| farewell speech - 31st march 2003 |
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| Good Morning, Respected Principal Mr. M. I. Hussain, Senior Mistresses Mrs. Aruna Bhatia & Mrs. Aruna Puri, Headmistress East Delhi, Mrs. Rashmi Nandkeolyar, Mr. Rawat, colleagues and my dearest children. When I look back at the 60 years of my life, 9th February 1971 stands out as a red-letter day. That day over 32 years ago, I made the momentous decision of joining DPS. My choice turned out to be a very good one indeed, for DPS formed me and supported me in an admirable way. I have believed that the future of the world is in my classroom today. The core principle of my teaching is: To help each student become the person he or she is capable of becoming. My fellow teachers, take heed. You can be miracle makers. You can help each and every student see that they need not be tomorrow what they are today. You can help each and every one of them see and reach for the unique potential that is within them. In all the work I have done as Headmistress, every decision I have made, every action I have taken, I have tried to give all those associated with the Junior School, the tools and conditions to build the future of our dreams. I have sought to give the Junior School a new kind of administration - more effective, always listening, full of ideas, always putting students first, always focusing on the future. Today, I want to share with you three thoughts about our future. First, Junior School, DPS, Mathura Road must maintain our record of academic excellence. We have shown time and again that we have the most competent team of teachers, thoroughly professional and at the same time nurturing and caring. Second, we must ensure that our students grow up with a wholesome education that includes extra curricular activities that hone their talents and make them more confident and self assured. Finally, we have to educate our children not just in subjects, but also in life. We in junior school have the greatest responsibility because these children are with us at their most impressionable age. I strongly feel that an education should develop hearts, not just minds, so that people can live noble lives as well as have productive careers. An education should be, the development of character, a quest for values and the raising of visions. Success is measured not only in achievements, but also in lives touched and moments shared along the way. I choose to reflect on how my life has been touched by all of you and the debt I owe to those who have guided and trained me. Foremost among them, respected Late Mr. Din Dayal, who was an epitome of integrity and dedication to the field of education. This great man inspired everyone whose lives he touched. Mrs. S Nakra, my first headmistress who gave me opportunities to take up various responsibilities, trusted my abilities and encouraged me. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our respected Principal, Mr. Hussain for believing in me and entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the Junior School as the Headmistress. Thank you, Sir, for constantly guiding and motivating me, for showing me how to remain calm under stress, and inspiring me to make DPS Mathura Road a force to reckon with. Mrs. Aruna Bhatia � my colleague for over 30 years and a great personal friend � thank you for your wonderful friendship and support over the years. Your spirit of teamwork is a motivation for all. I wish you all success in the future. Mrs. Aruna Puri � science teacher to both my children, I have admired you for your knowledge and creativity. You share my zeal for perfection. I wish you lots of luck. To all the teachers that I have worked with through these 32 years � thank you. To all those generations of students I have taught � I have tried and I hope I have succeeded in making a positive difference in your lives. Lastly, I thank my family for standing behind me like a rock - both my children who have studied at DPS Mathura Road and my husband who, after all these years can stake claim to being an honorary Dipsite. I leave DPS with mixed feelings. I feel immense satisfaction at having done my duty as a teacher with complete sincerity and dedication. I am humbled by the respect and affection my students have given me over the years and the support I have received from my seniors and peers. I feel sad at leaving behind some great associations formed over the years. But I take with me very fond memories of times shared. I leave the school more idealistic, more full of hope than the day I arrived and more confident than ever that DPS�s best days lie ahead. So let me end with these lines - And now the end is near My friends, we'll say it clear We've traveled each and every highway But much more than this We did it our way. Thank you again and walk good. |