the shepherdian - Good Shepherd International School

Transcription

NEW CAMPUS FOR BOYS
Volume : XXXIX 2015 - 2016
www.gsis.ac.in
THE SHEPHERDIAN
THE SHEPHERDIAN
[2015 – 2016]
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.
THE SHEPHERDIAN |
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THE SHEPHERDIAN 2016
From the Editors’ Desk...
It feels like only yesterday when a boy in grade nine stood up in class at my request to answer a
question. The quiver in his voice, his shy smile and the tremble in his hands as he attempted to
express his ideas, gripped my heart. I could see the nervousness in his eyes. But a few days back, the
same boy, now in grade eleven, held the audience captive for the six minutes that he was on stage as
a participant for the inter house elocution competition. His commanding voice and steady eye contact
brought him a standing ovation. I was bowled over by the conviction in his words and the response of
the audience. I wondered what had brought about this change in this child. I am sure it had not been
a joyride to weed out all the insecurities and self-consciousness.
What is one to do when faced with such a herculean task of standing in front of an audience for the
first time, or jumping into the pool with the crowd roaring around or run against the champion for the
most awaited 100 meter sprint? What if you can’t live up to the expectations of your friends? Would
you run away from the challenge or do it anyway, even if it means losing face in front of everyone?
Children face their fears everyday. Very often, it is in the face of adversity that true potential is
realized, and as Francis Bacon points out, “prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth
best discover virtue”. It is when we garner the courage to step out of our comfort zone, audacious
enough to stare ridicule in the face and try something new that we overcome our adversities and in
the process, find new facets of ourselves even as we shed our setbacks. Trials and tribulations are
not a choice. One does not get to choose which kind of problems one can face. Adversity is a great
leveller. Although we have no control over what life throws our way, we still have control over how we
react to it; to chicken out and give up or to stand tall and face the situation. It is moments like these
that define our character and make us who we are, and that will make all the difference.
Adversities present learning experiences. Instead of focusing on the fear and anxiety a situation
causes, we should begin to look at what that situation can teach us. No experience is a waste of time
if we can learn from it. It is a comfort to know that you are not the only one who has gone through
a particular problem. Learn to laugh at yourself before anyone else gets the chance. Most problems
only loom large in your head and the sound of your own laughter will help to ridicule it away. Use the
opportunity to change something for yourself. Let go of anger and self-pity and see how resilient
you really are.
The challenge that education faces today is not only in raising an intelligent and well-informed
generation for the future but also an emotionally-balanced generation that can tackle challenges,
success and failure, both with a healthy attitude. This begins with the fertile mind of the child. The
lessons learnt from the elocution competition or the playground are the foundation that supports
the prudent adult.
It has been a pleasure for the Editorial Board to bring out this issue of THE SHEPHERDIAN this
year and compile the results for various academic and co-curricular events as we could see the
change in many of our young Shepherdians who have shown that their endurance outweighs their
adversities, for certainly, “Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
wears yet a precious jewel in his head.”
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Editorial Board
Mr. Alexander Kuruvilla
Mrs. Anila Kalyan
Mrs. Raji Narasimhan
Mr. Ajith P. Jacob
Dr. K.S. Sajani
Mrs. Sangeeta Ray
Ms. Annie Nongrum
Mr. Dominic Jude Hurst
Dr. Vineeta Johnson
Ms. Ela Singh
THE SHEPHERDIAN |
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Table of Contents
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The Good Shepherd Family........................................................................................................................ 7
Visiting Guests and Dignitaries during the Academic Year [2015 - 2016].................................................. 17
Students Awarded Scholarship.................................................................................................................. 22
Good Shepherd International School awarded ‘Platinum Rating’............................................................. 23
Annual Report of Good Shepherd International School for the Academic Year 2014-2015...................... 24
GSIS : Thirty-Nine Years Since Its Inception................................................................................................ 44
New Prefects’ Council Takes Oath.............................................................................................................. 52
The Graduation Ceremony: A Celebration of Success and Achievement................................................... 55
Students attend Space Camp in the United States..................................................................................... 60
Orientation Programme: Off to a Good Start in the Second Term............................................................ 62
The Good Shepherd Model United Nations: Shaping the Future of the World......................................... 64
13th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival................................................................................................ 67
IAYP Residential Project.............................................................................................................................. 72
Cultural Programmes marks ‘Hindi Diwas’ at GSIS..................................................................................... 75
Republic Day Celebrated with Enthusiasm................................................................................................. 78
Inter House Competitions (2014 - 2015).................................................................................................... 81
Annual Inter House Athletic Meet 2016..................................................................................................... 82
Annual Inter House Swimming Championship 2016.................................................................................. 88
Inter House Dramatics Competition 2016.................................................................................................. 91
Inter House Classical & Folk Dance Competitions 2015............................................................................. 93
Prefects’ Council (2015 - 2016).................................................................................................................. 97
House Reports............................................................................................................................................ 98
GSIS Students Visit Old Age Home: An Unforgettable Meeting................................................................ 102
An Educational Field Trip............................................................................................................................ 103
You Made GSIS Proud!............................................................................................................................... 106
Address by Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM................................................................................................. 113
Speech of Lt. Gen. S Pattabhiraman, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, SM.................................................................... 114
Speech of Mr. Maroof Raza........................................................................................................................ 116
Speech of Dr. Graham Ranger.................................................................................................................... 123
Speech of Mahatria Ra on ‘Infinitheism’.................................................................................................... 125
Address by Vice Admiral Srikant on 15 October 2015................................................................................ 137
Address by Vice Admiral Srikant on 16 October 2015................................................................................ 139
Speech of Dr. Sibichen K Mathew, IRS........................................................................................................ 143
Speech of Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL..................................................................................................... 150
Address by Vice Admiral B Kannan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd).................................................................. 153
Speech of Mr. M. Krishna Kishore.............................................................................................................. 157
Toast by Ms. Rijul Narwal........................................................................................................................... 159
Reply to the Toast by Master Shubhro Sankha Saha.................................................................................. 160
Outstanding Old Shepherdians.................................................................................................................. 162
2015 Board Examination Toppers............................................................................................................... 167
The Outgoing Batch of 2016 Grade XII....................................................................................................... 168
GOOD SHEPHERD FINISHING SCHOOL....................................................................................................... 183
Snapshots of the Classes (2015 - 2016)...................................................................................................... 185
Amongst the Souvenirs.............................................................................................................................. 211
| THE SHEPHERDIAN
Design & Print : HiTech Universal Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,
www.hitechprintsolutions.com
The Good Shepherd Family
Academic Staff - Palada Campus
Academic & Co-curricular Staff - Fernhill Campus
THE SHEPHERDIAN |
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Co-curricular Staff - Palada Campus
Administrative Staff - Palada Campus
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Dorm Parents - Palada Campus
Administrative Staff & Dorm Parents - Fernhill Campus
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The Prefects’ Council - Palada Campus
Prefects - Fernhill Campus
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Electricians & Support Staff in Palada campus
Cooks & Bakers - Palada Campus
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Mechanics & Drivers - Palada Campus
Drivers, Electricians, Gardeners, Kennel Assistants & Groundsmen - Fernhill Campus
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ETP Helpers, Gardeners & Groundsmen - Palada Campus
Dorm Nurses in Palada Campus
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Helpers in kitchen, washing area & dining hall - Palada Campus
Dorm Nurses in Fernhill Campus
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Cooks, Bakers, Helpers in kitchen, washing area & dining hall - Fernhill Campus
Classroom & Outdoor cleaners - Palada Campus
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Classroom & outdoor cleaners - Fernhill Campus
“If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.”
- Abraham Lincoln
“A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.”
- Benjamin Franklin
“Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.”
- Benjamin Franklin
“When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we
don’t see the one that has opened for us.”
- Alexander Graham Bell
“It is simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular
audiences.”
- Aristotle
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Visiting Guests and Dignitaries during the
Academic Year [2015 – 2016]
Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai is a graduate of the
National Defence Academy and was commissioned
into the Indian Navy in the Executive Branch on
01 July 1980. He is currently the Chief Instructor Navy, Defence Services Staff College, at Wellington.
He was the Chief Guest of the 13th Annual Inter
School Athletics Festival held at GSIS on Saturday,
22 August 2015.
Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM
He has commanded INS Garuda (the Naval Air
Station at Kochi), been Director, Naval Air Staff at
Naval Headquarters, New Delhi and the Chief Staff
Officer (Air) at HQ Naval Aviation, Goa. He was
awarded the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) for his part
in an international MEDEVAC mission in India’s only
expedition to the Weddell Sea in Western Antarctica.
Lt. Gen. S Pattabhiraman was the Chief Guest of the
Good Shepherd Model United Nations held at GSIS
on 17 September 2015.
Lt. Gen. S Pattabhiraman, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, SM
He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy,
Khadakwasla, Maharashtra and a graduate of the
Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. A
wide reader and a part-time writer on subjects
pertaining to geo-politics, geo-strategy, military
history and military technology, he has been an
active contributor and an erudite participant in
the deliberations of premier strategic think tanks
in Chennai, such as the Centre for Security Analysis
(CSA), Centre for China Studies and Observer
Research Foundation (ORF). He retired from the
Indian Army as the Vice-Chief of Army Staff.
Mr. Maroof Raza was the Chief Guest of the Good
Shepherd Model United Nations held at GSIS on 18
September 2015. He is a Consultant and Strategic
Affairs Expert at Times Now.
Mr. Maroof Raza
He graduated from St Stephen’s College, Delhi,
has an M.A. in War Studies from King’s College,
London, and an M.Phil in International Relations
from Cambridge University. He is a former Indian
Army officer, with experience in counter-insurgency
operations. Apart from his appearances on news
debates, he has anchored and presented a 20-part
series on the Indian armed forces, titled Line of Duty.
He has authored two books – ‘Low-Intensity Conflicts:
The New Dimension to India’s Military Commitments’
and ‘Wars and no Peace over Kashmir.’
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Dr. Graham Ranger is the Director of School
Support & Evaluation at the Council of International
Schools (CIS), where he has overall responsibility
for the evaluation and accreditation of CIS member
schools. He joined CIS in August 2012 from The
British School, New Delhi where he was Head of
School for five years. He joined the school in July
2007 after five years as Director of Education for the
English Schools Foundation (ESF) in Hong Kong, a
group of 20 schools. His doctorate, awarded by The
University of Durham (England) in 2012, focused on
the professional development needs of Heads of
International Schools in India.
Dr. Graham Ranger
He was the Chief Guest of the Good Shepherd Model
United Nations held at GSIS on 19 September 2015.
Mahatria Ra is considered a spiritual leader & Living
Master by his students and is the founder of Alma
Mater – an organisation dedicated to self-mastery
and holistic personality development.
He delivered a talk on ‘Infinitheism’ at a special
assembly held at GSIS on Tuesday, 22 September
2015. It is his dream that “This world that has been
divided in the name of God and religion, can be
united through ‘Faith’ and ‘Love.’” He is a spiritualist
with a ‘Voice of Love’ and he guides people in their
quest for self-realisation. His passion is to empower
every individual; he wants every individual to grow
higher, deeper and beyond.
Mahatria Ra
Promoted to a Three-Star Admiral in 2015, he is
presently the Inspector General, Nuclear Safety,
Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence
(Navy), New Delhi. Vice Admiral Srikant was the
Chief Guest of the Founder’s Day Celebrations held
at GSIS on 15 & 16 October 2015.
A specialist in Navigation and Direction, he has held
various operational appointments on ships and
submarines. He has been the Captain of our first
indigenously built submarine – INS Shalki, Destroyer
INS Ranvijay and India’s largest Destroyer, INS Delhi.
He has held a diplomatic position serving as the
Naval Advisor at the Indian High Commission in
Islamabad, Pakistan from August 1998 to September
2002.
Vice Admiral Srikant
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At a Special Assembly held at GSIS on Saturday, 24
October 2015, Dr. Sibichen K Mathew addressed the
staff and students and later answered the queries
posed by the students.
Dr. Sibichen K Mathew, IRS
Dr. Sibichen K Mathew belongs to the 1992 batch of
the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and in the Grade of
Commissioner of Income Tax. He is currently working
as Advisor, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, in
charge of Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Goa
Regions. His motto is Promise Less; Deliver More.
He is an erudite scholar and a mentor for various
charitable and leadership organizations engaged in
providing training for children and youth in the area
of personality development, public speaking and
social consciousness.
Mr. Robert Sun, Chairman, President and Chief
Executive of Suntex International Inc., is an inventor,
engineer and entrepreneur. He is the inventor of
the 24® Game and First in Math® Online Programme
that are used by more than 10 million students
throughout the United States and abroad. They are
a set of innovative tools that are teaching the new
generation of students to become critical thinkers
and problem solvers. He holds numerous US patents
and copyrights in the field of educational games.
He is the recipient of the ‘Asian Entrepreneur of the
Year Award’ in 2008.
He visited Good Shepherd International School on
30 November 2015 and addressed the Academic
and Co-curricular staff on ‘Interventions that have
the greatest Impact on Student Achievement.’
Mr. Robert Sun
Lord Karan Bilimoria is a Founding Member of the
Global Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of
India. He is also the Founding Chairman of the UK
India Business Council, a Deputy Lieutenant of
Greater London and a former Chancellor of Thames
Valley University. In 2006, Karan Bilimoria was
appointed Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea, making him
the first ever Zoroastrian Parsi to sit in the House of
Lords. In 2008, he was awarded the Pravasi Bharti
Samman by the President of India.
The school hosted a Special Assembly on Monday,
08 February 2016, during which Lord Bilimoria
addressed the students and staff.
Lord Karan Bilimoria, CBE, DL
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Vice Admiral B Kannan joined the Indian Navy
in 1973 after graduating from the Government
College of Engineering, Trivandrum with a degree
in Electronics and Telecommunication. He also
did his M Tech from IIT Mumbai and a Masters in
Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of
Management Studies.
Vice Admiral B Kannan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
During his forty years of Naval service, he held
many prestigious appointments at senior levels
pertaining to technology induction, maintenance
support, training, project management and policy
& planning. Presently, he is the CEO and MD of
Larsen and Toubro Shipbuilding at Chennai. He was
the Chief Guest of the Investiture and Graduation
Ceremonies held at the Palada Campus on Saturday,
20 February 2016.
Surgeon Rear Admiral Nirmala Kannan is an alumnus
of the Defence Services Staff College as well as the
National Defence College. She is a recipient of two
Presidential Awards viz. the Vishisht Seva Medal in
1993 and the Nao Sena Medal in 2012.
She served the Indian Navy for 36 years prior
to her retirement in May 2013. A gynaecologist
by qualification and a hospital administrator by
experience, she has held appointments in training
establishments, Service Headquarters and has
also commanded the Indian Naval Hospitals at
Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai. She visited the school
on Saturday, 20 February 2016 and gave away the
certificates during the Investiture and Graduation
ceremonies.
Rear Admiral Nirmala Kannan, NSM, VSM (Retd)
Dr. M. R. Srinivasan is a pioneer in nuclear energy
development in India. His field of specialization is gas
turbine technology. In 1955, the renowned nuclear
physicist, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, selected him
as the Senior Research Officer in the Department
of Atomic Energy. He is the former Chairman of
the Atomic Energy Commission, Secretary in the
Department of Atomic Energy and Member of the
Planning Commission. He is the recipient of many
honours and awards. He was awarded the Padma
Shri in 1984, Padma Bhushan in 1990 and Padma
Vibhushan in 2015.
Dr. Srinivasan was the Guest of Honour for the World
Water Day Celebrations organized in the Palada
Campus on Tuesday, 22 March 2016.
Dr. M. R. Srinivasan
Mrs. Geetha Srinivasan hails from a distinguished
family of intellectual and professional achievers.
She has been associated with NGOs for the past
thirty years in various ways in conserving the
Architectural, Cultural and Natural Heritage of India.
She is currently the President of the Nilgiris Library
and Trustee of Lawley Institute. She is a member
of the Rotary Club of Nilgiris West and was the
President of the Rotary Club of Nilgiris West for two
terms. She is the wife of the distinguished nuclear
scientist, Dr. M.R. Srinivasan and they have two
children and three grandchildren.
Mrs. Geetha Srinivasan
She was the Guest of Honour for the World Water
Day Celebrations organized at the Palada Campus
on Tuesday, 22 March 2016.
Mr. M. Krishna Kishore, endowed with a natural flair
for business, facilitated the grand success of the M.
M. Gupta Group – one of the largest exporters of
Indian human hair and Top Export Award Winners
for over 15 years consecutively, one of the leaders
in sandalwood export for the past 2 decades and
one of the very few companies manufacturing and
exporting cotton swabs from India.
He did his schooling at Good Shepherd International
School. He is the Treasurer of the Alumni Association
of Good Shepherd International School and the
Trustee of the Old Shepherdians’ Association Trust.
He was the Chief Guest during the Annual Inter
House Athletic Meet held at GSIS on 7 April 2016.
Mr. M. Krishna Kishore
“Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual. If the
people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me.”
- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.”
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
“It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.”
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”
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Students Awarded Scholarship
Good Shepherd International School and the Trust of the Old Shepherdians’ Association (OSA) has awarded a
total of ` 2,300,000 to students as scholarship. Eight boys and one girl of Good Shepherd International School
received this scholarship as a recognition for their hard work and academic excellence.
Students who top the ICSE and IGCSE Board examinations and will continue in Grade XI & XII in Good Shepherd
International School will be awarded “Scholarship for Academic Excellence.” This is an educational assistance
given to the bright students who have achieved excellent results in the Board Examinations during the academic
year 2014 – 2015.
Shivam Garg
(ICSE - Science)
Ratul Jain
(ICSE - Science)
Abhyuday Sureka
(ICSE - Commerce)
Ishaan Chopra
(IGCSE - Science)
Roshan Kurumoorthy
Ravishankar (IGCSE - Science)
Rijul Narwal
(IGCSE - Science)
Abheshek Satish Pandey
(IGCSE - Science)
Sarvagya Sanjay Pandey
(IGCSE - Science)
Bhavesh Joshi
(IGCSE - Commerce)
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The following two tables show the details of the scholarships awarded by Good Shepherd International School and
the Trust of the Old Shepherdians’ Association for the academic year 2014 – 2015:
ICSE Science & Commerce
Name of student
Course
Board Examination results
Shivam Garg
ICSE (Science)
Ratul Jain
Abhyuday Sureka
Scholarship
GSIS
Trust of OSA
95%
2 lakhs
2 lakhs
ICSE (Science)
91.2%
2 lakhs
1.5 lakhs
ICSE (Commerce)
90.3%
2 lakhs
1 lakh
6 lakhs
4.5 lakhs
Total
IGCSE Science & Commerce
Name of student
Course
Ishaan Chopra
IGCSE (Science)
Roshan Kurumoorthy
Ravishankar
Scholarship
GSIS
Trust of OSA
9A*s
2 lakhs
2 lakhs
IGCSE (Science)
7A*s & 2As
2 lakhs
1.5 lakhs
Rijul Narwal
IGCSE (Science)
7A*s, 1A &1B
-
1 lakh
IGCSE (Science)
7A*s, 1A &1B
-
1 lakh
IGCSE (Science)
3A*s & 6As
-
1 lakh
Bhavesh Joshi
IGCSE (Commerce)
3A*s, 4As & 2Bs
2 lakhs
-
6 lakhs
6.5 lakhs
Total
This initiative provides financial support to the eligible students who demonstrate a commitment to their higher
education and encourages them to succeed in school and realize their dreams.
Good Shepherd International School awarded ‘Platinum Rating’
by the Indian Green Building Council
We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that Good Shepherd International School has been awarded the
‘Platinum Rating’ by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The school was awarded 88 points in the final score
card of the certification process. The IGBC is a part of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and functions
towards achieving a “Sustainable Built Environment” for all and to facilitate India to be the global leaders in this
field.
The rating brings together a host of sustainable practices and solution to reduce the environmental impacts which
include site selection, sustainable water practices, conserving and harvesting energy, use of eco-friendly school
materials, adherence to indoor environmental quality, health and hygiene and emphasis on green education in the
school.
Incidentally platinum rating is the highest rating awarded by the IGBC and GSIS is the only school in the country
which has been awarded this rating.
We congratulate all the members of the school community for this excellent accomplishment and for playing a
vital role in touching the minds and hearts of thousands of school children, their parents and teachers!
THE SHEPHERDIAN |
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Annual Report of Good Shepherd International School
for the Academic Year 2014 - 2015
INTRODUCTION
Founded in 1977, Good Shepherd International School is a fully residential school with a student population from
a broad range of social and cultural backgrounds. Apart from academics, we always encourage our students and
provide moral support to them to participate in different activities and competitions for their all-round development.
The Annual Report gives an account of the school's activities, achievements and areas of development.
SCHOOL PROFILE
The Good Shepherd International School is a world-renowned, co-educational, fully-accredited, international,
residential school. It is an abode of learning, success and happiness for students who were destined to deserve
the best but were lost in the milieu of hectic life in the cosmopolitan world. Nestled in the beautiful green valley
of the majestic Nilgiris, the school attained a rank par excellence in infrastructure, quality education and global
perspective carving a niche for itself. The institution nurtures heuristic, lifelong learners and provides them with
individual care and attention. The school has moulded the lives of many students who have shone with their
accomplishments, attained their dreams and have become successful in various fields.
Students assembled on the ground
The school functions from two campuses. The junior school functions in the Fernhill Campus with Grades from 1 to
6 and a strength of approximately 154 students. The Fernhill Campus is spread over a sprawling 50 acres campus
with its academic blocks, heated swimming pool, sprawling games fields, auditorium, hospital and dormitories. The
Senior school is ensconced in the sprawling Palada Campus, with a breathtaking view of the valleys and distant
hill ranges – the Nilgiris. The huge campus of 150 acres has a stadium with a 400metres track and a huge gallery
for spectators. The Palada Campus houses the Middle School, High School and the Higher Secondary School.
Approximately 650 students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 study here. It has spacious academic blocks, well-equipped
laboratories, two libraries with a wealth of books, journals and e-books, a co-curricular block with a list of activities
ranging from music to dance to its credit and an excellent faculty to guide the students in all spheres of activities.
The school strength is over 804 students and they hail from over 27 different countries. The student-faculty ratio
is 4:1. Over 186 faculty members, both academic and co-curricular, are from both India and abroad. The school
is managed by a Board of Governors that works alongside the school Principal to meet the educational needs of
the students in a secure and safe environment. The Board of Governors of GSIS consists of 11 members. They are
from various fields and have different skills, knowledge, wealth of experience and expertise to ensure that the
students nurture a love of learning, share inclusive values and achieve the highest possible levels of educational
attainment. All the members work together in the best interest of the school and its students.
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Currently, the school is ranked second among International Residential Schools in India and first in Tamil Nadu.
The School has been declared the best international school in India for co-curricular activities, infrastructure and
pastoral care. The school is undertaking the process of CIS International Certification, a new service / programme
launched by the Council of International Schools in 2015 for CIS Member Schools to help them better understand
and develop global citizens.
ACADEMIC DETAILS UPDATE
The school focuses strongly on the holistic development of each student. The school provides motivation and
confidence-building programmes aimed at equipping them with the necessary skills and impetus to improve in
school.
Students seated in the Examination Hall
GSIS offers the curricula of the world’s three most predominant educational boards –
•The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE - Grade 10) and the Indian School Certificate (ISC - Grade
12) of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi (Grade I to Grade XII)
•The Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary 1, Cambridge IGCSE of the University of Cambridge
International Examinations (CIE), United Kingdom. GSIS is a registered CIE Centre to conduct these
examinations.
• The Diploma Programme (IBDP) of the International Baccalaureate, Geneva, Switzerland. The Assessment
Centre is located in Cardiff, Wales, in the United Kingdom. The programme provides an internationallyaccepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is accepted by many colleges / universities
worldwide.
• 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 2014 – 2015 are published. We are
happy with the excellent results of our students.
Results of the ICSE Examination - March 2015
The ICSE examinations were held in the school from 26 February to 30 March 2015.
Of the 44 students who appeared from Good Shepherd International School in the academic session 2014 – 2015 for
the examination, 36 secured distinction and 8 were awarded first class. The topper scored 96% (Science stream).
Ms. Avantika Poddar and Master Abhyuday Sureka topped in the Science and Commerce streams respectively.
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Ms. Avantika Poddar scored 96% and Master Abhyuday Sureka scored 90.8%. 10 students scored 90% or more,
19 students scored 85% or more and 30 students scored 80% or more. The school registered a centum pass
percentage this year as well.
The school average for different subjects is shown below:
English - 77%, Second Language - 83%, History, Civics & Geography - 83%, Mathematics - 71%, Science - 74%,
Computer Applications - 94%, Economics - 87%.
The percentage of our students who scored 90% or more in various subjects is mentioned below:
English - 14%, Second Language - 25%, History, Civics & Geography - 30%, Mathematics - 9%, Science - 8%,
Computer Applications - 86%, Economics - 40%. The results of Computer Applications have been particularly
impressive with 86% of the students scoring 90% and above. Our students achieved higher Mean Grade than the
All India Average in most of the subjects.
Results of the IGCSE Examination – May / June 2015
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations were conducted at GSIS from
28 April to 10 June 2015. A total of 73 candidates of GSIS appeared for the examinations. Our students have done
exceptionally well.
Master Ishaan Chopra and Master Bhavesh Joshi topped in the Science and Commerce groups respectively. Master
Ishaan Chopra, the School Topper in the Science group, secured A* in all the nine subjects he appeared for. Ms.
Rijul Narwal, Master Roshan Kurumoorthy Ravishankar, Master Abheshek Satish Pandey and Ms. Siddhi Suri
gained 7A*s each. Our students notched up 98 A*s, 165 As, 150 Bs, 126 Cs & 63Ds. 40% of all Grades achieved
are A*s & As. 29 students secured distinction, and 36 were awarded merit. The excellent result is a testimony of
the hard work and determination of our students.
Results of the ISC Examination - March 2015
The Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations started on 09 February and ended on 26 March 2015. CISCE
declared its result in May 2015.
25 students from GSIS appeared for the ISC examinations. The school achieved cent per cent results. 22 students
secured distinction and 3 were awarded first class. Master Vibhushan Balaji Neethi Mohan topped in the ISC
Science stream (93%) and Master Siddhant Deepak Jain topped in the ISC Commerce stream (91.8%). 7 students
scored 90% or more. Our students achieved a higher Mean Grade than the All India Average in all the subjects.
Another excellent performance in the ISC examinations! Consistent work has helped our students perform well.
Results of the IB Examination - May 2015
In GSIS, a total of 32 students took the two-year Diploma and appeared for the IBDP examinations in May 2015.
Overview of the results:
Diploma Awarded
Diploma Course Awarded
Average Diploma score of GSIS students
Mean grade obtained by GSIS students
:
:
:
:
30 candidates
2 candidates
33.84 points
5.39
Ms. Anjali Sabu Nair is the School Topper with 41 points. She scored three 7s & three 6s. 12 students achieved
maximum scores of 7 points and 28 students acquired scores of 6 points in different subjects. Students achieved
the highest score of 7 points in French AB. SL, Hindi B SL, Business & Management HL, Psychology SL, Economics
SL & HL, Environmental Systems & Societies SL, Physics HL, Chemistry HL and Mathematics SL & HL. 3% of our
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students achieved scores between 40 & 45 points, 50% of them scored between 35 & 39 points, 34% of them
scored between 30 & 34 points and 13% of them scored between 25 & 29 points. The school average grade is
higher than the world average grade in most of the subjects.
Congratulations to the IB students for doing so well in the board examination!
Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint Examination – April 2015
Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint Examinations are internationally benchmarked tests and are used for
assessment of knowledge, skills and understanding in English, Mathematics and Science. The tests are marked in
Cambridge and each student receives a statement of achievement and a diagnostic report. The feedback enables
teachers to compare the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and groups of students.
80 students appeared for the Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint
examinations held in the school from 20 April to 22 April 2015.
The tests were conducted in English Papers 1 & 2, Mathematics
Papers 1 & 2, and Science Papers 1 & 2. Most of our students
did well in the tests. Ms. Siddhi Sanjeev Desai secured the first
position scoring 17.8 points. She achieved the highest possible
score of 6 points in English and Mathematics and 5.8 points
in Science. Ms. Danielle Luzanne D’souza secured the second
position with 16.7 points. Ms. Nandini Kohli and Master Sanjay
Sajeesh Krishnan stood third with 16.6 points each. One student
in English, fourteen students in Mathematics and three students
in Science secured the highest Checkpoint score of 6 points.
Subject averages in Mathematics and Science are 4.5 & 4.6 points
respectively.
Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Tests – April 2015
The Principal, Dr. P.C. Thomas addressing the
audience
Cambridge Primary Checkpoint for students of Grade 6 is
designed to help students learn by providing comprehensive
feedback on their strengths and weaknesses in the key curriculum
areas – English, Mathematics and Science. The tests are marked in
Cambridge.
Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Tests for students of Grade 6 were held in GSIS on 20, 21 & 22 April 2015. 33
students appeared for the tests held in the Examination Hall at the Palada Campus. Aashish Prakash Parmar and
Nabeeha Mahanta topped the batch of students with a maximum possible score of 18 points each. Both scored the
maximum of 6 points each in English, Mathematics and Science. Yugam Surana stood second with an overall score
of 17.9 points. Maansi Suri secured the third position with an overall score of 17.8 points. Aashish Prakash Parmar,
Nabeeha Mahanta and Maansi Suri were awarded the maximum score of 6 points in English. 15 students received
the maximum score of 6 points in Mathematics and 10 students secured the maximum score of 6 in Science.
Highlights of the overall scores of our students in English, Mathematics and Science are shown below:
Overall scores
English
Mathematics
Science
6 out of 6
3
15
10
5 out of 6
7
6
7
4 out of 6
10
1
6
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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Students who top the ICSE and IGCSE Board examinations and will continue in Grade XI & XII in Good Shepherd
International School will be awarded “Scholarship for Academic Excellence.” This is an educational assistance
given to bright students who have achieved excellent results in the Board Examinations held during the academic
year 2014 – 2015.
These scholarships are awarded to our students for academic excellence by the Good Shepherd International
School and the Trust of the Old Shepherdians’ Association (OSA). The following two tables show the details of the
scholarships awarded by Good Shepherd International School and the Trust of the Old Shepherdians’ Association
for the academic year 2014 – 2015:
ICSE Science & Commerce
Name of student
Course
Shivam Garg
ICSE (Science)
Ratul Jain
Abhyuday Sureka
Scholarship
GSIS
Trust of OSA
95%
2 lakhs
2 lakhs
ICSE (Science)
91.2%
2 lakhs
1.5 lakhs
ICSE (Commerce)
90.3%
2 lakhs
1 lakh
6 lakhs
4.5 lakhs
Total
IGCSE Science & Commerce
Scholarship
Name of student
Course
Board Examination
results
GSIS
Trust of OSA
Ishaan Chopra
IGCSE (Science)
9A*s
2 lakhs
2 lakhs
Roshan Kurumoorthy Ravishankar
IGCSE (Science)
7A*s & 2As
2 lakhs
1.5 lakhs
Rijul Narwal
IGCSE (Science)
7A*s, 1A &1B
-
1 lakh
IGCSE (Science)
7A*s, 1A &1B
-
1 lakh
IGCSE (Science)
3A*s & 6As
-
1 lakh
Bhavesh Joshi
IGCSE (Commerce)
3A*s, 4As & 2Bs
2 lakhs
-
6 lakhs
6.5 lakhs
Total
Master Siddhant Deepak Jain receiving the Elsamma Thomas Gold Medal
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ELSAMMA THOMAS GOLD MEDAL RECIPIENTS - 2015:
Topper of the ISC Science Group
: Master Vibhushan Balaji Neethi Mohan
Topper of the ISC Commerce Group
: Master Siddhant Deepak Jain
Topper of the IB Diploma Programme : Ms. Anjali Sabu Nair
SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TEST I & II [SAT I & II]
Good Shepherd International School is a registered center for SAT I and SAT II examinations. The SAT is a globallyrecognized college admission test that lets the colleges / universities know what the students know and how well
they can apply that knowledge. 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 2nd term of Grade 11 or the
first term of Grade 12, and almost all US colleges and universities use the SAT to make admission decisions. 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 academic success in college.
In 2014 - 2015, thirty-two students of Grade 12 took SAT I and II. Vibhushan Balaji scored a 2160 out of 2400 which
was the highest in the final attempt. Forty-two students of Grade 11 appeared for their first attempt of SAT I in May
2015.
INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM [IELTS]
Good Shepherd International School is a centre for IELTS. The IELTS is the world’s most popular high stakes English
language test for study, work and migration, with more than 2.2 million tests taken each year. IELTS is designed by
experts to fairly assess the language ability of candidates who want to study or work where English is the language
of communication. IELTS assesses all the English skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking and is designed
to reflect real-life use of English.
British Council, Chennai, conducts the IELTS examinations once a year for the Grade 12 students who want to study
abroad. In 2014 - 2015, forty-four students wrote the IELTS examination in September 2014 and Ms. Suravi Ray
scored an overall 8.5 out of 9 with full grades(9 out of 9) in both Listening and Reading sections.
CAREER FAIR
GSIS has started a new initiative called THE GSIS CAREER FAIR during the October midterm break wherein personnel
from some of the leading universities from the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong
Kong exhibit their universities through brochures in the Palada Campus auditorium. The school hosted the Career
Fair for students and parents of Grades 10-12 on 18 October 2015.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Thirty-four students made their way back to their alma mater on the 17th of April, 2015, for their annual reunion,
‘Back 2 Roots.’ 18th of April 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 Alumni Association (OSA). The assembly was
led by the Head Girl of the batch, Dr. Shila Sreekumar.
The Advisor to the Alumni Association, Mrs. Anila Kalyan, welcomed the Old Shepherdians who had come from all
over the world including Australia, Canada and the United States of America. Mr. Murugendra Chigateri, President,
the Alumni Association of GSIS, addressed the gathering. Mr. K. A. Kushalappa, Chairman-Emeritus, 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. Prizes to
recognize members of staff at all levels were distributed. There was an Inter-House quiz and antakshari competition
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in which Summer House bagged the first place. A sumptuous lunch and games, after showers of blessing, made the
day even more enjoyable. After tea, they were raring to play their favourite games. 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.
The Old Shepherdians along with the Principal, Senior Vice President, Senior Vice Principal and old teachers
19th April, 2015 saw the Old Shepherdians at the Fernhill Campus. After breakfast, they attended the chapel
service. Their walk along the memory lane was symbolically represented by their planting of saplings from the
gate to the gymnasium. The Top Ground was the next scene of activity for the members of the OSA: there was an
Inter House 4x100 m relay race for which the Winterians carried away the prize. They left for the Destiny Farm and
the rest went back to their own destinations promising themselves and their friends that they would soon return
to their alma mater.
SPORTS & GAMES UPDATE
Inter School Hockey Tournament 2014
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 the GSIS team (Score : 2 – 0). Six schools participated in the U-14 yrs division. In the finals, the GSIS team
defeated Crescent Castle Public School, Ooty, and won the trophy (Score: 2 – 1).
Cricket
Master V. Sukeshwar Reddy represented the Nilgiris District Under-16 yrs cricket team and played the semifinals
against Krishnagiri District in the month of November 2014. Master Param Rajesh Panjri received a special award
for his fine performance in the recently-concluded Under-16 yrs Inter School Tournament for the Azhar Hassan
Memorial Rolling Trophy 2014 – 15. He received the award for being the best bowler during the tournament.
Two students of GSIS – Master Dwij Dipak Patel, FM 3D and Master Nithik Chalasani, FM 2C were selected by the
Nilgiris District Cricket Association to the Nilgiris District Under-14 yrs cricket team. They participated in the Tamil
Nadu Under-14 yrs Inter District Cricket Tournament held at Theni from 31 July to 02 August 2015.
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
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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. Four students including two girls have qualified and were
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 were in 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.
District Level Tennis Tournament 2014
The Nilgiris District Level Tennis Tournament for girls was held at the HADP stadium on 27 November 2014. The
event was organized by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, The Nilgiris. The girls’ team of GSIS
comprising Yachi Sipani (10A), Arti Navghansinh Chudasama (10B), Minakshi Khatore (10B) and Harina Amin (7B)
were the winners.
Basketball Tournament: GSIS Rolling Trophy 2015
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.
Nilgiris District Badminton Championship 2015
The Nilgiris District Badminton Championship was held at Anna Stadium, Ooty, from 07 August to 09 August 2015.
We are happy to inform you that Master Ishan Abhay Shah, 9B, was the winner in the singles event in the U-15
yrs category. Ms. Aanya Devabhaktuni, FM 3A, was a member of the doubles team that achieved the runner-up
position in the U-15 yrs category.
Annual Inter House Athletic Meet 2015
The Annual Inter House Athletic Meet came to its grand finale on 9 April 2015. It was the culmination of the weeklong track and field events displaying the spirit of sportsmanship of our young students.
Athletes taking the Oath during the Annual Inter House Athletic Meet 2015
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The Chief Guest for the Closing Ceremony was Mr. Vijay Prabhu, an alumnus from the batch of 1990. 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 100m sprint finals in all the categories showed some of the best talent in action. This was followed by the
guest event with an IPL flavour, and now it was the turn for the parents and guardians to participate. The mostawaited event of the day was the 4x100m relay of all the divisions of boys and girls. The relay races displayed the
best of team work, bringing celebrations among the students.
Mrs. Meeta Prabhu gave the prizes to the champions of each division.
The following students were the individual champions in the different sections:
Division
Name
Class
House
Sub Junior Boys
Sharvesh Ragavendra Perumal
4B
Spring
Sub Junior Girls
Joshitha
3A
Summer
Junior Boys
Divyesh Vijaybhai Bhadiyadra
5B
Winter
Junior Girls
Shrijee Agarwal
5C
Summer
Inter Boys [Fernhill Campus]
R. Yeshwanth
6D
Winter
Inter Boys [Palada Campus]
Adarsh M.
7A
Autumn
Inter Girls [Fernhill Campus]
Eve Saha
6D
Summer
Inter Girls [Palada Campus]
Khushi Bhavin Parikh
8B
Autumn
Poomdanai Dechawaleekul
9B
Winter
Sukeshwar Reddy V.
9A
Summer
Nidhi Murali
9A
Autumn
Shubhro Sankha Saha
11C
Spring
Parth S. Bansal
11C
Spring
Aswathy Anna Reji
11B
Summer
Nethra Menon
9B
Spring
Senior Boys
Senior Girls
Super Senior Boys
Super Senior Girls
The following students set new meet records:
Name
House
Class
Division
Event
Performance
R.R. Varshitha
Winter
7B
Inter
Triple Jump
8m
Adarsh M.
Autumn
7A
Inter
400 m
1:02.59 min
Sukeshwar Reddy V.
Summer
FM 3 A
Senior
Discus Throw
27.56 m
Shubhro Sankha Saha
Spring
IB 11 C
Super Senior
200 m
24.31sec
Mayur Luv Kumar Sherigar
Autumn
IB 11 C
Super Senior
High Jump
1.71 m
Adarsh M.
Autumn
7A
Inter
100 m
12.91sec
Senior
4 X 400 m Relay
04:06.02 min
Senior
4 X 400 m Relay
05:28.86 min
Maanav Trehon
Khemphum Prasitpooripreecha
Navin Kumar Baskaran
FM 3 C
Autumn
FM 3 A
9B
Sahukari Praveen Kumar
7B
Naveena S.
9C
Anne Preethi S.
Yanaphat Poonkrasee
Mahima Samir Kale
Winter
9C
FM 3 C
FM 3 C
Adarsh M. was adjudged the ‘Athlete of the Year 2015.’ The Hassan Ali Khan Memorial Athletics Trophy was
bagged by Summer House.
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Annual Inter School Athletics Festival 2015
Good Shepherd International School organized and hosted the 13th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival on
Saturday, 22nd August 2015. Seventeen schools from the Nilgiris participated in the one-day sports event held in
the Palada Campus.
Athletes from several schools assembled on the athletic field
Over 700 athletes from the following schools have participated in the Athletics Festival:
1.
Rex Senior Higher Secondary School
2.
JSS International School
3.
Riverside Public School
4.
Nazareth Convent High School
5.
Cliff Rock Creative School
6.
Oxford International School
7.
Gurukulam Matriculation School
8.
Crescent Castle Public School
9.
Crescent Castle Matriculation School
10. Nilgiris Matriculation Higher Secondary School
11. Woodside School
12. The Lawrence School
13. International Community School
14. Mahatma Gandhi Matriculation Higher Secondary School
15. Brindavan Public School
16. Hebron School
17. Good Shepherd International School
The Chief Guest, Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM, Chief Instructor (Navy), Defence Services Staff College, Wellington,
hoisted the Athletic Festival flag. The Chief Guest took the salute at the march past presented by the GSIS Brass
Band, Pipe Band and the participating school contingents. Athletic Torch Run and lighting of the Athletic Festival
Flame followed. The Chief Guest addressed the athletes, administered the Athletic Festival Oath and declared the
Meet open. A colourful cultural presentation preceded the track and field events.
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The athletic events started and the day was filled with exciting victories and near misses for many of the athletes.
The students who won the first, second and third places in each event were awarded certificates. The day ended on
a jovial and heart-warming note, also filled with promises for all the young athletes.
THE INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE [IAYP]
The International Award for Young People is an exciting self-development programme available to young people
from elite schools and disadvantaged backgrounds. Although from diverse backgrounds, the young people will
challenge themselves and complete their Gold Award journey by learning a skill, playing a sport, engaging in
community service, going on an adventurous journey and finally working on a residential project over a span of
minimum eighteen months. Young people become Leaders and Volunteers and Young India becomes ‘Fit for the
Future’ through the awards.
Residential Project: IAYP Gold Award winners in Kolikarai during their Gold Award journey
The Award is the complete package for the student to enhance personality, to grow in a well-rounded manner.
Residential and Service Projects particularly allow them to improve their personalities, become team workers,
learn about new things and overcome fears through fun learning. Young students successfully choose and engage
in a set of self-challenging activities, making new friends, exploring boundaries and testing capacities to truly
become “Equipped for Life”.
The Award is given at three levels – Gold, Silver and Bronze. The participants have to demonstrate an interest
in skills, adventure, community service and physical fitness. Each progressive level requires more time and
commitment from participants: 3–6 months for Bronze, 6–9 months for Silver and 12–18 months for Gold. In 20132014, our students received IAYP Awards as mentioned below: 14 Gold Awards, 53 Silver Awards and 118 Bronze
Awards.
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On 14 November 2014, a group of fourteen gold aspirants of Grade 12 of GSIS travelled to Kolikarai, a small tribal
village near Kotagiri and stayed there for four days to complete their Residential Project for the Gold Award. On all
the four days, they cooked their own food, trekked through the forest, bathed in the jungle stream and did manual
labour. They worked in the field, removed weeds from the field and the herbal garden, cleaned the playground,
built a fence around the playground, cleaned the hospital premises, distributed food and clothes to students of
the local school and patients in the local hospital. Another day, they cleaned the entire village hospital. They also
interacted with the children and the tribal people in the village.
CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE (CAS)
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is one of the three essential elements that every student must complete as part
of the IB Diploma Programme. CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies. The
three components of CAS, which are often interlinked with particular activities, are mentioned below:
Creativity: Students participate in arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking. They 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, etc.
Activity: This involves physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work.
Students participate in activities such as sports and games, boat pulling, sailing, weightlifting, weight-control
activities, skating, cycling, mountaineering, yoga and hiking.
Service: This involves an unpaid and voluntary contribution to the community and society that has a learning
benefit for the student. Activities of the Interact and the Rotaract clubs, services rendered at orphanages, old-age
homes and remote tribal villages come under this category.
A music class in progress
ACTIVITIES UPDATE
The school is known for its co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, holistic education and good discipline.
Many co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are available for students to participate throughout the academic
year. Our co-curricular and extra-curricular activities include quiz, recitation, elocution, debate, short story writing,
art & craft, making charts and models, mental mathematics, music, dance, drama, sports, gym, swimming, games,
charity work, organization of exhibitions, celebration of festivals, etc. These activities cater to the cultural, social
and aesthetic development of students.
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Squash Lessons
The students celebrated Republic Day, Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, Onam, National Hindi Day, Teachers’
Day, Children’s Day, Founder’s Day and our students’ birthdays.
The Sea Cadet Corps, Ootacamund Unit
The school has a unit of the Sea Cadet Corps, Ootacamund Unit, and has been making progress in the training
of its cadets to nurture them into responsible and disciplined global individuals with a mind to serve and excel.
The Sea Cadets Training programme incorporates the teaching of the required nautical skills with emphasis on
the valuable attributes of commitment, discipline, deportment, smartness, sound moral values, open-mindedness,
perseverance, confidence, life-long learnership and leadership which all together contribute to an all-round
development of the cadet.
The naval wing of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, extends to the SCC Unit the use of their excellent
facilities at its Watermanship Training Centre, Pykara, where our cadets receive their lessons in practical sailing
and other water-based activities. This is alongside the great support rendered from Training Ship Jawahar, Colaba,
Mumbai. Currently the SCC, Ootacamund Unit comprises 283 cadets (both boys and girls) and three Instructors.
Mr. Birendra Nath Ghosh, a retired Chief Petty Officer from the Indian Navy, is the Chief SCC Instructor and he is
permanently engaged with the school to train the cadets. We are extremely fortunate to have volunteer instructors,
Mr. T. Justin and Mr. K. Prabhu Kumar, from the staff of Good Shepherd International School to train our cadets on a
regular basis. Over the years, quite a number of our cadets have been able to attend various leadership and training
camps held at Training Ship Jawahar, Colaba, Mumbai (Headquarters of SCC, India) in addition to the resident Sea
Cadet Corps and leadership training programmes (organized by the Seamanship School, Kochi) at INS Venduruthy,
Kochi (under the Southern Naval Command). Some of our cadets have reached state level, national level and
international level competitions in swimming, rifle shooting and sailing. Selected girl cadets were specially trained
in the Hornpipe Dance which was proudly presented to the parents and guardians of our students at the Founder’s
Day celebrations on 15 October 2014. Senior boy cadets and girl cadets were also intensely trained in semaphore
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The SCC contingent
display, parade drills, commands and rigging. The Sea Cadet Corps, Ootacamund Unit, is specially privileged to
receive guidance from Vice Admiral Verghese Koithara, (Retd.). The school has set up the Ship Model Room to
further the knowledge and the understanding of maritime life, skills and opportunities to the cadets of GSIS.
Tour of USA, USSRC & NASA Space Camp
Our students and staff attended Space Camp at United States Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama, from
24 May to 29 May 2015.
The school group of 50 students (including one student from Good Shepherd Finishing School) and four chaperons
- Mr. James Milton, Mrs. Shanthi Baskar, Mrs. Ruth Sheeba and Mr. Ajith P Jacob – left on 22 May to the United
States to return by 09 June 2015 after a successful Space Camp programme in Huntsville, Alabama and a splendid
time at the theme parks in Orlando, Florida.
Students and their chaperones who attended the NASA Space Camp in 2015
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At Space Camp, our students were involved in the difficult programmes offered there - Space Academy, Advanced
Space Academy, Aviation Challenge Mach II, Aviation Challenge Mach III and Robotics Academy. The six days at
Space Camp were a wonderful and enjoyable learning experience for all with a lot of simulation and mission
exercises, team-building activities, building and flying model rockets, laboratory work, watching IMAX movies
related to the subject, visiting the Space and Rocket Park, studying the exhibits at the Davidson Centre for Space
Exploration, making new friends etc.
In Florida, the school group had a great time at Busch Gardens, Sea World, Aquatica, Universal Studios, Islands of
Adventure and Magic Kingdom from 31 May to 05 June. All participants treasured their moments at the theme
parks with a lot of mirth and enthusiasm, having enjoyed the mind-racing roller coaster rides, the brilliant shows,
the innovative awareness programmes to conserve and protect Nature, the exciting games, the exotic snacks and
the very relaxed ambience of the parks.
The ice cream social and the pizza lunch party sponsored by the Rotary Club of Decatur for the school group on
Sunday, 24 May was very well appreciated and happily remembered. Our students presented to the Decatur Rotary
gathering a couple of songs and a dance besides gifting souvenirs to the community members. The school group
was also able to find time to visit the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta this time on 23 May.
Good Shepherd Model United Nations 2015
The 8th Good Shepherd Model United Nations [GSMUN] was held in the Palada Campus of GSIS from 17 September
to 19 September 2015. The theme of the GSMUN 2015 was ‘Responsible Vision, Action and Governance for Peace
and Planet (Resolving migrant and refugee crises). The GSMUN 2015 was headed by its Secretary-General, Master
Joseph Leander R, the Head Boy of the school.
This activity was organized by the school during which students typically role-played as delegates to the United
Nations and they simulated UN committees. This was an engaging way to practise teamwork, critical thinking and
leadership abilities and involved extensive researching, writing, public speaking and debating.
Model Human Rights Council session in progress
The Chief Guest of the inaugural session was Lt. Gen. S Pattabhiraman, the former Vice-Chief of Army Staff.
The Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of the Model UN addressed the student delegates. The Chairs
and Co-Chairs of the Model UN Committees gave speeches detailing their country’s position on the topic and
offered possible solutions. Mr. Maroof Raza, consultant and strategic affairs expert on Times Now, was the Chief
Guest of the session on the second day. The Chief Guest of the Closing session was Dr. Graham Ranger, Director of
School Support & Evaluation at the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Music (Western & Indian)
Music is the universal language of mankind. Music can change people and can change the world as music touches
us emotionally, when words alone can’t. The Music Department of GSIS has a number of programmes scheduled
for all students and offers a wide variety of music study instructions in both Western and Indian categories. We are
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well aware that the magic of music has enormous impact on the imagination of young minds. Music is an important
co-curricular activity at GSIS.
A music performance in progress
Our music teachers regularly take music classes and students are trained 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. There are opportunities for several recitals as well as performance
during the year with the school musical groups at various venues. The Music Department of GSIS also has trained
and experienced foreign musicians – Mr. Stuart Bower, Mr. Joseph Ray, Mrs. Joy Bower and Ms. Ruby Salvosa, as
members of its faculty. Our students appear every year for the Trinity College London Theory & Practical Music
Examinations.
TCL Practical Music Examinations - November 2014
Trinity College London(TCL) is an international examinations board for the performing arts and English language.
Trinity offers graded examinations for a wide range of music instruments and singing, from the Initial Grade to Grade
8. These 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. Piano, Violin, Cello, Viola, Keyboard, Classical & Plectrum Guitars, Recorder,
Drum kit, Snare drum, Trumpet, Xylophone or Baritone are some of the instruments available for students’
choice. Our students appeared in the music examinations from Initial Grade to Grade 6. Candidates perform three
(or sometimes four) pieces, and 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.
184 students took the Practical Examinations in November 2014. 44 students achieved Distinction, 75 secured
Merit and 59 were awarded Pass certificates. Well done!
TCL Theory of Music Examinations - May 2015
The school registered 473 students from the Initial Grade to Grade 6 for the TCL Theory Examinations in May 2015.
194 students secured Distinction, 132 were awarded Merit and 81 received Pass certificates.
Congratulations!
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Dance
The modern day Indian classical dancer is a protector of traditions, yet a seeker of new frontiers. To present these
perspectives to an appreciative audience is important - both for sustaining the classical dance art as well as to
encourage the student dancers. In order to provide this very essential requirement to the many diverse talented
learners from India and around the globe, we aim to bring together classically-trained dancers and at the same
time encourage the rich folk culture of our country.
In keeping with this spirit, the students of Good Shepherd International School enthusiastically participated in the
Independence Day celebrations on 15 August 2014, with a variety of versatile performances. While there was the
energetic dance from Punjab, there was the ever graceful contemporary dance as part of a skit by the students of
Grade 11.
A dance performance
The Founder’s Day Dance events included the traditional invocatory dance dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi –
Goddess of Knowledge - by the Middle School students. Representing the state of Manipur, the students of Higher
Secondary School performed the traditional Manipuri Raas to the melody of flute and lyrics in Manipuri. In contrast
to the graceful dance by the girls, the boys enthralled the audience with the vibrant Pung Cholom, dancing to the
rhythmic beats of the drums. For the first time, the Sea Cadet Corps girls performed a Sailor’s Hornpipe Dance.
The unique feature of this Scottish and English dance is the way the dancers tap their feet to the fast and rhythmic
tempo of the music.
The students are exposed to several classical dance forms in the inter-house dance competitions conducted for the
Middle School, High and Higher Secondary School. The students performed Kathak, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam and
Mohiniyattam to name a few. The students also choreographed and performed a Contemporary Dance, which was
greatly appreciated by the audience.
Dance as a subject in IB not only mainstreamed Arts into the regular academics, but also witnessed students
enthusiastically taking up the subject at the Higher Levels and researching deeply on Dance for their Extended
Essays.
FIRE SAFETY, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND CRISIS CONTROL
Necessary fire-fighting equipment is installed in key areas of the campus. The staff members of GSIS at all levels
are trained in the use of different types of fire-fighting equipment. Mock drills of emergency evacuation and lock
down drills are regularly carried out in the school to train students and staff members how to react in the event
of fire, natural / man-made disasters and entry of armed intruders. Mr. Srikumar Sikkari, Executive Director of
Infernotech Engineers, a professional who deals with Emergency Response Protocols, regularly organize these
training programmes. All at GSIS are familiar with the different crises codes such as code red, code blue, code
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brown and code green that are sounded during internal or external emergencies. A Safety Committee is in place
and the members meet regularly and discuss potential threats, health and safety issues.
The school has hired the services of G4S Security Services (India) Pvt Ltd, a leading professional international
security organization, to look after the security needs in The Shepherd’s Farm, HITECH UNIVERSAL PRINTERS AND
PUBLISHERS PVT LIMITED, Fernhill Campus and the Good Shepherd Knowledge Village. A security team provides
protection to students, staff members and the school. The security guards are trained and are professional in
their approach. The security team consists of sixty-seven security guards, seven supervisors and one Assignment
Manager. The team has the skilled manpower and expertise to ensure a safe and secure environment.
GSIS has installed state-of-the-art surveillance systems at their GSFS, Fernhill and Palada Campuses to monitor
movements and activities of students, staff, visitors and strangers in the campuses. Cameras are installed in
classrooms, stores, hallways, lobbies and playfields and they are running at all times to provide constant mass
surveillance. The Camera Surveillance Room is manned by IT personnel. The Camera Surveillance Room has
equipment and monitors to view these surveillance cameras, most of which are day-night cameras. IT staff and an
instructor from the co-curricular department view the camera feeds from 0700 hours to 2000 hours on working
days. The Network Video Recorder and associated storage space facilities provide a data back-up of 15 days.
More than 320 cameras installed at various spots provide real-time images of all activities and recorded data. All
interactions are recorded for review. The continuous monitoring will strengthen response to emergency or crisis
situations in the campus and act as an effective deterrent to theft, mischief and future mishap. This is an additional
safety initiative that will provide a protective umbrella to the physical security of the school premises.
A mock emergency drill in progress
Our school buildings are in compliance with the regulations enforced by local building-control bodies. The school
is a Member of Indian Green Building Council and it has received Green Certificates. The process is well underway
for full upgradation to Platinum Accreditation.
The school has two hospitals with three Resident Medical Officers, seven trained nurses and necessary equipment
to deal with certain medical emergencies.
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES UPDATE
The school has installed state-of-the-art surveillance systems. Cameras are installed in classrooms, stores, hallways,
lobbies and playfields and they are operational at all times to provide constant mass surveillance. More than 320
cameras monitor movements and activities in the campus and provide recorded data.
The Higher Secondary School block has 32 ‘Smart Classrooms’ where 11 Smart LED panels and Smart Document
Cameras are also installed. A new 3D printer is now available in the newly-built IB Design Technology laboratory
to create 3D designs and models.
Students of Grades 6 to 12 are given personal Hewlett Packard [HP] laptops complete with backpacks. The new
laptops comprise a 14.5 inch screen, 4 GB memory and 500 GB hard disk. Students of Grade 6 were given 4th
generation HP laptops. The wireless broadband available in the school has a bandwidth of 100 Mbps.
Kindle Fire HD Readers in the school library
ICT is taught at the Primary and Middle School of GSIS to achieve computer literacy and develop ICT competence.
Our students from Grade 2 to Grade 7 appeared for the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
Examinations conducted by the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) in the academic year 2014 – 2015.
They appeared for the examinations at three different levels of stage 1 - ‘Initial steps’, ‘Next steps’ and ‘On track’
covering different modules. The course is now introduced for students of Grade 8 in the academic year 2015 –
2016.
Our students of Grades 1 to 8 have been using the First In Math Online Programme since 2012. They were able to
solve maths problems online by their own will and at their own pace. This online practice has reinforced a range
of proficiencies, from addition to complex algebra. Our students of Grades 1 to 9 appear for the Measures of
Academic Progress (MAP) tests. These are online computer adaptive tests of the Northwest Evaluation Association
(NWEA). The resulting score reveals the student’s unique academic level and are used to identify how a student is
performing in comparison to all other students. Students of Grades 8 and 9 participated in the online Science test
under International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) programme conducted by the Australian Council for Educational
Research (ACER) to monitor and compare our students’ progress.
TI-Navigators are available in the Mathematics laboratory to connect 30 Graphic Display Calculators for instant
assessments. This is for the IB Diploma Programme. Effective use of TI-Navigator system and Graphic Display
Computers improved student engagement, understanding and performance.
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The school is using ManageBac, the web-based software, for planning, assessment, reporting and managing all the
assessments of the students of the IBDP programme. The school also uses Atlas Rubicon, a web-based curriculum
management software, as a curriculum management tool to create curriculum maps in all subjects. The school
has subscribed to IB DP Advantage, a convenient and portable online learning resource meant for professional
development of IBDP staff.
Computer Studies is replaced by Computer Science as a new subject for IGCSE course in 2013 and the students
appeared for this paper for IGCSE Board Examination held in 2015.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE
A view of the football stadium, pavilion, swimming pool, auditorium and dormitory buildings
The dormitories in the Fernhill Campus have been renovated with modern LED lighting and new wooden floorings.
The school recently constructed 8 units of 2-bedroom duplex type houses in Annexe III. The construction of ten
more 2-bedroom studio apartments has been completed. Four blocks of buildings are under construction near the
Golf Course. This can accommodate the families of 8 staff members. The construction of five more 6-bedroom villas
for students of GSFS has been completed in the Good Shepherd Gardens. P C Thomas Foundation has constructed
six houses near the Good Shepherd Gardens exclusively for the use of senior support staff of the school.
The school is building a new shooting range facility near the old dairy farm in the Palada Campus. The dairy unit
is shifted from the Palada Campus and a new dairy unit with modern facilities has come up adjacent to the Golf
Course in the Good Shepherd Knowledge Village. The carpentry workshop is shifted to an area near the Golf Course.
A new cricket ground is coming up in the Palada Campus. The school is planning to have a new Campus exclusively
for the boys.
The newly constructed staff quarters
The school has successfully completed 38 years since its inception in 1977. We could not have accomplished so
much without the hard work of our faculty, staff and students. We thank them for their assistance in and commitment
to shaping the present form of this institution and constant endeavour for achieving more success in future. We
also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the parents, guardians and well-wishers for their continuous
support and motivation. We give thanks to Lord God Almighty for all His showers of blessing. Thank you.
Dr. P.C. Thomas
Principal
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GSIS : Thirty-Nine Years Since Its Inception
The Principal, Dr. P.C. Thomas and the Senior Vice President, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas along with the Chief Guest, Admiral Srikant
The Principal during the cake-cutting ceremony
on his birthday
Arrival of the Chief Guest
The school pulled out all the stops in its two-day long Founder’s Day celebrations. The evening programme initiated
the ceremonial spirit on the 15th of October, 2015 which culminated in the outdoor forenoon programme on the
morning of 16th of October, 2015. The Chief Guest for the occasion, Vice Admiral Srikant, Inspector General,
Nuclear Safety, Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), was accompanied to the school premises by
his wife, Mrs. Sudha Srikant.
The evening programme on the 15th of October began with a set of musical performances by the student bands of
GSIS, presenting both famous and original compositions and songs. The Chief Guest’s arrival musically manifested
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Musical presentations
The Concert Band
The Junior Choir
itself into a stately fanfare. The musical presentations of the evening came from the Concert Band of the school,
the Brass Ensemble and the Big Band, all of which were conducted by Mr. Stuart Bower. The Junior School choir
and Instrumental Ensemble (Orff) were presented by the Junior School students. It was followed by a Xylophone,
Saxophone and Piano solos also presented by our talented students. The Middle School Choir and the Strings
Ensemble were conducted by Mrs. Joy Bower, and the final show of the evening was a splendid performance by
the Senior School Choir. The most important presentation of the evening was the Navarasa dance drama which
highlighted the nine rasas or emotions of Lord Shiva: Shringara (love), Veera (courage), Karunya (kind-heartedness
or compassion), Adbutha (surprise), Haasya (laughter), Bhayaanaka (terror), Roudra (anger), Bheebhatsa (disgust),
and Shantha (peace or tranquility). Other dance presentations included Guru Vandana (Pooja Dance) and the very
lively performance of the Sailors’ Hornpipe Dance. The Chief Guest addressed the assembly on being invited by the
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Guru Vandana: The dancers worship Goddess Saraswathi
Fantasia: A magical and magnificent show
Junior Instrumental Ensemble
Welcome Address by the Principal
The Chief Guest addressing the parents & guardians
Principal, Dr. P.C. Thomas, to share his thoughts. The Senior Vice President of the school, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas
expressed her gratitude on behalf of the assembly. The school hosted a dinner for the gathering in the school
dining hall post the evening celebrations and performances.
The 16th October, 2015 forenoon function was arranged in the stadium. It showcased a splendid March Past
by the Equestrian Contingent, the Sea Cadet Corps, the four Houses’ Contingents, the Flag Contingent, and
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Expression of Gratitude by the Senior Vice President
GSIS Big Band: A stylish samba rendition
Sailors’ Hornpipe dance
‘Navarasa’: Senior students presenting a dance drama
the Junior and Senior Pipe and Brass bands. The contingents presented the General Salute to the Chief Guest,
Vice Admiral Srikant, who arrived in a VIP vehicle escorted by mounted guards. The bands presented in two different
formations and their presentation ended with the Drummers’ Call, the highlight of the band display. Musical recitals
were presented by the Indian Music Department in an Indian Music Ensemble and the Western Music Department
with a Rondalla Ensemble, complemented by the Maglalatik Dance. The Mountaineering and Gymnastic Skill
display was followed by the Equestrian Show. The Principal, Dr. P.C. Thomas, welcomed the gathering. The Ship
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The Strings Ensemble
Light & Dark presentation by the Primary School students
The School Choir
The Flag Contingent
Inspection of the Guard of Honour
Model Room of the school was symbolically inaugurated by the unveiling of the plaque by the Chief Guest. Prizes,
in the form of shields, medals and trophies, for both academic and co-curricular excellence, were presented to
the houses. The Cock House Trophy for the year 2014-2015 was won by Winter House. The Chief Guest gave
a note of appreciation to the participants and congratulated them upon their commendable performance. The
Senior Vice President, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, expressed her gratitude to the Chief Guest, the dignitaries, parents
and guardians assembled in the stadium. The occasion came to an end with the final notes of the School Anthem.
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March Past of the Sea Cadet Corps
Vice Admiral Srikant along with the Principal
Display by the Brass & Pipe Bands
The Drummers’ Call
Bonne Fête: Students of the Junior School presenting a Zumba dance performance
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Rondalla dance and music
Rope Traverse: Display of mountaineering skills
Boys displaying their gymnastics skills
Indian Music Ensemble
Equestrian Display: Show jumping
Boys playing the djembe drums
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Parents & guardians seated in the pavilion
The Ship Model Room: Unveiling of the plaque
Presentation of the Scholarship for Academic Excellence to
Master Abhyuday Sureka, Topper of ICSE (Commerce)
Board Examination 2015
Prize Distribution
“If you look over the years, the styles have changed - the clothes, the hair, the production, the approach
to the songs. The icing to the cake has changed flavours. But if you really look at the cake itself, it’s
really the same.”
- John Oates
“Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in
your life.”
- Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam
“All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”
“Dream is not that you see in sleep, dream is something that does not let you sleep.”
“If you want to shine like sun, first you will have to burn like it.” - Adolf Hitler
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New Prefects’ Council Takes Oath
The SCC, School Bands and the four Houses assembled on the ground
Members of the new Prefects’ Council taking their Oath
The Investiture Ceremony is one of the most important events at any school. It is here that we entrust faith and
hope in our newly appointed school council. The celebration on this day makes every child who is elected leader
feel proud and responsible to be at the helm in the making of a better tomorrow.
The Senior Vice President, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas delivered a warm and hearty welcome address.
It was a memorable day for all office bearers, and a proud moment to stand as leaders before their fellow mates. The
members of the council donned smart, formal apparel and were then invested to shoulder their responsibilities. Mr. Ajith
P. Jacob led them to the oath taking ceremony to enable the leaders to realise their duties and be humane in executing
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The Chief Guest, Vice Admiral B Kannan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
(Retd) and Rear Admiral Nirmala Kannan, NSM, VSM (Retd),
with the Senior Vice President of GSIS
March past of students
The Chief Guest taking salute from the various contingents
the functions entrusted in their care. The solemn occasion prevailed as the badges were pinned by the chief
guest of the day, Vice Admiral B Kannan PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd). He stressed on the fact that the Prefect Body
represents a servant leader who is called to serve and to lead the student community based on the values of
discipline and loyalty.
The School has always been inspired by the vision of its founder: every child who comes to this temple of learning
must evolve into an individual replete with knowledge, love of God, respect towards elders, respect the rules and
regulations of this education portal, accord love and reverence to their parents, and be imbued with love for the
nation. The students are the torch bearers of tomorrow. Therefore, nurturing them and fostering in them a sense of
self-respect, self-discipline, the capacity to enjoy life as independent, self-motivated adults and the willingness to
care for others are extremely pertinent.
The delegation of responsibility and the conferring of authority to children is crucial as it cultivates in them lifelong
skills of being powerful, yet caring, whilst grooming them towards becoming exemplary role models of national
citizenship. In recognition of the pivotal value of leadership in the emerging world, the School’s student council
was selected after a rigorous and democratic process in which the candidates had to go through many processes to
win selection for the much-coveted student’s council body.
The Expression of Gratitude was voiced by Brig. Suresh Kumar VSM (Retd), Senior Vice Principal (Administration).
In this solemn ceremony, the swearing in of the new prefect body was a gracious moment for the gathering to
witness.
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The new School Captain and the House Captains
carrying their flags
The Chief Guest presenting the badge to the new Captain of
Summer House
Rear Admiral Nirmala Kannan, NSM, VSM (Retd), presenting
certificate to the new Vice Head Girl
Welcome address: A warm welcome to all
Address by the Chief Guest
The Senior Vice Principal (Administration)
expressing Gratitude
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View of the spectators attending the Investiture Ceremony
The Graduation Ceremony: A Celebration of Success and Achievement
Graduating students of 2016
On 20th February 2016, the Graduation Ceremony for students at GSIS took place in the Auditorium - Palada
Campus. The Chief Guest at this year’s graduation event was Vice Admiral B Kannan PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
along with his wife, Rear Admiral Nirmala Kannan NSM, VSM (Retd).
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being escorted to the auditorium
Ceremonial March
Guests, parents, guardians, faculty and students in the auditorium during the Graduation Ceremony
During the graduation ceremony, certificates were awarded to 70 students from different countries. The graduate’s
commencement was performed by Mrs. Sheila Alexander, Senior Vice Principal (Academics). During the ceremony,
individual students were also recognised for their outstanding overall academic performance on their individual
study programmes and co-curricular activities. The ceremony was concluded by Mrs. Vimala Rani Jacob, Coordinator
– Higher Secondary School giving the expression of gratitude.
The Chief Guest remarked that as the students graduate, it is to be remembered that their graduation releases
them from one competitive world of academia into another equally competitive world. They need not allow life’s
numerous and inevitable obstacles to impede their progress. They should have confidence in their abilities as
the School has given them the required skills to scale through the world. The country is looking up to them as
the driving force that will steer our growth and development. Hence, they must make use of the opportunities
presented to them, and if none is availed of, they should take the initiative of creating their own opportunities.
Over 100 distinguished guests, family and friends attended the ceremony to share in the success of our graduates.
The management and staff of GSIS wish all our graduates success in their future studies and their careers thereafter;
and we proudly congratulate them on their academic achievements and successful graduation from GSIS.
The future lies before you
Like a field of driven snow,
Be careful how you tread it,
For every step will show.
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along with the Senior Vice Principals and the HSS Coordinator
Welcome Address by Mrs. Sheila Alexander,
Senior Vice Principal (Academics)
Farewell address by Ms. Rijul Narwal
Reply to Farewell by Master Shubhro Sankha Saha
Graduation Oath
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Presentation of Graduation certificates
Address by the Chief Guest
Expression of Gratitude
A musical presentation
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Lighting of the Graduation Lamp
Graduands singing the Graduation Batch Song
Students of Grade 12
Graduation Party: Buffet lunch in progress
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Students attend Space Camp in the United States: The Journey
of Exploration, Discovery, Adventure and Learning continues!
Students of GSIS along with the chaperones
Forty-eight students with four teacher-chaperones formed the 2015 GSIS NASA Space Camp group from school
with their departure to the US scheduled for the evening of 22nd May from Mumbai to Dubai by Jet Airways and
from Dubai to Atlanta by Delta Airlines in the wee hours of 23rd May. The group was filled with great excitement
and anticipation of the splendid moments awaiting them at United States Space and Rocket Centre, Huntsville,
Alabama. It was such a thrill to be on the go to see what it is to be for astronauts visiting space.
The school group comprising 6 girls (including 1 GSFS student, 42 boys, and 4 chaperones) were privileged to be
hosted on the way to Space Camp by the Rotary Club of Decatur for a pizza lunch party and ice-cream social at the
lovely home of Rotarian Yash Awasthi (with Mrs. Viveka Awasthi and children Ketan and Saisha). Many Rotarians
of the Decatur Club were present to greet us and we had a very warm reception there with two hours of valuable
interaction with the lovely people gathered at the Awasthi home. Our students took the initiative of entertaining
the gathering with songs and games.
24th May 2015 afternoon, we reached Space Camp at USSRC, Huntsville, Alabama. Eyes and ears were cocked to
gather in all information and the thrilling vibes of the new place. The sprawling campus of the USSRC, Huntsville
facility welcomed the group to our home for the next six days – Space Camp students at Habitats One and Two and
the Aviation Challenge students at the Aviation Bubble and Hangar. Space Camp engaged our school students from
24th May to 29th May 2015 with our participation in Space Camp (1 student), Space Academy (3), Advanced Space
Academy (1), Aviation Challenge Mach II (18), Aviation Challenge Mach III (23) and Robotics Academy (1).
The days were packed with interesting lessons, mission simulations, experiments, hands-on trial of engagements
of astronauts in space, outdoor activities, team-building exercises and games, problem-solving sessions, being
in simulators, movies, visit to the Rocket Park, visit to the Space Museum and of course souvenir shopping. Time
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NASA Space Camp, Huntsville, USA
Islands of Adventure, a Theme Park in Orlando
SeaWorld in Orlando
Universal Studios, a movie and TV-based Theme Park
just flew by and it was Graduation time in a wink of the eye on 29th May at the Aviation Bubble, Habitat One and
Davidson Centre for Space Exploration. The participants were happy and enriched to gain a number of international
friends during this time.
At Orlando, from 30th May, the school group stepped into the complete adventure mode of visiting various theme
parks. Our students enjoyed their exploration of Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure,
Magic Kingdom and for the first time Aquatica. The safaris, the different shows, the wet rides, the roller-coaster
rides, visit to various learning centres within the parks gave a plethora of information and experiences to the
students that they wished to come again to visit Orlando in the near future. We were also fortunate to visit the
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and not to forget the many varied cuisines (Mexican, Italian, American etc.) that we
enjoyed during our time in Orlando. Memories are still fresh for the students and chaperones Mr. James Milton,
Mrs. Shanthi Baskar, Mrs. Ruth Sheeba and Mr. Ajith Jacob that this fabulous trip brought to the minds of all the 48
students. The journey and discovery continues.
“God has no intention of setting a limit to the efforts of man to conquer space.”
- Pope Pius XII
“Man is an artifact designed for space travel. He is not designed to remain in his present biologic state any more
than a tadpole is designed to remain a tadpole.”
- William Burroughs
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Orientation Programme: Off to a Good Start in the Second Term
Members of the Staff attending the Orientation Programme
Mrs. Sheila Alexander, Senior Vice Principal (Academics),
welcoming the members of staff
Brig. Suresh Kumar (Retd.), Senior Vice Principal
(Administration), addressing the staff
Teaching is an art and teachers require a positive attitude. It is this positive attitude that helps them become role
models for their students. The quality of any teaching programme depends on the quality of its teachers - their
knowledge, love, dedication and devotion.
The GSIS teaching community began the second term of the academic year 2015-2016 with an orientation
programme on Monday, 14 September 2015 in the Mowbray Hall. It is designed by the Academic Council so that
each term starts anew with a fresh installment of motivation to revitalize the teachers to meet the demands
of the term ahead. The programme began with the Welcome Address by the Senior Vice Principal (Academics),
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Mr. T. Suresh, Coordinator, Curriculum & Professional
Development, speaking on the topic ‘Mindfulness for
Peace and Happiness’
GSIS faculty members participating in a group activity
Mr. Sridhar Balan, an academician and columnist, conducting
a training session
Mr. Udhay Shankar speaking about dining etiquette
Mrs. Sheila Alexander, who proffered her views on the need to be humane and empathetic towards our students,
both in and outside the classroom.
Brig. Suresh Kumar, Senior Vice Principal (Administration), introduced the teachers to the Green Building
Concept. He argued for the need to preserve water and energy. He also emphasized upon the importance of waste
management, its segregation and recycling too. He stressed upon the need for all hands on deck to actualize the
ambition of the school to bag the platinum certification awarded by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design). Mr. T. Suresh, Coordinator, Curriculum and Professional Development, addressed the gathering on the
topic ‘Mindfulness for Peace and Happiness’, a philosophical and psychological approach to self-awareness and
peace. The teachers also revelled themselves in mindful meditation during the session. The special guest for the
day was Mr. Sridhar Balan, who reflected on the future of books and publishing. Mr. Udhay Shankar spoke to the
teachers about dining etiquette and the need for each individual not only to observe certain table manners but
also to educate the children under our care, in formal dining politesse, as is the setting in the school mealtimes.
The orientation programme continued with the Section Coordinators’ meetings and Faculty meetings that reiterated
the goals for the GSIS teaching community. The day-long programme came to an end with a course on safety and
disaster management by Mr. Srikumar Sikkari, Executive Director of Infernotech Engineers. Teachers were trained
in search and rescue, and a drill was conducted.
The GSIS team began the second term with an encouraging start and we hope to enjoy a blessed 2016. A good
teacher not only inspires but also helps students to spread their wings to fly so that they come out with flying
colours!
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The Good Shepherd Model United Nations:
Shaping the Future of the World
Model Human Rights Council in progress
Flag Presentation Ceremony in progress
Model UN Conference in progress
Good Shepherd International School organized its annual Model United Nations for the academic year 2015-16 from
the 17th to the 19th of September. Young minds slipped into the roles of ambassadors and diplomats of various
countries to debate on burning issues of international importance. The GSMUN focused on the contemporaneous
issue of migration and refugee crisis with its theme as ‘Responsible Vision, Action and Governance for Peace and Planet.’
The GSMUN consisted of the Security Council, the Economic and Financial Committee (EcoFin), the Economic and
Social Council (EcoSoc), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO], the United
Nations¬Women, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Special Political and Decolonization
Committee, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Refugee Agency with
Joseph Leander, the School Head Boy as the MUN Secretary General. The Heads, Co-heads, Rapporteurs and the
other delegates of each committee served to present the position paper for their country and debate on solutions
for the various issues. The GSMUN allowed for the students to whet their leadership qualities, strategic reasoning
and critical thinking even as they indulged in extensive research in an attempt to shoulder the problems of the world.
The three-day simulation began with the inaugural ceremony with Lt. Gen. S Pattabhiraman, the former Vice
¬Chief of Army Staff as the chief guest. The student delegates were addressed by Mr. Maroof Raza, consultant
and strategic affairs expert on Times Now, who was the Chief Guest of the session on the second day and the
event drew to a close on the third day with the address of Dr. Graham Ranger, Director of Accreditation at the
Council of International Schools (CIS). The students were exposed to a wide range of opinions and facts which they
had to sift through to understand world issues. The event was an initiative to encourage global mindedness and
internationalism amongst the students and to sensitize the future leaders on the problems of the world.
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Lt. Gen. S Pattabhiraman (Retd) addressing the delegates
Mr. Maroof Raza addressing the delegates
Dr. Graham Ranger addressing the delegates
Model Security Council in progress
Model Economic and Social Council session in progress
Model United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
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Model UN – Women
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Model Special Political and Decolonization Committee
Model United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization
Model United Nations Refugee Agency
Model Economic and Financial Committee
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13th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival
“Don’t let a win get to your head or a loss to your heart.”
As the bugle call announced the arrival of the Chief Guest of the day, Rear
Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM, Chief Instructor (Navy), Defence Services Staff
College, Wellington, the very spirit of sports was palpable throughout
the assembled contingents of the seventeen schools from the Nilgiris,
which came together on Saturday, 22 August 2015 at the Palada Campus
of GSIS to participate in the 13th Annual Inter School Athletics Festival.
The participating schools were represented by their best athletes who
put together a splendid show of physical strength and agility.
The Ceremony commenced with the arrival of the Chief Guest and his
gracious lady, Mrs. Rama Pillai, escorted by the Founder-Principal, Dr.
P. C. Thomas. Rear Admiral Pillai hoisted the Athletic Festival Flag and
stood to attention as the Brass Band offered him the General Salute
before he inspected the contingents, which was followed by the March
Past of the 17 contingents of participating schools along with the Brass
and the pipe band contingents. The Athletic Torch was lit and two
athletes from each participating school took part in the Athletic Torch
Run, culminating in the lighting of the Athletic Festival Flame.
Brig. S Suresh Kumar, VSM (Retd.), Senior Vice Principal
(Administration) gave the welcome address, which was followed
by an enthusiastic speech by the Chief Guest who congratulated
the Principal for the fruition of his efforts into placing the school
Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM, hoisting the
first in the league of best international schools in India. The Chief
Athletic Festival Flag
Guest declared the Athletic Meet open for the year 2015, which was closely followed by the athletic oath
administered by Master Shubro Shanka Saha, the Games’ Captain of Good Shepherd International School.
The contingents retreated to the fort after the counter march to prepare for their events.
The students of the Fernhill Campus enthralled the audience with a colourful cultural presentation depicting the
various dances of India. The Director of Activities, Mr. Ajith P Jacob, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Guest, the
Principal and the other dignitaries present among the gathering.
The most awaited part of the day began with the field events alongside track events from 10:30 am onwards. The
students pushed themselves to their maximum ability to open up new horizons and achieve new heights in their
chosen events. High jump, long jump, shot put and discus throw were the field events. The track events included
the 100 m, 200 m, 400 m and the 1500 m races across various divisions.
The bystanders cheered as loudly as they could for their fellow participants. The school spirits raged high as each
participant competed for the first position. All the schools performed well and contributed to the success of the
event. Participants were seen to face both failure and success, even as old records were broken and new records
were set. The spectators witnessed a range of emotions as the stadium came alive that day.
Over 700 athletes participated in the various events. They were from the following schools:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rex Senior Higher Secondary School
JSS International School
Riverside Public School
Nazareth Convent High School
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Inspection of the Guard of Honour in progress
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
March past of the contingents
Cliff Rock Creative School
Oxford International School
Gurukulam Matriculation School
Crescent Castle Public School
Crescent Castle Matriculation School
Nilgiris Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Woodside School
The Lawrence School
International Community School
Mahatma Gandhi Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Brindavan Public School
Hebron School
The students who won the first, second and third positions were awarded certificates by the dignitaries present at
the stadium. The programme came to an end with the closing remarks by Mrs. Sheila Alexander, Senior Vice Principal
(Academics), who congratulated the winners and motivated those who did not perform to their expectations. The
event ended on a cheerful note with promises to do better the next time by the young sports enthusiasts and
aspirants. The Athletic Meet was declared closed at 5:10 pm. This was followed by the National Anthem.
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Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM, takes the General Salute
March past
The Opening Ceremony in progress
Athletic Torch Run
Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM, addressing the athletes
Athletes taking the Athletic Festival Oath
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A cultural presentation
Shot put
Discus throw
High jump
Long jump
Girls’ sprint race in progress
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Girls’ relay race in progress
Winners on the victory stand
Boys’ relay race in progress
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of
individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”
- Babe Ruth
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
- Bobby Unser
“Sports do not build character. They reveal it.”
- Heywood Broun
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”
- Peter Drucker
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IAYP Residential Project : Broadening Horizons Through A
Youth Development Programme
IAYP Gold Award aspirants of GSIS along with the Members of the Academic Council
Students in Kollikarai village
The IAYP Gold Award Residential project is a coveted, much-awaited event, with awardees yearning to embark on
what promises to be the experience of a lifetime. The call for our Project came out of the blue, which required us
to pack our things overnight and leave the next day. We left in the afternoon, with the image of the school in our
background and arrived at the village, Kollikarai, a few hours later.
The place was a mess. We unpacked our things and attempted to sort the place out. The girls resided in a room
next to the hospital, while the boys slept in what was, by day, a classroom. We worked collaboratively to convert a
room with two gas cylinders into a kitchen. We helped in the cooking of our dinner, which was quite new to some
members of the group. Water was scarce, the ground was slushy and the night set in. Yet, we stayed awake to videoreport. We finally retired to bed at about 1 a.m.
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Student volunteers in the tribal village during the community service
Removing weeds from the field
Students clean up the neighbourhood
The next morning involved a visit to the river nearby. It turned out that nature’s call had to be taken in nature, in
this instance, in the woods along the banks of the river. We returned from the river, still drowsy and haggard. We
transformed our ‘sleeping area’ back into the classroom that it was. Following breakfast, we set off trekking to work
in the tea estate. The days followed with surprising rapidity. We cooked together, had bonfires, helped each other,
played with the volleyball team, interacted with the children in the village, learnt of their lives and subsequently,
grew as individuals. A bond was being etched, a bond with our fellow Gold aspirants, with Kollikarai’s community
and a bond with Nature. We grow up in a place where things are handed to us on a platter, where cushions soften
our falls. Here we were, walking through thorny bushes, ploughing, weeding, fending for ourselves, seeing things
with eyes we knew not of. The books we took to prepare for our examinations gathered dust by the side, not
because we did not want to study but because we were busy in the service of others and, by God, it felt great.
Service became a part of us, it was no longer an activity.
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Distributing clothes to the local children
Students during their stay in Kollikarai village
We left for the Project, knowing not where we were going. We left the Project, not wanting to leave. The experience
changed us, making us different people, people we were proud of becoming. It was well so; for everything that
happened was ‘for the Duke experience.’
- Master Sherwyn Kalyan, IB 2B
“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
- Anne Frank
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
- John Holmes
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Cultural Programmes mark ‘Hindi Diwas’ at GSIS
Students singing Hindi songs during ‘Hindi Diwas’ Celebrations
The Good Shepherd International School celebrated ‘Hindi Diwas’ on the 14th of September, 2015. It marks the
adoption of Hindi written in Devanagari script as the official language of the Republic of India. The event serves to
propagate the Hindi language and its cultural heritage and values.
With the passage of time, the language seems to have lost its importance amongst the people. With the rampant
westernization of culture at large, Hindi seems to have been received to the status of just another language. The
Hindi learners of our school came together to promote the importance of this language and to keep it alive.
The special function organized to celebrate the day had Mrs. Deepa Suresh, Vice Principal, Fernhill Campus as its
Chief Guest. The function was marked by various musical performances and a hilarious drama presentation by
the tiny tots of the Fernhill Campus. The programme was a Hindi-based event during which all the formalities and
performances were only presented in the Hindi language. The senior Hindi speakers / learners of Palada Campus
performed dances and recited poems in Hindi to vaunt their talent and fluency in the language. The teachers also
came forward to recite poems and sing songs in Hindi. The ‘Hindi Diwas’ speech was delivered by Master Yash
Sharma of Grade 9. He elaborated on how Hindi is acknowledged for its importance in every leading field today
and stressed the need for it to gain more importance. Mrs. Deepa Suresh enlightened the students with the ‘dohas’
of Hindi poets and instilled valuable life skills in the minds of young students.
The function was an enticing blend of fun and learning wherein all the Hindi learners appreciated the importance
of the language they are learning.
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Students reciting Hindi poems
Students enacting Hindi skits
Students presenting a dance performance on ‘Hindi Diwas’
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Hindi learners presenting cultural dances
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“The role of a creative leader is not to have all the ideas; it’s to create a culture where everyone can
have ideas and feel that they’re valued.”
- Ken Robinson
“Human resources are like natural resources; they’re often buried deep. You have to go looking for
them; they’re not just lying around on the surface.”
- Ken Robinson
“Learning happens in the minds and souls, not in the databases of multiple-choice tests.”
- Ken Robinson
“You can’t just give someone a creativity injection. You have to create an environment for curiosity
and a way to encourage people and get the best out of them.”
- Ken Robinson
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Republic Day Celebrated with Enthusiasm
“Democracy is not merely a form of Government.
It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience.
It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards our fellow men.”
- B.R. Ambedkar
Republic Day in GSIS was celebrated with the fervour of patriotism
and allegiance to the Indian Republic, commemorating sixty-seven
years of our Republic. The celebration took place in the sprawling
co-curricular block quadrangle. The soft morning sunshine was
caressing the dewy grass exuding beauty. The entire school
community assembled on the quadrangle to pay homage to the
nation.
The bugle call announced the arrival of the Chief Guest for the
occasion - the Higher Secondary School Coordinator, Mrs. Vimala
Rani Jacob, who hoisted the national flag. The flag-hoisting
ceremony was accompanied by the Brass band playing the
national anthem Jana Gana Mana, the lines immortalized by Nobel
Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It was adopted in its Hindi version
by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on 24
January 1950.
Mrs. Vimala Rani Jacob, Coordinator, Higher
Secondary School, hoisting the national flag
The emcees for the programme, David Fredy Paul, IB-2A and Rashi
Vikas Arya, IB-2A, presented the day’s programme by paying rich
tribute to the nation’s great leaders and the citizens of free India.
The Republic Day speech was delivered by S Akshay of ISC 1A. He
spoke on the national heritage and the arising problems of narrowminded religious views and religious fanaticism. Muskan Agrawal
of Grade XB highlighted the rapid strides in the development of our
motherland and how we stand with our head held high.
The Indian music choir welcomed the morning assembly with the melodius rendition of Bankim Chandra
Chattopadhay’s ode to our motherland, Vande Matram. The choir also presented Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon and
Sare Jahan Se Accha, the signature songs, which eulogise the glory of India and her valiant soldiers.
The Chief Guest for the occasion enlightened the audience about the meaning of Republic and the contributions
of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution who campaigned against social discrimination
and untouchability, supported the rights of women and motivated the young minds to be responsible nation
builders. In her speech, the Chief Guest reiterated the importance of duty and responsibility that every citizen has
towards building a harmonious and congenial atmosphere in which there can be a happy coexistence of humanity
irrespective of caste, creed or community.
To mark the occasion, Middle School and the Art Department organized a painting event in which the students
and the teachers embellished the canvas with their creative best - a medley of vibrant colours and creations, the
expressions of the free mind. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Dominic Jude Hurst, the
Coordinator of Middle School.
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Students assembled on the greens of the co-curricular block
The Choir singing patriotic songs
Master S Akshay, ISC 1A, addressing the students
Ms. Muskan Agrawal, XB, addressing the students
Mrs. Vimala Rani Jacob addressing the students and staff
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Music programme : Students singing and playing the guitar
Students display their skills with the paint brush
“Independence did not mean chauvinism and narrow nationalism.”
- Said Musa
“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that
by the good people.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive
is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us.
When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
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Inter House Competitions (2014 - 2015)
Competitions
Winners
Academics
Winter
Art
Winter
Athletics
Summer
Badminton
Summer
Basketball
Summer
Chess (Fernhill)
Winter
Cricket
Winter
Cross Country Race
Spring
Football
Autumn
Golf
Spring
Hockey (Palada)
Spring & Summer
Dance
Winter
Debate (Palada)
Winter
Dramatics
Winter
Essay writing (Fernhill)
Winter
Elocution
Winter
Swimming
Spring
Rifle Shooting
Summer
Table Tennis
Winter
Throwball (Fernhill)
Autumn
Volleyball (Palada)
Spring
Lawn Tennis
Spring
Symphony (Palada)
Autumn
Spelling (Fernhill)
Spring
Short story
Winter
Squash
Autumn
Handwriting
Summer
Music
Winter
Quiz
Winter
Recitation
Summer
Yoga (Palada)
Summer
March Past
Winter
COCK HOUSE (2014 – 2015): WINTER HOUSE
Congratulations!
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Inter House Athletic Meet: Promises Kept
Students of Autumn House with the Hassan Ali Khan Memorial Athletic Shield
The Chief Guest with the Senior Vice President and Chairman
of the Board of Governors, GSIS
The Annual Inter-house Athletic Meet was declared open on 29th March 2016 by the Senior Vice President,
Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, the Chief Guest for the day. Students from all the four houses, Spring, Summer, Autumn and
Winter vied with one another and their own selves, excelling themselves and breaking records both on the track
and on the field.
By the time the final day of the Athletic Meet arrived, fourteen records were broken. This day, the 7th April 2016,
was a bright, sunny day after a night of violent storm. The Chief Guest for the day was Mr. Krishna Kishore, an
alumnus of Good Shepherd International School. As he observed the March Past, the Drummers’ Call of the children
of the Junior Campus, the 100m freestyle, the 4x100m relay races and the guest events and delivered his speech,
he was the epitome of humility. He spoke about his days at school when he nurtured life skills and gathered
expertise in order to become the business tycoon that he is now.
The events of the Athletic Meet went ahead in quick succession and all awaited the announcement of the Cock
House points of the four houses and the winners of the Hassan Ali Khan Memorial Shield for the year 2016. Soon
after the announcement of the winners of the Music Competition held the previous day, came that of the Athletic
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March past of the athletes
Athletic Torch Run
Athletes taking the Oath
Meet. There were more record breakers and more champions. The Autumnites stood wondering if the promise that
they had made to themselves last year would be fulfilled. They had been practising as a team to claim the coveted
shield. Yes! They had done it by dint of sheer hard work and team spirit.
The day came to a close with a lesson learnt by all who had witnessed the event: there is no substitute for
perseverance and collaboration; victory entails total commitment and never giving up.
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Drummers’ Call
100 metres sprint finals of boys in progress
100 metres sprint finals of girls in progress
The Guest Event
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4 X 100 metres relay race of boys in progress
4 X 100 metres relay race of girls in progress
Discus Throw
Javelin Throw
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Long Jump
Girls’ Shot put
High Jump
Winners on the victory podium after receiving certificates and
medals from Mr. K. S. Sripathi, IAS (Retd), Former
Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu
Winners on the victory podium
The Chief Guest addressing the students
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The four houses assembled on the ground during the Closing Ceremony
“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
- Michael Phelps
“If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.”
- Michael Phelps
“I wouldn’t say anything is impossible. I think that everything is possible as long as you put your
mind to it and put the work and time into it.”
- Michael Phelps
“Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.”
- Vince Lombardi
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Annual Inter House Swimming Championship 2016
"I wouldn't say anything is impossible. I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and put
the work and time into it".
- Michael Phelps
The Opening Ceremony of the Annual Aquatic Meet in progress at the Palada Campus
The Annual Inter House Swimming Championship was held at the GSIS swimming pool, Palada Campus on the 13th
and 14th of February 2016. The Aquatic Meet was inaugurated by Brigadier Suresh Kumar, Senior Vice Principal
(Administration) who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest at the Opening Ceremony. He remarked that he was
very proud to see the Shepherdians showing their enthusiasm by participating actively in the competition. He
motivated them to put in their best and come out with colourful laurels. Master Sarvesh M Raul took the Oath on
behalf of the participants.
The morning session was for the various events in the Boys’ category- individual and relay. The afternoon
session was for the events in the Girls’ category. The competition extended to the next day. Around 300 students
participated in the various events like 50 m freestyle, 25 m freestyle, 25 m breaststroke, 25 m backstroke , 25 m
freestyle and 4 x 25 m Individual medley.
This year witnessed many new meet records. Master Sarvesh M Raul (Spring House) set a new record in 4 x 25
m Individual medley relay. Amongst the girls, Ms. Shikha Kurien of Autumn House set a new record in the 25 m
butterfly stroke and 50 m freestyle event; further Harina Amin also set a new record in the 25 m freestyle.
The individual championship for the boys went to Smeet Rajul Patel, H Swaminathan, Nihal Ramesh Bhadani and
Sarvesh M Raul. Amongst the girls, the individual championship was bagged by Ms. Shikha Kurien, Riya Malay Shah
and Rhea Prashant Bhandari. Once again SPRING HOUSE lifted the trophy!
The Chief Guest for the Closing Ceremony Mr. Dominic Jude Hurst, Coordinator, Middle School gave away the
trophies and the certificates. He selflessly congratulated the participants and the winners. Mr. Dominic Hurst also
appreciated the increasing number of new participants and commended their efforts. The two-day meet was
declared closed for the year 2015-2016 with the words of encouragement from him, “CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
THE CHAMPIONS!”
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Start of a boys’ swimming event
Start of the boys’ backstroke event
Boys’ swimming: Butterfly stroke
Start of a girls’ swimming event
Girls: Backstroke swimming
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Medal winners on the victory podium during the prize distribution ceremony
Spring House: Overall Champions in Swimming
The Closing Ceremony in progress
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Inter House Dramatics Competition 2016
High School & Higher Secondary School
Best Play
:‘Nagamandala’ (by Summer House)
Second Best Play
: ‘Our Town’ (by Winter House)
Best Actor
: Bhavesh Joshi (Summer House) & Jenil Vijay Satikunvar (by Winter House)
Best Actress
: Sanol Avaniish Mehta (Summer House) & Tushara Samarajyam (Autumn House)
Best Supporting Actor
: Thilak Elangovan (Summer House) & Vyshnav Sajeevan (Autumn House)
Best Supporting Actress : Rhea Jain (Winter House)
Scenes from the play, ‘Nagamandala’
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Scenes from the play, ‘Our Town’
Congratulations to the winners and all the participants!
“What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out.”
- Alfred Hitchcock
“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
- William Shakespeare
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their
entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”
“Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.”
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Inter House Classical & Folk Dance Competitions 2015
High School & Higher Secondary School
Classical dance has developed a type of dance-drama and most of the classical dances in India enact stories from
Hindu mythology. Each form represents the culture and ethos of a particular region or a group of people. The
dancer acts out a story almost exclusively through gestures.
Folk dances are dances developed by groups of people that reflect the traditional life of the people of a certain
country or region.
In the Inter House Classical & Folk Dance Competition held at GSIS on 30 November 2015, the results are as
follows:
Grade IX : Classical Group Dance
Summer House team
Winter House team
Names of students
House
Position
Summer
I
Winter
II
Spring
III
Pooja A
Eva Ann Raju
Nairuti Vishnubhai Patel
M Sathvika
Ardra Ravindran
Rhea Jain
S Ashmath
P U Harini Sankar
G Swathi
Individual Prizes in Classical Dance
Names of students
House
Position
Eva Ann Raju
Summer
I
Rhea Jain
Winter
II
Nairuti Vishnubhai Patel
Summer
III
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Eva Ann Raju
Rhea Jain
Grade XI : Classical Group Dance
Autumn House team
Summer House team
Names of students
Winter House team
House
Position
Autumn
I
Summer
II
Winter
II
Archa Varghese Alukka
Deepthi Dhinesh
Yachi Sipani
Yashita Jadon
Mootha Vaishnavi Dhriti
Valliammai Karuppiah
Individual Prizes in Classical Dance
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Names of students
House
Position
Winter
I
Yachi Sipani
Summer
II
Archa Varghese Alukka
Autumn
III
Archana Viswanath
Spring
III
Yachi Sipani
Grades IX & XI combined: Folk Group
House
Position
Spring
I
Winter
II
Summer
III
Spring House team
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95
Winter House team
Congratulations to the winners!
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
- Buddha
“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”
- Buddha
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
- Aristotle
“In a democracy the poor will have more power than the rich, because there are more of them, and the
will of the majority is supreme.”
- Aristotle
“The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”
- Aristotle
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
- Confucius
“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”
- Confucius
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
- Mark Twain
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Prefects’ Council (2015 - 2016)
School Captain
JOSEPH LEANDER R
School Vice Captain
SHERWYN KALYAN
Head Girl
NIMISHA JANGID
Vice Head Girl
MOHIKA PRAVEEN TAINWALA
Boys
Games Captains
Girls
Library Prefects
SHUBHRO SANKHA SAHA
DRISHTI DOCHANIA
NIDHI MURALI
Higher Secondary School
NIRANJAN JAYWANT PATIL
High School
SHIVANI SHRIVAN SHETH
Higher Secondary School
Co-curricular Prefects
High School
DAVID FREDY PAUL
RASHI VIKAS ARYA
SHIVANI TERLI
WINTER HOUSE
BOYS
GIRLS
House Captain
PRAKHAR JAIN
NUZLA NOORUDHEEN KALATHIL
House Vice Captain
LALDINGLIANA HMAR
MAHIMA SAMIR KALE
CHIRAG BHARAT MODHWADIA
NIRVA NIRAV SHAH
SAMRAAT SUJOY GUPTA
VANSHIKA AGARWAL
SPRING HOUSE
BOYS
GIRLS
House Captain
S SUHASVELU
SOPARIWALA HENY SANJAY
House Vice Captain
SAILESH BABA
DIVYAKSHI NATH
AMMAR YASIR
SHREYA PAKALPATI
ATUL THARD
PARNIKA MANDEEP BAJAJ
SUMMER HOUSE
BOYS
GIRLS
House Captain
ADIL ASIF THARA
ASWATHY ANNA REJI
House Vice Captain
KESHAV MAHESHWARI
MUSKAAN DESWAL
ANURAAG MANJUNATHA
STUTI PATEL
JEFFREY KOLENCHERY
TANISHA CHARI
AUTUMN HOUSE
BOYS
GIRLS
House Captain
PARTH RAJ MAHESHWARI
NAVNI NAYAK
House Vice Captain
ISHAAN VINOD DULHANI
VEDSI NIRAJ ARYA
ANMOL AGRAWAL
VRUSHALI HIMANSHU SHAH
MANAV TREHON
AARTI GOBIND MOHINANI
Prefects
Prefects
Prefects
Prefects
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97
House Reports
Winter House
March past of the Winter House
“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.”
- Yoko Ono
Winter proved its mettle and its unyielding perseverance this year by successfully bagging the Cock House Trophy.
Success knocked on the house’s door again this year, two years in a row now, and the house spirit could not have
been higher with such a splendid running performance. It had been a proud moment for both the outgoing batch
and the incoming one at the highest grade when the trophy was lifted at the Founder’s Day celebration on 16th
October, 2015.
The house stood first in thirteen categories and won the coveted Academics and Dramatics trophies. Collectively
we also aced in Art, Chess (Fernhill), Cricket, Dance, Debate, Essay Writing (Fernhill), Elocution, Table Tennis, Short
Story Writing, Music, Quiz and March Past. We had a splendid presence in the Prefects’ Council with the appointment
of Nimisha Jangid as the Head Girl, Sherwyn Kalyan as the School Vice Captain and David Freddy Paul as the CoCurricular Prefect for the Higher Secondary section.
Honourable mentions include Nandini Kohli who bagged the first prize in Short Story Writing, Art and Debate,
second in Dance. Our star reciters Dhrumil Gogri and Jasleen Gandhi aced the competition in Recitation in their
respective category. The standard of the Debate and Elocution competition was improved with the splendid
locution, fluency and arguments of Nandini Kohli, Sriniketh Krishnan, V P Lakshith, Vedant Sagar, Nikitha P, Akshat
Mishra, Twisha Kotecha and Samraat Sujoy Gupta. Winning the March Past trophy was the outcome of unrelenting
effort of the contingent and Mr. T Justin.
As we move forward with determination, not to lose our winning stride and continue on the path of making it a hattrick win for the house in the coming year, we pray and put our complete faith in the Almighty to show us the way
so as to recognize our genius and realize our true potential.
“Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius.”
- Pietro Aretino
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Summer House
March past of the Summer House
The academic year 2014-2015 showcased a spirit of competitiveness and commitment amongst the Summer
House students. The family stood united and strong to pave its road to success. Summerians turned every rock
of adversity over to take a giant leap from the third to the second place among the Houses, scoring a total of 878
points.
We were determined to retain all the trophies we won the previous year and to annex those which had eluded
us. But the sun never shines always. During the academic year 2014-2015, Summerians raised the most coveted
Athletics Shield with excellent performances by our boys and girls. We also bore the pride of winning the
Symphony competition. The overall first place for recitation, rifle shooting, hockey, badminton and basketball was
also gloriously claimed by the Summer House and the competitions saw us redeem some of our hurt pride.
The year 2014-15 was indeed a gratifying year for the Summer House on account of their zeal and persistent
efforts. The plethora of activities kept us busy throughout the year. We fared well in the race for the Cock House
Trophy coming overall second which symbolized our overall proficiency in the field of sports and other activities
at school. It is easy to settle for second best, but it is the quality of striving for the best that differentiates us from
others. We would like to thank all the students of the House for participating with the right spirit and for being cooperative. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our House Master, House Mistress and tutors for
steering us to glorious moments of victories and also for their constant support and guidance.
The Summer House team is awaiting an exciting session of activities ahead, to venture further. They gaze intently
on the upcoming events to explore their hidden talents further and lift the Cock House Shield! The future beckons
and its myriad possibilities are waiting to be discovered!
“Summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. For those few months, you’re not
required to be who everyone thinks you are, and that cut-grass smell in the air and the chance to dive into the deep
end of a pool give you a courage you don’t have the rest of the year. You can be grateful and easy, with no eyes on
you, and no past. Summer just opens the door and lets you out.”
- Deb Caletti
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99
Spring House
March past of the Spring House
“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.”
- Bernard Williams
Spring is the season of new beginnings. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life
again! This spirit embodies in our “Young Springsters” who set out with renewed vigour to a new season of dance,
drama, recitation, debate and sports.
This year too displayed the talents of the students in various avenues. Spring House stood winner at different
levels in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross country, Dance, Hockey, Music, Rifle Shooting, Swimming,
Throwball, Volleyball, Lawn Tennis, Squash and Golf. The Springsters also swam their way to victory in the Annual
Swimming Competition. There was an enthusiastic participation of students in all the inter house activities.
Under the able leadership of S Suhasvelu, Sopariwala Heny Sanjay, Sailesh Baba, Divyakshi Nath, Ammar Yasir,
Shreya Pakalpati, Atul Thard, Parnika Mandeep Bajaj, Niranjan Jaywant Patil, Prakash Singh, Rhea Rayidi, Vinod
Selvam, Varsha John, Ayush Agarwal, S Ashmath and Cibi Saran, the Spring House had a year of high sprited
participations.
The Co-curricular participation by the students of Spring House was commendable, with almost all the students
showing their talents. The House won various Inter House Competitions. Dance, Dramatics, and Symphony were
the activities looked forward by the students. The enthusiasm amongst the students was evident from their
participation in the cultural activities.
The achievements of the Spring House this year is the result of the team work the members exhibited. Each one
stood together in every success and failure, encouraging for participation over victory! Every single member of
both the campus contributed to this great success. The House has so far been most enthusiastic. We also extend our
thanks to the House Master, House Mistress and our tutors for their splendid work, valuable help and experienced
advice. We are sure that our juniors will continue the fine traditions built at GSIS. Everyone had a bit of fun and the
activities unified us a little more as a House. It has been a memorable year for the Springsters and it can be rightly
said for the Spring House.
“Unity is strength . . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
- Mattie Stepanek
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Autumn House
March past of the Autumn House
Both the wins and the losses define your path forward!
Harvard Professor, Rob Kaplan says that failures are defining. Your failures explain your personal quirks and all the
weird things you do. It helps explain your insecurities and your blind spots. With merely two trophies being lifted
by the Autumn House in the academic year 2014-2015, its members experienced both moments of intense joy and
those of epiphany, which have done the house a world of good.
The year began with the house doing reasonably well in Badminton, Basketball and Chess. Autumnites fared pretty
well in Golf and Dance as well. The Lawn Tennis match and the quiz competition saw Autumnites putting up a great
fight. The best performance by the Autumnites in this academic year, however, was in two sporting events quite
opposed to each other, football and squash.
Apparently the year was not a successful one for the house but then, a few great lessons were learnt by the
house during this year. One of them was the adrenaline rush that was brought about by risk-taking. Whether the
house stood last in Academics or in Sports, those who contributed points to the house had learnt the benefits
of perseverance and of being adventurous. Two other very important experiences from which the house learnt
a great deal were the joy of nurturing team spirit and the bond that ties the leaders and followers together, that
is, coming to a consensus. Maturity, the quality that Autumn symbolizes was another quality that was displayed
by the Autumnites. No victory saw them gloating over the losers; no failure saw them lose their grace. This was
epitomized by all those who led the house, Parth Raj Maheshwari, Navni Nayak, Mohika Tainwala, Ishaan Dulhani,
Vrushali, Vedsi, Anmol, Manav, Aarthi, Khushi, Prabhu Raj, Avni and Gayathry. They displayed the true spirit of
leadership: they shone during their victories and were gracious in their defeats. The highly-spirited Autumnites
who went all out to contribute to the house were Ahad, Shitin, Praveen and Adarsh. With a ‘never-say-die’ attitude,
they held the fort and taught everybody around what it means to be tenacious and resilient. The year ended with
a resolution made by one and all: perseverance and team work would be the motto of the Autumnites in the next
academic year. They will live their dreams and will never say never.
“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the
successive autumns.”
- George Eliot
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GSIS Students Visit Old Age Home: An Unforgettable Meeting
Boys distributing food to the women in the old age home
A journey into the world of knitting
On Saturday, 06 February 2016, thirty-three boys of Grade 11 (IB-1C & D) paid a visit to Smyrna Home, an old age
home for women situated near Fernhill in Ooty. The Home provides many types of assistance to disadvantaged
members of the community which includes caring for disabled children, providing a home for young girls and
looking after abandoned older people. We discovered that this makes a lot of difference to the lives of many
children and adults in the Nilgiris by providing shelter, healthcare and helping them to live a more enriching and
fulfilled life. The Home also helps many underprivileged children who cannot afford to attend school and have an
education. The institution was founded in 1983 by a Swedish sister, Margit Stefansson Selva Rajah, who could not
bear to look at the pitiful state of widows in Ootacamund.
On our arrival at the home, we were welcomed by the matron, who was a very benevolent lady. We were very
shocked to hear the life experiences of the women who were staying there. All have come from different cultural
backgrounds and each one had their own story to tell. Those two hours that we spent there made us realise how
fortunate all of us students were to come from families that have gifted us a lavish lifestyle, where everything is
served to us on a golden platter. Despite the fact that the women there had been through so many hardships in life
and barely had comfortable mattresses to lay on, they had a very positive attitude towards life and had developed
a very astounding personality. They blessed us and prayed to the Almighty Lord for our happiness and good health.
They even taught a few of us how to knit.
It was amazing to know that the institution gets its funds from selling handmade baby sweaters in the local market,
and the astonishing part of it was that the old women make it. These women were not less than seventy-five years
old, yet they nurtured such an energetic outlook towards life. This inspired the rest of us to follow suit. Although we
were really disheartened to know their circumstances, that meeting changed us so much and taught us the value of
people and money. We are so happy we made the trip to Smyrna Home.
-Master Abhyuday Sureka, IB -1C
“Charity is a supreme virtue, and the great channel through which the mercy of God is passed onto mankind.”
- Conrad Hilton
“I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.”
- Mother Teresa
An Educational Field Trip
“Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.”
- Benjamin Disraeli
The Shepherdians at De Rock, a Jungle Living Resort, to study green architecture
“Once you have travelled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers.
The mind can never break off from the journey.” This was so true for the three-day ESS and Biology Field Trip that
we, 31 students, from Grade 11 of Good Shepherd International School undertook from 29th to 31st January 2016
to the Nilgiris.
As for the Nilgiris, I can only say that - What is here is nowhere else; and what is not here is nowhere. Nilgiris means
The Blue Mountains, a beautiful mountain range which is part of The Western Ghats. Our three-day field trip started
with our visit to the Ralliah dam. The drive to the Ralliah dam was beautiful, picturesque, silent on winding roads
uphill. Ralliah dam is a small dam located in The Nilgiris. It is located in a lonely place but the scenery surrounding
the dam is breathtaking. The reservoir remains filled with water after monsoon and it is the major source of water
for the Conoor town. We trekked to the Ralliah dam and from there to a Toda Village nearby called Inkithi. The
Todas live in small hamlets called ‘Mund’ and they live in houses called ‘Dogles.’ Their sole occupation is cattle
herding and dairy farming. The Toda religion centres on the buffalo and they are vegetarians. Our main aim of the
visit was to find out about tribal livelihood and their efforts in conserving biodiversity of the area. We were divided
into groups for a questionnaire survey to be conducted with the Toda people whom we asked how their livelihood
helps conserve the biodiversity of the Nilgiris. One group asked them about the methods of agriculture that they
employ and whether they follow any soil conservation practices. Another group asked them how Global Warming
and Climate Change was affecting them.
On our way back from the village, we also trekked to the Inkithi swamp and later to the Ralliah fen wetlands from
where we had started our trek. February 2nd is celebrated as World Wetland Day commemorating the signing of
the Convention on Wetlands, called The Ramsar Convention in the Iranian city of Ramsar. A Wetland is a land area
Cleanliness drive campaign on the streets of Coonoor
Students cleaning the streets
Students carrying out a survey with the Toda Women of a
local village
A Toda Mund in the Nilgiris
that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristic of a distinct
ecosystem. From the beautiful surroundings of the Sholas we went to another beautiful location called De Rock
which is a resort in Coonoor. The uniqueness of the resort is that the owner of The Resort, Mr. Charles Nathan, has
used the concept of sustainable living and sustainable buildings in making the resort. He used local available
material for the construction of the resort. To make bricks, he used 80% soil, 10% quarry dust and 10% cement
all of which was available locally. The best part of the whole building was that everything was utilized and nothing
was wasted. The leftover wood was used for making dustbins and chairs and benches for people to sit in the
garden of the resort. Not only did he reduce his carbon footprint by removing the expenditure on petrol and trucks
(internal costs) and the pollution ( external costs) that he would have to incur if he transported the cement , soil
and stone from Coimbatore but also learnt an interesting technique of making green bricks which are of double
strength and longer durability.
The second day started with our visit to the dense Shola forests of the Nilgiris. Shola forests are found on the high
altitude hill regions of The Nilgiris. Sholas are a local name for patches of stunted tropical montane forests found
in the valleys amid rolling grasslands. We did our lab activity there of collecting soil samples and measuring the
biodiversity through quadrat sampling. We also had an expert on flora to tell us the various local names of the
plants. After our study, we had a short teaching module about tools on forest measurement which made us aware
of the various gadgets used for forest mensuration like tree height, forest canopy and GPS. Our next study objective
was to study the architecture of the Toda Huts. We went to a village nearby called Podamund where we studied
the contrast of traditional architecture with modern architecture. The curved huts of the Todas go on to prove
the fact that curved roofs have a smaller surface area and require less building material compared to a flat roof,
and computer simulations have proved that net heat gain of a dome can be 20% less than that of a flat roof and
curved roofs allow warm air to rise leaving cooler air at the floor level. Openings on the roof can provide natural
air conditioning. This surely proved the point that traditional knowledge is an important and helpful approach to
modern project planning and implementation.
The last day was the Cleanliness Drive Campaign that we took up in Coonoor along with an NGO called Clean
Coonoor Forum. We were joined by the Ladies’ Club of Coonoor, the Municipality and the people who added to our
number in our 2 kms walk down from Sims Park to Hotel Vivek. It was an exhilarating experience to see people
come in large numbers and be inspired. Some were pricked by their conscience and a few were encouraging us
on our initiative to clean their city. We stood and shouted slogans with our placards held high, on Good Shepherd
Cleanliness Drive Campaign to start a small initiative for a greater cause of the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan started
throughout India.
We have taken the initiative to be part of MOB – ‘Make Ooty Beautiful’ and bring the cleanliness drive to our
own city. We invite each student of the Good Shepherd Family to be an active member. We want their active
participation in this drive.
In the end, I can only say that “we had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun, but the hills that we climbed were
just seasons out of time”, as the plantation of the grasslands on the hills are slowly destroying the biodiversity of
the Nilgiris. It is time that we all did something to save the Blue Mountains.
- Ms. Sonia Koplickat, IB - 1D
“Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the
woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
- John Muir
“Harmony with land is like harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his right hand and chop off his left.”
- Aldo Leopold
“The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth.”
- Marlee Matlin
“I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their
songs.”
- Joseph Addison
“Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.”
- Sholom Aleichem
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
- Abraham Lincoln
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
- Winston Churchill
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
- Winston Churchill
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls
attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
- Winston Churchill
You Made GSIS Proud!
Inter School Hockey Tournament 2015
The Annual Inter School Hockey Tournament for boys was held in Hebron School, Ooty, from 20 November to 24
November 2015.
GSIS Hockey Team (U-14 yrs division)
In the U-14 yrs division, the GSIS team secured the
second place. In the final match, The Lawrence School,
Lovedale, defeated GSIS team. Score : 2 – 1
Five schools participated in the U-16 yrs division.
The GSIS team emerged runner-up on the basis of
goal average. The winners of the competition in this
category was the team from Hebron School.
In the U-19 yrs division also, the team from Hebron
School was victorious. GSIS team secured the runnerup place on the basis of goal average.
Well done!
A Special Award for Cricketing Excellence!
We are happy to inform that Master V Sukeshwar Reddy, FM 4A, has been nominated
as the Best All Rounder in the recently concluded Under 16 Inter School Cricket
Tournament for the Azhar Hassan Memorial Rolling Trophy 2015 – 2016. This is a
special award in recognition for his fine performance in the tournament.
Congratulations!
Master V Sukeshwar Reddy
Inter School Soccer Tournament 2016
GSIS U-19 Boys’ Football Team A
The Annual Inter School Soccer Tournament for U-19 boys was held at the Palada Campus Open Air Stadium of
Good Shepherd International School on Friday, 29 January 2016.
In the final match, Good Shepherd International School - Team A defeated The Laidlaw Memorial School & Junior
College and won the trophy. Score: 1 – 0
The following prizes were also awarded:
Best Player
: Master Nikhil V (GSIS – Team A
Best Defender : Master Parth Bansal (GSIS – Team A)
Master Nikhil V
Master Parth Bansal
Congratulations!
Selma / Selai Gowder Memorial Rolling Trophy 2016
Cricket Champions: Under-13 Cricket Team of GSIS
The Nilgiri District Cricket Association (NDCA) organized the Under-13 Inter School
Cricket Tournament in the Nilgiris from 16 February to 14 March 2016.
GSIS edged out Riverside Public School by six wickets in the finals held on 14 March
2016 to win the Nilgiri District Cricket Association Under-13 Inter School Cricket
Tournament for the Selma / Selai Gowder Memorial Rolling Trophy at the Laidlaw
Memorial School grounds.
Master Yash Parin Shah, FM 2D, took 10 wickets in the tournament and was adjudged
the ‘Best Bowler of the Tournament.’ Congratulations to the winners!
Master Yash Parin Shah
Inter School Basketball Tournament: GSIS Rolling Trophy 2016
The Inter School Basketball Tournament for boys was held at the Palada Campus Outdoor Basketball Court on
Saturday, 19 March 2016.
In the U-12 yrs category, Good Shepherd International School emerged winners. In the final match, they defeated
Riverside Public School, Kotagiri. Special prizes were awarded to the following students of GSIS:
Best Player:
Master Aditya Singh, 7B, GSIS
Most Promising Player: Master Adarsh Ajo Kumar, 7B, GSIS
The Winners: GSIS U-12 yrs Team
U-12 yrs category: The match in progress
Best Player:
Master Aditya Singh
Most Promising Player :
Master Adarsh Ajo Kumar
In the U-14 yrs category also, Good Shepherd International School were the winners. In the final match, they
defeated Riverside Public School, Kotagiri. The following students of GSIS received the special prizes:
Best Player
: Master Vishwas Hemant Bhai Sarasiya, 9A, GSIS
Most Promising Player:Master Hrishee Keyur Shah, FM 3E, GSIS
In the final match of the U-16 yrs category, Hebron School defeated Riverside Public School. Good Shepherd
International School Team emerged second runner-up. The following special prize was awarded to one of our
students:
Most Valuable Player
: Master Chalasani Nikhil, IB - 1C, GSIS
The Winners: GSIS U-14 yrs Team
U-14 yrs category: The match in progress
Best Player : Master
Vishwas Hemant Bhai
Sarasiya
Most Promising Player :
Master Hrishee Keyur Shah
U-16 yrs category Most Valuable Player : Master Chalasani Nikhil
Well done!
GSIS Team Aces the Nilgiri Library Debate Competition
The Annual Nilgiri Inter School Debate Competition was
held on Saturday, 14 November 2015 at the 156-year-old
Nilgiri Library that houses more than 30,000 books, and is
the hub of several cultural activities in the Nilgiris.
Sixteen schools from the Nilgiris District represented by
thirty-two speakers, participated in the competition. With
the National Smart Cities Initiative of the central government
and the topic chosen for this year’s debate being “The nation
is not yet ready for smart cities”, we were sure that it was
going to be an interesting debate.
Our school was represented by Master Aayush Agnel Dantas,
FM 4A, who argued in favour of the motion and Master
David Fredy Paul, IB 2A, who went against the motion. The
participants were expected to speak for four minutes without
the help of any written notes. Three judges were assigned to
select the 3 best speakers and the top three schools among
the participants. Many forceful arguments were put forth
during the course of the evening which saw eloquence at its
best. The audience witnessed keen competition as the event
has grown in popularity and more schools have evinced
interest over the last few years and participated in the debate
competition. As an outcome of the debate, the audience also
became better informed about the smart cities initiative of
GSIS wins the Nilgiri Library Rolling Shield
the government. Our students were brilliant and they spoke
with great fluency and ease. They handled the pressure
skillfully and expressed their views with great eloquence and argued their points in a very convincing manner.
At the end of the heated debate which lasted for more than two hours, Master David Fredy Paul was adjudged the
best speaker and the GSIS team was declared the winner! Our students bagged the coveted Nilgiri Library Rolling
Shield. Apart from the rolling shield, they received gift vouchers. Master Aayush Agnel Dantas received a cash
voucher worth 1200 and Master David Fredy Paul was awarded a cash voucher worth 2400. They can avail these
vouchers to buy books from Higginbothams, a local bookstore in Ooty.
Winners focus on Winning. Losers focus on Winners. Without giving in to the pressures of the competition,
both the speakers made their school proud with their excellent performance and oratory. We wish them both
congratulations and all the best in their future endeavours of deliberations and rhetoric.
Equestrian Sports: Mounted Gymkhana in Wellington
The Mounted Gymkhana was organized by Defence Services Staff College at the Mounted Gymkhana Club Ground
in Wellington on Sunday, 03 April 2016. A number of friendly competitions were organized to test the riders, their
riding skills and horses.
Equestrian vaulting is one of ten equestrian disciplines recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian
Sports. This is an equestrian sport where the riders require practice, courage, agility, good balance, motor skills
and good coordination with the horse. Our students displayed their riding skills and performed several gymnastic
exercises on the back of the moving horse, ‘Formula One.’ The GSIS team comprising Gunish Singh Chawla, Ahad
Ali Rashid, Sukeshwar Reddy V and Saketh Ram Bhashyam were awarded the second place in the Mounted
Gymnastics event.
Mounted Gymnastics : Students displaying their riding skills
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt
with the heart.”
- Helen Keller
“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision.”
- Helen Keller
“All equestrians, if they last long enough, learn that riding in whatever form is a lifelong sport and art,
an endeavour that is both familiar and new every time you take the horse out of his stall or pasture.”
- Jane Smiley
“I call horses ‘divine mirrors’ - they reflect back the emotions you put in. If you put in love and respect
and kindness and curiosity, the horse will return that.”
- Allan Hamilton
“Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.”
- Colin Powell
“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt,
to offer a solution everybody can understand.”
- Colin Powell
“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work
hard and play hard.”
- Colin Powell
“Deliberation and debate is the way you stir the soul of our democracy.”
- Jesse Jackson
Address by Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, NM, Chief Instructor - Navy,
Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, on the occasion of the
Opening Ceremony of the 13th Annual Inter School Athletic Festival
held at GSIS on 22 August 2015
Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai delivering his address
Dr. P.C. Thomas, Principal, Good Shepherd International School, Brig. Suresh Kumar and Mrs. Sheila Alexander,
Senior Vice Principals, Principals and representatives of other participating schools, faculty members, athletes,
coaches, students on the field, distinguished guests and members of media, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed a great privilege for me to be present here at the 13th Inter School Athletic Festival. Indeed, it is a
pleasure to see the concept of a festival of sports for which children from various schools in the Nilgiris have come
together under the aegis of the Good Shepherd International School. Such coming together for participation is
extremely important, as it gifts us with a rich and fulfilling life in the years ahead. A day spent in pursuit of athletic
excellence in competitive spirit, exemplifies the very need for the wholesome development of the body, life and
soul. While the primary purpose is to foster excellence in every field, it is important that we are aware of the rich
contribution the body has to make in nurturing the mind in furthering the human spirit.
When you look back at the days gone by, the virtues imbibed in playfields and in classrooms will be the basis of
how your life was lived. Sports, games, athletics give more than strength, power, endurance, speed, balance and
coordination. They increase the work capacity; it is about social and national health. Physical fitness is crucial in
preventing various diseases that we know of and have heard about, those that are prevalent due to the lifestyles of
people. Physical pursuits can also help us alleviate several disorders and help us live lives of quality.
We live in the technological age. The advancement in technology has simplified many of our physical rigours of the
past. In fact, it can make you wonder if all this technology has influenced our physical bodies so much that one day
we will be physically unfit to perform our tasks. Therefore, a piece of advice will be that you look after yourself.
Technology must be lived, but don’t become a slave to technology. Wherever you spend your time, at some time or
the other, you must get out of it. People spend far too much time in idle pursuits. Less than 3% adults spend the
minimum 30 minutes that we should towards our health care.
In the armed forces, we pay a full lot of importance to physical fitness of the personnel not because we want them
to be physically fit athletes in the armed forces. We do it because we lose a lot of our workforce to various kinds of
infirmities and disabilities. So, to the people, the advice from me is, whether you pursue an academic field or not,
you pursue a common stream that is the most important, that is, body and physical fitness.
I won’t say much more, but I believe, I must compliment each one of you who is present, for participating today.
I must compliment you for the fine march past. We look forward to a day of sports, festival of athletics in which
each one of you will put the best foot forward. It is not just about competition, it is about participating and coming
together.
I think this initiative of the Good Shepherd International School which brings all of you together is really
commendable. Finally, I take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. P.C. Thomas and the Good Shepherd International
School for having been adjudged the best international school for an outstanding infrastructure, co-curricular
activities and pastoral care by a survey conducted by the renowned educational survey group, EducationWorld. I
think such recognition, such organization, such participation, so that each one of you, each school participating
is driven further and it complements you. It is done for the future of you, young people. We wish you all success!
It gives me great pleasure in declaring the Annual Inter School Athletic Meet for the year 2015 open.
Thank you! Jai Hind.
Speech of Lt. Gen. S Pattabhiraman, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, SM, during the
Opening Ceremony of the Good Shepherd Model United Nations
held at GSIS on 17 September 2015
Lt. Gen. S Pattabhiraman addressing the delegates of GSMUN 2015
It is indeed a privilege for me to take part in the deliberations pertaining to the Good Shepherd model of the
United Nations. I am aware that this is an annual feature and I thank Dr. Thomas, the Principal of your esteemed
school to have given me a chance to share a few thoughts on the aspect of peacekeeping operations undertaken
round the globe under the aegis of the U.N. I shall highlight a few aspects as shown on the slide.
India has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions since its inception, commencing with the medical
mission as part of the truce keeping force between North and South Korea in 1953. We have deployed more than
160,000 troops in nearly 43 missions with a significant number of police personnel too. In 2014, we had 7860
personnel including 995 police persons (including women police in Liberia) deployed in 10 missions. India has
suffered considerable number of casualties in certain robust operations. In South Sudan, last year, two soldiers
including an officer were martyred in the line of duty.
What is Peacekeeping? UN peacekeeping helps countries torn by conflict create conditions for lasting peace.
Peacekeeping has proven to be one of the most effective tools available to the UN to assist host countries navigate
the difficult path from conflict to peace. Peacekeeping has unique strength including legitimising burden sharing
and an ability to deploy and sustain troops and police from around the globe, integrating them with civilian
peacekeepers to advance multidimensional mandates.
UN peacekeepers provide security, political and peacebuilding support to help countries move from uncertain
status to a definitive outcome. Today’s multidimensional peacekeeping operations are called upon not only to
maintain peace and security but also to facilitate the political process, protect civilians, assist in disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, support the organization of elections, protect and promote
human rights and assist in restoring rule of law.
Success is never guaranteed because UN peacekeeping almost by definition goes to the most politically and
physically difficult entities. However, it has built up a demonstratable record of success over 60 years of existence
including the award of the Nobel Peace Prize. Peacekeeping has always been highly dangerous and has endured
in the face of new challenges. Realising this, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General has established a 17-member
panel on UN peacekeeping operations to make a comprehensive assessment of the state of the UN peacekeeping
operations today and the emerging needs of the future.
Peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in implementing
the peace agreements they may have signed. Such assistance comes in many forms including confidence-building
measures, power sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law and economic and social
development.
The UN charter gives the UN Security Council the power and responsibility to take collective action to maintain
international peace and security. The Department of Peacekeeping Organisation (DPKO), formed in 1948, is
charged with planning, management and direction of the UN peacekeeping operations. Mr. Hervé Ladsous has
been the Head of DPKO since September 2011. Most of the operations are established and implemented by UN
itself with troops serving under UN operational control. In these cases, peacekeepers remain members of their
respective armed forces and do not constitute an independent UN Army as the UN does not have such a force.
In cases where direct UN involvement is not considered necessary or feasible, the Security Council authorizes
regional organizations such as NATO, the Economic community of West African States, African Union or coalition
of willing countries to undertake peacekeeping or peace-enforcing operations. UN peacekeeping is guided by
three basic principles: a) Consent of the parties b) Impartiality and c) Non-use of force except in self-defence and
defence of mandate.
Peacekeeping is flexible and for over the last two decades has been deployed in many confrontations. There are
currently 16 UN peacekeeping operations. The Department of Peacekeeping Organisation ,DPKO, is headed by
an Under-Secretary-General who answers to the UN Secretary General. Presently, since 2011, it is headed by Mr.
Hervé Ladsous of France.
Military diplomacy, by far the biggest contribution to the cause of enhancing India’s credibility as a responsible
nation, has been the conduct of its contingents sent on various missions as also the professional competence of
the officers selected to perform duties as Observers, staff officers, Force Commanders and Military advisors. The
Indian armed forces personnel on UN missions are looked upon as individual ambassadors of the country and thus
contribute to enhancing the positive image of a progressive India in different parts of the world.
Deployments in UN missions have also helped the armed forces mainly the Army and Air Force to understand the
operating parameters in joint operations with the armed forces of other countries. Units of the Indian Army selected
and deployed for a year or more on UN peacekeeping missions have immensely benefited from not only honing
in their professional skills but in respecting international law, human rights and above all, upholding individual
freedom and rights.
I have briefly given an overview of UN peacekeeping operations and the Indian Army’s contribution towards
enhancing the nation’s trust in it, while being engaged in such operations worldwide, to this enthusiastic and
bright student body. I would be more than happy to field any question that you may have. Thank you and Jai Hind!
Speech of Mr. Maroof Raza, Consultant and Strategic Affairs Expert,
Times Now, at a Special Assembly held in GSIS on 18 September 2015
Mr. Maroof Raza addressing the students and staff
First, I am wondering what I am to actually speak, because I have been so rushed, I’ve not brought any notes along
but I have all my ‘gyan’ in my little phone, so I am going to refer to it once in a while for information, so that actually
I don’t quote anything wrong.
Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, Principal, Senior Vice Principal, the two Vice Principals here. Brigadier Suresh Kumar
has been, I mean like the Intelligence Bureau following my move for the last couple of days and today in this
10-hour-long journey has monitored every stop in every flight I boarded till I eventually reached here. Ladies
and gentlemen, students of Good Shepherd School, firstly let me say that I am impressed by what I’ve seen about
your school. I come from an old prestigious boarding school myself and we thought we had it all, but believe me
when I look at your school as this is, it looks as though this is some fine finishing school in the Alps and I think you
all to be very lucky that you have the privilege of studying in such a school. I am here essentially for two or three
engagements. Essentially, I was invited by Defence Services Staff College for a lecture which I have not been able
to find the time for, for the last almost 17 years. They’ve been trying, so I managed to come across and I think one
of the inspirations to come here was Brigadier Suresh, who has been keeping in touch with me constantly.
Well, anyway, let me get straight to the subject. It’s a very vast subject, it’s a vast canvas but I have been through it
once or twice, so I know roughly the milestones that I need to cover. Recently, actually in the month of April, I gave
the Annual Mayo College lecture, exactly on the same subject. But between April and now, some more things have
happened in the world, so the world is a rather dynamic place; constantly there are things happening. So what is
the world that we are looking at? Why are there so many tensions in the world? I think the first is, I always go back
into the sayings of the famous British Officer, Captain Sir Basil Liddell Hart. Some of you may know the famous
Israeli Commander in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. He was the Captain. Liddell Hart was able to sort of relate with
history and draw analogies from history, to be able to draw lessons from there and kind of suggest a way forward.
So it’s very important, as a student of history. I feel it is extremely important for us to be able to also look at history
and ensure that the lessons of history are not lost on us. What is the world we are looking at? Largely, this is the
year and right now at this point of time, world leaders are beginning to meet in the United Nations for the 70th
anniversary of the UN. It’s another subject. I have my reservations about the UN. I feel it’s the world’s most overrated debating society, it’s not achieved much except giving the privileged few, the five permanent members, the
right to veto anything that most likely will show them in embarrassing light. Beyond that the UN has often reacted
too little too late. But that’s another issue, but the world really began to change after World War II. So the first thing
was the establishment of the UN. With the establishment of the UN, there was a certain degree of optimism that
the world is going to be now be managed in a sensible way and interestingly, ladies and gentlemen, the primary
focus of the UN was to ensure peace and stability in the world, and peace and stability is something which sadly
has eluded a lot of us and a lot of societies. Why is that so? Because of a couple of reasons: one is the cold war
rivalries. Some of you may be familiar with the cold war. Classically Churchill who had a one line or a one sort of
a comment to define almost everything in the world and some of you might not know but Winston Churchill was
a Nobel Prize winner in Literature, by the way. He coined the term ‘The Iron Curtain.’ The Iron Curtain became the
divide between two parts of Europe, the Soviet Block and the Western Block which had largely military outfit that
became NATO. So therefore, there was this rivalry, the cold war rivalry. This rivalry spilled over the other parts of
the world – Africa, Asia, some parts of Latin America, and this rivalry set the contours for some of the conflicts that
are happening today. Because there was a withdrawal of colonial powers who had gone in. In the words of Paul
Kennedy, who wrote a famous book? If you have a chance, have a look at it. It is some 500-odd pages, it’s called
‘The Rise and Fall of Great Powers.’ His essential thesis was that big powers went on to occupy colonies and after a
while they went into something that we call strategic over-stretch, which meant that they were operating beyond
their means in places. The United States was a classic case and point that at the end of the cold war, one of the
places that began to withdraw its basis from was in Philippines and Japan, because it was going in for strategic
over-stretch and didn’t want to keep funding the security of other countries. Likewise, the biggest example of
strategic over-stretch leading to collapse was of the Soviet Union: that it went into this huge rivalry with the West
and it over-stretched itself that it economically collapsed and it had to pull back and eventually it led to a few other
things. One of them was Afghanistan, the beacon of the Soviet Union: when they came in with helicopter gunships
and tanks but went away without the Afghans having to even throw stones at them. So the Afghans got importance,
but more than the Afghans it was the Al-Qaeda and the patrons of Al-Qaeda, who Pakistanis felt that they had
caused the collapse of the Soviet Empire. But it was typically a delusionary approach to security that people often
adopt; the Soviets collapsed because of economic miscalculation.
The second thing that happened was of the Russians and the Soviets. The Russians now headed by Mr. Putin. I
think he is in his third term or whatever, third five-year term. He has done two four - five year terms and then he
had Medvedeven in between. He is back again and between the two they will keep playing, you know. What is that
game you play of chairs? Musical chairs. They’ll keep playing between them till both of them die, but those are the
guys who are going to run Russia for the next 10 – 15 years.
But what is Putin all about? I mean essentially. Please remember that he’s also, if you are familiar with James Bond
films, he’s the kind of guy who special agents were all about, right. He’s an Ex-KGB Agent, Lt. Col., black belt karate,
you know Marksman and a whole lot of other things. He wants to see a proud and strong Russia all over again. He
doesn’t want the world to murk at Russia. So he’s decided that he’s going to make Russia militarily strong again. So
in the collapse of the cold war race between the NATO block and the Soviet block were the seats that were shown
for the new set of rivalries that now exists between Russia and the Western world, primarily, the United States.
Russia has begun to adopt a whole lot of initiative including using a channel called RT which has something like 700
million viewers, I’m told, using social media, pumping money in everywhere to ensure that the Western approach
and the Western lifestyle, Western propaganda that threatens the Russia of today and its satellite countries
cannot continue. And the biggest example of that is two-fold. One is in the UK where you saw Russia walked in
and the troops removed their shoulder tags and their identification badges and the vehicles, covered up all the
numberings. So it was Russian troops but operating incognito and they walked in and they occupied and nobody
could do a damn thing. And this is what they intend to do now with a couple of other European countries who
don’t fall in on their objective. Now the European Union does not have the guts to stand up to them, because what
if Russia decides to politely say there is a technical fault with the gas pipelines which supplies most of Western
Europe’s gas, Western Europe is going in pieces. So there is that one dimension to the conflict. The second is the
building relation between Russia and China. Until now China was in the bulldogs as far as Geopolitics went but
China has done a couple of things. After the first Gulf War of 1990-91, they studied the technology that Americans
had used and they quietly decided to invest huge amounts of money and China has very deep pockets, ladies and
gentlemen. I mean, even after the collapse of the Shanghai Exchange and all that, China still has reserves running
into trillions. They really don’t know where to spend their money, so they spend it on defence, they spend it on
industrialization and they have started spending money in buying out every poor country. So nobody can dare
China’s writ in the next 5 – 10 years, whether in the UN or elsewhere. A sad fact about the UN, I’m sorry if I offend any
sentiments here, is that many countries that are represented in the UN are too poor and too small to afford offices
and apartments in New York. America pays their bills, America ensures they get free launching out there but here
America also ensures that they vote for America every time when there is a push by America either in the General
Assembly or in the Security Council. So the UN sadly, claims to represent that it is a democratic representation of
all Nation states in the world, but in the words of Boutros Ghali, it is a Democratic International Institution. Now
China has begun to do the same, so it has begun to buy out votes and the most classic example of late has been that
of China arm twisting tools those who drafted the new document that has put in place for the first time after 25
years of waffling by a whole lot of UN-based diplomats who feel diplomacy is about wearing silk ties and knowing
your wines. Those diplomats have now finally put together a document which seeks reform in the UN. But I’ll be
lucky if I see a reform in my lifetime, may be in yours, not certainly in Mr. Thomas’ lifetime. Because the UN is the
most slow moving International Organisation. Going back to China who is now buying out friends and it’s buying
out space. How does it buy out space? It buys out space by reclaiming Islands in the South China Sea and Pacific
where it is dumping so much of sand that Islands which only existed sometimes in satellite photography and not in
naked eye photography by the aircraft are suddenly islands with airstrips. And those airstrips are all airstrips that
China is making for the next big World War. Is there going to be a World War? If China decides to push the card,
there will certainly be the regional major conflicts. When? In the next 10 to 15 years and that, is the analysis of the
world. One, a Chinese – Japanese standoff over territory because China wants to give it back to Japan for what its
experience was with the Japanese-occupying troops in World War II. And as you know, recently Beijing had this big
military parade and amongst world leaders, the only major world leader that had attended it was nobody else but
Vladimir Putin, because China has signed a 400 billion dollar deal with the Russians to buy gas from Russia for the
next 30 years, so Russia, when it switches off the pipeline for Western Europe, will still get money pouring in from
China, because China needs Russian gas more than perhaps Europe does; although Europe would like to believe it
needs more. China needs it for growth, Europe needs it for lifestyle and Russia is going to go to who pays Russia
more and who doesn’t obstruct Russia’s agenda either in East Europe or in Southern Europe or even in Iran and
Syria where Russia is backing the forces that the West is opposed to. So, you’re having a grim situation evolving
in the world that for many years after the Cold War, people like Francis Fukuyama, who wrote books like ‘The End
of History and the Last Man’ and which is about the end of Cold War and after which the world was going to be a
completely new place run by Western Liberal Democratic norms with America in the lead. Francis Fukuyama has
now come up with another book which is apologetic and is trying to justify his earlier thesis which is completely
fallen flat on his face because the world is not run by America anymore. In fact, America has had in the post-Cold
War world, just like it had in the pre-Cold War world, a major reverse in Vietnam. It has had two more reverses now
in Afghanistan and in Iraq. So America is now wary of putting its boots on the ground against the big enemy. I am
going to now talk about, the Islamic State, which is in many ways a creation of America and its flung keys including
Saudi Arabia and Qatar. But I am going to come to that bit later. So you have China which is doing muscle flexing.
Where is China going to fight? In all probabilities in 3 areas. One against Japan, because it has a historical baggage
encrust again Japan, so therefore I say, you need to understand History, to understand the present context. The
second area is the entire South China Sea which is a hub of minerals, fishing resources and a lot of energy and oil
that China says, belongs to China. Whom does it belong to? Because documents written sometime in 200 B.C. in
Chinese books when other countries didn’t exist say so. So China selected using history to justify its documents
when it needs it, but it ignores the same historical documents when China is in an embarrassing position whether
it was in India or its territorial dispute signed in Shimla in 1914 with China and its representative government at
that time agreed that the water shed line which divides India-China border, the McMahon line, would be the divide
between India and Pakistan, but China says, “sorry that government was not ours, we didn’t represented.” We are
talking of the current government which came into being in 1949. But the current government which came into
being in 1949 certainly did not write documents in 223 B.C., which defined the South China Sea as part of Chinese.
So it is willing to go to war with everybody in the South China area which is the Asian country Philippines, Vietnam
and a few others put together, and the United States is watching very closely, so there is a conflict likely to develop
there.
And the third very likely conflict between China and India is a major possibility. When will it happen? It will happen
perhaps at the time of China’s choosing. Why? Because China has worked out that while a war with Japan and the
United States will put Chinese economy back by 5 years, a conflict with India would put it back by six months. Are
we prepared? Pretty much so, but a conflict is a conflict and its over effects on India, its economy, its security, its
stability and a whole lot of other things. So you have the rise of China, which is now threatening everybody in Asia
one way or the other and China’s biggest prodigy which is other than North Korea, is Pakistan. I am going to come to
Pakistan a bit later because that needs a little more elaboration. So, so far we have looked at post cold war rivalries,
the emergence of Russia, Russia wanting to challenge the West. Russia is spending some 300 billion dollars a year
for military modernization. Just to give you a reality check, 300 billion dollars a year over the next decade is twice
that India plans to spend for the next decade or two for military modernization. So Russia is going two times ahead
of what India is planning to put together in terms of a whole lot of weapon systems which is going to give those
people to countries in Europe and the United States. Can Russia be counted? Can Russia be stopped? Only one way:
if oil prices are kept low because Russia’s entire budgetary calculation is based on the sale of oil at 100$ a barrel.
Americans are nudging the Saudis to keep pumping more oil into the market and keep the price of oil below $50
so that Russia’s entire financial calculation goes wrong. We are benefitting from that because oil is cheaper. It’s
another matter that the oil cartel in India who is always happy to please us all is still not bringing down the prices
effectively to the level that it should be brought down to, to make the common man benefit. But the reality is the
oil prices between the last 18 months or so have brought to almost half of what they were. The biggest impact of
that has been on Russia; the second biggest impact of that would be on Iran which had calculated to return into
the world stage with an oil pricing of $80 to $100 a barrel so that Iran could then reorient its economy and jump
back. It is also done to stop the shale gas revolution. Some of you may have heard of it, some of you haven’t. Shale
gas is a new gas that has been discovered by the cracking of the earth. You use a lot of water which is excess water
after urbanization, that you use to put pressure with water pressure on earth and crack the surface of the earth to
get the gas out and the country that created this is Japan. The greatest beneficiary of shale gas is good old United
States. So in some way, it is that some of you may know, has already been holding one of the largest reserves of
the oil in the world but it is also now sitting on the second source of energy which is equally large, the shale gas.
So the US economy is going to kick start again in another two years in a way that we had seen the Americans boom
in the 80s. This is the second boom that’s going to happen after the Cold War. So America is going to be flushed
with funds but where does America want to put its money into, Conflicts or Development? My guess would be into
developments. So the conflicts, many of them are created because of American medley, but we will be left to sort
out the mess it has created.
Now where are we in this whole equation? What are the challenges that immediately affect us? I am talking about
of big power rivalries and I’ve explained that to you. The next set of challenges that really affect us is from the
Islamic State and the proxies of Pakistan. The Islamic State, a bit of a brief, where did the Islamic State come
from? What is it all about? See, the Islamic State, is really in a way of follow up of Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda is still
the ideological champion for many hard-line Muslims between Pakistan and Morocco. But Al-Qaeda is more of a
hydra-headed monster which now doesn’t have the physical capacity to influence the West. And as you’ve seen, AlQaeda’s current leader Zawahiri is hardly seen, hardly heard. So you have other Al-Qaeda proxies that area menace.
In the Arab world you have Mr. Baghdadi, who’s declared himself a Caliph and next door you have Hafiz Saeed,
who also wants to become a Caliph himself. Therefore, there is going to be a clash between those going to occupy
this space and the most likely battle ground for that clash is not going to be India, ladies and gentlemen, it will be
Afghanistan. O.K., because, that is an area where they get a chance to fight it out without other armies stalling their
whole process. We have already begun to see ISIS black flags in Afghanistan. And ISIS, in a documentation which
inspires the ISIS, talks about a kingdom which runs westwards from Khorasan. Where is Khorasan? Khorasan, is the
northern tip of Pakistan – Afghanistan, and West of that is, all the dark spots of the world and all the locations that
you need not waste your time considering diplomatic initiatives. Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Turkish conflicts with
the Kurds with parts of Central Asia also getting sucked into this whole thing. So that’s becoming the troublesome
present for the world. Now there are three reasons which have led to the ISIS becoming such sort of imaginative
pull for many people in the Arab world. One was the repressive Arab regime in the Arab countries which promised
democratic reforms but never gave it to the people. So, many people in the Arab world could not rebel against
their own local police but they went into places where it was poorly policed, loosely governed, a landmass the size
of Britain which is under the Islamic State. Earlier it was called ISIS, but now it is being referred to as IS. Islamic
State. It has got its recruiting batch. Some of you might be interested to know that Saudi Arabians have 93%
votes in favour of ISIS and its activities and philosophy. As Turkey has shown about 60% and more than 50% a
popularity for ISIS as the way for the Arab world which is also seen in many other countries. So it’s a very dangerous
phenomenon, but is it going to reach us; I’ll come a little bit later to that. But what is ISIS? The ISIS came out of the
American presence in Iraq. It was these guys who were put into prison because America went into Iraq thinking as George Bush announced on the deck of an aircraft carrier - that the war is over, but the war really began there
then and the Americans went thinking that you know we are going to take part, but they walked out now from Iraq.
Quite literally, the same thing had been done to them and the same was repeated in Afghanistan and in between,
when Iraq went out of hand but when Afghanistan was being stabilized, the Americans shifted their forces into Iraq
and lost control of Afghanistan. So six years of effort in Afghanistan went down the drain and three years later they
came back to try and put Afghanistan back in order and Afghanistan ten years later, when Americans were pulling
out, the report card shows the same as it was when they moved in. I have asked many American political scientists,
what did you achieve from 660 billion dollars and 4000 odd American lives lost in Afghanistan? May be one-tenth
of that money if given to Pakistan Generals, would have enabled them to send a collection of Army and brought
Taliban and taken over Afghanistan and stabilized it and they would have been happy to have the champagne and
the rest of the money. You wouldn’t have lost anything but you know Americans always learn the lesson much later
as history has shown and they refused to learn from Britain and France and the others, who are the countries who
have huge experience in dealing with insurgency.
Since the Second World War, the world has seen maximum conflicts, more than 80% of civil war and insurgency
type, so there has been a lot of peacekeeping operations. The last figures I have is 124000 peacekeepers in the
world, everywhere in the world and missions are increasing. Anyway, having said that, ISIS came out of the prisons
where these guys established the connections between them. When they came out, some of them had the numbers
of their friends written on their underpants. They called them when they came out and got in touch with them
and created this little movement which eventually got further push by a combined funding of the Saudis and the
Qataris who wanted Bashar al-Assad in Syria to be toppled by a Sunni proxy. As the Hisbul of Iran which is a Shia
proxy. And this must be driving you crazy with all the facts and figures I am giving you, but I am just sort of open
you up to what all is happening in the world. It is a very complicated place and you have to constantly have your
nose to the ground to understand who is up to what.
So very often in my TV debate, when I am asked questions by the way all those debates are impromptu though
and one doesn’t get time to prepare for them. So you have to constantly keep preparing and you don’t know
what questions are going to be asked. So you have to be pretty much up to your subject, any of you interested
in doing that kind of job should constantly be reading and understanding. I am just trying to open your eyes out
to what’s happening in the world. The ISIS today is seeking on financial reserves close to half a billion dollars
which they picked up from banks. When the Iraqi Army ran away because the then Iraqi Prime Minister, a person
called Al-Maliki have done away with military commanders who he thought were potential coup makers and who
would topple him. So the Iraqi army was equipped with fancy American helicopters and tanks but didn’t have an
officer core worth the name to lead and if you don’t have a leader, you’ll be a bunch of sheep which is what the
Iraqi army had and they ran helter-skelter leaving helicopters, leaving gunships, leaving tanks and leaving half a
billion dollars in banks. So the ISIS arranged a military recruitment, money and territory and they created state for
themselves. By the way they are also selling a lot of oil from captured oil wells, so their daily range of earnings is
one to two million dollars from oil sales. But they are now under lot of pressure to expand but they are unable to
do so. So now what they are doing is using social media as a tour to reach out to people and create little provinces
all over the world. And these provinces can stretch as far away as Indonesia and could stretch up to Birmingham in
London.
The ISIS is a completely new phenomena for intelligence experts. How to deal with them and what they are
achieving is not through another 9/11 type attack on twin Trade Towers, they are looking at lone wolf attackers
which is one guy suddenly walking into a coffee shop where 20 young people are having a good time, pulling out
a Kalashnikov rifle and killing all 20. That has equal impact on television and social media as would anything else.
So they are resorting to doing this and this lone wolf, you might read Frederick Forsyth’s novel ‘The Preacher’ and
that’s precisely what it talks about how the Preacher is getting across to people through social media network. So
the ISIS is looking at that. Now why is the ISIS eyeing India. The ISIS is eyeing India or the Islamic state is eyeing
India, which has the second or third largest Muslim population in the world where they have not been able to
create sufficient damage. India has not till date had more than 20 confessed ISIS sympathizers which is a huge
achievement for a country of our size when Muslim population in India could be anything between 140 to 170
million. Whatever Pakistan says is irrelevant but that’s the reality. So the fact of the matter is that in that kind of
population basis, they are not able to reach out. There are certain things that the Government is doing right but it
needs to do more and all of you also need to understand that those who have taken the ISIS path and gone in for
social media propaganda have more often taken the no return back resolution.
Finally Pakistan, I’m going a little over the allotted time for me and we will have a little less time for interaction, but
I need to explain it’s not easy to put it all in half an hour. So I’m trying to sort or keeping it in 40 minutes. Pakistan is
going to be a problem for us forever. If any of you think that we have gone to sort it out with the Lahore declaration,
you are as foolish as Manmohan Singh or Nawaz Sharif and even Mr. Modi because I’ve been talking to some of
his Advisors and they seem to have a really rosy picture that you can actually prop up a civilian government in
Pakistan and finally start talking to them. The men in Khaki, by the way the Pakistan Army wears Khaki not olive
green like ours. So the men in Khaki who run Pakistan finally decide which way Pakistan will bend as for the wind
from India comes and they are not willing to bend, so that’s one. The second thing is that we are going to have
three threats from Pakistan. One is the regular military threat where they need to keep buying toys for their boys
so that they can keep their army happy with aircrafts, tanks and much bazookas and whole lot of other fancy stuff
missiles and whole lot of stuff. But how can you counter it, we have the mind. People don’t talk about it. But we
are an IT super power. If we apply our brain to setting up satellites in Space and giving them coordinates through
satellite technology, you can disorient large parts of Pakistani forces who decide to attack India. So while they’ll be
launching tanks towards Punjab, those guys will end up in Gujarat. Why? Because, the satellite is going to disorient
the navigation system. And it will look as though they are going into Punjab when they suddenly find themselves
in Gujarat. So the fact of the matter is that you will have to go beyond the conventional to deal the convention.
What do you do with other elements in Pakistan which is their proxies and Hafiz Saeed may bet subjects and keep
it for the end.
The other proxies like Dawood, like Khalistan forces, like various other elements who are dischanted elements
of Indian society, what are they going to be doing? Pakistan will fund them, support them, keep them going in
the hope that India becomes equally unstable like Pakistan. But the problem with India is, we are unfortunately
saddled with bully headed idealism of the Nehru’s and that idealism says that you know there are certain rules that
you do not break. I just wrote a piece two or three weeks ago in the open magazine about the 1965 War of which
we are now celebrating the 50th Anniversary and I called it the last gentlemen’s war because after that conflict
between India and Pakistan we are not going to follow rules, mostly by Pakistan but even to some extent by us. So
conflicts now have become a messy business where civilians are involved, where electronic agencies are involved,
industries going to be targeted, society is going to be targeted, so we are looking at that kind of scenario and for
Pakistan they are trying to adopt a strategy by using two sets of proxies. One is the dissolution elements within
India and their perpetrators where residing in Pakistan like Dawood who lives in Clifton of Karachi, the Khalistan
activist Syed Salahudeen who is the so called leader of the Kashmiri group but he is another sort of peculiar role
model they have got for the Kashmiri Mujahideen. So they have got these guys who are constantly being shown
to the world that this is a force ready to take over India. If India begins to fall apart just like their administration in
the so called POK of Azad Kashmir area has never been regularized in the Pakistani administrative machine and in
the constitution as per the 1949 agreement signed by Ministry of Kashmir Affairs. And that Ministry of Kashmir
Affairs is really what runs this whole body which is the other Kashmir but is not really Kashmir, whereas Kashmir
is the valley which is with us but the others the Muzaffarabad, the Mirpuris and the Azad Kashmiris they all call
themselves Kashmiris and Pakistan has kept the Government there ready in the hope that the day Kashmir votes
for India, these people will march in and say their namaz in Jamia Masjid in Srinagar and take over Kashmir. It is not
going to happen.
But anyway that’s another hope on which Pakistan lives and then you have the now big monster you are dealing
with Hafiz Saeed. Hafiz Saeed has moved into various roles at various times in history. He initially was a Professor
of Engineering, and then he went to Saudi Arabia which is the hot bed of whole lot of right wings, Sufis, Sunni
hard line views and that is where he started to set up the Jamaat-ud-Dawah, the charitable wing of the Lashkare-Taiba which was the militant wing. So Hafiz Saeed has now become the godfather of all forsaken people on
the border in Pakistan. His organization has more than 140 schools called Al-Dawah Schools. They have even got
number of hospitals; they give scholarships to people; they are setting up a cancer hospital; they collect money
from all sorts; millions of dollars are collected. People like Naveed who was caught recently, you might have seen
on television in the Udhampur area, these kind of guys are all picked up, recruited, brainwashed and thrown in to
India. His thesis to the Pakistan army was you don’t need to fight India, I’ll fight India for you. Why do you want to
do it ? They say it’s just two things. Every time these guys waste sitting in the village having drinks or some kind
of a drug. The soldiers pick them up and tell them that they will make them martyrs, their photographs will come
up in the village, their parents will get a pension for the rest of their lives and if they come back from Kashmir and
killed a few Indian soldiers, they will give them promotion. So look at the rosy picture he has painted for a guy
who’s until yesterday stoned to death or sitting in the corner of his village shop. Because he’s picked him up and
recruited him, he’s getting thousands like that. So that Pakistan Army decided to beat India by using a 1000 guys
without fighting a battle and Hafiz Saeed is an instrument of that. So ladies and gentlemen, I can go on and on but I
have taken about 40 odd minutes and I tried to give you from European rivalry, oil prices, China, ISIS, terrorism and
finally the inability of western organizations now to fathom who they should go after – Al-Qaeda or the lone wolf,
or the ISIS, or the social media preachers or the radicalized elements in their own society who are in large numbers.
The British GCHQ has admitted that they can’t monitor more than 3000 cases. And I tell you one thing, there are
more than 300000 who are actually waiting to get launched into some kind of the jihadi battle and probably go
to heaven after having done their wait. So the numbers are unmanageable and the world is not going to be a very
happy place for us to grow up, as you grow up. Sorry for the bad news, ladies and gentlemen, but I am happy to
answer questions.
Speech of Dr. Graham Ranger, Director of School Support & Evaluation,
Council of International Schools (CIS), during the Closing Ceremony of the
Good Shepherd Model United Nations held at GSIS on 19 September 2015
Good evening, everybody! First of all let me thank Dr. and Mrs. Thomas for their generosity in inviting me and my
wife, Ann, to the proceedings for a special day today, and also the Board of Governors for giving me some time
and for the hospitality here in Good Shepherd International School. Having listened to some of the Heads and
Dr. Graham Ranger addressing the GSMUN delegates
Co-Heads and the Secretary General, congratulations on your achievements in the past few days and also for the
research and preparation done for this assembly. Also congratulations on making those speeches witty, incisive
and informative, and for keeping everybody awake. You sustained the applause throughout the evening so far. I’ll
say a little bit about myself before going into the heart of the few points that I want to make this evening.
First of all, I came to Ooty as an 18-year old student straight out of school and in those days most people went
straight from school to university or if I took a year out, it wasn’t carried out with as much purpose as many gap
years are carried out today. Today, I think, most students, if they concentrate a year before going to university,
take valuable internships, or take up opportunities that wouldn’t present themselves after they become graduates
from universities. In those days, I worked for a few months and travelled over to India. I went on my own and I used
public transport. It was a safer world those days to travel through Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and down to Amritsar
in the north of India. Then I got a job in the Indian Railways working with tourists, taking them around India. At 18
years I was not very handy to anyone. For 1 month at that time, we had a choice: some of the tourists went to Sri
Lanka, some went to the South of India, when some had the opportunity to come to Ooty. I chose to come to Ooty
with some of those tourists and it was my first experience here, that was in 1977, a long time ago.
I came back a couple of times and I came back with my wife on the occasion of India’s 50th Independence Day
celebrations, independence from the British colonial rule. Here again, I am in Ooty and it’s a special occasion. This
is my first visit to the Good Shepherd School. My work is very privileged, I work with 111 countries. Until a couple
of weeks ago, it was 110 and then we had a new member joining CIS, the Council of International Schools, the
International School of Reykjavik in Iceland. That became our 111th country. So this is my first time to the Good
Shepherd School and as Dr. Thomas mentioned in the beginning, he was very patient and persistent in inviting me
to join you here. This is most definitely the most memorable visit to Ooty and the reason why it is so memorable
is because of the community you have here at the Good Shepherd because to see your school is a privilege for
someone working in education. You have a very special community here and I hope you treasure it and value it and
when you graduate from it, remember it and keep it with you as it has been formative in your life.
As Director of School Support & Evaluation at the Council of International Schools (CIS), I have the privilege of
seeing many leading but diverse international education settings, and I am often asked “what makes a good
school?” Well, is it the quality of the accommodation, the campus, is it the location, the faculty and staff, the
leadership and governance or is it the students and families which comprise the community? I would say that all of
these contribute to the quality but, in my view, it is the human qualities that make more difference to a school than
its fabric. There are many good schools with poor accommodation, and many mediocre ones with fine facilities.
Let’s consider what CIS said about Good Shepherd when we accredited the school in late 2012, when the school’s
strengths were seen as:
• the development and implementation of Guiding Statements which provide a clear direction for the school
community
• the development of extensive educational and financial short and long-term plans which support the
school’s Vision, Mission and Objectives and helps to ensure the health and viability of the GSIS community
into the foreseeable future
• the adoption by the teachers of new teaching strategies and innovations that encourage a variety of activities
take place in lessons, and help cater to various learning styles
• the provision of excellent complementary programmes for the students that fulfill the goals of the school’s
mission
• the clear alignment of the curriculum documentation and academic policies and
• the high expectations of students’ effort and behaviour that contribute to an impressive tone throughout the
school
Is this the school that you know? I suggest that, although these may be some of the features of GSIS, there is
something more, something less tangible, a chemistry that makes this school something very special.
I want to focus on three things about United Nations:
1. Why the UN and MUN matter
2. Your school and its Mission to develop global citizens
3. What you can do as an individual
First, let’s turn to one of the issues you have been discussing in many committees over the past days: as Rabbi
Jonathan Sacks has reminded us recently in The Guardian, we would have to be “less than human” not to have been
moved by the refugee crisis that exists today. But what is it that moves us: the 71 bodies found in an abandoned
lorry in Austria, the 200 people drowned off the coast of Libya when their boat capsized? Of most impact perhaps
was the media’s portrayal of 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi’s body, washed up on a beach in Turkey. It says something about
the media but, more profoundly, it says something disturbing about us. This is the most significant humanitarian
crisis that has faced us for decades: a challenge for the UN, for us and for humanity. Clearly, debating the issue is
not enough, but the power of the MUN is that by debating the issue, we develop an understanding and a propensity
to act as citizens of the world. We are reminded that the Chinese ideogram for crisis is the same as the one for
opportunity. We have a great opportunity to learn from history. Most of our principles governing refugees and
displaced people were laid down after the Second World War, including the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
However, before that war, in 1938 at the French spa town of Evian, we saw a moment in history that is salutary.
Representatives of 32 countries gathered to discuss what they saw as a pending humanitarian crisis. Yet, there was
no concerted action, countries did not open their doors, and the tragedy of the Jewish holocaust followed.
We have another opportunity and an opportunity to learn from history, to welcome Syria’s 4 million refugees, the
single largest refugee crisis since World War II. Ben Okri, the great Nigerian writer and poet talks of the value of
education. However, he reminds us that we need to put our own house in order first. There is no point in teaching
students or our future sons and daughters about global citizenship if we cannot address the human-made issues
that face us. Whilst corruption is endemic and we are content, for example, to live alongside slum settlements,
we are perpetuating stories about our inability to deal with poverty and inequality. “Without education, the
possibilities of a people are forever obscured.”
The solution is in our hands. MUN is important because it is educational, and education is centered on the world
of developing global citizenship. Such citizenship is about ethics, leadership, service, embracing diversity,
communication and sustainable development, the qualities evident in the Mission and in the practices of Good
Shepherd International School. As the Secretary-General said, in his call to action, “Get up, rise and just do it.”
Think about it first, however, and not only love your neighbour, because that may be easy, but love the stranger,
because we are all strangers sometimes. Thank you very much.
I will have a short presentation as Dr. Thomas mentioned earlier. When your school was accredited by the Council
of International Schools, no one from my organization was able to be here to present the award personally to the
school. It disappointed us greatly. Since that time, a few years ago now, CIS has got a new look, a new brand and has
got into social media, had a big time and has become a new visual identity. If we can unravel that bubble wrap, it
will be great. This plaque of this size is for the hall or entrance lobby to the school. This is the first and only one in
the world that was made. It has been made for your community. Accreditation – a school accredited means others
can trust it. Accreditation literally means trust. It means parents, your families, future families, when they come
to the school, they will be able to trust the quality of what you do. I would like to invite the Chair of the Board of
Governors to come forward and receive this on behalf of the CIS.
Speech of Mahatria Ra on ‘Infinitheism’ at a Special Assembly
held in GSIS on 22 September 2015
Mahatria Ra addressing the students and staff
Happy morning! I changed to ‘happy morning’ from ‘good morning’ about ten years ago, because we have been
saying ‘good morning’ for several centuries and right now people don't even respond to good morning anymore.
You tell them ‘good morning,’ they mechanically keep walking, or even if they reply to you, they tell you morning,
morning. Morning, I'm aware, but I want to wish you good morning. Wishes are words put in vibrations. The
whole concept of wishes of telling people all the best, happy birthday, wish you a great life, good morning, good
afternoon, good day is when a beautiful heart expresses words with the right intention. Wishes are words put in
vibrations. So you need to wish and you need to reciprocate. So I just want to check that the mike is working and I
will know the mike is working only if I get a response. Happy morning! Okay, the mike is working for 25 percent of
you. I couldn’t have asked for doing anything better this morning than being with you. I studied in an extraordinary
school. From my LKG to 5th standard, I studied in a school called Christ King Convent where the entire school was
smaller than this auditorium. So I knew about my teachers, not much about the school. From there I went to Madras
Christian College Higher Secondary School and I used to have this pride till this morning that I had studied in the
greatest campus in India. But, as I stand here, I feel humble. I think I have to concede that you guys are studying
in the greatest campus in India. I want you to stop thinking that I am delivering a speech. I have come here to love
you. I always tell people my speeches by writing my tweets every morning. Everything is nothing but my love for
the world expressed in various forms. I have been privileged to learn very early in life that you don't have to know
a person to love a person. You need to know a person to relate to a person, but you don't have to know the person
to love the person. So I am just standing here, with no fixed agenda, but as I sat in the car I told Gopal who has been
coordinating this entire thing that when I see 45 minutes in the agenda I feel like a lion, which was wandering in
the Serengeti that has been put inside a cage. I want to say so much to you and how will I say it in 45 minutes? Now
he has given me a license. Go on. I may miss the flight and I will continue, okay.
Why I am happy for all of you is I wake up every morning and my first thought of the day is gratitude… always. The
moment a wake-up call rings and I’m about to open my eyes, my first thought - I have disciplined myself in such a
way is one of gratitude. And today, my first expression of gratitude was to all your parents who ensured that you
could study in a school, probably they could not even dream of. I know that all your parents desired the best for you,
and it may be within their means and in some of your cases beyond their means they chose to stretch themselves
and ensure that you will be a product of one of the best educational institutions in the country and probably in the
world. So I felt immensely grateful. I don't even know you so definitely, not your parents but I began the morning by
saying thank you to all your parents whose heart keeps beating every day to ensure that their children will receive a
life far greater than they could have ever dreamt of. Then I expressed my gratitude to God to ensure that you are all
studying at this time. I studied in Madras Christian college Higher Secondary School and it was a school with a fullfledged football ground, full-fledged cricket ground, tennis courts, classrooms which all had those 15-feet ceiling,
some of the best teachers who chose to teach. They could have been in any other profession but they chose to be
teachers. But the school was conceived by a visionary 175 years ago, so I didn’t know who the visionary was. I was
enjoying the benefit of a visionary but I could not live with that visionary. Every time I enjoy the independence of
India. So many times I wondered what it would have been for people to walk along with Mahatma Gandhi. I’m only
getting to read and that itself is sometimes a hair-raising experience. What it should have been for people who
actually lived and walked with Mahatma Gandhi! There are times when I’ve read verses from the Bible and I’ve sat
there with tears in my eyes and I wondered what it should have been for the apostles who have walked with him. If
reading and just connecting to Christ can be such a fulfilling experience, what it should have been for people who
walked with him! So many times I wondered I wish I was the Vivekananda for Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. What it
should have been… not because I could propagate the message to the world but what it should have been to know
that I was able to represent one of the deepest wisdoms that was available at those times. Not everybody gets the
privilege…. to walk and live along with a visionary. Even 100 years from now this Good Shepherd will continue to
grow and may be considered as one of the premium institutions in India. People from across the world will come
and want to study here and the campus will span across the mountains and the valleys here but all the children
will read about a visionary who conceived this and made it true. You all have one privilege that they would never
have. You walked with him during his time. You saw him during your time. And I really think all of you should be
so grateful to know that you lived along with him and you studied during his time and experienced a visionary in
your lifetime who could conceive an idea and show what the power of human potential behind an idea is to turn
that idea into reality. So can we together give a moment of our appreciation to the family and especially to him for
making this a reality? Can we do it together, please? Thank you.
Now I want to share a couple of experiences from my life and then I will come to what I want to speak to you. Till
9th standard, no teacher of mine ever knew me by my name. I was just a roll number in my school. In fact they just
used to call me third row, second person get up. They didn’t even know my name. I’d never won a prize, I’d never
won an award. I’d never had a recognition. I'd never shaken hands with the Headmaster and never got punished
also. I was neither brilliant nor notorious. You’ve to be one of the two to meet the Principal. If you are in between,
you are always ignored. I was in between. Neither was I too good, nor too bad. I just existed filling one more chair
in the class. But, I had one talent. I could observe people and imitate them. If I interact with you for 10 minutes, I
can talk like you. Because I travelled for about 2 hours with Mr. Suresh yesterday, I can smile exactly like Suresh
today if I want to.
That one ability I have. So around the school canteen, I was imitating some of the teachers to a bunch of my
schoolmates and they were enjoying it. From the staffroom I heard a noise, ‘Oye.’ I turned in the direction and
the noise came from my then class teacher Mr. H Venugopal Rao. I studied at a time when we didn't have to pray
to be punished. They punished liberally. You are all praying for punishment. If I make a mistake Lord, let my
teachers punish me and let me take it as it’s for my good. No, no prayer was required and I studied at a time when
we couldn’t file a case against the school for beating you. The teachers used to take the frustration they could
not show to their wives on the students. We used to be caned and it’s a traumatic experience because only the
Assistant Headmasters of the school had the cane. So whenever the teacher wants to beat you, they will tell you,
“Go to the Assistant Headmaster’s room and get the cane.” You know you are going to get the cane to be beaten.
Imagine this whole walk up to Assistant Headmaster’s room to collect the cane and imagine going and telling
the Assistant Headmaster, you’ve to follow all the formalities. “Good Morning, Sir. Yes… I want the cane.” And he
knows you are going to be beaten. What voluntary service! And then you’ve to go and give it to the teacher and
volunteer and depending on from what height. H. Venugopal Rao was a short teacher. From here he used to beat.
We had teachers like Saundarajan who used to bring the cane from there and beat, and studying in a boys’ school
was always difficult because if you cry, they used to call you a girl. Everything inside used to cry and H. Venugopal
Rao was a doctorate in beating. He was very famous. To put it in Tamil and then I’ll repeat it in English because I
know not all of you will know Tamil. My classmates told me ‘chathada nee.’ They said, “You are dead” and I went
and stood in front of H. Venugopal Rao in the 9th standard staffroom. My legs were trembling… and he said, what
a talent. I didn’t know imitating teachers was a talent. And he made a statement. Talent must be showcased from
where it will be watched, not next to a canteen? A thought very deep inside me – ‘talent must be showcased where
it will be watched and not next to a canteen.’ By being a bathroom singer nobody is going to recognise you, by
being humorous only with your classmates nobody's going to recognize you. By just being good at writing personal
e-mails your writing skills are never going to be recognized. When you argue with your friends, it’s a capability….
when you take it up to performance it’s called a debate. In fact, very early Mr. H. Venugopal Rao sowed the seed into
me the idea that talents’ willingness to be judged becomes performance. Most of you talented people will never
become performers in life because you do not want to be judged. Inside your comfort zone along with the rest of
your friends where you are sure they will not judge you and you’ll feel rejected you would not mind displaying
your talents, but for a school day function, but for an event when the class teacher is asking you, “Which one of
you would like to take part in this competition?” You will not raise your hands. “Which one of you want to take part
in leading the sports day function?” You will not raise your hands. And sometimes even when you want to raise,
your benchmate traitor will hold your hand back. Hey, don’t go for all these. Then every evening you’ve to go for
practice. But, very early I learned, talent’s willingness to be judged. It’s okay if I’m going to be rejected. It’s okay
if I’m going to be appreciated. It’s okay. There’s not a single person here who does not know to talk… and a few
students alone would be recognized as outstanding public speakers. It’s not that the rest of you do not know to
speak but you have never allowed yourself to be judged. See, when you stand in front of public eyes, you’ll always
be judged.
There is nobody who does not judge my hairstyle. In fact, I get extra security check everywhere. When I come in this
pyjama kurta with band and all this reception I look like one of those divine representations. When I wear my jeans
and t shirt I look like the Taliban. The toughest thing for me is every trip of mine to America, there is extra security
check… Sir, you’ve to come inside that room.. Upto my underwear everything is checked. My children do not like to
take me to functions. Appa, everywhere they discuss only your hair, but this is my brand identity, I get recognized
from behind. People come and ask, “You must be Mahatria.” How? “From your hairstyle I could identify.” But I’m
okay to be judged. This world will keep judging. And judging people will remain spectators judging and those
who are willing to allow themselves to be judged, move on with their lives. You can either be one in the crowd
or you can be one above the crowd. The simple difference between the two is that talent must be showcased.
Accidentally, the turning point came to me in my 9th standard in a chool day function. September 5th was there
around the corner. They asked me to perform, and I knew that the Headmaster was going to be there. In fact, all
my classmates came and said that in fact some of these teachers must be exposed through your performance.
“Whatever the Headmaster does not know about them, exaggerate your performance and expose those teachers
to Headmaster.” And overnight everybody in the school including the Headmaster knew me. Ever since I have not
missed an opportunity to take the center stage. Whether it’s a photograph that is being taken, whether it is sitting
in the audience or delivering a speech I ,want you to believe, somebody who had not won a single prize, a single
medal, a single certificate till his 9th standard, one day recognized that he has talent that can be showcased and
ever since I owned the center stage of life. I want some of you sitting here who right now probably think that you
also can. I want you to believe that you belong to the centre stage, you own the centre stage and you’ll turn your
life around from here onwards and one day the center stage will belong to you. It was such a big turning point in
my life. Keep this one incident.
I’m going to give you a few incidents and then go to my talk. The second incident. I come from a very very poor
family. My father never earned more than 300 rupees. We were in loan and we were in debt and when I was
there in my second year of college itself I had to take up a job and go. When I was still doing my graduation in
the 2nd year and I was barely eighteen and a half, still studying in Chennai I got a job to go to Pune and teach
computer programming, explained my predicament to the Principal of the college and they decided to waive off my
attendance and they said that I could just come and write the semester exams and we’ll waive off the attendance
for you. So, I used to work in Pune and come to Chennai to write my semester exams and I used to go back. I was
eighteen and a half. You have to know I was eighteen and a half and listen to the next couple of minutes, otherwise
you will not appreciate what I’m going say. Whilst I was teaching computer programming, in that class of students
there was a very beautiful Anglo- Indian girl. Earlier I used to tell her name but those days Facebook was not there.
Now any name I tell, you guys will trace the name and find out who it is so I conceal the name. Somehow I wanted
to touch her once. I was eighteen and a half, know the background. It’s still an age, I was still in the second year of
college but being a teacher, gave me an excuse to touch her. So I went, I had written something on the board, and
those days we didn’t have smart boards and white boards. We used to have this black board and chalk and one
of the greatest pride for a student during those days is that your class teacher will give you the duster and dust it
outside and come back. That means that you are very special. I don't know what is it with you guys, for me some
of my unforgettable moments in my school is when the teacher will call you and ask you to carry the notebooks to
the staffroom. You feel very special to the teacher, being a servant to the teacher was considered a privilege during
my times. I don't know what it is today. Occasionally if a teacher throws his arms around our shoulders and walk, I
used to walk without moving because I never wanted the teacher to take away that hand off me, I wanted him and I
used to feel very special about it. I’ll go and tell my parents, you know what happened? Today, Mr. Rufus Jaykumar
had his hands around my shoulders. It was all considered great times during those times. So, I had written on the
black board everything that I had to write and I know this girl was only copying what I had written, but I simply
went and sat next to her and lifted her hand and asked her what she was writing, just an excuse to touch her. Right
at the moment, my Branch Manager Mr. Peter Christian was standing there. He had no business to be there. We had
given him a Branch Manager’s cabin and he was supposed to sit there. I’m sure all of you go through this: a noisy
class suddenly becomes meditative when the Principal is walking through the corridor and you always wonder
why he keeps walking. You’ve given him a room and he should sit there. Okay….. And typically I'm sure some of
you have heard him come. The Branch Manager said, “See me in my room” and he went. The entire distance from
my classroom, where I was teaching, to my Branch Manager’s room, was only from here to this stair case, but in
this distance I had infinite thoughts running in my head. How I am going to defend myself now, and lies come at
the speed of light. So I had so many lies. My best defense right now is to tell him that I had no bad intentions,
“Your eyes were bad. I genuinely was trying to help a student, your eyes were bad.” He can’t argue against that.
During my times we never used to sit in front of a boss, we used to stand in front of a boss. I still stand in front of
my Headmaster. Even after I’ve been invited to this glorious School as a chief guest for the school day function so
many times, every September 5th, I go back to see my Headmaster and I still do not sit in front of my Headmaster.
I don't think I’ll ever become big enough in my life to sit in front of my Headmaster. I still stands when I speak to
him and I am very glad that I do it because I somehow have by experience realized in my life that the feelings a
student holds for a teacher is more important than the feelings a teacher holds for a student and from experience I
am telling you, beyond all those sarcasms, beyond all those nicknaming the teachers, beyond all the gossip about
the teachers, somewhere deep in your heart the respect and reverence you carry for a teacher is going to carry you
much further in life than all the things that you can learn out of a teacher and I've seen this in my experience. So I
went and stood in front of my Branch Manager Mr. Peter Christian and his first sentence was, “I have no right to tell
you what you should do and what you should not do.” You can't fight with a person who is not ready for a fight. He
was not ready for a fight. His first sentence itself was “I cannot tell you what you can do and what you cannot do”
and then he made a statement, “but I can tell you this if you cannot have a spotless character you do not have the
right to be a teacher. Choose any other profession in the world, but if you choose to be a teacher in life you need to
have a spotless character. You must be more pure than God himself if you want to be a teacher in life,” he said. At
eighteen and a half, I didn’t understand what he was saying. I was ready for an argument. I told him, but Sir you’ve
to understand I’m only eighteen and a half and what he said next changed my life forever. He said, “You can choose
to be typical 19-year-old or you can be a 19-year-old where all the other 19-year-olds will look up to you.” You can
either choose to be a typical 19-year-old, you can be one lost in the crowd, you can be one more shepherdian, you
can be one more student who studied from this school and passed out, you can be one more teacher in the school,
the school itself can be one more school in the millions of schools that exists in the world, I can be one more
speaker who periodically comes to the school and addresses the students and goes back, complete an agenda and
be satisfied with the tick mark and go back in life, you can just be another one in the crowd, you can be just another
cricketer or you can be a Virat Kohli, you can just be another tennis player or you can be a Sania Mirza, you can just
be another shuttle badminton player who can say I am interested in badminton, or you can be a Saina Nehwal. You
can just be another person out of 1.2 billion Indians. Probably 500 million people in India know how to play chess
or you can be a Viswanathan Anand. And in your mind if you do not believe that I’m not here to be another one
who can be lost in the crowd. I’m here to be the one above the crowd, in your mind, not as a matter of pride. You
already said in your prayer, let it not make me proud. It’s just your way of saying, God, I did not waste the potential
you gave me.
If one of you sitting here, can be a student volunteer please. Just give this to me as your gift. Dhruv is giving me
a gift, just bear with me. Oh! this is a useless flower. Did I abuse the gift or I abused the giver of the gift? Abusing
the gift is abusing the giver. Give me once more. So wonderful of you. Give me a hug brother. Now did I cherish
the gift or I cherished the giver of the gift? Abusing the gift is abusing the giver and the gift, cherishing the gift
is cherishing the giver and the gift and we all have been gifted with infinite human potential by the Lord. You are
not doing justice to that potential, you are abusing the gift of human potential and in abusing the gift of human
potential you are abusing the giver of that gift. Not for pride, not for egoistic arrogance, in fact the only way to say
thank you to the Lord who created you is by letting the Lord feel good in creating this human being. I did not waste
another human being in this planet. It has to come from within. This doesn’t come out of speeches. That’s what I
want to tell you at the end. In all these speeches, if it is only notes for you, it’s only information for you, it’s only
memory for you, it’s not going to take you anywhere. I know Biblical scholars who do not live by the Bible. I know
people who go around the world and keep delivering discourses of Bhagavad Geeta but do not live by it. It really
doesn’t matter whether you remember everything. I speak today or not, it really matters that you’ve picked up only
one point from today’s speech and you lived by that one point. And that will be more than enough. To me today’s
talk is a success only if one amongst you who’ve never taken the initiative to showcase your talent in the next
opportunity you get, you put your hand up saying that it’s fine for my talent to be judged but I want to showcase
it. Then I know my talk is a success. If one of you sitting here resolves, you cannot be a teacher in life unless there
is purity in your character, I really believe there’s only one way to live a human life. You should have a character
so spotless the Lord himself will be so proud of having created you. When my Branch Manager Mr. Peter Christian
told me, you can either choose to be a typical 19-year-old or you can choose to be a 19-year-old that all the other
19-year-olds look up to you till today that’s one of my guiding principles in life. I am 50 today and I keep asking
myself. Am I healthier, fitter, more dynamic, more athletic, more energetic than the 50-year-olds? Will the other
50-year-olds look up to me or I’m just another 50-year-old, in whatever work I do?
It’s not about writing another book. If I write a book, I want it to be a bestseller. If I publish a magazine, I don’t want
it to be another magazine, all Infinite Thoughts lost in the racks of magazines. It has to stand out. It has to have a
place uniquely that belongs to it. Everything in life ….and at every stage of my life, I’ve asked myself this question.
Am I just another husband or can I be that sort of a husband to my wife Suchorita where all the other husbands will
look up to our marriage? In the way I parent my children, am I just going to be another father to my children or can
I be that father that a lot of other fathers will derive inspiration out of the way I parent my children? In any aspect
of life, the guiding principle has become. Are you a typical 19-year-old and somehow it’s gone into my DNA, I don’t
think it’s there in my conscious memory or my subconscious memory, it’s entered my DNA. There isn’t anything
that I can’t do in life without asking myself this question, “Are you another one in the crowd or are you the one that
the rest of the crowd can look up to you not because I want to satiate an egoistic arrogance in me but I’m telling
myself this - cherishing the gift is cherishing the giver of this gift in every instant, not just my parents, not just my
teachers, not just my colleagues, the creator who created me should be glad that he created me and that’s the way
to live your life. One principle went inside and life has not been the same again. What I want to speak to you today
is this: certain lives are born out of certain speeches. That day when Mr. H.Venugopal Rao spoke to me, his thoughts
shaped the rest of my life. Certain speeches are born out of a certain life. My speech is coming out of my life. And
you will have a speaker coming to this because of the initiatives he want to take on holistic development in each
one of you. Many more of us will come here and all our speeches like your effort to Dr. Mohan will come out of our
lives. But it serves no purpose if a life is not born out these speeches. Certain speeches are born out of certain
lives, certain lives are born out of certain speeches and the intensity with which you listen not distracted by the
one sitting next to you. A lot of them who participate in the distractions of life along with you will not travel with
you till the end. There is no point in being part of a collective group and collectively failing. There is no point in
striving for peer acceptance. Now if I succeed, some of my friends will not wave to me properly. If I become the
best, if you become the school Head, I don’t know what you call it here in the school leader, the school pupil leader.
If you become one of these, not only will you get a few friends, but you will have a lot of enemies. If you win an
award, some of your classmates will not relate to you the way they used to relate to you. So you can even get stuck
with people or you can move ahead of people. All of you who would like to be collectively together in pulling each
other down will only result in collective medium receipt. You have to move ahead in life. You have to keep going.
The friends of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi will not remain friends of Mahatma Gandhi because they can only
relate to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, they will not know how to relate to Mahatma Gandhi. The friends of
Siddhartha will not remain friends of Buddha. But then the Buddhas and the Mahatma Gandhis and the Swami
Vivekanandas have to recognize, I’m here with the power to change the world. I’m not here just to be lost in
mediocre peer groups: I’m here where I can change the world. Do not get transfixed into mediocrity, keep
transcending mediocrity and you’ll meet a lot of averages in the world. 300 people listen to the discourses. Every
time the Good Shepherd spoke from the mountain tops. Do we know their names? No. We know only the names of
the 12 Apostles who stood above the remaining 300 people and compiled the message of the son of God and gave
to us as Bible. So you will have to understand this is not where you belong. Third message and then I will go
towards what I want to share with you today in about 15 – 20 minutes. I used to produce a lot of results initially as
a software consultant. None of all I speak is to impress you all of my life. How one message changed the spectacles
of my life and once the spectacles of my life changed, life looked very very different to me. Each of this talk should
somehow provide you with the spectacles with which you look at life and life has to appear very different to you.
We do not require new horizons, we only need new spectacles with which we can look at the existing horizons.
Having touched lives across the world and having established Infinite Thoughts and at that stage people used to
read in 65 countries of the world and I started a column in infinite thoughts called My Salute. I wanted to write an
exclusive column about all those people who made a humongous change in my life and one of them was my
Headmaster Dr. Clement Philips. Like all other teachers, he did not know me. So I went to interview him, a lot of
things happened in that interview. A man, he’s a class of his own. Somehow the word Headmaster in my head has
only Dr. Clement Philips and nobody else. Somehow he taught me very early in life that love that does not create
is not love at all. Love that pampers, destroys people. Love does not mean that you have to be soft with people all
the time, sometimes love has to be tough, sometimes love has to be demanding, sometimes love has to punish at
the end of it. The qualification of your love is not how people felt with you, the qualification of your love is what
people became in life because of your love. A love that creates alone is love. He was one of those man with an iron
fist in velvet gloves. When he calls you, you don’t know whether he is going to pat or slap, both had the same body
language. Somewhere towards the end of the interaction I had with him, he shared an incident, it changed my life
forever. I wish it changes your life too. He said he had built a church inside the school which did not exist earlier, a
Chapel. As I was crossing that Chapel and looked at the church, I told myself, Great Clement, absolutely Great.
Nobody else could have created such an infrastructure that you have brought to the school. Because all the earlier
Headmasters only used the building that was already left by the Britishers. He was the first Headmaster who added
a building into the campus. Of course, now they have added so many buildings, there is no campus there. And he
said, after priding myself by saying what a campus, what a church you have built, he said there are two more flights
of staircase that I have to climb before I reach the Headmaster’s room. Headmaster’s room was in the second floor.
And as I reached the second floor my thoughts changed. I straight went to the altar of Christ and went down on my
knees and I begged like a child and saying that he is tired having tears in his eyes. When you see tears in people
you look up to, it causes tears in your eyes too. So I also developed tears. And with both of us sitting in tears I went
down on my knees in front of the altar of my Christ and I said, pardon me for my arrogance, my Lord, to think I
created this building. The time for this building to come had come. I happened to be the Headmaster of the school
at the time when this building came into existence and he said my prayers changed. I folded hands, I said thank
you my Lord for making me the Headmaster of the school. At the time when this building came into existence, I do
nothing my Lord. Where is my will, it’s all thy will, I do nothing, my Lord. You do everything through me ever since
I became an instrument of my Lord as Mother Teresa would so beautifully say, ‘I make myself as a pencil in Lord’s
hands and he kept on writing’. Ever since, even if I transform one life, my silent prayer is thank you God for making
me the teacher at a time when he was ready for transformation. I do nothing, you do everything through me. Please
preserve me as your instrument, today I experientially know since all of you in this school learn music, it’s easy for
you to understand the music is not from the flute, the music is through the flute. Everything I teach also does not
come from me, it comes through me and I am just an instrument.
And the fourth and the last incident. Then only I’m starting my speech. I haven’t started my speech, this is all
preface. Oh my God! I used to speak a lot of bad words. I am going on giving you references for you to know that
I have been new at some point of my life. There is no Saint without a past. I used to speak a lot of bad words
and I used to speak a lot of bad words in my talks. October 95, even after I started working with people I spoke
to a gathering of 70 people on a topic called ‘Obsession’ and I used the F- bad word in English 4 times in that
speech. It was one of those talks where my father-in-law had come. My father-in-law is such a meticulous fault
finder that even if you give him a photo copy, he’ll find mistakes in it. Now that as providence would have it, my
dinner was in my in-laws’ place. And as I was having dinner, my father-in-law came behind and he said, “today
your speech was a garland full of roses – that man has never praised anybody even if you pay him, he will not
praise and him appreciating me was a shocker to me. As I turned to say thank you to him, he said, but there were 4
thorns in it today. This man was counting, how many times I spoke bad words. When somebody finds a fault which
can be accepted then we are not human beings, we should justify. So I immediately told him ‘Appa you have to
understand, only when you speak such language you can impress the youth’. Lot of youth come to my programme
because I speak their language. Immediately my father-in-law said but Swami Vivekananda was able to get youth
to his programmes without having to speak such language. And I thought you had the potential in you to be Swami
Vivekananda but now I have realized you want to be only average and he went inside. I wanted to call and tell
him, no no Vivekananda, come here Vivekananda, but he went inside. After about 5 minutes of leaving me restless,
he came back and he said that everything that comes of the human being stinks – your sweat stinks, saliva stinks,
blood stinks, urine stinks, excreta stinks, everything that comes out of a human being stinks. The only thing that
comes out of human being that can be sweet are your words. Let that also not stink and he changed my life in an
instant. Thank you!
Ever since I resolved that I will use this palm only to make everybody feel beautiful. I have just been for a couple
of hours here and I can give you a speech about Mr. Suresh for sometime, I can talk about Biju who was driving me
around for some time, I can speak about Ansari who has been taking care of me sometime, I can speak to you about
Jerry who served dinner for me yesterday for some time and I can speak about all of them because somehow in an
instant I resolved this tongue of mine will now onwards be used to help people to believe what they are capable
of, to make them feel beautiful, to appreciate them, to encourage them. In every moment I use that tongue, this
world should look a little more beautiful than it ever looked before and it just needed one message - everything
that comes out of the human being stinks, can at least your words be sweet! ‘Certain speeches are born out of
certain lives, certain lives are born out of certain speeches.’ My life has been a series of transformations from such
simple messages I collected. What I want to tell you is, we live in an information age and hence we focus so much
on gathering information. How much you know Bible does not mean anything unless you are very clear. Few aspects
from Bible remain the guiding principles of my life. How much you know about whether you pray 5 times a day or
only on a Friday afternoon or only on Sunday during your Quran session doesn’t make a difference. What makes
the difference is how much of this cultural principles are going to lead your life. Take one thing and take it into your
DNA and even God should never be able to catch you not align to that one principle. “I have loved you as my father
loved me, now you love each other as I have loved you,” says Christ. Can you take that one message and show that
you will be able to love all and love all the time. Can you take just that one message and do it? Wherever there is
highest excellence, Arjuna understand that is me, says Krishna. Wherever, amongst the animals if lion alone is
considered to be the king of the jungle then that lion is me Arjun, amongst the flowers lotus is me, amongst the
mountains Himalayas is me, amongst the rivers Ganges is me and he goes on listing 35 examples and finally
concludes saying that wherever you see the highest excellence Arjuna considered it is me. If you can produce the
highest excellence in it and there I’ll put it this way, Krishna is essentially saying if you do your best he will do the
rest. If you don’t do your best, he takes rest. So can we take this one principle and say anything I do. Let me
represent the highest excellence. Even if the answer paper that I produce, there must be excellence. In the way you
present the answers, even if the answer is wrong the teacher should be like giving me two marks for presentation
of answer. Can I ensure that my handwriting is so beautiful that people feel like preserving it. They prefer my
handwritten notes to my typewritten notes. Instead of handwriting, it looks like signature all the time. Can I ensure
that it’s not because the school demands and always trust to the best? Even otherwise even when you come to the
dorm that my bed or where I keep my things, look separate from the rest. Can excellence be the breath of your life
in whatever you do. Take any one principle, take one thing Buddha says, begin your day with gratitude. Can every
day of yours begin with gratitude and the first thought as you wake up in the morning be an expression of gratitude
and that’s what Buddha ask you for. It is not about how much we know, we keep reading and reading and learning
and learning. We have turned ourselves into a warehouse of knowledge. How much you know means nothing, even
computer knows a lot, how much you live by, that’s all the difference. So some way it is important that you start
cultivating certain guiding principles in your life. For example, when I see your “THE SHEPHERDIAN”, there I find
there are 11 guiding objectives for the school, because every now and then you feel this also we can do, that also
we can do, this also we should do, that also we should do and finally you will be distracted into everything and
there will be no focus. Focus is not only my ability to say yes to the one but also the discipline to say no to the other
99 distractions. Focus is not only my ability to say yes to the one but also the discipline to say no to the other 99
distractions. And 11 is my number, because infinity of number is 11 so I saw 11 objectives that instant itself I felt
connected to the school. 11 objectives, all we have to do that at every stage. keep qualifying in the expansions we
do, in the diversifications we do, in the new courses we bring, we had one campus and here we have another
campus and then there is a Finishing School. In everything, if it is Good Shepherd, am I aligning myself to those 11
objectives? If there is any deviation to those 11 objectives, then it is not Good Shepherd. Then it is not GSIS. So
can I have certain guiding principles in life. So rather than going on listening to these speeches and enhancing this
entire memory, just think about it. Krishna completed 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita and after he finished, suppose
Arjuna had kept his bow and arrow in the side and told what a speech Krishna, lovely, for all questions you had
answers, very impressive and then Arjuna got down from the chariot and went and started telling everybody
Krishna’s speeches are very good. Any questions you have, you go and ask him.He has answers there. In fact,
Krishna would have felt like committing suicide, because the purpose of Bhagavad Gita was not the adulation of
Krishna but transformation of Arjuna. It is not only for clapping I’m speaking, appreciating should become a
spontaneous inspiration, because criticizing is so spontaneous. I tell people the moment you sip a coffee or tea or
whatever you drink and if it is good search for the Chef, search for the Cook or tell any one of them to tell the Chef
and the Cook, today, food was amazing. People ask me this question, but most of the time it’s good I say. Every time
it is not good, if think you have the right to criticize? But you have the responsibility to appreciate every time.
Every time I drink coffee I make such noises, sometimes my mother gets heart attack, because she is not a coffee
wending machine, she is a human being and every time my driver drops me, I thank him because he took me from
one place to another place and delivered me alive. My life in a car is in driver’s hands. So every time I get down
from a vehicle, doesn’t matter whether it is rickshaw or a car, I always thank him. I never miss an opportunity to
thank him. If you think it is your right to criticize every time, so I like spontaneity with which you want to appreciate.
The point is this, don’t just be an information gatherer, pick up a point, internalize it, make it your mental philosophy
and let your life be guided by that and like that I have 8 mental philosophies which guides my life. Nothing, just 8
mental philosophies, it’s been the secret of my life. Secret of holistic awareness, I don’t believe in one type of
abundance, I believe in abundantly healthy, abundantly wealthy, abundantly blissful, abundantly loving, abundantly
spiritual. Life has to be holistic of abundance. There should never end vibrations in your life, everybody in your
space you should feel loved. Why at all live if you cannot be happy with every breath of your life? I believe, with
financial surplus in hands that good human being can build a better world, so we all deserve to be wealthy in life
and none of this can be achieved in life without this vehicle called body. If you don’t take care of your body you are
gone. I am so happy that the school is pushing you on various physical thresholds to hold you, physically dynamic.
Because when I go to other schools I see that a lot of them have misunderstood growth, some of their Madhya
Pradesh is so big, Uttar Pradesh can’t see the feet. The equator is so big. In schools I’m beginning to see 90 kgs – 92
kgs people and some of these fat source when they stand on a weighing machine because this Madhya Pradesh is
so big they can’t see the weight reading at the bottom. So they created a talking weighing machine which will tell
you what is your weight. So you stand on that, it will tell you 72 kgs, you stand on that it will tell you 48 kgs. One
man who was 92 kgs stood on that weighing machine and it seem that weighing machine said one at a time please!
So, eight governing principles and that’s the secret of my life. In fact, if you have to dissect my life and study my
life, it is not beyond guiding principles to holistic amendments. One – I expect more from myself. All of you expect
more from yourself. We have great expectations from God. God, you should give me this, God should give me that.
You have great expectations from parents. They should do this for me, they should do that for me. They have great
expectation from teachers. Teachers should do this for me. I am not doing well in Maths, teacher should improve
their teaching. Stupid, you should improve your studying. Our expectations are always directed towards others. My
expectations from myself is higher than my expectations from anybody else in the world. My expectations from
myself is higher than anybody’s expectations. And it’s also to the teachers, we always want extraordinary students.
No teacher deserves extraordinary students unless you strive to be the best teacher you can be. Also to teachers
and say you have to keep asking yourself, “Am I just another teacher or am I a teacher where all the other teachers
look up to me”. You also have to raise the bar. All the message is not for the world, it’s first for you, I expect more
from myself.
A father’s habit was everyday he used to read the newspaper, that day also he was reading the newspaper and his
6-year-old daughter was insisting, “Dad play with me, Dad play with me.” He wants to read the newspaper, he
wants to know all the wrong things that’s happening in the world which is covered in newspaper. His daughter was
persistent. He suddenly saw there was a world map that was printed there in one of the newspaper ads, so he tore
that world map, I know you have heard this story but it is contextual in this, so I will have to share. So he tore it into
multiple pieces, scattered it all over the floor and he said. “Beta, this is your jigsaw puzzle, now assemble the world
map properly.” I hope you guys know what is jigsaw puzzle, during our times we used to do all that, now you guys
only thumb generation, everything is there on the thumb. You know how many students from city know where milk
comes from, they say packets. They’ve never seen a cow, they are lying. I don’t know where we are going. I know
how many of these adults sitting here, some of the successful people sitting here I am not talking about the
teachers. The only time they touch a pen is when they have to sign, otherwise they don’t know to write, they have
forgotten A, B, C, D. Also, except their name, they don’t know the other alphabets. I don’t know where we are going.
And the child was assembling the jigsaw puzzle and the father continued to read the newspaper. Within 5 minutes,
the daughter called out to Dad and showed the world map in place. The father was stunned. The father knew his
own IQ levels, he thought his daughter has skills, how she solved it in 5 minutes time. Looking at his expression of
shock, it seem the little one told the Dad, “Dad I know why you are shocked. As you were tearing the newspaper I
saw that there was a face of a man on the other side, Dad, I don’t know where New Zealand should be, where
Canada should be, where U.K. should be, but Dad I know where nose should be, where eye should be, where
forehead should be”. And it seem the child said, “Dad I got the man right, the world became right”. Same school,
same hostel, same wardens, same food, same teaching faculty, same campus, same Ooty weather and some of you
feel life is disgusting and some of you feel what a pleasure that I am living here. Life outside is not any different,
your outlook towards life makes all the difference. When you get the man right, the world becomes right. If the
world looks wrong to you, it is because you are wrong. If the world looks beautiful to you, it’s because you are right.
When a monkey stands in front of a mirror it cannot see Mona Lisa, it will only see a monkey. If the world ever
appears ugly to any one of you, that is because you have those ugly eyes with which you are looking at life and ugly
eyes basically means your spectacles with which you are looking at life, the attitude with which you are looking at
life. Get the man right and the world becomes right. ‘I expect more from myself.’ Take this one principle and you
will be so glad. 25 years later, when I see one of you as a legend in life, you will say that one thing changed my life
forever. TWO – Is that enough, I expect more from myself, I pack it up with highest work ethic. I have this unique
record, probably in the entire globe, I have about 5 meetings in a day and I do at least 2 programmes per week and
I have done programmes in 3 different continents. And in 21 years, all my programmes have started on time. I do
not have, in 21 years, a single instance of my programme starting late. I left Ministers outside, Police Commissioners
outside and I have started programmes without the Chief Guest on time and Chief Guest was allowed inside, late
comers have never been allowed inside my programme. I have cases filed on me because I did not allow the Police
Commissioner inside my programme. The Mayor of Hyderabad threatened to stop my programme half way through
because she was not allowed inside for coming late. But I braved everything and lived out up to this, because I align
myself to the highest work ethic. I also never eat before a programme. This is at 9 O’clock, so I didn’t eat. If this
programme was at 2 O’clock I would have still not eaten, because I feel when I teach, my breath has to be perfect.
It’s not that you are going to smell and I can smell it. See if I eat and somewhere it will show up in the breath and
to me that is not purity of my job. For what I represent, even my breath should be spotless, so I will never eat. Which
means after my dinner my next meal will happen whenever it happens and these are all standards I’ve set for
myself. Always wear white and white and people ask me, is it not difficult to maintain white and white. Of course
it is, so is character. A single blemish in white will show up, a single blemish in character should show up, so that
you can correct it. These are all standards I’ve set for myself, it’s not that anybody is imposing them on me. If you
are doing things because a teacher is watching or warden is watching, otherwise you’ll be punished, that is not
inner excellence. Inner excellence has to come from within you, that is aligning oneself to the highest work ethic.
Sachin Tendulkar’s father died and he came back leaving the world cup in between to see his father. His mother
said your father will never forgive you for not doing your responsibility towards the country, go back and play the
game. It’s not that easily he became a legend. Virat Kohli’s father died the day he was playing a match and he was
not out at the end of the day which means next day morning he had to go and bat while his father’s body left in the
house. Virat was crying. His mother asked him why? He said I’ve never missed a practice session in my life. And
now, my team is going to lose because of that. With the father’s body there in the house, the mother said, “Your
father will never excuse you if he know that you let your team down. We’ll perform the ceremony later, go play the
match, win the match for your team and come back and that’s what your father’s soul will seek.” Leaving the body
in the house, Virat Kohli went, played the match, won the game for his team and came back to perform the ceremony.
All these great people did not become great people without the highest work ethic. Vishwanath Anand was asked
by me once, “Sir, during your growing years, did you have girlfriends and gangs of people and what all were your
distractions in life.” With a smile, Vishwanath Anand said, “If I was doing everything which everybody does, I won’t
be the world champion today.” “So when do you think about chess? How many days before a championship do you
start processing about chess?” Vishwanath Anand replied, ‘You shouldn’t ask me when do I think about chess, ask
indeed when do I not think about chess?’ Even in my dreams, I am playing the opponent. Great people did not
become great through ordinary processes. Ordinary people committed themselves to extraordinary work ethics
and that made them great in life. Ordinary people become extraordinary because of highest of work ethics. I will
align myself to that. Highest work ethics. 1 – I will expect more from myself, 2 – I’ll align myself to the highest
work ethics, 3 – I’ll back it up with relentless effort. If you do not back it up with relentless effort as a great
scientist said, 99% is perspiration, I’ve told myself I’ll not meet another man in my life who works more than me,
because of my sense of purpose is to change this world. And I also believe that one of you sitting here believe one
day you’ll change this world. The Gandhis, Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Buddha, The Mahaveera - have
all shown us one human being can become a turning point to the world. And I want one of you sitting here to
believe one day you’ll be something in life which will change the world. Not just achieve some moderate success
but you’ll be the turning point of the world. And if that is not going to be achieved you will have to back it up with
relentless effort. Even effortlessness is achieved only through effort. There is a video, I’ll probably send it to
somebody in school and then they can play it for you. Usain Bolt says after one of the practice session – “Man it’s
dying.” This is the tone in which he says – Usain Bolt – “Man it’s dying. There are times you feel why should I wake
up and go for practice. There are times I feel enough is enough because I’ve already achieved more than what any
other human being can achieve in my field of specialization. So I asked myself enough is enough. There are times
I feel like getting tempted eating everything that I see – man it’s dying. But then in that less than sub 10 seconds
when you run which appears to the world as effortlessness I know with tears in my eyes how much of effort has
gone in to achieve that level of effortlessness and that moment I do not say Man it’s dying, I say Man it’s living to
be the fastest man in the planet.” I will back it up with relentless effort. 1 – I will expect more from myself, 2 – I’ll
align myself to the highest work ethic, 3 – I’ll back it up with relentless effort. When all the 3 factors work together
you will succeed. “So, Mahatria will I always succeed? but nobody always succeed.” Everybody have their share of
success and everybody have their share of failure. So, the next two principles protect me there. ‘I will see short
term setbacks as maturity gained and keeps going.’ Sometimes I will have setbacks, sometimes it will not give me
the results and I keep going. Buddha used to end all his discourses saying CHARAIVETI, CHARAIVETI, I’m going to be
with you only for 11 more minutes, so I don’t want to lose your attention. I know your periods are only for 40
minutes. I also wanted to speak for 40 minutes, because he gave me a license and taking double period for you
today. So now, I don’t want you to lose your attention because my climax is coming only right now. Right is you all
go into, when break will come, then it defeats the whole purpose. When I always used to tell people to whom I talk,
I wish I can speak the end in the beginning, when you’re attentive and beginning at the end, but I can’t do it. So I
don’t want to lose your attention, so anybody sitting next to you is a little restless, elbow them and listen to me.
You’ll have more time with them, you do not have more time with me, so do not miss this. We have to make this
morning count. We have to make this morning into a transformational turning point in our life, stay connected to
me. I will treat short term setbacks as maturity gained. What failure teaches you, you can only learn through
failures. There will be setbacks. No champion has not had his share of setbacks. So Buddha used to end all his
discourses saying, ‘charaiveti, charaiveti’, which means, ‘keep going, do not stop, keep going, do not stop.’ Somehow
it has to be like a DNA lingering in you,’ keep going, do not stop, keep going, do not stop.’ Then what about success,
that’s the next. Do not allow short term success to feed your ego, you’re here for much, much bigger things in life.
If somewhere, a temporary success makes you feel you’ve already achieved great things in life, the story of life,
little ones, is this life is not about where to where, life is about from here to where? Even the story of Good
Shepherd is not from where to where, where to where is today. We are recognized as the second best residential
school in India and we should already be making the number one school nervous that we are right there at their
tail. We should be making them nervous, but you have to keep asking this question, ‘from here where?’ Yesterday’s
success does not deserve today’s applause. Today is a new day and today you need renewed accomplishments in
life. Mahatma Gandhi, having attained Indian Independence did not spend an hour celebrating it, from the next
minute he started working towards Hindu-Muslim unity, from ‘Here Where?’ Let short term success not feed your
ego but only serve as a motivation for you. Get motivated by yesterday’s success and keep asking this question
from ‘here, where?’ I will expect more from myself. I will align myself to the highest work ethic, I’ll back it up with
relentless intelligent effort, I’ll treat short term setbacks as maturity gained and I will keep telling myself charaiveti,
charaveti – keep going. do not stop, keep going, do not stop. I’ll treat short term success as motivation gained and
will not allow it to feed my ego. The lingering thought in me will always remain, ‘from here, where?’ Integrate your
personal good to the larger good in anything you do. It’s not enough that it serves your personal good, it has to
serve the larger good. Samuel was an ardent Christian but somehow he felt even in the time that I invest in going
to the Church if I can make a difference in the lives of people let me make a difference in the lives of people. So,
one day, an Angel appeared in front of him and when it was actually time for the Sunday mass and he was serving
somebody, the Angel came and asked where are the houses of Peter, Thomas – no I can’t use the word Thomas,
Peter, James and Mary. So immediately Samuel said, “This is where Peter lives, this is where Mary lives and that’s
where James lives, but “why are you asking me this?” Angel replied, “These are the names of people who loved
God and I brought gifts for them.” Samuel said, “Then my name must be there in the list check.” So he checked the
list and said, “Sorry your name is not there,” and she disappeared. For a few minutes, Samuel was very disturbed.
He changed just because I am not regular to the Church, doesn’t mean that I do not love my Lord.” Isn’t loving the
children loving the father? I’ve loved you, as my father loved me, now we love each other as I have loved you, that’s
what I am doing. “But what a beautiful human being he is, he continued to help people who needed help. The Angel
appeared again, Samuel was very indifferent. “What am I? A Postman or what. Everyday you’ll come and ask where
these houses are and I’ll tell you where the houses are and then you’ll tell me my name is not there in the list.” The
Angel with a lot of warmth touched Samuel and told Samuel, “Hey Samuel, yesterday I brought the list of people
who loved God and your name was not there in the list. Today I’ve brought a list of people who God loves and your
name tops the list.” “When you love God, you only love God. When you love his creation, God loves him. The only
way to show your love to the creator is by loving the creation. Love all, love all the time. In anything you do, let it
not only serve your individual good. It should also serve the large and good.” You want to be an entrepreneur, I saw
a lot of you with that ability. I want to be a business tycoon, all those people who have passed out, I was just going
through a list of all of them, so many of them wanted to be business tycoons, beautiful, set goals like this. I am
going to create a billion dollar company so that I can provide employment to thousands of people. Even in that
selfish goal of yours, ensure there is a selfless objective that is set into the entire perspective. So, as long as you
can integrate the personal good to the larger good, you are doing God’s work and I am telling you the more and
more you do God’s work, the more and more God does your work. God becomes part of your team and if God is in
your team, your team is the winning team in the world. I will integrate the personal good to the larger good. 7 –
believe in a force above you. If your life is going right, there is a hand above your head. In your life, you are being
carried by a divine force, grow in faith. Didn’t he say it, we have as much faith as a mustard seed we can move
mountains. Grow in faith somehow. Don’t pray only because there is a prayer hour. Do not worship only because
there is a worshipping hour. Do not go to the Church only because you are a Christian. Do not connect to Shiva only
because you follow that God. Learn to feel that faith is a force beyond you which is carrying you. I’ll put it this way.
So many adults make this mistake, they don’t exercise, they pray for health. To put it very bluntly, if you do not
move your back, you won’t become healthy. Prayer doesn’t make you healthy, you have got to sweat to become
healthy. This is like telling children you don’t have to study my children, pray. You have to do your part, if He has to
do his part. Without God you cannot, without you God will not, but with God, miracles are possible and I’ve been
through these miracles in my life. So ensure that you cultivate this faith, not because you belong to a religion.
Cultivate faith in science. Thomas Alva Edison had unflinching faith in science, he believed there are no answers
beyond Science. You have to have faith in something. Have faith in your principles, I have faith in my guiding
principles, I know if I keep expecting more from myself, if I keep aligning myself to the highest work ethic, if I back
it up with relentless intelligent effort, if I see short term setbacks as maturity gain and keep telling myself ‘keep
going, do not stop, keep going, do not stop.’ If I see short term success as motivation and will allow to feed my ego,
my lingering question will not be ‘where to where, but from here, where?’ If I integrate the personal good with the
larger good and if I keep growing in my faith in my principles, they will carry me in my faith. The last but not the
least, gratitude is the mother of all virtues. All the great virtues of the world are delivered from the womb of
gratitude. Do not waste another moment in your life, cultivate gratitude in your heart and live your life.
It seems a mother and a child went to a bakery and the shopkeeper told the child in one of his good moods, “Son,
take as much chocolates as you want with both your hands.” The child said, “No, I don’t want any.” The shopkeeper
assured that the mother won’t say anything because he won’t charge for it. He implored him again to take as
much chocolates as he want with both his hands, but the child still refused. Then the shopkeeper himself picked
up chocolates in both his hands, put it in a packet and gave it to the child. The child happily received it and when
they came out, the mother gently waked on the child and said, “Stupid fellow, I was so proud when you said I’ll
not accept it, then why did you accept when he gave it to you?” The little one said, “Ma, even before entering the
shop I’ve decided if he asks me to take chocolates with my own hands I will say no because with my little hands
only little will come, only when he give from his big hands will enough of them come.” The child was telling the
story of her life much more of what anyone of us can ask with our little hands. What he is giving with his big hands
is infinitely greater. Live your life with a virtue of gratitude. Never miss an opportunity to say thank you God. Stop
asking God why for all your troubles and keep asking God for all his blessings. “Why my God, why is my life so
blessed? Why me God, why am I so special to you, why me God, why do you love me so much, why me God, why
do you give me this feeling I’m never alone and you’re always there with me and it’s my time to ask? Why me God,
while you could have made me stand in front of any of the 7.2 million people in the world anywhere else in the
world? Why me, God? you make me feel so blessed to be standing in front of all of them today.” Thank you God,
thank you so much. Love you all so much. Thank you.
Address by Vice Admiral Srikant, Inspector General, Nuclear Safety,
Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), New Delhi,
on the occasion of the Founder’s Day Celebrations held at
GSIS on 15 October 2015
Respected Dr. Thomas Sir,
Thank you for that very kind introduction and the warm welcome. At the very outset, let me convey our greetings
and compliments on the momentous occasion of the Founder's Day today. We have just witnessed one of the
finest displays of individual and collective talent of the students of the Good Shepherd International School. I
acknowledge the efforts of all those responsible for putting up the multitude of events this evening. I am certain
that over these two days of celebrations, many more spectacular performances are in the offing. Being a man in
uniform, the concert band was exhilarating and the other music ensembles were very melodious indeed.
Dr. Thomas and Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam - our late President, two luminaries in their own right, share their birth dates
– that is today. We are all aware that the United Nations Organisation has declared 15th of October as the World
Students’ Day, a rare honour indeed for all of us directly or indirectly connected with students, the future of our
nation. So Happy Students’ Day also, to all of you.
Sir, please accept our greetings on your 72nd birthday today, and best wishes for many healthy and happy returns.
Founder-Principal of Good Shepherd International School, Dr. P. C. Thomas Sir, Senior Vice President Mrs. Elsamma
Thomas, Chairman and Members of the Board of Governors, Admiral Kannan, Admiral Dr. Mrs. Nirmala Kannan,
revered teachers, respected parents, beloved children, distinguished guests, members of the staff, ladies and
gentlemen, a very good evening to all of you. It is a real privilege to be a part of the events of the school this year.
My wife Sudha and I are indeed overwhelmed to be here, and have to confess that as we experience the atmosphere
in the portals of this fine institution today, we go back to the formative years of our own schooling and childhood.
We are indeed humbled at being here, invited by the most revered teacher of my schooling days – Dr. P.C. Thomas,
to be the Chief Guest at this evening’s function and tomorrow’s parade of this institution. Sir, and Mrs. Elsamma
Thomas, thank you very much for considering us worthy of gracing this event, of which we feel very honoured and
privileged.
Dr. Thomas – the charismatic Principal has been a passionate and committed personality for excellence in education
for a long, long time, as I have very admiringly observed since 1970 when I was a nine-year old boy at school. I am
a huge huge fan of his.
I must add that throughout his remarkable career, he has brought a visionary approach to the ever changing
landscape of education. I salute his unwavering stewardship of this institution, supported very ably by Mrs.
Elsamma Thomas and their children, especially Julie Pradeesh, who is amongst us today. Your collective leadership
and commitment to guide students to attain their potential is evidenced by the history, growth, achievements,
Vice Admiral Srikant addressing the parents and guardians
the tremendous accolades and recognitions the school has received regularly over the years – of which we are all
aware. Just last month, the Education World India school rankings has adjudged the Good Shepherd International
School as the best school in co-curricular education, infrastructure provision and pastoral care in india; as also the
best residential school in the country in the under-50 years category, thus adding more feathers in the already
well-embellished cap of the school.
It is impossible to quantify what a student gains in the formative years by being in an institution under such
extraordinary leadership and guidance. All of you parents, I am certain, will indeed take a note of this. To me, this
institution is indeed a cradle - literally and geographically - for leadership, preparing students for any walk of
life that the students may choose. I therefore urge you parents to counsel your children to make the best of all
opportunities that are there for the asking right here.
We all know that if we are ever going to establish a society that delivers on our national promise of opportunity for
all, it is going to be because of the quality of our schools. What is evident to all of us today, is that testimony of the
highest quality and standards that this finest of institutions embodies to fulfil that national objective.
Having been through a residential school myself, and the National Defence Academy, I would like to share some
thoughts with you all this evening.
I have visited many residential schools both in our country and abroad. I have very closely watched the growth and
progress of the Good Shepherd International School since its inception and today, I had the privilege of visiting
all the facilities, the concepts and many other facets of this school. I must confess that undoubtedly, the Good
Shepherd International School is the best institution that I have come across in my life.
I am made to understand that over 50,000 students have been educated and have passed out from this school over
the years till date. I can well imagine the various walks of life in which they would by now be well entrenched, and
fruitfully contributing to the cause of our nation and international well- being.
I would therefore like to compliment the parents of all the alumni for having chosen this school as the destination
for their children’s education. May I also express my salutations, appreciation and compliments to each one of you
parents present today, and those parents who could not make it convenient to be here this evening, for having
made the most appropriate decision to invest the children’s formative years under the care of the Good Shepherd
family. Having witnessed what the school is doing, I envy these children, in the background that I wish I too could
have partaken my education over here.
As I understand, most of the children who study in GSIS, go abroad for their higher studies. I reckon that the school
aims at achieving this objective. I do agree that this may be the need of the day, when Indians are playing a global
role in virtually all international affairs. Be it in technology, business, media, social aspects or whatever be the area,
we need Indians to be in the lead globally, whilst simultaneously ensuring inclusive national growth as well.
The future of any nation is not only in its military or economic might. The soft power that encompasses values,
ethics, traditions, culture and leadership – to name a few facets - would equally contribute to the collective growth
of our children – the future of our nation, and hence the country’s status in the world order in overall terms.
I must compliment Dr. Thomas’s vision in foreseeing these vital requirements in an individual’s growth to be able
to contribute to our nation’s well-being, and hence focusing on all aspects of this soft power in building this
insttuition, and nurturing the values, ethics, leadership, traditions and culture in all your children. Dr. P.C. Thomas,
who has directed the script from its humble origins and refined it over 39 years of its coming into being. It really
heartens me, in the realisation that he has established a school of such caliber as GSIS, where the curriculum
is truly engaging, and thereby expanding the horizons of young minds in so many different ways. This, in itself,
positions each one of the students at an immediate advantage in the journey of life. With the kind of individual
care and attention that a child is afforded here in the GSIS, my observation is that, the school is indeed a home
away from home.
Whilst the school is doing all it does for your children, it is my firm belief that when the children are home for their
vacations, the parents’ involvement in sharing high quality time through family bondings would ensure better
psychological well-being and development of your children. This would also ensure that they are re-invigorated
for their subsequent years of continuing education when they return to this school.
To conclude, I would urge all the parents, teachers and students to collectively take forward the vision, dreams and
goals of the Founder-Principal Dr. Thomas and that of the Good Shepherd family, for ensuring that this world-class
institution scales even greater heights shepherded with the motto – Truth, Trust, Triumph. Best wishes from my
wife Sudha and myself to all of you.
Thank you and God bless. Jai hind.
Address by Vice Admiral Srikant, Inspector General, Nuclear Safety,
Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), New Delhi,
on the occasion of the Founder’s Day Celebrations held
at GSIS on 16 October 2015
Dr. P.C. Thomas, Principal, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Chairman and Members of the Board of Governors, revered
teachers, respected parents, beloved children, distinguished guests, members of the staff, ladies and gentlemen, a
very Good Afternoon to all of you.
In the short duration since my arrival here yesterday, I have been bedazzled by the sheer spectrum of talent residing
with the Good Shepherd International School. The display of skill and the level of expertise of presenters, without
exception was highly professional.
The march past and the guard of honour presented was immaculate. The impeccable uniforms and the crisp drill
is evidence of a healthy morale and camaraderie. The events have brought back fond reminiscence of my days
in the National Defence Academy as a cadet. I
have participated in such activities many times
over. So I am fully aware of the grueling team
effort which goes in to achieve the standards
on display here today. The performance of the
band is comparable to the naval band which
has established itself through various overseas
deployments and is acknowledged around the
globe.
Vice Admiral Srikant addressing the parents, guardians & students
The music ensembles especially the Indian
classical music and dance were enthralling.
My heartiest congratulations to all involved
with a special commendation to the music and
dance faculty. Mountaineering, gymnastics and
equestrian are highly technical physical skills
with steep learning curves. Not withstanding,
the demonstrations were performed with
great finesse. I am amazed at the talent of the
participants and at such young age! I would like
to compliment all Senior Vice Presidents for
their roles in ‘shepherding’ the students towards
high thresholds of excellence. A special note of
appreciation is also deserved by all the students who have worked behind the scenes, especially noteworthy was
the attention to detail imparted to the costumes for the dance programmes, which has certainly given a flavour
to the acts. I am certain that all of you students would certainly be inspired to do what all students must do –
assimilate knowledge, shape a sound personality, ethics and character, and make the world a better place for future
generations.
Whilst I am conscious that I speak before an audience that already has a good understanding of the subject, I
thought it will be appropriate to combine education with what we can relate to the students’ future, and so make
it relevant to them.
On being invited by Dr. Thomas to be at the school for the 39th Founder’s Day celebrations and when I commenced
my preparation for this occasion, I came across an acronym – ‘yolo’, as in y. o. l. o. - ‘you only live once’ - which may
imply that one should make the best of one’s life and live it to the fullest. And I would like to connect this to the
present generation.
To my mind, this ‘yolo’ approach is a marked shift from the approach of the pre-internet and even pre-TV generation,
that I come from where moderation was perhaps the key principle. I put a lot of thought into it and tried to narrow
down reasons to determine which approach may be relevant today.
I realize that the shift in thinking is a consequence of changed times. We’re all living in a moment when many
aspects of our society and the world are in the midst of being reimagined, and redefined. Our country is taking rapid
strides towards development, things are available at the click of a button, jobs demand adequate qualifications,
competition is only getting stiffer, resources are apparently dwindling, and yet one needs to live well... – so in such
an environment, why not make the best of your education to achieve what you set for yourselves ?
But, what is living life to the fullest? How does one ensure that one’s life remains worth living that you can, later
in your life, look back with pride ? That whilst living your present, do you intellectually invest adequately for the
future – your own, your family’s, your country’s ? As the Nobel Prize winning Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw
has said – “ life is not about finding yourself. It is about creating yourself.”
Dream: It all starts with a dream. As Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, activist and wife of the former US President Theodore
Roosevelt said, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
What do you want to do? What do you enjoy doing? How would you envisage your life some 25-30 years later? Your
actions of today will be governed by this dream. Whether the dream is to be an astronaut or a leading industrialist
or an economist or a bureaucrat or a banker or a technocrat or a navy Admiral, unless you dream, you may not get
there.
Each one of you needs to have a vision, a goal in life and don’t be conservative, identify your desires, dream big
and dream different. It’s not an overnight process. You might feel interested in an activity or a field but might find
it not so interesting after pursuing it for some time. It is normal. Consider everything. Only then will you be able to
home on to that special something which you want to do in life.
Pursue the Dream: ‘All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue it’ said Walt Disney, the famous
American entrepreneur.
The greatest advantage of trying to realize your own dream is that you will never feel like you are working, it
becomes your hobby.
Generate a plan of action to attain your goal. You will also need to break down the big goal into a set of small, time
bound achievements. It’s like saving a thousand rupees every month for ten months to have ten thousand rupees.
I know that sometimes you get a sense from TV and movies that you can get rich and successful without much
hard work or that your ticket to success is through cricket or being a Bollywood actor. It might as well be, but
the principles of hard work and discipline apply, equally if not more, to these professions as well. Always expect
challenges in life.
Work with your dreams and plan in place, it’s time to execute, put in the work. Let us take a goal. I deliberately
choose this one because it is most likely to be approved by responsible parents or teachers and seems achievable of
becoming a technocrat or techie – in today’s parlance. It seems good work and fun and plenty of job opportunities
across the spectrum, but believe me, it would be challenging!
You need to, at the very least start getting the fundamentals right, take additional help from the teaching faculty
- if you must, get a degree with technology, get a breakthrough, work experience and get a portfolio made, look
at opportunities abroad or in leading companies in India. In the end, become a CEO of that company which you
dreamt of which means that hard work and discipline are definitely required to attain every dream.
As a German poet Johann Goethe said, “Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius,
power and magic in it.”
Education: Where does education fit in? According to Nelson Mandela, the late South African President, “Education
is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Whether you realize it or not, the education you
are receiving is providing you with a foundation to fulfill your dreams. Schools and colleges are at their very core,
the mediums for attaining such skill-sets. How you utilize these mediums is, to a large extent, going to determine
how your life is going to be – mind you – your only life.
Every single one of you is brilliant at something. Every single one has something to offer. It is your responsibility
to discover that something. Education provides you that opportunity.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically – that is the goal of true education,”
said Martin Luther King Junior, the humanitarian, and African-American civil rights movement leader. Maybe you
could be a great writer, maybe good enough to write a book or articles in the newspaper, but you might not know it
until you write that English paper and pay attention during that English class you are taking. May be you could be
an innovator or an inventor, may be good enough to come up with the next iphone or a new medicine or vaccine.
But you might never know until you do your projects for the science class. May be you could be a Mayor or the
Supreme Court Judge. But you will not know until you join a student government or the debate team in school.
You want to be a doctor or a teacher or a police officer, you want to be a techie or an architect, a lawyer or a member
of our military, you’re going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. And no matter what
you do with your life, I guarantee that you’ll need education to do it.
Through education, you acquire skill-sets. A right set of skills adds to your self-worth. Self-worth breeds confidence
– often the most critical component for success in conjunction with competence. Remember that the roots of
education is bitter, but the fruits surely are sweet.
Your success is not just important for your own life and future. What you make out of your life will decide nothing
less than the future of this country. What you learn in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet
our challenges in the future.
For now, and in general, focusing on learning, completing your homework, participating in extra-curricular activities
and building team spirit, your character and personality may appear enough. But as Robert Frost, the famous
American poet has stated for all of us to follow, “I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.”
Competition: A very important aspect of life is competition. This year, the cut off for admissions to most of the
colleges in Delhi University has been around 98%. The severity of competition, both in India and abroad, cannot
be over emphasized. Why is the situation such? You have to realize that you are not the only ambitious, talented
or hard working person gunning for a goal. There will always be competitors and many trying to get ahead of you.
Your preparation therefore needs to cater for this.
Are you ready to put in what it takes? Is the time away from whatsapp and youtube worth it? Is it worth putting in
work now to achieve your goals which seem so much a distant future? You perhaps know the answer. But believe
me, it seems a lot harder than it actually is. When you put in efforts for something, you get better at it and thereby
start to enjoy it.
In the words of Thomas Edison, whom we all know as the inventor of the electric light bulb, “If we did things we
were capable of, we would astound ourselves.”
Let me assure you. Hard work and a disciplined approach will out do any level of talent or genius. In fact, the
Italian Renaissance artist, Michelangelo once remarked to an admirer, “If you knew how much work went into it, you
wouldn’t call it genius.”
Experience: As you ease out of your academic phase and get in to real life, you need to remember there is still
an awful lot to learn and that is the essence of education. As I mentioned earlier, there is an ulterior advantage
of each of the subjects taught. Mathematics doesn’t just teach you to add-subtract or methods of integration and
differentiation. If practiced correctly, it develops logic, it develops decision making. Science subjects hone your
skills of understanding of hows and whys of our surroundings. History imbibes pride and belongingness in your
country. Languages help you articulate a concept to a nicety.
All this makes one capable of forming opinions, interpreting data and ability to learn further from experience. Your
true test starts once you have all your degrees and certificates in hand. What I mean to say is that completion of
school or college is not the end of learning. On the contrary, it is perhaps another beginning. Be open to learning,
gain experience and be assured that success is after all, a state of mind. May each one of you find a success story in
yourselves as you envision your careers ahead.
Failure: No story of success is complete without a taste of failure. There is no doubt that failure teaches you much
more than success does. People who succeed understand that failure doesn’t define you; you have to let your
failures teach you: you have to let them show you what to do differently the next time. No one is born being good at
all things. You become good at things through hard work. You’re not an athlete the first time you play a new sport.
You don’t hit every good note the first time you sing a song. You’ve got to practice.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Asking for help isn’t a sign of
weakness, it’s a sign of strength, because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something
and that, then, allows you to learn something new and grow.
Apart from your best friend, find an adult that you approach - a parent, a grandparent or a teacher, a coach or a
counselor – and ask them to help you stay on track and meet your goals. And even if you are struggling, even when
you are discouraged, don’t ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up, you do not reach Mount Everest.
Truth of Life: A renowned Danish philosopher once said, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it has to be
lived forwards.” The journey of life is unpredictable. In reality, if you find a path with no obstacles, it perhaps may
not lead you anywhere. Remember - “Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts.” So go
ahead. Make the best of everything in life from your days in this school to what life offers in the years ahead.
Remember ‘yolo’ - you only live once!
Allow me to close my address with special acknowledgements to everyone here who strives to prepare the
students to thrive in this school and consequently in life. With humble beginnings of 7 teachers and 54 students,
and through a journey spanning 39 years of Dreams, Vision and Mission-mode, the school is precisely following
what the Greek Philosopher and Mathematecian Plato had said, and 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 of each.”
And being a seafarer from the Navy, a thought I wish to share with you is that, I cannot change the direction of
the wind at sea, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. Students, be true to yourself, you are the
apex of our universe. I urge that as you surge ahead into higher education, and professions that you all choose
for yourselves, always remember your alma mater and its constituents that prepare you for all walks of life, and
the friendships and relationships that you all have built in your memorable and defining years here. May you all
children succeed in all your endeavours.
On behalf of my wife Sudha and myself, I take this opportunity to wish the school all glory in the years ahead. Dr.
Thomas Sir, Thank you very much. It has been a singular honour to have been invited as the Chief Guest at the
Founder’s Day Celebrations this year of the Good Shepherd International School.
God bless and Au Revoir. Jai Hind.
Speech of Dr. Sibichen K Mathew, IRS, Commissioner of Income Tax & Advisor,
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, at a Special Assembly
held in GSIS on 24 October 2015
Dr. Sibichen K Mathew addressing the students and faculty
It is very nice to be here today, such a disciplined , pleasant audience , pindrop silence , wonderful! At the outset, let
me congratulate the team under the leadership of Dr. P.C. Thomas, whom I know for the last 18 years, for getting the
recognition as No. 1 school. Recently I read in newspapers, a few days back, Good Shepherd International School
has become the best school for academic excellence, infrastructure and pastoral training. Wonderful! That’s how I
applause for all of us. It is wonderful.
Respected Dr. P. C. Thomas, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, faculty members and dear friends. I do not know what to speak
today. Sir said I will be speaking on telecom, income tax, corporate governance, etc. I do not wish to bore you with
such heavy topics but you can ask me questions on all these things - telecom , taxation, public finance, economics,
whatever I know I can clarify to you through the interactive sessions. Please note down your questions and please
ask me.
Right here seated in front of me I have about 650 students, I guess. Smart, young, dynamic, enterprising, pleasant
students and here we have the sweet students of class 7, the intelligent smart ones of class 12. What a diversity?
Different levels of learning! You are in different grades. Now how will I calibrate my talk to satisfy all of you ? It is a
challenge! And we have smiling academic leaders here, administrators here, around 100. See it is a tough task and
there is one commonality in all of us. All of us are committed to excel in our life. So that is one thing whether we
are in our early childhood or we are an adult or becoming little more senior. Still, a person who wants to become
successful is always in a learning mode. Today, I would like to present before you something different, something
which you already know, only to reinforce what you already know.
Some insights simple on excellence, some stepping stone to excel. I am sure by being a student of this prestigious
school, you are already on the right track. When anybody steps inside this campus they get really inspired. We can
see the high levels of academic vibes all around the campus. I am sure that has really touched each one of you and
you are definitely going to gain a lot during the years which you spend here.
I had a brief interaction with Dr. P.C. Thomas the other day and he was mentioning to me about the students, the
alumni who passed out recently from GSIS. How established they are in their respective fields? How much they
are contributing to the society? This is really wonderful for all of us to hear. So 10 insights for excellence – this is
the topic for today.
Now how many of you think that we human beings are very unique? Are you unique? Are we unique? We are just
like any other human being. Almost all of you are unique creation. That means that there is something in which
some uniqueness is there, something that is not there in other creatures but is there in each one of us. If you are
unique and if you are different from other beings what is that uniqueness?. As human being, if I am unique or you
are unique what is so different within us? People say that the intellectual capacity, the potential of human beings
are thousand times more than other beings in the planet. And they say that the potential which we have within us,
only part of it, microscopic minority uses it to demonstrate that potentiality to others. If you want to do that, the
first thing that you should have is gratitude.
I am born as Sibichen K Mathew in a particular city or town in a State. Not because I asked somebody please
give me birth, please make me enjoy this beautiful world. None of us asked. We are born without a scheme, that
means it is a gift, our life is a gift. If our life is a gift and it was given in a platter by the creator to enjoy the beauty
of the world we should be having the gratitude towards the creator. And the gratitude to the creator has to be
manifested. Where is the creator? It has to be manifested by showing gratitude to the creation, to others. So we
have a responsibility as a lead creation, we are unique person, unique personality, we have tapped our potential
and we have a responsibility towards others.
The way the creator created us, we have to pass it on to others, to give life in others. Now how can we give life in
others? In every interaction with others we can bring to the other person a refreshing moment. If you can bring to
others a smile, if we can make others happy, this is the responsibility as the lead creation.
First tell me which is the most precious gift of life? Life has given to us {all answers} knowledge, wisdom, family
so many things that are precious for us and one important thing that I would like to focus today which is very
precious is this. What is this? Time 11:14:19 seconds, the current moment. The moment which we have right here
is time. This is the most precious gift for us. What is so unique about time? It is neutral, and fair. Time is neutral.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we can see him travelling to other countries, attending different meetings, having
intellectual discussion, having consolidated meeting with various organizations, State and people and guiding his
political party. How busy he is? So Narendra Modi has 36 hours in a day? No, in a day ? Our top celebrities, Shah
Rukh Khan, film actors now we see his shootings, how many times or shots they take and rehearse one shot and
how busy they are, so do they have more than 24 hours? When we see news channels Times Now, Arnab Goswami,
always on the screen, 24 hours he is on the screen, so when is he preparing? That means he has 8 hours more to
prepare?
Time is neutral for me, it is 24 hours for you. It is 24 hours. Some people make that 24 hours into 36 hours, 48 hours,
the output is equivalent to 48 hours though they have been given only 24 hours. How important is this? We can’t
regret or get disappointed about something that happened the previous second or previous minute. You cannot
get it back. Not like a movie, Bahubali, where you can get back what is sent, where an arrow is gone and you can
take it back or it changes its direction to somewhere else. We cannot. And one thing which is very important about
time is that it is always moving and we can be optimistic.
Benjamin Franklin said you will find the key to success under the alarm clock. We all hate alarm clocks. I also
put alarm in my cell phone to get up early in the morning and many times if I fix my alarm for 4:30, by 4:25 my
biological clock tells me I am out of sleep. I am so happy, but if I listen to that alarm and then if I am coming out
of my sleep, then I will not be having a good mood for a few minutes. One thing that is very important about time
is that it is always moving and we can be optimistic. It is not good when you sleep peacefully and you have an
alarm ringing. I am sure most of us face this. What Benjamin Franklin said the key to success is time. When you
are conscious of your time and when you stretch your 24 hours to 28 hours of output or 36 hours of output, you
succeed and we are optimistic because time always goes forward, it won’t stop. It gives you opportunity so that
you can always be forward thinking, optimistic. One thing which is very important which I do most of the days is
time audit. I get up at 5:30 or 6:30 in the morning. I am sleeping at 11:30 or 12:30 at midnight. How did I spend
my time? How many of us do that?. Time audit is most important if present moment is the gift that life has given
to us, so what is our biggest asset? Our biggest asset is time. A successful person, he / she, has to audit his time.
Evaluate how I have utilized my time the whole day. You can be creative whole day when you audit. How much of
my time during the course of the day I was creative or he was creative? I was destructive and I was re-creative. The
destructive is used in comparison with creativity. The time audit is for all of us which we do everyday, every night
before going to sleep. How much of my time was productive, creative? How much of my time was re-creative and
how much destructive?
Tell me friends, what are some examples of creative use of time? If you want to audit your one day, what are the
examples and you THINK o.k. that time of the day I was very creative. Studies, yes I have to complete my project.
I have my deadline which was next Monday. I got my project two days back and today I sat and completed my
project. Reading a book, creativity. I took this book from the library but couldn’t read for a long time but today I
thought I will read this book and I spent some time reading the book – creativity. Listening to very good music, if it
is relaxing for us – creativity. I was not in a good mood today, I felt it is so boring for me today. I can’t read anything,
study anything, I listened to music. It propels you to work hard for your project. In your agenda it is creative. Today
I thought that my cupboard is so bad, so I will spend some time arranging my cupboard, my book shelf, cleaning my
table, cleaning up my room – creativity and go home for vacation o.k. after 4 months in school. I am back at home, I
will enter the kitchen with my mother to prepare a dish – creativity. There are so many examples for creative work.
Tell me examples for re-creative work somebody has created, we are re-creating it, that’s why we call re-creation.
Watching a movie again and again, watching a cricket match, re-creation. Somebody has created with their energy,
with their money, with their resources and we sit in front of the TV with a remote and enjoy. There is no creativity
in it. That is called re-creation. So a book commits suicide whenever you get infatuated to the internet. What
was the last book you read? I asked a student of an Engineering College. He said my last book was Facebook. So
people won’t read books. So one day there is a message like this “will you be happy in India where one-fourth of
the population don’t have Bank Accounts but they have Facebook account!” Even if breakfast, lunch is not there, no
problem, wi-fi should be there. When you travel in a train, you see the father and mother looking for the seat and
the teenage daughter looking at the top. What is she looking for? Plug point . So it’s very important for people, not
only for teenagers but for others how much time we spend for re-creation – re-creative activity. So at this point I
want you to tell you that internet, whatever we will do, will always haunt us. So there is no privacy whatsoever and
in whatever we do in internet. It can take a 360 degrees profile and tell about you to others, whatever person you
are so, these are the examples of destructive use of time.
Creative, re-creative, third is destructive use of time. In the night when you are asleep, you are checking, you think
oh! that was bad, I should have spent time for that, or for this work. Examples, any one? Facebook re-creative, it
is not destructive. Anything else? Gossips. how many of you like gossips ? Too much of gossips, that is something
which is destructive. Interacting with a person with a negative emotion, a pessimistic person, we call them a toxic
person. Sometimes we interact with toxic people in our life and we regret that why I spent so much of time with
a toxic person who spreads only negativity. When somebody spreads negativity that immediately, reverberates
and we will give that back to others. So in a day if you have destructive moments and other negative habits which
you feel is taking you away from your goals, are also destructive moments. So in a day when you do the time audit
at night how much should be, let me be practical, I am not saying that you have to be 100 percent creative, nobody
can be perfect, 100 percent creative nobody can be. At least something that we have more creative moments when
we audit. We have been awake for 12 hours and at this moment we have had this many hours of creative moments,
this many hours of re-creative moments and this many few hours of destructive moments in our given time. When
you do this time audit on that one night, let me tell you will definitely improve your scores, your proportions for
the next day. We will not fool ourselves.
There are many people who say that they cannot sleep properly. They say they dream, they do the time audit.
They have lot of things to do, tomorrow this, day after tomorrow this, I have so many things in my pipeline. I have
seen lot of people who are achievers telling me that I cannot sleep properly, I am not tired, I am thinking about
tomorrow. They dream. They are achievers.
There are many people that I come across in my life, they say I dream. I dream with my eyes open about what I can
do tomorrow. So when a creative person values time he will be valuable to others. All achievers, I don’t think there
is any exception, all achievers have gone ahead of time.
Ronen Chatterjee? How many of you know him or have heard about him? He was an average student in the school,
below average student in the school and he was irritated whenever teachers said “study, study, study.” He had one
exceptional quality, he could be very imaginative. He had a lot of ideas, and he told his mom that I have a story, a
unique story. Why don’t you pin it as a good novel? Mom said, “No, it is your story and if you write it will come up
well, it is your imagination, your creative imagination.” He started writing a story, a novel for ten years, how it is
linked to family life of three generations when he was just thirteen and above. Eighth standard, he wrote the book.
he sat at night till 1a m, 3a m in his room and completed the novel and sent it. Some of the publishers said, no you
are just 13 years and they even refused to have a look at the book. One publisher came forward, they published
the book when he was just 15. People say this youngest novelist is a very acclaimed author now. When he started,
he was just 13. Ronen Chatterjee.
Suhas Gopinath came for the release of my book, my latest book. I brought him as a guest speaker. I invited him
for only one reason and that is to inspire the audience. I had about 650 people at my release and I wanted him
to speak and inspire my audience. He became a CEO at the age of 14. His photo is there during my book release
function. He went to an internet café and told the manager there, I would like to supervise here, I would like to
supervise, to be the manager here in your shop. Please allow me to use the internet, don’t give me any salary. So at
the age of 13 or 14 a boy wanting to use the internet for the whole day? What would he do? He would be playing
games, or get busy in entertainment, chats? No, he did not do any of these things. He started developing software
programmes. Sitting there at the age of 14 he started a company and he became one of the youngest CEOs of a
company which was globally known. His company is called Globals Inc. He was called to various international
bodies, he addressed many gathering, world economic forums. He is slightly older now, 3 or 4 years and he said
when he started delivering his ideas to others, people did not listen to him initially. They said, “You are a young boy,
what do you know?” He was interviewed in BBC and CNN where he narrated his experiences and how insightful,
how productive, how creative the products he has designed displaying to the audience what he started at the age
of 14. You see these young boys Sravan Kumaran and Sanjay Kumaran aged 12 and 13 what they did at that point
of time. Now they've grown old, they again used the Internet for good purpose. They said that “I don't want to be
re-creative. Re-creative means somebody has given a game, I am.the Play station, I am using it.” He said, “I want to
create a game” - creative. His game ‘Catch Me Cop’ became very popular. More than 25 applications they developed
for Apple and Android softwares and when Abdul Kalam, former President of India, visited the school, he told the
audience, in front of them, “I like to play Catch Me Cop.” See how Internet or how opportunities before us have
been channelized for creative purpose and how they got recognized. How the uniqueness of human being, how
they tap the potential for contributing to others? At the age of 13-14, you can get recognized for your creativity,
for the creative ideas, globally - there are people who will listen to you. If you use your time the proportion more
for creative things, when you do the time audit and if you go ahead of time you stretch 24 hours to 36 hours and
48 hours, what can you not do?
A 9th standard student of Lucknow, she did it. I met her in the last week when I went for a conference where about
24 young innovators from all over the world came. All are doing +2 or above. They gave the creative ideas to
present before the countries. The International telecommunication conference where all country representatives
are coming and these students, 24 of them, were selected based on a world international competition. They came
and presented their ideas and the big companies like Ericsson, Intel Corporation, they are buying the ideas across
the table. So, why they were successful? We need to have ideas but we need to communicate it properly. We have
ideas. All of you have ideas because we have the immense potential within us. But if we cannot communicate to
others we are a failure. So, next step is communication.
Charles Darwin, again we are going back to the first slide which is, are we unique human beings? Are we unique? I
asked a question. The first and foremost weakness of human beings are we cannot effectively communicate. In 1872
when he wrote this book, he said ‘yes’, to a limit animals can also communicate. So what is good communication?
voice? Powerful voice is a good communication? May be. Fluency? There is Mr. Pradeep Soundarrajan from Chennai.
He was a stammerer and stutterer. He couldn't speak even one sentence properly. He was a stammerer. And he
became international champion of public speaking by practice. Stammering, it didn't prevent him from becoming
a leader. There is one politician called EMS Namboothiripad, the first communist Chief Minister of Kerala. He was a
stammerer, but thousands of people gathered when he spoke.
Fluency is one of the attributes, not very important. Grammar, we Indians are more worried about grammar than
even the English speaking population. We can convey even if the grammar is wrong. Pause, right pause. Yes.
We have the right pause when we are talking to wrong person. We have long pause. We don't want to speak
anything to somebody whom we don't like. Frequency, modulation, apart from this, most important thing is not
communicating on a podium. I am happy because all of you are listening. The challenge is to communicate outside
this hall. Everyone can communicate here on a podium, prepare PowerPoint, whether we are a good communicator
beyond the stage? Most of the problems happening in this world, in families, in Institutions, in organisations are
because we fail to communicate properly. And it is to understand what we are when we communicate. Many times,
communication is a failure like whatever Eric Burn, psychologist, he wrote in a book travelogue. In his theory of
transaction analysis, he says when we communicate we might communicate sometime as an adult, sometimes as a
child or as a parent. I would explain this in a very simple way. When the other person communicates to you, if you
are in the communication intelligence, you'll understand whether the person will speak as a parent or adult or a
child. For example, I'm driving a car and my wife is sitting beside me. I am going through a highway at a speed of
120 kilometers per hour. Suddenly my wife says, “you know there is candy - sugar candy person there, let's have
a candy there.” I am on a highway, 120 kms per hour speed and what is my reaction immediately? What are you
speaking? What rubbish are you speaking?. We are going at 120 kms per hour. Can you stop ? That's the adult in
me. If I have the parent in me, I'll gauge my wife is speaking at that point of time as a child. What I'll say, “no dear,
we'll stop after some time. Now, we cannot stop the car. If we stop the car right now, we'll be landing in the hospital
and they will have to give the sugar candy over the veins. So, hold this, another better vendor will be there. There,
we'll stop.”
When we communicate outside in real life, may be we forget what is the role of the other person who speaks. So
the important factor is non-verbal communication. When I am speaking from here right now I am sure 55% of
your focus is on my expressions, my body movements, 38% is on my voice and my tone and 7% is on my words.
This is what Edward Halloween, psychologist, said. So please understand how important. If you want to be a very
good communicator you have to use your non-verbal face communication expression so well. We see many people
outside organizations and we find that it is so boring to interact with them. They don't smile. They put a very serious
face. How important it is to communicate?. How old is this young man which I told who came and presented in the
international conference to sell their ideas, they communicated to the Heads of countries, Heads of corporates in
an way where they really influenced them. So many times somebody speaks in Latin and we feel it's Greek and we
say many times, your father is speaking, I can’t understand. The other person will shout at you. Am I not speaking
in English ? Plain English? You are not understanding ? A communication gap comes when there is no clarity in
what we speak to others. So people take different types of communications. These are all examples of negative
communication. And when you are dishonest in communication, they say something, here is something else to a
different audience. Next time when I come here to Good Shepherd, you'll say this fellow, let us sit as a disciplined
person. Dr. P. C. Thomas is here, he will see, he has already told us this is videographed and photographed, so
he will be catching you, so let's listen, let's not listen to him because he is dishonest. Dishonest communicators
have very few listeners. So how to be an effective communicator ? He should know how and what to speak, when
to speak, how to speak, where to speak. Who is my audience? I am a chief guest in a particular function. A good
communicator will find out who is the audience, what is the wavelength, what they want from me and deliver it.
That is important. So we converse. We talk to people. We chat with people. But then we say we don't have friends,
I don't have friends. I chat with lot of people, I try to interact with them but still I don't have a good friend. Why ?
We don't have good friends ? Look back. Audit yourself. Whether our conversations are meaningful. Is it focused ?
Was I attentive when the other person spoke to me ? Or was I responsive ? Whether when I spoke to other person, I
had given a perfectly meaningful human moment. If you can give, to others when you speak as a friend, to another
person when you speak if the other person is feeling that fulfilling moment when he talked earlier. Again gratitude
of others by giving them life, giving them life means this. Who is this.?... What people say about him?
One of the best leadership qualities in Clinton is his ability to connect with the people. When he speaks, he devotes
his complete attention to having a conversation, leaving the individual to believe, they are the only two members
in a crowded room. There are 1500 people around him, when somebody speaks, he gives him complete attention.
The success is such when he converses. When we are in a meeting, when we are in a classroom, attend to a lecture,
we need to set aside, abandon, put down, disengage and focus because speakers are very happy when the speaker
is speaking. A teacher is delivering a lecture in the class and every student is responsive to the teacher. Teacher is
elated, she is elated. Many times listening is to reply not to understand. When I give lectures in different places,
there are some people who ask questions, “Sir I have a question.” “Yes tell me the question.” He will ask a question
and I am trying to answer that question. At that time what is he doing? What he will be doing? He will be looking
at what? To get recognition of others, see I asked a very good ,smart question. Many times, we are asking not for
answer. So, if you are not communicating effectively with the people, one easy, with more intelligence, we lack
emotional intelligence.
If you get a chance, may be you must. There is a book which must be in your library. It is a book on emotional
intelligence and social intelligence by Daniel Goleman. You should read that book. Then you’ll understand whether
in day-to-day life, day-to-day conversations are really meaningful. He says we need to have self-awareness, that I
should know my shortcomings- self regulation. If I know my shortcomings, I should always be in a continuous mode
to correct myself – time audit. I audit my behaviour and I am on a self-regulation. I’ll try to improve myself and that
gives me motivation to do something better, something more creative. This can happen only when I give fulfilling
moments to others-empathy. I empathize with others and of course their social skills.
Second one is the social intelligence. Many a times we are in a fool’s paradise. We think we are perfect. We are
right. We should also know what others think about us. What my spouse thinks about me, what friends think about
me, what parents think about me, classmates think about me, my behavioural pattern? Is it in conformity with the
expectations of others? Then comes cultural intelligence.
To be successful, we have to be assimilated, we have to interact with people and groups of different types so as to
become a popular leader. There are four pillars of successful leaders. And for all these there are tests. In my latest
book ‘When the boss is wrong”, I had given tests to find out myself what is the score for these books. This is my
book—this is an advertisement break for my book. Tell your parents to read this book and check up whether they
are wrong or not.
Real leadership is when everyone else feels the charge. The leader gives an impression to everybody in the
organization. If you are having a group project, a presentation, the group leader will ensure that every participant
in the group feels that they are in control, they are in-charge. That’s the greatest leadership quality. Emotional
intelligence comes in two manifestations, one is empathic accuracy. We know if a person talks to me, if he interacts,
if we know the context, circumstances are acting in a negative way. We have more chance to forgive him. A person
with empathic accuracy can easily forgive people because he understands the reason behind the rudeness.
Empathic accuracy is a skill and the synchrony as Daniel Goleman says, “Synchrony lets us glide gracefully through
a non-verbal dance with another person.”
When the teacher takes classes, you are so attentive. You are nodding your head, you are writing notes - that is
synchrony. The teacher is happy. When the teacher takes classes, she reacts to the students - that’s where synchrony
happens. So if there is synchrony in our communication, we will definitely achieve.
If that doesn’t happen, there is a condition called dysthymia. A person with dysthymia will always be disappointed.
He says that “Okay, I don't have friends, I don’t have anybody to talk to.” So we need to be an orchestra to others.
Somebody comes and converses with you something, beat the drum. Encourage him, inspire him- this is what you
need to do in life.
• So identify the sources that can inspire us. Head of Ford Motors said that he used to sit at the front of the
church to study the priest’s influence on the congregation. From where you get inspiration, how a priest is
speaking from the lectern and how we are influenced by that.
• Joseph Dunford told that his first battalion commander told him three rules of life. The first- surround
yourself with good people and not with toxic people, the first principle. Then he said that over the years he
had forgotten the other two. So it is important to be surrounded by people with the positive temperament.
When you do the time audit, reduce destructive moments with negative people, you will be successful.
• Here is a man, your Principal, Dr. P.C. Thomas, who began his life amidst adversities and built an empire of
trust, love and knowledge.
C. Rajagopalachari, who was the Governor-General of India, after a short interaction with him remarked that he was
impressed with your Principal, his attention to details. He was a passionate teacher, a strict disciplinarian for which
he earned the nickname pinchy commander. He built an empire out of fruitful conversation.
We talk of communication quotient. He drew his inspiration for his work from the words of Harry S Truman. It is
amazing how much you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit? Who is this visionary? I think I have
to impose a penalty on the students .
Applause students, you don’t have to look anywhere else. You have a visionary, you have a leader before you, use
the opportunity. He was not an opportunist. An opportunist is a negative term but he was an opportunity utilizer.
So the time, the present moment, the clock, it brings you many number of opportunities during your day and if
the day is spent creatively, more of creativity, less re-creation, my dear friends, make creative use of time, least
destructive moments and you are using the moment like the young boys whose photographs you saw. You will
make people listen to you, Heads will listen to you, you will get recognition from people all over the world and all
over the country people will listen to your ideas.
So believe me, my dear friends, miracles can happen in our life. When I was in class 7 and class 8, I wished I should
get a rank. Don’t give me 1st rank or 2nd rank, give me at least 10th rank or when the progress report is being read
by Father Philip Thayil, I will look at Sebastian and think he should not get better rank than me and Sebastian will
look at me and think if Sibichen gets 33 I should get 32. Then the English teacher used to take class to explain the
difference between thick and thin he would point at me and say “Sibichen is a thin boy.” I used to look at myself.
I was a skeleton. I was not taken for NCC. For football match when they would take me I would hit the ground with
more frequency than the football. When the final examination is going on, Principal is coming to our class and says
these are the names of students who are going to get top marks in the class, I am waiting whether my name is there.
He narrated 25 names. My name is not there. I was not disappointed, I was not frustrated. I thought I have potential,
I have immense potential within me which I can use and I have to tap my potential and I can do it and with that
miracles happen when you try. And I am now in a post where none of my friends are anywhere near, none of my
school classmates are near to the position which I am having. The ranks, the gold medals I got umpteen number of
times I tried, these are all miracles. So miracles can happen in the life of each one of you. Try. Thank you so much.
Speech of Lord Karan Bilimoria, CBE, DL, at a Special Assembly
held in GSIS on Monday, 08 February 2016
It is a great privilege for me to be here and thank you very much Mrs. Alexander for that. Very warm welcome in
your kind words to me and thank you Mrs. Thomas for welcoming me here. I hear Dr. Thomas is not well and I
wish him a speedy recovery and also a great thank you to Brigadier Suresh Kumar. I am so happy to see the former
Commandant of the Madras Regimental Centre. We have family links with him and with the Madras Regiment. My
grandfather commanded the first battalion of the Madras Regiment, the oldest battalion in the Indian Army. My
father when commanding his battalion of Gurkhas, was side by side with the Madras Regiment, which the Brigadier
himself later commanded and was now recently Commandant of the Madras Regimental Centre. Well for me to
come back to Ooty is, is coming home. I was a student in this area myself. I was at Hebron School very close to here
and my brother was at the Lawrence School, Lovedale. And I was at my old school today. It was very nostalgic to
come back nearly four decades later and see what’s changed and what hasn’t. And I loved every part of my time at
Hebron except for one thing, the food was very bad. In fact it was too bad. It was so bad that on Saturdays when
we were allowed to go to Ooty town, I would get on to my bicycle and go to a restaurant called Kurinjis and I would
have five masala dosas to last me for the whole of the week. So, today my nephew is there and I said whatever
happens I’ve got to have lunch in the dining hall with the students to see if the food is improved. My God, has it
improved. Not only was it good, I had two big helpings. In my time if I would have been offered a second helping, I
would have run away from it, the food was so bad. So things have improved. But how much is changed? How much
have changed in these past decades? You are all at an International School. You are one of the top International
Schools in India. And I think you’re in a really, really lucky position.
How many of you want to study abroad? Can I see? Just about every hand. O.k. How many of you want to study
in the United States? How many of you want to study in the U.K. or Australia or Canada ? Those are the top four
countries for international education and you all want to go predominantly to one of those countries. Now just look
at where India was when I was a child over here. I said the food was bad at Hebron. India, 40 years ago was a country
where we had 3 choices of cars - A Triumph Herald (1950s model), a Fiat (1950s model) or an Ambassador Morris
Oxford (1950s model). We had to wait to get a phone line. Now this country with a billion mobile phones, you have
to have a waiting list of years just to get a phone line in your office or in your home. The consumer was stopped of
choice. It was a closed, protected insular inward looking country. It was loser of an economy. The United Kingdom
that I went to in the early 80s just over 3 decades ago, the United Kingdom was the biggest Empire in the World
as ever known. Huge! If you go to Imperial College in London, one of the top Universities in the world, there’s a
tower over there called the Queen’s tower. And the Queen’s tower was built in 1875 to commemorate her Majesty
Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. And if you go and see that tower today there is a plaque at the bottom of that
tower and it says this tower was built to commemorate her Majesty Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, her Majesty
Queen Victoria, Empress of India. What happened to that Empire? Gone. So in the early 80s when I was in the U.K.,
my friends and family survived the U.K., it’s a loser of the country. It was known as the sick man of Europe. So then
Lord Karan Bilimoria addressing the students and faculty
two countries, when I was little older than you, your age that were considered losers. Today just look at how things
have transformed. Today this country of 1.25 billion people is an emerging global economic super power. This is
the country that the whole world is looking at. This is the country that everyone wants to deal with. And the United
Kingdom, just 60 million people with no Empire is the fifth largest economy in the world. And instead of being the
sick man of Europe, is the envy of Europe. So you are in a very lucky position. You are here in India to be educated
in this top school. You got insight into India, you got your roots in India and you are going abroad for you all say
you want to study and you will have the advantage of having this link with India forever. It puts you in a different
league and I’m going to show you make the most of it. I come to India 7 or 8 times a year. Every time I step out of
that plane, I’m at home when I’m here. However, every time I drive through the streets of India I see that India is
developing, but I also see that some parts of India have not changed at all since I was a child here. The poverty is
sadly still there. There’s a lot still to be done. But the more that the economic progress takes place, the more people
move into the middle classes, the more people are alleviated from poverty, the more I think we will not see those
scenes that I’ve seen from my childhood in the years to come. So I have a lot of faith in this country, with all its
challenges, you had my instructions that from here I went to study, first in India, then in the U.K. I was lucky to go to
Cambridge University, in fact last month I was appointed as a chair of the University of Cambridge Judge Business
School. And as luck, on that day, my appointment was announced, the MBA rankings of the world were announced
and the Judge Business School was ranked in the top 10 in the world. Now Cambridge University is an 800-yearold institution, 800 years old. And yet the Business School is only 25 years old, because when I was at Cambridge
they looked down upon finance. Finance, Business those words didn’t exist in the Cambridge University. Today you
know the biggest society in the Cambridge University is the students, the biggest student society is the Cambridge
University Entrepreneurs.
How many of you want to start your own business one day? Can I see some hands? O.k. that’s pretty good, that’s
pretty good. O.k., when you start your own business you got to have an idea first to start your own business.
Your idea doesn’t have to be transformational, your idea can be something very simple, you don’t have to invent
something that didn’t exist before. How many of you know about Facebook – yeah. When Facebook started, Mark
Zuckerberg, when he started Facebook, do you know that social networks were huge, this was in 2002-2003. He
wasn’t the first to invent social networks. My space, now people have forgotten this name My space. My space was
already huge, it’s a global brand. So why did Mark Zuckerberg create something and why is it today one of the most
valuable companies in the world?
Why did I start a brand called Cobra in the most competitive beer market against giants. Kingfisher was there for
8 years before we started. I had no money. I had 20000 pounds yet to pay off. My company car, my partner Arjun
Vedi Nair, our company car cost us 295 pounds. It was a Citroen dish car, it was bright green, it was battered. It
needed to be push started everyday. I’m not exaggerating any of this. If you drove and you look down, you could
see the roads through the holes in the floor of the car. In the end, it failed its roadworthy test. That’s how I started
against all the odds. And if there is one work that I discover, it was by meeting an entrepreneur from Hebron School,
an old boy who built up a business in Leeds. Arjun and I went to see him and said we need some advice, we need
some inspiration, we got this idea for Cobra, can you help us. He said come and see me. So we caught the train to
Leeds which is in the North England, we got out of the train and there he was in his very smart car. We were using
our battered car. And we drove in this very smart car in the streets of Leeds. As we were driving down he said, I
own that house there, when we further drove, I own 2 houses there, I own half that street there, I own the whole
of that street there. By the time we got to his house, beautiful big house, Mansion. We realized he owned over
250 houses in Leeds. And what he did was he bought these houses and he rent them out to Leeds University for
student accommodation. Very good business moral, safe tenant Leeds University, sure money, regular tenants,
multi millionaire. And we sat at his kitchen table, and he said you know, you want to be an entrepreneur, you want
to start business, there is one word that sets apart successful entrepreneurs from all other entrepreneurs. The same
year he lost his business and he told us I nearly lost my business and he said that one word is guts, guts! You going
to have the guts to do it first place. Lots of people have ideas, many of them never, ever put those ideas into place.
So one is guts in the first place, the second is the guts to stick with it when others could give up. So I nearly lost my
business three times and each of those times I can assure you I didn’t predict that the prices was going to come.
And each of those times we managed to make it through and survive. So I know there are some questions and
answers too and I would like to leave time for you to ask me as many questions as you like about anything. When I
joined Parliament which is nine and a half years ago, I was very young then, I’m still considered one of the younger
members of the House of Lords, because the average age is 70 and there are 800 pairs in the House of Lords and it
is very, very special place. If you like to ask me any questions about the House of Lords, please feel free to ask me
questions about that as well. Now, I noticed your Motto, “Truth, Trust, Triumph” and I listened to your school prayer
and your school prayer was about these three words and I was thinking about my own children. My older son has
just finished studies in school and he is at Cambridge University, he is gone there in Caius college. He is at a college
where Professor Stephen Hawking is, who have been there for 50 years now as a Fellow. How many of you have
seen the film about Professor Stephen Hawking? It is a very brilliant film and Eddie Redmayne who plays Stephen
Hawking went to Eton School and to Cambridge University. My younger son Josh is still at Eton. You know Josh, he
is very naughty in fact, not quite naughty. Last week I was in my office and I got a phone call from his Matron, from
her house. She said, Karan, I’ve been trying to get your wife and I couldn’t get hold of her, so I’m afraid I’m sorry
to disturb you, I thought you are in Parliament but I believe you are in your office I’m really sorry to disturb you
but I have to tell you that Josh has been hit by a truck. I was completely shocked. You should look, please, before
I go any further, he’s alright. He’s hit by a truck , he is alright. What had happened? In Eton School which is a very
famous school, probably the most famous school in the world is a street and the little streets and cross roads and
the boys have to cross. It’s not like this, which is the beautiful campus. Eton is actually in a village and the boys
have to cross roads all the time and he wanted to go and play football in the afternoon and he rushed to cross the
street. A truck turned round the corner and he was thrown off. Luckily, there was another House Master near the
spot and so where the other boys there. They had rushed him, he was wounded, he was on the ground. When he
got his breath back the House Master asked him, “Are you alright?” He said, “yes I’m fine.” He got up and he pushed
off and he went to play football. So the House Master then phoned the dame and said, “Listen, Josh Bilimoria has
just been hit by a truck and he’s gone off to play football. You better take him to the hospital.” Then the matron,
the dame got into a car. Eton has many playing fields, you know that the battle of Waterloo was one of the playing
fields of Eton and there she was driving, driving around to find out Josh. Eventually she found him and there he was
playing football. “Come here quickly,” she took him back, examined him, checked if he had broken any ribs. Luckily,
thank God, he was fine. There must have been a guardian angel looking over him. The next thing, do you know what
happened? He was sent to lower master, the Headmaster because he was punished. He was punished. He could
have died, but he was punished. And when he saw the lower master. The lower master said, “you know why you are
here?” First he asked, are you alright? He said, “yes I’m alright, Sir. He said you are being punished because we
teach you road safety for a reason. That truck driver thought he killed you; do you realize how he was and everyone
else were, because you were stupid and you didn’t look carefully and you didn’t obey the rules that we have taught
in the school to be careful when you cross roads and you are lucky to be here alive now. That is why you are being
punished and you’ve been sent to me. So your prayer is absolutely right. There’s a reason for rules, there’s a reason
why your teachers and your parents tell you something and my son is lucky to live to tell that. So ‘Truth, Trust and
Triumph.’ I do a course at the Harvard Business School and I was there in January and we learnt about leadership
and you know some leaders, think about it, they play not to lose. How many of you like football here, among the
boys here? O.k. any Chelsea fans? O.k. – we are not doing that well in this season but any way.
So if you see a team playing football, sometimes you see them playing not to lose. On the other hand, there are
those leaders who play to win. And last year was the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. In the Battle of
Waterloo, Napoleon, the great Napoleon, the great French Emperor who tried to conquer the whole of Europe and
in the Battle of Waterloo, he was defeated by the Duke of Wellington. Napoleon had everything in his favour where
he made some fundamental errors and the Duke of Wellington defeated him and there was peace in Europe for
a 100 years as a result of that. Triumph – o.k. Truth, Trust, Triumph! Play to win. And the last thing I would like
to say to you is aim high in your position sitting there. Did I really think that fast forward that I would have built a
business, family, House of Lords, University Chancellor twice and, and, and… How did that happen and I think you
got to aim high and I think you got to be confident but not arrogant. You are going to be humble and how about we
came up with this wonderful world. You’ve got to be ambitious and you’ve got to be humble. So you’ve got to be
ambitious. So remember that word ambitious and finally you will only get anywhere in life if you have complete
confidence and belief in yourself. And one of my greatest achievements in Parliament is, I was on the Committee
that put up a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square outside the House of Parliament in Westminster.
There were 10 statues there, Mahatma Gandhi’s was the eleventh, the tenth was Nelson Mandela and you know we
had our first Committee meeting in July and the statue was inaugurated in March. Government can move quickly
when it wants to and I see people in front of their statue every time I drive round the Parliament Square. Such is the
influence of Mahatma Gandhi for the whole world, not just for India. And my favourite saying of Mahatma Gandhi
is this, “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your
actions become your habits, your habits form your character and your character determines your destiny.”
Thanks very much!
Address by Vice Admiral B Kannan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd) on the occasion
of the Investiture Ceremony held at GSIS on Saturday, 20 February 2016
Chairman and Members of the Board of Governors, Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Senior Vice President, faculty, staff,
Members of the newly inducted Prefects’ Council, parents, students, ladies and gentlemen, I’m happy to be here
once again amidst the Shepherdians. I last visited the school in October for the Founder’s Day and this time I’m
happy to be here again for this Investiture Ceremony. I came yesterday along with my wife and was delighted to
see the school and the entire landscape of Ooty. I travelled from Chennai. I should tell you this. There was a copassenger who was curious to know why I was going to Ooty and when I told him that I’m going to be visiting your
school, he mentioned that he has heard about the school, but has not visited the school. “It’s a very good school,”
he told. I didn’t fully agree with him because good schools are where students are taught but I think your school is
different. Yours is a great school. Yours is a great school where children learn the difference between being taught
and learning.
Vice Admiral B Kannan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd) addressing the parents, guardians, students and staff
I’m very happy here today with my wife participating in this function. Everything looks the same as I saw in October
except for the hills are slightly brown, because of the weather but I’m missing Dr. Thomas, who is unfortunately
away because of health reasons, but I promised him before I came here that I will meet him on my way back to
Coimbatore and tell him the experience of me visiting the school once again and participating in this ceremony.
Investiture Ceremony has always been a very important part in the school calendar. They are time honoured
academic traditions which your school has been proudly conducting every year and my congratulations to the
students who have been inducted as the new Prefects. Responsibility has been bestowed on you by the school.
Now it is for you to take over this task and be a role model to your group of students who are in your team. You
have to set an example for them in almost every front of your activity, be it discipline, punctuality, care, concern,
respect to elders, attention to details, dress code and so on. And all these, one can achieve only through hard work
and total commitment. I am sure you will rise to the occasions. School expects you to do that. You are selected for
it. You should see it as a challenge, you should see it as an opportunity challenge, because it brings out some inner
strengths which you have which the school authorities have seen in you. Opportunities, you should see it because
you are able to demonstrate your capabilities and showcase it to the rest of the school body.
I would like to wish you once again you all the best but I am reminded of a Chinese saying that being a leader
and you are all going to be leaders of your team. Being a leader is like walking beside your team and as you keep
engaging your team on the various tasks, the team, of course, is motivated by you, but your presence sometimes
doesn’t get noticed. That is the indication of a good leader. He merges into the team and he ensures through his
personal examples that all of you are working as one team. Meeting all the objectives and goals, a good leader does
that. And in case of best leader in the team, when they finish their work, they say we did it ourselves. That is the
indication of a good leader, the best leader. So leadership calls for a lot of hard work, commitment, some sacrifice,
of course, a huge satisfaction that you get at the end of it. And I’m sure you’ll be able to carry the members along
because they all have different levels of capability, attitude and you have to ensure they uphold the values of the
school, comply with the work ethos of the school and maintain its rich culture, which is so vividly displayed in the
school activities.
I’m sure there are a few students here who aspire to become Prefects but they were not able to make the selection.
I would like to wish them all the next year. Take it as a challenge and I’m sure you will be able to become a winner
next time, because everybody cannot become winners, because there are a limited number of Prefects that are
required. So I would like to wish each one of you the best in the coming year of your leadership and take the school
through yet another year as it is close to its 40th Anniversary, which is going to happen next year.
Wish you all the best and once again I want to thank the school management for having invited me and my wife to
be present here with you. Jai Hind.
Address by Vice Admiral B Kannan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd) on the occasion
of the Graduation Ceremony held at GSIS on Saturday, 20 February 2016
Vice Admiral B Kannan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd) addressing the parents, guardians, students and staff
Mrs. Elsamma Thomas, Senior Vice President, Chairman and Members of the Board of Governors, faculty and staff,
large number of parents who have come here to participate in this Graduation Ceremony, the out-going class of 70
students who are graduating today, Ladies and Gentlemen, very Good Afternoon to you.
At the outset, I would like to thank Sheila for a very generous introduction about me and my wife, and I feel very
privileged to be here with you. I use this opportunity to share some of the thoughts that I have. I spoke earlier to
you in the parade ground. Some of you were not there during that time. But today, I will direct whatever thoughts
I have towards the class that is graduating. But, before that, I should acknowledge the high level of camaraderie
which seem to exist between the outgoing class and the other students especially the ones in the 11th standard.
From what I heard Rijul spoke and what Saha replied and I think they have been very well spirited. The talk I heard,
Good! I also deeply appreciate the song which was sung on the best day of my life. It was very well sung, and I think
this is one of the best days in my life to be here in Good Shepherd International School.
It reminds me of the time when I left my 12th standard and I had to choose an avenue like many of you are planning
to do or already planned which was revealed yesterday when I joined you for the photographic session. Some of
you have mentioned that you are going to do this in computers, somebody said I am going to do a family business,
somebody said I am going into higher studies in management. But when I finished my 12th standard or equivalent
those days, that is called pre-degree, but that is more than 46 years back, all my parents told was to join the local
Engineering College and that is best for you. There was no discussion, there was no other option for me to choose
from anything else. I thought I was a very bright student but my parents told me don’t think of IIT Madras. At that
time, that was the closest IIT from Trivandrum from where I hail. They said, local Engineering College is good
enough for you. It was good enough for me and I really enjoyed being there and subsequent four decades of
service in the navy. But the denial to a higher level of college and Engineering College in the form of IIT remained
in me as a minor grudge which I carried along and I was fortunate that I could find my way to the IIT Bombay for
my post-graduation much later. I am just highlighting this point, I will come back to that when I speak to you about
the avenues and the ups and downs in life. Today you are in the threshold of choosing your avenues or career.
Today’s age is different. Atleast for the point of information based on which you take decisions, it is an age of
instant gratification. By click of a button you are able to get a huge amount of data, experience of others, yours
, friends, the predecessors the line which you are planning to choose from and you are planning to make a much
more informed decision than what people like me or many senior people sitting in the audience have done. To
that extent, you are very, very fortunate and highly empowered. But it also brings in a necessity for choosing a line
and putting in a mental strength and determination to make sure that the future you have selected is going to be
rewarding as you had planned. But very broadly, two things decide your success – one is the metrics. When I say
the metrics, I mean the grades and the marks and the CPI or whatever way of the marks are given and the second
is the reputation of the institution from where you have graduated. I have no doubts in my mind that as far as the
reputation of the institution from where you have graduated today or you have already graduated just now, there
absolutely is no doubt that it is going to be fully empowering you, giving you all the strength but for the metrics you
have to work very hard. You have to be determined to succeed. Some of you already wrote the exams and waiting
for your practical work to start or you will be finishing it soon by the middle of March. Some of you are determined
to succeed and to succeed you have to be determined to work hard and there is no short cut to that. I am sure you
will get all the support from your faculty, friends and parents who are here in large numbers today. For parents, any
way, it is anxious time because your children are going to go through every crucial important examinations which
is going to be deciding their future. Parents are always like this, they get worried even if there is no exam. Well,
today they are worried about your exam, tomorrow they are worried about how you will do your profession, how
your career is advancing, how you are choosing your partner, how you are setting up your family. The parents are
forever in some anxiety or the other. That is how life is. There is a lot of happiness in all this, I will tell you. Me and
my wife, we have one child who has gone ahead in life and is presently doing his post-graduation and he has got
his exams next month. So my wife is going to sit with him for the next one month to make sure that he studies well.
Parents cannot change just like that. I am spared of the fact that I don’t have to sit with him and learn the subject
that I don’t know because he is doing post-graduation in dental surgery which is closer to my wife’s profession.
I wanted to wish all the parents the best and I am sure all your selfless love and all the care which you have extended
in all your progress bear fruit and your children do well in the forthcoming exams and come out with flying colours.
Nothing would have happened in the school without very active participation of the faculty and the staff. I did hear
about it in Saha’s outgoing address very aptly covered and I am sure every bit of it is true. The school, a great school
like GSIS which I was telling Mrs. Thomas sometime back. It change the military sometime in the perfection they
have in discipline, punctuality, the way they organize, you have learned a lot by just observing and participating in
the functions. I am sure the passionate and tireless efforts put in by the faculty towards preparing for these exams
will help you in consolidating your position and choose an avenue which will bring out the best in you.
On behalf of the outgoing students I would like to thank the faculty for their excellent support they’ve given you. So
finally let me wish the outgoing batch all the best for the balance exams you have. Some of you have lot of exams
left and some of you few exams and when you finish and when you leave and you are going to work elsewhere,
make sure you bring back glory to school, your teachers, be caring to your parents, because they’ve given you all
love and care. Also you have to look at the society and be good citizens, contribute to your society through your
knowledge and to the environment by your care and I did hear somebody mentioned I think it was Sheila, who said
that if you follow the motto of the school Truth, Trust and Triumph, you’ll be able to achieve everything which you
wanted in your life. So on the positive note, I would like to wish all the students and parents all the best and those
of you sitting at the back bench, who are going to be graduated in the coming years, I am sure you will get equally
enthused about taking up the school culture and school ethos and the glory at the school forward to greater
heights in the years ahead.
Jai Hind.
Speech of Mr. M. Krishna Kishore at the Annual Inter House Athletic Meet
held at GSIS on Thursday, 7 April 2016
Mr. M. Krishna Kishore addressing the parents, guardians, students and staff
Dear dynamic Shepherdians, Respected Sir, Madam, Mr. Pradeesh Lawrence, Mrs. Julie Pradeesh, Members of the
Governing body, Members of the staff and Parent, it is my proud privilege and honour to be amongst so many
dignitaries and achievers here today.
My heartiest congratulations to all the participants and the winners. Wishing you all the very best to strive even
better for the next year. I won’t take a very long time as I understand how restless you'll maybe especially after
such an exciting day full of wonderful events. As a Shepherdian myself, I will try to make my time on the dais more
interesting by reliving some of our own days back in school.
I thank Dr. P. C. Thomas, our Principal for giving me and my family the opportunity to experience this wonderful
day this way. It has been an awesome experience for me and Pavithra witnessing the events today. And more than
anything else, it is always a wonderful experience to be back in school and to relive so many wonderful memories.
Even though it has been almost over 25 years since I passed out of GSPS, I still continue to have some butterflies
in my stomach each time I am entering the school campus and when I sit down to talk to the Principal and some
of the teachers. Some things never change and I guess that’s important to keep the student in me alive. I used to
somehow manage to skip my turn for the morning assembly speech and the news readings while I was in school
then. But Sir has now managed to bring me back here and put me on the dais. Great teachers never give up. Do
they?
As a student here, the only thing that athletics and sports practice would interest me was that I could bunk a few
classes for practice and get an extra egg during tea each time and more than anything else I would get wonderful
opportunities to take some interesting photographs of people running, doing their long jumps and I would never
miss the guys doing pole-vault, my favourite event, trying to click the guy in air. I still have some of those pictures
I could shoot then. Thanks to the wonderful opportunities I had back in school and photography has been my
passion I developed here and that travels with me everywhere.
Good Shepherd School has always been a place for co-curricular activities along with a good focus on academics.
Academics was not one of my strengths, but what was happening to me even then, was I was getting well educated
in other spheres of life.
One of the best things I realized after leaving GSPS is the holistic education Sir was trying to provide to all the
students studying here and how he would relentlessly strive for perfection in the every little thing that happens
here. Whenever I think of our school, I get this funny feeling. Nothing has changed and at the same time everything
has changed. When I say nothing has changed, I mean on the focus of the uncompromising discipline, proving a
world class infrastructure, constantly trying to provide an atmosphere for students to excel in their area of Interest.
And when I say everything has changed – the school has so progressively upgraded itself to one of THE BEST
educational institutions in the country. A sea change in all the activities, infrastructure, progressive achievements
etc with the core values intact.
If I were to look at our school as a pure businessman I would really wonder why the strength of the school after this
many number of years is still in 800s when the infrastructure has been increased multifold. I guess that’s where
the difficult task of sticking to the core value come in – and that is the School holding up strong towards perfection
on Quality rather than Quantity.
As students in our own innocence, we used to complain on every little thing about what used to happen here and
only when we went out to the other institutions elsewhere we realized the value of the Good Shepherd School and
values of our Principal and Madam and their vision for shaping the lives of thousands of students to take the world
head on confidently. I can go on and on with my experiences of how it feels like coming back here and how I would
now wish if I can really be a student once again as one amongst you. As a parent, I feel so happy that so many good
things are happening to the young aspiring children through GSIS.
I once read a foreword written by Shah Rukh Khan in a management book – where he says parents could discuss
about their failures and children can try and avoid the same mistakes. That may not be the same case with
the success stories though they may sound great – because you cannot actually get the same results as your
circumstances would be different. Likewise I will share a few of my experiences and may be you guys can take
some understandings from them.
As relevant to today, I was never much interested in sports and did not take much interest. I never felt that to be
much wrong then and would justify myself saying that I am good at my photography - my hobby and a few other
things and felt better than other achievers. Never realized that Sports is just an activity to the body but also to the
mind. Today, at this age, I am realizing that how important it is to have an able body along with an able mind. A few
of my friends who were good in sports and who could make use of the fantastic training here could easily excel at
higher levels in the field later on.
Most of you may or may not realize the equestrian facility that GSIS has is truly world class. Back in our days at the
Fern hill Campus, some local horses used to be brought for an experience of riding and today it is amazing to see
the fantastic facility which many can be very envious about. Both my daughters are into equestrian and my older
daughter Namrata was 3 times National medalist in show jumping. I can tell you it was an effort and half for us to
get hold of good horses, good trainers and the infrastructure to get to the nationals and for a safe training. The
facility here would be a dream come true for aspiring riders. The best thing about sports is it is just good enough
to participate and be a part of a team to begin with and that itself teaches you a number of things. Winning alone
is not everything.
My dearest young friends, I would urge you to experience the small failures in this young age itself and learn
to overcome with better practice and focus on winning. This will prepare you to face life and you will be able to
handle any kind of failures in a better manner and be confident to stride forward.
Practice makes one perfect and more importantly, practicing right makes one even better. We guys are all blessed
with wonderful parents who work so hard in life to make our lives better and send us to world class institutions like
GSIS where teachers give a bit of their life every moment to make our life better. I am sure in the years to come this
great institution will bring out the best citizens, world leaders, decision makers who’ll make India a proud nation.
With a deep sense of gratitude to GSIS for what it has done to me and once again thank Sir & Madam to have me
here today. I wish each and every one of you the very best in each and every endeavour of yours. Have fun and
enjoy every moment in school and trust me these will be your best days in life you will forever want to relive. Thank
you.
Toast by Ms. Rijul Narwal
Ms. Rijul Narwal
Our first step into the higher secondary block was a mysterious one. New faces, new rules, new expectations - a
whole new world. We were like crushed paper trying to open up, helpless and naive. We required support. We
required guidance. We needed our seniors. And without asking, we received. You became our backbone. You were
our source of inspiration and determination in this strange world.
Good afternoon, the chief guest Vice Admiral B. Kannan, his lovely lady Rear Admiral Nirmala Kannan, the Vice
Principal – Academics, Mrs. Sheila Alexander, the higher secondary school coordinator Mrs. Vimala Rani Jacob, the
members of the Board of Governors, the Academic Council, parents, guardians, teachers, students and my dear
graduates.
As kids, all of us wanted to grow up, but we chose to wait for Saturday movie watching, crave for Sunday games,
grieve over Monday mornings, and soon we were bound by this cycle of life. All we wanted was to get things
over with, to get rid of this loop. Fortunately, or unfortunately, you, my seniors, have reached the threshold of
experiencing the world in a much wider context.
The long-awaited end of school life: no more teachers running after you for tuitions, no more punishments for latecomers, no more preps and roll calls. But this is just a small step you are going to take into the big world to make a
fresh start. However, in this flood of gowns and caps, I can see a handful of faces who may want to reconsider this
thought. Those who want to go back to those fun-filled times in school; every day we made a new memory with you
and I guess I have quite a number to last my entire life. Those smiles, those tears, those poker faces have become
a part of us. We have started looking up to you.
And now is THE DAY that you have all been waiting for, the day when the graduation caps are put on to leave behind
a past and take a step into the future, the day when these mere scrolls turn to diplomas, the day when all you want
to do is hang on to the moment and never let it go, the day tears are but a sign of happiness, the day when you make
your own choices to your own destiny.
To the batch of 2016: there is so much to thank you for, that this speech may not be able to hold it all; all the
happiness, sorrows and thrills we shared, the constant pushes that we received: from jumping into the pool to
running around the school for the cross-country. We had you by our side through thick and thin, whether it was
getting us out of beds or pushing us for preps, whether it was adapting to us or picking on us during MUN. You had
been laughing at our lame jokes, saving us from all the possible scoldings.
But without you, there won’t be shelter over our heads or soul in our block. The reality is you have been like our
shadows, but now I think the clouds have covered the sky and this thunderstorm of separation is about to break
when we will be standing awestruck but ready to be the-next-in-line shadows.
We are sorry for all the wrongs we did and we thank you for teaching us to make them right. Hats off to you guys
for teaching us to accept everyone unconditionally. So much of us is made from what we have learned from you.
But this graduation is not the end; it's the beginning. It is an exciting time. It’s warm memories of the past and big
dreams for the future. So, we wish that this life becomes all that you want it to; your dreams stay big and your
worries stay small. You never need to carry more than you can hold.
No matter how many new faces and people we come across, we will continue to share that bond. And now it’s hard
for me to say goodbye with wet eyes and a heavy heart; but this parting is for something better. No matter how
many miles separate us, you will always rule that corner in our hearts.
- Ms. Rijul Narwal, IB-1A
Reply to the Toast by Master Shubhro Sankha Saha
Remember that clichéd quote: ‘First is the worst, second is the best and third is the one with the golden chest’?
Having the first roll number turned out to be a living nightmare. Be it a unit test, a class activity or even the time
when marks are announced - I had no choice but to be the first. Every single list in the block had our names printed
roll number wise and being short did not help. The good part was that I never had much trouble finding my poloneck
sweater. If I ever missed band practice, my friends knew what number to write and after my viva, I got a chance to
experience how it felt to be a celebrity.
Master Shubhro Sankha Saha
Truthfully speaking, I don’t remember the first two years in school. I was three and a half years old. I barely knew A,
B, C, D. I kind of liked it that way, when life had no meaning and I had no ability whatsoever to remember what was
happening. No memories, no friends, no reason to be happy or sad. Now that we have grown up, it is impossible
to be that same old kid and forget everyone as if they never existed. Every small thing that happens now, leaves
behind a small piece of memory. And the mind keeps replaying those memories just because the heart can’t delete
it. You see, our memories are reserved for the extremes of feelings. Holding on to those memories can be a pain
unless you are willing to share it.
I remember how, in first grade, all of us had this competition of tying our own laces and clipping our own nails. The
very next year, every single kid in our school fantasized about having a Beyblade. It hardly took one year for them
to get banned. Third grade was the time when we wanted to write our homework with a PEN. In the 4th grade, one
automatically became the best basketballer in school if he could shoot from half line. In class 6, all of us wanted to
be part of the sixth vs seventh cricket team just to act to come to Palada. In grade 7, all our dreams of being in the
Palada campus turned into a longing to go back to Fernhill. Ninth grade was all about getting to play football with
our seniors. Class 10 was more about being able to say that it was not going to hurt when boards would be over.
It’s funny how priorities started changing. The amount of satisfaction we got from getting a star in our behavior
chart can only be compared to getting a 45 in the IB or a 95% in the ISC. When small things stopped mattering,
everything started falling out of place. Having a peaceful sleep and getting up in the morning were out of the
question. Being able to live the life of a kid and never having to grow up is one of the best gifts you can have. It is
by far the only gift you can choose to have.
My brother keeps telling me about the time he dropped me to this school for the first time. He used a football to
play with my head. He said that we played this game where I had to run and get the ball every time he kicked it.
After five long minutes, I was out of breath. That was when he kicked the ball a little harder than needed. I ran to
get it but when I came back, he was long gone. I cried helplessly. Did I want to leave then…? Yes. Do I want to leave
now…?No.
But time is one crazy bird that will never stop flying and I assure you that time will see us soaring high. Someday,
I hope to see fitness for life become the byword of every individual. There will be structures and designs of cars,
aeroplanes and lake boats created by our batchmates that will be the cynosure of all eyes. The world of Business
and Economics will see the emergence of new theories that will be applauded for their reliability. Five years from
now, several courtrooms will be abuzz with remarkable arguments proposed by one of ours. Goldman Sachs and J
P Morgan will face tough competition with firms created by our very own. Someday I won’t have to plagiarize from
Pinterest because some of you guys will come up with your own fancy quotes and best sellers. How can I forget our
doctors? One of you will just end up finding the cure for the Zika virus.
All of this will be made possible because of this great institution and the visionary behind it, Dr. P. C. Thomas.
Without the infrastructure that Sir has built and the systems that Sir has put in place, the guidelines that we follow,
the care that Ma’am bestowed on us paying attention to the minutest details that contribute towards the efficient
running of the school, we would not have been able to dream of such great achievements. Thank you very much,
Sir and Ma’am. Sheila Miss, thank you for ensuring that our studies went on smoothly. Brigadier Suresh Kumar, Sir,
thank you for teaching us to stand like true ladies and gentlemen. Doctor Sir and Miss, I am amazed by how you
remember each minor injury, each illness that all of us have had. Thank you, for your concern and care. Ajith Sir
and Anila Miss, thank you for enabling us to bring out our best and projecting our best. All our Coordinators, a very
big thank you to you for planning our daily schedule and ensuring that not a minute of ours is wasted. Thank you,
teachers, for all the knowledge and skills that we have imbibed right from kindergarten to Grade 12. Thank you to
our support staff without whom none of our daily activities would have even happened. Chechis and Annas, You
stay in the background and work and work silently and some of us do not even notice that you are around. Thank
you for all that you have done for us. Finally, you, who went through the daily grind to make money for us, you who
with a smile on your face swallowed a lump and hardened your hearts when you let us leave your world again and
again and again! Parents and guardians, thank you for making that one difficult decision to admit us into this school.
Thank you for making it possible for us to dream big! Thank you for this huge family that we have been enabled to
be a part of! To all of you who have been listening to me, I assure you, this moment will not be forgotten by any one
of us. We have crossed a milestone and we will certainly make you proud when we cross a lot more in the future.
Goodbye! No..! Good luck to you, my friends! Thank you all, once again.
To infinity and beyond and yet remember that infinity is also a loop. In the pursuit of happiness, if the past is too
painful to look back to and the future is too scary to look forward to, look to your side and you’ll find one another.
Become great! Make your mark on the world! Stand on the world stage! To the future, my friends…may it be ours.
Thank You.
- Master Shubhro Sankha Saha, IB-2C
Outstanding Old Shepherdians
Mr. Sumesh Lekhi
Mr. Sumesh Lekhi, an Old Shepherdian, belongs to the 1989 batch of ICSE students. He was the Head Boy of the
Good Shepherd Public School during 1988 – 1989. He is diligent, well-behaved and has learnt to be self-reliant. He
was good in studies at school and a topper in his class. He is a Filmmaker, Writer, Director and Producer at BRAVE
AGE FILMS that looks into issues affecting our planet and working towards the betterment of the environment and
society. He is also a Chartered Accountant.
Sumesh Lekhi is blessed to have had his schooling amidst such pristine beauty in Ooty. Many of his school buddies
are fortunate to have stayed closely in touch with GSIS, visiting the school almost every year since they graduated.
It is indeed a tremendous delight to see the institution grow from strength to strength. Within the warm embrace
of the campus, he was privileged to have received a sterling set of core values under the guidance of his revered
teachers. It is they who nourished and nurtured his evolving intellect, and imbued him with a set of profound
principles, evocative of the highest ideals in life, and all of inestimable worth in his immersions into higher
education, society at large, and within his own family environs.
His affinity to wildlife and forests, and his awareness
of the crucial importance of sustainably safeguarding
the environment, led him and a few from his close
circle of friends - mostly professionals - to come
together and begin working for a sacred cause:
to focus on their immediate vicinity, and thus to
protect, preserve, and propagate the environmental
well-being of our natural habitat.
As part of this conservation work, he began
spending time with forest departments and
villagers, while pursuing research on species
of wildlife, their relationship with the habitats
they live in, their interdependencies, and various
relevant man-animal issues. During this time he
kept coming across human-elephant conflicts
occurring frequently over large parts of the Asian
Elephant’s range and decided to understand this
in more detail, especially since he had already
spent much time observing elephants. Five years
of these interactions, involving deep research and
high-quality observational video footage, led to an
idea for the Asian elephant: a film began gestating.
Mr. Sumesh Lekhi
Towards the end of 2015, a feature film was born:
an 81 minute-long film entitled “Bastion of the
Giants.” It delves into the conservation of Asian Elephants in the bio-diverse North Eastern Jungles of India and
also other endangered wildlife species, including the Indian Rhino, the wild Water Buffalo and the Bengal Tiger.
About 50,000 Asian elephants are left in the wild, with close to 30,000 in India. The film has been a tremendous
force for good. It has spread the message about the need for conservation to audiences across the globe with
encore screenings at premiere film festivals, winning International Awards - the “Isla Earth Conservancy Award of
Merit” conferred by the prestigious Catalina Island Conservancy at Avalon Island off Los Angeles, where the film
also got voted the “Audience Award.” It then garnered the Best Feature Film Award at the Wildlife Conservation
Film Festival, New York. The film is a WWF Malaysia Award 2015 Finalist at the Kuala Lumpur Eco Festival and an
official selection at France’s prestigious “Festival International du Film Ornithologique de Menigoute” to which
it was screened in French: it was viewed by eminent scientists, experts and a general audience, exhibiting India’s
amazing wildlife and also the efforts of the Government and Forest Departments to safeguard the forests and
wildlife of India.
He is delighted with this run of laudatory recognition for the film and its message; it is further being screened at
many other festivals, including Matsalu Nature Film Festival, 2015, Estonia, Awareness Film Festival, Los Angeles,
2015, Bushwick Film Festival, 2015, Columbia George International Film Festival, 2015, USA, Muskoka Film
Festival, Ontario, Canada, 2015, Lake Erie Arts and Film Festival, 2015 and recently, at the Kala Ghoda Festival in
Mumbai, India, with more screenings scheduled in 2016.
Filming and Post-production
Filming and working with forestry departments was a day-and-night experience: it gave the crew an opportunity
to observe and show intimate wildlife moments and wild Asian elephant behaviour in the course of interactions
within their habitat.
The film is completely made in India, from researching, scripting, and filming, to post-production, including editing
and sound mixing, with 24 tracks of sounds from jungles, birds, animals, enhanced by surround-sound effects,
and ultimately, with colour-grade and outputs. He was able to share many of these technical aspects with fellow
technicians at Hollywood during his presence at the film festivals in Los Angeles.
Going Forward
Through meetings with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) and while previewing the film with the
Director General (Forests and Wildlife), ADGF, Inspector General (Project Elephant), IGF (Forest Protection Division)
and the Minister for Environment and Forests and Climate Change, Mr. Prakash Javadekar, they have been able
to discuss many of the conservation issues covered in the film apart from many more being faced throughout
elephant landscapes in the country. Primary concerns focused on the degradation of India’s bio-diversity hotspots,
including those in Northeast India and in the Western Ghats where they are witnessing a drastic reduction in wild
habitats due to the harm caused by the building of railways, highways and dams through prime wildlife habitats.
He has now received correspondence from MOEF that they would like to send copies of the film to the Chief
Wildlife Wardens across the country and the forestry departments under them. Meetings with Assam’s Member of
Parliament, Mr. Gaurav Gogoi (Kaziranga National Park, where the filming was done, comes under his constituency)
and his team from Youth for Foreign Policy, led to discussions on taking the film and its message to schools and
colleges across Assam. Part of the discussion is also the addition of more land, for example, the sixth addition
to Kaziranga, as the park keeps getting eroded by the Brahmaputra River. This issue is covered in the film and
also complemented by discussions on enhancing existing forest cover and connectivity for India’s apes, and the
stunning wildlife in Assam.
Going forward, he aims to screen the film at educational institutions. He also wishes to spread the word on
conservation, involving friends, family and colleagues; and via the film’s screening on educational campuses, the
message can spread to parents, teachers and well-wishers at large. As a conservation film-maker on “Bastion of
the Giants” it has been especially endearing to see children as young as six years of age sitting at the edge of their
seats, solemnly, and reverentially, taking in the message of an 81-minute film, complemented by eight-year olds
asking questions during the film’s Q & A sessions.
“Our forests and wildlife are the only true legacy we can leave behind for our future generations, so the time for
action is now.”
The film’s Official trailer is sited at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klMl81BQ9sg
The film and news on it can be followed at www.facebook.com/bastionofthegiants
His wife, Rashmi Lekhi, supports him in his work and spends time with him during his wildlife sojourns. She started
out by just wanting to spend time with him during his wildlife sojourns and eventually got involved in recording
location sounds and some aspects of post-production co-ordination. The couple is blessed with two children – a
boy, Vihaan and a girl, Ashreta. Their kids, Vihaan and Ashreta, were thrilled when new microphones arrived while
producing the film! They were enchanted when they contributed to the brilliance of the film by singing the title
song at the end, a tribute to the Almighty, learnt in their school. Mr. Sumesh has very fond memories of his school
days at Good Shepherd Public School. He developed his passion for nature and wildlife at a younger age during his
growing up years and activities at Good Shepherd Public School. We congratulate him and wish him all the best in
all his efforts in the protection of the wetlands, mangroves, wildlife and conservation of nature.
Jayasanker P
P Jayasanker, a sharp and intelligent gentleman,
has a passion for everything he does. He is keenly
interested in sports and creative art. Now, he is a
Commander in Indian Navy and since May 2014, he
has been holding the post of Officer-In-Charge at
Naval Construction Wing, Kochi. He is also a guest
professor in Naval Architecture at the Department
of Ship Technology, CUSAT, from where he is also
pursuing his PhD. He is a Member of the Institute
of Naval Architecture and Institute of Marine
Engineers. From December 2008 to March 2014,
he served as Joint Director, Naval Architecture,
Indian Navy where he was dealing in developing
specifications for Deck machinery, Design issues of
HVAC, Sewage Systems, Accommodation systems,
ICCP, LSAs (SOLAS) and MARPOL related issues of
ship.
P Jayasanker joined Good Shepherd Public School
in the 8th standard during the academic session of
1984. He had his heart in his mouth on the first day
at school, which is no surprise, as he had been sent
to a boarding school for the first time in his life.
His previous school was the Kerala Government
run Model Boys’ High School in Thrissur. The leap
P Jayasanker with his wife Maya, son Nikhil and daughter Neha
was far too much for a 13-year-old to comprehend
initially. It really helped him find some more
freshmen like him in the 8th standard albeit from more illustrious schools. All this fear was short-lived as both the
staff and fellowmates became friendly soon and assisted him in adjusting with the new surroundings and culture.
Academics was the next hurdle, as the state syllabus he had followed was no match for ICSE and he was staring at
failure in class for the first time in his life. It was his teachers at GSPS who spared no effort in pulling him up to the
required standard. Mrs. Elsamma Thomas was, of course, the resident mother for most of them.
Though he was physically active in his previous school, it lacked facilities for sports and hence no one realized
the potential in him. It was during the evening sports in GSPS that he discovered that he could play many a sport
and get into the school team. The other motivating factor to get into the school team was the chance to visit other
schools against whom the matches were held regularly. He has participated in all co-curricular activities and has
represented the school in basketball, volleyball and athletics( high jump and pole vault). The school also taught
him discipline and the ability to take care of himself, which later helped him join the Indian Navy.
The greatest contribution of the school in his life are the lifelong friends he made there, with whom he have
been in touch for the last 29 years: Kushalappa, his cupboard mate, Zubair, the elderly man, Rajesh Krishnan, his
eternal saviour, R Raja, the Captain Haddock fan, Ramesh Sundermoorthy, the resident Adonis, Amar Singh, Sanjay
Chakraborty, Prakash and many others.
After his Grade 10 at GSPS in 1987, he joined St. Thomas College, Thrissur for his two-year pre-degree course. He
then joined Trichur Engineering College to do his B Tech in Mechanical Engineering. He got selected in the Navy,
when he was completing the 1st semester. Dr. P. C. Thomas also advised him to join the Navy. Now here he is, a
proud Naval Officer, after having served in the Navy for the last 26 years.
In the Navy, after his basic cadet training at Naval Academy, Goa, he opted for Naval Architecture as his subject
of study. He completed his B Tech in Naval Architecture and Ship Building from Cochin University of Science
and Technology (CUSAT) and his Post Graduate Diploma in Naval Architecture and Warship Construction, Naval
Architecture and Marine Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He has worked on Ship Design
Software and did projects on design of SWATH Frigate. He has served in all the Naval Commands – at Visakhapatnam,
Mumbai and Kochi as well as the Naval Head Quarters at Delhi. He has learned about the nuances of warship
building and is an expert in all hull related shipbuilding inspections. In 2007, he secured a Post Graduate Diploma
in Management Studies, Business Administration and Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management
Studies (JBIMS) in Mumbai. He has a diligent and well-researched approach to every problem and has an excellent
ability to put his thoughts on paper. He can keep a straight face and maintain a smile through the trickiest of
challenges.
His interests include basketball, volleyball, football, cycling, painting and ship model making. He has also
participated in cultural festivals.
God has blessed him with a beautiful life partner, Maya and two lovely kids, Neha and Nikhil, who are in Grade 10
and 5 respectively.
We wish him all the best for a highly successful and bright future in the Indian Navy!
“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of
yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”
- Golda Meir
“Those who don’t know how to weep with their whole heart, don’t know how to laugh either.”
- Golda Meir
“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”
- Franklin D Roosevelt
“Success has always been easy to measure. It is the distance between one’s origins and one’s final
achievement.”
- Michael Korda
“The discipline you learn and character you build from setting and achieving a goal can be more valuable
than the achievement of the goal itself.”
- Bo Bennett
“The starting point of all achievement is desire.”
- Napoleon Hill
“Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.”
- Arnold H Glasow
2015 Board Examination Toppers
INDIAN CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
INDIAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
Avantika Poddar
ICSE Science Group
Abhyuday Sureka
ICSE Commerce Group
Ishaan Chopra
IGCSE Science Group
Bhavesh Joshi
IGCSE Commerce Group
Vibhushan Balaji Neethi Mohan
ISC Science Group
Siddhant Deepak Jain
ISC Commerce Group
Anjali Sabu Nair
IB Diploma Programme
The Out-Going Batch of 2016
Grade XII
ADIL ASIF THARA
2004 – 2016
Hobby
: Cricket, Football, Listening to Music, Driving, Watching movies
Ambition
: Doctor and opening a hospital
Achievements : Summer House Captain, IAYP - Gold Medal, Head of ECOFIN - GSMUN, U-19 Cricket Team
Captain, Grade 6 TCL Theory, Grade 2 TCL Practical in Piano, Xylophone and Trumpet
Address
: Unik Traders, 140 Old Tharagupet, Bangalore - 560 053
E-mail
:[email protected]
S SUHASVELU
2004 – 2016
Hobby
: Badminton, Squash, Gym, Playing Video games, Riding Bike and travelling
Ambition
: Mechanical Engineer and a Businessman
Achievements:Spring House Captain, TCL Theory Grade 6, TCL Practical Grade 3 Trumpet, Head of
Administration in MUN, IAYP - Silver Medal
Address
: 17, Pavadi Street, Tiruchengode, 637 211
E-mail
: [email protected]
NIMISHA JANGID
2006 – 2016
Hobby
: Drawing, Dancing, Acting
Ambition
: Interior Designer
Achievements: Head Girl, Deputy Secretary General, IAYP – Gold Medal
Address : Aashirwad Jangid House, Tank Road, Cotton Market, Khamgaon - 444 303, Maharashtra
E-mail
:[email protected]
SOPARIWALA HENY SANJAY
2007 – 2016
Hobby
: Basketball, Listening to Music, Badminton, Singing
Ambition
:Doctor
Achievements:Spring House Captain, Co-Head UNODC, TCL - Distinction Grade 5, Recitation, IAYP Silver Medal
Address
: Shiv Crackers, 2/3710 Navsari Bazar Main Road, Surat - 395 002
E-mail
:[email protected]
R VASANTH
2007 – 2016
Hobby
: Football, Watching movies, Listening to Music, Driving, Travelling
Ambition
:Businessman
Achievements:Inter School Hockey U-16 & U-19, Inter School Football, Cross Country Champion,
Athletics, TCL Grade 2 Merit, IAYP – Silver Medal
Address
: 243, Weavers Colony, K.K.N. Road, Tiruchengode - 637 211, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu
E-mail
:[email protected]
POORVAK AGRAWAL
2008 – 2016
Hobby
: Dancing, Listening to Music, Playing Guitar
Ambition
: Business Tycoon / Choreographer
Achievements: Leading Cadet in Sea Cadet Corps, IAYP – Silver Medal, TCL Grade 4
Address
: Belmont, Lodha Bellezza, Near RTA Office, KPHB, Beside Malaysian Township,
E-mail
: [email protected]
Hyderabad - 500 072
PRIYANSH MAHESH PATEL
2008 – 2016
Hobby
: Basketball, Swimming, Listening to Music, Watching movies
Ambition
: Business Tycoon (Finance and Marketing)
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, Gold medalist in Swimming
Address
: 101 Om Palace, Near Valentine Cinema, Opp. Central Mall, Surat, Gujarat - 395 007
E-mail
:[email protected]
LOKESH GOYAL
2010 – 2016
Hobby
: Play Hockey and Basketball, Driving
Ambition
: C.A. / Businessman
Achievements:IAYP - Silver Medal, Swimming, Hockey (U-14, U-16, U-19) Inter School, TCL Theory
Grade 4, Practical Keyboard Grade 1, 2nd Top Gun (NASA)
Address
: 15-1-551/23, Goyal Market, Siddiamber Bazar, Hyderabad - 500 012
E-mail
:[email protected]
RAHUL PODDAR
2012 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Basketball, Painting, Driving and Travelling
Ambition
: Petro - Chemical Industrialist
Achievements: TCL (Grade 1 & Grade 2) Head of Admin in GSMUN 2015, IAYP – Silver Medal
Address
: 493 C/A, Vivek Vihar, Block 1, Howrah - 711 102
E-mail
:[email protected]
DRISHTI DOCHANIA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Basketball, Badminton, Drawing, Listening to Music
Ambition
: Jewellery Designer
Achievements: Sports Captain, Co-Head UNHRC, TCL Grade 1 (Distinction)
Address
: 8-2-686/K-16, Banjara Hills, Road No.12, Hyderabad 500 034
E-mail
:[email protected]
DEEPIKA SIVASAMY MARAPPAN
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Listening to Music
Ambition
: To become an Entrepreneur
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, GSMUN, TCL Grade 1
Address
: Shobikaa Impex, 34 Sannathi Street, Vennaimalai, Karur - 639 006
E-mail
:[email protected]
RADHIEKA PUNIT MAKHARIA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Dancing, Music, Theatre, TT
Ambition
: Travel Journalism, Archaeologist
Achievements:Best supporting Actress, 2nd place Elocution, Co-Head UNSC, Best Delegate UNSC,
IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL Grade 1 - 96/100, Most Valuable Player in TT
Address
: B1/42, Gagan Apartments, Gokuldham, Goregoan (E), Mumbai 600 063
E-mail
: [email protected]
DHRUV GARG
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Basketball, Listening to Music, Bird watching, Movies
Ambition
: Business Tycoon / Industrialist
Achievements: Rapporteur - UNESCO, TCL Grade 1 - 85/100, IAYP - Silver Medal
Address
: #L370, 6th Sector, 5th Main, HSR Layout, Bangalore - 560 102
E-mail
:[email protected]
SHUBHRO SANKHA SAHA
2002 – 2016
Hobby
: Football, Movies, Music, Travelling, Bird watching
Ambition
: Aeronautical Engineer, Pilot
Achievements:IAYP - Gold Medal, TCL Grade 5, Best Athlete, Most Promising Football Player, 1st
Trillionaire ever, U-19 Hockey, Best Swimmer - 200m record
Address
: P-716, Caketown, Block A, Kolkata - 700 089
E-mail
: [email protected]
KETHAVARAPU PRANAV
2005 – 2016
Hobby
: Producing Music, Flying drones
Ambition
: Music Producer / Disc Jockey
Achievements: TCL Music, IAYP - Silver Medal, Dramatics, MUN, Shot Put
Address
: #47-7-45, First Floor, Dwaraka Nagar, Nehru Bazaar Lane, Vizakhapatnam - 530 016
E-mail
:[email protected]
CHIRAG BHARAT MODHWADIA
2004 – 2016
Hobby
: Reading Novels, Swimming
Ambition
:Biotechnologist
Achievements: Co-curricular Prefect (2010-2011, 2012-2013), GSMUN 2015: Head of UNESCO, Gold
Medalist in Swimming
Address
: Dev Krupa, Satya Narayan Temple Road, Vadi Plot, Porbandar, Gujarat - 360 575
E-mail
:[email protected]
NIKHIL V
2004 – 2016
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Watching Movies, Playing any sport
Ambition
: Business Mogul / F1 Racer, Aspiring Philanthropist
Achievements: Summer House Captain
Address
: #116, Ashraya Nilaya, Rayasandra, Electronic City, Bangalore - 99, Karnataka
E-mail
:[email protected]
SHERWYN KALYAN
2005 – 2016
Hobby
: Books, Movies, Sports, Music
Ambition
: To ‘be there’
Achievements: To have become what I have become
Address
: C/o. Mr. Kalyan Ram, High School Coordinator,
E-mail
: [email protected]
GSIS, M. Palada Post, Ootacamund - 643 004
PARTH S BANSAL
2007 – 2016
Hobby
:Reading
Ambition
: Come on the cover of the Forbes Magazine
Achievements: ‘A survivor’
Address
: Parle Point, Surat - 395 001
E-mail
:[email protected]
ANURAAG MANJUNATHA
2008 – 2016
Hobby
: Watching Movies, Playing Sports and Reading Novels
Ambition
: Doctor - Oncologist
Achievements: IAYP - Gold, House Prefect, Hockey Player
Address
: #21, Beverly Glades, Old Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica
E-mail
:[email protected]
ANKIT SUNIL JHURANI
2009 – 2016
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Cooking, Playing Video Games, Movies, Dancing
Ambition
: Open a Chain of Restaurants and a Recording Company
Achievements: Grade 5 in TCL Theory, Head of UNHCR 2015, IAYP - Silver & Bronze Medals
Address
: 302, Al Manzil, Al Karama, Dubai, U.A.E.
E-mail
:[email protected]
SASINATHAYA APHICHATPHOKHIN
2009 – 2016
Hobby
: Singing, Reading, Drawing, Watching Movies, Talking to close friends
Ambition
: Create something original and artistic and useful and sell it
Achievements: Art Competitions, Recitation, Dramatics, Athletics, GSMUN
Address
: Phaholyothin 7, Ari, Noble Light Condominium, Bangkok, Thailand
E-mail
:[email protected]
NIRANJAN JAYWANT PATIL
2009 – 2016
Hobby
: Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Swimming
Ambition
: Art Director in film
Achievements: Won numerous art and swimming competitions, Press Head [GSMUN], IAYP - Gold
Medal, SCC - Leading Cadet
Address
: Dattakunj Apartment, Flat No.4, Mahadik Vasahat, Near Shri Datta Mandir,
Kolhapur - 416 005
E-mail
: [email protected]
AMMAR YASIR NAINAR
2010 – 2016
Hobby
: Reading International Journals, Listening to Music, Playing Hockey
Ambition
: To become a diplomat and work in United Nations
Achievements: Spring House Prefect and Vice Captain, President SPELPOL - GSMUN 2015, Rapporteur
UN Women 2014, Inter School U-16 and U-19 Hockey Player
Address
: Alwakra, Uhariya Street, Doha, Qatar
E-mail
:[email protected]
DIVESH RAVI RAICHANDANI
2010 – 2016
Hobby
: Photography, Football, Horse Riding, Swimming and Arts
Ambition
: To become an Interior Designer
Achievements: Grade in TCL Theory, Horse Contingent Leader, MUN, IAYP - Silver Medal
Address
: Cempaka, Putih Tengah, 18A, No.24, Jakarta, 10510, Indonesia
E-mail
:[email protected]
VRUSHALI HIMANSHU SHAH
2011 – 2016
Hobby
: Painting, Playing Badminton, Pistol Shooting
Ambition
: Business Analyst / Entrepreneur
Achievements: State Level Pistol Shooter (Silver), Best Player in Badminton in doubles (2013), Most
Promising Player in Badminton (2015), House Prefect, Gold Medal Inter House Rifle
Shooting (2015), IAYP - Silver Medal, Group Dance - 2nd
Address
: 7/B, Jeevan Smruti Society, Opp. Kids World, Mirambica School Road, Naranpura,
E-mail
:[email protected]
Ahmedabad - 380 013
RISHANTHAN S
2011 – 2016
Hobby
: Surfing the Net, Badminton and Playing Football
Ambition
: Finance Manager
Achievements: Best Player Badminton, Inter School Football - winner in Inter House competition
Address
: No. 230, D /7A Ranga Nagar, Mettu Street, Perambalur - 621 212
E-mail : [email protected]
JOSEPH LEANDER R
2011 – 2016
Hobby
: Designing, Sketching, Skipping
Ambition
:Architect
Achievements: School Captain, Secretary General of GSMUN 2015, 1st Place – Elocution, Director of
Vocational Service (Interact Club), IAYP – Gold medal, Captain of U-19 Volleyball team,
Best Volleyball Player, Most Valuable Player - Basketball
Address
: 1/130, Vickramasingapuram, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu - 627 428
E-mail
: [email protected]
AHAD ALI RASHID
2011 – 2016
Hobby
: Boxing, Horse Riding, Driving
Ambition
: Equine Trainer
Achievements: Leading the Horse Contingent, Started a group (Fitness for life)
Address
: House 25/A, Road 5, Flat A-4, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh
E-mail
:[email protected]
NUZLA NOORUDHEEN KALATHIL
2011 – 2016
Hobby
: Reading, Dancing, Watching movies
Ambition
: Economist, Financial-risk Analyst
Achievements: House Captain, Co-Head of UNESCO, Recitation, IAYP - Gold Medal, Dance Competition
Address
: K.M. Trading Building, Flat No.102, Oud Metha, Burdubai, Dubai, U.A.E.
E-mail
:[email protected]
S VIJAYPRANAV
2012 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Chess, Badminton, Listening to Music
Ambition
:Businessman
Achievements: IAYP, TCL Grade 2 Practical, Badminton, Inter School Volleyball
Address
: SKC Garments, 10A, Ramraj 80 Feet Road, Gandhi Nagar, Tirupur - 641 602, Tamil Nadu
E-mail
:[email protected]
PARIKSHIT VIKKAS GANERIWAL
2011 – 2016
Hobby
: Bird Watching, Listening to Music, Watching Movies
Ambition
: Investment Banking
Achievements: Administrative Trainee in GSIS
Address
: B-803/804, Springfields II, Swami Samarath, Above AXIS Priority Bank,
Mumbai - 400 057
E-mail
:[email protected]
NAVNI NAYAK
2011 – 2016
Hobby
:Dancing
Ambition
:Entrepreneurship
Achievements: 1st Place in Dance competition, House Captain
Address
: 30-A, Phase - 1, MIG Flats, Qutab Enclave, Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi - 110 016
E-mail : [email protected]
PARTH RAJ MAHESHWARI
2012 – 2016
Hobby
: Listening to Music, Horse Riding, Playing Video Games, Movies
Ambition
: Accountant and Entrepreneur
Achievements: House Captain, IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL Distinction, MUN - Press Team
Address
: 16/77(3) Civil Lines, Kanpur - 208 001, Uttar Pradesh
E-mail
:[email protected]
GUNISH SINGH CHAWLA
2012 – 2016
Hobby
: Horse Riding, Reading, Listening to Music
Ambition
:Economist
Achievements: House Prefect (2012-2013), Running in MRC, TCL
Address
: 17/896, Behind AXIS Bank, Govind Nagar, Pandri, Raipur - 492 009, Chhattisgarh
E-mail
:[email protected]
PRANIL PRADEEP NAIK
2012 – 2016
Hobby
: Football, Horse Riding
Ambition
: Entrepreneur, Hospitality
Achievements: Athletics Inter House, Cross Country
Address
: Post Office Box No. 519, Postal code 130, Azaiba, Sultanate of Oman
E-mail
: [email protected] / [email protected]
KUNAL SHARMA
2012 – 2016
Hobby
: Basketball, Video Games, Reading, Writing
Ambition
:Doctor
Achievements:
Address
: #2-5th Street Avenue, Corozal Town, Corozal District, Belize, Central America
E-mail
:[email protected]
MANJU PRIYA
2012 – 2016
Hobby
: Singing, Music, Dance
Ambition
:Doctor
Achievements: Athletics Inter House, Cross Country
Address
: Post Box - 1467, Ajman, U.A.E.
E-mail
:[email protected]
MEGHAN SAMIR KALE
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Tennis, Football, Reading, Video Games, Studying Astronomy
Ambition
: Astrophysicist, Robotics Engineer
Achievements:Prize Day - 1st Rank (2014-15), Athletics, Cross Country - Gold Medal, Best Shooter,
Dramatics 1st, Basketball, IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL Distinction
Address
: 17, Samir Bungalow, Laxman Rao Mohite Colony, Kadamwadi Road,
E-mail
:[email protected]
Kolhapur - 416 003, Maharashtra
GURSAMRATH SINGH OBEROI
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Cricket, Video Games
Ambition
: Cricketeer, Automobile Engineer
Achievements: School U-19 Cricket Team, Inter House Short Put and Discus Throw, Band Major
Address
: 505, Civil Lines, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
E-mail
:[email protected]
NIRVA NIRAV SHAH
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Swimming, Listening to Music, Drawing
Ambition
: Business Entrepreneur
Achievements:House Prefect, IAYP – Silver Medal, Swimming Championship in Aquatic Meet, TCL
Grade 1 - 93/100 (Distinction), Rank holder in Art competition
Address
: 20, Amrashaagun Bunglows, Ahmedabad -15, Gujarat
E-mail
:[email protected]
DELVIN DAVID VARGHESE
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Dance, Photography, Acting, Singing, Basketball
Ambition
: Film Maker
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, Theory of Music Grade 1 - Distinction
Address
: Algeria Street 1, Mirdif Dubai, U.A.E
E-mail
:[email protected]
MANVIKA CHOUTA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Reading, Listening to Music
Ambition
: Journalist, International Business
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal
Address
: #1032/A, Gokulam 3rd Stage, 7th Main, Doctor’s Corner, Mysore
E-mail
:[email protected]
MOHIKA PRAVEEN TAINWALA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Dancing, Painting, Swimming, Reading, Listening to Music
Ambition
:Businesswoman
Achievements: IAYP - Gold Medal, Vice Head Girl, Rapporteur (ECOFIN 2014), Co-Head (ECOFIN 2015),
TCL Grade 1 100/100, Best Actress, Recitation - 3rd, Art Competition - 5th
Address
: A/902, Raheja Residency, Goregaon (E), Mumbai
E-mail
:[email protected]
ADITYA SANDESH CHODANKAR
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Art, Cricket, Painting, Music
Ambition
: Architect / Interior Designer
Achievements: IAYP, TCL Merit Certificate
Address
: B - 101, Landscape Shire, Caranzalem, Goa
E-mail
:[email protected]
HETVI SATISH DOSHI
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Reading, Movies, Running, Cycling, Exploring, Chess
Ambition
: Humanitarian Lawyer / Psychologist
Achievements: UN Women Head, Athletics, Elocution District Level 3rd, Band (Snare Drum), Choir
Address
: 101, Kavyam Apartments, Amin Marg, Rajkot, Gujarat 360 001
E-mail
:[email protected]
ANMOL AGRAWAL
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Basketball, Cricket, Badminton and Snooker
Ambition
: Business Tycoon
Achievements : Band Major, Most Promising Player - Badminton, House Prefect - Autumn House
Address
: 104, Grand Exotica, Shankar Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
E-mail
:[email protected]
RASHI VIKAS ARYA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Basketball, Dancing, Travelling, Listening to Music
Ambition
:Entrepreneur
Achievements:Table Tennis - Best Player, IAYP - Silver Medal, Co-curricular Prefect, Press Head
[GSMUN]
Address
: 21-A, Sanjay Apartment, Near Circuit House, Sardar Bagh, Rajkot, Gujarat
E-mail
:[email protected]
SURYA POONGODI RAJA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Driving, Body-Building, Sketching
Ambition
:Pilot
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, GSMUN 2015 - Admin Member
Address
: VLT Gardens, Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu
E-mail
:[email protected]
ASWATHY ANNA REJI
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Badminton, Selective Reading
Ambition
:Economist
Achievements: Summer House Captain, Individual Championship in Athletics, ECOSOC - Co-Head,
TCL Practical Grade 3 - Clarinet, Badminton - Most Valuable Player, IAYP - Silver
Medal, TCL Theory Grade 1 - Distinction
Address
: Edayile Veedu, Kizhavalloor, Konni, Pathanamthitta, Kerala
E-mail
: [email protected]
STUTI PATEL
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Swimming, Drawing and Painting, Listening to Music
Ambition
: Entrepreneur / Businesswoman
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL Grade 1 Distinction, House Prefect, Inter House Solo Dance 3rd position, Swimming Backstroke 1st - 25 m and 50 m
Address
: “Krishna”, 3/10 Vaniyawadi, Near Patelwadi, Rajkot - 360 002, Gujarat
E-mail
:[email protected]
VASAVI KANOI
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Reading, Listening to Music, Watching Movies, Swimming, Travelling
Ambition
: Business Tycoon / Investment Banker
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL Grade 1 Distinction
Address
: 13/2, Ballygunge Park Road, Kolkata 700 019
E-mail
:[email protected]
AKSHAT SANJIV JAIN
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Basketball, Football, Drawing, Reading
Ambition
: Business Tycoon / Own the biggest Dhokla Chain
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL Grade 1 Distinction
Address
: DM-32/33, Prabhat Bungalow, Kaliyabad, Near Water Tank, Bhavnagar, Gujarat
E-mail
:[email protected]
P U SANJAY SANKAR
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Football, Basketball, Cricket
Ambition
:Architect
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL Theory - Distinction
Address
: No.28, State Bank Officer’s Colony, Jamalia, Chennai 12
E-mail
:[email protected]
HARSHAL PINKAL DANDWALA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Painting, Designing, Dance, Music, Gym, Football
Ambition
: Product Designer
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal
Address
: A/6 Aryaman Bungalows, Thaltej-Shilaj Road, Shilaj, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
E-mail
:[email protected]
RACHAPROLU JOEL SUNDAR
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Video Games, Wildlife Photography
Ambition
: Aeronautical Engineer / Businessman / Social Worker
Achievements: Learnt Football, Theory of Music, IAYP - Silver Medal, 1st in Cricket, Basketball,
Football, Badminton
Address
: 4/29 Dum Dum Gardens, Nuzvid - 521 201, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh
E-mail
:[email protected]
YAGNA DUSHYANT JOSHI
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Music, Movies, Football, Video Games, Skipping
Ambition
: Business Startup
Achievements: MUN Best Delegate, TCL Distinction
Address
: 20, Asopalav Bungalows, Thaltej, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
E-mail
:[email protected]
ROHAN KIRANKUMAR JASANI
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Beat boxing, Speed cubing, Music
Ambition
: Game Developer / App Developer / Investor in tech - startups
Achievements: MUN SC Honourable Mention, TCL Grade 1 – Distinction
Address
: C-703, RNA Spring, Cama Lane, Andheri West, Mumbai
E-mail
:[email protected]
THANAKARSHNNI S SHANMUGAPRIYA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Painting, Listening to Music
Ambition
:Microbiology
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL - Distinction
Address
: No.32 Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Opp. S R P Mills, Sivanandhapuram, Saravanampatti,
Coimbatore - 641 035
E-mail
: [email protected]
VARUNISHA RAMANAA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Chess, Listening to Music, Reading
Ambition
: Criminal Psychology
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL - Distinction
Address
: NB4, Shenbagam, Kumarasami Raja Salai, R.A.Puram, Greenways Road, Adyar,
E-mail
:[email protected]
Chennai - 600 028
SHREYA PAKALPATI
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Watching Movies, Reading, Painting
Ambition
:Neurologist
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, House Prefect, TCL Distinction
Address
: H1302, Mantri Synergy, 1/124B, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, OMR, Padur, Chennai - 603 103
E-mail
:[email protected]
SURESH SOW
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Playing Cricket, Acting, Watching Movies, Telling Stories
Ambition
: Actor / Engineer
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, State Level Cricket
Address
:#B2, Ganesh Darshan Apartments, Opp. White House, Dinnur Main Road, R.T Nagar,
Bangalore - 560 032
E-mail
:[email protected]
THYAGARAJ ROHIT JOSHUA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Football, Video Games, Driving, Drawing
Ambition
: Graphic Designer
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, District Level Tennis
Address
: RTC Colony, 2nd Road, Vijayawada - 520 008
E-mail
:[email protected]
DAVID FREDY PAUL
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Reading, Painting, Travel, Photography
Ambition
: Architect / Film Director / Photographer
Achievements: Co-curricular Prefect
Address
: Way-4040, Bld4 – 4340, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
E-mail
: [email protected]
PRAKHAR JAIN
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Photography, Playing Cricket
Ambition
: Business Tycoon
Achievements: House Captain
Address
: 53, Aiswarya Residency, Telibandha Ge Road, Raipur - 492 001
E-mail
:[email protected]
ANSHUMAAN MOHAN
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Watching Movies, Playing Tennis and Guitar
Ambition
: Mechanical Engineer / Entrepreneur
Achievements: TCL Distinction in Plectrum Guitar, 2nd in Dog Fight NASA,
Top 3 in World call of Duty (steam)
Address
: Bordoloi Nagar, Opp.Namghar, Assam, Tinsukia 786 125
E-mail
:[email protected]
ERIC NELSON BOSCO
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Painting, Numismatics, Listening to Music, Playing Football, Photography
Ambition
: Wildlife Photographer
Achievements: IAYP - Silver Medal, TCL Theory of Music, Swimming, Rifle Shooting, Basketball, Cricket,
MUN Delegate
Address
: #822, Aecs Layout ‘C’ Block, 2nd Main Kundalahalli, Bangalore - 560 037
E-mail
: [email protected]
MADHURIMA MANCHALA
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Painting, Writing, Playing Tennis, Reading
Ambition
:Architect
Achievements: Academic Proficiency Certificate – Grade 11, 3rd and 2nd in Swimming, 3rd Javelin
Throw, IAYP - Silver Medal
Address
: 486, Road No.5, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
E-mail
:[email protected]
HARSHIT AGRAWAL
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Skiing, Playing Badminton, Watching Movies, Painting
Ambition
: Business Mogul
Achievements: TCL Distinction, IAYP - Silver Medal
Address
: B - 3, Ravi Nagar, Beside Shyam Plaza, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
E-mail
:[email protected]
AKASH MAHADEVAN
2014 – 2016
Hobby
: Swimming, Football, Listening to Music, Travelling
Ambition
: Industrial Designer
Achievements: IAYP – Silver Medal
Address
: 1-A, Ramaniyam,15 Habibulla Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017
E-mail
:[email protected]
GOOD SHEPHERD FINISHING SCHOOL
The Faculty – GSFS
9 months’ batch of Girls
3 months’ batch of Girls
Electricians, Gardeners, Kennel Assistant & Cleaners - GSFS
SNAPSHOTS OF THE CLASSES
(2015 - 2016)
PRIMARY SCHOOL
I
II
III – A
III – B
IV – A
IV – B
V–A
V–B
V–C
V–D
VI – A
VI – B
VI – C
VI – D
VI – E
MIDDLE SCHOOL
VII – A
VII – B
FM I – A
FM I – B
FM I – C
FM I – D
VIII – A
VIII – B
FM II – A
FM II – B
FM II – C
FM II – D
FM II – E
FM II – F
HIGH SCHOOL
ICSE IX – A
ICSE IX – B
IGCSE FM III – A
IGCSE FM III – B
IGCSE FM III – C
IGCSE FM III – D
IGCSE FM III – E
ICSE X – A
ICSE X – B
IGCSE FM IV – A
IGCSE FM IV – B
IGCSE FM IV – C
IGCSE FM IV – D
HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL
ISC XI - A
ISC XI - B
IB XI – A
IB XI – B
IB XI – C
IB XI – D
ISC XII
IB XII – A
IB XII – B
IB XII – C
Amongst the Souvenirs
“Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days.”
The Old Shepherdians with the Principal, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Senior Vice Principals and Members of Staff
Ceremonial Procession of the ICSE batch of 1991
Lighting of the Graduation Lamp
GSIS recently had the good pleasure of hosting the Back 2 Roots for the Old Shepherdians. The batch of ICSE
students of 1991 who passed out from GSPS 25 years ago were chosen as the graduating batch. Most of them were
present and they attended their Graduation Ceremony formally dressed in their graduation gowns and caps. It was
healthier for classmates amongst their group here as they were less inclined to compete and compare. The years of
living provided the roller coaster of life’s ups and downs that tend to mature people. Who has the biggest house or
the fastest car just does not matter so much any more. It was a time of talking about kids going off to college and
seeing baby pictures from the first wave of grandkids.
It was fascinating to see what some of 1991 batch have been doing. It was certainly a challenge but the detective
work of Mrs. Anila Ann Mathew and Mrs. Julie Pradeesh in the months earlier this year to track down the exShepherdians proved successful.
The objective was to reunite the group which graduated 25 years ago, along with others who had been classmates
along the school life journey for a reunion held on 22, 23 and 24 April 2016. An advantage in locating past students
was that even though most of them started together in Grade 1, some left and returned and some went off to other
schools but their connections have stayed strong to this day.
Celebrations and an evening of special memories were hosted at the Palada Campus and Sunday saw a visit to the
Fernhill Campus. The weekend rekindled so many special memories; the reunion dinner was an excellent night,
with old Shepherdians travelling from all over the world to join in the festivities.
The Senior Vice President presenting the graduation scroll
Antakshari and Quiz in progress
Old Shepherdians riding horses at the Palada Campus
Old Shepherdians playing table tennis
Old Shepherdians playing Badminton
Dinner at Taj Savoy Hotel in Ooty
Old Shepherdians planting saplings
Alumni get-together in the Fernhill Campus
Saturday saw a multitude of fun activities where the present GSIS students played fun games with the old
Shepherdians. The screening of the movie “Bastion of the Giants”, a production by former Head boy and GSPS
topper Mr. Sumesh Lekhi, was an added bonus. Memories came flooding back and laughs were exchanged at The
Taj Savoy Hotel on Saturday night as several age groups celebrated their reunion. 50 past students, the current
staff, community members and family gathered at GSIS for a weekend of reminiscing and catching up, with some
travelling from overseas just to make an appearance at the event.
“Homecoming unites the past and the present.”
“Nobody is bothered about an institution more than its alumni.”
- N. R. Narayana Murthy
“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing
apart.”
- Elisabeth Foley
“By providing students in our Nation with such an education, we help save our children from the
clutches of poverty, crime, drugs, and hopelessness, and we help safeguard our Nation’s prosperity for
generations yet unborn.”
- Elijah Cummings
E-mail: [email protected]
LOCATED AT THE GOOD SHEPHERD GARDENS
GOOD SHEPHERD FINISHING SCHOOL
Web: www.gsfs.ac.in
Good Shepherd International School awarded
'Platinum Rating'
by the Indian Green Building Council
THE SHEPHERDIAN
Ootacamund
We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that Good Shepherd Interna onal
School has been awarded the 'Pla num Ra ng' by the Indian Green Building Council
(IGBC). The school was awarded 88 points in the final score card of the cer fica on process.
The IGBC is a part of the Confedera on of Indian Industries (CII) and func ons towards
achieving a “Sustainable Built Environment” for all and to facilitate India to be the global
leaders in this field.
The ra ng brings together a host of sustainable prac ces and solu on to reduce the environmental impacts which
include site selec on, sustainable water prac ces, conserving and harves ng energy, use of eco-friendly school
materials, adherence to indoor environmental quality, health and hygiene and emphasis on green educa on in the
school.
Incidentally pla num ra ng is the highest ra ng awarded by the IGBC and GSIS is the only school in the country
which has been awarded this ra ng.
d+p: www.hitechprintsolutions.com
We congratulate all the members of the school community for this excellent accomplishment and for playing a vital
role in touching the minds and hearts of thousands of school children, their parents and teachers!

the shepherdian - Good Shepherd International School

Transcription

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