing a sense of belonging and togetherness in all we
do
• allowing for personal space within a structured environment
• experiencing the joy / art of living – joie de vivre
Empowered Learners at GSIS:
• take responsibility and are accountable for their learning
• value and enjoy the process of learning as much as the
outcome
• share and transmit knowledge
• develop initiative and leadership skills
Diverse Learners at GSIS:
• acquire holistic learning and development through a wide
variety of academic / extra-curricular activities
• have varied curricular options to choose from, catering to
their diverse needs and backgrounds
• are recognized and accepted for their multiple ability levels
and learning styles
• learn from each other in the diverse community they live in,
learn and work in
Globally-minded Citizens at GSIS:
• value the human spirit beyond the constraints of cultural
boundaries
• develop awareness and sensitivity to global issues
encompassing all aspects of life
• understand the impact of their thoughts and actions on the
world at large
• think globally and act locally
Mutual Respect at GSIS means:
• upholding the sanctity of teacher-student roles
• appreciating and accepting individuality and diversity
• safeguarding and promoting the values and ethos of the
institution
• preserving and maintaining the environment we live and
work in
Understanding and Trust at GSIS means:
• Truth / Trust / Triumph (our school motto)
• caring for individual needs even as we live in the community
• belief in the goodness of the individual and the human race
• developing empathy and rapport amongst members of the
community
• being active listeners and critical thinkers before being
judgemental
OBJECTIVES
1.
VALUE EDUCATION :
To create a climate that encourages freedom of thought while inculcating the savor of self-discipline, punctuality, fair play
and industry.
2.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME :
To actualize a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere where a right proportion of care and control is administered catering
to the emotional and intellectual needs of a child.
3.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE :
To nurture heuristic, lifelong learners and who excel in conventional academic demands; explore and discover the
interconnectivity of disciplines and grow into active generators of knowledge.
4.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES :
To ensure that ALL students gain experience, and appreciate ALL the creative and performing arts thereby promoting the
acquisition of team spirit and development of individual skills needed for a holistic growth.
5.
TEACHING STRATEGY :
To practise tailored teaching strategies incorporating the latest technology to facilitate the diverse learning styles and
intelligence quotients of the student.
6.
COMMUNITY SERVICE :
To disseminate awareness of environmental concerns and humanitarian issues and kindle a sense of responsibility towards
the amelioration of the needy by working with charitable organizations.
7.
TECHNOLOGY :
To allow opportunities for a guided, constructive and age-appropriate use of technology and other resources within and
throughout the academic programme.
8.
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION :
To discover the latent potential in each child through individual attention and providing them with opportunities to hone
their full potential.
9.
COUNSELLING :
To monitor a complementary growth of social, cognitive and spiritual facets of a child and aid in making life fulfilling career
choices.
10. MULTICULTURAL :
To foster respect for and tolerance of other cultures and creeds by creating a multicultural and secular ambience.
11. TO GROW FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH :
To conduct periodic review of all programmes and procedures to ensure consistency and continuous improvement in line
with the ideals espoused in the Mission Statement and the Motto of the school.
INTERNATIONALISM
GSIS fosters an ethically and culturally diverse learning environment wherein students transcend barriers through communication
and mutual understanding which inspires them not only to become courageous leaders but also responsible citizens in the
service of local and global communities.
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THE SHEPHERDIAN 2015
From the Editors’ Desk...
“Keep your mind on the things you want and off the things you don’t want.”
-Hannah Whitall Smith
Discipline is the key to success - this saying holds true at all times and for all people of all age groups. But for
students, it holds a great value. In contemporary times, there are many temptations that can lure a student
away from his basic objective in life.
Focus is an essential part of achieving what you want in life. You have to be able to discipline yourself well
enough to concentrate on a single purpose if you want to get anywhere. Photography is an amazing way to learn
about focus. This is because the very act of viewing life through the lens of a camera can help us develop a
truly empowering skill. We call that skill focus, and learning to use it properly can transform our perception of
the world around us and the people in it.
You have the same amount of time that Benjamin Franklin, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther King Jr. and Frank
Sinatra had or possibly more. Your time depends on the choices you make. Unfortunately, it’s too easy to make
choices on the fly without a reference point - a grounded purpose or set of beliefs - to apply when making those
decisions and choices. What you need is more ‘Focus-ed’ time. The way you live your life, from the career you
choose, all the way down to the food you eat, should fit into your values and beliefs, purpose and priorities.
In life you can either be the hammer or the nail. You can apply force and energy where you want it to go, or you
can react to the force and energy of others. The more you react instead of act, the harder it is to set your
own direction, and the more likely it is that you’ll wake up one day and wonder where you “went wrong.”
“If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.”
-Jack Dixon
Being a student, you must take not only those actions that help you to solidify habits that could stick with
you for the rest of your life but they could also directly affect the outcome of your future in terms of
your prosperity and contentment. Learning to prioritize, staying organized and making every second count
undoubtedly take us a long way.
At a student’s level, where there is cut-throat competition and time is extremely precious, certain distractions
can prove to be real obstacles to overcome. Self-discipline is something students should aim to achieve. It
is not a commodity one can buy from the market. It is a rare quality which one has to inculcate, nurture and
cherish from early childhood. Through self-discipline will come concentration which will, in turn, help a student
scale newer heights of academic excellence. Success will be theirs for the ones who value and practise selfdiscipline and abide by it at all times.
Temptations are always there. Only the forms of temptations change. But for those of us who learn the subtle
art of self-discipline and self-constraint, nothing can prevent us from attaining our goals in life. Let us all aim
to be a little more self-disciplined from henceforth.
Try these things today, and you’ll find yourself living with more Focus:
ƒƒ Pay attention to doing one thing at a time
ƒƒ Talk to people who believe in you and your Purpose
ƒƒ Simplify your life and slow down by eliminating one headache of daily life
ƒƒ Update your priorities
ƒƒ Think about recent decisions and evaluate if they did or did not correspond to your Values & Beliefs
ƒƒ Practise arguing against yourself. Be your own “devil’s advocate”
ƒƒ Draw your vision of an ideal life, or an ideal outcome to a specific situation
ƒƒ Read stories of success
ƒƒ List the internal reasons for your pursuing a certain goal
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Editorial Board
Mr. Alexander Kuruvilla
Dr. K.S. Sajani
Dr. Vineeta Menon
Mr. Ajith P. Jacob
Mr. Dominic Jude Hurst
Mr. Prasada Sathya Narayana
Mrs. Raji Narasimhan
Ms. Annie Nongrum
Mrs. Anila Kalyan
Mrs. Sangeeta Ray
Ms. Ela Singh
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Table of Contents
page
1.
Board of Governors of Good Shepherd International School.................................................................... 8
2.
The Good Shepherd Family....................................................................................................................... 10
3.
Visiting Guests and Dignitaries during the Academic Year [2014 – 2015]................................................. 21
4.
Scholarship for Academic Excellence......................................................................................................... 27
5.
Creator Par excellence i.e. PC..................................................................................................................... 28
6.
New Senior Vice Principal (Administration) at GSIS................................................................................... 29
7.
Old Shepherdian appointed as a Medical Officer at GSIS.......................................................................... 29
8.
Annual Report of Good Shepherd International School for the Academic Year 2013-2014...................... 30
9.
A Military Honour bestowed on GSIS......................................................................................................... 48
10. 38th Founder’s Day Celebrations: An inspiring trip down memory lane.................................................. 49
11. Swearing-in Ceremony of the New Prefects’ Council................................................................................. 60
12. Following their Passions and Dreams!....................................................................................................... 64
13. A step towards Space Exploration.............................................................................................................. 66
14. Collaborative sessions mark the onset of the new Academic Term........................................................... 68
15. Good Shepherd Model United Nations: Adding Values and Expanding Visions......................................... 69
16. 12th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival 2014....................................................................................... 75
17. International Award for Young People: Residential Project....................................................................... 79
18. Display of ship models............................................................................................................................... 82
19. Emergency Response Protocols................................................................................................................. 84
20. Hindi: The Voice of India............................................................................................................................ 86
21. Reading the Book - Reading the World...................................................................................................... 87
22. The Nine Intelligences - A Capsule Perspective.......................................................................................... 88
23. Inter House Competitions (2013 - 2014).................................................................................................... 89
24. Annual Inter House Athletic Meet 2015..................................................................................................... 90
25. Annual Inter House Swimming Championship 2015.................................................................................. 94
26. Inter House Dramatics Competition 2015.................................................................................................. 96
27. Inter House Classical Dance Competition 2015.......................................................................................... 97
28. Prefects’ Council (2014 - 2015).................................................................................................................. 99
29. House Reports............................................................................................................................................ 100
30. One life to live, so much to give and so much to share!............................................................................ 104
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Design & Print : HiTech Universal Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,
www.hitechsignatures.com
page
31. Grade 11 students of ESS & Biology attend a Field Trip............................................................................. 105
32. You Made GSIS Proud!............................................................................................................................... 106
33. Speech of Padma Shri Dr. V. Mohan at a Special Assembly held in GSIS.................................................... 112
34. Address by Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM...................................................................................... 119
35. Address by Dr. P. Sankar, IAS, The Collector of the Nilgiris District............................................................. 124
36. Speech of Dr. Terry O’Brien at a Special Assembly..................................................................................... 125
37. Speech of Dr. P.P. Vijayan, M.A., M.B.A., LL.M., Ph.D., at a Special Assembly............................................ 130
38. Speech of Mr. V. Selvaraj, IAS (Retd.), during the Opening Ceremony of the GSMUN............................... 135
39. Speech of Mr. C.V. Ranganathan, Former Indian Diplomat........................................................................ 138
40. Address by Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, on 15 October 2014.................................................... 139
41. Address by Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, on 16 October 2014.................................................... 142
42. Speech of Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, on 21 February 2015..................................................... 143
43. Speech of Mr. Tyler Smith at the Investiture Ceremony............................................................................. 144
44. Speech of Mr. Tyler Smith at the Graduation Ceremony............................................................................ 146
45. Speech of Mr. M.S. Sundara Rajan at a Special Assembly.......................................................................... 147
46. Speech of Vice Admiral Manohar Prahlad Awati, PVSM, VrC, IN (Retd.)................................................... 149
47. Speech of Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock on 8 April 2015..................................................................................... 153
48. Speech of Mr. Vijay Prabhu on 9 April 2015............................................................................................... 155
49. Toast by Master Adil Asif Thara.................................................................................................................. 156
50. Reply to the Toast by Ms. Tisha Pradyumanbhai Patel............................................................................... 158
51. An Outstanding Old Shepherdian............................................................................................................... 160
52. In Pursuit of Artistic Excellence.................................................................................................................. 161
53. Sad Demise................................................................................................................................................. 162
54. 2014 Board Examination Toppers............................................................................................................... 163
55. The Outgoing Batch of 2015 Grade XII....................................................................................................... 165
56. Good Shepherd Finishing School................................................................................................................ 178
57. “Ethnopastel”: Fashion Show of GSFS........................................................................................................ 180
58. Graduation Ceremony of the students of Good Shepherd Finishing School.............................................. 182
59. Snapshots of the Classes (2014 – 2015)..................................................................................................... 185
60. Back 2 Roots 2015...................................................................................................................................... 213
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GSIS - Board of Governors
Mr. B. J. Chacko, IRS (Retd.)
Mr. V. Selvaraj, IAS (Retd.)
Mr. K.S. Sripathi, IAS (Retd.)
Chairman Emeritus
Chairman
Mr. B. J. Chacko has held many
senior positions in the Income
Tax Department, Government
of India. He was the Director
General of the National
Academy of Direct Taxes. He
retired as a Member of the
Central Board of Direct Taxes.
Mr. V. Selvaraj is a former
Collector of the Nilgiris and
Chairman of the Madras
Port Trust. He served the
Government of India and Tamil
Nadu in various capacities. He
served in a number of corporate
groups as Advisor and a
Director in their Boards.
Mr. Debendranath Sarangi, IAS (Retd.)
Member
Mr. Debendranath Sarangi has served the
State of Tamil Nadu as Principal Secretary
of the Departments of Revenue, Transport,
Housing and Urban Development,
Forest and Environment, Labour and
Employment, Small Industries, Youth
Welfare and Sports Development etc. He
is a Former Chief Secretary and Advisor to
the Government of Tamil Nadu. He holds
an MA in Political Science and MSc in
Economics (UK).
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Member
Mr. K.S. Sripathi is an IAS Officer of the 1975 batch Tamil Nadu
cadre. During his illustrious career in the Indian Administrative
Service, he has officiated in very important positions with both the
Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu. He was
the Joint Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Urban
Development. He has been the Secretary to the Government of
Tamil Nadu in many departments which include the Department
of Environment and Forests, Youth Welfare and Sports, Higher
Education, Highways and Minor Ports as also the State Vigilance
Commissioner. He retired as Chief Secretary of the Government of
Tamil Nadu. He is currently the Chief Information Commissioner
of Tamil Nadu.
Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM
Mr. S. Ramasubramaniam, CA
Member
Member
Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, an
alumnus of the National Defence Academy,
Khandakwasla and the Indian Military
Academy, Dehradun, is the Commandant
of the Defence Services Staff College,
Wellington. He has served in numerous
sensitive and coveted appointments
overseas and in various parts of the country.
He is a Master of Science (Defence Studies),
a Master of Philosophy and has a Diploma
in Senior Level Defence Management.
Mr. S. Ramasubramaniam has set a
benchmark in his profession as one of
the leading Chartered Accountants in the
Nilgiris. He has been in this profession with
utmost dedication for the past four decades.
He is a Charter Member of the Ooty Round
Table and the Rotary Club of Nilgiris West.
He is a member of several social service
organizations and committees. He is a Past
President & presently Committee Member
& Treasurer of the Nilgiri Library. He is also
the Financial Advisor of Good Shepherd
International School.
Advocate R. Sunder, BSc, LL.B.
Dr. P. C. Thomas, MA, PhD
Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, MBA
Member
Member
Member
Advocate R. Sunder, a leading senior lawyer
from Ootacamund, is the Legal Advisor of
Good Shepherd International School. He
has been a practicing lawyer in the Nilgiris
and Coimbatore mainly on the Civil and
Labour Management from 1975 onwards.
He is the Founder-Chairman of the Ooty
Round Table and was the President of the
Nilgiri Library. He was also the President of
the Nilgiris Bar Association in 2001 – 2002.
Dr. P. C. Thomas is the Founder-Principal
and Managing Trustee of Good Shepherd
International School and President of
Good Shepherd Finishing School. He is
the former Director of Rotary International
(2001 – 2003). He has done his MA
in English Literature and Bachelor of
Education. He has obtained his doctorate
degree in Education Management. He has
received several national and international
recognitions for his contributions in the
fields of education, community service and
literacy promotion.
Mrs. Elsamma Thomas is the Senior Vice
President and Trustee of Good Shepherd
International School. She is also the CoFounder and Principal of Good Shepherd
Finishing School and Managing Director of
Thomson Tours & Travels. She is a graduate
in Science and a post-graduate in Business
Administration. She has received various
awards for her contribution to education.
She is a Rotarian and has held several
assignments in Rotary and Inner Wheel.
She is the Charter President of both the
Rotary Club of Nilgiris West and the Inner
Wheel Club of Ootacamund.
Mr. Pradeesh Lawrence, BA
Mrs. Julie Pradeesh, MBA
Member
Member
Mr. Pradeesh Lawrence is a Partner of Geo
Seafoods, Cochin and Managing Director
of Geo’s VPL Financial Services (P) Ltd.,
Cochin. He is also the Executive Director
of Hi-tech Printing & Publishing (India)
Ltd., Coimbatore. He is the Vice President
(Finance) of Good Shepherd International
School.
Mrs. Julie Pradeesh is the Vice President
and Vice Principal of Good Shepherd
International School and Good Shepherd
Finishing School. She is a post-graduate
(MBA) in Human Resource Development
from Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore.
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The Good Shepherd Family
Academic Staff (Higher Secondary School) - Palada Campus
Academic Staff (High School) - Palada Campus
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Academic Staff (Middle School) - Palada Campus
Academic & Co-curricular Staff - Fernhill Campus
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Co-curricular Staff - Palada Campus
Administrative Staff - Palada Campus
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Administrative Staff & Dorm Parents - Fernhill Campus
Dorm Parents - Palada Campus
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The Prefects’ Council
Prefects - Fernhill Campus
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Cooks & Bakers - Palada Campus
Electricians & Support Staff in Palada campus
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Cooks, Bakers, Helpers in kitchen, washing area & dining hall - Fernhill Campus
Mechanics & Drivers - Palada Campus
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Drivers, Electricians, Gardeners, Kennel Assistants & Groundsmen - Fernhill Campus
ETP Helpers, Gardeners, Kennel Assistants & Groundsmen - Palada Campus
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Dorm Nurses in Palada Campus
Dorm Nurses in Fernhill Campus
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Helpers in kitchen, washing area & dining hall - Palada Campus
Support Staff in Fernhill Campus
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Classroom & outdoor cleaners
“Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really
haven’t learned anything.”
- Muhammad Ali
“When you invest your time, you make a goal and a decision of something that you want to accomplish. Whether it’s
make good grades in school, be a good athlete, be a good person, go down and do some community service and help
somebody who’s in need, whatever it is you choose to do, you’re investing your time in that.”
- Nick Saban
“In some parts of the world, students are going to school every day. It’s their normal life. But in other part of the world,
we are starving for education... it’s like a precious gift. It’s like a diamond.”
- Malala Yousafzai
“What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the
world and learning.”
- Chuck Grassley
“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”
- Helen Keller
“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the
spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you
with a friendship.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Visiting Guests and Dignitaries during the
Academic Year [2014 – 2015]
Dr. P. Sankar, IAS, has held various important portfolios
in the Government of Tamil Nadu including Director of
Information and Public Relations of Government of Tamil
Nadu and District Collector of Vellore District. He is
currently the District Collector of the Nilgiris District since
23 October 2013.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University, Coimbatore. With a penchant for
research and in-depth study, he earned his Doctorate Degree
(PhD) in plant pathology. He has great energy and passion
to serve the people of Tamil Nadu. He was the Chief Guest
of the 12th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival held at
GSIS on 23 August 2014.
Dr. P. Sankar, IAS
Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeock visited GSIS and addressed the
students and staff at a special assembly held on 16 August
2014. He was also the Chief Guest of the 38th Founder’s
Day celebrations held in the Palada Campus on 15 & 16
October 2014.
Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy,
Khandakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
He holds a Master of Science (Defence Studies), a Master
of Philosophy and also a Diploma in Senior Level Defence
Management. The General Officer has served in
numerous sensitive and coveted appointments in various
parts of the country. He has also been the youngest Aide to
the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan, having served
two Presidents. He is presently assigned as Commandant,
Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
Padma Shri Dr. V. Mohan, the internationally acclaimed
diabetologist who is the Chairman and Chief of Diabetology
at Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, visited GSIS
on 8 August 2014. He is also President and Director of the
Madras Diabetes Research Foundation.
Padma Shri Dr. V. Mohan
Dr. Mohan’s activities cover a wide range of clinical services,
training and education, rural diabetes services and charity,
research and public education and other activities on
diabetes. Dr. Mohan and his colleagues currently oversee
17 diabetes centres and clinics in India and 1 international
diabetes centre at Oman. Over 300,000 diabetic patients
have been registered at these centres. Dr. Mohan is the
recipient of several awards and fellowships. He is also
a WHO Consultant on Diabetes and serves on several
committees of the International Diabetes Federation.
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Mr. V. Selvaraj obtained his post-graduate degree – Master
of Arts in Economics at Loyola College where he studied
for 6 years. He was elected as the President of the Loyola
College Students’ Union and his student life was marked
with several achievements.
Mr. V. Selvaraj, IAS (Retd.)
He qualified for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
and was posted to serve in Tamil Nadu in 1964. He has
served the Indian Government in various capacities. After
retirement, he had served in a number of corporate groups
as Advisor and as a Director in their Boards. He is currently
the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Good Shepherd
International School. He was the Chief Guest at the
Opening Ceremony of the Good Shepherd Model United
Nations 2014.
Mr. C.V. Ranganathan was the Chief Guest at the Closing
Ceremony of the Good Shepherd Model United Nations
2014.
Apart from holding the very significant portfolio of First
Secretary and Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India
to the United Nations (from 1970 to 1973), his various
diplomatic assignments include Joint Secretary, Ministry
of External Affairs, Commissioner of India to Hong Kong,
Ambassador of India to Ethiopia, Deputy Chief of Mission
to Moscow, and Ambassador of India to China and France.
He is a graduate in Economics and Political Science from
Madras University and holds a diploma with Distinction in
Chinese language from Hong Kong University.
Mr. C.V. Ranganathan, IFS (Retd.)
Dr. P.P. Vijayan visited the school on 11 September 2014.
At a special assembly organized in the school, he delivered
a speech on ‘Mind Mastery’ and answered questions raised
by the students.
Dr. P.P. Vijayan, MA, MBA, LLM, PhD
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He is an internationally-acclaimed Mind Power Trainer,
Author and Success Coach as well as Legal and TechnoManagement Consultant. He has been instrumental in
spreading the mind power movement through his brain
child, Life Line Foundation, a non-profit organization.
He has qualifications and global experience in Business
Management, Political Science, International Relations,
Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence and Legal Systems. He has
been acclaimed all over the country for his strategic intellect
and vision.
At a special assembly held in the school auditorium,
Dr. Terry O’Brien addressed the students and staff and
answered several queries.
Dr. Terry is an academician turned full-time writer, a
zealous quiz enthusiast, a freelance media consultant and a
passionate motivational trainer. He has published over 150
books and is still churning out books that help create new
talent in the world of creativity with books. His books cover
a range of subjects from communication and language skills
to general studies and fiction. He is a much-sought-after
motivational speaker and is an academic advisor to several
leading institutions. He believes in the 3Rs of Learning:
Read, Record, Recall.
Dr. Terry O’Brien
Mr. Stuart Bower, BMus, MBA, ARCM, is a piano and
brass instructor of Lincolnshire Music Service and Lincoln
Minster School. He was the TCL practical music examiner
who evaluated the musical skills and performance of our
students during the Trinity College London Practical
Music Examination that was held in the Palada Campus of
GSIS from 16 November to 22 November 2014.
Mr. Stuart Bower, BMus, MBA, ARCM
Mr. Stuart grew up in Nottinghamshire, played the horn
in the National Youth Orchestra, and went on to study the
horn and the piano at the Royal College of Music, whilst
reading music at London University. He acts as a syllabus
consultant for diplomas and music grades, and is also a
Rock & Pop examiner. He has been an examiner for TCL
since 2006, and has examined in the UK, Ireland, South
Africa, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan, UAE and
Oman.
Mr. Dilip Thakore, Editor / Publisher of ‘EducationWorld’
and his wife, Mrs. Summiya Yasmeen, Co-Founder
& Managing Editor of ‘EducationWorld’, visited Good
Shepherd International School on Thursday, 9 October
2014.
Mr. Dilip Thakore
Mr. Thakore was schooled in Bishop Cotton School in
Bangalore and in Kenya and London. A barrister of Lincoln’s
Inn, London, he began his career as counsel in the Mumbai
High Court in 1968-71, worked as a business executive in
Rallis India (1971-77) and was the first editor of Business
India and Businessworld magazines (1978-87). He is also a
former Director of the Datamatics Group, Mumbai. He has
a wealth of experience in legal, business and development
journalism and promotes a fully-fledged political party Children First Party of India (CFPI).
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23
A professional in the publishing industry for over 25
years, Mr. Sridhar Balan has been a Director with Oxford
University Press, Delhi. He has previously had an academic
career having taught at both the Jawaharlal Nehru University,
New Delhi and at the North-Eastern Hill University,
Shillong. He has been a columnist with The Hindu, The
Economic Times, The Indian Express and The Financial
Express. He is a senior consultant with Ratna Sagar Private
Limited, a leading educational and academic publisher.
He conducted a professional training session in the
auditorium for the faculty members on 20 January 2015.
He has been speaking to both teachers and children in
leading schools on ways to strengthen reading and also the
relationship between children and books.
Mr. Sridhar Balan
Mr. Tyler Smith is a graduate in Piano Design, Columbus
College (Sims School of Piano Technology), USA. He has
performed and taught music and piano / keyboards in the
US, South Africa and the Middle East. He has performed for
the Governors of Alabama and Georgia and both President
Carter and President Clinton.
He is the Senior Vice President, Trinity College London.
He manages business development, delivery and academic
support for TCL Music, Drama, Speech, Communication
Skills and English assessments in the region. Mr. Smith
was the Chief Guest of the Investiture and Graduation
Ceremonies held in the Palada Campus in 2015.
Mr. Tyler Smith
Mr. Thomas George was the Guest of Honour at the formal
dinner held in the Palada Campus on 09 February 2015. He
addressed the students of Grades IX, X, XI and XII.
He spent his entire college career at the Madras Christian
College in Chennai. He worked for 12 years as an Assistant
Professor of English in Government colleges. He also worked
in Government schools in Nigeria for 6 years. After returning
to India, he joined Hebron School and worked there for 26
years. He was the Vice Principal of Hebron School for 15
years till he retired last year. He enjoys standing in for the
Principal every time he is away.
Mr. Thomas George
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He worked with young people a lot, organised camps, service
projects and youth leadership weekends. He is now wellsettled in the beautiful Nilgiris countryside and is involved
with schools locally and outside the Nilgiris in various roles.
Mrs. Manju P. Pillai worked in many capacities in the
Department of Posts as well as in the Ministry of Commerce
and Department of Telecom in West Bengal, Maharashtra,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. She is an M.A. Literature
Graduate and belongs to Indian Postal Service,1991Batch
of All India Civil Services. At present, she is the Postmaster General, Western Region,
Tamil Nadu, which covers 8 districts, namely, Coimbatore,
Nilgiris, Tirupur, Erode, Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri,
Krishnagiri and part of Vellore District. She visited GSIS
on 26 February 2015 for the release of ‘My Stamp’ and
promotion of philately.
Mrs. Manju P. Pillai
Mr. S.K. Sinha belonging to Indian Postal Service, 1979
Batch of All India Civil Services, is an Economics (Hon)
Graduate from Saint Stephen’s College, New Delhi. He
has worked in various capacities in the Department of
Posts all over India with exemplary outputs. He has made
outstanding contribution in Business Development and
promotion of Philately.
At present, he is working as the Member (HRD), Postal
Services Board, New Delhi. He visited GSIS on 26 February
2015 for the release of ‘My Stamp’ and promotion of
philately.
Mr. S.K. Sinha
Vice Admiral Manohar Prahlad Awati is renowned former
Naval Officer, nature lover and a sailor of repute who has
contributed his full might to the defence of the country
and the preservation of nature. A specialist in Signals
Communication, he served on Indian Navy Ships Ranjit,
Venduruthy, Delhi and Kistna, and later commanded IN
Ships Betwa, Tir and Mysore. An alumnus of the Defence
Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Royal College
of Defence Studies, London, he subsequently held crucial
appointments such as Commander of the Western Fleet,
Commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA),
Chief of Personnel at the Naval Headquarters and Flag
Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval
Command from where he retired in March 1983.
Vice Admiral Manohar Prahlad Awati, PVSM, VrC, IN, (Retd.)
He visited the Palada Campus on 26 February 2015. He
interacted with the students and addressed them and the
faculty.
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25
Mr. M. S. Sundara Rajan has over 35 years of experience in
Banking. He is the Chairman, Institute of Directors, Tamil
Nadu State Chapter and Former Chairman & Managing
Director of Indian Bank. He is a post Graduate in Economics
from the University of Madras and an Associate of Institute
of Company Secretaries of India. He is a certified Associate
of Indian Institute of Bankers. He has also served as Director
at United India Insurance company Ltd. He has received
Golden Peacock National Training Award for the year 2009.
He visited GSIS on 02 March 2015, addressed the students
and staff and answered their queries.
Mr. M. S. Sundara Rajan
Mr. Somsak Triamjangarun, Consul-General, Royal Thai
Consulate-General, Chennai, hosted a special lunch on
27 March 2015 for forty-eight Thai students at the elegant
Sterling Holidays Resort in Elk Hill.
He visited Good Shepherd International School on
Saturday, 28 March 2015 and met all the Thai students
and the Members of the Academic Council. He visited the
various facilities available in the Palada Campus and was
very impressed with what he saw. He also enquired about
the welfare and well-being of the students studying in the
Nilgiris.
Mr. Somsak Triamjangarun
Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock is a social worker and counsellor by
profession. She did her BA (Hons) and Masters in Psychology
and has specialized in Guidance and Counselling in various
spheres. Her special achievements are well acknowledged as
Chairman of ASHA School, marital discords and President
of AWWA in various Military Stations. She is married to
Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeock, AVSM, Commandant, Defence
Services Staff College, Wellington.
She was the Chief Guest at the Graduation Ceremony of
the girls of Good Shepherd Finishing School held in the
auditorium of the Palada Campus on Wednesday, 8 April
2015.
Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock
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Mr. Vijay Prabhu did his schooling at GSIS from UKG to
Grade 10. He studied Law at the University Law College,
Bangalore and did his law practice for a few years with M/s
Gonsalves & Gonsalves at Ooty. He mentored the setting
up of the LITTLEARTH group which under its hospitality
wing runs Hotel Kings’ Cliff and Hotel Sherlock in Ooty
and Destiny Farm at Avalanche. He is also passionate about
plants and animal husbandry. He loves cycling in the hills
and very much enjoys the natural pristine beauty of the
Nilgiris.
Mr. Vijay was the chief Guest of the Annual Inter house
Athletic Meet organized at GSIS on Thursday, 9 April 2015.
Mr. Vijay Prabhu
Scholarship for Academic Excellence
In our constant effort to encourage our students to excel in academics we are glad to inform you that the “Scholarship for
Academic Excellence” for the academic year 2014 – 2015 has been revised for the students of Grade X.
We recognize two aspirants each, who are excellent in academics, from the ICSE and IGCSE Science stream, and one aspirant
from the Commerce stream, respectively.
The management will offer a scholarship of Rs.2,00,000/- to the students for academic excellence who top the ICSE and
IGCSE Board examinations and will continue in Grade XI & XII in Good Shepherd International School.
Details of scholarship from Good Shepherd International School:
Position
1
2
ICSE
Science
Commerce
2 Lakhs
2 Lakhs
2 Lakhs
-
IGCSE
Science
Commerce
2 Lakhs
2 Lakhs
2 Lakhs
TOTAL
Scholarship
8 Lakhs
4 Lakhs
12 Lakhs
The Trust of the Old Shepherdian Association has also decided in the Trustee Meeting held on 17th April, 2015 to increase
the number of recipients for scholarship from the academic year 2014-2015. The number of scholarships for the IGCSE
curriculum has increased from three to five and the number of scholarship for the ICSE Grade X will remain the same. Students
who will continue in Grade XI & XII in Good Shepherd International School will be eligible for these scholarships.
Details of scholarships from the Old Shepherdians’ Trust of Good Shepherd International School, Ootacamund :
Position
ICSE
IGCSE
TOTAL
1
2
3
4
5
TOTAL
2,00,000
1,50,000
1,00,000
4,50,000
2,00,000
1,50,000
1,00,000
1,00,000
1,00,000
6,50,000
4,00,000
3,00,000
2,00,000
1,00,000
1,00,000
11,00,000
These scholarships given for academic excellence is an initiative undertaken by the Good Shepherd International School
and the Trust of the Old Shepherdian Association to recognize and reward the brightest young minds who we feel have the
potential of once again proving themselves.
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27
Creator Par excellence i.e. PC
It was one of those usual dinner parties in Chennai that I had been frequenting where
I had a very memorable encounter with a person which was fated to be long-lasting.
Frankly speaking, I was initially not really engaged into the conversation. I thought it
was quite commonplace. Much later, I was visiting Ooty in my official capacity when
I happened to pass by the imposing gate carrying the inscription i.e. Good Shepherd
International School. Something rang familiar. And then came back the memory
of that casual dinner meeting in Chennai. Ever since, that memory stayed with me,
eventually maturing into a friendship that is so valuable and enduring.
Mr. Debendranath Sarangi, IAS (Retd.)
He is nobody else than Dr. P.C. Thomas - the Founder-Principal of Good Shepherd
International School, Palada, Ooty. For me he is the par excellence Creator. Somebody
famously said that a century is but a moment in the country’s history. Almost four
decades in the life of Good Shepherd International School could also be termed a
short span. But how many of us know that a whole life of struggle, disappointments,
dejections and a sprinkle of success has been invested in that period. Despite all
these, the man could survive and come out with full score. That is PC as I call him
affectionately.
Origins of big and famous are invariably humble and innocuous. So is the case of Good Shepherd International School. It all began
in 1977 in a very simple, spartan campus known as Baroda House. Over the years, it grew from strength to strength which led to
expansion of campus. At the moment, GSIS is running two campuses i.e. one at the old campus called Fernhill Campus and the other
Palada Campus. While the former caters to Primary School, the latter runs Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools. GSIS conducts
ICSE, IGCSE and IB courses drawing students from all over the world. Due to its sheer caliber and outstanding performance record,
GSIS has found its place in the hallowed Council of International Schools. Today, parents seek out the school for admission of their
wards. How it became possible? PC is a known stickler for discipline and hard work. He is unsparing in his approach to issues and
problems. Naturally he expects his colleagues to be the same. There is no room for mediocrity. He has therefore been able to build a
good team around himself. He doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. No matter how formidable is the opponent/environment, he doesn’t
budge and perseveres till the goal is achieved. This I know personally. How valiantly he fought against the authorities to get crucial
approvals for his dear school is known only to a few including me. He never buckled nor did he show sign of wilting. PC never gives
up for noble cause. He never betrays his anxiety. He always poses a calm exterior, even in the face of profound personal issues, as was
on display in the last Founder’s Day celebrations.
Punctuality is his second name. I have been, times out of number, amazed at his penchant for being punctual. He does not flinch
from reminding the dignitaries no matter how high and mighty they are to be present on time. If they fail to, he does not waste time
in waiting. He gets on with the job.
Perfection is his religion. He does not settle for the second-rate, be it academic syllabus or faculty or infrastructural facilities including
teaching aids. He goes for the best in the class no matter how dear it is. For example, the whole array of musical instruments available
in the school is world class - anybody’s envy. If it is horses, he selects the thoroughbreds. Look at the stadium, it is an athlete’s dream.
Now I understand PC is busy getting the cricket ground ready, also of professional grade. There are many such illustrations one can
quote to convey the message of perfection.
One aspect about the school which is exemplary is the host of co-curricular activities that are provided to the students. Engaging in
co-curricular activities results in development of a well-rounded personality. Students passing out of this school will be good and
responsible members of the society.
PC is an ideal leader. He believes in investing in human resource, providing proper latitude and freedom to the members of his team
to perform their best. As a result, the faculties of the school are of best caliber. He has a feedback system whereby corrective actions
are taken if required. He is suave and has perfect manners. He makes himself accessible to his team members. He is readily there to
advise parents of students whenever called upon to do so. I understand he never hesitates to counsel his staff in their personal matters
whenever approached. He is a perfect Shepherdian. All these attributes make for “Organization” man that PC is. He is an institution
builder. He thinks beyond individuals. His footprint is everywhere. And that is my PC i.e. par excellence Creator.
- Mr. Debendranath Sarangi, IAS (Retd.),
[Former Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu]
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New Senior Vice Principal (Administration) at GSIS
Brigadier S. Suresh Kumar, VSM (Retd)
The new Senior Vice Principal (Administration) in his office
The Good Shepherd family invited Brigadier S. Suresh Kumar, VSM (Retd) into its fold on 4th May, 2015 by appointing
him as the Senior Vice Principal (Administration) at the Palada campus of Good Shepherd International School. He retired
recently from the army as the Commandant of the Madras Regimental Centre at Wellington.
He received the ‘Vishist Seva Medal’ from the President of India for foresight, initiative and selfless devotion to duty, thereby
developing the Corps Battle School as a premier Counter Insurgency Training Establishment of The Indian Armed Forces. His
stellar military career spans an extensive thirty-four years, with at least twenty years of it spent on the borders of the country in
J&K, Assam and Nagaland. His vast instructional experience is specifically highlighted in his position as the Colonel General
Staff (Coord) at Officers Training Academy, Chennai. An alumnus of the same institution, he passed out of it with the prestigious
‘Sword of Honour’, given to the best gentleman cadet. His life has been one of relentless pursuit of excellence in all spheres
of activity he inhabited, with a particular focus upon professional training, aiding development of training infrastructure and
training facilities. He has overseen training of CRPF officers, Deputy Superintendents of Police of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu cadre and NCC cadets. He is a voracious reader and scholar in his own right and a gold medalist in Defence Studies
and Public Administration. His administrative prowess shows itself in his services rendered as the Station Commander of the
Wellington Military Station and as the Commandant of the Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington. We collectively hope that
the services of the prodigiously competent (Retd) Brigadier S. Suresh Kumar, VSM to the school would add to its already wellestablished organizational structure.
Old Shepherdian appointed as a Medical Officer at GSIS
Dr. Khushboo Singhal
Dr. Khushboo
in the Palada Campus
Dr. Khushboo Singhal graduated from the then Good Shepherd
Public School in the year 2000. She went on to complete her Masters in
Physiotherapy, specializing in Musculoskeletal Sciences from Shreemathi
Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University in June 2010. She
interned thereafter at Dr. Bhalabhai Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai for six
months. She is life member of the Indian Association of Physiotherapy
and Manual Therapy Foundation of India.
She has been working in her private clinic since 2010 and as an Associate Regional Director in
Mumbai for Myomedex Health Care Services Company. She has taught ante-natal exercisers and
worked with the Air India Men Football team with a fellowship in Sports Sciences, a professional
training programme conducted by Medvarsity and Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research
Foundation. She has taken many lectures on Office Ergonomics and Tele Medicine lectures on
Brain Mapping and Fitness. She has a fine sensibility when it comes to healing through touch and
it has been her credo and deep seated belief that touch can cure, improve, recover and mend. Her
appointment to the institution promises to usher in a revival of health and well-being.
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29
Annual Report of Good Shepherd International School
for the Academic Year 2013-2014
INTRODUCTION
Good Shepherd International School has been committed to imparting quality education to all since its inception in 1977. This
annual report documents the achievements and contributions of the students, staff and the management, and also highlights
the infrastructural developments made in the school campus during the Academic Year 2013 – 2014. The school promotes
holistic learning and development through a wide variety of academic and extra-curricular activities. The objective of our
education is the physical, mental, spiritual and the intellectual development of young minds.
SCHOOL PROFILE
The school is situated in Ooty amidst the picturesque hills of the Nilgiris at a height of 2268 m above the sea level. The Fernhill
Campus spans over 20 acres and the Palada Campus is spread over 150 acres.
It has been observed with immense satisfaction that the school from humble beginnings with 54 students has recorded steady
progress and today, it is a world-renowned, co-educational, fully-accredited, international residential school that conducts
classes from Grade 1 to Grade 12 in two full-fledged campuses. The Primary School at the Fernhill Campus comprises Grades
1 to 6. The Middle School, High School & Higher Secondary Schools are located at the Palada Campus. The Middle School
Programme covers Grades 7 and 8. The High School comprises Grades 9 & 10. Grades 11 & 12 are under the Higher Secondary
School. The classrooms and dormitories are housed in their respective buildings.
The Palada Campus of GSIS
The school has over 725 students hailing from different parts of the sub-continent and 29 countries. The school provides an
environment that gives students many avenues for expressing their creativity and developing their skills. Over 185 faculty
members are from both India and abroad. The student-faculty ratio is 4:1. The school is managed by a Board of Governors.
ACADEMIC DETAILS UPDATE
The school provides a holistic approach to education and addresses the physical, emotional, psychological, social and the
intellectual development of students as this can ultimately lead to greater student success.
The school is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), Cambridge International
Examinations (CIE) and International Baccalaureate (IB). The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
Board has its headquarters in New Delhi. This board conducts the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE Grade 10) and the Indian School Certificate (ISC - Grade 12). The Cambridge International Examinations is an
examination board that is a part of the University of Cambridge. They are a provider of international qualifications offering
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examinations and qualifications in more than 160 countries. CIE offers examinations and qualifications which are open
to students at registered CIE centres. GSIS is a registered CIE centre. GSIS offers the Cambridge Primary, Cambridge
Secondary 1 & International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) courses. The IGCSE is recognised
by leading universities and employers worldwide, and is an international passport to progression and success. The IB has
its foundation office in Geneva, Switzerland. The Assessment Centre is located at Cardiff, Wales, in the United Kingdom.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a 2-year educational programme primarily aimed at
students aged 16–19 years. The programme is one that provides an internationally-accepted qualification for entry into higher
education, and is accepted by many universities worldwide. Administered by the International Baccalaureate (IB), the IBDP
is taught in English at GSIS. We have introduced a new subject - Visual Arts for the International Baccalaureate Diploma
Programme in the Academic Year 2014 – 2015. The school is also a registered centre for conducting Trinity College London
(TCL) Theory and Practical Examinations in Music.
The results of all the board examinations conducted during the Academic Year 2013 – 2014 are declared. We are delighted with
the splendid results of our students.
Results of the ICSE Examination - March 2014
The ICSE examinations were held in the school from 3 March
to 28 March 2014.
Of the 55 students who appeared from Good Shepherd
International School in the academic session 2013 – 2014 for
the examination, 49 secured distinction and 6 were awarded
first class. The topper scored 93% (Science stream). Prerna
Binod Dugar and Drishika Goenka topped in the Science and
Commerce streams respectively. 14 students scored 90% or
more, 14 students scored 85% or more and 12 students scored
80% or more. The school registered a centum pass percentage
this year as well.
Results of the IGCSE Examination – May / June 2014
The Principal Dr. P.C. Thomas
The International General Certificate of Secondary
Education (IGCSE) examinations were conducted at GSIS
from 30 April to 9 June 2014. A total of 47 candidates of
GSIS appeared for the examinations. Our students have done
exceptionally well.
Joseph Leander R. and Sahil Khamlesh Mirchandani topped in the Science and Commerce groups respectively. Joseph
Leander R. scored 7A*s, 1A & 1D. Sahil Khamlesh Mirchandani secured 7A*s, 1A & 1C. 19 students secured distinction
and 16 were awarded merit. Our students achieved 73A*s, 98As and 89Bs in different subjects.
The excellent result is a testimony to the extraordinary hard work of our students and their aspirations to excel.
Results of the ISC Examination - March 2014
The Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations started on 11 February and ended on 1 April 2014. 21 students from GSIS
appeared for the ISC examinations conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE).
Our students came out with flying colours. They worked towards a goal, they worked hard and they succeeded. Joseph John
Valiaveetil topped the ISC Science stream (94.4%) and Diksha Kamalia topped the ISC Commerce stream (89.8%). 3
students scored 90% or more. 13 students secured a distinction and 8 were awarded first class. Continuing the tradition,
our students once again notched up 100 percent pass result.
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31
We are very happy with the performance and give the credit to the efforts put in by our students and members of staff. Yet
another brilliant performance in the ISC examinations!
Results of the IB Examination – May 2014
A total of 39 students pursued the two-year Diploma course and took the IBDP examinations in May 2014. 31 students
were awarded the Diploma and 8 students received Certificates. Shlok Milind Pimprikar, Aditya Vardhan Goyal, Akash
Dhanturi and Suphawan Khanijou were the school toppers. They scored 40 points each. Our students have done well,
averaging 32 points. 12 students achieved maximum scores of 7 points and 23 students scored 6 points in different subjects.
Students procured the highest score of 7 points in English, French, Hindi, Business & Management, Psychology, Environmental
Systems & Societies, Chemistry and Mathematics. The school average grade is higher than the world average grade. 5.07 is the
average grade obtained by GSIS students.
Cambridge Checkpoint Tests [Cambridge Secondary 1] - April 2014
Cambridge Secondary 1 sets clear learning objectives for the first three years of secondary education. Cambridge Secondary
1 is typically for learners aged 11 to 14 years. It gives schools a flexible framework for developing skills and understanding in
English, Mathematics and Science.
The learners’ progress is monitored using integrated assessments. Tests are specially designed in English, Mathematics and
Science for students who are beginning courses leading to the Cambridge IGCSE examinations. The tests are designed to
identify which parts of the subject they are good at and which parts they need to put in extra effort.
65 students of Grade 8 (IGCSE stream) appeared for the Cambridge Checkpoint examinations held in the school from 1
April to 3 April 2014. The tests were conducted in English Papers 1 & 2, Mathematics Papers 1 & 2, and Science Papers 1 &
2. Most of our students performed well in the tests. Keshav Maheshwari secured the first position scoring 17.1 points. He
scored 5.3 points in English, the highest possible score of 6 points in Mathematics and 5.8 points in Science. Mishika Bhavik
Parikh secured the second position with 16.9 points. Shubh Agarwal stood third with 16.5 points. Fourteen students and
five students secured the highest Checkpoint score of 6 points in Mathematics and Science respectively. Subject averages
in Mathematics and Science are 4.5 & 4.6 points respectively.
Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Tests - October 2013
The School is a member of the Cambridge International Primary Programme. Cambridge Primary is an educational
programme for young students that combines a world-class curriculum, high-quality support for teachers and integrated
assessment. Cambridge Primary develops skills in English, Mathematics and Science. Cambridge Primary Checkpoint is a
diagnostic testing service that helps students by giving comprehensive feedback on their strengths and weaknesses in each
subject area.
Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Tests for students of Grade VI were held in GSIS on 23, 24 & 25 October 2013. 37
students appeared for the tests held in the Fernhill auditorium. Pavanrat Sakulsacha and Sriniket Krishnan topped the batch
of students with a maximum possible score of 18 points each. Both of them scored a maximum of 6 points each in English,
Mathematics and Science. Two students in English, seven students in Mathematics and twelve students in Science
achieved the maximum possible score of 6 points.
Congratulations to these outstanding achievers and their parents!
Scholarships awarded for Academic Excellence
The School and The Old Shepherdians’ Trust of Good Shepherd International School award scholarships to our Grade 10
students for academic achievements annually. The scholarships are awarded to encourage the students to excel in academics,
to recognize their academic achievements and also as financial aids for students to continue their higher education. Four
scholarships were awarded to our ICSE and IGCSE students who excelled in their Board Examinations held in 2014 and are
continuing in Grades 11 & 12 in GSIS.
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The table below provides information on these merit-based scholarships:
Sl.
No.
Name of student
Examination
Board
Science group /
Commerce group
Award of
GSIS
Award of the
Trust of the
OSA
Total
1
Adil Asif Thara
ICSE
Science group
` 2 lakhs
` 2 lakhs
` 4 lakhs
2
Shubhro Sankha Saha
ICSE
Science group
` 2 lakhs
` 1.5 lakhs
` 3.5 lakhs
3
Chirag Bharat Modhwadia
ICSE
Science group
-
` 1 lakh
` 1 lakh
4
Lokesh Goyal
ICSE
Commerce group
` 2 lakhs
-
` 2 lakhs
5
Joseph Leander R.
IGCSE
Science group
` 2 lakhs
` 2 lakhs
` 4 lakhs
6
Parth S. Bansal
IGCSE
Science group
` 2 lakhs
-
` 2 lakhs
7
Parikshit Vikkas Ganeriwal
IGCSE
Commerce group
` 2 lakhs
` 1.5 lakhs
` 3.5 lakhs
8
Nuzla Noorudheen Kalathil
IGCSE
Commerce group
-
` 1 lakh
` 1 lakh
` 12 lakhs
` 9 lakhs
` 21 lakhs
Elsamma Thomas Gold Medal recipients - 2014:
Topper of the ISC Science Group
:
Topper of the ISC Commerce Group :
Toppers of the IB Diploma Programme :
Joseph John Valiaveetil
Diksha Kamalia
Shlok Milind Pimprikar, Aditya Vardhan Goyal,
Akash Dhanturi and Suphawan Khanijou
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AWARD (ISA)
Good Shepherd International School has been conferred with The International School Award (ISA) by the British Council
for the period 2014 - 17 for exemplary practices of internationalism in the school. The International School Award (ISA) is a
benchmarking scheme that accredits schools having an outstanding level of support for nurturing global citizenship in young
people and enriching teaching and learning. The dossier submitted by the school was approved and was appreciated by all the
assessors as it truly exemplifies the spirit of the ISA and internationalism. The accreditation scheme has rewarded the school
for its notable global element in the curriculum.
ISA provides a framework for schools to develop an action plan and implement international activities throughout the year
and encourages schools to collaborate with overseas schools to create a rich learning experience for students through the use
of ICT, creative pedagogical practices and the real context for learning. It is a leadership challenge and fosters team-building,
innovation and project management.
SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TEST [SAT] & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING
SYSTEM [IELTS]
Good Shepherd International School is a registered centre for SAT I & II. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests (SAT 1 & II) are
designed to assess the academic readiness of students for college. SAT and SAT Subject Tests keep pace with what colleges are
looking for today, measuring the skills of candidates. SAT is a globally-recognized college admission test that evaluates their
knowledge and its applications. It tests their knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics - subjects that are taught every day
in high school classrooms. Most students take the SAT during their junior or senior year of high school, and almost all colleges
and universities consider the SAT scores to make admission decisions.
Taking the SAT is the first step in finding the right college - the place where students can further develop their skills and pursue
their passions. But SAT scores are just one of many factors that colleges consider when making their admission decisions. High
school grades are also very important. In fact, the combination of high school grades and SAT scores is the best predictor of
your academic success in college.
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33
The IELTS tests English proficiency across the globe. Conducting 2 million tests in the past year, IELTS is the world’s most
popular high stakes English language test for study, work and migration.
We have had around 50 students taking SATs on a yearly basis. Our students can take SATs six times a year. Last year, the
highest band score was 8.5 by two of our students and our average band score was 7.5. Forty-four students of Grade 12 took
the IELTS in September 2014 and thirty-two students from Grade 12 in October 2014.
Representatives of leading Universities from the USA, the UK, Canada and across the globe visit GSIS and conduct career
guidance sessions for students of Higher Secondary School to familiarize them with career options and study opportunities
for undergraduate courses abroad.
THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, GOOD SHEPHERD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
The Old Shepherdians from different parts of the world got together at GSIS on 18, 19 & 20 April 2014 for their annual
reunion, ‘Back 2 Roots.’ This was an occasion to celebrate their return to their alma mater.
A special school assembly was held in the auditorium on 19 April to celebrate the graduation of ICSE students of the 1989
batch who were in their graduation gowns and caps. The students of the batch of 1989 entered the auditorium in a processional
march. The assembly was led by Mr. Sumesh Lekhi, the Head Boy of 1989. Mr. Sumesh Lekhi, three other representatives
Old Shepherdians
of the 1989 batch, Mr. K.A. Kushalappa, Chairman-Emeritus of the Alumni Association of GSIS and Dr. P.C. Thomas,
the Principal, spoke on the occasion. Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, the Senior Vice Principal of GSIS, distributed the academic
prizes. Several old members of staff were honoured and their services were recognized. The school hosted a dinner for the Old
Shepherdians at Hotel Taj Savoy.
DETAILS OF SCHOLARSHIPS
The Scholarship for Academic Excellence is an initiative undertaken by Good Shepherd International School and The Alumni
Association, Good Shepherd International School, to nurture talent and encourage our students to excel in academics. The
scholarship rewards deserving students who are brilliant, able, ambitious and are fired by the zeal to pursue their higher
education at GSIS.
We recognize two aspirants each, who are excellent in academics, from the ICSE and IGCSE Science stream, and one aspirant
from the Commerce stream, respectively. The management will offer a scholarship of ` 2 lakhs to the students for academic
excellence who top the ICSE and IGCSE Board examinations and will continue in Grades 11 & 12 in Good Shepherd
International School.
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The details of scholarship from Good Shepherd International School are as mentioned below:
Position
1
Science
` 2 lakhs
2
` 2 lakhs
ICSE
Commerce
` 2 lakhs
-
IGCSE
Science
Commerce
` 2 lakhs
` 2 lakhs
` 8 lakhs
` 2 lakhs
` 4 lakhs
-
Total
` 12 lakhs
The Old Shepherdians’ Trust (OST) also offer scholarships every year to the students for academic excellence in the ICSE
and IGCSE Board examinations and will continue in Grades 11 & 12 in Good Shepherd International School. The details of
scholarship from OSA Trust is as mentioned below:
Position
ICSE
IGCSE
Total
1
` 2 lakhs
` 2 lakhs
` 4 lakhs
2
` 1.5 lakhs
` 1.5 lakhs
` 3 lakhs
3
` 1 lakh
` 1 lakh
` 2 lakhs
` 9 lakhs
The main objective of these merit-based scholarships is to recognise and reward the brightest young minds who, we feel,
have the potential of proving themselves once again. ‘The Elsamma Thomas Gold Medal’ will continue to be awarded to the
students of Grade 12.
SPORTS & GAMES UPDATE
Inter School Hockey Tournament 2013
In the Inter School Hockey Tournament for boys which was held at Hebron School, Ooty, from 19 November to 21
November 2013, Good Shepherd International School was the winner in both the U-16 years and the U-19 years divisions.
Inter School Soccer Tournament 2013
The Inter School Soccer Tournament for U-19 years division boys was held on Sunday, 24 November 2013, in the open-air
stadium at the Palada Campus. In the final match, JSS International School, Theetukal, defeated Good Shepherd International
School. Master Arjun Sarkar of GSIS was selected as the best midfielder.
GSIS Rolling Trophy 2014
In the Inter School Basketball Tournament for boys held at the Palada Campus basketball courts on Saturday, 22 March
2014, GSIS – Team A emerged victorious in the U-14 years category. In the final match, they defeated The Laidlaw Memorial
School and Junior College, Ketti. Master Harshit Navlani of GSIS – Team A was selected the best player and Master Manav
Pahalwani of GSIS – Team A got the coveted “most valuable player” award.
Inter School Football Tournament 2014
In the Inter School Football Tournament for the GSIS Rolling Trophy held at GSIS on Sunday, 23 March 2014, GSIS –
Team A emerged runner-up in the boys U-14 years category. In the final match, The Lawrence School, Lovedale, defeated
GSIS-Team A (Score: 3 - 0). Master Sachin Naushadbhai Hajiyani of GSIS was selected the best defender of the tournament.
Tamil Nadu State Junior & Sub Junior Inter School Aquatic Meet 2013
The Tamil Nadu State Junior & Sub Junior Inter School Aquatic Meet was held at the Jenneys Residency swimming pool
in Kovai on 26 October 2013. A total of 138 schools from 20 districts participated in the competition. 15 boys and 18 girls
represented GSIS in the meet.
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The Shepherdians participated in freestyle, backstroke, butterfly stroke and breaststroke, striving for gold and glory. The
following students won gold and silver medals:
Name
Class
Param Rajesh Panjri
9
Udhayan Rajoo
8
Harsh Navlani
9
Sarvesh M Raul
9
Ambika Padki
10
Shruti Sharma
12
Aparnna Sree Asok
10
Nikita Karnani
12
Vanshika Gupta
9
Calvina Ann Andrew
9
Siddhi Suri
9
Saiklang Sangtrakulcharoen
7
Divisions
Events
Medals won
Group 2
4 X 50m Freestyle relay
Gold
Group 1
4 X 50m Freestyle relay
Gold
Group 2
4 X 50m Freestyle relay
Silver
Our young swimmers accumulated 66 points and won the overall third position with 8 gold and 4 silver medals. The oneday event was organised under the aegis of the Coimbatore District Aquatic Association (CDAA).
Inter School Tennis Tournament 2013
The Inter School Tennis Tournament for boys was held at the Palada Campus Tennis courts on Tuesday, 12 November
2013. Good Shepherd International School - Team A (Master Ashwin Prasad, Master Zubin Rajen Chheda and Master
Siddharth Deravariya) were the winners. In the final match, they defeated The Lawrence School, Lovedale. Master Ashwin
Prasad (GSIS - Team A) was the best player and Master Arham Hundia (GSIS) was the most promising player.
Inter School Badminton Tournament 2013
The Inter School Badminton Tournament for boys and girls in U-14 years, U-16 years and U-19 years divisions was held at the
GSIS indoor badminton courts on Tuesday, 12 November 2013.
In the Boys U-14 years division, Master R. Sarvesh (GSIS) was the most promising player. In the Boys U-16 years division,
Good Shepherd International School emerged victorious. Master Akkashh Surryavanshi (GSIS) was the best player. In the
Boys U-19 years division, The Lawrence School, Lovedale defeated GSIS in the final match. Master Siddhant Deepak Jain
(GSIS) was the most promising player. In the Girls’ U-14 years division, The Lawrence School, Lovedale, defeated GSIS. Ms.
Nethra Menon (GSIS) was the most promising player. In the Girls’ U-16 years division, The Lawrence School, Lovedale,
defeated GSIS. Ms. Shruti Dhull (GSIS) was the most promising player.
Inter School Basketball Tournament 2013
The Inter School Basketball Tournament for boys was held at GSIS on Sunday, 17 November 2013. The Lawrence School,
Lovedale, defeated GSIS - Team A in the final match. Master Mohammad Aslam Sohail (Good Shepherd International
School - Team A) was the most valuable player.
Annual Inter House Athletic Meet 2014
The Annual Inter House Athletic Meet that led to the culmination of the week-long athletic activities on track and field
brought to the forefront the spirit of participation, sportsmanship and healthy competition among the Shepherdians. The Chief
Guest for this grand occasion awaited by every student was none other than the well-wisher of the school, Mr. Debendranath
Sarangi, IAS, Former Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu.
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The penultimate event of the Athletic Meet was the 100 m finals of all the ten categories: Sub Junior Boys and Girls, Junior
Boys and Girls, Inter Boys and Girls, Senior Boys and Girls and Super Senior Boys and Girls. The 100 m dash was followed by
the traditional guest event which reminded everyone of the IPL games. The most awaited event of the competition followed
the guest event: the 4x100 m relay of all the divisions of boys and girls.
The speech by Mr. Debendranath Sarangi focussed on three main aspects: the need to take part in sporting activities to keep
physically and mentally fit, the admirable quality of sportsmanship displayed by Jesse Owens in the Berlin Olympics and the
clockwork precision with which everything had worked out throughout our Athletic Meet. Mrs. Savithri Sarangi gave away
the prizes to the record breakers, the champions of each division and the Hassan Ali Khan Memorial Athletics Trophy. The
Hassan Ali Khan Memorial Athletics Trophy was won by the Spring House. They have been winning the trophy for the
past two years.
Discus throw
The following students were the individual champions in the different divisions:
Sub Junior Boys
- R. Ram (Autumn House)
Sub Junior Girls
- Diya Amal (Autumn House)
Junior Boys
- Nawinkrishna M. (Summer House)
Junior Girls
- Eve Saha (Summer House)
Inter Boys ( Junior School) - Sahukari Praveen Kumar (Autumn House)
Inter Girls ( Junior School) - Harshitha Kambham (Spring House)
Inter Boys (Senior School) - Rahul Thomas Kurian & Jatin Khatri (Summer House)
Inter Girls (Senior School) - Nidhi Murali ( Autumn House)
Senior Boys
- Thilak Elangovan (Summer House)
Senior Girls
- Ginaishwarya Anne Jacob ( Autumn House)
Super Senior Boys
- Rohit Ram Wadhwani (Spring House) & Mohammad Aslam Sohail (Winter House)
Super Senior Girls
- Grishma Nileshbhai Bhanderi (Winter House)
This year also saw our young athletes setting a number of new meet records as mentioned below:
Anne Preethi (Inter Girls)
- Triple Jump
Thilak Elangovan (Senior Boys)
- 800 m,1500 m & 3000 m
Ginaishwarya Anne Jacob (Senior Girls)
- Triple Jump
Vanshika Gupta (Senior Girls)
- Discus Throw
Calvina Ann Andrew (Super Senior Girls) - 1500 m
Namratha, Aayushi Rajan Vadalia, Nethra Menon & Prayfa Poonkrasee (Senior Girls) - 4 x 100 m Relay
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Rohit Ram Wadhwani (Super Senior Boys) - 800 m,1500 m & 3000 m
Tisha Patel (Super Senior Girls)
- Triple Jump
Master Thilak Elangovan was adjudged ‘The Athlete of the Year 2014.’
Annual Inter School Athletics Festival 2014
Good Shepherd International School proudly hosted the 12th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival on Saturday, 23 August
2014. Fifteen schools from the Nilgiris participated in the one-day sports event organised by Good Shepherd International
School.
Below is a list of the schools that participated in the Athletics Festival:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Braeside School
Crescent Castle Matriculation School
Crescent Castle Public School
Cliff Rock Creative School
Gurukulam Matriculation School
JSS International School
Nazareth Convent High School
Nilgiris Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Oxford International School
Rex Senior Higher Secondary School
Riverside Public School
Woodside School
The Lawrence School
Hebron School
Good Shepherd International School
School contingents from the Nilgiris district during the 12th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival
Dr. P. Sankar, IAS, Collector of the Nilgiris district, and the Guest of Honour on this day hoisted the Athletic Festival flag.
The Athletic Meet was heralded with a well-synchronized march past led by the GSIS Brass and Pipe Bands followed by
the Mounted Guards and the participating school contingents, all marching in unison to the beats of the band. Dr. Sankar
addressed the participants and declared the Athletic Festival open. He congratulated the school for organizing an Athletic
Meet of such grandeur. In sync with the motto of the Meet – ‘Participate, Appreciate & Celebrate’, our Primary School students
performed a cultural dance which was followed by the Sailors’ Hornpipe dance presented by Grades IX & X girls.
The students participated in several track and field events such as 100m race, 200m race, 400m race, 800m race, 1500m race,
4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, shot put, discus, long jump and high jump showcasing their strength, stamina, speed, agility,
determination, skill and spirit. The students who won the first, second and third places in each event were awarded certificates.
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THE INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE [IAYP]
The programme of THE INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE is available to all young people in the 14 - 25
years age groups. This award programme originated in the United Kingdom in 1956 as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
(DEAS). Introduced in India in 1962, today, it is more commonly called the International Award for Young People (IAYP). Its
aim is to motivate young people to become involved in a balanced programme of voluntary self-development activities.
There are 3 levels of the Award – Bronze, Silver & Gold. The minimum period of participation is 6 months for Bronze,
12 months for Silver and 18 months for Gold. Our school has been an active member of the IAYP and a good number of
selected students of Grades 9 & 11 have been presented the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards for this programme. The basic
structure of the Award consists of 4 mandatory sections- Service, Adventurous Journey, Skills and Physical Recreation.
Participants for Gold Awards must undertake a Residential Project in addition.15 students of GSIS are working hard for Gold
Awards, 46 students for Silver Awards and 121 students for Bronze Awards in the academic year 2013 – 2014. Participants
must complete the four mandatory sections to receive an award. The Award’s concept is one of individual challenge, giving
young people a balanced programme of voluntary activities which encourage personal discovery and growth, self-reliance,
perseverance, responsibility and service to their community. Those who participate in this challenging award are expected to
follow its requirements in a non-competitive manner with a determination to succeed, either individually or as part of a team.
Gold aspirants of the IAYP programme during their Residential Project
CREATIVITY, ACTION, SERVICE (CAS)
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) is a component of the IB Diploma Programme. CAS involves students in a range of
activities each week on a regular basis alongside their academic studies throughout the Diploma Programme. A student will be
awarded the International Baccalaureate Diploma only if the student completes the minimum CAS hours.
Creativity: Our students participate in a wide range of activities such as painting, acting, playing music, attending dance classes
and performance, attending music lessons and performance, making class magazines, projects, other group activities that
involve their own sense of original thinking and expression. These are experiences that involve creative thinking, and students
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are active participants in sustained, collaborative projects. Students will become reflective thinkers with responsibilities
towards each other and towards the environment, who are willing to accept new challenges and new roles.
Action: Students participate in a range of challenging and enjoyable activities involving intellectual, physical, creative and
emotional experiences. Students participate in activities such as sports and games, boat pulling, sailing, weightlifting, weightcontrol activities, skating, cycling, mountaineering, yoga and hiking. These actions involve physical exertion contributing to a
healthy lifestyle and also complements their academic work. This will promote lifelong healthy habits related to their physical
well-being.
Service involves a meaningful contribution to the community and society. It is an unpaid and voluntary exchange in which the
rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected. Activities of Interact and Rotaract clubs, services rendered at
orphanages, old age homes and remote tribal villages come under this category. This has learning benefits for the students also.
Through their service activities, students develop and apply personal and social skills in real-life situations involving decisionmaking, problem-solving, taking initiative, responsibility and accountability for their actions.
ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Activities at GSIS are an integral part of our students’ holistic education. Our school activities are designed to supplement
school curriculum and provide additional opportunities for our students to develop strength, stamina, character, various
skills and leadership. As students learn, play, participate in activities and grow together, they discover their interests, talents
and develop values and competencies. They will develop a sense of responsibility towards the school, the community and
the nation and will be prepared for a rapidly-changing world. There are many activities available for students to participate
throughout the school year.
This year was filled with a lot of celebrations which included Republic Day, Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, Onam,
National Hindi Day, Teachers’ Day, Children’s Day, Founder’s Day and our students’ birthdays.
Sea Cadet Corps, Ootacamund Unit
Sea Cadet Corps at GSIS has an enrolled strength of 240 cadets. Mr. Birendra Nath Ghosh, a former Chief Petty Officer of
the Indian Navy, is the Chief SCC Instructor. Boy and girl cadets undergo regular parade training and attend practical classes
on four days every week. They are taught about bands, hitches, semaphore signalling and morse code. 11 SCC cadets attended
a coaching camp at Seamanship School in INS Venduruthy, located inside the Naval Base on Wellington Island at Kochi. The
Defence Services Staff College (Naval Wing), Wellington, gives great support to the Sea Cadet Corps, Ootacamund Unit,
through the permissions granted to the unit to avail the facilities at WTC, Pykara and educational visits to DSSC, Wellington.
SCC Cadets
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Our Sea Cadets undergo watermanship training six times a year at WTC, Pykara. They learn the skills of kayaking, pedaling,
boat pulling and optimist sailing. They are also taught about common sailing terms, parts of the boats and how to rig the sailing
boats.
The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) wing of Good Shepherd International School has set up a model room in its Palada Campus for
miniature scale models of naval ships, submarines and gadgets used by personnel of Indian as well as by the foreign navy. This
superb collection of professional objects and technical scale models that were used for equipping naval ships and instructing
their crew are displayed in the room to illustrate the rich maritime history. The collection contains even 19th century objects
from India as well as such items from England and the United States. The collections also include paintings and photographs
of Indian naval ships, diving helmets, lanterns, ship steering wheel, engine order telegraph, weapons, binoculars, telescopes,
brass sextants, flags, brass globes showing world times, compasses that show directions, carved stern decorations of ships, ship
crests, trophies and naval publications. Miniature models of a scorpène-class submarine, INS Tarangini (a sail training ship for
naval cadets), INS Vikramaditya (a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier with the Indian Navy) and INS Delhi (a large warship
of the Indian Navy that was designed and built in India) are also displayed. The main objective of setting up the ship model room is
to educate our students and create interest among the youth of the nation in naval activities. Our senior girls presented the SCC Sailors’
Hornpipe dance as part of the 38th Founder’s Day celebrations.
Tour of USA, USSRC & NASA Space Camp
Students of GSIS during the tour of NASA Space Camp
A group of 55 students from GSIS with four chaperones attended an overseas educational trip in the United States of America
from 24 May to 8 June 2014. The experience included a tour of the facilities at the United States Space and Rocket Center and
briefings by the NASA employees at USSRC, a visit to the Busch Gardens, Sea World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure,
Epcot Centre and Magic Kingdom in Orlando. This was in addition to the six-day rigorous and fun-filled training time at
USSRC, Huntsville.
This is the seventh consecutive tour of our students to the United States during which they also attended the NASA Space
Camp, Aviation Challenge and Robotics Programmes. Activities at the Space Camp included space simulations, team-building
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exploration activities, astronaut training led by trained and certified educators and question-and-answer sessions with actual
veteran astronauts based on real-life stories and space exploration. The unique adventures, hands-on experience / learning and
exciting student-friendly programmes enriched our students’ education and encouraged their creativity and innovation to be
nurtured and trained as the next generation of space explorers. Students received their Certificates of Accomplishment during
the Graduation Ceremony on the final day at USSRC, Huntsville.
Our students participated in exciting learning adventures at the Space Camp. The tour was quite a memorable one for our
students as it opened up their minds, helped to build teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills, and enabled them to
develop better interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics[STEM]. The programmes will definitely help
them a lot to emerge as responsible global citizens.
Good Shepherd Model United Nations [GSMUN] 2013
The Good Shepherd International School conducted the Model United Nations at our Palada Campus from 24 October to
26 October 2013. It is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events,
topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda. The theme for this year’s GSMUN was ‘Social
Responsibility and Cultural Sensitivity towards Peace and Security’.
The chief guest for the opening ceremony was Mr. François Dabin, Deputy Director, Alliance Française, Chennai. The various
committees that functioned at the GSMUN were Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Economic and Financial
Council, UN Women and Human Rights Council. The participants role-played as delegates representing different countries
in the simulated sessions of committees of the United Nations. The participants researched on a country as delegates and
investigated international issues, debated, deliberated, consulted and then developed solutions to world problems. A position
paper on the detailed scenario of a certain country on one of the topics was submitted by the delegate to the committee; some
of them were approved by the Head of the committee. The GSMUN was a motivational experience as it activated the students’
imagination and creativity to the roles they are inclined to act out.
The Chief Guest for the closing ceremony of GSMUN 2013 was Vice Admiral Verghese Koithara, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
(Retd.). GSMUN is a platform which provides opportunities to practise research, public speaking, teamwork, debating and
writing skills. It also promotes student interest in international relations and related subjects, increase the capacity of students
to engage in problem solving, conflict resolution, research skills, communication skills, compromise and cooperation.
Good Shepherd Model United Nations [GSMUN] 2014
The seventh Good Shepherd Model United Nations was held in the Palada Campus of GSIS from 18 September to 20
September 2014. The theme of the GSMUN 2014 was ‘World Emancipation.’ The GSMUN 2014 was headed by its
Secretary-General, Master Dhruv Rajkumar Kapoor, the Head Boy of the school.
The selected student participants, referred to as delegates, were assigned to different countries and placed in Committees of
the Model UN. The delegates were presented with their assignments in advance along with a list of topics that their committee
will discuss. The inaugural session started with a flag presentation by delegates of all the participant countries. The Chief Guest,
Mr. V. Selvaraj, I.A.S.(Retd), Master Dhruv Rajkumar Kapoor, the Deputy Secretary- General, Mr. Parameshwar Prapann
and the Co-Heads of the Committees addressed the gathering. The delegates were very busy during the three days conducting
research on concerns, formulating their positions and then debating with their fellow delegates in the committee. They made
speeches, discussed several national and international issues, answered questions, debated on resolutions and amendments
and voted for ratification.
The chief guest of the closing ceremony was Mr. C.V. Ranganathan, former Indian diplomat. Master Dhruv Rajkumar
Kapoor delivered his address and Mr. C.V. Ranganathan shared his experiences as a diplomat at the UN and in the Indian
Foreign Service. The Heads of the various committees then presented their reports. The whole exercise was an academic
simulation of the United Nations that involved a lot of research, critical thinking, public speaking and debating, in addition to
teamwork and developing leadership abilities.
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Flag presentation during GSMUN 2014
Music (Western & Indian)
The music department of GSIS offers a rich music curriculum. Students learn traditional music from cultures across the globe,
develop greater coordination and skills through performance with musical instruments.
Our trained Teaching Artists regularly take music classes in a wide variety of Indian and Western musical instruments such as
the sitar, tabla, dholak, flute, tambourine, ghatam, veena, mridangam, violin, viola, recorder, cello, guitar, drum kit, snare drum,
djembe drum, piano, baritone, bugle, clarinet, french horn, keyboard, trumpet, euphonium, xylophone and saxophone. Our
students appear every year for the Trinity College London Theory & Practical Music Examinations. Music classes help to build
life skills and improve the school performance of students.
TCL Practical Music Examinations - November 2013
Trinity College London(TCL) is an international examinations board that has been providing assessments since 1877. With
a rich heritage of academic rigour and a positive, supportive approach to assessment, they provide recognised and respected
qualifications in music at all levels. Trinity College London offers graded examinations for a wide range of instruments and
singing, from the Initial Grade to Grade 8. The Practical Examinations offer the choice and flexibility to allow candidates to
play to their strengths, enabling them to gain recognition for their own unique skills as performers.
The candidate is allowed the practical examination in the instrument of his/her choice. The Piano, Violin, Cello, Viola,
Keyboard, Classical & Plectrum Guitars, Recorder, Drum kit, Snare drum, Trumpet, Xylophone or Baritone are some
of the instruments available for the students’ choice. Our students took the music examinations from the Initial Grade to
Grade 6. Candidates play three (or sometimes four) pieces, and display technical work featuring scales and arpeggios, exercises
or orchestral extracts. They also choose two supporting tests from a selection including sight reading, aural, musical knowledge
and improvising.
175 students took the Practical Examinations in November 2013. 37 students procured Distinction, 98 secured Merit and
34 were awarded Pass certificates.
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Musical performance of students
TCL Theory of Music Examinations - May 2014
GSIS registered 488 students from Grade 1 to Grade 5 for the TCL Theory Examinations in May 2014. 234 students procured
Distinction, 97 secured Merit and 92 were awarded Pass certificates.
Dance
“Dance is a vibration of the spirit that stirs the body to move when music is being played.” - Lar Lubovitch
This is the spirit the students of Good Shepherd International School experience. They get an insight into the different forms
of dance, both national and international. The introduction of Dance as a subject in IB not only mainstreamed Arts into the
regular academics, but also witnessed students enthusiastically taking up the subject at even the Higher Level.
The year 2013-14 saw the Dance Department actively involved in all the events of the school. The children celebrated
Independence Day through various dances, beginning with the traditional invocative dance to Lord Shiva and Parvati, followed
by folk dances representing various states of India, bringing forth the vibrant and colourful culture of the regions. The students
of Middle School performed a patriotic Bollywood song, which was again performed at the Inter School Athletics Festival.
The Indoor function of the Founder’s Day witnessed the Middle School students presenting a dance in Bharatnatyam style
on Goddess Saraswathi. The highlight was the dance drama, ‘Anarkali’, performed by about 46 students in the Kathak form
of dance. The puppet dance of Rajasthan enthralled the audience with the lively music and performance of the students. The
students were exposed to several classical dance forms in the Inter House Dance Competitions conducted for the Middle
School, High School and Higher Secondary School. The students performed Odissi, Kuchipudi, Snake Dance, etc. The
students also choreographed and performed a contemporary dance, which was greatly appreciated by the audience.
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Girls performing during the Founder’s Day celebrations
FIRE SAFETY, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND CRISIS CONTROL
A session on Fire Safety, Disaster Management & Crisis Control
Disasters can result in serious disruption of the functioning of the school community. There is no human being or school or
community or country that is immune to disasters.
The school has identified the general fire precautions that are necessary to safeguard students and staff in case of fire, including
their safe means of escape. Procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of fire. Facilities are available to detect any outbreak
of fire and also to sound the alarm. Staff and students are regularly trained and are familiar with emergency evacuation
procedures. Our school buildings comply with the building regulations enforced by local building-control bodies.
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The staff at all levels are trained in fire-fighting and to extinguish different types of fires. We regularly conduct mock drills
- evacuation and lock down drills - to prepare students and the members of staff to deal with fires and other natural and manmade disasters.
A Safety Committee was set up and its members meet regularly to discuss matters of fire safety and disaster management. Fire
risk assessments are kept up-to-date. Fire precautions are regularly reviewed in detail so that the precautions remain current
and adequate.
The school has two hospitals with two Resident Medical Officers, nurses and equipment to deal with certain medical
emergencies. There is a security team to guard the school premises.
Our training on disaster management and crisis control cover Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Relief and Recovery during
emergencies.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES UPDATE
The school has implemented an Information and Communications Technology [ICT] Certificate Course for students in
Grades 2 to 7 in the Academic Year 2014 – 2015. The school has set up a separate server for this course. The course is affiliated
to the Cambridge University.
Students of Grades 7 to 12 are given Hewlett Packard [HP] laptops complete with backpacks. The new laptops comprise a
14.5 inch screen, 4 GB memory and 500 GB hard disk. The wireless broadband available in the school has a bandwidth of 48
Mbps. Twenty-six more wireless Wi-Fi access points have been installed in the new Higher Secondary School block to provide
wireless coverage to all the classrooms. The two new audio-visual rooms in the Higher Secondary School block also have Wi-Fi
connections. 30 Kindle Fire HD Readers have been installed in the school library for e-reading. The Kindle Fire HD Readers
have access to more than thousand books and 15000 reference books of various subjects.
All the classrooms of the Higher Secondary School block are now ‘Smart Classrooms.’ The normal chalkboard classrooms
have been replaced by ‘Smart Classrooms’ having Smart Boards. ‘Smart classrooms’ use all interactive modules like videos and
presentations and these are visually attractive and appealing methods of teaching students. ‘Smart classrooms’ target audiovisual senses of students and the kinds of visuals available are eye-catching to which the students can easily relate. This is a
blessing to the students of the 21st century who are struggling with the traditional method of teaching in classrooms. Five
heavy-duty network colour printers are now available for students to take printouts of their Internal Assessments. Two new
SONY Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V hyperzoom bridge digital cameras are being used in the Design Technology workshop and
the Visual Arts studio. Sixty Samsung security CCTV cameras have been installed in the new Higher Secondary School block
to monitor the movement and the activities of people. A new movie theatre with a Panasonic projector has been set up in the
Palada Campus Auditorium, to show movies to students.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE
The construction of the new building complex with modern facilities for the Higher Secondary School has been completed
in the Palada Campus. The four floors of this building comprises the Principal’s Secretariat, a modern library, an examination
hall, ‘smart classrooms’, audio-visual rooms, offices, staff rooms, laboratories, language labs and dormitories of the boys
of Grades 11 & 12. The boys’ dormitory has three wings comprising 14 cubicles and 2 recreation rooms. A parking lot is
adjoining to the second floor of this building. A covered bridge connects this building to the non-vegetarian dining hall
and the high school block. The newly-constructed Higher Secondary School block was inaugurated on 9 April 2014 by
Mr. V. Selvaraj, IAS, former Collector of The Nilgiris and Co-Chairman of Board of Governors of Good Shepherd International
School. The construction of four more two-bedroom staff quarters in Annexe II and six more two-bedroom studio apartments
in Annexe III has been completed. Two more basketball courts have also come up in the Palada Campus. A covered walkway
has been built leading to the stationery / textbook and clothing stores. The service station for vehicles at the Palada Campus
has been extended further. The renovation work of the co-curricular block has been completed. New tables have been provided
to all the classes.
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Kindle Fire HD Readers in the school library
The boys’ dormitories in the Fernhill Campus have been renovated with wooden floorings. Eight squash courts, two basketball
courts, two tennis courts, two badminton courts and one volleyball court were constructed in the Good Shepherd Gardens
exclusively for the use of the girls of GSFS.
Good Shepherd International School has completed 37 fruitful years with several milestones. We express our sincere thanks
and heartfelt gratitude to all our students, parents, guardians, teachers and well-wishers of our school without whose help
we would not have been in a position to maintain a high standard of education and discipline in our school. We take this
opportunity to commit ourselves to do our best to serve the student community through quality education. We thank the
Almighty Lord for all the blessings rendered to us.
Dr. P.C. Thomas
Principal
“A rising tide doesn’t raise people who don’t have a boat. We have to build the boat for them. We have to give them the
basic infrastructure to rise with the tide.”
- Rahul Gandhi
“Education in India has made monumental progress since Independence but continues to face daunting challenges
at multiple levels, particularly in terms of quality, infrastructure and dropout rates. We have islands of excellence
floating in a sea of mediocrity.”
- Shashi Tharoor
“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”
- Carl Rogers
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A Military Honour bestowed on GSIS
Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, presenting the Commandant’s Banner to
Dr. P.C. Thomas, Principal, Good Shepherd International School
Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, Commandant, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, presented
the Commandant’s Banner to Dr. P.C. Thomas, Principal, Good Shepherd International School, during the Investiture
Ceremony held at the Palada Campus on Saturday, 21 February 2015. The honour was conferred on GSIS as a mark of
appreciation to the school.
Although it is a common practice in countries like the United Kingdom for Army, Navy or Air Force units to affiliate with
civilian establishments, it is the first time in India that a school had been bestowed with this rare honour. The ceremony
consisted of reading, signing and exchanging of affiliation charters and flags/banners by the Commandant, Lieutenant
General Sunil Kumar Gadeock and the Principal Dr. P. C. Thomas.
This charter of affiliation will foster greater synergy in the spirit of jointmanship, harmony and understanding of each other’s
potential, ethos, traditions and culture. It paves the way for successive Commandants of DSSC to visit GSIS and speak at
forums to staff and students on diverse subjects. It enables Indian and foreign officers and their families to visit the school
giving the institution more visibility and recognition on the international stage. Students, in turn will be able to visit the DSSC
and attend functions and lectures of eminent personalities who visit the college and they will be able to benefit from such talks.
In the event of natural disasters and calamities, there is a strong, well-organised and trained force, which will definitely respond
in the spirit of this affiliation.
The students, staff and parents watched on with great pride as the Commandant’s banner was presented.
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The Commandant’s Banner
Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM,
congratulating the Principal, Dr. P.C. Thomas
38th Founder’s Day Celebrations:
An inspiring trip down memory lane
“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.” - James Cash Penney
15 October 2014
The Guests and other Invitees attending the evening function
The Girls entertaining parents and guardians with melodious
renditions
The School Choir singing ‘Africa’, a popular song of the rock band
Toto
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The people who were around thirty-eight years ago would utter a gasp of surprise on watching the shows that were put up on
the 15th and 16th of October 2014. Right from the musical presentations that reverberated through the auditorium on the
15th of October to the school anthem that was sung with gusto by every Shepherdian in the stadium on the 16th of October,
there seemed to be an attempt to move towards perfection and thus grow from strength to strength.
This year, the Chief Guest of both the evening and morning programmes was Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock,
Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, who was accompanied by his gracious wife, Mrs. Sonalika
Gadeock. They were ceremoniously greeted by a musical fanfare as they stepped into the beautifully-decorated auditorium.
True to tradition, the school choir comprising students of Grades 7 to 11 sang the school song and the school prayer song.
More music, but now music of a kind never heard before in the auditorium soothed the ears of all present: the students of the
junior school were part of the Angklung Ensemble, playing a unique instrument (an Indonesian one) mellifluously and in
unison. The hit single Africa by the rock band Toto was sung by the school choir soon after.
‘The Child is the Father of Man’: this was proved once again by the choir of the Junior School. Three pieces full of depth and
meaning were presented by its members. They spread the message of the power of unity by singing the number ‘What kind of
music does a rainbow make?’ They also sang the theme song ‘Scooby Doo’. The students of Grades 5 and 6 presented a feettapping and enjoyable musical performance.
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The Symphony Band playing a variety of popular songs
Students of Grade 4 playing the Angklung
The Junior School Choir singing songs
Students from Grades 1 to 3 singing with selected percussion
instruments
The Pooja Dance
The Chief Guest, Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeock, AVSM, and
Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock along with the Principal and
the Senior Vice Principal
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The Principal, Dr. P. C. Thomas, delivered the Welcome Address in the manner of a true hospitable host. All present felt happy
and warm by his gesture. This was followed by the address of the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock,
who not only praised the students for bringing out their best during the show but also praised the parents for having made the
right decision of enrolling their children in this school which offers a plethora of opportunities for nurturing one’s talents and
developing as a multi-faceted character. Our Senior Vice President, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, expressed her gratitude to the
Chief Guest, his wife, all the parents, the members of the Board of Governors, guardians, the members of the press and all the
other well-wishers of the school who had graced the occasion.
The senior students, part of the Jazz Band put their talents together to produce great music. They played ‘Funkytown’ a song
composed by Steven Greenberg, ‘What A Wonderful World’ composed by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss and ‘Don’t
Know Why’ written by Jesse Harris. In the case of the last rendition, the melodious vocal presentation was rendered by
Sasinathaya Aphichatphokhin of Grade 11.
The next on the programme list was the Sailors’ Hornpipe dance. It was originally danced to the Celtic instrument, the hornpipe.
Our girls danced this Irish, Scottish and English dance, based on movements suggested by nautical duties like hauling of ropes,
rowing, climbing, rigging and saluting.
Now it was the turn of the Middle School to ‘show off ’. They sang and played various pieces of music. ‘El Cumbanchero’ was
sung by the boys of Grade 7. The boys of Grade 8 had quite a different song to render: it was ‘The Concert Etiquette Rap’.
Students of Grades 7 and 8 then sang ‘We are the Music’ composed by Carl Strommen. The final number by the Middle School
was ‘Bambaramba tumba’ an African song sung to the accompaniment of African percussion instruments.
Welcome Address by the Principal
The Chief Guest, Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeock, AVSM, speaking on the
Occasion
The String Orchestra playing songs
Grade 8 boys presenting ‘The Concert Etiquette Rap’
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Girls presenting the Sailors’ Hornpipe Dance
Grade 7 Boys singing ‘Rockfort Rock’
Boys and Girls performing Manipuri Dance
The Middle School Choir singing a medley of songs
Junior School: ‘The Light and Dark presentation’
The School Choir singing the medley ‘A Tribute to Queen’
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Dinner for parents, guardians & guests in the School Dining Hall
The audience was then able to not merely listen to mellifluous music but also to feast their eyes on various dances. The first was
a rasalila, depicting the relationship of Radha and Krishna danced in the Manipuri style. Along with this was the Pung Cholom,
performed by Manipuri men playing a percussion instrument called the pung or the Manipuri mridanga. The modulation
of sounds from a soft whisper to a thunderous crescendo was accompanied by the interplay of intricate rhythms and cross
rhythms with graceful and vigorous body movements.
The Western Music Ensemble was played by the musicians playing the string instruments. They played a variety of music
starting with Allegretto and Andantino followed by Minuet 3 composed by Bach and ‘Lightly Row’, a folk song composed by
Shinichi Suzuki.
Then came the programme that all had been waiting for: the hand mime. The students of Grades 5 and 6 put up a great
performance conveying many a social issue. This was symbolically accompanied by the song ‘How Great Thou Art’ portraying
the greatness of God’s creation and his unconditional love for mankind.
The school choir came together again. However before singing the school anthem they provided music to linger in the minds
of the audience by their rendition of a medley from ‘A Tribute to Queen’. The songs that were included in the medley were
‘We will rock you’, ‘Another one bites the dust’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We are the Champions’. On that appropriate note,
the champions that they proved themselves to be, the Shepherdians bid farewell to the guests who had come to witness the
spectacular show put up to commemorate the school’s Founder’s Day.
16 October 2014
“It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition.”
- Henry James
Inspection of the Guard of Honour
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The Equestrian Contingent
For thirty-seven years, Good Shepherd International School has been moving towards the establishing of a tradition, the
tradition of showcasing the talents of every one of her students to their parents, guardians, well-wishers and dignitaries from
all walks of life. 15th October 2014 saw the Shepherdians creating a pageant on stage and 16th October 2014 was the day of
the outdoor celebration of the Founder’s Day.
The Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, Commandant, Defence Services Staff College,
Wellington was greeted by the General Salute. This was followed by his Inspection of the Guard of Honour. The March Past of
the Sea Cadet Corps, the Four Houses, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter accompanied by the Brass and the Pipe Bands
playing ‘Giri raj’, ‘Kadam Kadam Bdhayeja’, ‘So Sweet to trust in Jesus’, ‘Portree Boys’, ‘Hanste Lushai’ and ‘Bharat Ke Jawan’.
The traditional Band Display, with the band members forming the Globe, the Parachute and playing a wide range of music from
the tune ‘Swagatham’, ‘Congratulations and Celebrations’, ‘Hai Apna Dil To Awara’ to ‘Sky Gathering’ and ‘Brahmaputra’. This
year the much-loved Drummers’ Call were interspersed between the band formations and were played in two different ways.
March Past of the Senior Pipe Band
The grand exit of the bands, following the traditional hymn ‘Abide With Me’, was accompanied by the patriotic number
‘Saré Jahan Se Achha’. The loud round of applause and cheer that went after a lull revealed how engrossed and enthralled
in the show the audience had been. Needless to say, the parents who saw their children perform beamed with pride and
satisfaction. Overhang rappelling, overhang jumaring, flying rappelling rope traverse and rescue operations comprised the
main mountaineering skills that were demonstrated by Shepherdians of all ages. They were so daring that while traversing on
a rope, they opened a bottle of soft drinks and took a sip, casually and unperturbed. Indeed they represented the Shepherdian
spirit of adventure and quest for the unknown.
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March Past of the Senior Brass Band
While the young mountaineers were exiting, the young gymnasts were entering the ground. The students from Middle School,
High School and Higher Secondary School performed the Pyramid Show, Floor Exercises, the Human Pyramid, the Vaulting
Horse, Straight Dives, Cross Dives, Hollow-back Dives, Cross Dives over Split, the Fire Ring dive and the Fire Bar dive. As the
exercises became increasingly challenging, the gasps from the audience became louder. The breathtaking stunts came to an end
and the gymnasts were appreciated by a thunderous applause.
During these moments of excitement, our Founder-Principal, Dr. P. C. Thomas met the Old Shepherdians who had come back
to their alma mater with fond memories to experience moments of mixed feeling and nostalgia.
There was a sea change of atmosphere as the students of the Indian Music Department played a variety of classical tunes: it
commenced with a Sanskrit Prayer; this was followed by a ‘Pancharatna Kriti’; ‘Vatapi Ganapathim’ and ‘Himagiri Tanayé’
were played next; the ensemble of the percussion instruments was played, in the typical Carnatic music style, in the middle
of a popular kirtana; on this day it was ‘Nagumo Mogalavani’. The instruments played were as varied as the tunes were. The
ensemble included the veena, mridangam, tabla, congo drums, chenda, dholak, ghatam, maracas, cabasa, tambourine and a
couple of others.
Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeock, AVSM, taking salute from the various
contingents
The Chief Guest, Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeock, AVSM, and
Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock along with the Principal and the
Senior Vice Principal
… he did not feel the ground under his feet
he threw himself into the breach, rose high
in the air, forelegs and hindlegs horizontal.
he sailed above the ground, his head high
in exhilaration, conquering all before him.
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Band Display by the students of GSIS
What have we here? A contingent of horses, greeting the audience with their nodding heads, cantering around the entire
stadium and then finally, jumping over hurdles and obstacles. The talented students who rode the horses displayed the poise
and decorum that was in keeping with that of professional show jumpers. As they rode out of the athletic track, the viewers
wished that they too had been riding, cantering, galloping and jumping with these beautiful beasts.
The equestrian show was soon followed by the formal welcome address. The guests were welcomed formally by none other
than our Principal, Dr. P. C. Thomas. This was followed by the prize distribution. The coveted Elsamma Thomas Gold medal
2014 was awarded to the toppers of the ISC - Science, ISC - Commerce and the IB Diploma examinations. A total of six
students were awarded the medal. Nine students of Grade 11 were given scholarships for having performed excellently in the
Parents, guardians and other invitees seated in the pavilion
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School Band: Band Display in progress
Band Display
Aerobics Presentation by the students of the Junior School
Students display the technique of jumaring
Gymnastics event in progress
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The Indian Music Ensemble
A young horse-rider performing show jumping
The Equestrian Team
Boys playing the Djembe drums
The Old Shepherdians with the Principal, Senior Vice President
& Vice President of GSIS
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The Chief Guest, Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeock, AVSM, and
Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock along with the Principal and the
Senior Vice President
Lt. Gen. S.K. Gadeock, AVSM, addressing students, staff,
parents, guardians and other invitees
Prize distribution
Winter House with the Cock House Shield
ICSE and the IGCSE examinations. The trophies for excellence in academics and co-curricular activities were distributed to
the four houses. Finally, the Cock-House Shield for the year 2014 was presented. The Winterians carried the trophy high in
all pride and contentment: it had been a year of fruitful perseverance and team work!
Now it was the turn of the Chief Guest to address the gathering. The Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock,
AVSM, Commandant, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, was full of praise for the school and its infrastructure and the
discipline that the students were imbibing. His speech, with its wonderful words of appreciation, overwhelmed the audience.
The Senior Vice President, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, expressed her gratitude to all who had taken their time off to encourage the
students. She also thanked all who had played an important role in ensuring the success of the programme. The programme
came to a close with the school anthem.
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Swearing-in Ceremony of the New Prefects’ Council
Members of the new Prefects’ Council taking their Oath
The Investiture Ceremony of the new Prefects’ Council was held on Saturday, 21 February 2015, in the Palada Campus.
The programme began with the bugle call to welcome the Chief Guest Mr. Tyler Smith, Senior Vice President (Asia), Trinity
College, London. The Pipe Band filled the green hills and the cloudless blue skies with melody as they led the Guard of Honour
in the inspection of the four houses, two bands and the Sea Cadet Corps.
The school choir led the gathering in the school song and the school prayer song, while the outgoing Head Girl, Meetali Gupta,
led the school in prayer. The Investiture Ceremony followed with the Slow March of the Prefects. The Director of Activities,
Mr. Ajith. P. Jacob administered the Oath of Office to the new elected prefects and the Principal Dr. P. C. Thomas welcomed
the gathering. The Chief Guest along with the Principal and the Guest of Honour Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock conferred
the titles and badges on the prefects as their parents watched on with pride.
In his address to the students, Mr. Tyler Smith spoke about the responsibilities that go along with leadership and the
opportunities it will bring to broaden their horizons. The air was charged with emotions as the former prefects were on the
threshold of their lives once again, handing over their posts to their successors. The programme came to a close with the School
Anthem.
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The SCC, School Bands and the four Houses assembled on the ground
Inspection of the Guard of Honour
The Chief Guest Mr. Tyler Smith inspecting the Guard of Honour
March past of the Sea Cadet Corps
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The new School Captain and the House Captains carrying their
flags
Slow March of the new Prefects’ Council
The Chief Guest, Mr. Tyler Smith, presenting Certificates to the
new Prefects
Address by the Chief Guest
Lieutenant General Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, addressing
the parents, guardians, staff & students
The Commandant’s Banner being presented to Good Shepherd
International School
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The Chief Guest, Mr. Tyler Smith, and Lieutenant General Sunil
Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, with the Principal and the
Senior Vice Principal
The Senior Vice Principal, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, expressing
Gratitude
View of the spectators attending the morning function held in the open-air stadium
“The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”
“Never tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”
“In the end, it’s not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away.”
- Shing Xiong
“When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.”
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”
- Jimi Hendrix
“A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see.”
- Leroy Eimes
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Following their Passions and Dreams!
“Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of
your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference.” - Arie Pencovici
Graduating students of 2015
Graduation Day is a great time to celebrate, to relieve oneself from the marathon of studies, to be content with what one has
achieved and to look towards the future to be a better person in life and contribute towards your family and the society with all
the skills you have learned and acquired over the years.
On the 21st of February, 2015, the teachers, parents and students of class 12, batch of 2014-2015 assembled to celebrate an
occasion of an end and of a beginning; the end of a safely supervised school life and a beginning of a life in the “real world.”
Everyone present in the assembly felt equally enriched and advantaged by the remarkable journey that had been.
The Vice Principal (Academics), Mrs. Sheila Alexander and the Higher Secondary Coordinator, Mrs. Vimala Rani Jacob,
began the proceedings with the Ceremonial March, by leading the train of students of the graduation batch. The graduation
lamp was lit to mark the carrying away of the light of knowledge that the students had assembled at the school; to illuminate
the worlds that they will touch. The school choir did soulfully scaffold the sentiment in a song, following the school song and
the school prayer song. The ceremony’s invocation speech was delivered by Sonakshi Senthil (Grade XII).
The Vice Principal (Academics), Mrs. Sheila Alexander gave the welcome address and greeted the guests and parents to the
ceremony. The farewell address to the graduation batch was given by Adil Asif Thara (Grade XI) and the reply to the address
was delivered by Tisha Pradyumanbhai Patel (Grade XII). The outgoing Head Boy, Master Dhruv Rajkumar Kapoor
(Grade XII) took the Graduation Oath for his batch. The Chief Guest for the ceremony, the Senior Vice President (Asia),
Trinity College London, Mr. Tyler Smith wished the students luck in life and urged them to wisely handle the freedom
that awaits them. He implored them to strike a balance between the social obligations they are bestowed with, alongside
following their hearts. He also carried the blessings of the Principal, Dr. P. C. Thomas and Senior Vice Principal, Mrs.
Elsamma Thomas in his speech and presented the worthy students of the outgoing batch with Graduation certificates and
awards. Unforgettable memories of joys and anxieties, of sharing and of pride were shared by the parents during the musical
presentations and the Anklung Presentation of the song, “You Raise Me Up.”
The Graduation Lamp was lit, followed by the singing of the graduation batch Song, “Time to Say Goodbye” and the hymn
“Pass It On.” Bravely the teachers set sail the ocean liners that the school faculty had built; of the sailboats that came in their
care, instructing them dearly in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where
there is no path and leave a trail.”
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Graduating students of Grade 12
Arrival of the Chief Guest, Mr. Tyler Smith
Mr. Tyler Smith along with the Members of the Board of
Governors of GSIS
The Chief Guest, Mr. Tyler Smith, addressing the graduates,
parents and guardians
Lighting of the Graduation Lamp
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A step towards Space Exploration
“I am really hopeful about the future of space exploration and human spaceflight. Civilization as we know it has been
defined by exploration. You know, we need to go off and find out what's around the next corner and what's just beyond what
we already know. It's part of our being; it's part of our moral fiber to go off and explore.”
- Alan G. Poindexter
The Shepherdians who have attended the Space Camp programme
With the Voyagers 1 and 2 having crossed billions of miles in the interstellar space beaming back to earth the uncharted
courses of our galaxy and beyond, our Shepherdians have been excited and ever curious to know and understand further
the science of space flights and space exploration. The successful launch of the Chandrayaan Mission and the Mars Orbiter
Mission (Mangalyaan) by our dedicated team of scientists at the Indian Space Research Organization has also inspired our
students to look into the fascinating expanse of the starry world and the magnificence of man’s imagination to experience
newer galaxies and thoughts.
For the seventh consecutive year, our students embarked on the journey to the United States Space and Rocket Center,
Huntsville, Alabama, USA to be part of Space Camp to enhance their understanding of space pioneers, scientists, astronauts,
discoveries, accomplishments and the future of space exploration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the
USA supports and encourages children internationally to undergo training to stretch their imagination and think beyond our
world.
Of the 55 students (36 boys and 19 girls), 18 were part of the Space Camp, the Space Academy and the Advanced Space
Academy programmes, 34 attended Aviation Challenge Mach II and Mach III programmes and 3 pioneered GSIS participation
at the Space Camp Robotics which was launched at USSRC, Huntsville in 2013.
Prior to the arrival at USSRC, Huntsville, our school group was graciously hosted by the Rotary Club of Decatur to a pizza
and ice cream social party on the lawns and courtyard of the beautiful home of Rotarian Yash Awasthi and his family Mrs.
Viveka Awasthi and children Ketan and Saisha. The students and the chaperones were greeted by the dignitaries, officials and
members of the Rotary Club of Decatur. The interaction was definitely a valuable cultural experience and it was a warm climate
of friendship. The students were happy to gift their souvenirs to their newly- acquired friends at the Rotary Club of Decatur.
The team reached Space Camp USSRC, Huntsville, Alabama on Sunday, 25 May and spent 6 days undergoing an excellent
training session involving varied hands-on educational activities that give a new meaning to many Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math concepts besides strengthening teamwork, leadership and decision-making skills with élan and
confidence. The teams graduated on Friday, 30 May with each participant having been awarded their course completion
certificate. Special Awards were also presented to our students at this time.
During the course, the Space Camp participants underwent training in Space Mission, Mars Mission, History of Space
Exploration, Experiments on International Space Station, Astronaut Simulators like the 1/6th gravity chair, the Manned
Manoeuvring Unit (MMU), the Multi Axis Trainer (MAT) etc., Rocket Construction and Launch and many more. During
the five-night program, the trainees were able to understand the mental and physical demands for astronauts, engineers and
technologists. The buoyancy of water provided the environment for microgravity exercises in the Underwater Astronaut
Trainer, while the Multi-Axis Trainer and 1/6th gravity chair further challenged their balance and movement. Area 51 brought
out the teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills of each and every participant.
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Sea World at Orlando
Islands of Adventure
Busch Gardens, an amusement park in Tampa
Universal Studios, one of Hollywood’s largest film studios
Students attending training programmes at the Space camp
The Aviation Challenge participants were engaged in simulated, realistic combat scenarios and hands-on activities to gain an
understanding of the basics of flight physiology, aerodynamics and wilderness survival. They got the opportunity to experience
the 150-ft zip line to simulate parachute water landing and escape. Another very enjoyable activity was the head-to-head
simulated fighter pilot game - the ultimate Top Gun competition. Participants at the Robotics Camp had a very interesting
time with the capabilities and possibilities of Robots in Space Exploration and daily life. All got the opportunity to get an
astronaut’s view of Earth and Space while watching amazing films in the IMAX® Spacedome Theater and Digital Theater.
From Sunday, 1 June to Friday, 6 June the school group had a fun and entertainment time visiting Busch Gardens, Sea World,
Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Epcot Centre and Magic Kingdom. The roller coaster rides, the exhibitions, the safaris,
the fauna and the flora parks just magnificently widened the horizon of knowledge and possibilities in the evolving minds of
the school group. Cheers to such an inspirational, educational and fun-filled trip to the US!
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Collaborative sessions mark the onset of the new Academic Term
The Principal Dr. P.C. Thomas addressing the faculty members
Mr. Sridhar Balan giving a talk on ‘Reading’
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” - Plato
Orientation is the process of introducing the faculty members to their work and work environments and it provides a smooth
transition into the workplace and opportunity to become more accustomed to their departments, colleagues and work
expectations. The programme will make them more knowledgeable and better prepared as it helps them to learn much of what
they need to know to do their jobs before they actually start working. The new term commenced with a fresh perspective for
the Good Shepherd family. 20th January, 2015 marked the onset of the three-day staff orientation programme. The rejuvenated
faculty entered the new academic term with enthusiasm and geared up for the term ahead with a series of professional
development sessions.
Mr. Sridhar Balan, a columnist at The Hindu, The Economic Times, The Indian Express and The Financial Express and a
former faculty member of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, set the ball
rolling with his enlightening talk on the appreciation of ‘Reading.’ He shared how reading is a personal, private and an intimate
activity. He shed light on how reading at home strengthens the family bonds and gives the child a taste of reading at a very early
age. His suggestions included the DEAR Programme, an acronym for ‘Drop Everything And Read’, which can be taken up by
the School community as a whole to bring in the lost art of reading amongst the students. The later sessions had a presentation
on various class activities, the library period and creating a Reader’s Report. The session was informative and received, with
much appreciation, by the teaching community.
The afternoon session was a quick recap of the previous phases of Smart Classroom by Mr. Karthik. This was a progression to
the next level of Smart Classroom teaching that can be used to aid and enhance instruction of a course.
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The morning session on the 21st January, 2015, was taken by Mr. Srikumar Sikkari on Disaster Management and Crisis
Control. All the latest developments in the arena of disaster management were intimated to the faculty members. The talk was
followed by a mock drill exercise to equip the faculty members to face any unforeseen situations that may arise in the campus,
like that of the presence of an intruder.
The all-staff meeting was presided by the Vice Principal (Academics), Mrs. Sheila Alexander. The meeting commenced
with a hymn to the Almighty thanking Him for His blessings, grace and protection. Mrs. Sheila Alexander announced the
various external diagnostic tests, the board examination dates and also the various co-curricular activities scheduled for the
new term. She stressed on the need for accountability and total commitment to the role each one plays in the school.
The Principal, Dr. P. C. Thomas, in his address to the staff, welcomed all present to the new academic term and conveyed his
pleasure at the excellent board examination results and the progress of the school. He updated all the members of staff about
the new infrastructural additions to the school and the presentation of ‘Banner of Commandant’ by DSSC, Wellington to the
School.
The last phase of the Orientation Programme was the department-wise sessions on Smart classes. The lesson plans developed
by the teachers were reviewed by Mr. T. Suresh, Coordinator, Curriculum & Professional Development and Mr. Karthik
and one-to-one feedback was given. The school community winded up its professional development sessions with passion,
feeling valued and acclimatized towards the culture of the organization.
“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks
extraordinary results.” - Wade Boggs
Good Shepherd Model United Nations:
Adding Values and Expanding Visions
Inaugural Session of GSMUN 2014
Flag Presentation by the delegates
The Chief Guest of the inaugural session,
Mr. V. Selvaraj, IAS (Retd.), addressing the delegates
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The United Nations came into existence on October 24, 1945, after 29 nations had ratified the Charter for its formation. It
was a monumental milestone in the trajectory of post-World War 2 developments, and a significant historic event in which a
consensus had been reached as to the supreme value of the human individual, a human and humane value that did not originate
in the decision of a worldly power, but rather in the truth of human presence on the planet, calling for us to be poised at the
apogee of having striven for the greatest good, in quest of the highest ideals of life - which gave rise to the inalienable right to
live free from want and oppression and to fully develop one’s character and personality. The genesis of such an august initiative
created an atmosphere of genuine solidarity and brotherhood among men and women from all latitudes, one that was, till then,
unmatched in the course of human evolution.
The name “United Nations” was coined by United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and first used in the Declaration
by the United Nations on 1st January 1942. This was during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged
their governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers of Germany, Japan, and Italy.
In light of the flavour exuded from such a multipurpose international organization, worldwide in scope and membership, it is
apt for educational institutions to model, reflect, and practise the ideals declared by the United Nations. GSIS is thus worthy
of enacting these attributes as a projection of its international identity, and as a propagation of human goodness in action, ergo
the ‘good shepherd’ ethic.
The Secretary-General, Master Dhruv Rajkumar Kapoor,
addressing the students and the staff
The Chief Guest of the inaugural session, Mr. V. Selvaraj, IAS
(Retd.), along with the Principal and the Senior Vice Principal
The Chief Guest of the closing ceremony, Mr. C.V. Ranganathan,
IFS (Retd.), along with the Senior Vice Principal &
Vice Principals
Mr. C.V. Ranganathan, IFS (Retd.), addressing the delegates
The recent Good Shepherd Model United Nations, also known as GSMUN, was held at Palada Campus from 18th till 20th
September 2014. It featured students architecting the core scenarios and structures of the United Nations. The interactions
portrayed the commonly practised regimes of the UN, and exhibited a repertoire of skills that addressed themes such as
oratory, dialogue, negotiation, arbitration, perceptions and perspectives, diplomacy, conflict management and resolution, and
international relations, all within the parameters of the UN modus operandi.
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The theme of this year’s GSMUN was ‘World Emancipation.’
The prime elements in the Cast of Characters were:
The Secretary-General of GSMUN 2014: Master Dhruv Rajkumar Kapoor, the Head Boy of the school
The Deputy Secretary-General:
Master Parameshwar Prapann
The Head of Press Corps:
Ms. Meetali Gupta
The session was inaugurated with a flag presentation by the students of the Middle School, acting as delegates of the participating
countries.
After the Nazi barbarism in Europe, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 4) guaranteed that ‘No one shall
be held in slavery or servitude, slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.” This triggered the consciences
and consciousnesses of many people in the direction of universal emancipation in every good sense of the expression.
The Chairs & the Co-Chairs of GSMUN 2014
Model Security Council in session
Model Human Rights Council
The selection of this year’s theme is apt, and crucial, because slavery is not dead. It continues to be reported in a wide range
of forms: traditional chattel slavery, bonded labour, serfdom, child labour, migrant labour, domestic labour, forced labour and
slavery for ritual or religious purposes. Furthermore, slavery is inherent in all ruling class societies, in all elitist, social “cultures”
and “civilisations”, that systematically exploit mutilated Nature and subjugated Man, that politically dominate and socially
discriminate both, that ... like in the genocidal massacres of Fallujah, My Lai, Sharpeville, Guernica, Oradour, Babij Jar, Katyn,
Lidice, Vorkuta, Auschwitz, Treblinka, and numerous other such heinous examples ... annihilate Mankind, Humanity itself.
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Thus, in view of the preceding observations, GSIS has served a cause of great worth and value via the agency of GSMUN. A
‘world emancipation’ proclamation rings true to the stainless values nurtured and nourished at GSIS.
The dignitaries, and prime actors and factors within the event, were as follows:
The Chief Guest, Mr. V. Selvaraj, I.A.S.(Retd), the Secretary-General, Master Dhruv Rajkumar Kapoor, the Deputy
Secretary-General, Mr. Parameshwar Prapann and the Co-Heads of the Committees addressed the gathering. A video
presentation highlighted the events of the GSMUN 2013.
The selected student delegates were assigned different countries and placed in Committees of the Model UN. The Committees
of the GSMUN simulated a variety of UN bodies and organisations such as the Security Council, the Economic and Financial
Committee, the Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
[UNESCO], the United Nations-Women and the Human Rights Council. Each Committee was headed by a chairperson who
led the delegates in discussions and debates according to the codes of conduct and procedure. The following students took
over the duties of the UN Committees:
Model Economic and Financial Committee
Model Economic and Social Council
Model United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization
Model UN – Women
Security Council
President
: Ms. Sonakshi Senthil
Vice President : Ms. Suravi Ray
Rapporteur
: Master Sherwyn Kalyan
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Economic and Social Council
Chairperson
: Master Denny K. Alexander
Co-Chairperson : Ms. Krishnica Mittal
Rapporteurs
: Master David Fredy Paul
Ms. Deepika Sivasamy Marappan
Economic and Financial Committee
Chairperson
: Master Ganesan Senthil
Co-Chairperson : Ms. Avishi Sureka
Rapporteurs
: Master Joseph Leander R.
Ms. Mohika Praveen Tainwala
Human Rights Council
Chairperson
: Ms. Gayathry Vidya
Co-Chairperson : Master Uday Kumar Kaki
Rapporteur
: Master Parth S. Bansal
United Nations - Women
Chairperson
: Ms. Anjali Sabu Nair
Co-Chairperson : Master Ashish Kalash
Rapporteur
: Master Ammar Yasir Nainar
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Chairperson
: Master Siddharth Deravariya
Co-Chairperson : Ms. Grishma Nileshbhai Bhanderi
Rapporteurs
: Ms. Manvika Chouta
Master Dhruv Garg
The delegates were presented with their assignments along with a list of topics that their committee would deliberate on in
advance:
Security Council
1. The Israel-Palestine Conflict
2. The measures to contain and avoid Civil Wars
3. The protection of UN establishments and personnel
Economic and Social Council
1. The Economic revival and prosperity in post-conflict countries
2. Expanding water preservation/conservation, security and its distribution in LEDCs (Less Economically Developed
Countries)
3. Emergency Humanitarian Assistance in times of epidemic outbreak and natural disasters
Economic and Financial Committee
1. Measures to contain shadow economies
2. Poverty-Reduction Strategies
3. Debt-relief for countries in need
Human Rights Council
1. Measures to rehabilitate IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and strengthen refugee rights
2. Extreme judicial punishments (Reviewing Juvenile Justice Systems)
3. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBT)
4. Right to sanitation and health care in LEDCs
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United Nations - Women
1. Exploitation of women and children in conflict-related areas
2. Leadership and job opportunities (literacy rate, income inequality, etc.)
3. Combating sex tourism and commercial sex market
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
1. Conserving cultural diversity and world heritage sites
2. Formulating strategies to educate and empower the youth for an egalitarian society
3. Promotion of Science and Natural Resource management
The delegates actively debated during the three days, conducted research on various concerns, formulating their positions and
then debating with their fellow delegates in the committee. They plotted strategies, negotiated with the other members, raised
their placards and sought the permission of the Heads of their Committees to speak. They moved motions and requested their
committees to make amendments and to pass resolutions. They delivered speeches, discussed several national and international
issues, answered questions, debated on resolutions and amendments and voted for ratification. The debates followed a
Mr. C.V. Ranganathan, IFS (Retd.), and his wife along with Members of the Academic Council, the Chairs &
the Co-Chairs of GSMUN 2014
procedure with formal introductions, proposed resolutions and voted on various solutions. The sessions of the committees
were led by the Chairs and the Co-Chairs. The students of the High School and Higher Secondary School participated in the
GSMUN.
All good things, including GSMUN 2014, will come to an end. The Chief Guest of the closing ceremony was
Mr. C.V. Ranganathan, a former Indian diplomat. Ms. Meetali Gupta, Head of Press Corps, welcomed the gathering. Master
Dhruv Rajkumar Kapoor delivered his closing address and Mr. C.V. Ranganathan shared his experiences as a diplomat at
the UN and in the Indian Foreign Service. The Heads of the various Committees then presented their reports. The students
also presented a musical interlude. A video presentation showed highlights of GSMUN 2014. Mr. Ajith P. Jacob, Director of
Activities, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the school and the programme ended with the School Anthem.
The event was an academic simulation of the United Nations, a cognitive stimulation that involved much research, critical
thinking, public speaking and debating. The experience was exciting and rewarding, one which demonstrated admirable
teamwork, leadership, scholarship, and fellowship.
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12th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival 2014
March past of the athletes
Good Shepherd International School hosted the 12th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival on Saturday, 23 August 2014.
The one-day sports event organized by Good Shepherd International School enabled the athletes from 15 schools in the
Nilgiris to bring out their best. The event attracted over 600 athletes from schools such as Braeside School, Crescent Castle
Matriculation School, Crescent Castle Public School, Cliff Rock Creative School, Gurukulam Matriculation School, JSS
International School, Nazareth Convent High School, Nilgiris Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Oxford International
School, Rex Senior Higher Secondary School, Riverside Public School, Woodside School, The Lawrence School, Hebron
School and Good Shepherd International School.
The day began with the arrival of the participating schools. The Athletic Meet embarked with an extraordinary Opening
Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Dr. P. Sankar, IAS, Collector of the Nilgiris district, was the Guest of Honour and he hoisted the
Athletic Festival Flag. The athletic events were preluded with a well-coordinated march past led by the GSIS Brass and Pipe
Bands followed by the Mounted Guards and the participating school contingents, all marching in harmony to the beats of the
band. Selected athletes of different schools lighted the Athletic Festival Torch following the Athletic Torch relay. Dr. Sankar
addressed the participants and proclaimed the Athletic Festival open in the presence of Dr. P.C. Thomas, Principal of GSIS,
and Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Senior Vice Principal of GSIS. He eulogized the Principal for hosting such a fascinating Athletic
Meet of such splendor and systematic arrangement. He then administered the Athletic Festival pledge to the participants. In
sync with the motto of the meet – ‘Participate, Appreciate & Celebrate’, our Primary School students staged a cultural dance
which was followed by the Sailors’ hornpipe dance executed by Grades VIII, IX & X girls. Mr. Ajith P. Jacob, Director of
Activities, delivered the Expression of Gratitude.
The students participated in several track and field events such as 100m race, 200m race, 400m race, 800m race, 1500m race,
4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, shot put, discus throw, long jump and high jump showcasing their strength, stamina, speed,
agility, determination, skill and spirit. The last events were the 4x100 m relay races. The students who won the first, second
and third places in each event were awarded certificates and medals. The event saw multiple records broken. Master Denny
K. Alexander, a Grade 12 student of GSIS, heaved the discus to a new distance of 33.01m in the Super Senior boys’ section,
surpassing the previous best of 30.80m set in 2004.
At the exaugural function, Mrs. Sheila Alexander, Vice Principal (Academics), proposed the vote of thanks. She
acknowledged and appreciated the hard work put in by the students, educators and trainers. The Athletic Meet culminated with
the National Anthem and a round of applause by the participants. The Athletic Festival lived up to its objective of nurturing
expertise in sports and promoting goodwill and camaraderie among the students of various schools in the Nilgiris.
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Inspection of the Guard of Honour
March past of the Brass Band of GSIS
Athletic Torch Run
Address by Dr. P. Sankar, IAS, the Collector of the Nilgiris District
Dr. P. Sankar, IAS, along with the Principal and the
Senior Vice Principal
Athletes taking oath
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The Opening Ceremony in progress
A Cultural presentation
GSIS girls presenting Sailors’ Hornpipe Dance
Boys’ relay race in progress
Girls’ relay race in progress
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A Boys’ sprint race in progress
Girls’ High Jump
Boys’ High Jump
Long Jump
Discus throw of the super senior boys: a record-breaking throw
Shot put event in progress
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Winners on the podium
International Award for Young People: Residential Project
Gold award Aspirants from GSIS along with the Members of the Academic Council
Grade 12 students of GSIS in Kolikarai village
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Life in a village is not easy. Absolutely accustomed to the luxuries of our great boarding school, our humble group of fourteen
gold aspirants of Grade 12 departed on the evening of 14 November 2014, with hearts filled with excitement and enthusiasm.
After two hours of dumb charades, useless gossiping and few of them feeling dizzy, we reached the tiny village of Kolikarai,
which occupied a place in our hearts.
By the time we reached, we were tired and by the time we set up our luggage and made our kitchen usable, we were almost dead
with fatigue. Yet, we persevered, knowing that the next day would definitely be different. We slept like logs in sleeping bags. The
village had no power supply and the mosquitoes were annoying us.
The next four days are a blur. We spent most of the first day clearing out a playground for children which was at the time
overgrown with asthma weeds. We levelled the ground using shovels and dug a huge compost heap. The evening activities
consisted of a few games of volleyball and throwball and a gorgeous river bath. At night, in a very ritualistic manner, we all
assembled and video-recorded our experiences.
Cooking, playing, sleeping, bathing, eating and of course working, that is all we did on those four glorious days. One of those
days, we went to a herbal garden and cleared all the unwanted shrubs and weeds and used the shovels to make ridges in the
garden beds for water to flow. We were stung by insects which we had never seen before. Another day, we cleaned the entire
village hospital. The most memorable part of the trip was the tribal people of Kolikarai village, the people I went with, the
people I met there. We interacted with the children on the last three days of our trip. Oh, the innocence, the shy smiles, the
goofy eyes, the comical gestures, the curious games and the hilarious dances. Never in my life, will I ever forget the place.
- Parmeshwar Prapann, ISC-2B
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Students working in the field
Students clean hospital premises
Removing weeds from the field
Distributing food to students of the local school
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Removing weeds from the herbal garden
Building a fence around the playground
Cleaning the playground
Students during a trek through the forest
Distributing clothes to patients in the hospital
Distributing clothes to local boys
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Getting ready to do some manual work
Sitting around a campfire
Display of ship models
SCC Ship model room
The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) wing of Good Shepherd International School set up a Ship Model Gallery in the ship model
room at its Palada Campus. The gallery is solely devoted to miniature scale models of naval ships, submarines and gadgets
used by personnel of Indian as well as foreign navy. This superb collection of professional objects and technical scale models
are displayed in the room to illustrate the rich maritime history. The collection contains even antique objects from India as
well as such items from England and United States. The collections also include paintings, photographs of naval ships, diving
helmets, lanterns, ship steering wheel, engine order telegraph, weapons, binoculars, telescopes, brass sextants, flags, brass
globes showing world times, compasses that shows directions, carved stern decorations of ships, ship crests, trophies and
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naval publications. Several models of contemporary ships and yachts are also displayed. Miniature models of a scorpène-class
submarine, INS Tarangini (a sail training ship for naval cadets), INS Vikramaditya (a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier with
the Indian Navy) and INS Delhi (a large warship of the Indian Navy that was designed and built in India) are displayed. The
show brings a steady stream of students, teenagers and adults of all ages who are interested in maritime activities. We tried to
Display of photographs of ships and ship crests in the
ship model room
A miniature model of INS Tarangini, a sail training ship
of the Indian Navy
Model of INS Vikramaditya, an aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy Model of INS Delhi, a guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy
Model of a scorpène-class submarine
A marine compass
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Brass globe with clock that shows world times
A diver’s helmet made of solid copper with brass trim
and glass portholes
make it something that would not only appeal to students but also something students can enjoy too. The main objective of
setting up the ship model room is to educate our students and create interest amongst the youth of the nation in naval activities.
Students are inspired to take up careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM].
Emergency Response Protocols
Mr. Srikumar Sikkari demonstrating the technique of using a fire extinguisher
Natural or man-made disasters are unpredictable and can strike anyone, anywhere and at any time. Emergency Response
Protocols are practised plan of action for emergencies and has been developed to ensure a coordinated response to any future
emergencies or disasters. The protocol has been developed in consultation with Mr. Srikumar Sikkari, Executive Director of
Infernotech Engineers, a consultancy firm that deals with fire safety equipments and disaster management.
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Full-scale exercises simulating different types of emergencies are regularly organised at GSIS. The exercises are organised
to test various aspects of the emergency protocol which are developed and changes are made in response according to
recommendations.
Effective communication is the key to respond properly during emergencies. There are different universal codes used at GSIS
for different crises such as code red, code blue and code brown. Code red is sounded during internal emergency such as in
the event of a fire, explosion, detection of suspicious items, gunfire etc. This is a very serious security warning of a threat and
indicates a dangerous situation that has deteriorated drastically so as to constitute an emergency. It indicates an imminent
danger and that protective action is needed. In such an event, remain calm and refer to R.A.C.E. –
R - Relocate / Reserve yourself, or Rescue anyone in immediate danger
A - Alert / Activate fire alarm
C - Confine the threat
E - Extinguish / Evacuate
If a fire has broken out, operate the fire extinguishers using the following P-A-S-S technique:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal.
Aim low, pointing the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire
Strike / squeeze the plunger
Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire till all flames are extinguished
Place the used fire extinguisher on its side on the floor.
Evacuating an injured person during a mock exercise
Faculty members lie on the floor during a lockdown drill at GSIS
Code blue is medical emergency situation in an institution during cardiac arrest, sports injury or accident. This is to enable
those trained in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) / first aid or the medical professionals to rush to the specific location
and start immediate resuscitative efforts. This requires immediate response. Those involved have to remember the initial steps
of D.R.A.B.C.– Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation.
D - Danger: make the situation safe and then assess the casualty
R - Response: check the response of the casualty, whether they are conscious or not.
A - Airway: keep airways open. Ensure that the victims do not choke.
B - Breathing: check whether the casualty is breathing.
C - Circulation: check the pulse
Code brown is announced during external threat such as mob attack, presence of an intruder in the campus, erratic behaviour
of people or bad weather. This is an external emergency situation which often initiate a campus lockdown to safeguard the
people inside from external threat. Teachers and students lock their rooms, assume a protective position and follow further
instructions till the threat is over and the lockdown is lifted.
Code green is the message announced over the public address system when the threat is over and all are clear. The school can
now return to its normal routine work.
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Hindi: The Voice of India
Girls presenting a skit
Celebrating ‘Hindi Diwas’
The students of Good Shepherd International School celebrated Hindi Diwas with great zeal and enthusiasm. It was on 14
September 1949 that the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi as the official language of the Indian Union. The
celebration provided students with a unique platform to showcase their ability and to display their knowledge in Hindi.
Students won the admiration of the audience by presenting a variety of colourful events on this occasion.
The programme was inaugurated by Mrs. Anila Kalyan, Director of Counselling. Ms. Nandini Kohli of FM 2 A began the
programme by invoking the grace of Lord Almighty. The skit Basha Bhagini, presented by the High School students, left the
audience with the understanding that every Indian language including Hindi is a child of Sanskrit and thus there should be
no question about supremacy of one language over the other. It was a delight to watch the video presentation by Master Yash
Singhania, Ms. Arti Chudasama and Ms. Aayushi Rajan Vadalia, which demonstrated the evolution of Hindi language with
time.
Mrs. Anila Kalyan, the Chief Guest, appreciated the students for their commendable performance. She addressed the students
and stated that Hindi is the road to India’s progress as it promotes national integration and unity in diversity. She urged the
students to be proud of their mother tongue and to radiate its beauty to the rest of the world.
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Reading the Book - Reading the World
[Mr. Sridhar Balan, a veteran publisher, writer and columnist, conducted a programme for the
teachers of GSIS. The purpose of the programme was to inculcate and strengthen the reading habit
among children. Mr. Balan spoke to the participants in their role as teachers but also as parents of
children. Mr. Balan titled his programme as 'Reading the Book - Reading the World.' Report on
the session on 'Reading' conducted for the teachers at the GSIS Auditorium on 19 January 2015
forenoon]
Mr. Sridhar Balan began with an opening quote from Professor A. C. Grayling's review of
Alberto Manguel's seminal work, 'A History of Reading.' 'To read is to fly; it is to soar to a
point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared
experiences, and the fruits of many inquiries. A life thus equipped might not be happier - but
it is vastly richer.'
Mr. Sridhar Balan
Mr. Balan began with the experience of reading stories aloud to children at home. This serves a dual purpose, it enables the
children to be put to bed, but more importantly, the stories help to hold the children's interest and develop their imagination.
Soon, the children become stakeholders in the reading process. A relationship begins to develop between the child and the
book and the child begins to handle the book, look at the pictures etc. Soon, an element of possession creeps in and the child
begins to view the book as 'My Book'. Since children follow by precept and example, Mr. Balan advocated a time on Sundays
to be set apart where both parents and children read together. This not only helps in closer bonding in the family but also helps
the child to understand the book better.
At school, Mr. Balan described the School Library as a very important resource. He felt that the library period should be
integrated with the learning process and should not merely be thought of as a 'recreation break'. The librarian must be proactive
and be able to steer the children to good books and good reading. The library should be decorated with posters and charts
giving more information on books and authors. As a good book should leave an impression on the reader, Mr. Balan advocated
a simple methodology whereby the child could easily recall and remember the book he had read.
Mr. Balan advocated the 'Reader's Report Form'. This was a report that consisted of four simple paragraphs. The first para
should be a short summary of the book. The second state the author's main idea. Characters depicted in the book can evoke
strong emotions, so the third para should be one of the characters that the child has liked or even disliked! The fourth para
should give the child's opinion of the book.
The reader's report form (RRF) could be stapled to the back of the book and should be filled up after the child has finished the
book. The RRF is an useful device for teachers to understand the comprehension skills and reading levels of children.
Mr. Balan advocated two more programmes at the school level. The first was the DEAR programme where DEAR was an
acronym and stood for 'Drop Everything And Read'. During a term, at a specified hour, everyone in the school would be
required to read. All the children, teachers, the principal and all support staff. At the end of the hour, everyone resumes normal
activity. Reading is now perceived as a valuable activity that the whole school indulges in. It could well serve as a catalyst for
increased reading by the children.
Mr. Balan also outlined a group activity to be done by children in the classroom. Each child in the group would be encouraged
to write a short story on a common theme, along with a heading and the name of the author. All pages should be numbered.
A child in the group takes a sheet of paper and compiles all the headings, the name of the authors and the respective pages
numbers. On top of the page, the child writes 'Contents'. Another child compiles the Title Page, another child draws an
illustration for the Cover and yet another writes the jacket blurb. Finally, the book is stapled or stitched together. The result is
that the child now knows all the components of a book and the next time he buys or borrows a book, he makes an 'informed'
choice by looking at the cover, reading the blurb, checking the contents etc.
Mr. Balan concluded the interesting and engrossing programme by relating an amusing short story which the teachers were
able to visualize through their imagination.
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The Nine Intelligences - A Capsule Perspective
In Tribute to the works of Professor Howard Gardner
‘Intelligence’ springs forth from inter - "between" + legere “choose, pick out, read, comprehend,” within a context. It can thus be
interpreted as ‘reading between the lines’ where it shines forth as an expression of inner consciousness, revealing the presence
of human behaviour via these lenses in Gardner’s nine parameters:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
logical-mathematical: being able to play with abstractions and discover rationales for relationships and patterns
linguistic: using the symbols and symbolism of communication mediums with flair and fluency
bodily-kinaesthetic: harnessing the coordinated union between mind and body with grace and elegance
musical: a symphonic sensitivity to the architecture of melody, harmony, rhythm, pitch, timbre and tone
naturalist : sensing the nature of nature, animate and inanimate, as an ecosystem of meaningful relationships
interpersonal: being empathetically, and interactively, sensitive to the manners, moods and motivations of others
intra-personal: being self-aware and able to explore emotions, goals and motivations towards purposeful ends
visual-spatial: conceptualising and conceiving forms and functions via the faculty of applied imagination
existential: enquiring about, and comprehending the nexus between human presence and life with aliveness
This personal interpretation of Gardner’s nine intelligences can be seen as sapiential elements confluencing in differing
combinations, creating a composite of what becomes distinctly human. They started out as ‘frames of mind’ with seven
intelligences, and have grown to nine…but they could, in Gardner’s estimation at one point, just as well be ninety-nine,
depending on how one chooses to view ‘intelligence’! He presently states: “I now believe that the total number of intelligences
is somewhat larger, but would be surprised if it came to more than 10 or 12.” In 2011, he conjectured on the possibility of a
‘pedagogical intelligence’, the intelligence that enables human beings to convey knowledge and skills to other human beings
who have varying degrees of knowledge. No matter, all these options constitute glittering possibilities within each of us.
No single member of any confederation is strong, none is sufficient, standing alone. Each is necessary to all, all are necessary to
each. And so it is with intelligences.
All children are born supernatural, and the raw schema of the nine intelligences is resident within them, waiting to be awakened.
What paths are taken is the dance of nurturing nature. The possibilities lie embedded in the original substance from which
we are made. Genius is omniscience flowing into us, seeking out the chords that must be played in harmonies that define
our uniqueness. Great souls are always greater than their wildest imaginings, and rise to prominence when their dominant
intelligences have been sparked alive.
The brain that examined the tiny clay tablets of the Sumerians was a very different brain from the one that is busy examining the
pixels glistening forth from similar-sized digital tablets. We are immersed in today's technology-driven literacy, and the nature
of how we express each intelligence has been a three-step tango: shift-learn-transform.
Some entities confuse ‘multiple intelligences’ with ‘learning styles’ ~ they are not the same phenomena. Learning Styles can
be described as the way individuals perceive and interpret reality or acquire and organise information. For millennia, people
intuitively have been aware of various ways - particularly their own - of relating to the world. As Confucius said, 'I hear and I
forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.' Broadly, there are four learning style aspects: cognition, conceptualisation,
affect and behaviour, and they have often been simplified as seeing, thinking, feeling, and doing. But they could each be done
with various individual intelligences from the menu of multiple intelligences, and they could each be done with proficiency,
profligacy, or poverty of skill! The area to cast the spotlight is on the intelligences:"MI (Multiple Intelligences) is not a statement
about learning styles." ~ Howard Gardner
Gardner’s view: “An intelligence is a biopsychological potential to process information in certain kinds of ways, in order to
solve problems or create products that are valued in one or more cultural settings.”
Play, passion, and purpose are the forces that drive young innovators to express their various intelligences. The future of our
economy, the strength of our democracy, and perhaps even the health of the planet’s ecosystems depend on educating future
generations in ways that tap into the multiple intelligence menu of possibilities.
- Ms. Annie Nongrum
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INTER HOUSE COMPETITIONS (2013 - 2014)
Competitions
Winners
Academics
Winter
Art
Summer
Athletics
Spring
Badminton
Spring
Basketball
Spring
Chess
Autumn
Cricket
Spring & Winter
Cross Country Race
Spring
Chart (Fernhill)
Autumn
Dance
Spring
Debate (Palada)
Autumn
Dramatics
Summer
Elocution
Autumn
Football
Winter
Handwriting
Winter
Hockey (Palada)
Spring
March Past (Palada)
Winter
Music
Spring
Quiz
Summer
Recitation
Winter
Rifle Shooting
Spring
Swimming
Spring
Table Tennis
Autumn
Throwball (Fernhill)
Spring
Volleyball (Palada)
Spring & Autumn
Lawn Tennis
Spring
Squash
Spring & Autumn
Carrom (Fernhill)
Autumn
Symphony (Palada)
Autumn
Golf
Spring
Essay writing (Fernhill)
Autumn & Winter
Short story
Summer
Spelling (Fernhill)
Winter
COCK HOUSE (2013 – 2014): WINTER HOUSE
Congratulations!
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Annual Inter House Athletic Meet 2015
“The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit.”
- Ken Doherty
The Summer House with the Hassan Ali Khan Memorial Athletics Trophy
Inspection of the Guard of Honour
March past of the athletes
The Annual Inter House Athletic Meet came to its grand finale on 9 April 2015, on the majestic stadium greens of the Palada
Campus. It was the culmination of the week-long track and field events displaying the spirit of sportsmanship of our young
students.
The Opening Ceremony was inaugurated by Mrs. Sheila Alexander, Vice Principal (Academics), who motivated the athletes
to participate in the true spirit of a sportsman. The week-long activity followed, where each participant strived for a place on
the medal tally.
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Athletic Torch relay
A view of the spectators attending the Athletic Meet
The athletes assembled on the field
Girls sprint to the finish line
Boys’ sprint race in progress
The Chief Guest for the Closing Ceremony was Mr. Vijay Prabhu, an alumnus from the batch of 1990. The arrival of the
Chief Guest was followed by the Guard of Honour and March Past. The traditional Athletic torch was lighted by the Games
Captains of both the campuses. The Chief Guest then declared the meet open. The Athletic Oath was led by the stalwart
athlete, Shubhro Sankha Saha. The Drummers’ Call presented by the young drummers from Fernhill Campus awakened the
entire pavilion into a crescendo of athletic fervour, igniting the young athletes to set the tracks on fire!
The 100m sprint finals in all the categories showed off some of the best talents in action. This was followed by the guest event
with an IPL flavour, where now it was the turn for the parents and guardians to participate. The most awaited event of the day was
the 4x100m relay of all the divisions of boys and girls. The days of rigorous morning workouts, strategy, encouragements were
coming to its culmination. The relay races displayed the best of team work, bringing both celebrations and disappointments
among the students.
The Director of Counselling, Mrs. Anila Kalyan, delivered the Welcome Address, followed by a speech by Mr. Vijay Prabhu.
The Chief Guest was nostalgic of his days spent in the school. His message to the young athletes was to participate and win, for
every individual desires to win! Mrs. Meeta Prabhu gave the prizes to the champions of each division.
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Girls’ relay race in progress
The Chief Guest, Mr. Vijay Prabhu, addressing the athletes
Winners on the podium
The following students were the individual champions in the different sections:
Division
Sub Junior Boys
Sub Junior Girls
Junior Boys
Junior Girls
Inter Boys [Fernhill Campus]
Inter Boys [Palada Campus]
Inter Girls [Fernhill Campus]
Inter Girls [Palada Campus]
Senior Boys
Senior Girls
Super Senior Boys
Super Senior Girls
Name
Sharvesh Ragavendra Perumal
A. Joshitha
Divyesh Vijaybhai Bhadiyadra
Shrijee Agarwal
R. Yeshwanth
Adarsh M.
Eve Saha
Khushi Bhavin Parikh
Poomdanai Dechawaleekul
Sukeshwar Reddy V.
Nidhi Murali
Shubhro Sankha Saha
Parth S. Bansal
Aswathy Anna Reji
Nethra Menon
Class
4B
3A
5B
5C
6D
7A
6D
8B
9B
9A
9A
11C
11C
11B
9B
House
Spring
Summer
Winter
Summer
Winter
Autumn
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Summer
Autumn
Spring
Spring
Summer
Spring
The long-awaited Hassan Ali Khan Memorial Athletics Trophy was bagged by Summer House. Congratulations!
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The Chief Guest, Mr. Vijay Prabhu, with the Principal and
Senior Vice President of GSIS
Prize distribution
The Director of Activities, Mr. Ajith P. Jacob expressed gratitude to all who made the mega event successful. He thanked the
Principal and Senior Vice Principal for the encouragement and also the Chief Guest for gracing the occasion.
The Chief Guest finally declared the Annual Inter House Athletic Meet of the year 2015 closed amidst cheers and applauses,
leaving the students eagerly waiting for the next year!
The following students set new meet records:
Name
R.R. Varshitha
Adarsh M.
Sukeshwar Reddy V.
Shubhro Sankha Saha
Mayur Luv Kumar Sherigar
Adarsh M.
Maanav Trehon
Khemphum Prasitpooripreecha
Navin Kumar Baskaran
Sahukari Praveen Kumar
Naveena S.
Anne Preethi S.
Yanaphat Poonkrasee
Mahima Samir Kale
House
Winter
Autumn
Summer
Spring
Autumn
Autumn
Autumn
Winter
Class
7B
7A
FM 3 A
IB 11 C
IB 11 C
7A
FM 3 C
FM 3 A
9B
7B
9C
9C
FM 3 C
FM 3 C
Division
Inter
Inter
Senior
Super Senior
Super Senior
Inter
Event
Triple Jump
400 m
Discus Throw
200 m
High Jump
100 m
Performance
8m
1:02.59 min
27.56 m
24.31sec
1.71 m
12.91sec
Senior
4 X 400 m Relay
04:06.02 min
Senior
4 X 400 m Relay
05:28.86 min
Adarsh M. was adjudged the ‘Athlete of the Year 2015’
“Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.”
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
“Sports do not build character. They reveal it.”
- Matt Biondi
- Bobby Unser
- Heywood Broun
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Annual Inter House Swimming Championship 2015:
A Test of Stamina, Endurance & Skill
“The water is your friend…you don’t have to fight with water, just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move”
- Alexander Popov
Spring House: Swimming Champions
One of the biggest sporting events in GSIS is the annual Inter house Swimming Championship for the swimmers of GSIS.
The event for this academic year was held on the 25th of February and 1st of March 2015 with all the four houses of the
school being present cheering the swimmers. The two-day championship saw some fabulous and nail-biting races in different
categories. The young budding swimmer Saiklang Sangtrakulcharoen of IGCSE FM II B created a new GSIS record in the
50-meter backstroke category by clocking 52.58 seconds.
In the individual championship for girls, the Spring House swimmers Ms. Harina Amin of IGCSE grade 7 won gold in the
Under-14 yrs category while Ms. Shivani Shrivan Sheth of IGCSE Grade 9 and Ms. Saiklang Sangtrakulcharoen of IGCSE
Grade 8 B emerged victorious by bagging gold medals in the Under-16 yrs categories. In the Under-14 yrs Boys’ category,
Master Dhrona Nataraj Nagarahalli of IGCSE Grade 8 bagged gold while Master Udayan Rajoo of IGCSE Grade 9 emerged
as the winner in the Under-16 yrs category. In the Under-19 yrs Boys’ category, Master Shubhro Sankha Saha of IB 1 C
bagged gold while Ms. Nirva Nirav Shah won the gold medal in the Under-19 yrs Girls’ category.
The Spring house topped the Cock house points table by collecting 38 points while Winter secured Runners-up position with
36 points. Summer and Autumn with 28 and 18 points apiece secured 3rd and 4th places respectively. Everyone thoroughly
enjoyed the afternoon and we are all looking forward to the next year’s competition.
“Believe in yourself, not only in swimming, but in life itself. You always have to have fun. You have to have an open mind. If
you're not enjoying it, don't do it. Life's too short.”
- Debbie Meyer
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Opening Ceremony
Start of a boys’ swimming event
Girls’ backstroke event in progress
Girls’ butterfly event in progress
Boys’ freestyle swimming event in progress
Boys’ backstroke event in progress
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Winners on the podium
Inter House Dramatics Competition 2015
High School & Higher Secondary School
Best Play
: ‘Seize the day’ (by Winter House)
Second Best Play
: ‘Karnabhaaram’ (by Summer House)
Best Actor
: Sherwyn Kalyan (Winter House)
Best Actress
: Mohika Praveen Tainwala (Autumn House)
Best Supporting Actor
: Adil Asif Thara (Summer House)
Best Supporting Actress
: Radhieka Punit Makharia (Summer House)
Scenes from the play, ‘Seize the day’
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Scenes from the play, ‘Karnabhaaram’
Scenes from the play, ‘Karnabhaaram’
Congratulations to the winners and all the participants!
Inter House Classical Dance Competition 2015
Middle School
Ms. Jennifer Jaison
Ms. Aastha Dinesh Dulhani
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97
Ms. S. Ashmath
Ms. Nairuti Vishnubhai Patel
Spring House team
Autumn House team
In the Inter House Classical Dance Competition held at GSIS on 18 March 2015, the results are as follows:
Grade 7 : Classical Dance [Solo]
Name of candidate
Jennifer Jaison
Aastha Dinesh Dulhani
Harina Amin
House
Summer
Autumn
Spring
Position
I
II
III
House
Spring
Summer
Winter
Position
I
II
III
Grade 8 : Classical Dance [Solo]
Name of candidate
S. Ashmath
Nairuti Vishnubhai Patel
Nandini Kohli
Grades 7 & 8 combined: Classical Group
House
Spring
Autumn
Summer
Position
I
II
III
Congratulations to the winners!
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Prefects’ Council (2014 - 2015)
School Captain
School Vice Captain
Head Girl
Vice Head Girl
Games Captains
Library Prefects
Co-curricular Prefects
WINTER HOUSE
House Captain
House Vice Captain
DHRUV RAJKUMAR KAPOOR
PARAMESHWAR PRAPANN
MEETALI GUPTA
UNNATI CHORDIA
GANESAN SENTHIL
Boys
THILAK ELANGOVAN
TISHA PRADYUMANBHAI PATEL
Girls
GINAISHWARYA ANNE JACOB
Higher Secondary School
NANDINI ANNA THOMAS
High School
BHAGATH SUBRAMANIAN
DENNY K ALEXANDER
Higher Secondary School
SURAVI RAY
SHIVAM GARG
High School
VALLIAMMAI KARUPPIAH
BOYS
JAYRAJ S PATEL
PRAJU LAWRENCE GEORGE
SAIKARTHEEK SHARVIRALA
TEJAS H BADANI
GIRLS
ANJALI SABU NAIR
SONIA KOPLICKAT
GRISHMA NILESHBHAI
BHANDERI
LEYAKORN KAMMA
BOYS
GURNOOR SINGH
SHRITHANAY G C REDDY
ASHISH KALASH
MANAV PAHALWANI
GIRLS
MALIHA TABAASSUM
RIJUL NARWAL
AVISHI SUREKA
CALVINA ANN ANDREW
BOYS
JEET KETAN SHAH
AHAAN BHANDARI PALLOD
LAKSH SANJAY AGRAWAL
SARVAGYA SANJAY PANDEY
GIRLS
TAVISHI AGARWAL
YACHI SIPANI
TRISHNA SUNIL MOTIANI
KAREEN DEEPAK NANWANI
BOYS
SIDDHARTH DERAVARYA
SANDESH RAMDEO AGRAWAL N P
SHUBHAM DHULL
KUMARASAMY MADASAMY
GIRLS
SONAKSHI SENTHIL
SHRUTI DHULL
GAYATHRY VIDYA
SHREYA PODDAR
Prefects
SPRING HOUSE
House Captain
House Vice Captain
Prefects
SUMMER HOUSE
House Captain
House Vice Captain
Prefects
AUTUMN HOUSE
House Captain
House Vice Captain
Prefects
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Winter House
March past of the Winter House
When the azure blue sky beckons, the deep blue silk fluttering in the breeze, smiles with its head held high and says I am proud
to be the colour of Winter, I am proud to be the flag representing the House which has won the COCK HOUSE for the year
2013 -14.
Winter aims to win and that spirit has been evident throughout. Winter House had the winning edge under the motivating and
able leadership of the House Master Praveen Chellappan and House Mistress Vanita Arokia Mary whose words of inspiration
instilled in each member the ardent desire to take up challenges. Yes, we were successful in taking up challenges, whether it was
competitions with our contemporaries or racing with time to complete our practices or racing with the contenders for a place
in the sun. We did it !
Winter House teachers at all levels have identified potential and encouraged students to participate in various inter house
competitions. It has been our endeavour to recognize, guide, encourage children who are shy, introvert, nervous and hesitant
to come to the forefront. Teachers have trained such children and the reward has been to see those children perform on stage or
in the tracks or varied fields of competition and emerge as winners. Winners they have been – not just in positions but winners
who have been able to overcome their inhibitions, stage fears and emerge as confident Winterians. This has been the highest
reward of our House.
In the field of academics Winterians have scored excellent marks in their subjects to add points to the House thereby scoring
160 points and have been the proud winners of the trophy in academics. In the field of Sports, Winter was once again the
winner of the trophy for football.
The other trophies won by our House are in the field of literary competitions like handwriting and recitation. Poetry at its
poetic excellence was presented by Khushi Nilesh Patel of Grade VII who recited the Patriot by Nissim Ezekiel. From Grade
VIII Jasleen Kaur Gandhi and Naveena S. bagged the 1st and the 2nd positions respectively for the renditions of the poems
‘Keeping Quiet’ by Pablo Neruda and ‘Attention Please’ by Roald Dahl. Dhruv Raj Kapoor of Grade XI won the 3rd position
for the confident recital of the poem ‘My Dream’ by Todd Michael. When elegance and grandeur go hand in hand the result is
magnificent, and magnificent it was !. After hours of training under the command of House Teacher Mr. T. Justin, our students
were the winners of the March Past securing the highest points. The Inter-House Dramatics saw hours of serious practice
and fun as we staged successfully the Middle School Play Bernard Shaw’s ‘Joan of Arc’ where we bagged the 2nd place with
Jasleen winning the best actress award and the staging of an Iranian play –‘The Stoning of Soraya’ by the High School and Higher
Secondary Section. Recreating an Iranian set up was really challenging but we could do it with the help of our House teachers
and House Captains and Prefects like Jayraj, Dhruv, Sai Kartheek, Param, Grishma, Anjali, Kanisha who not only showcased
their acting talents but also their aura of leadership skills by keeping the House united and in order. With dramatics being
an event that all children look forward to, it was our priority to involve the whole House. The House got the 3rd position,
nevertheless we won! In elocution, debate, recitation our House students proved their mettle.
Congratulations Winterians !
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so
welcome." - Anne Bradstreet
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Spring House
March past of the Spring House
“Winners are not the people who never fail, but people who never quit.”
Diligence and determination to keep trying to accomplish a goal in spite of stumbling blocks is what makes Spring House
stand taller than the rest. As the name stands for its character, the ‘Spring’ never gives up on the values it upholds - stability,
endurance, persistence and the strength to cope up with adversity. The academic year 2013 - 14 took Spring House to a
different level of competition where the ‘Super Springsters’ had to part off the coveted ‘Cock House Shield.’ For the long time
winners, it was a painful moment, but as rightly always remarked by Denis Waitley- “Losers live in the past. Winners learn
from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future.” Dream of winning the laurels in the future, once again the
‘Springsters’ surged forward with their full might.
The students in Green did the House proud with their performance in various activities and inter house competitions. Be
it sports, games or cultural activities, the vast reserves of natural talent and the long hours of practice were for all to see as
Springsters have proved their mettle. Sports has continued to be very dear to our students and many of them continued to
feature in the school teams in various games. This year displayed the talents of the students in various avenues: Spring House
stood winner in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross country, Dance, Hockey, Music, Rifle shooting, Swimming,
Throw ball (Fernhill), Volleyball, Lawn Tennis, Squash and Golf. There was an enthusiastic participation in all the inter house
activities of the students.
The able leadership of Meetali Gupta, Gurnoor Singh, Ashish Kalash, Avishi Surekha, Shrithanay Reddy, Rijul Narwal,
Manav Pahalwani, Calvina Ann Andrew, Sailesh Baba, Sakshi Kamalia, Toushif Biswas, Nethra Menon, Rooshni, Cibi
and Saiklang took the Spring House to great heights.
The achievements of the Spring House this year is the result of the hard work and consistent effort by each student and the
house teachers. Every single member of both the campuses contributed to this success. We believe that the boys and girls live
up to their dreams and grow up to be strong and independent citizens that their House envisages for them. We never rest on
past laurels or let failure bring us down. We realise that hard work is as important as skill and talent. We dare to walk the path
less trodden. We dare to reach the mountain because we know that the view from top will be worth the climb.
“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to
personal excellence.”
- Confucius
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Summer House
March past of the Summer House
“Summers have a logic all their own and they always bring something out in me. Summer is supposed to be about freedom,
youth, possibilities, adventure and exploration. Summer is a book of hope.”
- Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Summer House entered the academic year 2013-2014 with gusto and completed it under the adept leadership of Master Jeet
Ketan Shah and Ms. Tavishi Agarwal. This has been a memorable year with mixed feelings. The House Captains, the Prefects
and the Summerians have been a very happy and pleasant body to work with.
Summer House showcased its ability to tell a story well by bagging the initial three positions at various levels in the InterHouse Story Writing Competition. The house may have lagged behind in weaving the best Symphony, but the Summerians
more than made up for it in the Dramatics, by gaining the first position at Higher Secondary, Middle and Primary sections,
thereby winning the Inter-House Dramatics trophy along with Best Actress (Ms. Suravi Ray) and Best Supporting Actress (Ms.
Krishnica Mittal). Ms. Rachel N Sangma of VII standard contributed to the Cock House points by her promising performance
in the Short Story writing, Art, and Singing. The Summerian wit flowed profusely in the Elocution competition, where we
secured the second and first positions at the Higher Secondary (Ms. Trishna Sunil Motiani) and Middle School (Ms. Sanchi
Ashwath) level, respectively. Oration was the order of the day at the Inter-House Debate Competition, where Summer House
procured the first position in Higher Secondary (Master Bhavesh Joshi), the first position again in Grade VIII (Ms. Shivani
Terli) and the third position by Master Prakhar Agrawal in Grade VII. We proved ourselves quite the knowledgeable lot by
acing the Inter-House Quiz Competition at both the Middle School and the High School grades. Poetry Recitation was a
stunted event for the Summerians at the lower levels but Ms. Krishnica Mittal and Master Vibhushan Mohan dazzled and won
the first and second place, respectively, at the super-senior level.
The students thoroughly enjoyed all the activities. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the
staff of Summer House who have helped us and backed us up at all times. As we bid goodbye to summer and to another year of
excitement and competition, we take our experience and hard earned lessons learnt with us into the new year. We would like
to wish all the Summerians the very best of luck for the future. We hope that they, with the help of the staff, will continue the
fine traditions built up over the years at GSIS.
“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.”
- Henry David Thoreau
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Autumn House
“There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.”
– William F. Halsey
March past of the Autumn House
The Autumnites proved to be equipped to meet great challenges throughout the year 2013-2014 when overcoming injuries,
sickness and diffidence; they surged ahead to try and clinch the Cock House shield. In the process of attempting to do so, the
Autumnites lifted many trophies and shields of co-curricular activities.
Co-curricular activities are the practical experiences of the students, hence, a wide range of intellectual, aesthetic and sporting
activities are held to encourage students. They participate in various inter-house competitions such as elocution, recitation,
creative writing, art, dramatics, dance and music to develop co-ordination, confidence, fluency in speaking and many other
skills. Students also participate in various indoor and outdoor games which help them work in teams, exercise leadership and
take initiative. Even when they did not get the prize of being the best, Autumnites imbibed all the above-mentioned skills by
taking part in all of them in the true spirit of the event.
Besides lifting the trophies for indoor games like Carrom and Chess, they proved to be the best in Chart making, Debating,
rendering Elocution speeches, playing Table Tennis, and most importantly, in an event that involved the whole house, the
Inter-House Symphony Orchestra.
Autumn House was also able to share trophies with other houses for Cricket, Essay Writing, Volleyball and Squash. The fight
put up by the House was such a struggle that it scored just one mark less than Summer House, the house that stood third
in the academic year 2013-2014. All the Autumnites came together in all the events. The ones who contributed a great deal
were Siddharth D, Sonakshi, Ganesan, Atul, Shubham, Siddhant, Harshit, Vinay, Anirudh, Sanchi, Tisha, Swati, Gayathri,
Arjun R.V., Saakshi, Nivetha, Rakhesh, Manav, Ishaan D, Ishaan C, Khushi, Avani, Praveen, Naveen, Adarsh, Shivani, Akshay,
Pradyush, Shaurya, Sandesh, Shruti, Gina, Urja, Chris Binoi, Shubh, Navni and many more.
The house created history when one of its members, Rakhesh, took upon himself the directing of the play the house put up for
the Senior Inter-House Dramatics, The Great Gatsby. All the Autumnites of Grades 9 and 11 had a whale of a time when one
among their seniors showed them how to act and decided the script, the music and the props of the play. Coming last mattered
little to them as they were able to be a part of the making of a director.
The Autumnites of the Junior Campus did exceptionally well in recitation, dance and dramatics and bagged the overall trophy
for these events. The students who made exceptional contributions to the house in various competitions are Yashitha for
elocution, art, dramatics and music, R. Ram for elocution, art, dramatics and music, Abigail Hurst for recitation, dance, sports
and dramatics, Adarsh Manoj for dance, music and sports, Rithika for music, dramatics, sports and elocution, Praveen for
sports and dramatics, Veer Mehta for swimming, dance, music and dramatics, Rajesh for art, dance, sports and dramatics,
Vaishnavi for dance, dramatics, music.
As far as the House members were concerned, participation and putting in their best mattered a great deal. “Do what you do,
do well, boy,” is the song hummed by every Autumnite even today.
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One life to live, so much to give and so much to share!
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
- Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill
Grade 12 Boys interacting with the boys in the Maranatha Children’s Home
Charity is one of the most noble tasks that a man can do in his life. According to different religious beliefs, our life on earth is
just a transitory phase of an eternal journey towards salvation. So, this brief period that we are on earth, which we call life, has
to be lived with a purpose. For some people, the true meaning of life is the joy of giving. They realize this dream of theirs by
engaging in acts of charity.
Boys of ISC - 2 went on a trip to an orphanage home in Ooty on 1 February 2015. The evening had a good start in store for the
twenty of us. We then set off with sprite, cake and biscuits to the Maranatha Children’s Home which was a twenty-minute
drive from our school.
Tanned and skinny as they were, their bright eyes and even brighter smiles expressed the joy they experienced on seeing us.
The introductions started with them telling us their names and vice-versa. Fortunately, we did not face any language barrier as
some of our friends knew Tamil and thus conversing was not a problem. The moment to distribute cakes and biscuits arrived
and simultaneously their smiles now turned into giggles. They were extremely happy and the remaining food, we gave it to the
manager of the children’s home. On conversing with the manager, we came to know that the children’s home had a music room.
After taking permission, we put loud music and danced with all the inmates. After seeing all the crazy dancing and amazing
singing, we were thoroughly perplexed and out of ideas. One boy from Salem even did a breakdance. After about 15 minutes,
we had to take a tour around the children’s home. They grabbed our hand and showed us around the Home making us instantly
connect with their stories and lives. I thanked God profusely on how fortunate all of us were.
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Hardly had we arrived and it was time to say goodbye. We actually saw tears in their eyes. We left in a morose mood. On my
way back, in deep contemplation, I thought they were orphans for no fault of theirs. What could they have done to lead them to
such a deplorable plight? This trip was truly an eye-opener as their innocent faces, with not a touch of malice and unhappiness,
still stay fresh in my mind. We were happy to note that there are a growing number of people who take care of them. We shared
our love and hope with them and left behind something for the children to remember.
Our students cheering up the boys
Distributing food to the children
Our students interacting with the children
- Master Denny K. Alexander, ISC - 2B
Grade 11 students of ESS & Biology attend a Field Trip
A 3-day field trip was organized for Grade 11 ESS (Environmental Systems & Societies) and Biology students of GSIS from 23
November to 25 November 2014. A study was conducted in the shola grassland rainforest of the Nilgiris.
The purpose of the field trip was to –
• to study the role of forests in environment and their effective management
• to learn about forest management tools like GPS (Global Positioning System), clinometers, densiometers, quadrats, soil
test kits and GIS (Geographical Information System)
• map Ooty and the facilities available to a local village
• study wetlands in the shola grassland rainforest of the Nilgiris, their role and impacts
• study preservation practices of the local people
• learn about the local tribes - their lifestyle, architecture, embroidery, etc.
• study nature and biodiversity of the Nilgiris
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A quadrat being used for sampling species of plants in the
forest habitat
Our students interacting with the people in the Toda village
On the first day they compared the biodiversity of two ecosystems, one native forest i.e. the shola grassland rainforest and
the other which is exotic forest or invasive forest. The students studied the forest biodiversity using random sampling. The
mountains were bright and sunny when we started the trek and soon we saw the fog descending on the hills bringing a bit of cold
weather with it. The second day of the field trip was devoted to study a Toda village. The students administered questionnaire
to the Toda villagers and studied their lifestyle, architecture and embroidery. The last day of the trip was dedicated to study
Geographical Information System and understanding its application. The students also prepared a map of Ooty and the
facilities available to a local village.
The Nilgiris has a rich biodiversity and is home to many species of flowering plants, including many unique orchids and
hundreds of different amphibians, birds and mammals.
You Made GSIS Proud!
Basketball Tournament: GSIS Rolling Trophy 2015
GSIS – Team A
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In the Inter School Basketball Tournament for boys held at the Palada Campus basketball courts on Sunday, 22 March 2015,
GSIS – Team A emerged runner-up in the U-14 yrs category. In the final match, The Lawrence School, Lovedale defeated
GSIS – Team A. Score: 32 points – 28 points.
Master Dhrona Nataraj Nagarahalli of GSIS – Team A was selected as the most promising player and Master Sailesh Baba
of GSIS – Team A as the best player. Well done!
Master Sailesh Baba
Master Dhrona Nataraj
Nagarahalli
Inter School Hockey Tournament 2014
GSIS Hockey Team (U-14 yrs division)
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The Annual Inter School Hockey Tournament was held in Hebron School, Ooty, from 21 November to 24 November 2014.
In the U-16 yrs division, GSIS team secured the second place. In the final match, Hebron School, Ooty, defeated GSIS team.
Score : 2 - 0
Six schools participated in the U-14 yrs division. In the finals, GSIS team defeated Crescent Castle Public School, Ooty, and
won the trophy. Score: 2 - 1
Congratulations!
Tamil Nadu State Rifle Shooting Championship 2014
The 40th Tamil Nadu State Rifle Shooting Championship was held at Chennai Rifle Club, Egmore, Chennai from 6 August
to 10 August 2014. Fifteen students of GSIS participated in the competition.
Twelve shooters of GSIS excelled in the Shooting Championship and brought laurels to the school by bagging three gold
medals, six silver medals and three bronze medals. The girls’ team of Vanshika Agarwal (FM 3A), Muskan Inayatali Pirani
(FM 3B) and Ghanta Harichandana (FM 3A) were awarded the gold medal in the 10m Peep Sight Air Rifle event. The boys’
team of Eapen Benny (FM 2E), Poomdanai Dechawaleekul (FM 3B) and Laldingliana Hmar (FM 3D) bagged the silver
medal in the 10m Peep Sight Air Rifle event. The boys’ team of Sukeshwar Reddy V. (FM 3A), Rahul Thomas Kurian (FM
3D) and Thomas Siby (FM 3A) won the silver medal in the 10m Air Pistol event. The boys’ team of Kasidit Khajornsakchai
(FM 3D), P. Dhananjaya (10C) and Krittamet Khajornsakchai (FM 3D) collected the bronze medal in the 10m Peep
Sight Air Rifle event. They also received certificates for the same. Four students including two girls have qualified and were
The Rifle Shooting Team of GSIS
selected to represent Tamil Nadu in the G.V. Mavlankar Pre-National Shooting Championship held in Ahmedabad from 5
October to 10 October 2014. Among these shooters, three of them hogged the limelight. Muskan Inayatali Pirani, Ghanta
Harichandana and Laldingliana Hmar have made their alma mater proud by qualifying for the National Rifle Shooting
Competition that was held in Pune in December 2014.
Well done!
Fine Performance in Camlin Art Competition
Camlin, the market leader in producing artist materials, organised an Art Competition at GSIS in November 2014. The
following students produced the winning designs and they were declared winners in their respective groups :
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Group E:
• Akarawin Kamma, FM 1C
• Khushi Bhavin Parikh, FM 2B
• Sakshi Kamalia, IXC
• Mahima Samir Kale, FM 3C
• Nethra Menon, IXB
Group F:
• Rijul Narwal, FM 4B
• Niranjan Jaywant Patil, IB-1D
• Suravi Ray, ISC – XIIA
Shepherdians win prizes in Elocution and Quiz Competitions
Tamil Nadu Forest Department organized district level Elocution and Quiz Competitions at Government Arts College,
Ootacamund, as part of Wildlife Week Celebrations.
Aditya Sai and Jinil V., Grade IX students of GSIS, secured the second place in the Wildlife Quiz Competition. Hetvi Satish
Doshi, Grade XI student of GSIS, won the second place in the English Elocution Competition.
Master Aditya Sai
Master Jinil V.
Ms. Hetvi Satish Doshi
Congratulations!
Inter School Debate Competition
In the Inter School Debate Competition held at St. Joseph’s College, Coonoor, in November 2014, GSIS secured the second
runner-up position.
David Fredy Paul, IB-1C and Adil Asif Thara, ISC-XIA represented GSIS in this event. David Fredy Paul was adjudged the
‘best speaker.’
Cricket
Master V. Sukeshwar Reddy, FM 3A, represented the Nilgiris District
Under-16 cricket team and played the semifinals against Krishnagiri District
in the month of November 2014.
Master V. Sukeshwar
Reddy
Master Param Rajesh Panjri, FM 4D, has been nominated to receive a
special award for his fine performance in the recently concluded Under 16
Inter School Tournament for the Azhar Hassan Memorial Rolling Trophy
Master Param Rajesh 2014 – 15. He received the award for being the best bowler during the
Panjri
tournament.
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American Mathematics Competitions
Ms. Rijul Narwal
Master Abheshek Satish Pandey
Ms. Aayushi Vadalia
Seventy-three students of GSIS participated in the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 10) held at GSIS on 3
February 2015. With the declaration of the results, we acknowledge the AMC 10 Student Honours and Team Members as
mentioned below:
Student Name
Rijul Narwal
Abheshek Satish Pandey
Aayushi Vadalia
Grade
10
10
10
Score
93.0
84.0
81.0
Rank
1
2
3
Honours
Winner
Team Member
Team Member
AMC 10 School Team Score is : 258.00
The Team stands as the 3 highest scores. The average score of students of GSIS is 55.3. The Winner, Ms. Rijul Narwal, a
student of FM 4B, is the top scoring student in GSIS. She was awarded the AMC Honour Roll of Distinction Pin (medal)
that is given to the top 1% of AMC 10 participants.
Congratulations!
Nilgiris District Level Drawing Competition
A drawing competition for students from kindergarten
to Grade 12 was organized by Kairali Arts and Cultural
Association of the Cordite Factory in Aruvankadu.
The 25th district-level drawing competition for
students of schools in Nilgiris district was held
in various parts of The Nilgiris. Around 1500
students from over 30 schools in the Nilgiris district
participated in the competition. The Shepherdians
also actively participated in the contest held at
Vivekananda Memorial Higher Secondary School,
M. Palada, on 22 February 2015.
Master Niranjan Jaywant Patil
Ms. Nirva Nirav Shah
In Group IV (students of Grades XI & XII), the water colour painting of Master Niranjan Jaywant Patil, IB-1D, was selected
as one among the best five paintings of his group. Ms. Nirva Nirav Shah, IB - 1A, received a Certificate of Merit. Prizes were
distributed at the Cordite Factory.
Congratulations!
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BSE International Financial Olympiad
Master Ghanta Harikiran, XD, secured 2nd prize in 3rd BSE International Financial
Olympiad conducted by BSE Institute Limited and EduHeal Foundation. He received a
cash prize of Rs.10,000/After qualifying in two preliminary rounds of tests held at GSIS, he was selected for the
finals held in Mumbai.
Master Ghanta Harikiran
Competitions held at Radio Astronomy Centre
18 students of Good Shepherd International School
and students from 27 schools from the Nilgiris visited
the Radio Astronomy Centre (RAC) in Muthorai
near Ootacamund in connection with the National
Science Day. They participated in essay writing,
painting, quiz and science modelling competitions
organised by the RAC.
Master Yash Sharma, 8A and Master Shubh
Agarwal, FM 3A, received second prize in Science
Quiz (level 2) competition.
Master Yash Sharma
Master Shubh Agarwal
“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.”
- Vince Lombardi
“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate
achievements.”
- Napoleon Hill
“The greatest achievements of the human mind are generally received with distrust.”
- Arthur Schopenhauer
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.”
- Helen Keller
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Speech of Padma Shri Dr. V. Mohan at a Special Assembly
held in GSIS on 8 August 2014
Padma Shri Dr. V. Mohan addressing the students and staff
Respected Principal of the Good Shepherd International School and my dear friend for many decades, Dr. P.C. Thomas,
Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Senior Vice Principal, Teachers of Good Shepherd, students of GSIS and also the Finishing School
and the entire Good Shepherd family,
A very good evening to all of you. First of all, I would like to thank Dr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas and the whole Good Shepherd
family for inviting me here for the second time. Last time, my talk was entirely on diabetes and this time it will be entirely
nothing about diabetes, everything except diabetes. I thought there is no point in repeating, some of you may have heard me;
some of you are very young, so probably, too much to inflict you with a second talk on diabetes. I thought I will talk something
very general today which every one of you sitting here might find useful. I have brought you greetings from Dr. Mohan’s
Diabetes Speciality Center and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and my family. Unfortunately, my grandson took
ill a few days ago and so I was denied the opportunity of bringing my daughter, my son-in-law and my little grandson for this
particular event but they all send you their love and greetings.
First of all, I must say that every time I come to GSIS I’m humbled and I’m overwhelmed. Dr. Thomas may not remember this,
but I have seen him many, many years before I first met him. So I had seen him, when he came to me as a patient. But at least
a decade before that I had come to Ooty on a sight-seeing trip and somebody recommended that I go and see Good Shepherd
School as it’s one of the sights of Ooty. So I remember entering your School, not this campus, but your older campus and at
that precise moment Dr. Thomas got out of his car. At that time somebody said that’s Dr. Thomas and so from a distance I saw
him. I didn’t quite get to meet him at that time and that was my first impression of Good Shepherd several decades ago. Every
time I come back and every time I get your Magazine and I watch your growth. I’m very humbled because being an institutionbuilder myself I know what it takes to build an institution. I am sure many of you sitting in the audience will become institution
builders yourself one day. Many decades ago, Dr. Thomas was like you, a young student sitting in front of his teachers and
listening to people like me coming to give a talk and at that time even he may not have imagined that one day in the future he
would be going to build a big, great institution like this. Without any flattery and from the bottom of my heart, I can say that
this school GSIS is perhaps the best not only in this country but perhaps in the whole world. I was going through your website,
I was going through Wikipedia, I was going through your magazine and I was looking at the breadth of the activities that you
provide in the school and I’m not able to find this in any other school. Some others have some extra-curricular activities, some
things going on but they have nothing of this kind. I was just coming from his office and watching all the trophies and prizes,
112 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
there’s no place to keep them. Two big cupboards full of them and the wall is full of them and every place is full of them and so
this is something very special and you may not realize it today. I think you are all gifted, you are all chosen instruments of God
because it’s not by chance or by accident that you happened to come to Good Shepherd. The good lord has some design for you
to come here and every single student who has passed through the portals of this hallowed institution has made a mark in life.
I’ve attended some meetings where your Alumni have come back and spoken. Today, they are holding very important positions
not only in India but also abroad. Listening to them, I have been truly inspired by the achievements, the career development,
the personality development opportunities the school is giving you apart from the academic excellence. Therefore, I think
with all the humility, I must congratulate not only Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Elsamma Thomas but also all the teachers for the great
work. I think that deserves a round of applause.
I purposely chose a very provocative title for my speech-‘You can do it’, and the reason for this is that very often people tell us
that we cannot do it. Every single time in my own life when I have looked back and I have had a dream and I have an inspiration
and the first thing I talk to somebody, they tell me no, this can’t be done, it’s impossible. And for a moment I’ll be put off,
thinking: Oh! May be I was wrong. Later on, the condition comes back to me again saying that: No I can do it, then I try
somebody else and again they tell me: No this is impossible, this cannot happen, you know. Then one fine day, it happens. Then
I wonder, why these people tell me ‘it’s impossible’, ‘it won’t happen’, when it’s not the truth. That means, there must be enough
people in the world now to go around telling people that ‘You can do it’. If you have something which you have dreamt of, you
can do it, because every one of you sitting here has that potential within you. It’s just that Good Shepherd is developing it to a
great extent trying to bring out the creativity in you, trying to bring out the potential in you. But first of all, you must believe in
yourself, because unless you have self-confidence, you cannot do it. I remember Abraham Lincoln who was one of the ugliest
of children. When he was in school, his friends used to make fun of him saying, ‘You are an ugly guy. You’ll never make it in life.’
His mother told him “No Abe, you will one day become the President of the United States.” They came from a very poor family.
Every time he stood for an election, he lost. But every time he remembered his mother telling him ‘Abe, you will do it, you will
do it one day, you will become the President of the United States.’ Not only did he become the President of the United States,
but he also became one of the best loved Presidents that the United States has ever had. All he had was his mother telling him
‘Abe you can do it, you can do it’. So I think somebody has to tell you that you can do it. And if that gets into your mind ‘Yes, I
can do it,’ then friends, even the sky is not the limit, because the sky is nothing, we go beyond the sky these days. Today we go
to Mars, you can go anywhere in the world. So what we thought the sky is the limit is nothing. Today, the world is much bigger,
but for that one thing you’ll have to tell yourself, ‘I can do it.’ Don’t let anybody put you off because you can do it.
But how do you do it? Does it just fall into your lap? Is it the Grace of God? Of course, it is the Grace of God. Nothing, not
even a blade of grass will move without the Grace of God. Not one of your visions will come true without the Grace of God.
But that alone is not enough. The Grace of God will pass you by. But you have no role in it. So your own hard work is the one
which has to meet the Grace of God and only then will things happen. And therefore, the first and the only formula for success
is hard work. And if any of you believe that this institution came up just like that without the hard work that Dr. Thomas and
Mrs. Thomas put in, think again. They have sweated it out, they have toiled and worked hard. The belief in themselves has built
this institution and many other such institutions. Here I wish to refer to the poem “The Ladder of St. Augustine” by Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow, where the poet very eloquently says ‘the heights of great men reached and kept were not attained by
sudden flight, but they, while their companion slept, toiled upwards in the night.’ So amongst all of you, you will find that some
of you are excellent, while others are doing o.k., and others are not doing that much o.k., they are behind. If you look at those
people who are excellent, it’s not because God gave them extra frontal lobes, extra gyrus is there in the frontal lobe and so on.
It’s because they worked harder. Some of you will say, I work so hard and yet ‘I didn’t achieve what I wanted.’ In the same poem
the poet goes on to say:
“Standing on what too long we bore
With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,
We may discern — unseen before —
A path to higher destinies.”
So just because you have lost something, it doesn’t mean it’s over. Look beyond and you will see the path to higher destinies.
That path may be hidden, as you’re going up the slopes of Ooty, you may not see from one hairpin bend to the other, but as
you keep going you will see the glory beyond. It’s that belief that you should have that urges you to keep going. Then you will
achieve your dream.
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How many of you have read Dr. Thomas’ biography? Very few of you. I have read it! I have read it from cover to cover. I have
read every word of it and I found it most inspiring and I’m not saying that because I’m in Good Shepherd, I have read inspiring
stories, inspiring biographies because I have small part to play in it. I was very humbled when I read it, because of the humble
beginning from where he came. When an astrologer tells him that ‘you will build an institution in the hills,’ he believed it and
Elsamma believed it. And then it happened, because of that belief saying that it will come true. And of course, it’s also his deep
faith in God. When you have deep faith, you’ll find that all your prayers are answered. Because when you pray hard to God, he
will always answer your prayers and I’ll come back to that also in a minute. I’m going to give you a series of secrets which I have
shared in my life with people who have come to me for advice and said ‘how did you do this?’
Like Dr. Thomas I also built an institution. I built it first with my father for 20 years from scratch. He built it from a car shed and
then after 20 years when I left my father, he said, ‘if you are smart enough, do it again, do it without my support, do it without
a single rupee of support from me.’ Actually I was not only a zero, I was on negative balance at that time because my wife had
borrowed a huge sum of money, so from minus we had to start and then we built it all again. Today, we have the largest Diabetes
Center in the world. We have 18 branches, we have over 300000 patients, we have more than 1100 staff working for us, we
even have an international branch now in Muscat. All this was achieved in 20 years. How did it happen? Because I felt that
is all part of a drama. Life is a drama. In that drama we have to act our roles well, whichever roles we are given. In one drama,
you may be a hero and you have to play that role well. The next day there is another drama and you are the villain there. If you
are a good actor, you will act out that also well. How many of you have seen Shivaji Ganesan’s movies? Many have seen. More
have seen than a great Thomas’s Biography. So my advice to you would be, each one of you get a copy of Dr. Thomas’ biography
and read it, because it will inspire you just as it inspired me. And nothing in life happens by accident, as I told you, nothing in
life. It’s not by accident that you came to Good Shepherd School. Somewhere out there in the planets, it is set in such a way
that you had to come to Good Shepherd. You had to be tutored here. It is your good fortune and it’s God’s blessings. In fact,
the divine master has a plan for all of you and if I can quote from the Bible Jeremiah 29:11, it is said, “For I know the plans I
have for you,” declares the Lord, “ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and hope.’’ That’s what
Good Shepherd is giving you. A future and a hope! And therefore, as I said that you are all God’s chosen instruments to play
this role in the drama of life.
How many of you have read William Shakespeare’s play, ‘As you like it’? Oh my God, a lot of hands. Thank you! So, that’s
something which everybody has read. So what did he say in that? He says “all the world is a stage and all men and women are
merely players.” All of us are just on the stage and we are just merely players. They have their exits and their entrances and one
man in his time plays many roles. He goes on to talk about different stages of man - as an infant, as a child, and as an adult, an
old person and so on. And he says, in our life there are 7 stages we have to play our role. As a child we have to play our role, as
a young adult we have to play our roles, as a father we have to play our role, as a grandfather we have to play our role. At every
stage of life you have to play that role and you have to play it well. So today, you are a student, you have to play that role well,
tomorrow you may be a teacher you have to play that role well. Whatever role is given to you, focus on that role and do it well
and forget about the rest. When you are a student, don’t think about what you will do if you are a teacher. You can worry about
that when you become a teacher. What will you do now when you are in 5th standard or 8th standard or 10th Standard? At
every time you have got a role and you have to play that role well and then you will have to leave the rest to God. And again I
quote from the Bible Psalm 32:8 where it says, ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you
with my eye upon you.’ So the God always has an eye upon you. He’s not letting you go. He’s like a Shepherd. And therefore
the Good Shepherd will definitely look after you. And in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, ‘Do your duty and don’t think
about the fruits thereof ’. When you do your duty, you are not thinking what will I get for it, it will come, believe me, from my
own experience. I’ll tell you, you focus on your work and the results will come, the fruits will come, you don’t have to think
about the fruits, don’t think about the rank when you study for your exam. You focus on how best you can do it, how you can
give it your best and the ranks will follow. You don’t have to think about it at all. Coming back to hard work, Thomas Alva
Edison said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. So those of you who come first in the class, the others should
not think, Oh she is a genius / he is a genius, he’s born with all the extra knowledge which God gave him, the extra brain power
which God gave him or He gave her and that’s why she’s first in the class. May be yes, may be that 1% God has given but the
remaining 99% was the perspiration of that student, believe me. He’s not just a genius; no genius has ever did well without hard
work. And Edison himself has said that. And again, Rudyard Kipling says in his poem “If ”. It says,
114 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
“If you can fill the unforgiving minute
with 60 seconds worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!”
So you cannot run 59 seconds, you have to run all the 60 seconds of that minute. Life is short. If I think that I will live another
50 years, I won’t – and in 50 years there are only 25,000 Sundays, even in 50 years. So if I live another 20 – 30 years, I probably
have another 10,000 Sundays left, in this world. Very humbling thought. So why not make use of that every one of 10,000
Sundays? I don’t want to waste any one of those 10,000 Sundays, I don’t want to sleep it off the entire Sunday. Then I’ve lost 1
of those, so I have only 9,999 left, I missed one out. So every minute, that’s the true meaning of the poem “If ” and if you can
fill that unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run, yours is the earth and everything that’s in it. If you want
the whole world, it’s there, for you. But you must fill that minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run, that’s the point and
that will not come without hard work. So again and again it’s hard work which is the most important. Quite coincidently Dr.
Thomas mentioned the word ‘passion’ when he was talking, and that shows it. When I read his book, in fact I told him, Dr.
Thomas, I have so many things in common with you, the reason is that truth is one. The paths to success are also very similar.
You cannot have different, different, different will all leading to success. But the ingredients of success are very similar and one
of them is passion and that’s why he mentioned the word passion as well. For me, the word passion is the best word in the entire
dictionary. Passion is something which you should have and if you don’t have passion, you are lost. You are as good as dead.
So it’s only passion which keeps human beings alive. It is passion which makes you excel and one example of that was Sachin
Tendulkar. How many of you saw the interview when Sachin made his 99th hundred? To get his 100th hundred he waited for
a long time, quite a long time and Sachin didn’t hit a hundred every time, by the way, nor did Bradman. Bradman is a better
batsman than Tendulkar. Bradman’s average is much higher, it’s 99.94 I think, whereas Sachin’s is only 52 or 53. Had Bradman
only hit about 4 runs in his last match, he would have ended with an average of 100. Unfortunately he got out for 0 in his last
match. So it ended up in 99.94. But even Bradman and Tendulkar are ordinary human beings, they are not extraordinary, they
don’t have two extra horns. God didn’t make them like that. So what made them extraordinary? When he finally got his 100th
hundred there were a lot of interviews and one of them was watching and the interviewer asked Sachin, ‘Now you have got
your 100th hundred, are you ready to retire Sachin?’ He said, ‘no.’ That person was surprised, is it no, why? Sachin said, ‘I’m
not ready, there is still fire in my belly.’ ‘There is still fire in my belly, when that fire subsides I will quit’. As long as that fire is
there age is only a number, just because you are nearing 40 it doesn’t mean anything and I’ll give you some other examples
of that. So he said as long as that fire in that belly is there, he would continue and after sometime I think that fire must have
subsided a bit, one day he said bye-bye, enough for him. So that is passion. If you’ve seen a movie called Patton, where General
Patton, the great General of U.S. Army faced a tough situation during the World War. The bombs were coming, the Germans
were bombing them and everybody was scared. His whole team with him, his whole army was demoralized. So General Patton
walked out, the planes were flying, they were throwing bombs and he flies out with his little pistol, small pistol he has in his
hand. He said, ‘I’ll shoot you guys, I’ll shoot you guys.’ But when he did that as a General, the whole army came off and they
said o.k. General Patton is going to do this, we’ll also do it, we will also join and the rest is history. You know who won the
war. So that again is passion. It need not be that what you say you’ll do or you’ll achieve it straight away. But if you have the
passion to inspire people, that passion first must inspire yourself and that’s why passion is very very important. Some people
rise very high in life, others don’t rise very high- the difference is attitude. So your attitude determines your altitude. So if you
want to go higher and higher in life your attitude has to change. If your attitude is negative you’ll never achieve the height. But
if your attitude is positive, you will do that. I also mentioned a dream. An astrologer tells Dr. Thomas that he will build this
great institution, then that dream starts unfolding in Dr. Thomas’ mind . The dream is ‘I will have this institution, I’ll have the
first campus and I will make it different . All others are focusing on academics, I’ll make it a residential school. I’ll bring in all
the academics, I’ll bring in horse riding, I’ll bring in gymnastics, I’ll bring in this, I’ll bring in that’, All sorts of dreams start
coming. Unless you have the dream, you’ll never achieve it and nobody has epitomized this better than Oprah Winfrey who
says, ‘Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe’. So you believe in it, if
you dream it, you’ll become it. That is destined to happen, that is the law of nature. If you can’t dream it, you will never achieve
it. So that’s one of the secrets of success that you must have a dream. I don’t mean day dreaming while the teachers are talking
to you. It’s not the time for you to dream, it’s time for you to focus and I found that focus in a minute. But you dream only by
yourself and you ask yourself what is it that I want to do in life.
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That brings you back to focus. Let me tell you the power of focus. You take this piece of paper. You go out into the sun and
the sun is at its brightest, at its zenith, most powerful, you can stand there for hours together with this piece of paper in your
hands. Nothing will happen to you except you will get a little tired, nothing will happen to the paper as well. Now you do
another experiment with the same sun. This time you take a magnifying glass and focus the power of the sun through that. If
you do that and in 5 minutes the paper will catch fire. The paper will burn in your hand. It will just catch fire, so the same sun,
the same paper, the difference was, it was not focused. The sun’s rays were diffused. Now you’ve focused it, you’ve focused
into a point where the entire power of the sun is now brought down on to this piece of paper and this paper cannot take the
power of the sun. That’s the power of focus. Your mind is like that. I want each and every one of you sitting here to do one thing
tonight, yes tonight itself you should do it. Take a piece of paper, sit in a quiet corner, allow your thoughts and emotions to
be silent for a moment and then ask yourself what are the 10 most important things you want to achieve in your life. 10 most
important things need not be in any particular order, but if you have something which is very much you want to achieve put
that as number 1 and then number 2 and number 3. Just make that list of 10 important things that you want to do in your life
and that goes for all of you of Finishing School as well. Write down those 10 points and say you want 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Keep it away in a cover. Don’t take that the next day and later look at it, just keep it away. But slowly start thinking what those
10 things are that you wanted. What is number 1 in that and start focusing on that number 1. What is it number 1 I wanted?
What is it number 1 I wanted? What is it number 1 I wanted? As you think about it within a few days the first step for achieving
that number 1 will happen. The first door has been opened for you when you take your steps through that and the second door
will open, then you go through that then and the third door will open. Did something like this happen to you, Dr. Thomas?
When you thought about building your school, didn’t doors open for you? From the age of 14, he had a dream and then the
doors started opening. How does it happen? Don’t ask me how it happens, I don’t know how some of my medicines work, I
know that they work. If I take a paracetamol, I know my headache goes away. Don’t ask me how it works. Which brain, which
thing, which cell in the brain, with what? Then I’ll have to spend the next 20 years doing research on that. All is that, you have
a headache, you take a Crocin and it goes away. That’s great. It works. Whether you know the mechanism or not and it has no
side effects, so that’s fine, I know it works. Similarly, don’t ask how these things work, I don’t know that God’s secret and I am
not into it yet but I’ll tell you it works and it will work again and again. It seems as if the whole of nature is conjuring itself to
make it happen. So if you focus on it, it will happen. And as I said coming back to it, it looks as if I am saying that you just have
to think about it and it will happen. I told you there are things you need on your side, your own effort, your hard word, your
passion, your focus, your dream and then on the other side there is something else that is needed- God’s grace. You’ll do all
that and die in an accident the next day, because God didn’t decide that that is needed for you. There is something called God’s
grace as well. So we keep praying to God and saying ‘God, can you help me with this’?, you know and when you write down
those 10 things, it must be positive things. You should not be saying this girl must not have something good, no I don’t like her.
And therefore something bad must happen to her Lord, that’s my first wish. It will come back to you. That’s the law of nature
that you think that something bad must happen to somebody else it will boomerang and hit you. Again don’t ask me how it
happens, that is the law of nature. And we can’t fight the law of nature. But if you think, Lord, this child must be the best in
the class and that’s my prayer and that’s my only wish. That child will become that. Because you ask for something positive and
don’t just mean coming first in the class, getting a century in a cricket match, I don’t mean that and if that’s your wish, so be it.
You have only one life, so whatever we wish in life, well, let’s achieve that. Be very careful what you ask God, because you’ll get
it and tomorrow don’t say ‘no, no I didn’t ask for it’. You asked for it and therefore you will get it. So be very sure what you want
and then ask God, because Lord Tennyson says that “More things are wrought by prayer than this world ever dreams of.” But
everything in the world is happening through divine power. Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘I’ve never known an instance, when
my prayer was not answered.’ He says every single time he prayed, he got it –But you must surrender to the Lord because you
must say ‘Lord it’s you, not me, it’s you and I surrender to you.’ ‘Islam’ means ‘I surrender.’ The meaning of the word Islam is
‘Is Salam’, I’m surrendering to you my Lord. Once you surrender then the Lord takes over everything. If you think you are the
doer, then Lord will say let me wait and see what you can do by yourself young man. You have only your power and you don’t have
the other one-divine power. I said both have to meet. In the Christian religion also they tell you ‘Count your blessings.’ One
of the greatest things I love about the Christian religion is ‘count your blessings.’ As I walked out of Dr. Thomas’s room, I saw
a saying “I was very sad, I did not have shoes until I saw a man who did not have any feet.” If you are a true Christian, you say,
‘Lord thank you for giving me my feet. I don’t need the shoes.’ I thank the Lord and say- thank you Lord for what you have given
me, I’m very happy. That will give you a lot of peace of mind also.
Another important thing I want to tell you is, you must have a lot of determination and guts. These are very important and I
wish to tell you three stories which are very inspiring. The first is the story of somebody you may not have heard of. Have you
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heard of Abebe Bikila?, no surprise, that’s why I wanted to tell you this story. His glory was in 1960 as a runner and none of
you were born at that time. That’s why I wanted to tell you this story about Abebe Bikila. Abebe Bikila was born in Ethiopia.
He was so poor that he didn’t have shoes to run. He was, in fact, running somewhere in the mountains and somebody saw
him. Recognizing his talent, someone suggested he should train for professional athletics and so they brought him in and they
trained him and then one day he represented Ethiopia. I think he was one of the few athletes from Ethiopia at that time and that
time- 1960s- Ethiopia was not known for its long distance runners. After Abebe Bikila, they really started producing famous
athletes. So as a total stranger in 1960 in Rome Olympics, Abebe Bikila took part and he won the Marathon. He was the only
one running barefoot. TV channels went and asked him, why he was running barefoot and he didn’t want to say he couldn’t
afford it. So he said, ‘I want the world to know that my country Ethiopia has always won with determination and heroism.’
Then in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics he came back again and won the gold. He was the first athlete in history to win the Olympic
marathon twice. I saw it on television when I was young. When he entered the stadium, there was no one in sight for the next
two kilometers, nobody was there behind him. So he kept running again and again, he finished, he won. Then people asked
him, ‘Aren’t you tired?’ He said, ‘I can go for another 10 kms.’ Then they said, ‘but isn’t your leg hurting? He showed his leg.
There was a big hole in his leg. With that hole in his leg he was running barefoot. He won the second marathon and he was
running few extra laps after winning with the hole in the leg. In the 1968 Mexico Olympics he came back again and then he
ran the Marathon. This time at the 1km distance, he had an injury in that knee and then he left the race. Then in 1969 the next
year he had an accident and this left him unable to walk. He is now on a wheel chair. From that wheel chair he took archery. He
says, ‘I can sit and do archery’ and then he won the World Archery Championship, sitting in the wheel chair. Now this is Abebe
Bikila. Shouldn’t you know about him? Who was he? He was an ordinary Ethiopian. He was not somebody who was rich. But
it was his determination and he was doing it for Ethiopia.
Two other people I will talk about are diabetics. They are both type 1 diabetics and these are the people who take insulin
and they take insulin 3 / 4 times a day. One is Gary Hall. His father was an Olympic Champion, his uncle was an Olympic
Champion. They were all Olympic medallists and he took up swimming. He took part in the Atlanta Olympics at the age of 21,
21 is already quite old by a swimmer’s standard. At 21, he won 2 individual silvers and 2 team relay gold medals. After that, he
wanted to take part in the next Olympic Games at Sydney, 2000. One year before this, he was training very hard, determined to
win that elusive gold. One year before that he was diagnosed as type 1 diabetes and his doctor had told him he was finished. He
was advised never to take part in any swimming championship again and take insulin 4 times a day. Not only did he take part
the next year in the Sydney Olympics taking 4 times insulin per day, but he also won the gold medal this time. The first time he
won the silver, the second time with diabetes he came back and won the gold medal. Not content with that, 4 years later in the
Athens Olympic Games, he came back and won the gold medal again and at 29 years, Gary Hall became the oldest American
male Olympic Swimmer. Not content with that, in the 2008 Olympics at the age of 33, he came back again. This time of course,
he lost: age was against him. But he took part and that’s the spirit. At the age of 33, when his competitors were 18 and 16, his
flexibility was gone and he was a diabetic taking insulin.
The last is Wasim Akram, whom you all know: the former Captain of the Pakistan cricket team, fast bowler. He is a very good
friend of mine, personal friend of mine. I have visited his home, he has visited my home. Wasim Akram was the first human
being in history to take 500 wickets in one day internationals. The first 250 wickets he took before he developed type 1diabetes,
the remaining 250 he took after developing type 1diabetes. When I go for dinner with him, he has his insulin pen with him
on the table. He orders the meal, and then in the restaurant itself, he injects his insulin through his trousers. He says, ‘I’m not
worried about telling anyone about it.’ In fact, he is a Brand Ambassador. At the last World Congress in Melbourne, he came
to give a talk and had a packed audience of all his admirers sitting there and talking to him. He’s a great guy. He has recently
married again as he lost his wife. So that’s another example. So all these are ordinary people but with extraordinary guts. They
just had the guts to say, ‘we will do it.’ Now coming back to Dr. Thomas’ life-he didn’t have hundred crores which somebody
gave him, thousand crores came through a lottery, something else came through something. I’m sure he borrowed, I’m sure he
took big risks because of his guts and his determination. I am sure there’s somebody in another school who must have thought,
is it really needed ? The sky is not the limit, it’s just that you have guts and determination. We have a duty in life, we think that
we can give so much more to the world. He believes that he can give so much more to the world and he has unfinished dreams;
his dreams are not fulfilled. I’m sure he has made his list of 10, finished them, he’s taken the next list of 10, now he is thinking
of the next 10 – is that right? He must have had many lists of 10 which he has finished now. So his next list of 10 is now one
more campus. You can continue to do it as long as God wants you to do it. But having said all that you should also ‘Live and let
live.’ So, when you want to come up in life, you find a friend of yours who is having, what do we do as Indians, you know – the
frog in the well attitude, the crab mentality. You cannot be narrow-minded thinking ‘If you pull this guy down only, we can go
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up.’ Never do that children, it’s not needed. When I was beaten in College by somebody who would write an exam in some
particular module, I would go and shake his hand and say, Great! I tried my best but you beat me.’ So you must be better than
me. At a young age I trained myself to do that, that I am not the best in the world, there are people better than me and when I
meet those people I must bow down to them and say, ‘What can I learn from you? You’re better than me. How is it that you’ve
achieved that? Is there any secret I can learn from you?’ Then you can go on. There are always people better than you and you
don’t have to pull them down. Whatever is your capacity, whatever God wanted you to do and whatever is your dream, you
achieve that dream. In a place like GSIS, I know how strict they are, I learnt about the security being strict. When I entered
I saw so many signs. I pick up things as I walk along, so they are very strict with you and that’s because Character Building is
very important, Righteousness, is very important. It teaches you to win in the right way. Otherwise, it is more glorious to lose.
There is no fun in winning by hook or by crook or by cheating somebody. Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “Not gold but only man
can make a nation great and strong.’’ Men, that includes women, as I said who for truth and honor’s sake stand fast and suffer
long. ‘Brave men who work while others sleep’ as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said. ‘Who dare while others flee. They
build a nation’s pillars deep. And lift them to the sky.’ So these are the people who make the nation and it is you people who
are going to make the nation. You and many others sitting like you in other schools today, you are the future. If India has to
enter ‘A Golden age’, a ‘Swarna Yuga’, it depends not on old timers like Dr. Thomas and me. We’re all spent forces now. It’s the
youth with vitality like you who are going to do it. I quote my own Guru and Master Bhagwan Shri Sathya Sai Baba as he says
“Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in character. Where there is beauty in character, there is harmony in
the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace
in the world.” So everything starts with righteousness. If you have righteousness in the heart, the whole world will be peaceful
and we just have to look after our own righteousness, we need not worry about our neighbor. When we are righteous, are we
doing the right thing? If each one of us does that, there will be order and peace in the nation. Young students, very soon time
will fly. You have entered the portals of this great institution and let me tell you this is a Golden Era of your life.
I studied in St. Mary’s, a Jesuit School. It is one of the oldest schools in Chennai and is in its 175th year. Then I went to Loyola
College, another great Jesuit institution. So I have been part of great institutions. Then I went to Madras Medical College,
another institution with 180 years of history. So these are all great institutions, so when we study there as students we do
not realize the glory of these institutions. It’s only years later when you look back that it would dawn upon us that everything
was brilliant about the place. In the beautiful Shepherdian prayer you mentioned how your parents and your teachers are
representatives of God. They are teaching you everything; they are the living gods that you’ve seen. So develop the right
attitude. But one day when you look back, when you are in the evening of your life like I am, you remember all the great things
past. I am reminded of Wordsworth’s poem “Daffodils” where he says
“For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon my inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.”
The poet says he is thinking about it long after he has forgotten the Daffodils. He is still looking back at that glorious sight.
I am sure one day you will look back at the time you spent here at Good Shepherd - what great days these are! So treasure every
minute that you are spending in this school. This is the beginning of your life. This is where you start off and you are going to
go to great heights in life and every one of those things that you achieve in life would be based on the foundations that you
received in this school. Therefore ever be grateful to the institution. Trust me- this indeed will be the Golden Era of your life
and you must thank Dr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas and all your teachers for all that they have given you.
So may God bless you all! I pray to the Almighty to bless Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Thomas. Long live Dr. Thomas and
Mrs. Thomas! Long live Good Shepherd!
Jai Hind!
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Address by Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, Commandant, Defence
Services Staff College, Wellington, to students of GSIS on 16 August 2014
Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, addressing the students and the staff
Dr. Thomas, Principal, Teachers and Staff of Good Shepherd International School, Parents, beloved Children, Ladies &
Gentlemen,
Before I commence my talk, I must admit that one experiences a 'rejuvenation of childhood' coming to your school.
It is my unique privilege and great pleasure to visit this School for the first time, to be amongst our children in whom we see
a reflection of the future leaders of our illustrious and great Nation, who would responsibly shape the destiny of our people
and the country. I am extremely grateful to the Principal, Dr. Thomas for the honour and distinct opportunity to share my
happiness and optimism with this brilliant young generation. At the outset, I wish to congratulate the management, staff and
students of the school for the successful and immaculate conduct of all the events today - most impressed!
I am well aware of the excellent work being done by the Good Shepherd International School, as it manifests in 'The Shepherdian'
and the 'Souvenir', as also during my tour of the School, making children self-confident, ethically correct towards enhancing
educational skills and enabling them to become valuable members of our society, thereby contributing exponentially to the
holistic development of the country. The aim of any education system is not only to provide elementary knowledge and
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book education to children, but also to undertake 'complete personality development' and instill in them citizenry attributes,
pertaining to the Sense of Commitment, a Deterministic approach to provide Growth-oriented schemes, Social Values and
Civility, Contribution to the upgradation of facilities and Self-discipline, besides generating a sense of pride, morality and
belongingness to our great Nation.
I am delighted to observe that the school academic and co-curriculum is consummate in its perspective, enabling the school
fraternity to achieve embodied organizational excellence. It is heartening that most of our children are doing extremely well
in multi-spectral activities and have joined reputed institutions and Colleges, as also have been placed in remarkably enviable
positions in corporate sectors. I am heartened to learn that the children have displayed overwhelming interest in joining the
Armed Forces. I wish to implore all children to develop a 'VISION' for themselves of a futuristic dimension, imbibe enriched
traditions and customs amidst our 'VALUE' system and finally must strive inexorably with full 'VITALITY', to accomplish
your mission of life. So always remember 'Vision, Values and Vitality.’
Today I will take this opportunity to share with you some small mantras for an effective, successful and contented life, which
I have experienced and thought appropriate to pass down to you, as I stand amidst the future Presidents, Generals, CEOs,
Entrepreneurs and Leaders of our nation. Each one of you over here is a repository of great potential and capabilities. You only
need to recognise the same and diligently persevere to fulfill your dreams and ambitions of life. You must therefore become
'Young Leaders’ and Paragons i.e. 'Role Models' for others to emulate.
The Power of Dreams: I have never heard of anyone dreaming of ‘failure’ or 'unsuccessful aspirations. ‘Failure’ has no role in
dreaming. It is the dreamer who instills failure, not the dream. Abraham Lincoln, President of USA failed throughout his life
but eventually succeeded to be one of the finest US Presidents..
Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times in scientific experimentations, while he was working on the light bulb and yet he never
succumbed. Noah Webster took 36 years to compile his Webster's Dictionary. There are no short cuts to success. Hard work,
complemented with an intense desire to achieve your goals in life through 'self sacrifice’ is the only recipe to iconic success.
Importance of Values in Life: My values with a deep sense of honour have always guided me and shaped my priorities and
animated responsiveness. They serve as my markers, to provide the right direction, resonating with my dreams... Certain values
which I wish to share:
Appreciation: Must learn acknowledging an exceptional job done by a person, as it is encouraging for the beneficiary – creates
good team spirit and motivational climate.
Belief in Others: Trust and confidence is contagious - the more you believe in others (not blindly), the more you will continue
to believe in yourself – it is reciprocated.
Caring: Habit of Personalised care & attention towards all sections of society manifests grace. Imbibe affectionate care towards
your elders, family members and the organisation.
Commitment: Commitment reflects loyalty, upbringing, focused approach and tenacity. Commitment is a promise made and
executed 100%..
Compassion: Develop an empathetic outlook; sympathy for others is an important part of your character.
Cooperation: Even the most complex tasks and assignments can be made simpler, when we focus on the solutions – together,
collectively! Teamwork and spirit is an arbiter of success.
Courtesy: Must imbibe basic courtesies and etiquettes of life, reflect upbringing and endear you to others.
Selflessness and Dedication: Firm resolve, resilience and selfless devotion to work, are vitally essential for success and the
fulfillment of dreams.
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Forgiveness: Condonation of mistakes, poor behaviour and attitudinal deficiencies, is very much appreciated by everyone –
give them a chance.
Friendship: Good friends support us without any motives. Friends sustain us through difficult periods and also celebrate our
success. Friendship in life, comprises only 2-3 friends – dependable 100%.
Gratitude: Conveyance of gratitude is paramount and an exemplary virtue of life - do it verbally or develop the fine art in
writing.
Honesty and Probity.: To live with honesty, keeps our hearts and souls pure and minds free of doubt or uncertainty. Honesty
triumphs always and every time. Probity and rectitude are strengths of character.
Hope: Hope reassures us that there will be a dawn before sunset. Never give up - just do it!
Integrity.: A significant aspect of our life, is our integrity in profession and character – should be unquestionable.
Humility and Modesty: Important character attributes – it has magical effects and also endures relationships.
Listening: Must develop the habit to listen to others with due attention, thereafter give your impressions and view point..
Optimism: Be optimistic and share your views and perceptions positively with friends, for a happy life.
Patience: Patience improves productivity, because it creates a better state of mind, for prudent decision making. Do not be
restless and impulsive.
Respect: When we show reverence, we are not only validating the other person's dignity, we are also enhancing our own.
Tolerance: It shows respect, patience and courtesy, an important value which shows maturity and balance.
Unity and Cohesiveness.: Working cohesively to solve a common problem gives you multiple options and ensures a greater
chance of success.
Knowledge Base and Intellectualism:. Consistently work to enhance knowledge and develop creative intellect.
Communication Skills.: Speak with fluency, explicitly and develop ‘oratorical excellence’. It is a force multiplier and will help
you tremendously.
Innovativeness: Always work with innovative mind, striving for 24 x 7 improvement – relentlessly using all imaginable sources.
Time Management: Time is the most important resource in your life. You have to be excellent 'Time Managers.’ The following
are the few tips that would help you to manage time effectively in all spheres of your lives Prioritise: Make sure 'high priority’ tasks get done first as part of your profession and domestic personal work are not put off,
but do it on a regular basis. Avoid time wasters!
Be Specific.: Make the tasks as specific as possible and follow them up with resilience, write them down on a daily basis.
Structure the Environment: Establish yourself well in a 'study’, a conducive ‘sacred’ place with limited distractions.
Establish a Routine: We are creatures of habit. It is better to have a balanced routine, to improve concentration and achieve a
physiological and psychological happy life.
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Joining the Armed Forces: There must be a sizeable number amongst you who are aspiring to join the finest profession of guts,
honour and glory where honour code, ethics and principles are a way of life.
Monetarily, the Services may not offer as lucratively as the corporate, but nevertheless it has the finesse, class and quality of life.
The responsibility of leading men and commanding them in adverse conditions, earning unflinching loyalty, gives the greatest
satisfaction to a human being. Comparably with a civilian perspective, it offers Professional Advancement, Job Satisfaction and
Security, Economic Stability, Social Status and Quality of Life, Variety and Adventure.
For those who have a 'passion for living' with flavour and inclined to join the Armed Forces, there is much enchantment for
you.
Job Satisfaction: Lack of job satisfaction leads to tremendous frustration and results in job-hopping. The sheer variety, sense
of purpose, positive environment, responsibility and pride, negate any job dissatisfaction.
Job Security: For an effective career, a long-term strategy is essential, with continuity and job security fully assured. The
statutory rules and regulations exist to safeguard the interests of the servicemen adequately, both while in service and after
retirement.
Foreign Courses and Postings: It offers great opportunity for courses and postings abroad. The Indian Army is renowned
all over the world and interaction with foreign armies is extensive. Service with UN Forces provides exposure and travel
opportunities across the globe. We have the largest complement of nearly 75,000 troops for UN peacekeeping operations.
Economic Stability: Consequent to the Sixth Pay Commission, salaries are enviable. Apparently, there are about 61 types
of facilities, benefits and allowances that are applicable to the Forces in general. There are numerous perks and intangible
advantages.
Training Programme (Officers): Six months’ courses are being conducted at reputed Schools (IIMs - Ahmedabad, Kolkata,
Bangalore, Indore, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, NMIMS Mumbai). These courses have received an overwhelming
response from officers and resulted in good job placements in the corporate sector. Other courses are being conducted in
multifarious fields like Information Technology, Security Services, Entrepreneurship Development, Business Administration,
Personnel Management, Hotel Management, Tourism, Human Resources Development, Law, Insurance and many other
short term courses.
Quality of Life: As an officer at 21, you’d be looking at a great lifestyle of challenge, adventure, excitement, honour, prestige,
self-respect, security for the family and to top it all, the love, respect and esteem of our soldiers and countrymen.
Adventure Activities: Variety and adventure are the 'spice and romance' of life. No profession has our kind of recreational and
adventure facilities to offer, from membership of the best clubs in country to horse riding, swimming, golfing, mountaineering,
trekking and sailing. Posting to exotic stations gives one an opportunity to see India and its different cultures, in all its vivid
glory - an 'elixir' of life. You may also get a chance to go abroad on course or on posting.
Social Status in Service: High esteem and a unique status in society - sense of exaltation! By joining the forces, one becomes a
member of an exclusive and elite brotherhood, which elevates your status in the society.
Post Retirement: Even after retirement, officers continue to have the status of the most respected citizens of our country. This
added to their ingrained code of conduct and ethical values, enable them to occupy a special social ‘niche’ in society.
System of Selection: There are multiple options, in which one could get a commission in the Army. You can join right after
school or after graduation. The selection procedures are impartial, objective and are uniformly applied to one and all have only
one aim – to “select the best.”
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Types of Commission: The Army offers both permanent and short service commissions. Permanent commission (PC)
through the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun and Short Service Commission (SSC) through Officers’ Training
Academy (OTA), Chennai.
Permanent: (i)NOA. (ii) Direct Entry (iii) Engineering Graduates (iv) University Entry Scheme (v) 10+2 Tech Entry Scheme
Short Service: (i) Non-Tech (ii) Tech (both men & women) (iii) NCC Special Entry (both for men & women)
Details of eligibility criteria duration and venue of training and other information is freely available through newspapers or
may be obtained from www.joinindianarmy.nic.in
Opportunities after Standard XII: At the Standard XI and XII level, those of you who have opted for Physics, Chemistry and
Mathematics and achieve an aggregate of 70 percent and above, can immediately apply further 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme.
The Army will then, over the course of the next five years provide an engineering degree and also commission you as an officer
on completion of four years of training, all free of cost.
However, on successful completion of Standard XII, everyone is eligible to apply for entry to the National Defence Academy,
through an entrance examination held twice every year. For the Air Force and Navy stream the applicant should have studied
Mathematics and Chemistry as subjects during the 10+2 stage.
For those who qualify the written test and others, as applicable to them, will have to undergo the Services Selection Board.
This is one of the most scientifically designed selection tools available, and has stood the test of time. It is so very aptly said by
Macaulay "TO EVERY MAN UPON THIS EARTH,
DEATH COMES SOONER OR LATER.
AND HOW CAN A MAN DIE BETTER
FACING FEARFUL ODDS
FOR THE ASHES OF HIS FATHER
AND THE TEMPLE OF HIS GODS."
- Macaulay
As I come to the end of my talk, I once again compliment the Principal, who is an eminent educationist with impeccable
credentials, an epitome of an academician and thoroughbred gentleman. He has given back to the society one of the finest
institutions in the country through prescience, visionary and directional perspective in school management. He has also
manifested, displayed and demonstrated, I think most aptly passion to attain scholastic excellence. When I asked him what
the results of the school are, he told me that they are good. In all spheres of activities the way we progressively apply for our
children and the way they have attained whether it is in academics or in sports and co-curriculum everywhere we have the
highest and the finest standards. I can only tell you that in this beautiful fountainhead of learning, you are very fortunate to
study and to develop your personalities. We pray to the Lord Almighty to bestow his blessings upon the school, the children
and the staff. You have got an intellectually inclined, very caring and very balanced, very mature staff, as I’ve seen, who can leave
rich, the academic threshold producing responsible citizens and icons of tomorrow.
I conclude by saying, in the end it’s a dream to have a beautiful school, which makes a difference in the lives of our lovely
children. One day when the children leave, they must hold their heads high with greater sense of pride and achievement, eternal
power and wisdom. Only then shall their dreams be realised with honour. I shall look forward to meeting the children in my
walk of life in their millennial endeavor to meaningfully shape the destiny of our country. Always work with steadfastness for
those three words that I always speak about in all fora that I visit and all children that I like and that I always remember: Duty,
Honour and Country. May the Lord bless and protect you!
Jai Hind!
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Address by Dr. P. Sankar, IAS, The Collector of the Nilgiris District, on the occasion of the Opening
Ceremony of the 12th Annual Inter School Athletic Festival held at GSIS on 23 August 2014
Dr. P. Sankar, IAS, delivering his address
Dr. P.C. Thomas, Principal of Good Shepherd International School, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, distinguished Heads of Schools
participating in the 12th Inter School Athletic Festival 2014, teachers, coaches, parents, guardians and my dear students of all
the 15 participating schools,
Good morning to all!
I am most delighted and happy to be here on your kind invitation to grace this grand occasion of the 12th Inter School Athletic
Festival held every year in the month of August since 2003 to foster camaraderie and celebrate talents of students in sports
and games especially athletics today. I am proud to note that the Nilgiris district has schools with a mindset to drive the
nation forward in all aspects of progress, prosperity and harmony. I was glad to hear from Dr. P.C. Thomas that this festival is
to primarily focus on students coming together in sincere and fair appreciation of one’s talent and capability. This echoes the
motto of the Inter School Athletic Festival – ‘Participate, Appreciate and Celebrate.’
No time is better than this very moment for all of us to pledge our unstinting support to nurture our young talents with
expertise, responsibility and commitment. India’s demography reveals that over 50% of its 1.27 billion people are 25 years and
below, and nearly 65% below 35 years. It’s a huge human resource potential and wealth for the nation. Leaders in India have
to pay significant attention and allocate resources to the grooming of this young population to face the world with knowledge,
skills, dignity, courage and true purpose.
Great minds in the likes of Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Survepalli Radhakrishnan, all emphasized on the
importance of education as the panacea for all our social evils. I am proud that the schools in the Nilgiris are striving for quality
educational service. I should commend the Heads of Schools for encouraging not only academic talent but also in sports and
games.
My sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Elsamma Thomas with their team of staff to help organize this kind of an
event in the district of Nilgiris. The facility you have here is remarkable and highly commendable. I am happy that the schools
in the Nilgiris have availed this opportunity to gather together to shape talents.
The Government of Tamil Nadu is dedicated to the welfare of youth and sports education. Under the leadership of Chief
Minister Jayalalitha, the Government of Tamil Nadu is highly committed to encouraging sportspersons and you would have
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witnessed the fruits of the effort at the Commonwealth Games held recently at Glasgow, Scotland. India’s medal tally read 15
Gold, 30 Silver, 19 Bronze this year with 7 of its high achievers from Tamil Nadu.
The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has been given the resources to recognize and award exceptional
sports talent. You would have read in the news about the awards presented by Chief Minister Jayalalitha on August 11th (Rs.50
lakhs) to Gold medalists Satish Sivalingam (Weightlifting), Joshana Chinappa and Deepika Pallikal (Squash), Rs.30 lakhs to
Achanta Sharath Kamal and Anthony Amalraj (Table Tennis), Rupinder Pal Singh and Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran (Hockey).
This also brings to my mind how promises are kept consistently. Rs. 2 crores was announced to Grandmaster Vishwanathan
Anand for winning the World Chess Championship Crown for the 5th time in 2012. Awards and cash incentives are in place
since December 2011 for individual and team events recognizing each player in order to encourage sportspersons at the
Olympics (once in 4 years), Asian Games (once in 4 years), Commonwealth Games (once in 4 years), South Asian Federation
Games (once in 2 years) and National Games (once in 2 years).
India is on a Mission to identify potential talent through varied schemes including the ‘Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel
Abhiyan’ (PYKKA). We should also do very well at the Asian Games which is soon to take place at Incheon, South Korea from
September 19 to October 19.
At the Inter School Athletic Festival 2014, I understand that over 600 athletes are present today and I wish each one of you
the very best. Now, I am elated to see an array of teams with lots to offer and achieve. I was greatly impressed by the Guard
of Honour and the March Past of the participating schools (contingents) with the two commendable bands of GSIS. The
discipline and order will surely hold you in good stead. It was also heartening to see the cultural presentation put up by the
students of Good Shepherd International School.
Dear students, understand that above winning, your whole-hearted participation to the best of your ability is most important.
True victory lies in your improved performance beyond your own recent best. I challenge and encourage you to aim higher,
foster excellent sportsmanship qualities of self-discipline, preparation, fairness, respect, determination, perseverance, great
team spirit, humility, positivity, enthusiasm, courage, grace, faith etc., and thereby improve your skills and your person to
do your school, your family, the state of Tamil Nadu and India proud. I wish each one of you a bright happy future and a
responsible living!
All the best! And I end with this words of Swami Vivekananda - “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached”!!
Jai Bharath! Thank you.
Speech of Dr. Terry O’Brien at a Special Assembly held on 27 August 2014
Good evening, everybody. I’ll begin with a quiz question because quiz is very much something that we eat, drink, sleep and
dream about. There is one thing that is common among all of you sitting here, all those people sitting there, the FounderPrincipal, the organisers, the teachers, the drivers, everybody in this school. There is one thing common between them and
me and that is, God made each one of us a somebody. He never had time to make a nobody, so we are all somebodies. We are
sitting here with dreams, we are sitting here to triumph, we are sitting here for trust and we are all here to prove ourselves, so
that’s the common factor. But down the journey of life, some of us do not remain a somebody, we become a nobody. It does
happen. Now let’s find out today what exactly is this nobody. Would you like to be a nobody? After I tell you this, you will say,
“Yes, I would like to be a nobody.” There was a film I saw many years ago. It was a Texas film: Terence Hill and Budd Spencer.
The name of the film was They call me Nobody: a very strange name. When the film begins, there is a little saloon. You know the
Texas people are very good in shooting: gun slingers. So, there is a barber’s shop and there is a little boy, his son, waiting for a
customer and a man on a horse comes, gets down. You know a typical Texas hero and he sits for a shave and there is a huge glass
and the shave begins. While the shave is beginning, three gun-slingers come from behind to kill him. He sees them. They bring
out their guns but before they can kill him, he just brings out his pistol and he shoots all the three, throws the coin and walks
out. The little boy is surprised. He asks his father, “Papa, who is that man who could shoot three people in a second?” He said,
“He is the best shooter in Texas.” The boy turned to his father and asked him again. “Tell me, is there nobody better than him?”
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The father said, “Nobody.” The son jumped on the couch and he
said, “They call me nobody,” and he became the best shooter. If
you are a nobody, you are also special.
Today we are here to share ‘How do we remain somebody in our
walk, the journey through life?’ A lot of us believe in many things.
We have our faith, we have our belief but the road to success begins
with belief in yourself. You have to believe in yourself. I’ll give
you an example. There were two unusual friends: a little sparrow
and a huge elephant: very unusual friends. The sparrow would
smile and dance and sing and the elephant, poor chap, stood at
one place. One day, the little friend asked the elephant, “Why are
you always sad?” The elephant said, “See, you can fly, you can go
and see God’s creation, the meadows, the flowers, the tea plants,
you can go and see the Good Shepherd International School and
come back. Look at me, a bulk of flesh on this planet earth.” The
little bird said, “You want to fly?” “Can I?” “Of course, you can fly.
Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” He says, “You’re joking. I can’t
fly.” He says, “Okay, come on,” and the bird took out a discarded
feather from its tail, gave it to the elephant and said,
“Put it in your mouth and flap your ears hard.” The elephant did
so and he started flying. When the elephant returned, he was ever
grateful and he told his friend, “My friend, I thank you. Because
of you I could fly.” The little bird smiled and said, “No, you could
not fly because of me, you flew because you believed you can fly.”
If you believe, even the sky is not the limit. The sky is not the limit
if you believe.
Dr. Terry O’Brien addressing the audience
Belief, can, of course, have many interpretations. There was this young couple who got married and they moved into a duplex
house. Do you know what is a duplex house? The ground floor has the living room and the dining room and the kitchen and
the bedrooms are upstairs and generally, there is a staircase inside, so you walk up. After they had dinner and they were going
up, at the landing, the wife tells her husband, “I think there’s a burglar in the kitchen.” Do you know what’s a burglar? Yes, a
burglar in the kitchen. He says, “Come on. We just had dinner. We are walking up.” She says, “Listen. In church, you said you’d
do whatever I say. So, you’d better go down and check.” So the poor fellow went down, came back and said, “There’s no one.”
Twenty-five years it went on. They were married for twenty-five years and every night, she would say, “Go. There’s a burglar.”
After twenty-five years, the poor chap was sleeping and his wife was pinching him, “Get up. Get up. Go down and see. There’s
a burglar.” He says, “Please forgive me. Tomorrow I’ve got office. I’ve got to do a presentation. I am very tired.” She says, “If you
love me, go and check. There’s a burglar.” He went down and he was very happy: there was a burglar and he told the burglar,
“Excuse me. Thank you for coming. Take what you want. Please wait. My wife has been waiting for you for twenty-five years.
Finally you’ve come.” This is in a lighter vein but as you say, if you believe, anything can happen.
Now if you’ve read the introduction about myself, you must have seen that this gentleman besides writing books and books
and books, claims to be one who believes in motivational training. Motivation: it’s a word which immediately says, ‘Trigger
yourself! You have to do it!’ There was this multi-millionaire who had a pretty daughter. She was very beautiful, a rich heiress.
He wanted everybody in his hometown; all the young suitors to come for dinner and he would decide who will be the lucky
man. This man had a huge swimming pool. You know, those in the Olympics. After dinner, he got the smart people around
the pool and he said, “Gentlemen, I have an offer. For the person who swims from this side to that side the fastest, I have three
offers: the first, I will give you five thousand acres of wood land free (The most powerful word today is the word ‘free’). If
you don’t like that, I have another offer: I’ll give you five million rupees. If you don’t like the offer, you can marry my pretty
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daughter. She is the heiress; you will own everything that I have after my death. Everybody was stunned. There was only one
problem: the pool was full of alligators and crocodiles. But one chap jumped. See the motivation. He jumped and he got out
the other side. Everybody clapped. Now came the prize. The man asked the boy, “Would you like the five thousand acres of
woodland?” “No, sir.” “Would you like the five million rupees?” He says, “No, sir.” “Now I know. You want to marry my daughter
and become a rich person?” “No, sir.” “What do you want?” “Sir, I want to know who pushed me.”
This motivation is the first form of motivation: fear. If I don’t do my homework, my teacher will give me punishment. If I don’t
listen to my parents, my father will give me a scolding, perhaps no pocket money, perhaps no ice cream. Your fear motivation
will not take you very far.
The second form of motivation is carrot motivation. You tie a carrot on a stick and have a donkey there. As you walk with the
carrot, the donkey will come walking, nibble it. This is when your father says, “If you do well in the English exam this year,
I will give you a new laptop.” Carrot. But the carrot, the laptop, after sometime will be boring. He will give you an iphone 5
and then you’ll say, “I want an iphone 6.” You are never happy. So what do you do? You convert the donkey into a horse. But
remember, we know, you can take a horse to the water, twenty cannot make it drink. So what do you do? You take the horse to
a mound of salt. The moment the horse licks the salt, it will run to the water. Can you understand what I said? Knowledge is
like an umbrella; it is best in use when it is open. You have to open yourself; you have to learn. All students who are here, I’m
sure, are committed. They are all here. Why are you here? To play games? Why are you here? You are here to study. Am I right
or wrong? If you are here to study you are wasting your time. Trust me. You have not come here to study. You have come to
learn. Please don’t try to study. Even for the teachers I say, the days of spoon feeding are over. When you spoon feed a child,
the only thing the child will remember is the size of the spoon, not the feed. So you’ve got to remember that today is changed.
Now what happens is, we face problems. Right or wrong? Life is a problem? Life is a challenge. Every birthday, we get a gift.
What gift did you get on your last birthday? Nothing? You must have got something from your parents. Didn’t you? We all get
gifts. When you were born (not you, all of us), the first gift that you got was a tight slap on your behind. Yes, the moment you
were born, the doctor caught you upside down and gave you one slap and you said, “Woah!” That is symbolic of the fact that
life is full of slaps. So we need to motivate ourselves. Now motivation is not a permanent thing. It has to be done every day: it
is like bathing, it is like brushing your teeth. Every morning you will have to see that you are not demotivated but motivated.
Every day is important. You must have heard of Steve Job, have you? He was the man for Apple. They suddenly discovered that
he had got cancer and he passed away. In one of his last speeches he said, “I don’t want to lie in a cemetery where people say,
‘Here lies the richest man in the world. I would like to go to bed and think that that one day that I got from God I did something
wonderful for everybody.” Life must be meaningful; it is not performance, it must be meaningful.
Now I’ll tell you how we live our lives. Last year, I was going to Dubai for the Sharjah Book Fair. I was supposed to speak this
year…. I took a flight from Delhi to Dubai. Beside me (I am a very talkative chap), an American was sitting (perhaps he lived in
Dubai). I turned to him and said, “Hello!” He didn’t reply. I again told him, “Hello!” He took the in-flight magazine. I thought,
“This nerd, this discourteous American, if it was an Indian I would have hit him on his head, he doesn’t have the basic courtesy.”
Things started working in me and I sat turning my back to him. We were about to land when I got a tap on my shoulder. I turned
around and I didn’t respond. Again he tapped me on the shoulder and so I turned to him. He gave me a piece of paper. I read
it: Excuse me, could you call my wife and tell her I’ve landed safely at Dubai and will be home very soon for dinner? Did you
understand what had happened? The man was deaf. The moral of the lesson: next time if you are on a flight and you’re sitting
beside me and you don’t want to listen to my talk, pretend you are deaf.
Now notice what has happened: he missed the fact that the man was deaf and he made up the fact that the man was a discourteous
human being. So we always live between what we miss and what we make up. What we miss cripples our thought, what we
make up fills us up with toxic emotions. As you mature, you become thick-skinned. You realize, okay, nothing good, but all of
us have this blank sheet every day and we miss something and we make up something. You have to remember the way you see
things. If you change, you will see things change. Very important.
Now I am coming back to the child. What is the first gift of a child? A good slap on your behind. When he is slapped what does
the child do? No, children do not cry for six weeks, no tears come out. The child makes a noise: Excuse me, I have come, I am
the hero, I am Amitabh Bachchan. The girl says, “Excuse me, please take notice of me: I am Aishwarya Rai.” (Very few will say,
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“I am Shah Rukh Khan.” But anyway). The idea is, the moment you are born, you want the flood lights to come on you. You
want everyone to notice you because one thing very important in us is self-esteem. If somebody hurts your self-esteem it does
a lot of harm. You love yourself, so you want to say, “Mama, Papa, everybody notice me. I am here.” See that communication
the child makes. After sometime, what happens? The child feels rats running in the stomach. Then it is aware that it is hungry
and suddenly again it makes a noise. Soon after this, the child goes to the next stage: Ppapapapa..Mamamamama. Again the
child is saying, “Please look at me. I am the hero. I am Bruce Lee.” Then the child becomes slightly bigger and the calling bell
rings. Mama says, “Go and see who has come.” The little child goes and sees and comes and says, “Mama, mama, that fat fightercock of a woman has come. Every morning who beats her husband with a shoe.” She has been seeing it. She is not telling a lie.
She is saying what she saw. But Mama will say, “Shut up.” In the society you cannot tell someone, “Excuse me, I do not like
your face.” There are social norms and that is where our communication fails. Look at these politicians. If Lalu Prasad Yadav
comes here and he gives a talk on honesty, you will all go to sleep. Sincerity is the bottom line of communication. If you don’t
have it, it will not happen as far as your motivation is concerned. Now when you were born it was you. “Mummy, you give me
the milk. Mama, you give me my tiffin, Mama, you do this, Mama, you do that, Mama, you give me my tie for school, you..,
you…, you…” It was the stage of dependence. Are you in that stage? No. Now you are “I.” Independent. Papa says, “Why
don’t you go to school on time?” “I will go when I feel like. I am grown up. I am independent.” Are you grown up? You will
grow up when you come to Stage Three: we. The planets move as ‘we’. Very important. There is a word in English called ‘team’.
We keep talking about ‘team’. ‘Team’ is not a word; it is an acronym. An acronym is an abbreviation becoming a word, like
SALT: Strategic Arms Limitation Talk. ‘Team’ is an acronym: Together Each Aim Met. If you think you can run a race alone
you will be the loneliest person in the world. If you do not have the capacity to build a team, the goals will not be achieved.
Motivators generally say, “Think positive!” Suppose I think positive and conduct a surgery on Mr. Mathews, will he have any
chance of living? I doubt. If I decide just now, “Think positive! Speak on nuclear science,” you can imagine what I will do. So
being positive is nothing, being positive is everything. We always say, “Attitude, not aptitude gets you altitude.” Very important.
Note what I say: “Attitude, not aptitude gets you altitude.” Right or wrong? No. What gets you most is gratitude. You must be
grateful. You must be grateful today that this evening you are sitting in this august institution. Thank everybody, and as I said,
love yourself the most, thank yourself. I want everybody to put your left hand on your right shoulder and your right hand on
your left shoulder. Give yourself a hug. You are in a good International School. Give yourself a hug and be happy. Learn to hug
yourself. Then see the change that comes within you.
There are lots of students here (not here, everywhere - in Delhi University – I’ve been a Principal of the college: they come
with numbers: “I got 98.5%; I am very sad: I should have got 102%.” I don’t know where that 2% is coming from) – all of us
sitting here want to climb the ladder of success. When you want to climb a ladder you rest the ladder on the wall. So what is
important? Not the ladder but the wall. If the wall is wrong, you will fall. If you copy in your examination and get 100%, bad
luck, friend, the wall is wrong. Most of these politicians climb to the top with the wrong wall and you see, what happens to
them. So don’t try to get numbers. People should not say, “He’s a brilliant student.” They should also say, “He’s a good human
being.” If you do not have value, you are wasting your education. Value has to be there. Climbing the ladder is not as important
as the wall.
Every day, we live in two circles: one is the circle of concern and one is the circle of influence. The other day I was here and
somebody came and said, “How very cold! Horrible! Ooty is very cold!” Excuse me, the weather is not outside, it is inside you.
You have to decide. If you start saying it is cold, you will not function. We carry our weather. We do not live on external weather.
So what happens? We have two circles now. The first is the circle of concern: “O God! I wish I had a car.” You do not have the
money. “I wish I had this”, “I wish I had that” and your circle of concern is so big and your circle of influence becomes small.
You have to increase the circle of influence. “I don’t have a car. No problem. I’ll buy a scooter which I can afford.” So, if you
increase the influence, this regret that we live in will end. Try and understand what I am saying. Make your circle of influence
bigger. Focus on what you can do and not on what ought to be done. So you have got to realize that the circle of influence is
important.
We wonder. In India, three things matter: A, B, C. ‘A’ is astrology. Every morning you first look at the newspaper. “How is my
day?” “It is a bad day. Your teacher will give you a scolding.” “O God! My day is gone.” You will see most of us wearing four
to five rings. We look at the palm: oh these two lines means I will fall in love twice. We all love our palms. We are mad about
astrology. There was this man who was taking a flight from Coimbatore to Delhi: the 2.20 flight. While he was waiting he went
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to a weighing machine. When you put a coin what comes out is a card with your weight and your destiny. So he put the coin
and out came the card and he was shocked. He thought Sherlock Holmes had been following him. This was because behind
the card it was written, “You are Mr. Rangaswamy. Your weight is 62 kgms and you are going to take the 2.20 flight to Delhi.”
He says, “How did the machine know this? Somebody is following me.” He took out another coin and put it in. Now the card
came out, “You are still Mr. Rangaswamy. You still weigh 62 kgms and the 2.20 flight to Delhi is what you are going to catch.”
He went to the washroom, brought out his shoe polish, put it on his face, camouflaged himself, put a hat and did everything
to look different: this time I’ll teach the machine a lesson. He put the coin and out came the card which said, “You are still Mr.
Rangaswamy, you still weigh 62 kgms but the flight that you were taking to Delhi at 2.20 has gone.” So don’t try luck, don’t try
destiny. You will be nowhere. You will miss the flight of life.
So ‘A’ is astrology, ‘B’ is Bollywood: we are mad. Of a fellow who cannot even speak, and stutters and stammers ‘Shah Rukh
Khan’ we say, “What a nice actor.” What he says he only knows, but we are mad. The third ‘C’: what could that be? Cricket.
We are cricket-crazy people. We think cricketers are gods. Our god is Sachin Tendulkar. He goes to Wimbledon and the
Wimbledon winner does not recognize and we are crying, “Why isn’t he recognized?” Only five countries play cricket. We are
nowhere and even in that there is one Dhoni who goes on Dhoni, we do not even kick them out. That is the tragedy but we live
within this framework: A, B, C.
Now what is our role? There is a nice film. I wonder if sometime the school may show it: O God! They tried to copy it in Hindi.
It was called O My God or something. This man used to get up every morning and say, “O God! I want a new car.” or “O God!
My boss is a horrible person.” One day, he got a letter under his drawer. He opened it, “Dear Mr. So and So, I have decided
to give you an appointment in the toilet of Abbey Theatre at 4 o’clock,” signed God. He was shocked. He said, “How is that
possible? Somebody is fooling me.” He went. When he opened the washroom he found a man like Jesus Christ with a beard,
jeans, smoking a pipe and standing there. He says, “I am sorry.” The other person says, “Come on, come on, I am God.” He
says, “Come on. You are fooling me.” He says, “Why? You want me to prove that I am God? It’ll rain in this room.” See we don’t
believe without miracles. It started pouring. He said, “Okay, Okay, Okay. You’re God.” Then comes the main point. He asked
the man, “Why did you want to see me?” He said, “Excuse me. Please wait.” He brought out a list. “God, I want a car, I want my
boss to be fired, I want more money, I want a pretty woman to marry me” and a big list. When he was reading, this God says,
“Excuse me. Are you sure you wanted to meet me?” He says, “Yes, That’s why I’ve come with my list.” The man who was God
smiled, “I am God. I am not a magician.” Remember, God is not your magician. You have to walk the mile. When you walk that
extra mile to reach success, there is no traffic jam. Get out of this traffic and move ahead.
Finally, I’ll end with (I think I am overstepping) eight secrets to be great. The first: Passion. You must have the passion, the love
to do something. Bill Gates and his friend had the passion to write software. They did not do it for money. Money followed.
So you have to have a passion. Since I was introduced here as the brother of one of your teachers, Mr. Kevin, I must tell you:
if you look at his life you’ll think his decisions are wrong. He was a college professor and he decided to leave that and become
a school teacher because from his own father he learnt teaching is not a vocation, it is not for money, it is an avocation: you
have to love what you do and I’ll tell you, very soon, you will have an applicant here to become a teacher: Allen O’Brien, my
son. He worked for fourteen years in Times of India, a big name. For fourteen years he was in charge of NIE: Newspaper In
Education. He used to write the Hollywood column. One morning he decided to leave the job, and came back home. I asked
him, “What’s the matter?” He said, “I have had enough.” Now he is the seniormost (at a very young age) editor of Macmillan
but he still tells me, “I have one dream: to be a school teacher.” So you will get one person, I don’t know when, maybe after fifty
years, but one day, I hope he does what he loves. The first thing is love, the second thing is work. You have to work for it. A lot
of people have worked hard and have been successful. They asked one of those millionaires in America, “How did you become
a millionaire?” He said, “I worked and worked and worked.” Everybody thought he was a workaholic. The interviewer told him,
“You worked and worked and worked, so you are a donkey.” He said, “No, I worked and I had fun.” He was not a workaholic, he
was a ‘workafrolic’.” That’s what you have to be. Enjoy the thing while working. It is very important.
The next is, you have to focus on what you are doing. You will reach your goal. A man who broke all the records in the world and I think it will take a hundred years for somebody to break his record - was focused on only 22 yards of a cricket pitch. Who
was he? Sachin Tendulkar. That is what he said, “I spent it here.” You must focus on one thing. Don’t dabble in many things. You
may dabble in many initially but be very clear. What am I wanting to achieve?
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The next is ideas. We must have ideas. Now, what is this idea? A few friends got together and said, “Let’s think how I can
go from this hall to Dr. Abraham’s house.” They started thinking, brainstorming. One said, “I’ll walk.” Another said, “I’ll fly.”
Somebody said, “I’ll take a bicycle.” One person said, “I’ll make a tunnel and I’ll go and get out in his bedroom.” Everybody
said, “Mad fellow!” The greatest bank robberies in the world take place through tunnels. A lot of them got through. They said,
“We’ll make a dangerous vehicle. What should the wheel be?” Everybody said, “It has to be round. If not, it will not move.” One
fellow said, “No. No. No. It will be oval,” and the most powerful vehicle in the world used in a war is a tank. This is called lateral
thinking, not linear. You have to think differently, not linear. Ideas have to come to you.
Then, you have to improve. There are three rules to improve. Rule Number 1: Practise. Rule Number 2: Practise, Rule Number
3: Practise. Sachin Tendulkar never missed his practice. This Kohli fellow hasn’t been practising, and see what he is doing to
himself. You have to be dedicated hundred percent. Then serve. ‘Serve’ does not mean you give money to poor people; you have
to add value to your service. Bill Gates added value to the computer and the Microsoft. Have you ever seen an advertisement of
Tata Steel - whether on a board or in a clip on television? They have one line: we also make steel. Strange, I thought, why don’t
they say, “We make steel”? “We also make steel.” For them their people are more important than the steel. That is why we look
up to the Tatas: they have value.
Finally, you have to be persistent, which is a continued process. You have to go on with it and be persistent. Now, I’ll end. I
loved the motto of your school: Truth, Trust and Triumph. It is beautiful. You can only win. See what they think if your ladder
is on the right wall. I would like to end this talk by suggesting to the Founder, members of this school, the best car sticker for
the Good Shepherd International School would read: God loves you whether you like it or not. Let’s thank God that we are
loved and we are here. Thank you and God bless you.
Speech of Dr. P.P. Vijayan, M.A., M.B.A., LL.M., Ph.D.,
at a Special Assembly held in GSIS on 11 September 2014
Dr. P.P. Vijayan addressing the students and staff
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Respected Teachers and my dear young friends, I’m going to talk about Mind Mastering. You can conquer yourself, you can
conquer your mind. Once you’ve conquered your mind, mind is your servant. You can achieve anything with your mind. So
unleash the power within you and redesign your parts of journey, you can redesign your destiny. There is a treasure house
within us. Mind is the unexplored continent on earth and actually we are not using one percent of the power of our mind. So
if you are able to use it, you know more of the power of the subconscious mind and you can achieve whatever you want to have
in your life. I can give you some of the evidences of people using the power of their mind. You know there is this building in
Dubai. What is the fundamental material for constructing this building? Can you just tell me? May be glass, may be steel, what
about the mind? A person visualized the building and the building emerged.
You can just see the first flight in 1904. Two people visualized that they had a flight and human could fly but all other people
around the world, they never believed they could fly. So they made a small aircraft with aluminium sheets and even with wood
and they could fly 40 kilometers in the beginning. And from that now we are flying in Airbus 380. 900 people with the crew
members, can fly at the same time. And you’ll witness may be after 10 years, 20 years, may be 15 years the new hypersonic
jets. 20 thousand people flying at a time with the atomic power. That is in the making and is coming. What is the fundamental
material for making the new flight - Hypersonic Jets? It’s a might! It’s a might! This is the biggest hydroelectric project, the
biggest dam in Yangtze River in China. It has come out of the mind of Ms. Pan Jiang from the thought, thought become things.
From the thought the biggest dam and the project emerged. And even your school – Good Shepherd International School
emerged from the mind of somebody, we know that. We know the story. May be after 5 years, 10 years, 15 years or 20 years
you will witness many things that will emerge from your mind. You can see the biggest atomic plant in the world KashiwazakiKariwa atomic energy plant. What do you think of the people who had constructed it? You just compare their mind with the
plant. Where will you find more electricity or more power? The same person there will be able to make may be 10 or 20 or 100
similar plants. So his mind can conceive any number of plants, atomic plants. The highest bridge in Millau in France has come
out from the mind of somebody. It’s the highest one and the oldest one in 1855. Mr. Ron John Robin visualized the suspension
bridge 150 years back – 160 years back. You can see this picture. This is New York and this is Brooklyn and this is Hudson
River. Those days, 150 – 160 years back there were no bridges at all and this fellow visualized this suspension bridge crossing
Hudson River. His son Washington and he made the design together. They started construction. After three years there was
an accident. John Robin died on the spot and Washington survived, but he was in a coma. And Emily, his wife was feeding
him. After five years she could notice some movement in his right index finger. She understood that he was trying to convey
something and she placed her palm over there. She gathered that one tapping meant A, 2 tappings meant B, 3 – C and 4 – D.
Likewise he transferred the entire technology of the suspension bridge. In nine years she could transfer all this technology.
She was a housewife. She learnt Civil Engineering and the world’s first suspension bridge came out of the mind. The President
of the U.S. came for the inauguration and he insisted that Emily should inaugurate it. And you can just think: from one finger
the first suspension bridge emerged. And we are all able-bodied people and in the sound mind what all things can come out
of our minds. I need not speak much about Barack Obama, but I have to speak about George. George Obama is still living in
a slum in Kenya. And there is only one person you can elevate or save from the slum and who is that person? George himself.
Barack Obama was born as a Muslim: Barack Hussain Obama, and he is black. But in spite of all that his motto was: I will
change America. George, his own brother is still in the slums, you can just imagine. So my dear friends, only you can elevate
yourself, only you can change yourself. And you know Dr. Kalam? He used to supply newspapers. At 3 o’clock he would get up
and go on his bicycle to distribute 2 bundles of paper in houses; then he would go to school. If he could become the President
of India it was nothing other than with the power of the mind. You can just Google about Nick Vujicic: he’s without arms,
without legs but millions and millions of people are waiting to hear him and he is rich, a self-made millionaire. Mark Inglis is
a double amputee. He could scale Mount Everest; Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook from his school dorm. Now his present
asset is around 30 billion US Dollars. Now these are the evidences I have spoken about and now you can see what the experts
speak about the mind. Dr. Joseph Murphy has done extensive research on the power of the subconscious mind. The name of
his book published in 1964 is The Power of Your Subconscious Mind. And you can bring into your life more power and more
wealth, more health and happiness by simply trying to learn to contact and release the hidden powers of your subconscious
mind, and your subconscious mind is a store house; you can release the hidden powers. Dr. Holmes speaks about the mind; he
wants it to expand to the dimension of a large idea and never return to the original size. I can give an example: it’s a metaphor.
One boy had a lot of problems in life and he finally decided to commit suicide. During that time he met a Guru. He explained
all his problems. The Guru had just picked up a handful of salt and put it into a glass and poured water and mixed it and gave
it to him and asked him to drink. He just felt it to be too salty and spat the water out. Then again the Master asked him to
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take a bigger handful of salt. Then they moved to a lake and the Master asked him to mix the salt in the lake. He then asked
him to drink it and asked him what he felt. He said that he could do it very easily. Then the Master asked him, “What did you
understand out of this? Your mind is very small like a glass, so it tastes horrible. If your mind expands once all your problems
and all your sorrows and all your problems will vanish. Our mind is just like a glass. It’s a small container, so it is bitter. So once
you expand your mind, all our problems will vanish. Gandhi also explains about the power of the mind; a mind is the product
of his thoughts, what he thinks he becomes. If you want to become a billionaire, you will become one and if you want to give
employment to ten thousand people definitely you will give. What you think you will become. Alfred Montapert explains
that, to accomplish great things, at first we must dream, then visualize, then plan and believe and act. If you want to have a
16-storey building what’s the first step? At first you have to dream. Then visualize that the building is there, a parking lot is there,
functions are going on there, people stay there. Then you have to plan with Structural Engineers, Architects and other people.
Then you have to believe that a building will emerge out of your thought; you’ll be able to build that and from your thought,
people will subscribe Apartments, Shopping Malls or whatever they want. When you believe you can act. You see many poor
people; they are on the road, construction labourers, agriculture labourers and all sorts of people. They don’t dream, they don’t
visualize anything, they don’t plan it out, they don’t believe, they just act. And what is the difference between successful and
unsuccessful people? Can you just tell me? Yes, all successful people dream and unsuccessful people act; they don’t dream. So
mind power, its application of mind’s potentiality. It is not Psychology. Psychology is for defining of behaviour and curing your
psychological problems, but mind power is the application of mind’s potentialities. It’s used for achieving goals and objectives
and training your mind to create the life you want. If you want to become a surgeon or a business person or a hospital owner
you can train your mind to create the life you want. So our mind comprises a lot of images: the first image, the time with your
mother, the first day at school in your uniform, the favourite pen and these images may be positive image or negative.
The mind is just like a software and your body is a hardware; your brain is a hardware just like a theatre. Theatre is hardware,
the movie is a software. The computer is a hardware and the program running inside the computer is a software. Similarly, your
body and the brain is the hardware and your mind is a software. Your mind comprises images and memory and emotions and
you have a lot of feelings and a positive attitude as well as a negative attitude. These days you have a lot of talent like, you can
sing, you can paint; all these talents are in your mind. There are two types of mind: one is the conscious mind which is like
an iceberg: you can see only 10% above the sea. When you sleep tonight, your subconscious mind will be awake and you will
dream. So the conscious mind is only 10% and the subconscious mind is 90%, and all your driving software is there in your
subconscious mind. In your conscious mind you have IQ, logic, thoughts, analysis and decision making. Can you tell me what
the functions of your subconscious mind are? Yes! Wonderful! Dreaming. Dreaming is the function of your subconscious
mind. You can heal your body by giving auto suggestions and your health is in your subconscious mind. When you get called
the next time you can just audit the transactions, your mental transactions during the last week. If you are not mentally upset,
you may not get called at all. Your body grows. Usually we do an exercise, you .have got the capacity to increase your body or
you can reduce your body. Here we will do a small activity. Are you ready? Your one leg is slightly taller and your one eye is
slightly bigger and your one hand is slightly longer, we will check. You can see a crease in your wrist, you just see and make
your hands free and make a check. Put the crease exactly at the same place and just stretch it and you can see that one of your
hands is longer than the other one. It is the first time you may be seeing that one of your hands is longer. Okay, take the longer
one in front of you and again the shorter one in front of you. Look at the hand, then take a deep breath, breathe in deeply and
breathe out and relax and close your eyes. Just look and visualize that your hand is growing, just look and visualize and feel that
your hand is growing. I mentally repeat and verbally repeat louder, ‘Grow’ – eight times, repeat mentally and verbally ‘Grow’.
‘Grow’ – eight times ‘grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow’, you just check it – okay. Again take your longer hand and
again close your eyes, tell it to grow shorter, grow shorter, grow shorter, grow shorter, grow shorter, grow shorter, grow shorter,
grow shorter. Now you check. The left hand is growing, left hand it is growing, left hand is growing, left hand is growing, left
hand is growing, left hand is growing, left hand is growing, left hand is growing and the right hand is heavy, the right hand is
heavy, the right hand is heavy, the right hand is heavy, the right hand is heavy, the right hand is heavy – okay; without moving
your hands just open your eyes and now, your hands are moving. I will show you a few more activities and you have to use your
mind power for your academic excellence. I need three student volunteers, I need a collar mike. I will show you how this mind
work can be used for academic excellence. At first I’ll show you the problem. Can you just stretch your hand?
I explained all these activities: what is that coin? It was only one coin but I told them, it was two coins, ten coins, fifty coins,
hundred coins, one kilo up to 12 kilos. So they felt it was at least 5 kilos or 10 kilos. It was very heavy and why? Mentally, if
you repeat ‘Maths is very difficult for me’ or ‘Chemistry is difficult for me’ more than 5 times, you cannot improve in it at all.
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For any sports activity, if you repeat, I cannot, I cannot, I cannot, I cannot, I cannot, after the fifth or seventh time, you cannot.
If you say, I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, if you give consistent, repeated auto-suggestions you can do
anything. You can see there are many people getting divorced after may be 1 or 2 years of their marriage. They mentally repeat
this is a mis-marriage, this will not work and mentally repeat this will not work, this will not work, this will not work, this will
not work and then it will not work. People feel that ‘I cannot clear an entrance exam’, ‘I cannot’, ‘I cannot’, ‘I cannot’, ‘I cannot’
and our body and mind respond to that. Thereafter you cannot read and you cannot understand many things. So this is for even
business or marriage or exam or sports or games and whatever area. If you repeatedly speak to yourself, self-talk ‘I cannot’, ‘I
cannot’, ‘I cannot’, you cannot at all.
Body growth, wisdom and death depend on what people think. Many people survive cancer. These days, more than 80% of
people with cancer survive. But initially if they talk to themselves and say that it is finished and that these are the last days for
them, it is finished forever. But if they repeatedly give auto suggestion, “I will conquer’, ‘I will win’, ‘I will live’, ‘I will live till
90’, ‘I will live till 90’ they will come out of the disease. So when you write an exam the next time and if you don’t remember
the answer just close your eyes and breathe five to six times and try the next time and the answer will come to you from your
subconscious mind. Then use the spiritual intelligence and the mental clock. These are all the activities of the subconscious
mind. Tomorrow if you set the alarm for 5 o’clock to 2 minutes before that you will get up and wonder who woke you up. It
was your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind can create any number of opportunities. Our mind has three parts - our
conscious mind, subconscious mind and the unconscious mind. The conscious mind is just like a captain and your subconscious
mind is just like the crew members and your body is the ship. Here the captain is trying to communicate, he is a French captain,
he’s trying to communicate. Let’s take the ship to Dubai. But what did the crew members understand? They are childish people.
They let the ship go to Singapore. There must have been a huge communication gap. Similarly, most people cannot understand
the language of the subconscious mind. English, Hindi, Tamil and other languages: these are the languages of the conscious
mind. The language of the subconscious mind is images. If you give anything with an image to anyone, once they see it, they
visualize and they imagine it. Your mind is like a garden. If you sow on paddy or wheat or corn or sugarcane, only those plants
will emerge. If you plant a mango seed, may be after five years you can have the nicest mango. Similarly if you give positive
thoughts to your mind you can have a positive life and positive results. If you plant in your mind the seeds of hemlock, the most
poisonous tree on the earth, poisonous leaves will emerge. If the negative people around you speak and you listen to them, if
you conceive the message it will destroy your life. Your mind is like a camera and the kind of photo suggestion that you give
or whatever you see with that hard disk of your mind conditions your response. If you take a picture of a rose you cannot have
a picture of something else. It is from your eyes that it is going to your subconscious mind. There are a lot of contaminations
in your subconscious mind. You know, our mind is a software and the mind comprises images and emotions. The failure in
your life is caused by the contaminations and impurities in your mind. Once you reprogramme your subconscious mind you
can create wealth or health or you can have better relationships or success, courage, confidence or inspiration or whatever you
want in your life. If you are using only 20% of your abilities, by conquering your mind and reprogramming, you can increase
at least 80% of your capabilities and abilities. Your happy time is only 25%. Once you remove all the contaminations from
your subconscious mind, you can have 80% of the happy time. These are the mind programming methods which remove
impurities and help us set goals. We have to have a goal, then visualize, then affirm, meditate; praying, having role models and
using a vision board are also very important for mind programming. You can just search on the internet: almost all important
people and celebrities have a vision board. So images comprise the languages of the subconscious mind, so for whatever goal
you have you can keep a vision board and you can create a vision board that you can place in front of you: where you sleep or
work; then you can just see that goal and finally reach it. Then you can have regular auto-suggestion. How many of you have
heard of the Law of Attraction? Tomorrow you can Google about the Law of Attraction. You have the power to attract. Your
mind has magnetic power and one per cent of the people have huge magnetic power and so they can attract the realization of
their dreams in the form of huge businesses, professions, life partner, money, health, fame or whatever they want. So you can
attract circumstances, events and people without dominant thoughts and emotions through self-talk and visualization. You
can magnetize your mind by thinking intensely and frequently about success. At the end of the programme, I can show you
some of the books. You can just note them down or you can buy and read them. There are a lot of universities working on this
- how this Law of Attraction works. If you apply gratitude and forgiveness and unconditional love, your magnetic power, your
mental power will improve, you can attract anything. But if you have a lot of anger, resentment, blame, grief, despair and guilt
you will attract negative things, negative emotions and negativity in life. So use the power of focus. If you have something in
your life, you have a goal; the sunlight outside is scattered. If you hold a magnifying glass, the sunlight coming through that
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will be focused onto one thing and it can burn anything. You can keep a book, it will be burnt. There are thirty thousand, sixty
thousand thoughts in a human being in a day. If you are able to focus on at least ten thousand thoughts in one day, your mind
will have magnetic attraction, you will attract anything. Beyond our five senses we have extra sensory perception and telepathy.
When you try to telephone somebody that person will call you back before you call. And clairvoyance, intuition, ‘dèjà vu’, (it’s
a French term) all show that your mind travels before you go there. If there’s a death or an accident or similar events at your
home you will have an alert from your subconscious mind. And telekinesis – you can move things even without touching them.
Clairvoyance: you can listen to sounds from, may be across the continent after projection, keeping a body here and visiting
other places. You can expand your minds. One of the methods to expand your mind is by inspiration. My vehicle is parked
here; it needs fuel to move it. If you keep a lamp here, you have to add oil to it, if you want to see the light. Similarly, if you read
inspirational material, your mind will be inspired. So if you are able to read at least 20 pages of inspirational material a day, you
are sufficiently inspired. And if you read for 100 days 20 pages a day then you would have read 2000 pages, and in a year you
will have read 7000 pages and in 10 years, 70,000 pages.
I can give a Sanskrit quote. The quote means that a King and Scholar cannot be created. A King is respected only in his own
kingdom, whereas the Scholar is respected everywhere. Smt. Jayalalitha, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, will be respected in
Tamil Nadu but whether a Scholar goes to Korea or South Africa or Japan or the U.S he will be respected everywhere.
If you want to become somebody in your life, be like Dr. Kalam who read 20 pages of inspirational materials every day. You must
make a vow that if you don’t read 20 pages, you will miss breakfast. You must practise it at least for 3 months and throughout
your life not only for 10 years; throughout your life may be 30 years, 40 years, 60 years. Nelson Mandela practised it throughout
his 27 years in the jail. Every day he used to read for 3 hours and he used to exercise for 2 hours in a day, so he lived up to 93. So
once you expand your mind all your problems will vanish. Your mind can create any amount of health. So again I am repeating
‘removing impurities’. At first, you have to remove the impurities from your mind then set a goal, then visualize, affirm, then
meditate. I am going to explain a little bit about meditation, then prayer, role modeling, having a vision board and auto
suggestion. When we go to the U.S. or to the U.K. or any other foreign country, Indian Gurus are respected. I think you know
the 6 most acclaimed things in the world: French Wine, British Police, Chinese Cook, Indian Guru, German Car and Japanese
wife. So, why are Indian Gurus respected? Because of our meditation. The nicest thing from India is meditation. So start with
meditation. It’s very simple. Actually, 28 years back I went to a Guru to learn meditation. He explained Padmasana but I was not
able to sit. I was a sportsman, I was not able to sit. So for years together I could not meditate. But finally, I learnt from a Doctor
from Harvard Medical School, Dr. Herbet Benson. His meditation is a complete programming of the mind. You have to sit
comfortably on any chair or on any bed or anywhere in a quiet place and 6 to 9 times you can continuously take a deep breath,
then you can go for the total physical relaxation. In medical terms it is called Progressive Muscular Relaxation (PMR). Then
you have to neutralize your emotions, practise forgiveness, gratitude and unconditional love, then practise thought focusing.
You have to focus your thought exactly on what you want in your life and the kind of success you want, the kind of house you
want, the car you want, the book you want to write, whatever you want, then you can deepen. ‘Deepen’ in the sense, you can
see the inside of your house and whatever you want, then again visualization, you can see and feel as if it is happening right now
and involving your five senses, then giving affirmation. Affirmation is nothing but the auto suggestion – I can do it, I am in the
process of doing it. There are many methods and you can take many types of affirmations from the NET. Then practise the 8
stages of thoughtless unity with the Universe. Then you slip into the thoughtless stage of your mind. There you will experience
ecstasy. Ecstasy is beyond pleasure or happiness or joy and beyond that bliss, then ecstasy. So in the 8th stage you can feel and
experience ecstasy. That’s the highest stage of happiness. So you can try with this. Then again dream and go through the 10
stages of mind programming. You need to have a dream of your future or your project and set a goal and proper planning with
appropriate data and believe in that God. You will achieve that. Then experience positive emotions, then focus, then visualize,
affirm, act. The 9th step is action. Then you wait patiently. You can have it. These are the 10 steps’ programming for success. I
can give you a few more examples of how it works.
This is an exam technique I am going to tell you. When you go for the highest competition or exam or whatever, don’t think
about anybody criticizing you and when you have a football match don’t look into their eyes at all. Don’t ,look into their face
at all. You just try and when you write an exam always remember and keep the image of the most encouraging teacher in your
mind. I repeat; this is a mind power technique. People use it even in the Olympics in all the contests, all the music contests. You
just remember the face of the most encouraging Guru or teacher in your mind and you will have extraordinary capacity. You
just have to see it. That means scientifically you have a synaptic cleft that will release energy immediately, but if you look into
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the face of criticizing people or discouraging people, ridiculing people, immediately your power from the body is lost. Close
the eyes and then you will see and the power from your body goes away. Removing impurities from the mind, may be, from
the subconscious mind. We need at least 10 hours, we need minimum 10 hours’ training, because at least 5 to 6 meditations
we have to have and luckily you have 2 people to train you and I have trained them for 12 days rigorously, from morning to
12 o’clock night: that’s Mrs. Rema Madhu and Mr. James Milton. They will be able to guide you and in case you need me, we
can plan for the future, but what is needed is minimum 10 hours. I’m explaining about the potentialities of mind power. Then
I have programmes for entrepreneurs. That’s my biggest job: making the business world bigger and bigger using mind power.
That’s the billionaire mind set. Mind power for the students deals with how to get marks and how to get more opportunities
from across the globe. There is mind power for parenting, and the law of attraction, future management can help you design
your life and create your destiny.
Professor Howard Gardner of the Harvard University and his research in 1982 on multiple intelligence shows that we have
9 different intelligences and if you are linguistically more intelligent you can learn any number of languages very well. But if
you are a visually intelligent person, you can draw pictures, you can be an Architect, you can be a movie director or involve
yourself in any kind of visual activity. If you have linguistic intelligence you can be a teacher or a writer or a journalist and if you
are an interpersonal person, if you have got that intelligence, you can take classes, lectures and speak to any number of people.
With rhythmic intelligence, music rhythm you can excel in that kind of job. Only if you have logical intelligence can you be a
Bank Manager or an Engineer or a Computer Programmer. Intrapersonal people can be good Counsellors, Psychologists and
all that. Kinesthetic people can be good sports people and good at acting or in anything that needs the use of the body. There
can be nature loving people, lovers of geography and similar kinds of things. People with Existential Intelligence are good in
philosophy. We all have these 9 kinds of intelligences. But we will have 1 or 2 intelligences more and that means that you may
be more intelligent in linguistic or inter personal or anything of these 9 intelligences. But if you are low in logical intelligence
and if you go for Engineering you cannot perform well. One IT Company from Singapore has brought out something called
dermatoglyphics. We can scan the outer skin of the finger tips and we can transfer it to Singapore and based on that, they will
give a 30 to 40 per cent page print out of our capabilities and plain capabilities and talents etc. If you put that together with
our passion, our aspirations and inborn feeling and love towards something that’s the best way to select our career. So as mind
power trainers, we facilitate that and we give training for people and based on that, they give career counseling.
If you invest in your mind or in your reading, workshops etc., in gold may be little, in blue chip a little more, may be in real estate
again a little more but investing in yourself is the best method of investment. These are the books you can just have a look at:
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, The Secret, The Mind, The Alchemist (you might have read the book already, one of the
nicest books). You must read it, The Alchemist. You can heal your life, Unlimited Power, Ask them and think at rather 90%, Think
and grow rich and Ageless body and timeless mind and Mind Power. There are a lot of other books. If anybody wants to make a
note of these books, you can have the list now. These are my details, you can just visit the website.
Speech of Mr. V. Selvaraj, IAS (Retd.), during the Opening Ceremony of the
Good Shepherd Model United Nations held at GSIS on 18 September 2014
Good morning to every one of you. Thanks for the welcome address and for the nice words spoken about me. I’ve been a
regular visitor to the school and all its programmes. It used to be a spectacular event when I used to sit in the Stadium and
watch children hailing from 43 countries presenting their flags. I used to remark to the guests seated along with me: here,
we see a United Nations in action and there is absolutely no denying the fact that Good Shepherd International School, the
students, the faculty members, the Principal Dr. P.C. Thomas, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas and all others have contributed to the
great name of the school and it is only in the fitness of things that you should have chosen to celebrate the Model United
Nations today. This has not come too soon that the world is going to celebrate the United Nations Day on 24th October
and the Prime Minister of India is going to address the General Assembly very soon and the world is torn with problems, its
conflicts, confrontations, a number of places requiring a reminder once again that the United Nations is all necessary now
during these troublesome days.
Eminent speakers have already addressed you on this subject. Mr. Shashi Tharoor, who had a hands-on experience in working
for the United Nations had come here and spoken to you directly and participated in the discussion along with you. My
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own experience in the United Nations: I was not in the main Body of the United Nations, I was Consultant Advisor to The
World Bank for a period of 3 years covering certain countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and reporting on their economic
viabilities, so that The World Bank would sanction the loans to them under the scheme of structural adjustment loans.
My own association has given me a clear idea of how the United Nations functions are managed today and what the improvements
required are. Now the aim of the United Nations has already been conveyed to you through lectures and lessons, that is to have
the International Law, International Security, Social Progress, defending the Human Rights and overall achievement of the
world peace.
Mr. V. Selvaraj, IAS (Retd.), addressing the student delegates
The General Assembly’s decisions become resolutions that carry the weight of World Government and thinking. The Security
Council’s decisions are binding on all member states. There are 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members of the
Security Council. There is a very important body, the International Court of Justice, located at Hague, Netherlands. And we
have to make a distinction between the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. The International
Court of Justice decides on disputes while the Criminal Court tries people who are world leaders / national leaders who have
committed genocides, atrocities, against human rights / violation of human rights. The Chilean Dictator Pinochet was tried by
the Criminal Court and also Col. Gadaffi who was the dictator in Libya. He was put on trial before this court for committing
atrocities, but of course he died before the proceedings could be concluded. Even the trial was pending.
Now the countries today are thinking, re-examining, re-assessing as to how the United Nations functions must change to the
modern times. For instance, people are not that happy with one World Bank functioning. They had already started an Asian
Development Bank, located at Manila as a parallel bank to look after the Asian countries. And today, we have information
about the starting of another bank for the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China. They constitute the BRIC nations
and they are going to start their own bank like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. It is good news that this
bank is going to be located in New Delhi, in India. This will happen in a matter of 6 months. Now, the most important task
of the United Nations besides all these activities through UNESCO, UNICEF that takes care of all the children’s funding
and all that, is peacekeeping. So the United Nations achieves this end of peacekeeping force, by gathering a collection of
people, soldiers and peace makers contributed by member countries. This peacekeeping mission and the peacekeeping force
is the only weapon in the hands of the United Nations Secretary General and this gets deployed whenever the occasion arises,
whenever the occasion demands. The United Nations does not have an army of its own. It functions through a peacekeeping
force with members contributed by the member countries. In fact, the very first participation of this peacekeeping force was
in Israel during the Israel – Palestine conflict. It is a very sad story that this peacekeeping force started functioning its work
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from Israel and it continues to do the job even today. This is one reason why people feel very diffident that whether the United
Nations stand really achieve the result as it is intended to achieve. Now, this Palestinian issue is engaging the attention of the
United Nations even today. In the meantime, we have witnessed the Arab springs and India’s key role as a key global player of
the word is emerging and the rest of the world is keeping a close watch on India’s role in the International body. There has been
armed conflict when there were unarmed. The peacekeeping force itself has two sections – purely observers who don’t carry
arms and the military force fully equipped with weapons and all the equipment they need.
Now the most effective, the most important participation of the peacekeeping force was Congo. You know Congo was a Belgian
Colony and it took a lot of effort for them to get independence. The Congo as country declared its independence in the year
1960 and there was a civil war followed by the independence. So the United Nations peace force had a very tough time. First
of all, they had to liberate the country, then they had to manage their internal civil war and they had done them successfully.
But the main casualty of their exercise was the then Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold who was killed / assassinated by
an attempted air crash. He was killed in that air crash, the result of a conspiracy. That was the price the world had to pay for
the peacekeeping efforts in the country of Congo. The other important event in peacekeeping is in countries like Rwanda, the
country of Somalia. In Rwanda, there was a genocide of 8,00,000 people being slaughtered, and the peacekeeping force was
not up to the task at all. The genocide has taken place, people have died, people have been killed. Therefore people feel that we
have to have certain rethinking on how the United Nations mission must perform. Even when I am talking to you today right
at this minute there is a referendum going on in Scotland whether this country Scotland should emerge as an independent
nation. May be by tomorrow, by this time, people will know whether Scotland have walked out of United Kingdom. Following
this, there is going to be a tremendous amount of pressure from other groups all over the world through what is called the
identity politics. Now the Welsh can ask for their liberation within the United Kingdom.
I was reading an article in this newspaper ‘THE HINDU’ about a week ago. They said that Winston Churchill condemned the
Indians by very harsh words and he said that the Indians were not fit for their independence. He said that the unity of Indians
were all put up, made up for fighting the British and getting their independence. There will be disunity and India will be divided
again. But Churchill has been proved entirely wrong on what is happening is the country of his own origin: United Kingdom is
going to lose out by tomorrow. The majority says, ‘Yes, the separation will take place’ and if they say, ‘No’ Scotland will remain
a part of the United Kingdom. So the author in the newspaper itself, tells us to realize that we have to be proud as Indians, that
the predictions of Churchill has come true only for his country and our own country India has outlasted it.
Now what is the message that we get from all this occupations? All these activities from the world body of the United Nations
and in terms of what the countries are doing. Unfortunately, the countries who are member states, who supply the weapons
to the other countries to fight are also contributing to the peacekeeping force. And on one side they supply weapons to the
other countries to fight and on the other they become members of the peacekeeping force. There is a contradiction in their
purpose, contradiction in their work and there the results are not forthcoming. We therefore can only pray that in the future
peace become predominant factor in life.
Peace is a mission; there is a peace mission; everywhere there should be peace, there should be peaceful living, for all the
people in this world. Humanity should benefit out of that as one whole body. There should be peace- making everywhere. The
futurologists have predicted that there is not going to be a III World War at all. The formation of the United Nations was in the
wake of 2 World Wars, I World War and the II World War. The world had devastating effects as a result of these wars. We will
not have a III World War, but will have so many other problems created by the member nations through what I described to
you as identity politics and confrontations. So, the main purpose should be for peace. We don’t have to fight a war to achieve
peace. We should have peace all the time whether we have war conditions or not. It is very ideal therefore that the students
of the reputed Good Shepherd International School today have decided to celebrate the United Nations Day. Please, always
remember the preamble to the United Nations. ‘War begins in the minds of man.’ They are not talking about big things,
they are not talking about atomic energy or anything like that. They are talking about the human brain. I have been always
fascinated by this expression. Therefore, all of you should grow into Ambassadors of peace. You should promote peace all over
the world. You already represent 43 countries. You should be the Ambassadors of peacemaking. You should have all conviction
that peace alone can make humanity lead a happy life. I am happy to inaugurate this session.
Thank you very much.
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Speech of Mr. C.V. Ranganathan, Former Indian Diplomat, during the Closing Ceremony of
the Good Shepherd Model United Nations held at GSIS on 20 September 2014
Mr. C.V. Ranganathan, IFS (Retd.), addressing the GSMUN delegates
Madam Vice Principal Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, faculty of the Good Shepherd International School, distinguished delegates
who attended the MUN. In the United Nations, you always address each other in formal committee meetings as distinguished
delegates and I must say , also boys and girls who are not part of the MUN but also have been enthusiastically, obviously
supported it. Well, I was in New York and was referred to as the First Secretary, then Counsellor for three years between 1970
to 1973, and those years were very exciting for India because we had the Bangladesh episode beginning with gross violation
of human rights. Ultimately, it ended up in Bangladesh becoming independent. I will not go into that because all these are
footnotes in History, important events, no doubt, and I was a little cock in the wheel contributing to India’s position but lest
you should think that it was all work and no play, I must correct you. I was very fortunate to meet my wife in New York. She
was working in the UNDP. So you see if you are lucky enough to be in the Indian Foreign Services, you have such bonuses and
while I said that, that was a footnote which is all over and finished and to be done with, she continues with me.
Well it has been a most stimulating evening listening to the reports of each of the committees and I must say what impressed me
the most was that that it would appear that the agenda for the committees and subjects chosen for discussion were extremely
relevant. Every item listed in the agenda has enormous importance and relevance today and I must say I wish I could hear the
resolutions. But what impressed me enormously is that the participants, distinguished delegates, as I said of each country, have
really participated with great vigour, with great enthusiasm, obviously with great research behind them to discuss the subject.
In the process of listening to the reports, I must say, you must have had great fun also, not just poking fun at each other but using
the occasion seriously though it be also to have fun.
The other thing for which I must compliment GSIS as well as the MUN which has just finished is that there is an absolute
gender equality. I found so many charming young ladies who headed important committees, who presented their reports.
Now just a few words about what the situation of the UN is today, I must say that it is not at all a happy situation, particularly
because that was also briefly referred to, the happenings in the Security Council. It would appear that the world has reverted
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again to the dark days of the Cold War and it does not look as though the important crisis in the world such as Israeli and
Palestinian dispute or what has happened to what Westerners call as Middle East and what from India we call as Western Asia,
is a big arc extending roughly to the Red Sea area - Yemen - right through the land of the Arab countries extending right up to
Turkey and beyond Syria into the Mediterranean. West Asia is in utter turmoil and why is this so? It is because of unilateralism
displayed by those who are the most powerful, obviously the United States. As a retaliation to what happened to that horrible
event after 9/11, when the twin towers were demolished, Iraq and Saddam Hussain were deposed and what followed in Iraq
was what has led to the Caliphate of the Islamic State and what has happened in Syria with the West intervening to support
those who oppose Assad in an effort for regime change has also led to the most enormous radicalization. So what has happened
is that we have an extremely fundamentalist group which has come up, which all the right-thinking Muslims in the world
detest and oppose. What you do have is a whole region rich in resources but beyond that also you have the enormous conflict
between sects in Islam and you have the Arab States between Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and other Arabs on one side
and Iran, Syria and those forces supported on other side. I am talking about all this in detail because the Security Council has
been able to do very little and I am talking about reversion to the dark days of the Cold War because US pulls in one direction
along with its Western allies and Russia and China pull in another. So the consensus necessary to solve important problems
affecting peace and security is just not available. But this shall not diminish our idealism about the UN. We have heard about
the work of or rather the deliberations of the work of important organizations as ECOSOC and UNESCO which like the
Security Council are doing important work.
So what do I take away from this very, very stimulating evening? I take away that in GSIS, there is great emphasis placed on, not
only teaching of all the basic educational curricula, whether IB or whatever, but also that students of this school are trained to
think about the world at large and how can one think of the world at large in a better fashion than to simulate the working of the
UN? So I congratulate all the organizers of this function, not just the student community that has taken it so enthusiastically
but I also compliment the Principal and the Vice Principal and other leaders of this institution for making this event such a
fantastic success. So I thank you for inviting me again, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas. This is not the first time I am attending this
function and I am very pleased to see that the students who participated, the distinguished delegates who represent so many
countries are fully trained in not just issues before the UN but to the procedures which contribute to a healthy debate .
Being youngsters, your debate may not have been always orderly, there may have been raucous at times and extremely humorous
at other times, but the fact is that you have been sensitized to some of the most important problems of the day. And I wish you
all success. What I would wish personally before I conclude is that more of you should join the Indian Foreign Service. So far
I have not met any, of course, it has been 20 years since I have retired. What I would like to hear from Dr. P. C. Thomas and
Mrs. Elsamma Thomas is that some of you participate in a Civil Service Exam after you graduate, not just from school but after
your degrees, and that some of you aspire to be diplomats and some of you actually succeed. Let me thank you once again for
this stimulating evening. Thank you.
Address by Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, Commandant, Defence Services Staff
College, on the occasion of the Founder’s Day Celebrations held at GSIS on 15 October 2014
Dr. P. C. Thomas, Principal, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, First Lady of the School, Parents, Senior teachers, faculty and dear students,
It is with dignity and pride on this bestowed honour and onerous moment that I address you on the eve of the thirty-eighth
Founder’s Day of your esteemed academic paradise. I must confess, that I have thoroughly enjoyed the eclectic, stupendous
and enchanting performances put up by all of you. The ‘Symphony Band’ was simply outstanding and I was reminded of the
maverick, ‘Zubin Mehta’ by the mastery of the conductor. The ‘Choirs’ had us spellbound; the ‘Pooja dance’ was exhilarating
and an inspiring performance. I am sure that the performances that are going to follow this brief interlude by me, will be
equally enthralling, if not even better. My compliments to the students and their teachers, who are shepherding them silently
to perfection and a high threshold of excellence.
You must all be very proud and elated, as recently your school has been inducted as a Regular Member of the Council of
International schools. The commitment of your founder and staff to your school’s mission statement, to prepare each student
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for academic, social and personal success, by creating a
community of empowered and diverse learners, striving to
be globally-minded citizens, in an atmosphere of mutual
respect, understanding and trust, is truly commendable and
worthy of emulation. All of you, young and unignited bright
minds are privileged to imbibe the true spirit of ‘Universal
brotherhood’, with the umbrella phenomenon of this ‘World
is one big family.’ It delights me to note that students from
30 countries are on the path of being high achievers and
academic redemption.
Distinctively, the Good Shepherd International School is
among the first schools in the world to successfully establish
and promote internationally renowned pre-university
systems with a niche in co-curricular and extra- curricular
activities. Students acquire excellent standards of education
in a completely Indian residential complex with traditional
core values, to face challenges of this world with animated
decision-making abilities, resilience, equanimity and
steadfastness. I quote ‘Do not train children to learning by
force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses
their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with
accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius in each’ unquote –
Pluto is most apt for the parents, who must appreciate the
necessity to inculcate it in letter and spirit.
I would also wish to reiterate, even at the cost of repetition,
that you must develop a ‘vision’ for yourselves of a futuristic
Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, addressing the audience
dimension, imbibe enriched traditions and customs amidst our ‘value’ system and strive inexorably with full ‘vitality’, to
accomplish your mission of life. Please always remember ‘vision, values and vitality.’ To quote Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,
our ex-President, ‘If you fail never give up because ‘F.A.I.L.’ means ‘First Attempt in Learning’, End is not the end, in fact, it
means ‘Effort Never Dies’ and if you get No’ as an answer, remember N.O. means Next Opportunity.’ So remain optimistic, be
positive and you shall undeniably encounter success.
Unless you display the courage to think differently, to invent and travel the unexplored path, discover the impossible or
surmount the imponderables and succeed, all your education will come to a nought. Fortitude is not only in facing the enemy
at the frontiers, but also in wanting to sail into unchartered territory, gaining recognition of your feats.
Bruce Barton, the famous US Congressman, politician and advertising guru said, ‘If you have anything really valuable to
contribute to the world, it will come through the expression of your own personality, that single spark of divinity that sets you
off and makes you different from every other living creature.’
As mentioned by me in my previous address, ‘complete personality development’ is attainable, as a scholar and a leader,
contributing to society and nation building. When we speak about some people with a “good personality”, we mean that
they are likeable, interesting and pleasant to be with. Everyone wants to be attractive to others. To that end, having a good
personality is vital - probably even more so than good looks. In fact, approximately 85 percent of your success and happiness
will be proportionate to your interaction with others. Ultimately, it is your personality that determines your magnetic appeal nonchalant élan, sobriety, moderated assertion, eloquence, erudition, self possession and ‘flicker of a genius.’
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While we can only enhance our looks to a certain extent, which is also crucial, a combination of the integrated traits through
consistent evolving, will fulfill your aspirations in life.
Here are some ways we can accomplish this:
Be a Better Passionate Listener: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was a charismatic lady, known in the world, because she cultivated
the skill of being an exceptional listener. There is nothing more appealing than having someone listen to you intently, making
you feel important, like you're an unforgettable person in the world … it matters!
Read More and Expand your Interests: The more you read and cultivate new interests, the more interesting you are to others.
When you meet people, it gives them an opportunity to share your knowledge & perceptions and to exchange views, with
candour.
Be a Good Conversationalist: Most important! This relates to your intellect and expression! Once you have much to contribute,
concentrate on communication skills. Do not be introverted, reserved and indulge in self-pity. Be ‘BOLD & BEAUTIFUL’ and
project yourself as a GOOD SHEPHERDIAN!
Have an Opinion: A unique outlook expands everyone's perspective and they enjoy the enchanting company of people with
enriched experience and well empowered wisdom.
Meet New People: Make special endeavours to meet new people, enterprising and aspiring. It exposes you to different
bandwidth of intellectuals, cultures and alternative ways of doing things, as also broadens your horizons.
Be Yourself – Have your Identity: Since each of us is unique in character, expressing that uniqueness, is what establishes your
identity. Attempting to only idolise and ‘ape’ someone is abhorable, as it reveals a lack of authenticity and mediocrity.
Have a Positive Outlook and Attitude: Negativity, gossip and ego are shunned in the society. Smile, warmth, good cheer,
optimism and vivacity with basic courtesies win hearts.
Be Fun and see the Humourous side of Life: Everyone enjoys the company of someone with a good sense of humour, wit and
propensity for zestful living. It must be endemic to you.
Be Supportive of Others: Being supportive, is probably the most endearing quality you can integrate into your personality. We
all love a cheerleader in our corner; someone who genuinely is encouraging, caring & empathetic.
Have Integrity and Respect People: Honesty and scrupulous work ethics earns admiration, respect and gratitude of others.
Nothing matters more than integrity and self-respect.
As the shadows have lengthened enough, I wish to conclude by complimenting the Principal, an eminent educationist with
impeccable credentials, and epitomises fine values and virtues of thoroughbred gentleman. He has given back to the society
one of the finest institutions in the country through prescience, visionary & directional prowess in School management and
undying passion to attain scholastic excellence, through such a well-established fountainhead of learning. We may pray to the
Lord to bestow his benedictions upon the school, children and staff, to leverage standards in accomplishment of your ideals,
producing responsible citizens and icons of tomorrow.
Each child is the Gift of God - having a prodigious potential to excel in life. “The mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher
explains, the superior teacher demonstrates, the great teacher inspires.” (William Arthur Ward)
I am sure you all are proud to be in this magnificent ‘Temple of Learning’ that inspires you to become great citizens of our
nation. Have a Dream and it will realise, given your passion and instincts to succeed. I look forward to meeting the children in
their millennial endeavour, who meaningfully shape the destiny of our country and always work with fervent conviction for
‘Duty, Honour and country’.
May the Lord Bless and Protect you! Jai Hind!
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Address by Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, Commandant, Defence Services Staff
College, on the occasion of the Founder’s Day Celebrations held at GSIS on 16 October 2014
Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, addressing the faculty, students, their parents and guardians
Dr. P.C. Thomas, Principal, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, First Lady of the School, Parents, Senior teachers, faculty and dear students,
At the outset, I would take this opportunity to wish your Founder Dr. P.C. Thomas ‘HAPPY FOUNDER’S DAY.’ I am certain
everyone present here joins me in conveying our best wishes to Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Elsamma Thomas and may the Lord
grant him abundant happiness, seminal success and fulfilment of his dreams. Such greetings naturally evoke emotions that
bring memories reminiscent of bygone years of campus life of the alumni who nestled here in this sylvan environs of academic
bliss.
What a splendid and fabulous morning we all had! The Parade and the multi-faceted activities! It was beautiful just as the two
honourable years of my life, when I had the great privilege of being the Adjutant on horseback at the National Defence Academy,
Pune, the ‘Cradle of Leadership.’ Your immaculate performances transported me in time back to the 80s, when precision and
exactitude in movements and coordination seemed to be a preserve of the Armed Forces. Today, your performances have
unravelled another myth, that well-nurtured children with good leadership can orchestrate a mélange of mass activities with
perfection.
I am sure, all of you can perceive my happiness quotient to have witnessed fine physical expertise, demonstrated through your
equestrian and mountaineering skill displays. Evidently, the training has been rigorous and results spectacular.
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual
activity. The exquisite teamwork with meticulous synchronisation exhibited by you, through your band display and Percussion
Ensemble is notable and models worth emulating. My compliments to all participants and to each and every one of you,
as also to the diligent staff behind the scenes, without which this epochal event would not have won our hearts. My special
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compliments also extend to the revered Principal Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Elsamma (as all resplendence is a manifestation of his
stewardship), who are the guiding beacons for the entire extravaganza, achieved with consummate ease. The brilliant militarylike display urges me to reiterate that some of you must aspire to realise your dreams and join the finest profession of dignity
and pristine glory, where honour code, ethics and principles are a way of life.
I will conclude, and convey my congratulations to all of you and profound gratitude for having extended this privilege to me
memorable and treasured by us for times to come. ‘Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today
and make a new ending’.
May the Lord Bless and Protect you! Jai Hind!
Speech of Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, Commandant, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, on the occasion of the presentation of the Commandant’s Banner to GSIS on 21 February 2015
Lt. Gen. Sunil Kumar Gadeock, AVSM, addressing the gathering
Chief Guest Mr. Tyler Smith, Dr. P. C. Thomas, Principal, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, First Lady of the School, parents, senior
teachers, faculty and dear students,
The Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, has emerged as a well-recognised institution in the world, the fountainhead
of learning and professional wisdom. Training at the college is edificed on organisational excellence, with the aim to train
selected officers of three services of Indian Armed Forces as well as from friendly foreign countries, in staff functions in their
respective services and for a joint service environment, a task which the college has discharged in an exemplary manner with
commendable proficiency over the years.
The College has been spearheading as a vanguard, the training facet of the vision of the Indian Armed Forces, and the College
is on the threshold of fructifying into a centre of excellence, for all aspects of Jointmanship Training.
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Today, I on behalf of Defence Services Staff College, have presented this Banner to the school in order to strengthen the
immutable bonds between the two premier institutions.
My decision to present the Banner to Good Shepherd International School is based on the following:
(a) The School is very progressive in nature. Distinctively, the Good Shepherd International School is among the first schools
in the world to successfully establish and promote internationally-renowned pre-university systems, with a niche in cocurricular and extracurricular activities.
(b)The School is an icon of international education system, accredited to the Council of International Schools, as also a
member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
(c) Dr. Thomas, the Founder-Principal, exemplifies an eminent educationist with impeccable credentials, and he epitomises
fine values and virtues of a thoroughbred leader. He has created one of the finest institutions in the country, through
prescience, visionary and directional prowess in School management and undying passion to attain scholastic excellence.
(d)My interaction with the Board of Governors and the Members of the Academic Council, has reiterated my belief in the
School being a ‘Centre of Excellence.’
It gives me great pleasure and honour to present the Commandant, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington Banner to the
Principal, Dr. Thomas today on this eventful day of Investiture and Graduation.
May the Lord Bless and Protect you!
Jai Hind!
Speech of Mr. Tyler Smith at the Investiture Ceremony
held on 21 February 2015
Good Morning, Hello,
I am so happy to be here. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I am extremely happy today. I want to thank Dr. Thomas, his family, Ms.
Julie. Thank you so much, distinguished guests. We have here the Board of Governors, parents, staff. I haven’t met the parents
as yet but I have met these seventy-two prefects and I would like to say wonderful, wow, exciting. This is a good day; this is a
very good day.
And for you seventy-two prefects out there, this is an important journey in your life. Yes, you have received your badges, you
have received your awards. But these are just samples of what the future holds for you. What today is really all about, is right
here at Good Shepherd International. You are investing in Good Shepherd and Good Shepherd is investing in you and your
future and you need to invest in yourself. Because what we are wanting and looking for from you is Leadership.
We want you to be a leader, we want you to be a leader in your school, in your class. We want you to be a leader in your
Academics and in your extracurricular activities. We want you to be a leader for the team which is here in the whole school. We
want you to be a leader in your chosen fields as the years go by. We want you to be a leader in your family.
We want you to be not only the leader but the person who brings about a change in life, in your life. Leadership, no one is
born with Leadership skills. Babies are born; every time I look at the newspaper and I see the birth announcements, I don’t
see whether a leader is born or a musician is born or a teacher is born, I say a baby is born. Something happens during that
time. That time the baby is being taught and nurtured and mentored by people who can guide you to be what I am looking for
today from you and I know what Dr. Thomas is looking for from you today and I know what the faculty is looking for from you
seventy-two sitting in front of me, is LEADERSHIP. Let me ask you what is Leadership? Leadership is working with a team
and understanding the team you are working with.
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Mr. Tyler Smith addressing the prefects, parents, grandparents, guardians and the faculty members
Teamwork means listening, analyzing, taking other people’s opinions and developing a decision based upon those opinions
and that information which you have been guided towards. If you have a team and if you are a leader, you must have objectives
and goals. If you don’t have objectives and goals you are just going to wander in the world wondering, ‘What am I doing? Is this
leadership?’ Decide, define what your objectives and goals are and what you plan to achieve and what needs to be achieved in
the circumstances you are working in. If you have responsibility and objectives, you must work towards them. Those objectives
make you have the responsibilities. If you have responsibilities, you have challenges, challenges that you have to look toward,
look inward, look outwards as for advice and make the good decisions among those challenges. In the bigger picture, challenges
are just like benchmark. Here you can decide what the objectives are and can measure yourself. Have I achieved my goals? Not
only seventy-two prefects, not only what your school expected this year but the next year and the coming years, and once you
leave your alma mater, GSIS, what is expected of you? Know what your objectives are, know where you want to go. Today, I
want to ask you to place excellence at the top of your priorities.
Be excellent in everything that you do. I watched the people out here, I watched the people from the armed forces, I watched
the bands play, I watched the pipe bands play, I watched the armed forces chief, I have shaken hands with all the seventy-two
of you. As I observed everything presented here by students, I can tell you that I felt awestruck by the excellence. That is what
I have seen and respect: excellence, endeavour to do all things, trying to achieve and achieving excellence. Today, as leaders,
lead your school, lead your teams, look for what needs to be done. Be the leaders of all the faculty, all the students, you be
the guiding light, you seventy-two. This year, be leaders and guide everyone. Today, equip yourself to lead and follow, equip
yourself to communicate and listen. Stand up today and be a leader and stand up for tomorrow and be a leader. What the world
is looking for is leadership. I challenge you, each of you seventy-two leaders, each of you moms and dads there, the faculty
members here, I challenge you, be a leader in your school, be a leader in your home, be a leader in your daily work, be a leader
in your country, be a leader in your life. As I stand in front of you in the position of Trinity College London, I ask today, each
prefect, I charge you, have courage, lead today and lead tomorrow, be a leader.
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Speech of Mr. Tyler Smith at the Graduation Ceremony
held on 21 February 2015
Mr. Tyler Smith addressing the graduates, parents, grandparents, guardians and the faculty members
Staff and most of all, the Graduates, So Hello! I am glad to be here. I can see the different students giving the speeches, lots of
happiness. There has been excitement. I can feel the excitement today. But I can also see the relief in some of your faces as you
were shaking my hand – I’ve made it! I’m done with this!
But with all those smiles, I will say this before the day is over, you are going to hit the emotions of the Melvin Calvin. The
organization, some old friends, teachers, you are going to miss them. Then the reality starts to set in, that is, it is now time for
you to move on. Many say that the future is ahead of you. Today I want to ask you a question– ‘Is the future ahead of you?’ I
think the future is behind you. Now, you may say, Tyler, what are you talking about? Well, I’m talking about the years that you
spent here at the Good Shepherd International School. The years they have been the building blocks; they have been putting
in place, the corner stones that could support your future. The new world that you now embark on, seems strange; it may seem
different from the life that you have today. Everybody says that Good Shepherd in Ooty is different, but I question once again,
is it that different? For tomorrow and for your future, your alma matter has already given you the curve. The curve that you can
live by, the curve that you can follow throughout your life. All these days, weeks and months and years that you spent here at
Good Shepherd have been for your future.
Yes I know each one of you, I’ve seen the academics, I’ve distributed the music awards, sports awards, I know that all of you
have your personal goals, you have plans for higher study and right now you are in your own mind stating to the world of what
your purpose and life will be. But I reiterate, many of those purposes, many of those goals, many of those ideas of higher study,
your future have been infused into you by your school and by your teachers. The service that you will give mankind started
here, the values that you live for started here, years ago. Your ambitions and the expectations that you put upon yourself started
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here. Your past may be the future. So I would ask you to keep in your heart, in your mind, in your soul by what you’ve learnt
here at Good Shepherd, what you’ve learnt from your parents, what you’ve learnt from your grandparents, your future has
been built step by step, piece by piece, block by block, corner stone by corner stone. The blue and red flag which you always
remember is with you. It’s in your heart. So it’s time for you to move on. Yes, then it’s time to construct your future, your world,
your life. But as these years go by once you leave here, let’s not be oblivious to the obvious. There is no future without a past.
So thank your parents, grandparents, teachers, all of these people who helped you. Always remember that in your mind and
then in your heart. Your future may be tomorrow but it was built here. Your past will guide you towards your achievements,
your past would drive you to the future, you hold the future in your hands because of your parents, your grandparents and the
Good Shepherd International.
Thank you.
Speech of Mr. M.S. Sundara Rajan, Former Chairman, Indian
Bank, at a Special Assembly held in GSIS on 2 March 2015
Mr. M.S. Sundara Rajan, Former Chairman, Indian Bank, addressing the students and the faculty members
Dear Dr. P.C. Thomas, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Members of Faculty & the future hope of India, my dear Student Friends,
It gives me an immense pleasure to visit this great institution and interact with you all and I deem it as the Great Privilege.
I need to thank at the outset, Dr. Thomas, who has provided me this opportunity. It was a few days back that I met him at
Mumbai Airport and we exchanged pleasantries. My meeting with him brought to fore the sweetest association I had during
my stint as Chairman & Managing Director of Indian Bank. Indian Bank is lucky to have his connection. I would regard Dr.
Thomas one of the well-wishers of the Bank, a Family Member and more than a Customer.
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He is an example of all the best qualities and he always walk the talk and we have lot to learn from his professional expertise.
He has a passion for the education. He is very meticulous, a strict disciplinarian and a master of the art of Time Management.
He is a great Planner and much more than that an exemplary executioner. His rich contribution resulted in providing the world
class learning opportunities in India. You are all lucky to be part of his Mission.
When he extended an invitation to me to address the Students of Economics of this Great Institution, I thought it fit to address
you all on the important subject of UNION BUDGET which was presented in the Parliament last Saturday, the 28th Feb 2015.
Friends, the recent fast-emerging economies used to be a beacon of hope in the World Economy, but now they are more often
a source of gloom. To cite: Brazil is mired in Stagflation, Russia is in recession battered by western sanctions and the slump in
oil prices. South Africa is plagued by inefficiency and corruption. Amidst the disappointment, one big emerging market stands
out, that is India. If India could only take wings it would become the Global economy's High flyer.
In July 1991, a land mark budget opened the Economy to Trade, Foreign Capital and Competition. India today needs something
equally momentous.
India possesses untold promise. Its people are entrepreneurial and roughly half of the1.25 billion is under 25 years old. It is
poor, so has lots of scope for catching up growth. Our GDP grew by 7.5% year on year in the fourth quarter of 2014 outplaying
China. Economy seems to be on an increasingly stable footing. Inflation has fallen by half after floating above 10% for years.
The Current Account deficit has shrunk. The Rupee is firm. The Stock Market has boomed. The slump in commodity price is a
leasing from a country that imports four fifths of its oil. When the IMF cut its forecast for the world Economy, it largely spared
India. Economic Survey for 2014-15, which is an annual exercise prior to submission of Budget presented an optimistic vision
of India's future. It predicted GDP (as per revised estimates) would grow at a rate between 8.1% and 8.5%. Historic moment of
opportunity has been created that could propel the Indian Economy on to a double digit (growth rate) trajectory in the years
following 2015-16. The Government would continue with the path of fiscal consolidation. Firm control over expenditure,
eliminating leakages in subsidies towards achieving medium term Fiscal deficit of 3%. The Hon'ble Finance Minister presented
the Budget, the salient features are as follows:
He refused to undertake Big Bang Reforms. Postponed major tough decisions to future. There was some thing for every one
in the Budget. Foreign Investors got clarity. Middle class got tax exemptions. Companies were promised tax cuts over next 4
years. Infrastructure spending to be stepped up. Personal Income Tax exemption were also raised with the maximum claimable
exemption now at 4.40 lakhs as opposed to 3.80 lakhs in the past. Wealth Tax was abolished. This was substituted by 2%
surcharge added to tax paid on Income over Rs. 1 crore.(Rupees nine thousand crore additional revenue).
Basic rate of service Tax was raised to 14%.(enable FM to raise Rs.15000 crore more tax). Promised to roll out the Goods and
Services Act by 1st of April 2016. Delaying Fiscal consolidation by one year. General Anti avoidance Rules were postponed.
SICA and BIFR to be replaced by a comprehensive Bankruptcy Code of Global Standard. Creation of MUDRA BANK with a
corpus of Rs. 20000 crores and Credit Guarantee Corpus of Rs. 3000 crores to refinance introduction of Gold Monetization
scheme to replace Gold Deposit and Gold Metal Loan Scheme.
Today, India is in 149 out of 189 countries in the World Bank list of ease of doing business ranking. Having seen an overview
of Budget, the redeeming feature is that our economy is in TAKE OFF stage and when you people Graduate, our economy will
be in further advanced stage offering lot of potentials for you people to exploit.
Let me wish you all the best and thank you very much for lending your ears.
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Speech of Vice Admiral Manohar Prahlad Awati, PVSM, VrC, IN
(Retd.), at a Special Assembly held in GSIS on 26 February 2015
Vice Admiral Manohar Prahlad Awati, PVSM, VrC, IN (Retd.), addressing the audience
I was a few minutes late. This is my yachting hat. The Badge of a burgeoning Royal Bombay Yacht Club based in Bombay. Given
to me. I was the mentor of the follow circum-navigation project. We did two of them, in fact. One was with four halts and the
second one was solo non-stop, both by two young naval officers, one each with stops and the other one non-stop.
For the information of the young ladies present here, I want to tell them that I am currently busy grooming a team of 6 young
ladies from which I hope, the first Indian woman solo circum-navigator will do a feat hopefully before I'm called upstairs. Still
there is some time for that hopefully.
Anyhow, first my apologies for being late. I was kept by a sumptuous tea hosted by Mrs. Elsamma Thomas. Know, that's my
apology. I was, I think couple of minutes late getting here. Now I am not going to address you in the formal sense of the word
because I told Mr. Thomas and he was so kind to call me. That, look, addressing any assembly means preparation of a speech.
Speech making comes to me fairly easily. But I was busy preparing at that time for my talk to the staff college. So I said, do you
mind Sir, if I put it down to just an interaction, tête-a-tête with your young gentlemen and ladies. He said, Admiral, whatever
you like. So what I'll do. I'll say few words, the next few minutes and then we'll have a chat across the auditorium. Questions
and answers. So that if you wanted to hear me on some subjects, you could be specific in your questions and I'll answer them.
You could answer them in any language you like, I mean English, Hindi or I was going to say Malayalam. I should know
Malayalam. Good, well enough, now, but I don't know as well as I should. But let's keep to Hindi and English if you wish.
Otherwise we can keep to English.
Principal Thomas, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, the Founders of this school. It's magnificent campus. I've just been around and I was
not only impressed, I was amazed that such an institution, such a school exists in this county and that you are lucky enough to
be educated at this institution. Yes, a very small percentage of India.
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You are lucky to be here that your parents actually found the school and put you in it. I do not know what you did to merit for
coming here. I mean entrance examinations for the school. But if there is. If there isn't, there should be because I'm sure there
must be thousands upon thousands who must be wanting to learn, be educated at the Good Shepherd International school.
This is my first time at this school. I haven't been here. I've written out my notes purposely because you know human brain is
a very funny thing. It starts functioning the moment you are born until you stand up to make a speech. Still, it conveniently
gives you the slip and you forget what you wanted to say. So I've written down a few points here, which I'll talk to you about
and then we'll switch over to a question and answer session. I don't think there are any parents or guardians present here. I
don't see any. Assembly with mainly young friends of mine. Young ladies and young gentlemen and your mentors including
your Vice Principal and Co-Founder.
It is very nice to be here. Frankly at my age, it's nice to be anywhere, truly. But, Dr. Thomas was kind enough to ask me over
to say a few words to you when he found out or knew that I was visiting the Defence Services Staff College down the hill at
Wellington. And I'm really honoured. He asked me and I'm really happy to be here with you, this morning. I was schooled
in a neighbourhood school if that's the correct word, in Bombay, now Mumbai and poona, now Pune, before I went to sea.
I wouldn't say against the wishes of my parents. I had followed my father’s footsteps into academia. They tell me now that I
was pretty good at school and my father, I think, wished that I should follow him into academia. He was a university man, a
Cantabrigian, you know what a Cantabrigian is? Of 1909 vintage. He was also a Cambridge Blue in tennis and rowing and
possibly one of the first Indians to row for Cambridge in the 1911 boat race against Oxford. I got a little tankard with me with
his name on it, 1911 inscribed beneath it. So you see, he had a distinguished career, he ended up in the university of Bombay.
He was a tripos in Natural Sciences of the Cambridge university. So, not unnaturally, he wished that one of his sons would
follow his footsteps. I did well enough at the entrance examination for that school ship in Bombay called the Dufferin. I do not
know how many of you have heard of it. It's long since dead and gone and whole establishment has moved ashore.
In Bombay, on the West, eastern shores of Bombay harbour, the great bay of Bombay. It was a permanent war ship in my days.
I entered it in 1943, passed out in 1945 with the viceroy’s gold medal. So that sort of satisfied my parents. Unfortunately for
them, although it was the end of road by then, November 19 - October 1945. I was selected for a commission in the then Royal
Indian Navy and therefore I would keep up my connection with the sea. My father and mother and my grandmother, by the
way, who was one of the first woman students of the Fergusson College in Pune, not one of the first. Her portrait hangs in
that college to this day. She was an old Fergussonian, the first woman student of the Fergusson College in the days when the
grandies like Wrangler Paranjpe and Agarkar were Principals of that college. So she too hoped that I would go back to college
at the end of my three years on the Dufferin. But here was an order by then, his Majesty’s a King’s Commission in the then
Royal Indian Navy for which I would be sent away to England at the expense of the Government and would train there for 5
years. So there was a big dilemma. What to do? So, I told, father, I got this beautiful opportunity to go to the United Kingdom
at no expense to you as a guest of the Government, train there and be an officer there. I had no idea what the Royal Indian
Navy meant, what the service would be like, what would I be doing in my life, thereafter, and my father said, look, it's not
that I am interested in washing my hands off all the expenses of your education, if you think that you want to spend your life
at sea, then by all means, go. I'd already been at sea, a sort of sea, because I was at the school ship at Dufferin. So we were in
Bombay anchored in Bombay. I knew something about boat work, sailing and all the little lower of seamanship and little bit
of navigation. So, I said I would take this offer if you don't mind. I was then 18 years old, enough to think for myself and lo
and behold! I sailed often a cruise ship called the Queen of Bermuda for England. In those days, you couldn't come home in
between like you do nowadays. There were no flights between England and India. So, I spent my next 5 years in England and
the Mediterranean sea to be trained to be an officer in His Majesty’s Royal Indian Navy. That Majesty wasn't able to live very
long as Majesty of India or the Empire of India as they called it. Then it was already 1945. By 1947, we were independent. His
Majesty, the King of England, under possession overseas, had to drop his title Emperor of India. No longer was he the Emperor
of India after 15th of August 1947. But I remained as an officer of His Majesty’s Royal Indian Navy because that Royal Indian
Navy continued another few years until we declared ourselves a republic on 26th of January 1950 and then we became plain
Indian Navy. But then I was still labouring as a trainee in England in various training establishments and I must say when I
look back upon those years, they would today count among my best except my early dates of marriage. Of that I will come a
little later in this discourse. There I was in March-April 1950 back home as a sub-lieutenant, fully commissioned. Royal of the
Royal Indian Navy had been scrapped. We were a plain Indian navy. In the next 37 years, I would be an officer, attempt to be an
officer. It's not easier, you know, to be an officer of the fighting forces. It needs a certain set of mind and for that you need to be
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trained and I was trained for 5 years in the best navy in the world at that time, the British Royal Navy. Some of those traditions,
we still follow in our navy today.
So we are what we are, thanks quite a bit to our British heritage. Never forget that. It does not pay to forget our history. It does
not pay to deny our history. Remember that as a lesson. Yes, you can up to a point, give yourselves a pat on the back for your
heritage and all that kind of it. But you can't forget the 125 years that the British ruled us and left with us certain institutions
which our constitution felt it wise to continue in our democratic constitution of India. As the constitution came to call us sovereign republic sampoorna prabhuthwa sampanna lokathanthatmaka ganarajya. To give you the full Hindi version of
that - the Sovereign Independent Republic of India, that constitution, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the best constitution that
man has ever written.
I'm not going to talk to you about secularism and all that sort of thing, it's old story. But our constitution, the people who wrote
it, took a lot of time. They finally wrote it and brought it into force on 26th of January 1950, was or is, in my opinion, one of
the best under which our people can look to be ruled by those whom they have elected every 5 years in a proper democratic
electoral system. That something we ought to be really proud of.
It's up to us to work for that Constitution. I'm not here to tell you about what secularism is. I think you know more than I do.
In this community, there are many people of many religion. India is nothing if not a diverse country. The moment you stop
being diverse in our nation, that moment we stop being Indian. It’s a point I wind to drive home to this young assembly because
amongst you may be a Prime Minister of tomorrow…who knows! or a Chief Minister of one of the states, who knows! Or
some corporate big man, who knows or big woman. More than likely. I hope, I hope so. Looking at your young, keen faces, I’m
sure, my prediction is not unfounded.
But you must know what kind of country you are governing, you are ruling. India is nothing but, if not, it has always been a
diverse, inclusive civilization. India can never be an exclusive civilization or any major religion that this country has hosted.
Christianity came here 2000 years ago, long before it went to Europe. St. Thomas brought it. So is Islam. I’m not going to
make any political statement about it, but please you remember this, there is a lot of scribe that go on in our newspaper and
media about inclusiveness of the Indian civilisation. But it’s a historic fact, we cannot deny it. We welcomed the Parsees or the
Zoroastrian to our shores many centuries ago. They may have been Islamic, but they became a stimulator, until the British came
by sea. There are many British administrators who genuinely loved this country; for whatever reasons there may be; they didn’t
settle here like the others had settled and became part of the Indian civilisation. There are many historic reasons for that. One
day, if you call me again, we can talk about that.
Why was the British rule so different from the other rules under which we have suffered, that is the correct word, we may have
lived under since God knows how many years before Christ or before common era as it is called nowadays. It never does to
forget history, that way you punish yourselves by repeating all the wrong things that our ancestors did. I founded the Maritime
Society of India when I was commanding the Western Fleet in 1978 because of some articles in The Times of India dated 12th
of May 1978 which triggered me off. I went to my Commander-in-Chief, Rusi Gandhi, and said, “Sir, look at this. Here is a
great metropolis called Bombay, nobody knows anything about the maritime history of our country.” A University doesn’t
teach it.” He asked, “Manohar, what you want me to do? I said, “I don’t want you to do anything. I want you to back me up. I
want to start the Maritime History of India.” He asked, “are you out of your mind?” I said, “I have got a person to help me.”
He asked, “who is that?” “Rev Fr John Corea, Sir, then Principal of St. Xavier’s College in Bombay, a colleague of my father,
a very old man. “Manohar, what a fine idea? Let us do it,” he said. I was lucky to find a master mariner as my first curator. So,
Rusi Gandhi said,”Manohar you are a mad man, here is your 1000 rupees and start your Society. I’ll be surprised next day, still
it is arrived.”
1979 came and Society was found. We have printed 20 books on the maritime history of this country. I am now the Patron Emeritus of the Society. The Society still exists and it benefitted a number of young officers. I think it has benefitted number
of young naval officers who have gained a bit of knowledge on what the sea is all about, what the sea means to India and what
it does look and what we might do to make this country a sea-friendly nation. I am happy to see you Sea Cadet Corps and
the Model Room which are doing just that. Congratulations to the Sea Cadets Corps of the Ootacamund which is housed in
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this school. Well done! Going back to my school days, late 1930s to early 1940s, what do I remember? I certainly remember
the corporal punishments, I am not sure, it was such a mad thing, excuse me. It did teach me much, but it taught me to be
punctual because if you are five minutes late you got a whack on your knuckles with a cane. If you are ten minutes late you get
two whacks on your knuckles and dare not complain because they say you deserve it. But now all that is history. Now there is
no physical punishment, very civilized. I am not so sure. Even in the Dufferin Sea Cadets, I have received the best five on my
back side, on my bottom, from the Captain Superintendent for crossing of the ‘lakshman rekha’, if that is the word. But that
was the 1940s. Now, if you are talking about corporal punishment, they say, what are you talking about? Not done any wrong.
That is your choice. But I remember my school days. I wrote an article about this in one of the newspapers, ‘one of my school
days.’ I got many letters telling me, Sir, don’t for God’s sake talk about corporal punishment. I am not talking about, I am telling
what happened in my school days. And some of the teachers there, outstanding! Working on Rs.120/- a month salary, run by
the Indian Education Society, King George’s School in Bombay; my first school. And when we left Bombay finally, went to
Pune, after my father’s retirement, the Maharashtra Education Society School, from where I entered the Dufferin. My school
days are memorable to me, just as yours would be when you become older. My two boys are both Lawrencians from Lovedale,
though no longer boys; the elder one is 58 and the younger one is 52. Lawrence schooling, Class of 1972. The elder one Kerar,
who incidentally qualified as a Mathematician at one of the IITs, threw it away and became a musicologist. Became professor
of Music at the Film and Television Institute in Pune and is currently, its Dean. There are two more years to go before he
retires. The younger, went to Lawrence, went to the University of Purdue, as a physicist, threw off a very promising academic
career. And he says, Daddy there is no money in academia. Now I’m married, now I’ve got a son. So he went to IT, Information
Technology, he works for a German firm now; initially in Sydney, now in Singapore. So they are making money, I suppose.
Not the elder one, he is still an academic. The younger one. But money is not everything. When your mind is bent towards
academics, mathematics, physics, I know that the academic world is ill paid but that’s no excuse for quitting. So these brilliant
boys and girls here needn’t necessarily join corporate India, you can of course if you want to, if your bent of mind is to be an
astronomer, mathematician or physicist, keep doing it. My advice to you, You may be a Nobel Laureate, who knows. India is
a country where anything and everything is possible; including the worst possible things that can happen and the very best
possible thing, which you could imagine under the sun. Your generation I hope, I trust, after being guided by your Principal,
Vice-Principal, and your teachers, would aim for the stars. And bring renown, which is already renowned for its ‘gnanam’. “Vidya
Amritam Shrutayi” as they say in the south. This is what we are being educated here. What is education? Nothing very much
other than maturing your mind, that is education. That you are mature in mind, doesn’t matter if you attend a formal school,
that you’re basically educated, not just being literate. Being literate is not education. Education is to do with the mind. It makes
you mature in your mind. What in certain Indian languages is called “sat-asat vivek-a-buddhi” Sat – truth, asat- untrurth, vivekthe power to distinguish between truth and untruth. “sat-asat vivek-a-buddhi” that is education. The moment you got that, call
yourself educated. In the real sense of the term, education, that is why in this school your being educated in knowledge, also
education of the physique, physical education. You’ve been taught riding, sports, tremendous amount of facilities provided.
It’s upto you to decide, what you’re going to do about it. About your education, that your parents are spending money. I don’t
know how much of enormous money it is, to you give you an all round finish. After this I’m scheduled to visit the young ladies
Finishing School, I look forward to the finished product. Later in the afternoon, but that is what education is all about. Never
forget your good luck, to be a student at the Good Shepherd International School, Palada. I didn’t have the opportunity. I was
basically groomed by experience, because my basic education finished at my school stage, because I got into the Navy. Now,
you and me, I’m in the cusp of 88, that’s not a great age in this world. People live into 90s, but 88 is long enough. Not that I want
to depart this world, I’m not in a hurry. When the time comes we all have to go. I don’t want to be philosophical about these
things, you are too young for that, nevermind. I wanted you to be clear about education. What opportunity you’ve got before
you, to be educated! Thanks to your parents, never forget, thanks to your teachers, who are educating you!
Early this year, I think it was on the internet, I came across the following three verses, some of you may have already read them,
but I’d like to repeat them before you. I don’t know who wrote them, I think it was a lady, don’t know her name, they say, the
first verse goes something like this: “All the water in the world / cannot sink a ship / unless it got inside.” The next verse says:
“And all the evil in the world and sin / can never sink your soul, fair craft / unless you let it in.” And the third verse says: “
All the hardships in the world / might wear you pretty thin / but they won’t hurt you one least bit / unless you let them in.”
Now it’s worth thinking about these three verses as you move up the ladder from your class seven, eight, nine, ten, through to
college. What it is to let the wrong things into your mind and take possession and how to keep them at bay. You’ll be tempted
hundreds of times; temptation is easily available. I don’t want you to be ascetic; at your age, I’m not preaching asceticism. Once
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you develop the “sat-asat vivek-a-buddhi” how you have to be, not allow the wrong thing into your mind and devour it for all
time. Once that takes possession of you, there’s no salvation; take it from an old man, because he’s talking from experience. Well
I think I’ve said most of the things I’ve wanted to say, I wish to say. I’ll end on a small quote, about corporal punishments and
being beaten at home, which we often were, I don’t say it regrettably at all, I think Dad slapped us because we deserved it. So
when I asked him that question, “Daddy were you beaten by your father?” He said, “Don’t ask silly questions.” “That set me off.”
Any way, one Dad came home; the son howling, so he said, “What happened son?” So the ten year old kid said, without batting
an eyelid, “I can’t adjust with your wife, anymore. I need my own.” Well I got my own 60 years ago. Certainly not beaten by her,
never even scowled upon by her. She is always been behind my eccentric hobbies, like ornithology, be it visiting the borders of
this country to see the Himalayan wildlife, be it visit the jungles of Tamil Nadu to see the Asian elephant, I was in the Shaman
Elephant Project at one time, in the forests of Theppakadu, not very far, near Bandipur area, behind this business of sailing a
boat around the world, singlehanded, which I’ve been after this for many years, hoping that I’ll be the first one. By the time the
project got the money I wanted, I was already 80 years old, I couldn’t have done it. I found somebody who would build the
boat in India, in Dutch design, I found a man, a young officer, he said that “I will have a go, sir. I’m not trained”. I said, “Well,
you cannot be trained for this kind of adventure. You have to pace yourself. Are you willing to go? Are you willing to trust this
boat I’ve built? It’s 54 ft long cutter, rig, 70 tonne all built in India, to a design we got from Holland. Then his successor did the
same voyage without stop, solo non-stop. Circumnavigation, for which both of them were honoured at the MacLeod Medal
Royal Geographic Society, as the first Indians to do this great feat, and I’m looking forward to the first Indian woman to doing
the same thing. Like I said before, I kick the bucket, in the sailor’s language. So, gentlemen and ladies, I think I’ll stop there and
thank you for listening to my drivel and if you have anything to tell me, please do; any questions to ask.
Speech of Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock on the occasion of the Graduation Ceremony of the students of Good Shepherd Finishing School held on 8 April 2015
Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock addressing the audience
Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Dr. Thomas, Members of the faculty, young graduates and parents,
It is my unique privilege to be amongst you, fortunate to be part of this day in your lives when you graduate from this school
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more confident, skilled and lady like than when you came nine months ago. I’m more than sanguine that the school has lived
beyond its objective, ‘Give us a girl and take back a lady’.
As Sheila Murray Bethel has said, “One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what
you believe in and where you want to go.” Here in Good Shepherd Finishing School, under the guidance and tutelage of the
excellent staff, today you feel justifiably proud of yourself as you enter the adult society as women. Now you are ready to face
any work, familial or social environment having been imbued with appropriate social graces, etiquettes, skills and education.
A lady by today’s definition knows that educating herself in every way possible, from higher education to the common sense
manners, empowers her to become a woman of accomplishment and poise. And it is very essential to remember that “Beauty
and Wealth can be fleeting, but your inner character is the measure by which others will judge you as a person.”
I am more than certain that these grueling nine months have made sure that wherever you go, you would be looked up to as
an epitome of lady like perfection. Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything that requires faith and belief in
yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication.
I have been around your finishing school. There is no doubt that your school offers world class facilities, trainers and curriculum.
They have come together to lend themselves to your multidimensional and multifaceted transformation. Infrastructural facilities
such as the AV Rooms, Yoga and Dance Hall, The Advanced Training Kitchen and the Fashion Hub are some of the finest I
have seen. Your syllabi is comprehensive, current, all-encompassing and holistic. And, not to miss, you had the fortune of living
in a place with such serene natural beauty, unblemished environment and lovely weather. Each of you have been polished into
brilliant cut diamonds. Dietetics and nutrition training, sports, yoga, indoor and outdoor activities encourage you to maintain
mental, spiritual and physical health in your lives. Classes on personal grooming, make-up and fashion designing have given
you the requisite skills to present yourself to the world in the best manner possible.
Time spent learning nuances of protocol, formal dressing, table manners and ballroom dancing will help you navigate the
labyrinthine world of personal and professional social engagements. Training imparted to you fine ladies at this school on event
management, interior designing, table arrangements and food preparation have readied you to be perfect hostesses which
I already have witnessed. Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues and thus I would
implore that you continue to hone and practice what you have learned at this hallowed alma mater of yours. This graduation
ceremony marks your right of passage to womanhood. As Diane Mariechild says “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the
power to create, nurture and transform”.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. “I hope your dreams take you to the corner of your
smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever
known.”
There are few points which I would like you to keep in mind. Firstly, Dharma – a sense of moral commitment or obligation to
someone or something. I would implore you to live with dharma and believe in karma. In work life, be a responsible citizen,
a generous superior, a dutiful subordinate and a helpful colleague. In personal life, be a loving daughter, a caring mother, a
faithful wife and a reliable friend. Be a role model. When faced with challenges, remember you cannot let such ripples in your
life affect your decorum, deportment, composure or speech. You have to always conduct yourself like ladies that you always
will be; embellished with poise, grace and personal style.
Secondly, Excellence in all that you do to the best of your abilities. To quote Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” Challenge yourself, outperform your best each and every time; make it a habit.
Thirdly, Power of Excellence – As Mahatma Gandhi had put it, “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”
Learn to walk the talk. Practice what you preach and preach what you practice. Set an example of compassion, probity,
professionalism, social behavior and impeccable conduct which is worth emulation by all around you.
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Fourthly, Nobody is perfect. Learn to take failure in your stride. Having failed, analyse, introspect, learn lessons, retry and
you shall succeed. Failures give you the correct perspective on success. Rise as a wraith from ambers of failures and reach the
heavens of success.
Fifthly, Maintain a balance in your life. Your job and formal responsibilities are not the only life that you have. Never forget your
duties as well as obligations towards your friends, husband, children as well as your parents. Plan your time well, take care of
your family, cultivate hobbies and pastimes, exercise, play or tread the path of spiritual growth.
Do you know the difference between school and life? In school you are taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you are
given a test that teaches you a lesson. Prepare yourself as you step out in society and present yourself to the world. You have
been well prepared by this school to do so.
So, keep your head high, keep your chin up and most importantly, keep smiling because Life is a Beautiful thing and there is so
much to smile about. Life is what you make of it and I hope that you will be always full of good luck.
May all that you wish for and dream of, come true and that all of you grow every minute and everyday of your lives.
Speech of Mr. Vijay Prabhu delivered on the occasion of the Annual
Inter house Athletic Meet held in GSIS on 9 April 2015
Mr. Vijay Prabhu addressing the students, staff, parents and guardians
Good Afternoon, I had two thoughts when I was actually asked to come in as a chief guest. One part of me was, I was very
excited that at school you are going to be a chief guest, brilliant. The other part, I have been there like you all for 11 years. Every
time someone came to speak, I said, ‘Oh, it is going to be another boring speech.’
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So I am going to have a deal with you all. I can get a good smile on the job. I will keep my speech very brief. Can I get a good
smile? Okay, not so much, not so much. I will say a few words. Okay, let me say a few words. I can’t go and sit there. Lots of
energy, brilliant, lots of good participants, excellent. I am not going to tell you what normally people will normally tell you,
which is ‘participation as the key.’ I wanted to tell you, you have got a way. If you are taking part, there is only one goal, one
focus, that is the way.
I am also going to tell you that you go to the other side, there are fields, you’ve got athletics, you’ve got basketball, you’ve got
sports. The entire sports talent you have got, you know the debating, the quiz, there are different fields.
But in each of the fields, you got to figure out where you can excel or where you have a good chance. If you can clear your doubt,
figuring out which of those fields you are good at, you can win, there is no doubt. I can guarantee you, everybody who took part
in that race, only wanted to win. They may not say it, but everybody who wants to win and in everything that you take part, you
want to win. So how does that winning happen? The win doesn’t happen easily. You have to put in effort, you have to practise.
You just can’t get out in the morning and come and see who is running and then say I am going to run and I am going to win. It’s
not going to happen. There is an effort that is involved and speaking of this effort, I’m going to tell you also of the small incident
that changed me. Ultimately, it might change all of you including the elders.
I play a lot of golf and as a youngster I did start with golf and when I was playing with an elderly gentleman, I played about
3 – 4 holes. I’m pretty sure most of you must be familiar with the holes, since you have a golf course here. I was putting and
everybody knows that when you are playing, you have to put the ball into the cup. And I used to always be very gentle, I would
just wait and if the ball went too far then I would have to come back. So the elderly gentleman who knew me said, ‘Vijay, you’ve
got to understand something. If the ball doesn’t cross the hole, there is no chance of its falling into the hole. So even 0% is not
possible, forget 1%.’ So he said, ‘Leave it, let it go a hundred metres, then technically a little faster, then it can hit the cup and
fall in.’ That makes so much sense. If you don’t put in an effort which is good enough to win, there is no point, because you are
only losing even before you started. So my wife told me, ‘Give it a 100% and finish work and you are going to succeed.’
What a brilliant job by everyone! I wish everybody who took part the best, not for this year, you can use what I said for the
next year. Thank you!
Toast by Master Adil Asif Thara
I chanced upon these words by Jimi Hendrix, the great musician of yesteryears. He said, “The story of life is quicker than the
blink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye.” I think these words best sum up what our relationships in our alma
mater, Good Shepherd International School, are all about, brief, no doubt, but strong bonds of love.
Good afternoon, one and all. The story of life is indeed quicker than a blink of an eye and the story of love is hello and goodbye.
This time that we, Shepherdians, spend together between the ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ is what forms the basis of the rest of our
lives. Let me begin at the beginning: my first ‘hello.’
A few years down the lane I can see Kailash walking with numerous fans around him crowding around him for autographs.
Further down the lane I can picture Aishwarya’s boutique beside Gucci and Zara. Beyond the view, skyscrapers hide the
horizon, only ideas that came out from architects, Adarsh’s and Tisha’s heads. I see Denny and Param battling it out in the
courtroom. And guess who’s helping them? Trishna, a forensic expert. I see Laksh and Grishma creating masterpieces in the
field of art and design.
Enough about the future, let’s talk about the past and the present. We had a wonderful set of prefects. Sai Karthik, the games
captain, is very academically inclined. He is found more often in the classroom during games time. Dhruv Kapoor is the guy
who controls it all. And in the vegetarian dining hall, a look from Jayraj was enough to silence everybody. Well, then there was
Harshith, the prefect without the badge. Siddharth Deravariya was Nick Carraway throughout the two years( You wouldn’t
know what he is thinking). Jeet and Sonakshi are so sincere that even now they tell us, “Take care of the house.” Rohit’s long
156 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
distance running and football skills make me envious. The batch had monks who I think have taken a vow of silence, like
Hariharan and Gokul, a monk not as silent, Sanath – who was a silent killer. Appearances do deceive. Ruheed and Nayantara
on the other hand are always smiling.
The batch has its studious lot too like Siddharth Bala, Krishnica, Siddhant Jain, Kanisha, Atul. Anjali has an affair with her own
math text book. We also have the singers of the batch, Ashish, Shubham Dhull, Anirudh, VIbhushan and Gurnoor, some of
them entertain us even while taking a shower. Despite being very talented, Suravi is always getting into trouble. The mirror is
the most important accessory for Ganesh and Prajaim: after all, they need to see if their workout has paid off. Uday and Rahul
are forever applying to universities. ISC 2B is the venue for the greatest football matches. Nilesh, Mayank, Gurnoor, Kailash,
Dev are a few of the footballers.
Master Adil Asif Thara
One of my batchmates told me that Vimla miss always catches hold of him/her. I’m sorry but have you met Akash Suryavanshi?
He’s the Starchild of HSS!
We will miss the Big E of the batch. ‘E’ stands for ears. That’s Akash Mittal for you. The pressure really got to Zubin as he fainted
during the GSMUN sessions. The girls of the batch were high on adrenaline and were always full of energy, especially Anna,
during the roll-call prayer. Ashmeet and Kamakshi have a Shahrukh Khan song for every possible situation. Swati has firmly
established herself on the LOL throne. On the other side of the kingdom, Denny rules. Jimmit aka, DJ Sanedo was famous for
his Gujju mixes of the English language. You crack a joke now and ten minutes later, Vinay’ll get it. Zuber, as his name suggests,
is a bear but he’s a softie at heart. Christians usually get baptised with water, Sohan was baptised with swag. But that didn’t affect
his English. Can you pass the sauce, salt and pepper?
We wish you luck for the road ahead. We won’t be joining you….for now. The halls of HSS will be haunted without you. And I
know that when anyone of my batch walks past one of the classes you were in, we’ll remember you, smile and walk on, knowing
you’re somewhere else for a greater purpose and also that those tiny classrooms can’t hold you guys. We are sorry if we have
ever hurt you. I will not say girls and boys, but rather, Ladies and Gentlemen….we salute you. Go on and change the world for
that’s your calling. Till later, when we meet you down the road,
Goodbye.
- Master Adil Asif Thara, ISC XIA
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Reply to the Toast by Ms. Tisha Pradyumanbhai Patel
Ms. Tisha Pradyumanbhai Patel
Respected Chief Guest, Mr. Tyler Smith, Respected Principal, Dr. P. C. Thomas, Senior Vice Principal, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas,
board members, parents, guardians, well-wishers, Vice Principals, Directors, Coordinators, teachers and my dear friends, good
afternoon.
A long time ago, within the portals of this school, I was taught that every object, every group is represented by a word. However,
now as I stand here representing the Class of 2015, I realize that there is no word suitable enough to represent us. Now as we
take that one step which is actually a big leap, I think a word does exist: Y-O-U …Three letters, one syllable…. big enough
to describe us. This august morning, a life-changing theory has reawakened in me “I think everyone’s weird and we should
all celebrate our individuality and not be ashamed of it.” As a Shepherdian, we have faced LIFE. What else can you call our
challenges and our experiences? A walk down memory lane will make us realize that these lanes are the biggest highways-there
was routine, collisions, traffic jams and several people to restore order. Day by day nothing changes but when you look back
everything is different.
They say that we walk in and out of school in tears but I think we will be leaving this place with our laughter echoing in our
memories. We will be leaving knowing that we were always ourselves. I can proudly say that though we were never perfect, we
were real.
When it hurts to look back and it’s scary to look ahead, you can look beside you: your best friends are there. Let me narrate
some weird anecdotes about our weirdly-amazing batch. Silent killers of our batch were unique. Anna, Dev, Kavya and Anirudh
- when they did talk, their words killed! Oxford learner’s dictionary should be replaced by Krishnica and Sonakshi’s names.
Who needs Arnold Schwarzenegger when we have the song terminators in our batch - Akash Mittal, Aishwarya and Meetali?
While Jimit DJ’ed away in the veg dining hall, Ashish set a “raging fire” as the dancer Anarkali. Nilesh and Nayantara’s break
dance literally broke all our ideas of dance. Kailash and Tavishi were often teased but in vain, it bounced right off their skin!
Now think the other way round for Jayraj. While Trishna’s angelic voice broke our ear drums, we had to strain our ears to listen
158 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
to Sanchi. However much you polish a crow it will not become white! Vinay’s philosophy and Kamakshi’s practicality never
failed to spread light. Our batch has two kinds of skinny people: at first, Jeet, Param and Zubin went with the wind and Suravi,
Rohit and Mayank were more often seen running than walking. The children of midnight, Dhruv and Grishma, never failed
to make us live in a horror movie by sleep walking and talking. Akkashh Surryavanshi and Swati complemented each other’s
memory. Akkashh for excess of it and Swati for the lack of it. How can we forget the gym class heroes of our batch Ganeshan,
Prajaim, Bala, Zuber and Ruheed, the karate kid? Whatever be the temperature, you can always make Ashmeet and Sohan go
red. The equation of expression - the sum of various degrees of expressions of Dera, Denny and Avishi =Uday’s and Kartik’s
stony inexpressiveness. We had a group of lameness amidst us, Laksh the terrestrial fish, Rahul the shaker and Adarsh, the
drumming flicker and to counter-strike them, Anjali, the serious shooter. Gurnoor and Vibhushan… no matter where they
went, applause or punishment followed. Hari, Gokul, Harshith and Siddhant were the offbeat adhesive unit…stuck for life.
Our future politicians Atul and Sanath need to take some time off to help our ‘go green’ ecofriendly friends, Shubham and
Kanisha. So here it is: our jigsaw of unique friends who left their footprints on stone.
Who says that our journey has ended? We have been on a common road. Now that we have reached the end, we can see our
roads diverge. We are going to take different routes… different colleges, different career choices, different countries. This
sudden shift of our equilibrium may scare us but we have to seize the moment! Sometimes the hardest thing and the right
thing to do are the same. Dream what you want to dream. Go where you want to go. Be what you want to be. You have only one
life and one chance to do all that you want. Remember how strong you are, how amazing, how important you are. You have
nothing to prove to the world! The only person you must better is the person you were yesterday. Do the little things that matter
because they accumulate to make a big difference. We owe our lives in GSIS to countless people. From wonderful chechis
to our dorm parents without whom life would have been a chaos; our coaches who made every game an adventure; from
counsellors to our coordinators and directors, from the Vice Principals and Madam and Sir, who made sure that school was an
extended metaphor of life, to our teachers without whom school would fail to be what it is. We thank all of you for making this
journey worth the toil and the choices.
It’s hard to part. It’s hard to say goodbye. It’s hard to accept that we have crossed one milestone in our life. So let’s do something
simple-Let’s never say goodbye. From the excitement of kindergarten to the fear of our first exam, from high school to the
sudden dive into higher secondary, from exams to deadlines to applications to acceptances…. here we are, graduating today.
Time is going to fly by.
I leave you now with experiences to nurture you, laughter to elevate you, stories to soothe you and memories to guide you
home. To sum up all we have learnt about life here, IT GOES ON but yes, with each of us ready to support the other at all times.
- Ms. Tisha Pradyumanbhai Patel, ISC XIIA
“Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after
moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.”
- Richard Bach
“Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and
longitudes.”
- Henry David Thoreau
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”
- Les Brown
- Helen Keller
“Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.”
- Peter Drucker
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An Outstanding Old Shepherdian
Dr. Johann Christopher, MD, DNB
“Be Steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (The Bible)
Dr. Johann Christopher, a Consultant Cardiologist, is practicing
at CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad.
Currently he is a:
• Member of the Cardiology Society of India
• Member of the Indian Academy of Echo Cardiography
• Member of the Associated Physicians of India
• Chairperson of Cardiac Imaging in the Cardiology Society
of India
• Honorary Editor of the Cardiac Imaging Section of the
Indian Heart Journal
• Honorary Reviewer of the Cardiac Imaging Section of the
Indian College of Cardiology
• Member of the Indian Association of Cardiac Imaging
Dr. Johann Christopher completed his
• MBBS from Christian Medical College, Ludhiana (1996 batch)
• MD (Internal Medicine) from Christian Medical College,
Ludhiana (1998-2001)
• DNB Cardiology from Care Institute of Medical Sciences,
Hyderabad (2002-2005)
• Fellowship in Cardiac Imaging, Brigham & Women’s
Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,
USA (2007-2008)
Dr. Johann Christopher, MD, DNB (Cardiology)
Dr. Johann Christopher is an alumnus of Good Shepherd International School, Ootacamund. He was the Library Prefect
(1986-1987) and the Summer House Prefect (1987-1988). He secured the second highest aggregate (2nd rank in School) in
his batch in his Grade X ICSE board examinations in 1988. He was awarded the Best Outgoing Student Medal.
Dr. Johann Christopher completed his MBBS from Christian Medical College, Ludhiana (1991 batch). During his MBBS
course, he was awarded distinctions in Physiology and Pharmacology and a Special Medal in Internal Medicine. He was
awarded the Best Outgoing Student Medal in 1996. Dr. Johann stood first in the entrance examination in MD at Christian
Medical College, Ludhiana. He opted for MD (Internal Medicine) and passed out with honours in 2001. He secured his DNB
in the field of Cardiology after clearing the Diplomate of National Board of Examinations in New Delhi and passed out with
flying colours in his first attempt in 2005.
Dr. Johann was an active faculty member mentoring cardiology fellows in the CARE Institute of Medical Sciences for two
years. He went on to train in the field of Cardiac Imaging and secured his fellowship at the internationally famous institute,
Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA in 2008. In Boston, he trained under internationally
acclaimed specialists, Dr. Di Carli and Dr. Raymond Kwong in Cardiac Imaging.
160 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
Dr. Johann was nominated as a foreign member into the Society of Cardiac CT, the apex body that oversees research and
training in Cardiac CT Internationally. He was also nominated to be the Subspeciality Coordinator of cardiac imaging in the
Cardiology Society of India which is the apex body that oversees cardiology research and training in India. Under the auspices
of the Cardiology Society of India, he has delivered a number of lectures and conducted various workshops all over India at
the CSI Conferences.
On a personal level, he loves teaching and interacting with medical students, postgraduates and DNBs. He has followed in the
footsteps of his teacher Dr. B. Soma Raju and continues to teach medical students from government colleges in Hyderabad
every morning before their regular classes. He started a Cardiac Imaging Society in Hyderabad which hosts advances in the
field and showcases difficult cases to the student population. He is associated with a number of National and International drug
trials. He takes an active part in the local API and CSI society meetings and Continuing Medical Education Programmes. He is
associated with several charitable institutions in Hyderabad, where he renders free medical services. He is also empanelled with
the Rajiv Gandhi Aarogyasri Health Scheme, which provides health services including treatment of major cardiac ailments to
the people below the poverty line.
Dr. Johann Christopher is the younger of the two sons of Brigadier Philip Selwyn Manoharan and Mrs. Beulah Manoharan.
Brigadier Manoharan is a retired army officer who is currently a manager in a Pune-based software firm. His mother is a home
maker. He has one sibling, an older brother, Dr. Levi Mark, who is also an old Shepherdian. Dr. Levi Mark is a surgeon in the
Indian Navy. Dr. Johann’s wife, Dr. Somita Christopher, is an alumnus of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana. Dr. Somita is an
expert in ultrasound guided regional anesthesia. She is currently practising as an anesthetist in CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad.
The couple is blessed with two children, Mary (10 years) and Jonathan (9 years). He owes all his success to the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ, the hard work and dedication of his parents, the support of his wife and his lovely children and the
good wishes of his patients and teachers. He is of the belief that you need to cultivate good habits, be disciplined, maintain
consistency in all your endeavours and trust in the Lord Almighty whatever the circumstances. His activities at Good Shepherd
International School aided his transformation into a leader and has helped him to be at the forefront of all his future activities.
He is a good speaker and had bagged the first position in the inter-house poetry recitation, elocution and debate competitions
organised at GSIS. He was adjudged the best speaker on several occasions. The ideas inculcated by his teachers at Good
Shepherd International School has left a lasting impact on all his endeavours.
He follows a simple biblical message “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit
of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”
In Pursuit of Artistic Excellence
The Bharatanatyam Nrithyanjali debut performance of Ms. Malavika Vasishta
was held at Nandamuri Tarakarama Rao auditorium in Hyderabad on Saturday, 9
August 2014. The Chief Guest of the event was Mr. K.V. Krishna Reddy, IRAS, and
the Guests of Honour were Dr. K. Uma Rama Rao and ‘Sangeetacharya’ Dr. Vyzarsu
Balasubrahmanyam. She has been learning Bharatanatyam under the expertise of Guru
Sri Badrinath Madabhushi, whose knowledge and training has developed her into an
excellent dancer. She has also been learning Carnatic music from renowned musician,
composer and guru, ‘Sangeetacharya’ Dr. Vyzarsu Balasubrahmanyam.
Ms. Malavika Vasishta
Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance form that originated in the temples of Tamil
Nadu. It is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles that is known
for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculptural poses. The 'Arangetram' is the formal
initiation of the dancer into this artistic practice and it is a common South Indian
dance tradition. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and intensive training since
last year. She has to learn Bharatanatyam and master several skills for such an artistic
endeavour. The 'Arangetram' serves the dual purpose of introducing a dancer to an
audience and allowing them to assess her quality. The audience consisted of friends,
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 161
relatives and special invitees and they judged the standards of the dancer and her teacher. They appreciated her artistically
impressive debut performance.
Ms. Malavika Vasishta is an Old Shepherdian who belongs to the 2008 – 2010 batch of ISC students. At GSIS, dance and music
are two co-curricular activities that are an integral part of the curriculum. She was a quiet and reserved girl at GSIS. Malavika
was always very passionate about dance and music. Her first association with Bharatanatyam was during her higher secondary
education at Good Shepherd International School in Ooty. She performed ‘Varnam’ and ‘Dasavatharam’ at the school’s
Founder’s Day celebrations, under the skilled guidance of her dance teacher, Mrs. Rema Madhu. She has also participated in
various cultural festivals at Manipal University and NIT in Surathkal, where she performed Bharatanatyam and western dance.
She has returned to dancing after joining a professional course.
For Ms. Malavika who is continuing her study of Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Ohio State University in
USA, the performance provided a way of keeping in touch with her family’s roots in India. She is currently the Secretary of
Indian Students Association at Ohio State University and promotes Indian Culture abroad. Excellence is never an accident. It
is always the result of sincere effort, high intention and intelligent execution won by hard work, determination, habituation,
training, commitment to excellence and unrelenting pursuit of a goal.
We congratulate Ms. Malavika Vasishta for her pursuit of artistic excellence. We also congratulate her teacher and trainer,
Mr. Badrinath Madabhushi, who is an eminent choreographer and dancer in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, for all the hard
work in training her. Rigorous practise sessions helped her to overcome stage fear and build stamina. We also congratulate her
parents since the organization of such an event is not an easy affair. It involves a good auditorium, new clothes, ornaments,
accompanying musicians, a lot of hard work and money. The parents should be very proud of their daughter.
The event held in the evening was very colourful and memorable. The dancing was amazing! The audience had a great time and
they really enjoyed the dance and the accompanying music. She has shown that she is not merely an amateur but a budding
professional. We wish her all success in her future endeavours.
SAD DEMISE
Mrs. Saraswathi Balasubramaniam
[85 years]
17 May 1929 to 21 February 2015
We regret to inform you of the sad demise of Mrs. Saraswathi Balasubramaniam, wife of Late Shri. T. N. Balasubramaniam, in
Chennai on 21 February 2015. She is deeply mourned by her family, friends, well-wishers, students, staff and the management
of Good Shepherd International School, Ootacamund. She is a former mathematics teacher of Good Shepherd Public School.
Our respectful homage to her departed soul.
162 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
2014 BOARD EXAMINATION TOPPERS
INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
INDIAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
Prerna Binod Dugar
ICSE Science Group
Drishika Goenka
ICSE Commerce Group
Joseph Leander R.
IGCSE Science Group
Sahil Khamlesh Mirchandani
IGCSE Commerce Group
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 163
Joseph John Valiaveetil
ISC Science Group
Diksha Kamalia
ISC Commerce Group
Shlok Milind Pimprikar
I B Diploma Programme
Aditya Vardhan Goyal
I B Diploma Programme
Suphawan Khanijou
I B Diploma Programme
Akash Dhanturi
I B Diploma Programme
164 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
The Out-Going Batch of 2015
Grade XII
DENNY K ALEXANDER
2001 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Basketball, Water Sports
Ambition
: Lawyer
Achievements :Band Major of School Band, Co-curricular Prefect, TCL Grade 5 (Theory & Practical) – Distinction,
President of ECOSOC(GSMUN), Inter-School Basketball (Captain), IAYP – Gold Medal
Address
: Kunniparambil House, Near H.P.O., Thiruvalla, Kerala
E-mail
: [email protected]
TISHA PRADYUMANBHAI PATEL
2004 – 2015
Hobby
: Dance, Listening to Music, Sports
Ambition
: Choreography / Architect
Achievements : Athlete, Basketball best player, TCL Grade 4
Address
: B43, Sardar Nagar Society, Unjha Siddhpur Highway, Behind Rose Garden Hotel, Maktupur,
Unjha, Gujarat
E-mail
: [email protected]
GURNOOR SINGH
2004 – 2015
Hobby
: Movies, T.V. Shows, Watching wildlife
Ambition
: Business Tycoon / Politician
Achievements : Spring House Captain, Inter-School Hockey U-16 Captain, Best Supporting Actor, Best Delegate
– GSMUN, IAYP – Gold, TCL – Xylophone, Trumpet & Keyboard, II Place in Inter-House Debate
Address
: T.Nagar, Chennai, India.
E-mail
: [email protected]
MAYANK L SINGH
2005 – 2015
Hobby
: Football, Watching wildlife
Ambition
: Business Tycoon
Achievements : Inter-School Football U-19 Best Striker, 2nd - High Jump in Inter-District Athletic s, TCL Grade 5
– Theory & Grade 3 –Trumpet – Merit, Cricket – Best Bowler, Silver medallist – IAYP
Address
: 31 Himgiri Bungalows, Opp. Millano, Piplod, Dumas Road, Surat, Gujarat
E-mail
: [email protected]
R ANIRUDH
2006 – 2015
Hobby
: Music, Watching wildlife, Football
Ambition
: Automobile Engineer
Achievements :Inter-School Football, Inter-School Basketball, House Prefect, TCL Grade 5, GSMUN –
Best Delegate, II Place in Inter-House cross country race
166 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
Address
: Sadashivanagar, RMV Extension, Bengaluru
E-mail
: [email protected]
TAVISHI AGARWAL
2007 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Art, Social Work
Ambition
: Event Manager / Photographer
Achievements : Scholarship in 11th, Gold medalist – IAYP, Summer House Captain, TCL Theory Grade 4 –
Merit, Practical Grade 1 – Merit, Javelin and Discus throw – 2nd place
Address
: 109, Laxmi Vatika, 1st Block, Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore – 86
E-mail
: [email protected]
VINAY KUMAR REDDY BUYYANI
2007 – 2015
Hobby
: Music, Watching wildlife
Ambition
: Automobile Engineering
Achievements : Inter House Hockey (Best Player), Silver medalist – IAYP, TCL Practical - Grade 2 & Theory – Grade 3
Address
: Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana
E-mail
: [email protected]
SURAVI RAY
2007 – 2015
Hobby
: Writing, Painting, Dancing, Producing Music (EDM), Reading
Ambition
: Biotechnology / Writer
Achievements : Cross Country (1st) and Inter School Long Distance, Best Actress – Dramatics, Dance Solo (1st) –
past 3 years, Merit Scholarship, Gold medallist – IAYP, TCL (Theory – Grade 5 & Practical – Grade 3)
Address
: Archana Sadan, Aswini Nagar, Baguiati, Kolkata – 700 159
E-mail
: [email protected]
JAYRAJ S PATEL
2007 – 2015
Hobby
: Basketball, Drumming, Watching wildlife
Ambition
: Business Tycoon
Achievements : Inter District Basketball Player (Vice Captain), Best All-rounder – Cricket, Lead Drummer, Winter
House Captain, Silver medallist – IAYP, TCL Xylophone – Distinction
Address
: 2B, Rudravan Apartment, Near Gateway Hotel, Parle Point, Surat, Gujarat – 395 007
E-mail
: [email protected]
SANCHI DALMIA
2007 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Playing Table Tennis & Basketball
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : TCL Grade 4, Basketball – Best Shooter, Silver medallist – IAYP
Address
: 702 Shiv Shakti Apartment, Opp. Kakadia Complex, Parle Point, Ghod Dod Road, Surat - 395 007
E-mail
: [email protected]
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 167
KAILAS NATH C A
2008 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Watching Movies
Ambition
: Actor
Achievements : Actor in Dramatics, 2nd place in Golf
Address
: Chittikapil House,Vvayalar Street, Kuriachira P.O., Thrissur 680 006
E-mail
: [email protected]
ADARSH S
2008 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Bird-watching, Gaming, Painting
Ambition
: Architect
Achievements : Inter School Basketball U-15 team, TCL Grade 3, Silver medallist – IAYP, Discus throw – 3rd place
Address
: Sreethilakam, Kannankuzhi, Kakkamoola, Kalliyoor P.O., Trivandrum – 695 042
E-mail
: [email protected]
NILESH POTHY
2009 – 2015
Hobby
: Reading novels, Watching movies, Video games
Ambition
: An impeccable, Importunate Businessman
Achievements : TCL Grade 3 – Distinction, Silver medallist – IAYP, Inter School U-19 Football, Inter School
Athlete – 200 mts -1st
Address
: 16/158/1,Easwara Vilasam Road, Near Carmel Girls Higher.Secondary.School, Vazhudhakkadu,
Trivandrum - 695 014
E-mail
: [email protected]
SHUBHAM DHULL
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Watching wildlife
Ambition
: Business Tycoon
Achievements : Inter School U-19 Cricket Captain, Gold medallist – IAYP, Lead Drummer, TCL (Practical Grade
2 – Distinction & Theory Grade 2 – Distinction)
Address
: House 2, Reliance Villas, Chinnathokatta, Bowenpally, Secunderabad - 500 011, Telangana
E-mail
: [email protected]
DEV SHANKAR SUBASH
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Watching Movies, Reading
Ambition
: Businessman / Singer
Achievements : Silver medallist – IAYP, Inter School Tennis player, TCL
168 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
Address
: SB 2A, Heera Waters, Near Bund Road, Chillavannoor, Kadavanthra P.O., Cochin - 20, Kerala
E-mail
: [email protected]
TRISHNA SUNIL MOTIANI
2011 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Painting, Playing Badminton
Ambition
: Pharmacologist
Achievements : Vice Captain of Summer House, Band Major, House Prefect, TCL Grade 2, Elocution – 2nd,
Badminton - Promising Player, Silver medalist – IAYP
Address
: “Roop”, 106 – Astron Society – 3, Off Kalauad Road, Rajkot – 360 001, Gujarat
E-mail
: [email protected]
ATUL KUMAR YADAV
2011 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Reading
Ambition
: Doctor
Achievements : Band Major, Gold medallist – IAYP, TCL Grade 2 – Theory / Piano - Initial
Address
: 6/253, Vipul Khand, Lucknow
E-mail
: [email protected]
PARAMESHWAR PRAPANN
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Reading, Watching Movies, Watching wildlife
Ambition
: Corporate Advocate
Achievements : Vice Captain, Gold medallist – IAYP, GSMUN – Deputy Secretary.General
Address
: Gita Bhawan, Room No. 12, Swargashram, Rishikesh - 249 304, Uttarakhand, India
E-mail
: [email protected]
KAVYA KAMBHAM
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Watching TV, Listening to Music
Ambition
: Businesswoman
Achievements : Athlete, TCL Grade 2, Dance – 3rd
Address
: H.No. 3-953, Saraswathi Vidya Mandir Road, YMR Colony, Proddatur, YSR District,
Andhra Pradesh – 516 360
E-mail
: [email protected]
NANDINI ANNA THOMAS
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Horse Riding, Reading, Writing
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : Library Prefect, Gold medallist – IAYP
Address
: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, U.A.E.
E-mail
: [email protected]
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 169
KAMAKSHI ANIL MATHUR
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Reading, Listening to Music
Ambition
: Criminal Psychologist
Achievements : Rifle Shooting – 3rd, TCL Theory Grade 1 – Distinction, Dance – 3rd
Address
: 18, Nandan Bagh Bung, South Bhopal, Ahmedabad
E-mail
: [email protected]
AKKASHH SURRYAVANSHI
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Playing Badminton
Ambition
: Successful Businessman
Achievements : Badminton – Best Player, Inter School Basketball player, TCL Theory – Grade 1, Silver medallist – IAYP
Address
: 901, CASA 9, Baner, Pune - 411 045
E-mail
: [email protected]
KRISHNICA MITTAL
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Reading, Writing, Listening to Music
Ambition
: Journalist
Achievements : State Level Elocution – 1st Prize, Best supporting actress, Gold medallist – IAYP, Co-Head
ECOSOC, Recitation – 1st Prize
Address
: 13, Rajgarh Kothi, Geeta Bhawan, Indore, M.P.
E-mail
: [email protected]
VIBHUSHAN BALAJI NEETHI MOHAN
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Watching Football, Reading
Ambition
: Business Tycoon
Achievements : Silver medallist – IAYP, TCL Theory Grade 1 – Distinction, Recitation – 2nd Place
Address
: 38/475, 10th East Cross Street, Anna Nagar, Madurai – 20
E-mail
: [email protected]
SIDDHANT DEEPAK JAIN
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Playing Keyboard, Listening to Music, Dance
Ambition
: Businessman, A good Entrepreneur
Achievements : TCL Grade 5 – Keyboard, Honour Mention in MUN-UNESCO, Lead Band Major ( Junior Brass),
Silver medallist - IAYP, Inter School Badminton – Most Promising Player
170 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
Address
: 11, Surya Bungalow, Near Sarthi Hotel, Bodekdev, Ahmedabad
E-mail
: [email protected]
S P SOHAN SINGH
2004 – 2015
Hobby
: Watching wildlife, Playing Games and Music
Ambition
: Automobile Engineer
Achievements : TCL Grade 3, Silver medallist – IAYP, District Level Basketball – most valuable player
Address
: H. No. 007, Hoysala Sai Shelter, 23/1 Dr..Rajagopal Road, Sanjay Nagar, Bangalore – 94
E-mail
: [email protected]
ASHMEET SACHDEV
2004 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Dancing, Swimming
Ambition
: Psychologist
Achievements : Inter School Basketball Player, TCL Theory Grade 4, Lead Side drummer, Gold medallist - IAYP
Address
: 47/2 Song Nang Sthit Road, A-Meaung, mukdahan 49000, Thailand
E-mail
: [email protected]
ROHIT RAM WADHWANI
2009 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Playing Football, Bird-watching
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : TCL (Grade 2 – Practical), (Grade 3 – Theory) – Merit, Athletics Championship, Football – Best
Player, Record-breaker – 800 mts, 1500 mts, 3000 mts, Cross County, Silver medallist - IAYP
Address
: EDF-Orquredia Apt 2-4, Calle 8, Colon, Panama
E-mail
: [email protected]
RAHUL VARDHAN GOYAL
2009 – 2015
Hobby
: Sketching, Swimming, Playing Badminton
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : TCL Grade 4 Theory – Merit, Practical – Merit, SCC Platoon Commander – Leading Cadet,
Silver medallist – IAYP, Elocution, Arts, Camlin Art Contest – Inter District competition
Address
: A-56, Krishna Nagar, New Pali Road, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
E-mail
: [email protected]
AISHWARYA SUDHIR BANTHIA
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Dancing, Painting, Listening to Music, Watching TV
Ambition
: Designer
Achievements : TCL Grade 3 – Merit, TCL Grade 2 Practical – Merit, Dance – 2nd
Address
: Laxmi Ratan Bungalow, Near V.K. High School, Old Panvel, Mumbai
E-mail
: [email protected]
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 171
SIDDHARTH BALA
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Reading, Playing Football, Playing Guitar
Ambition
: To become a successful Entrepreneur
Achievements : Silver medallist – IAYP, GSMUN 2013 (Honourable mention), Inter School Football,
Aquatics 2013 – 1 Gold & 1 Silver, TCL (Theory – Grade 3 – Merit / Practical Grade 2 – Merit)
Address
: Silicon Oasis, Dubai, U.A.E.
E-mail
: [email protected]
ANJALI SABU NAIR
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Reading Novels, Debating, Rifle Shooting, Doing Charity
Ambition
: To build an Orphanage
Achievements : Gold medallist – IAYP, GSMUN – UN Women Head, Winter House Captain, Inter School debate – 3rd,
U-19 Inter House Rifle Shooting Champion, TCL Grade 3 Theory – Distinction / Practical - Merit
Address
: Clock Tower, Deira, Dubai, U.A.E.
E-mail
: [email protected]
SANATH KUMAR A SWAMY
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Music, Playing Hockey
Ambition
: To be successful in life
Achievements : Inter School – Hockey, Silver medallist – IAYP, TCL Grade 3 - Theory
Address
: H.No. 534, 4th Cross, H.M.T Layout, Ganga Nagar, Bangalore - 560 032
E-mail
: [email protected]
HARSHIT KRISHNAKANT GOYAL
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Watching T.V., Playing Badminton
Ambition
: Businessman
Achievements : Inter School Badminton, TCL Grade 3 – Theory, Silver medallist – IAYP
Address
: A/2, Purshottam Bunglows, Behind Gurudwara, Thaltej, Ahmedabad
E-mail
: [email protected]
SAIKARTHEEK SHARVIRALA
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Drawing, Playing Football
Ambition
: Become a successful Businessman
Achievements : Games Captain, TCL Theory Grade 3 – Distinction, District Football, Inter School Athletics
Address
: D.No.24-6-1, HI:-119, Vinayak Nagar, Vuda Colony, Pedagantyada, Old Gajuwaka,
E-mail
: [email protected]
Visakhapatanam - 530 026
172 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
LAKSH SANJAY AGRAWAL
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Arts, Music, Designing, Swimming
Ambition
: Architect
Achievements : Gold medallist – IAYP, SCC Leading Cadet, 5 medals in swimming, TCL Grade 3 – Distinction,
Summer House Prefect
Address
: 101, Om Mansion, Plot No. 158, Behind Jain Mandir, New Ramdaspeth, Nagpur - 440 010
E-mail
: [email protected]
AKASH SWARUP MITTAL
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Music, Watching movies, Watching wildlife
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : Silver medallist – IAYP, TCL Grade 3 – Distinction
Address
: Chiltern Park, Serangoon Avenue, Singapore
E-mail
: [email protected]
JIMIT JAYESH DESAI
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Playing Cricket, Photography
Ambition
: Entrepreneur / Politician
Achievements : Silver medallist – IAYP, TCL Grade 2
Address
: 1002, Jayshiva Society, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad
E-mail
: [email protected]
SWATI RACHAEL SOBTI
2010 – 2015
Hobby
: Playing Guitar, Singing, Playing Basketball
Ambition
: Marketing Manager
Achievements : Silver medallist – IAYP, TCL Grade 4 – Classical Guitar
Address
: A-19, Joyshree Park, Behala, Kolkata - 700 034
E-mail
: [email protected]
RUHEED MOHAMMOOD
2011 – 2015
Hobby
: Playing Football, Horse riding, Swimming, Driving
Ambition
: Businessman
Achievements : TCL Grade 1 & 2 – Distinction, Badminton – Best Player, Rifle Shooting, Silver & Bronze
medallist – IAYP
Address
: Rozana Residency, Kannur, Kerala
E-mail
: [email protected]
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 173
DHRUV RAJKUMAR KAPOOR
2011 – 2015
Hobby
: Music, Playing Football and Squash, Fitness training
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : School Captain, Secretary General GSMUN-2014, Gold medallist – IAYP, Merit-based
Scholarship holder, Inter House – Best Squash Player, Inter House Football best defender
Address
: 505/A, Golf Scappe, S.T. Road, Chembur, Mumbai - 400 071
E-mail
: [email protected]
ZUBER MUNIR DEWJI
2011 – 2015
Hobby
: Music, Driving, Watching wildlife, Football
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : TCL Grade 1 & 2 – Distinction, Silver medallist – IAYP, Inter School Football player
Address
: Plot #33, South Street, P.O. Box 35, Mbeya, Kenya, Tanzania
E-mail
: [email protected]
SONAKSHI SENTHIL
2011 – 2015
Hobby
: Singing, Dancing, Listening to Music, Painting
Ambition
: Environmentalist
Achievements : TCL Grade 4 (Classical Guitar), Autumn House Captain, Vice Head Girl, Gold medallist - IAYP,
President – Security Council(GSMUN), Best Defender - Basketball
Address
: 126, A/1, New Colony, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu - 628 002
E-mail
: [email protected]
GANESAN SENTHIL
2011 – 2015
Hobby
: Swimming, Driving, Watching movies, Body building
Ambition
: Start a Chemical firm, Vineyard
Achievements : Games Captain (High School), Gold medallist - IAYP, President – ECOFIN (GSMUN),
Best Player trophies, District Swimming bronze medallist
Address
: 126, A/1, New Colony, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu - 628 002
E-mail
: [email protected]
JEET KETAN SHAH
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Playing Football, Listening to Music
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : TCL Grade 1, SCC House Captain, Silver medallist – IAYP
174 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
Address
: 89, Avanti, 3rd Floor, Flat No.3, Marine Drive, Mumbai - 400 002
E-mail
: [email protected]
M HARIHARAN
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Watching Movies, Playing Tennis, Reading, Watching wildlife
Ambition
: Architect
Achievements : 100% in TCL Grade 2, Inter School Tennis Player, Silver medallist - IAYP, 1st in Dramatics
Address
: LF-1, M.K.M. Apartments, Banu Residency, Maharaj Nagar, Tamil Nadu
E-mail
: [email protected]
ASHISH KALASH
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Singing, Playing Guitar, Watching Movies, Listening to Music
Ambition
: Businessman
Achievements : Spring House Prefect, Co-Head of UN Women (GSMUN), Best Actor (Dramatics), Basketball –
Inter District, Silver medallist – IAYP, Recitation - 3rd, TCL Theory Grade 1 – Distinction (98 marks)
Address
: Cambridge Matric HS School campus, Agasthiarpatti, Ambasamudram (TK), Tamil Nadu - 627 428
E-mail
: [email protected]
AVISHI SUREKA
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Travelling, Horse Riding
Ambition
: Travel Journalist
Achievements : TCL Grade 2 – Distinction, Spring House Prefect, Silver medallist - IAYP
Address
: 29 E, Ramkrishna Samadhi Road, Kolkata - 700 054
E-mail
: [email protected]
ZUBIN RAJEN CHHEDA
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Playing Tennis, Singing
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : TCL Grade 1 (Practical & Theory) – Distinction, Inter School – Tennis (Winner), Silver medallist IAYP
Address
: 801, G-Wing, Kukreja Palace, Vallabh Bang Lane, Ghatkeopar (East), Mumbai - 400 075
E-mail
: [email protected]
MEETALI GUPTA
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Dancing, Singing, Photography
Ambition
: Wildlife Photographer, Psychologist
Achievements : Head Girl, Head of Press (GSMUN), Silver medallist - IAYP, TCL Grade 1 – Distinction,
Swimming Relay 50 mts – Gold medal
Address
: 11, Rajpur Road, Civil Lines, New Delhi - 54
E-mail
: [email protected]
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 175
UDAY KUMAR KAKI
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Travelling, Photography
Ambition
: Entrepreneur
Achievements : Co-President of GSMUN – 2014, TCL Grade 1 – Distinction, Silver medallist - IAYP, BRI Quiz –
5th Place
Address
: Eric Moore Towers, Lagos, Nigeria
E-mail
: [email protected]
KANISHA MUTHIYA KRISHNAKUMAR
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Researching on sharks
Ambition
: Oncologist, Build a football school in Africa
Achievements : Silver medallist - IAYP, Best actress, 1st in Inter House Debate, Lead Drummer, TCL Practical –
Distinction, TCL Theory Grade 1 - Distinction
Address
: Al Nahda Pond Park, Al Qusais, Dubai
E-mail
: [email protected]
DHARANI GOKUL ARUNKUMAR
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Graffiti, Watching wildlife, Driving
Ambition
: To be a Honest Politician and start an NGO
Achievements : TCL Theory – Initial – Distinction, Sousaphone Player, Silver medallist - IAYP
Address
: No.3, E.B. Office Road, Co-operative Colony, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore
E-mail
: [email protected]
GRISHMA NILESHBHAI BHANDERI
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Drawing
Ambition
: Work for Tom Ford
Achievements : Hockey Nationals, Winter House Prefect, Art Competition – 2nd, UNESCO (GSMUN) – CO-Head
Address
: Santoshi Krupa, 18/B3 Panchvati Kalvad Road, Rajkot, Gujarat - 360 001
E-mail
: [email protected]
NAYANTARA VIKRAM
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Dancing, Reading, Playing Football
Ambition
: Businesswoman
Achievements : Inter House Shot Put – 2nd, Honourable mention ECOFIN (GSMUN), Silver medallist – IAYP, TCL
Grade 1 - Distinction
176 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
Address
: 39 Race Course, Coimbatore - 641 018
E-mail
: [email protected]
SIDDHARTH DERAVARIYA
2013 – 2015
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Photography, Trekking
Ambition
: Philanthropist
Achievements : Autumn House Captain, MUN 2014 – Head (UNESCO), Tennis – Promising Player
Address
: 301, Anand Mehta, Plot No. 26, JVPD, N.S. Road 7, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai
E-mail
: [email protected]
PRAJAIM RESY MANNEMPLAVAN
2014 – 2015
Hobby
: Singing, Dancing, Music, Weight training
Ambition
: UFC Fighter / Automotive Designer
Achievements : Inter School Basketball, Inter School Football, Inter School Shot Put – 1st Prize, Archery Record
Address
: Good Shepherd International School, M. Palada, The Nilgiris - 643 004
E-mail
: [email protected]
“A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in
identical caps and gowns that ‘individuality’ is the key to success.”
- Robert Orben
“The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.”
“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”
- William S. Burroughs
- George Washington Carver
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
- Aristotle
“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”
- Robert Frost
“The most influential of all educational factors is the conversation in a child’s home.”
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
- William Temple
- Confucius
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
- Buddha
“Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a
sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it.”
- Sai Baba
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 177
GOOD SHEPHERD FINISHING SCHOOL
The Faculty - GSFS
9 months’ batch of Girls
178 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
3 months’ batch of Girls
Cooks & Helpers - GSFS
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 179
Electricians, Gardeners, Kennel Assistant & Cleaners – GSFS
“Ethnopastel”: Fashion Show of GSFS
Winners of the Fashion Show 2015
180 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
Girls walk the ramp during the Fashion Show
The Good Shepherd Finishing School staged its Fashion Show, “Ethnopastel,” for the forty-six girls of the 9 months’
batch on 8 April 2015, in the GSIS Palada auditorium. The occasion was graced by the presence of the President (GSFS),
Dr. P.C. Thomas, Principal (GSFS), Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Mr. V. Selvaraj IAS, Mr. K.S. Sripathi IAS, Vice President
(Finance), Mr. Pradeesh Lawrence, Vice President, Mrs. Julie Pradeesh and Members of the Board of Governors.
The competition hosted three judges for the morning, Dr. Sheela Nambiar, the renowned gynecologist and the author of
‘Get Size Wise’, Ms. Kavita Rao and Ms. Amreen Junaid, entrepreneur.
The programme commenced with Ms. Ravneet Kaur thanking the presence of the guests, judges and parents/guardians in
her welcome speech. The show was appropriately split into five laps that abundantly explored the ladies’ adeptness in drapery,
stitching, costume conception and artistry. The first round, Enswathe, dealt specifically with draping (the cloth length was
set at 5m for all participants). The second round, Pastel, explored a choice of colours: Pista Green, Peach, Lavender, Baby
Pink, and Blue. Music rendered by guitar, flute, sitar, sarangi and veena, respectively accompanied the ramp walk. The third
round brought the seamstresses out in the ladies as they displayed their sewing skills in Ethnico, which dealt exclusively with
saree blouses. Flora, the penultimate round, related the idea of nature with fashion in an absolutely stunning manner. The
last round, Trial, appropriately captioned, featured an array of non-wearable costumes, but which clearly elicited the loudest
cheer from the gathering. The three GSFS houses brought forth their own spectacle of novelty entwined with resourcefulness.
Elegance produced a lady enrobed in a dazzling dress made out of, impressively, a polythene sheet. Excellence brought forth
a shimmering spectacle of a dress made out of water pipes and broken mirrors. Emancipation fashioned a Victorian woman in
white, complete with a parasol, all made out of disposable cutlery, plates and bowls.
The competition ended, as all competitions do, with an announcement of the winners. The following is the list of winners:
Miss Enswathe
Miss Pastel
Miss Ethnico
Miss Flora
Miss Trial
Miss Green
Miss Peach
Miss Lavender
Miss Pink
Miss Blue
Miss Show Stopper
Miss Coiffure
Miss Ethnopastel
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Ms. Heena Zope
Ms. Harleen Kaur
Ms. Garima Modi
Ms. Prachi Goyal (House Elegance)
Ms. Shivmala Bhosle (House Excellence)
Ms. Harshil Donga
Ms. Garima Modi
Ms. Arpana Somani
Ms. Harleen Kaur
Ms. Shivani Gupta
Ms. Garima Modi
Ms. Garima Modi
Ms. Harleen Kaur
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 181
Girls walk the ramp: A Fashion Show is an ensemble of creative ideas, elegance, grace, style, poise, charm and beauty
Graduation Ceremony of the students of
Good Shepherd Finishing School
“Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of
your life. If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference.”
- Arie Pencovici
The Graduating Batch of GSFS students 2015 (9 Months’ Batch)
It is after the nine months’ incubation period when the chrysalis blooms out with fluttering wings to take on the world. The
beautiful butterfly becomes the cynosure of all eyes nurtured with love and care, though for the short stint of nine months she
182 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
looks around her and she feels that she has been properly groomed. She is the epitome of a beautiful lady who is the outcome
of a training which involves learning with fun. And then it is the time to take a step into this vast world, and the ceremony which
initiates her is the Graduation Ceremony. The young damsels of GSFS strive for excellence, elegance and emancipation and the
mission culminates with the Graduation Ceremony. The Graduation Ceremony for the Finishing School batch of 2014-15
was held on 8 April 2015 in the Palada Campus auditorium graced by the honourable and elegant Chief Guest Mrs. Sonalika
Gadeock. The ceremonial march of the Graduates was followed by an Invocatory prayer led by Ms. Paramti Batchu, one of
the Graduates. As the tradition of our school is to commence a ceremony with the School Prayer Song invoking the Lord’s
blessing, the follow-up came with the choir’s melodious rendition ‘We can build a bridge.’ In her welcome address, The
Principal of Good Shepherd Finishing School, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, read out the illustrious profile of the Chief Guest. She
reiterated that the grooming of young ladies has been the endeavour, and the milestone has been achieved by the batch of 2014
- 2015. As youngsters take wings, they will look at these nine months’ course as a transition which has been so positive.” She
read out excerpts from a letter of a parent who paid rich tributes to the institution for the marvellous programme which helps
students gain poise, confidence and courage to face the world.
The Valedictory Speech was delivered by Ms. Sanchi Bansal through which she expressed her gratitude and thankfulness to
each teacher of the Finishing School for their valuable teaching and training. In her address, Ms. Shravanthi of 2014-15 batch
stated, “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” Paying her tributes to the institution, she said that the motto of the school ‘Give us a girl and take back a lady’ is true to the hilt and their nine months’ course has been unforgettable.
Ms. Heena Zope of the same batch spoke highly about the holistic development which has prepared them to walk on the
diverse terrain of life with élan. The speeches were followed by the Graduation Oath and the beautiful hymn ‘O God our help
in ages past’- a thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty for all his blessing.
The ceremony was marked by the release of the Finishing School Magazine, ‘La Femme’, for the year 2014-15. It was released
by the honourable Chief Guest Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock. The Graduation Certificates and special awards were given to the
students who excelled in various fields. The Best House was awarded to Elegance with 394 points followed by Emancipation
scoring 316 points and Excellence scoring 292 points respectively.
Arrival of the Chief Guest
The Ceremonial March
The Chief Guest, Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock, along with the Principal
Mrs. Elsamma Thomas and the Dean, Mrs. Neetha Nataraj
Welcome Address of the Principal, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas
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In her address to the graduates, the Chief Guest, Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock, remarked that education empowers women.
Beauty and wealth is fleeting but what stays forever is education that ensures well-being. After the expression of gratitude
by Mrs. Neetha Nataraj, the Dean of Good Shepherd Finishing School, the ceremonial lighting of the Graduation Lamp
was accompanied by the Graduation songs ‘Go with a song in your heart’ and ‘Pass it on.” It is a ritual of passing the light of
knowledge to the next batch because graduation is not the end but the beginning in the journey of life- a milestone leading to
our successful destination- a destination which all students dream of – a destination for which Good Shepherd International
School or Finishing School prepares the students for.
Students of GSFS taking their Graduation Oath
Presentation of Certificates and Awards
The Chief Guest, Mrs. Sonalika Gadeock speaking on the occasion
The Lighting of the Graduation Lamp
The Best House, Elegance, with the Trophy
184 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
SNAPSHOTS OF THE CLASSES
(2014 – 2015)
PRIMARY SCHOOL
I
II – A
186 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
II – B
III – A
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III - B
IV - A
188 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
IV - B
V-A
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V-B
V-C
190 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
V-D
VI – A
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VI - B
VI - C
192 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
VI - D
VI - E
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
VII – A
VII - B
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FM I - A
FM I – B
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FM I - C
FM I - D
196 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
VIII - A
VIII – B
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FM II – A
FM II - B
198 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
FM II – C
FM II – D
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FM II – E
HIGH SCHOOL
ICSE IX-A
200 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
ICSE IX-B
ICSE IX-C
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IGCSE FM III-A
IGCSE FM III-B
202 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
IGCSE FM III-C
IGCSE FM III-D
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ICSE X-A
ICSE X-B
204 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
ICSE
X-C
IGCSE FM IV-A
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IGCSE FM IV-B
IGCSE FM IV-C
206 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
IGCSE FM IV-D
IGCSE FM IV-E
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HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL
ISC
IB
208 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
XI
XI-A
IB
XI-B
IB
XI-C
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IB
XI-D
ISC XII-A
210 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
ISC XII-B
IB XII-A
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IB XII-B
“I have learned that, although I am a good teacher, I am a much better student, and I was blessed to learn
valuable lessons from my students on a daily basis. They taught me the importance of teaching to a student - and
not to a test.”
- Erin Gruwell
“Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves
- and be free.”
- Cesar Chavez
“Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral
leadership among students and become their role model.”
- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
“I tell students that the opportunities I had were a result of having a good educational background. Education
is what allows you to stand out.”
- Ellen Ochoa
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
- Abraham Lincoln
212 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
Back 2 Roots 2015
Enjoy the little things in life…
For one day you’ll look back and realize
They were the Big things
The Old Shepherdians with the Principal, Senior Vice President, Faculty and Ex-staff of GSIS
The Old Shepherdians at GSIS
Those thirty-four making their way back to their alma mater on the 17th of April, 2015, twenty-five years after they had left it,
were probably thinking along these lines: that whatever they had gained in life had begun here as little things that did not seem
to matter then.
18th April 2015 saw all the twenty-four of the 1990 batch of thirty students in graduation caps and gowns waiting for the
moment when they would relive the days of their graduation from school. The school assembly began with the processional
march by the members of the Old Shepherdians’ Association (OSA) who entered the auditorium with a feeling of pride and
nostalgia. The assembly was led by the Head Girl of the batch, Dr. Shila Sreekumar. The school song was led by Ms. Anuradha
Lekhi, whose mellifluous singing mesmerised all. She also led the School Prayer. Dr. Y. Sucharitha read the news.
The Director of Counselling and the Advisor to the Alumni Association, Mrs. Anila Ann Mathew, welcomed the Old
Shepherdians who had come from all over the world including Australia, Canada, the United States of America and also from
all over the country. She also welcomed the old teachers who had come back to see their students, especially, Mrs. Solomon,
Mrs. and Mr. Thomas P. John, Mrs. Annama Choudhuri and Ms. Jessy. She welcomed all those who graced the occasion, right
from the Principal, Dr. P. C. Thomas and the Senior Vice President, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas to the students.
After Dr. P. C. Thomas, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Mr. K. A. Kushalappa, Chairman-Emeritus and Mr. Murugendra Chigateri,
President, the Alumni Association of GSIS, had seated themselves on the stage, Mr. Murugendra Chigateri addressed the
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 213
The 1990 batch of students
The Principal presenting the graduation scroll to
Mr. Arun Nair, an Old Shepherdian
The Senior Vice President, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, cutting the birthday cake
Antakshari and Quiz in progress
Annual General Body Meeting being held
gathering. He spoke about the batch of 1990 after he had touched upon the OSA. Reflections by a few members of the batch
made the listeners feel a tug at their hearts. All four of them, Mrs. Anpu Rachel Thomas, Mr. Muthu Krishnan, Head Boy of the
batch, Mr. Kailash Krishnan and Mrs. Anuradha Lekhi spoke about the tremendous impact that the school has had on their
lives. Mr. Muthu Krishnan handed a plaque of appreciation to the teachers who had contributed a great deal to their lives.
Mr. K. A. Kushalappa showed the audience a presentation focusing on the people whom the batch has been bereft of: Mrs.
Saraswathy, the much-loved teacher of Mathematics and two batchmates, Mr. Kumareshan and Ms. Sudeshna Chatterjee.
214 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
The Old Shepherdians playing basketball in the
Palada Campus of GSIS
Dr. Y. Sucharitha, an Old Shepherdian, planting a sapling
in the Fernhill Campus
The Old Shepherdians participating in a relay race
Lunch for the Old Shepherdians in the Fernhill Campus
The obituary left the audience moved and tearful. Our Principal expressed his joy at seeing his old students back in the fold
again. Academic Prizes and Prizes to recognize members of staff at all levels were distributed in the honour of the Senior Vice
President, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas. The mother of the family celebrated her birthday with her young ones by cutting a cake and
all sang the Birthday Song with enthusiasm. The celebration came to an end when all the Old Shepherdians gathered together
with the founders and teachers to click a photograph together.
Lighter moments and memories galore were shared by the old and current Shepherdians. There was an Inter-House quiz and
antakshari competition in which, keeping up to the trend of this year, Summer House bagged the first place. A sumptuous
lunch and games, after showers of blessing, made the day even more enjoyable. Tea was a quick affair as all the members of the
OSA were geared up to get back their childhood once again: they were raring to play their favourite game. The Basketball and
Table Tennis courts and the Cricket ground made the Old Shepherdians feel like children again. Shouts of triumph and groans
of regret reverberated through the indoor sports complex and all said and done, whether they won or lost, the sportspersons
relived those days which they thought they would never get back.
Young ladies and gentlemen re-emerged during the dinner at the Taj Savoy. The highlight of this dinner was the singing and
the playing of the guitar by Mr. Ivan Enos their very own Music Teacher. The celebration went on till midnight and all who
returned to their rooms sighed to think of how quickly the day had gone by.
19th April, 2015 saw the Old Shepherdians at the Fernhill Campus. Not only did they have their breakfast there but they also
attended the chapel service. Their walk along the memory lane was symbolically represented by their planting of saplings from
THE SHEPHERDIAN | 215
the gate to the gymnasium. The thirty saplings that are growing there will surely grow into tall trees showing the love and
care that was bestowed on them while being planted. The Top Ground was the next scene of activity for the members of the
OSA: there was an Inter House 4x100 m relay race where the Winterians carried away the prize.
It was time to say ‘goodbye’ and all who had come were in tears and did not want to leave. Plans were made for more meetings
and more moments of togetherness. Most of them, refusing to bid farewell to their childhood friends, left for the Destiny Farm,
the haven in Ootacamund run by Mr. Vijay Prabhu, an ex-Shepherdian. The rest went back to their own destinations promising
themselves and their friends that they would return to their alma mater, consoling themselves with these words of Richard
Bach: “A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or a lifetime, is certain for those
who are friends.”
“All real education is the architecture of the soul.”
-William Bennett
“You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me
ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.”
- Tom Brokaw
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
- Confucius
“Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.”
- Sholom Aleichem
“Most people have never learned that one of the main aims in life is to enjoy it.” “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
-Samuel Butler
-Abraham Lincoln
-Lyndon B. Johnson
- Lao Tzu
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise,
walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
- Audrey Hepburn
216 | THE SHEPHERDIAN
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