Torchbearers of hope and light!
“We don’t stop going to school when we graduate.”
— Carol Burnett
How I wish this were as true literally as it has been in my mind for the past eight years. I left Vishwajyot in 2012, and not a day has gone by when I haven’t thought about it.
The year I turned nine, my parents decided it was time for me to switch schools. They surveyed a few schools near our house and the obvious choice for them was Apeejay. But it all changed the day I first saw Vishwajyot. The circular courtyard inside the rectangular building boggled my nine-year-old mind. I instantly fell in love with the school’s energy, and knew this was the only school I wanted to attend.
“We learned science through songs, walked a kilometer to learn what a kilometer was, and put up theatrical performances to learn History and English.”
After an abysmal entrance test, I was surprised to be welcomed into the Vishwajyot family by Sushma Dhumal ma’am. She was very pleased by my English test, and was confident that I had the potential to catch up on the rest. This was the first of countless instances when Vishwajyot believed in me.
In every way my gut had been right that day. Vishwajyot was unlike any school I had ever attended. We learned science through songs, walked a kilometer to learn what a kilometer was, and put up theatrical performances to learn History and English. Vishwajyot gave us the space to be whoever we wished to be.
Before joining Vishwajyot, I had two personalities; one for home, one for school. At school, I was shy, reserved, academic — the poster child for an ideal student. At home, I was a loud, preppy performer. The year I joined Vishwajyot, I became both, and more, at school.
The very first year, I was asked to audition for the school’s famous annual day event, a play dubbed Mughal-E-Azam. There were scripts, and we had to audition with other people. I was thoroughly out of my comfort zone. But I was cast as Nur Jahan, and that was that. As luck would have it, the following few months ended up being some of the most fun times I have ever had. So much so, that it became second nature for me to go up on stage confidently, and actually enjoy it.
Through these extravaganzas, we made innumerable memories and friends. Eventually, everybody knew everybody. The school’s small-classes system was a refreshing change from the other crammed schools I had attended. The teachers knew us personally, knew our strengths and weaknesses, and pushed us till we were uncomfortable and resentful, but learning. I hated the sciences with a passion — still do — to the point where I was failing in Physics. But the realization that failing wouldn’t mean just letting myself down but an entire community that believed in me, made me try harder each time until I reached the point where I was slightly above average in science (an accomplishment I still hold dear to this day).
As you’ve probably guessed it, my favorite teachers were always the English teachers. In fact, it was one of my English teachers who pointed out for the very first time that I had a way with words. Every single one of them encouraged me inside the class and outside of it. I believe the school years are very important to the development of a child’s skills and interests. Without that positive reinforcement, I possibly would not be where I am now.
As brilliant as the school itself was, it was nothing without the right people. At Vishwajyot, I met perhaps the singularly most important people in my life. From first-day friendships, to dancing friendships, to rediscovering old friendships, Vishwajyot gave me a sisterhood. We were nerds, athletes, dancers and performers; but best of all, we were friends. It wasn’t just the group of my best friends though, my friendship with the other people in class and outside of it evolved over the years. We were famously dubbed as the most troublesome class of seniors Vishwajyot had ever witnessed (a loving accusation I’m sure most classes hear at some point). But we reveled in that nickname and thrived in it. From playing cricket in class, to silly truth and dare, to simultaneously giving our most and least to the Friday assemblies, we enjoyed every bit of it.
The most memorable class event for me was when we staged an entire production of The Merchant of Venice in the 9th grade, right from the direction and script down to the costumes and sets. Despite the ugly rumors, we all enjoyed each other’s company.
The school might have changed over the years; the faculty, the premises, the ways of teaching. But I hope it inspires and gladdens students just the same. Vishwajyot taught me a lot of things, the least of which was academics. I became a reader, a writer, a person. It taught me love and friendship, responsibility and fun.
“I became a reader, a writer, a person.”
The school has always gone above and beyond to ensure that the students learn, not just to pass exams, but to be truly educated. I am now an editor of children’s literature for Wonder House Books — going full circle from being a young reader to curating content for young readers. I’ve traveled, lived alone, and found a job that I love, and a lot of it is because of the six most important years of my life — so far — at Vishwajyot.
