Jointly sponsored by:

PACE Universal, USA and the Rotary Club of Calcutta Metropolitan

Insider Report: July - September, 2008

Dear friends of PLC,

The flurry of activities in the past 3 months was mostly channeled towards ensuring academic growth of the students and enhancing the skills of the teachers and hence special events were fewer in numbers. However, I feel very happy to share with you that these past months were stepping stones towards a brighter tomorrow. The efforts of my colleagues and continual support from you have started bearing fruitful results. As you read further into the pages of this newsletter, you will see how your contribution gifts childhood to the most vulnerable children of our society.

Thank you for choosing to be our friend and helping a child enjoy fullness of life. You are the force behind the changes in the lives of our children and their community. We sincerely value your gift of friendship.

Alokeparna Ghosh

Principal

Saffron, white and green – the courtyard of Piyali Learning Center proudly displayed the Indian tri-color to usher in our 61st Independence Day on August 15. The celebration began amidst cheer as the President of the school’s governing body, Rotarian Jayanta Chatterji unfurled the National Flag. The deep pride and respect for the country were renewed in everybody’s heart as we stood up for the National Anthem. Principal’s address to the students was followed by a short cultural program. Nursery and Kindergarten students promised to protect the country as they presented

“Nanha Munna Rahin Hoon, Desh Ki Sipahi Hoon” (We are the little soldiers of the country)”. Senior students painted a beautiful picture of India’s splendor through recitation and patriotic songs. Protima Mondol of grade 5 shared her thoughts on the true significance of Independence in today’s world as she quoted Tagore’s immortal words: “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by domestic walls;…Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.”

The Guest of Honor, PP Vishnu Dhandhania addressed the students and emphasized on the role of education in building character and becoming a truly independent soul. PLC President Jayanta Chatterji explained how Mahatma Gandhi’s principles are being acknowledged worldwide as a cure to violence and terrorism. Mouthwatering snacks and a half-holiday brought smiles galore to the little faces.

This year the approach of Teacher’s Day (September 5) was almost overlooked by us as the dates for half-yearly assessment of the students were close by and we got busy setting assignments and questions for the tests. Unlike the previous years when students were helped by teachers to put up a cultural program, this year our Principal directed the students to conceive a program independently. She wanted the students to develop a sense of responsibility and be more self-reliant.

We anticipated a day of fun with the students.  We however were never prepared for a surprise like the one the girls had in store for us! They gifted us a perfect day from beginning till end. They showered us with flowers (literally), hand made gifts, sweets and most of all with their love and gratitude. They organized a spectacular program as an expression of thanks. Senior girls took charge of conducting the program and they did a flawless job. The program was conceived not only with a lot of brains but also from the heart. Each teacher was thanked by a representative of her class students by reading out a small note.

Songs, dances and a short play were highlights of the program. We felt proud as we saw the faces of our little angels shining with confidence. The maturity and confidence they displayed showed that the girls have learnt bigger lessons in the cradle of PLC than what was taught in the classrooms. The celebration ended with Principal’s address to all where she illuminated the role of teachers in molding the lives they influence. While the students should always be thankful for their teachers’ constructive support, the teachers too have a great responsibility of presenting themselves as role models.

We were overwhelmed to receive a special gift of beautiful jute bag as an expression of appreciation from the management committee. We sincerely thank PACE Universal and RCCM for making us a part of this noble project.

Lipika Barui and Nilima Gayen, Teachers, PLC

If you fell down yesterday, stand up today. – H.G. Wells

Sangita Mondol is repeating a year in grade 3 as her progress in the last academic session was not deemed satisfactory by her teachers. Tears had rolled down her cheeks as she prepared herself to face another gruesome year in the mundane world of study books. Little she had known that the grayscale world of small black prints on white pages would suddenly turn into a hue of fun activities. Introduction of creative teaching and worksheet oriented lessons made learning experiences captivating for the young minds. Sangita, a gifted child, found the stimulation she needed and determined herself to succeed. She worked carefully towards removing every stumbling block and scored highest marks in every subject in the recent half-yearly assessment. She is now the proud owner of 1st rank in her class. Her mother was surprised to no end as she still finds Sangita not studying at all at home. At the parents-teachers meeting, she kept on asking Sangita’s class teacher how this miracle happened. Sangita has achieved the extraordinary and set an example for her peers. As we say BRAVO! From Sangita we also say a big THANK YOU! to her sponsor. Your sponsorship helps us work endlessly towards the betterment of this organization.

12 years old Chchobi Sardar's father is a farmer in the neighboring village of Gourdaha and struggles to provide for a family of six. Chchobi was pulled out from her school, as her parents could no longer afford her education. She was left with no choice but to let her aspirations die a slow death trapped under the daily chores of cleaning utensils, chopping firewood and washing clothes. She was eventually sent to Piyali to live with her maternal uncle.

When she boarded the train to Piyali little she had known that life was giving her a second chance. Soon, she learned from Putul, a PLC student in grade 5 and her neighbor, how Piyali Learning Center has changed the lives of the young girls of the community. She decided to take the bold step of seeing the principal all by herself to present her sincere appeal. Her determination was admired and appreciated by all and Rtn. Deepa Willingham, the founder of the school and President of PACE Universal, happily accepted her into the program.

Chchobi is only a month old in the school but is already being appreciated by her teachers for being a sincere and promising student. Piyali Learning Center has brought hope in the life of yet another deprived girl. Girls like Chchobi are our ultimate motivation in Piyali where we have all pledged to light up the lives of the suffering humanity. We earnestly thank you as your support and contribution help us change lives from despair to hope.

We had promised the girls we would show them a movie after their exams and so on the last day before the Puja Holidays began, a show was arranged at the school. The girls excitedly started discussing amongst themselves what movie would be shown (yes, it was kept a secret till the last moment) as soon as they spotted the big TV in the Activity Room. Soon the screen was blazed with wild and hilarious acts of four animal friends in the movie Madagascar and the room was filled with roars of laughter. It was a treat for us to watch the students enjoying the film so much. In the coming days, we certainly would make an effort to organize many such shows where we would show them not only entertaining movies but as well as meaningful films and documentaries.

A big Thank You to our school President Rtn. Jayanta Chatterji for gifting PLC a new audio music player. The students and the staff were delighted to receive such a generous gift on the eve of the Pujas (a major festival of Bengal) and acknowledged this thoughtful and kind gesture with heartfelt gratitude and respect.

Our dear Deepa Mashi (Rtn. Deepa Willingham) accompanied by PDG Jan & PE Pam Lindsay, Christine & Monica Larner, Rotarian spouse Carol Lewis, Jaclyn Smith, Rotaractor Daniel Wolf and Rotaractor Caroline De Wagter will visit the school next month. We, at PLC, are eagerly awaiting their arrival and looking forward to celebrating with our friends the bond of love we all share.