Martha opens her house for Jesus and makes herself busy trying to prepare; probably a meal. See, hospitality was held in high esteem in the culture of those days. The story says that she was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. It leads us to the “Great Kitchen Debate. Distraction or Devotion Which Is Better?”
Now she had a sister named Mary. She came and sat at Jesus’ feet listening to his words. This troubles Martha. She comes and asks Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me.”
This seems to be a normal complaint and request in this context. One person is doing all the work. The other is simply chatting with the guest. Martha feels herself a victim left alone to do all the work.
Don’t you also feel like complaining when others seem to take it easy while you alone shoulder the burdens at work, whether it be home or office?
The Response: Nailing the Problem Which Is Lack of Focus
What makes this normal situation different is Jesus’ response: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus is not finding fault with Martha’s hospitality. But Jesus is pointing out that she is worried and upset about many things. The language that Jesus used tells us about a person being pulled in different directions at the same time. There seems to be a lack of focus.
Isn’t it typical of many of us? Aren’t we pulled in many different directions when it comes to work? When that happens, can you stop for a moment and try to prioritize. Look at what is urgent and of utmost importance at that point in time. Then focus on that one thing. It will make a difference.
Which Is Better: Distraction or Devotion
Jesus is trying to point out to Martha that her value in life does not come from what she does. God does not give us marks according to our performance even though he has promised many crowns and rewards to his faithful followers.
Jesus is present in her house. He was welcomed as the guest. Yet Martha is now very busy, distracted with preparations, her many tasks, and much serving.
She failed to value his presence. She failed to value his words—his words which Peter once described as words of eternal life (John 6:68). More than that she feels herself to be a victim of the situation when she could have had the joy of having the companionship of the Son of God in her home.
Martha is someone with great faith as her extraordinary declaration of who Jesus is shows (John 11:27) while at another time she conversed with Jesus by the grave of her brother Lazarus. But on this occasion, she is making her kitchen the greater priority.
Always put people first and tasks below them in your priority list whether at home or the office. You will be blessed and you will be a blessing in doing so.
God Is Valuing Your Companionship Not Your Busyness
We live in a fast paced world. We are busy all the time. We are dominated by the chores of life and its dull routines. Unless you make a deliberate effort to sit at Jesus’ feet, you will miss him altogether even when he is present with you.
Jesus in his response to Martha tells her that the better choice is devotion. Spending quiet and quality time with him is more important than attempting to do something for him.
So many of us are trying to do things for him. He doesn’t find fault with that. But he is asking us not to lose focus. Not to miss the better thing.
Life’s moments might not repeat themselves. So when you are with someone who loves you and cares for you, give him or her the fullest attention you can possibly give. That is the better thing than the good things you might be able to do for them.
Choose Devotion: Spending Time with Jesus
When was the last time you enjoyed the presence of God in your life? It is not something dramatic. It can happen in the kitchen in the ordinary routines of life. Just think on God. Thank him and praise him. Tell him you love him.
Will you not take a few moments to stop and talk with Jesus. In the words of Robert Frost,
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Choosing to spend time with Jesus who bled and died for you on the cross is a choice very few make on a daily basis. That is a road that is less travelled by. But if you choose to go that way, the way of love, adoration, worship, and devotion; it will make all the difference.
Featured image: Photos by Monika and Elina Fairytale from Pixabay | Adobe
Curse words and dirty swear words have become fashionable. Movies, music, and friends make them common. But do they rob children of their innocence? Yes.
Children use curse words often without thinking. They imitate either their parents, friends or what they see in movies. This then becomes a bad habit.
Who is to blame? Society today is going from permissiveness to permissiveness. Children are exposed to swear words and curse words everywhere. And it is quite possible that they pick up a few of them.
But where lies the real trouble? It is in the negative impact it creates on other children. It hurts their esteem, dignity, and emotional well-being.
Teachers can tell students that words do hurt badly. They can advise that words, especially the swear words and curse words, once spoken are like pouring hot burning oil into the mind of others. It burns the sensitive minds of those listening.
Children need to be reminded that their innocent minds are being corrupted by ugly caricatures of what is lovely and pure when they use explicit swear words. What is happening now is a loss of innocence; a loss of childhood which should be healthy fun and laughter.
The use of bad words in public by little children should be a matter of concern. It shows how children grow up without proper care, attention, or discipline. If only children understood that use of curse words is not a sign of bravado but instead it is a sign of weakness and lack of moral strength and character!
Thank you School Leader Elect for proposing the toast and wishing all of us outgoing students the very best. Those words really touched our hearts and as you said, we will keep it our motto to excel in our pursuits and make the name of our school even more glorious. And I am indeed honoured to be given the chance to reply to the toast.
On behalf of all the outgoing students I wish to place on record the extraordinary influence the teachers and the ambience of this school has been in our lives the past ten years. The growing up phase was challenging but looking back it was eventful, and now it is part of our nostalgia.
I never thought I will ever get a chance to reply to the toast in this last year of mine at school. I was always a backbencher, a loser, a failure and the naughtiest kid in school.
I was always having homework to be finished, wrote impositions more times than all of you ever did, and received from teachers punishment in various forms. I leave the school with the thought that in this one thing at least I was first.
Let me now open my heart to you. I find that in today’s mad rush for success and becoming first, all that people think are of themselves. I is first and I is all that matters to most. We, unfortunately, live in a self-first and self-last and self-is-all world.
But there are people like me who long for love and acceptance. My rebellion, my naughtiness, my practical pranks were all my failed attempts to connect with you all.
I am not slow to study; I do believe I have a gifted mind. But i decided early on that I simply want to fail. You ask me, “Why?’
My dear friends, do know that all homes are not the same. There are broken homes where it is unrest always. Happiness is unreal to children like us who come from there.
There is no one to ask why you behave like this. All demand performance. There is no space for compassion, understanding or love in this scheme of things.
As I look back, it was a procession of negative labelling on all fronts: from relatives, schoolmates, and sadly some teachers too. It was like mud and slimy dirt thrown to stick on my white shirt: “You’re good for nothing,” “Bad boy,” “A shame to parents,” “Introvert,” “Loser,” and “A born failure,” were some of them. They still hurt. And I don’t know whether ever there will come a time when its shame will be washed away or its sting removed.
But I learned some time ago that holding a grudge will make all those labels come true. Therefore with great struggle I try to brush self-defeating thoughts aside each day.
I stand here today to say thank you for the opportunity given to one who did not rise up to your expectations. I stand here to thank my physical education teacher who one day after having made me run eight times around the ground asked, “My boy, tell me, what do you fear most?”
It was the first time someone was seeing me as a person—an individual with hopes and dreams, with fears and doubts like anyone else.
He, with that one question, broke my defense. I had a tough look and an unfriendly behaviour. Yet my teacher showed the guts to peel off that mask. But I am grateful he did it one on one and not in front of the crowd.
I broke down and cried that day. My fear of my parents separating, and losing one of them perhaps to death, finally came out.
My kindergarten class is where I meet my friends. I often feel that my class teacher is my best friend.
She smiles a lot and gives me sweets too. I love her way of asking, “Dear Emma sweetie, how are you?” That makes it a beautiful beginning to a new day.
Our classroom is all dreamy stuff: The cartoons on the walls, the small chairs painted yellow and purple on which we sit and chat, the teddy bears and dolls we hug a lot, and of course all the toys that are scattered around and we play with. Those make life with friends in our classroom so colourful.
Oh, how we chat. It is like the chirping of birds. There is no end to our talk. Some of us talk about the animation movies we watched; others talk about relatives they visited; yet many talk about tours they had gone for; and most of us talk about the games we played. But talk goes on and on, and round and round like a merry-go-round.
Ah, we do fight often. It’s for silly things: pencils, erasers, stickers, and things like that. But we love it. And just between us, we sometimes scribble on others’ notebooks too. You might tell it’s wrong. I know it is; but that’s sometimes our idea of fun. We don’t mean to harm, you know!
Some of us go back home in the school bus. But not all. Most of our parents come to pick us and take us home. It is such a lovely end to a day, waving goodbyes and promising to meet again the next day. Those who cried in the morning while coming to school are all smiles when they go back. What a change that is; isn’t it?
I do hope that all of us friends will be together the rest of our lives. But my Dad says, “There are lots more people you’ll meet; but there will be a few who will be your friends for life.” My mother nods in agreement. I don’t understand; but maybe I’ll grow up one day to know who my true friends really are.
I, as the School Leader, stand here representing all the students of our school. It is the first time any one of us have been given a chance to speak out loud and clear what is in our hearts. We cherish this great opportunity.
Today, let me spell out for you what our hearts want to speak out.
First of all our hearts want to say thank you dear parents and beloved teachers for all what you have been to us, for all the wisdom you have shared with us and for all the encouragement you have given us.
Secondly, all of our hearts are anxious. In this increasingly technology driven world when many are compelled to spend much time online by choice or chance; it is becoming difficult to find true friendships. And when around the table talk during family dinner in many homes have been stolen by busyness and addicition to mobile screens, we children, each one of us feel like stranded on islands of our own making.
Thirdly, let me say we are ambitious. There are lot of more career opportunities ahead. There are a wide variety of courses to choose from to reach there. What our school has taught us is to pursue our goals and dreams. We are so happy that our parents and teachers have instilled in us the courage to persevere, to put in honest hard work, and have untiring enthusisam and hope in the midst of failures and setbacks in life.
Above all, we are learning to be compassionate and kind-hearted. We were given a lot of opportunities to get to know how people struggle to make ends meet in the communities around us. We were given many chances to make a difference in a few lives. I am sure that these efforts and the willingess to lend a helping hand will not vapourize like dreams but stay embedded in our minds for a long time to come.
Therefore dear parents and beloved teachers, thank you once again for the light you have shone on our paths; it shall be our beacon of hope when clouds obscure the sun. Thank you for the seeds scattered on good soil; they will surely sprout, grow, multiply and yield a great harvest. Thank you for your love; for even in our moments of rebellion we still believe in the goodness you have reserved for us in your hearts. There shall be a come back home. God bless you all. Thank you.
Today my heart bubbles up with joy to speak about my school. I love my school with all my heart. Well, we have shared the same premises all these years and our minds are filled with memories of all that we were able to learn and do together.
So what makes our school special? What makes me love my shcool with all my heart?
Let me try to spell out a few reasons why this school is so special to you and me. It is not the buildings or the infrastructure that makes this school dear to us. There is something beyond the physical.
First of all, this school has always been student-friendly. It has welcomed us with both arms and made us feel that this is our second home. In fact, we have spend more time here than in our homes during our waking hours. And each day we carried home to our parents and brothers and sisters some story that became part and parcel of our lives; didn’t we? That is why I love my school and so is it why you do too.
Secondly, this school has always had excellent teachers. They have been good in their knowledge; but beyond that they have been truly great in treating each one of us with dignity. They have helped us see our hidden potential and encouraged us at every turn. They have sacrificed much personal comfort to give us a vision and a dream about our bright future.
To borrow words from Henry Van Dyke, let me promise you my dear teachers that for all the sparks you ingited in us; some day we will shine a light back on you. Yes dear teachers, even when years roll by we cannot forget you. Even though we may not be coming back to be in daily touch with you; our hearts will always have in it a place for you filled with gratitude. Dear teachers, you are the reason why I love my school with all my heart.
Finally, I love my school for all the values that it has taught me.Discipline, integrity, sportsmanship, pursuit of excellence, compassion to people, unwavering optimism and hope, and much more came to me from this institution. They were not only taught but it has been integrated into the very culture of this school. We go from here not just having bookish knowledge but as well-rounded personalities with excellence of character. Thus my school has truly served the purpose of education. For these invaluable contributions, I love my school and I am sure you too share the same.
My dear friends, my heart is sad at this time of parting. Along with you, I too say goodbye to this beautiful campus, the classrooms, the playgrounds. A few days from now the band that plays, the morning assemblies, the chit chat during the breaks, the festive arts and literary competitions, science exhibitions, talents day, and the like will not be ours. But life moves on. We move out to let another set of youngsters take over. But nothing will change the love I have for my school. Thank you.
“What is it, Peter?” I said, “Nothing Sir.” But Prof. James M. Stewart persisted with the question. He had earlier asked our class, “Where have you heard of Venus before?” I had then whispered to my friends, “Circus.” And it had not escaped to catch his attention.
And as Prof. J. M. Stewart quizzed my friends, they blurted out, “Circus! Venus Circus!” (referring to the famous touring circus company). And then, breaking eye contact with me, and turning to the whole class, he made this classic remark: “See, how different people have different tastes according to their profession!” His ability to improvise on all occasions with his silver tongue was profoundly amazing.
Later when I started my public speaking training program in the year 1996–a year after I passed out from Mar Ivanios College–I vividly remember that I took the first copy of my program’s brochure to our beloved teacher, Prof. James M. Stewart, so lovingly known as “Stewart Sir.” With the kind of respect he has in my heart, I couldn’t think of anyone else to share about my venture first. I write this with a great sense of loss at his passing away yesterday on 21st May 2021. He had exhibited great affection, love and care towards me as he had a close-knit brotherly bonding with my late Daddy.
When I first told Stewart Sir of my interest to pursue English Literature, he encouraged me a lot to do so. And my life was scripted through a road that was less travelled by in later years, through the study of English Literature and various leadership and performance opportunities I got at Mar Ivanios College to excel in public speaking. Stewart Sir was always there to encourage me in my efforts in this direction.
JMS was how his name was written in short form. Those three letters together struck a note of respect always. There are so many varied aspects of his character that made his personality stand out. I would like to highlight just three of them.
First of all, he was a gifted orator. He spoke with great command in both English and Malayalam. His speeches are remembered by all who heard them. There was no thundering rhetoric but logic working its way through with gentle persuasion. There are two moments I recall. One, after one of his sermons at our church (we both attended the same church), I went and asked him, “Sir, when will I be able to deliver a speech like the one you just did?” I was fascinated by his ability to hold a twenty-minute sermon on one single point, having all of the listeners engaged in his oration.
On another occasion, after I had given a sermon on Jesus the Good Shepherd, I just walked up to him to listen to his invaluable feedback. He put an arm around my shoulder and said, “My son, you could have left out the second and third points.” I learned the value of ruthless editing from him. When he mercilessly struck off many of my creative writing efforts with his turquoise blue ink, I realised how his thoughtful editing made my writing powerful. Further, no one can forget the kind of stage presence he had; how he could grace an occasion with dignity; and the felicity of words with which he could make even an ordinary occasion look grand.
Secondly, he was a gifted teacher par excellence. He took his time to get through a passage, be it poem, prose, or drama. He brought to life each word, scene, and character with his ability to dramatize without making us conscious of him doing so. Perhaps his greatest ability as a teacher was how he could connect the text being taught with real life examples, to people, and to life’s varied situations. He once quoted, “Experience is the comb you get when your head becomes bald.” and it took a lot of time for us to value its wisdom.
Life had taught him many lessons, he used to say, and he took them in his stride even when they took him through grief and loss. One of the things he took pride in was that he was teaching Literature. He used to say, “In Science, you learn about life; in Literature you learn life.” I have heard a professor (who is now no more; also, a former student of Stewart Sir) who stood with us in front of a class room and said, “Stewart Sir is yet to complete a few lessons for us.” He said that with a touch of humour; but it also says how much his students loved his sessions. Perhaps it is true, “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.”
Thirdly, he commanded awesome love, respect, and admiration from all his students. He was strict and there was no doubt about it. And even his firm look was sufficient enough to make students who were simply wasting their time scurry away from in front of the Department of English. His voice carried the command of a War General.
At the same time, he could understand students like no one else usually did. Even with the most violent guys in the college, he had a way to soothe them by putting his hand around their shoulders and asking gently, “What’s troubling you?” He alone would walk into the midst of a brawl and simply with his words would push two warring factions of students away from each other. I’ve witnessed this myself with great disbelief at times. Students would walk up to him and pour out their hearts to him, vent their troubles in family or life. And in him they found someone who genuinely cared. We have heard many life lessons that he had to share from such conversations.
Some time ago, I was able to visit him at his home and spent some time with him conversing. Even when he had difficulty remembering everything; still he was able to recall many moments and asked questions about them. Unable to see when I met him last, he said he was spending much time listening.
Maybe I cannot close without mentioning one fact: in the early days of my blogging, he used to send me encouraging comments after reading some of the posts. A man of his stature finding time to read and comment on one of his students’ writing tells volumes of the mettle of his character; doesn’t it?
Department of English, Mar Ivanios College. Photo courtesy: englishmic.com/about
And now leaving aside all else I could say of him, like the relationship he maintained with Bishops and clergy across Christian denominations, politicians, administrators, and former students; his tremendous gift of organizing mega events, his skill with the written word, his contributions as an Editor and many things more; I would like to close by saying that as a teacher he inspired, motivated, and set standards of excellence that is difficult to emulate. But the light he was able to ignite in the hearts of many, the love he had for all of us students, the great aspirations he had for us; will always be cherished.
Who has not been inspired by a teacher? Somewhere at the back of our minds stands at least one or two who showed us light and pointed out to us the path we need to travel. It is deeply appreciated from all of us. You deserve and have our utmost respect dear teachers.
On this occasion of Teacher’s Day, let me spell out who a teacher really is. A teacher is one who has a heart of love, a passion for knowledge, and a skill for communicating the same.
A huge gallery of famous personalities owe it to their teachers for having first identified their talent and are thankful to them for having nurtured it. The story of Helen Keller and how her teacher Anne Sullivan had influenced her is a timeless inspiration to all; isn’t it?
A teacher believes in a child even when others label him or her negatively and will not neglect a student because others have given up on that student saying that the student is not good in studies.
Many students have found the courage to hope and the dare to dream just because of one teacher who said, “Yes, you can!”
A teacher is one who is not satisfied with the knowledge of the past; but is always updated on what is new in his or her subject. He or she makes an extra effort to bring something new that is interesting, informative, inspiring, and even inter-disciplinary to class each day.
This extra effort is a thing of joy for the teacher and extremely satisfying as the class responds enthusiastically and attentively.
A teacher is one who listens carefully and attentively to what students tell him or her. In other words, when students find in a teacher a caring heart, they trust the teacher with even personal and intimate matters of the heart that they cannot share with even their best friend.
Above all these things, a teacher inspires. One timely word of appreciation from a teacher can ignite a spark and a fire in the lives of students.
Thus a teacher shining a small burning light even in a remote village might be igniting a fire in the life of a brilliant student who will carry that to the ends of the earth one day!
—
“I sing the praise of the Unknown Teacher,” wrote Henry Van Dyke, himself a teacher. “Great Generals win campaigns, but it is the unknown soldier who wins the war. Famous educators plan new systems of pedagogy, but it is the unknown teacher who delivers and guides the young. He lives in obscurity and contends with hardship. For him no trumpets blare, no chariots wait, no golden decorations are decreed.
“He keeps the watch along the borders of darkness and makes the attack on the trenches of ignorance and folly. Patient in his daily duty, he strives to conquer the evil powers which are the enemies of youth. He awakens sleeping spirits. He quickens and communicates his own joy in learning and shares with boys and girls the best treasures of his mind. He lights many candles which, in later years, will shine back to cheer him. This is his reward.” Source: https://repository.mainlib.upd.edu.ph/omekas/files/original/9e107c3a86ea8311c4812b044874b9d140684fcb.pdf
Exams cause a lot of fear to you; don’t they? Expectations of parents and teachers, comparison with siblings and friends, comments from neighbours and even strangers add fuel to the fire. Now what can you do to overcome your fear of exams? Here are 7 few thoughts for you:
Of course, God blesses you with good memory and ability to understand your lessons and calmness of mind to write exams without undue pressure.
The second thought you need to remember about exams is that you need to discipline yourself to prepare long-term. Refer to question papers of previous years. Write down notes on your own summarising content from textbooks while you study. Use your own codes, diagrams, and tables to reduce content to points you can easily revise at the time of exams.
Writing down notes on your own will help you internalize content without having to memorize. Use these notes to have a quick look the day prior to your exams. It will help you write exam well.
The third thought is that you shouldn’t try too much to study new content at the time of exam. It will create more fear and tension. Instead focus on what you already know and try your best to make it thorough.
See, isn’t it practical to think that generally the one who sets the question paper will not be asking all the tough questions together? So don’t worry too much. There will definitely be a lot of questions simple enough for you to answer.
The fourth thought is about getting good sleep. The more you lose sleep it will affect your good judgement while you write exams. You might forget to write your hall ticket number. Or in a much worse situation, you might number your answers wrongly after having written all answers correctly. And that is disastrous!
Even more worse is you forgetting the answer you knew best. All this can happen as a direct result of losing sleep. By the way, start your exam by writing the answer you know rather than waste time thinking on the question to which the answer doesn’t come easily to mind.
The fifth thought is about efficient time management. Why is this important? Due to procrastination and postponing, many students find exams staring at them at the end of term or semester or year without them being prepared for it. Learn to plan your time using a time table. Stick to it in spite of unexpected interruptions. And when you start writing your exam first have a quick glance at the entire question paper whenever that is possible. That will give you a fair idea how to utilize given time wisely. And leave five minutes at the end of writing your exam to cross check whether you have written all the answers.
Sixthly, one of the best ways to learn is to teach. Try to teach your friends the subject most difficult for you to learn. You’ll find it surprising how fast you learn and retain what you’ve picked up. Now with online options it is easy for you to interact with friends in a combined study context; isn’t it? When you teach, you master your subject much faster than when you just try to study it for yourself.
Finally, in spite of all that you do well, it is quite possible to lose marks. Take it as part of the game. Do not allow negative thoughts to dominate your mind. If you had done your best be happy. You will have your reward.
I would like to share a story that happened at Christ Nagar School1 where I had done my schooling in VIII C Class during the third term. The year was 1986, the year remembered for Argentina’s FIFA World Cup win under Diego Maradonna’s mesmerizing captaincy.
At the end of first term our English Teacher left because he got a job elsewhere. At the end of the second term the same thing happened with our next English Teacher too. Then our beloved Principal, Rev. Fr. Gerard Thevalasseril, a genius as well as a strict disciplinarian, himself came to teach us English even though he was known to teach history.
One day (I distinctly remember I was seated on the second bench, middle row), he asked me to read a portion of the English lesson that was being taught. I read. Before I sat down he lifted up his hand in a gesture of blessing and said, “Good reading, you are going to become an orator.”
I did not understand the word “orator.” And I did not have the courage to ask him then. We were all really afraid of him. He commanded that kind of respect from all of us.
So I went home and looked up the word in the Oxford pocket dictionary. The meaning was given as “good public speaker.” I laughed to myself and thought the Principal had gone crazy as I had never given a public speech before. But encouraged by his words I joined for a competition in school a couple of weeks later.
The topic was discipline. I started off with the Principal’s own words which he made it a point to repeat and emphasize on every Monday and Thursday morning school assembly: “Discipline is one’s ability to adjust oneself to the given situation.” Then I said some more of his famous words: “Where there is discipline there is order, where there is order, there is harmony, where there is harmony there is beauty . . .” That was all I could say. And nothing more.
I left the classroom where the competition was held, thinking, “Public speaking is not going to be my cup of tea!” And that was practically my first and last public speaking attempt at school.
But what I thought was not what God had planned as later events proved:
After passing out of school (SSLC) I got chances in elocution competitions in my church where too I made blunderous beginnings. The very first competition I participated in was conducted in Malayalam. Having sought the permission of the judges I spoke in English. I found myself staring at the ground after the first two minutes having run short of ideas amidst audible jeers from a youthful crowd.
And it was only towards the end of the third year at college that I found courage to participate in a debate. The next year as I finished speaking for an elocution competition in the college auditorium, one of my former classmates who chanced to witness it came rushing to me to say, “Bejoy, you wasted four years of college life!”
At that time, I wrote a registered letter to our former School Principal telling him this story I am telling you now. I wrote to him that his words were prophetic: Not only did I become a public speaker but also had begun to train students in public speaking. I was so happy to receive the acknowledgement due slip to the letter (even though his once classy signature had shrunk to a small one due to his prevailing ill health then).
The point of my story is that I had never dreamt of becoming a public speaker or a trainer. But my Principal’s words proved prophetic in my life.
It became even more significant as two of my schoolmates attended my first batch of public speaking as well.
What is the purpose of education? Is it just imparting knowledge? Or something more?
Respected teachers and my dear friends,
I stand here today to oppose the topic, “Schools of tomorrow will have no teachers or books.”
Let me try to answer the question about the purpose of education. If it is imparting of knowledge alone; it is a short-sighted goal indeed. What about character formation? What about values like honesty, punctuality, discipline, and respect? These are learned in school in the early years. It has stayed with us; and I am sure will stay with children in future too.
But the argument is that in future when attendance is marked in class, both teachers and books will be missing. I wonder who dreamed about this improbable idea!
Let me ask again: How did the world get the gift of such a fine mind like Helen Keller? Was it not Anne Sullivan’s patient encouragement? And to those who are not aware, Ann Sullivan was the teacher of the blind, deaf and mute genius Helen Keller. And you still want to argue that there will be no teachers in future? Or read the autobiography Wings of Fire. There you will find the missile man of India, the late President Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam paying glowing tributes to the teachers who influenced him to dream big.
When you think about schools, I request you all not to just to think about schools for normal kids alone. What about children who are specially or differently abled? Do you think that such children can come into the mainstream of society without teachers or books? Or do you plan to totally ignore this special group of otherwise talented kids for the sake of embracing the bleeding edge developments in science and technology? Think about it.
“No more teachers or books” means just one thing. There will be many a graveyard and valley of dry bones in the world where the unfulfilled potential of children will lie buried. Great talent that went unnoticed. Great torches that went unlit because there was no one to light the spark. Do you still wish to entertain the foolishness that in future, schools will have no teachers? I pity you!
Now let me come to books. Just take a look at Amazon where one of the largest percentage of books are being purchased online. Printed books have not died out just because ebooks are the in thing today. Neither has reading of books taken a downward plunge in spite of all the information and entertainment available in the internet at your finger tips.
My dear friends, books are not just storehouses of knowledge. They are our companions. There is a nostalgic flavour to the reading of books that no futuristic classroom can do away with.
Let me take you to yet another field. Sports and games. In spite of all the modern technology available why do individual players and teams have coaches? It is simply because the personal care of a teacher and mentoring cannot be substituted by anything else. So also future schools of tomorrow cannot do away with teachers.
Let me conclude. Many of the problems teenagers face today cannot be solved by artificial intelligence or smart classrooms. Relationship issues, substance abuse, stress because of broken homes, the search for meaning of life are part and parcel of young lives. Do you think absence of teachers are going to help them in any way? Or do you think more smart gadgets and smarter apps are going to make youngsters have better emotional quotient?
My dear friends, schools of tomorrow will continue to have better teachers and inspiring books as well. Thank you.
Here is a man whose life and work mostly revolve around these historical places.
He was cradled in a manger in a tiny village in Bethlehem when Augustus Caesar ruled mighty Rome.
He was raised up as a carpenter; a man earning his daily bread in a poor home in Nazareth; a place of relative insignificance.
He calmed the stormy winds and waves of the Sea of Galilee with just his word, “Quiet! Be still!”
He preached with authority; healed the sick; cast out demons; fed thousands miraculously, and raised the dead to life. He was hungry and thirsty and slept when tired like any one of us. He was moved with compassion and wept when he saw human sorrow.
But the light in his life, darkness and evil forces could not tolerate. He, the Innocent One, was betrayed by his friend with a kiss; and even when found not guilty of any crime was crucified like a criminal on top of a hill called The Place of the Skull outside the City of Jerusalem.
There he bled and died; and left his tomb empty the third day. He lives for ever.
While on earth, he was God in human flesh; made common like you and me. He was tempted like all; but never ever even once did he cross the boundaries in thought, word, or deed. Therefore, he is moved with compassion when you cry out; “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.” For he understands what you pass through. His love for you is steadfast and everlasting even when you fail dismally.
When you turn and come back even after wasting your life in wild living, he welcomes you to the presence of God. He will not accuse; nor does he find fault with you. “My friend, do you love me?” is the only question he asks. And that can break even a heart of stone to bitter tears.
In him and his poured out blood on the cross is found the forgiveness of your sins. From Bethlehem to Nazareth to Galilee to Jerusalem; his story therefore did not end in despair; but in one brilliant sunrise of hope for all: eternal life for all those who repent of their sins and believe in him; yes, for you and me.
He was before Time and remains the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Introducing the Man like none else, incomparable and above all; Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Son of God, Saviour, and Judge of all the earth; the Man of sorrows and familiar with pain; now crowned in heaven the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for ever and ever!
It is a great honour for me to introduce and welcome our Chief Guest this evening. He is an accomplished writer with several published works to his credit.
[Title] [Title] [Title] are some of the works that has critical acclaim and international recognition with [Title] winning the [Name] Prize.
His literary works have been agents of social change. His books have ignited a fire in every heart that dares to dream.
Today we are privileged to have an opportunity to listen to him this evening. On behalf of all gathered here I welcome you Sir to this literary evening of the International Book Fair.
Welcoming a Cricketing Legend
Often compared with the legendary Sir Don Bradman; and having a copybook style with shots on all sides of the ground; an entertainer of the crowds, one who wears his passion for cricket on his sleeves, a gentleman cricketer, a brand that sells, a run machine, a game-changer who rewrote record books, the man whose proudest moment came when he became part of the Indian team winning the world cup.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the man whose name is wedded to centuries, the inspirational performer whose wonderful cricketing journey; his life between 22 yards for 24 years enthralled and captivated the crowds in all the cricket playing nations of the world–Sachin Tendulkar.
I wish you joy and the ability to make music out of the discord and dissonance that will naturally arise. Two simple things that will keep you afloat and in harmony are saying “Thank you” and “I am sorry” with genuine and sincere hearts often.
Each day rise up with the intent to add something more to make your relationship stronger, your affection for each other richer, and your togetherness sweeter.
Do not let the mobile screen take away from your valuable time together. Instead, may prayers for each other rise in your hearts–prayers that will bless, encourage and protect.
May you be blessed with long life together and may faithfulness to each other shield your married life from all storms that may arise.
Let me wish you the centuries old priestly blessing and conclude:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
She is known for her ability to weave magic with the curious blend and mix of tradition and modernity. Her designs give us a sense of careless ease but is nothing short of impeccable perfection. Most of her dresses sport vibrant colours and serene patches.
One, who has stamped her imprint not only in the Fashion Weeks of London, New York, Milan and Paris; but also in the glamorous and traditional attires of models in their private appearances across the globe; and on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival, Oscar Award nights etc.
She has been able to carve a niche for herself in the ever changing world of fashions with her uncanny ability to showcase talent and highlight personal branding.
A caring wife and a loving mother who has set her signature in floral designs; her outfits for the career woman exudes power and confidence. Please welcome the inimitable . . . .
Felicitation Speech During Sports and Cultural Fest Inauguration
Respected Chief Guest and other dignitaries present here today; a warm good morning to one and all.
It is my privilege to stand here before this gathering to wish the participants of this Sports and Cultural Fest all the best. The importance of sports and cultural competitions in nurturing talent and promoting good will and understanding between students of different institutions is well known.
I am happy that the alumni of our College under the able leadership of the Principal has taken the initiative to organize a national level competition for students of Arts and Professional colleges. I welcome all the participants and wish you all the best.
More than winning or losing; the spirit in which competitions are conducted deserves special mention. May these competitions bring out the best in you and spur you on to greater achievements in life. May the friendships you build across campuses through your participation in this event ever widen into better understanding and cooperation between students and teachers across the length and breadth of our country.
Let me conclude by wishing that each one of you will carry back from here some wonderful memories of this Sports and Cultural Fest that you’ll cherish for a long time to come.
Thank you.
Vote of Thanks
Respected Director of [Name] Hospitals, Respected Chief Guest of the Day, other dignitaries, colleagues, graduating students and parents,
We have come to the end of a memorable Graduation Ceremony and College Day Celebration. It is a day that marks a new beginning in the lives of graduating students. I am sure that these students would carry from here professional excellence on one hand and compassion towards fellow men on the other.
First of all I wish all graduating students a glorious career ahead where you’ll be the channels of God’s healing touch to a broken world.
As the Organizing Secretary of College Day Celebrations, I stand here today to propose the vote of thanks.
First of all our thanks are due to our Director, in charge of our Hospital and Educational Institutions who presided over this function. We are grateful to have had such an eminent administrator and a man with a vision and mission as our Director. His leadership is reflected in all developmental activities of our Institutions. Thank you so much for presiding over this function.
Our Guest of Honour for today is none other than [Name]. His priestly blessing is something graduating students will certainly treasure for years to come. For none of us achieves anything in life without God’s grace. So I thank you [Name] for your gracious words and for distributing prizes and scholarships.
We were indeed privileged to have had an eminent person our Chief Guest today. He is the Vice Chancellor of the [Name] University. He is a man who looks forward to reform the whole education sector with the aid of technology. We were honoured to have listened to your insightful speech on the importance of quality education, integrity, and utmost dedication in the medical sector. On behalf of all gathered here, our heartfelt thanks to you Sir.
Our thanks are also due to [Name] for making all feel welcome at this college day and graduation function; and, [Name] for presenting the annual report. Thank you Madam. [Name] was gracious enough to administer the oath to the graduating students. I do hope that it would motivate our graduating students to proceed in their chosen career with hope, vision and courage. I would also like to thank [Name] for giving voice to the vibrant thoughts of the graduating students.
As a key stake holder of this institution let me tell all of you that the time has now come for you step out of this cosy nest and fly on your own. The training and discipline you got from this college will definitely carry you through. And when you feel overwhelmed by challenges know that God will carry you in his everlasting arms spread underneath you.
Finally let me thank all the distinguished guests once again and also my colleagues, members of the teaching and non-teaching staff, parents, and beloved students whose dynamism you will witness in the cultural programmes tonight.
Let me end by challenging you to go out and shine your light. As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Go out and shine and let the world rejoice with hope at your shining light. Thank you all once again.
Sample Acceptance Speech
Respected Chairman, dignitaries on the dais, and all others present,
A warm good morning to all of you.
It is with a deep sense of humility that I accept the award you have chosen to bestow on me. On behalf of my team, let me express our thanks and gratitude for choosing me and my team for this award.
This is an occasion to celebrate and remember all those who made it possible. In particular, let me thank all the colleagues in my team in this moment of great gladness.
There was a sense of deep commitment to the vision of reaching the completion of this project within the given deadline among the members of our team. We are glad that we could do so through hard work, determination, best utilization of man and machine power, and perseverance.
So this award belongs to not just one person but to the entire team who worked tirelessly and with great enthusiasm and single-minded aim.
I also would like to thank our clients for putting their faith in us. Your faith in us had given us tremendous confidence and on this occasion we are glad to have you present here with us.
An award is a milestone on a long journey. So it is not an end; but a new beginning. It is a time to look back and look forward at the same time.
On this occasion let me tell you that our Company is still eagerly looking forward to the taking up of new projects in the area of renewable energy resource management.
There are several dream-projects ahead of us. This award will inspire us and motivate us to continue to pursue excellence more and more in all that we do.
I would like to dedicate this award to our CEO for his inspirational leadership, relentless pursuit of excellence, and ability to speak words of wisdom in times of change and challenge.
Thank you all once again. And let us join hands for a better future ahead as we try to make this earth a better place through our projects and achievements. Thank you.
Felicitation at a Christmas Carol Singing Competition
This night was heaven-breathed. I stand here to felicitate all the participating choirs. Your efforts have not only made this evening special but also brought near to us the joy of the first Christmas.
At a time when Jesus, who was born a child in a manger, is marginalized today during Christmas celebrations, your song selections–both traditional as well as contemporary–helped us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
Let me congratulate all the winners. May this victory inspire you to make greater efforts to make harmony that will save the world from all dissonance of war, worry, and strife.
I wish all of you a blessed Christmas. Indeed, God came near to us through Christmas. And in Jesus we have a trusted friend. He is our Saviour and Lord and worthy of our highest adoration and worship.
May the love of God and the gift of peace come to you as each one of you go back home tonight even as the heavenly melodies you heard continue to ring joyous bells of Christmas in your hearts.
Blessed Christmas once again even as all of us with prayerful hearts stand holding out lighted candles to sing together the most loved carol of all times, Silent Night, Holy Night!
Sample Felicitation Speech at Youth Leadership Awards Function
Respected Chairman, Honoured Chief Guest, Dignitaries, Asia Pacific Region Youth Representative Elect Mr. …. , Office Bearers, and all delegates attending,
Good evening one and all.
I am privileged and excited to stand here in the midst of this exuberant ambience in this auditorium in the Lion City.
As I look around I see not just youthful faces but potential, diversity of talent with extraordinary drive, ambition, and above all commitment to excel.
Time flies. As I stand here memories flood my mind and there is a surge of emotions hitting me like wave after wave.
I remember distinctly an evening like this when I was elected to be the Asia Pacific Youth Representative thirty years ago in that august meeting held in New Delhi.
That night will always remain special in my mind. It was the first time a woman from India was selected to that post. It then created an increased interest among college students about the philanthropic activities of our Organization.
With today’s oath taking, he is all set to shift gears on to a global stage. His vision about the contribution of youth in our Organization, his charismatic personality, individual talent, persuasive communication skills, extraordinary ability to get the momentum going in all initiatives will definitely set standards of excellence.
His declaration of policy tomorrow, I am sure, will find an eager and enthusiastic following.
On this momentous occasion, let me congratulate this young dynamic youngster doing his Master’s in Business Administration on his election. Let me, on behalf of all gathered here, and as the Senior President of the Asia Pacific region wish him all success.
I assure him off our prayers, cooperation and support.
When someone needs to get a major surgery done he or she will seek out a surgeon with tremendous experience. It emphasizes the fact that we all value people with experience.
That brings us to the topic of the day “Experience Is the Best Teacher.”
Learning from text books is one thing and teachers do play a vital role in shaping our capabilities. But no amount of learning in classrooms can substitute practical experience. For it is in real life situations that we learn to apply what we were taught; make mistakes in the process and become wise in a true sense. We mature by doing.
Another important thing to note is how we learn to improvise. Whether it be medicine or sports or driving a vehicle what was taught has to be implemented using moment by judgement of people, situations and contexts. This can happen only through experience; and it is here that experience makes a vital difference.
Again, experience helps you to do things effectively with minimal effort. If you tried to gift wrap something you might have experienced some difficulty before you did it. But if you observe people who are assigned to do the gift wrapping in certain shopping malls we find them wrapping gifts quickly and efficiently. There is no labouring, no sense of frustration, but a positive feel of the easiness with which they do it. That is art at its best.
But the best of all is that experience helps you stay calm under pressure. When you face dangers, or when you are facing defeat during a game, or when you are racing against time in meeting a deadline; in all these and many more situations experienced people stay calm under pressure. That helps them to think with clarity. And it can drive the opposition to commit errors and leave you the winner.
So how do you gain experience? You gain that by doing things. If that is backed by knowledge and you are blessed with a teacher then the experience you gain will be worth its weight in gold.
You should therefore be alert to grab every opportunity to get invaluable experience in life. Variety is the key. You don’t drive a car only forward. Experience comes as you learn to do parallel parking, drive the car in very narrow roads, learn to start a vehicle when it stops as it climbs a steep uphill curve, and you learn to stay calm in a real nerve-racking wait in a crawling traffic jam.
Even though it is pointed out that “Experience is a comb life gives you after you lose your hair,”* there is something about the experienced man or woman that commands trust and respect. To sum it all up, let me quote a Faroese proverb which says, “Old ravens are not easy to fool.”
And I end on that note; that wisdom that comes with experience makes experience the best teacher. Thank you.
