Page 5 - May 2020

PRESPECTIVES MAY 2020 (5)

CMS VISION OF A UNITED WORLD POST PANDEMIC

“The world is closed for snuffsout lives, then surely we will be wiped minds of the people that our destinies are to shift its focus from exclusive academic
renovation, Grand out from the face of Earth. Then what will be intertwined as we witness that even a excellence to academic empowerment
reopening soon!” our salvation? Where do we turn as there is microbe does not discriminate between us characterized by spiritual and emotional
Such a thought fills the grief, death and destruction on all sides? on any basis of race, creed or colour. well-being, amalgamated with a desire to
heart with joy and What is presently being witnessed in the In such a scenario a school like CMS, whose contribute to the wellness of every single
palpable excitement reorganization of the world is that in every motto is Jai Jagat and Mission is Vasudhaiv being on this planet. Such a generation of
laced with caution as this sphere two fundamental processes are at Kutumbkam, has to act as the Lighthouse of learners will willingly take charge of their
Mrs Shipra Upadhyay period of ‘Lockdown’ work: one is destructive in nature while the the society. The post COVID world will have own learning and simultaneously facilitate
Principal, CMS Jopling Road Campus
becomes a time to other is integrative.For example, as death regressed in time. Once again issues like the learning of others who are less
‘Unlock’ the deep recesses of our hearts and destruction rage outside, the home has poverty, unemployment and hunger will rise privileged. This would be a conscious
and souls while we plumb the depths of become the bastion of unity. It has been to the forefront. In the past few weeks we enterprise enhanced by the revised teaching
unexamined ideas, unopened feelings and turned into a fortress of safety and well have thoroughly understood how methodology to be adopted in the present
carefully wrapped and shelved dreams being as families come together to build inadequately prepared we are for the future time. In keeping with the understanding of
when reposing in the comfort of our more memories, to forge stronger bonds of as we still hold on to our differences, the inherent unity of the human race, any
homes, unwilling to step out even for a love and acceptance as we become nurture our egos and seek solace behind educational enterprise would focus on
moment. This is adiabolic change from the comfortable once again in the presence of national boundaries. Such a bleak world is development of all, would build intra
frantic and frenzied pace of life we each other. A transformation is underway as what education will aim to change as personal and interpersonal skills where
designed for ourselves over the past two from the confines of their homes people are normalcy returns to rule the roost. building sustainable relationships in all
decades of this present century. reaching out to their suffering brethren For the past sixty years CMS has been spheres, be it political, economical or the
As we accelerated on to the 21st century we across oceans - united not only in their engaged in imparting an education that aims diplomatic arena would be the precedence.
cast aside the symbols of the previous apprehension but also in the determination to build a global perspective in the minds of CMS has always advocated embracing all the
millennia. The family took a backseat, while to overcome this challenge and emerge with students. Using all the tools at its disposal, diverse cultures of the world and to build a
ambition became the driver. Our thirst for a greater understanding of the truth of the CMS has striven to inculcate a belief in its collaborative of world leaders, who will take
more expanded as we kept advancing up the oneness of humanity. students that entire humanity is one. Now it on the mantle of collective governance and
ladder of success. Nothing was too much. In a Tablet revealed by a Great Teacher is time to go a step further and take work in a spirit of co-operation and
We were invincible, heading towards nearly a century and a half ago the world cognizance of the well-being of entire collaboration for the well-being of the entire
harnessing artificial intelligence, but what a was compared to a human body. Co- humanity. Academic excellence will always world. All its events, aim to inculcate in its
blow CORONA has dealt to us -the invincible operation is the principle that governs the be the goal but what would be needed in students unity of thought and action,
human race. In a span of few days, we, the functioning of its systems…civilization too the future is strength of spirit – a generation promote a state of readiness to adopt and
mighty homosapiens have fallen and as the can be seen as the outcome of a set of of humans whose spiritual strength would internalize the unity of nations towards
diktat goes, we have been vanquished, interactions among closely integrated, be the instrument of social transformation, which we are slowly and steadily, moving.
banished to be inside our homes. The very diverse components which have whose altruism will embrace strangers with The task is mammoth yet the present crisis
havens of ease, luxury and comfort we transcended the narrow purpose of their own alacrity and empathy; whose magnanimity has strengthened the resolve of the members
created have become our correctional existence. And just as the viability of every cell will reach across all barriers and whose of the CMS family to come together as one
facilities, wherein only our thoughts have the and every organ (of the body) is contingent sense of justice will lead to the creation of a and work tirelessly and wholeheartedly to
freedom, to explore the past, the present upon the health of the body as a whole, so new society where commonalities will ring the words “The Earth is but one country
and the not so glorious future. should the prosperity of every individual, every become the social fabric and the diversities and Mankind its citizens”, to its fruition.
Yet questions abound. Is this the end of the family, and every people be sought in the well- a focal point of congregations of the myriads --Mrs Shipra Upadhyay,
road for us? Are we to perish as has been being of the entire human race. of diverse facets of the cultures drawn from Principal, CMS Jopling Road Campus
predicted a number of times in the past? This is the reality we are journeying to; this the different corners of the world. Such
If we are to subscribe to this thought, as would be our ultimate destination. Across would be envisioned for a CMS student.
COVID19 stalks the continents and the globe this thought has taken seed in the The present pattern of education will have

What the Lockdown taught me

It was the third week of to numerous meetings, phone calls, planning data packs and expenses thereof, students in the leaders, doctors, artists, sportsmen,
March when the for training sessions for the staff and areas with no network, maybe a few without engineers, poets and above all kind, caring,
Government of Uttar children, to think of ways and means to smart phone). Since the school was already responsible human beings . The teachers
Pradesh issued an advisory engage the children in the teaching learning using some Google tools for various other have been selflessly working against all odds
for all schools to shut process while still remaining indoors at tasks we decided on getting everyone to from home managing the home and
down completely, to home. The situation did not remotely seem switch to Google Hangout meet. This led to ensuring that their classes online are going
practice social distancing, to be getting better for a month or two another foray of intensive training of the on without any glitches. This pandemic has
Mrs Aditi Sharma
Principal, CMS Chowk Campus being particular about hence we had to strategize to find ways to teachers. Here it is necessary to mention taught us all to bond, to learn to appreciate
washing our hands transact lessons online. Every teacher tried that the IT team of the school worked little things, to grow together and above all
frequently, using alcohol based sanitizers her/his hand at different modes like almost round the clock tirelessly to conduct help others to grow along with us. The
and covering our nose and mouth with a Whattsapp Broadcast groups, Zoom cloud all the training sessions unflinchingly. They meaning of education and training of children
mask or simply a scarf. All this was very meetings, Google Hangout meets and were our front line warriors. By second week as the most meritorious act of humankind has
overwhelming for all of us. With a skeletal Google classrooms. The teachers underwent of April we had got some semblance of a been brought to light so truly as we evolve
staff and a few teachers completing their Fastrack training in using Google Classrooms system in place and online classes with and move towards a future which holds many
work we still went to school until 19th but we were not very competent at it not proper maintenance of attendance records, new challenges with each passing day for a
March 2020. By then the situation around having used it as a teaching tool earlier. But class details, time tables, orientations, teacher like you and me.
the world and our very own city of Lucknow the situation was such that necessity once trainings etc having taken shape , enough to Abdu-l -Baha said and I quote, "Among the
was slowly getting grave. The electronic and again took the role of the mother of give us the satisfaction of having gained the greatest of all services that can possibly be
print media was abuzz with reports of new invention and soon each teacher had gained appreciation and attention of not only our rendered by man to Almighty God is the
cases of the deadly Corona Virus COVID 19 confidence in teaching through either of the parents but society at large. Today after a education and training of children, young
spreading it's arms in all directions. A above mentioned modes. This led us to month I can say that even if these online plants of the Abha Paradise, so that these
pandemic had been declared worldwide by think that there were a variety of modes classes are like a light in the dark cave it is children, fostered by grace in the way of
WHO. We were stopped in our tracks as the being used which was not convenient for always better to light a candle in the dark salvation, growing like pearls of divine
Prime Minister declared a complete parents with two or more children and their than to curse the darkness. My salutations bounty in the shell of education, will one day
lockdown with compliance for all States in teachers using different tools or apps for to the teachers who are the ones who shape bejewel the crown of abiding glory"
place. Unprepared for such a situation led their online lessons. (there being issues of the future generations so that they become
– Mrs Aditi Sharma Principal, CMS Chowk Campus

Brilliant online debate of Grade 11 pupils in the CMS Cambridge Section

On 2nd May 2020, I make profits, and that instead of letting had he not seen wrong things in the world,
heard a brilliant online ethics guide us, such games go against the and what would the India be if it didn't have
debate among the welfare of civilization and the longer term an army (tacitly implying that violence is
students of grade 11 in interests of humanity. necessary, so we may as well accept it).
the CMS Cambridge The Opponents Neal, Arunima and Daksh When the debate moderator (CENTA
Section, on the gave as good as they got. Their armoury of national award-winning English teacher
proposition that 'Violent arguments included firstly that studies show Mrs Shanara Khan) allowed questions and
computer games should that gaming sharpens wits and improves answers, the quality of discussion was audience). On my expressing surprise at the
Prof. Geeta Kingdon be banned”. With razor reflexes so that later as employees, gamers
President, CMS impressive. Daksh from the Opposite Motion vote, one student expressed the opinion
sharp analysis, and are more efficient and accurate than non- team cited a study that purports to show that the vote in favour of the Opposition
displaying great depth of understanding, gamers (the proponents later sought to that violence among youth has fallen over motion was effectively an ex-post
many sophisticated arguments were demolish these arguments by noting that time despite violent games' rising popularity, rationalization of the fact that “most
advanced. Proposition speakers Anahita, these would apply even to non-violent Anahita of the Proponent team questioned students in the online audience themselves
Astha and Robert first defined violent games). An economic argument advanced the bona fides, methods and time-duration enjoy violent games”, though this student
games (where the success parameter is the was that the gaming industry gives of the study, thus displaying critical thinking was quick to reduce my worry by adding
number of people you kill) and cited the employment to countless families, and this and advanced debating skills. The Gautam “without being addicted to them”.
high numbers of violent gamers aged 12-17. invited a similar rejoinder about the Buddha and Indian army points attracted I thoroughly enjoyed watching and hearing
Their arguments drew strength from possibility of extensive employment from trenchant replies from Astha and Robert. this online debate on a topic of red-hot
research evidence they cited, which shows non-violent games. Apart from appealing to contemporary interest among youth. What a
that children are apt to imitate what they research evidence, the Opposition camp The proponents' powerful points, the tribute to the quality of education in the
see and that violent gamers are more likely argued that violent gaming allows harmless opposition's punchy counter arguments, the CMS Cambridge section! Congratulations to
to be aggressive and to fantasize about expression of anger in a virtual sphere which back and forth of quick-witted and Miss ManjitBatra (Senior Principal), Mrs.
being violent towards those they do not is surely better than in the real world. More sometimes-convincing-sometimes-specious SushmaRajkumar (Coordinator), Mrs.
like. They argued that these addictive sophisticated arguments were that Gautam rejoinders – all made it a hugely enjoyable Shanara Khan (English teacher), the six
games exist mostly for corporations to Budhha would not have got enlightenment debate and a great learning experience for
all class 11 students (who constituted the debaters and all class 11 students!

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." --Helen Keller