#Summer Courses for Children in Pathankot

[vipstudies-blog1]

We have special courses for the students and for the youngsters like for children we have summer camp in which the children can enjoy the dancing, singing, drawing, computer, spoken English and other fun activities. Vinayak is offering all theses Summer courses for children in Pathankot during this summer.

[born2battle]

My Reflections as Head Mistress of Army Public School (Junior Wing), Pune

This Blog is a sequel to the previous Blog and covers the period when myself and the children continued to stay in Pune for the purpose of higher education. Our innings in Pune commenced with a jubilant start in Jun 1996, when Ashvini got admission in Junior Wing of Fergusson College and Nandini & Aditya began to adapt to the new environment in Army Public School ( APS ), Pune. Even Vivek began his professionally enriching experience, as an important Staff Officer in HQ Southern Command. I was appointed as the Principal of AWWA Pre-Primary School. I was happy to take on this responsibility since I could devote time for the School activities as ANA were already grown up. Our tenure for the next two years was really memorable for each of us, as we learnt so much in our respective domain.

In Jun 1998, Vivek received his posting order to take up an instructional assignment at DSSC, Wellington. We felt happy as well as sad on receipt of this news. It was certainly an honour for Vivek, to be selected as an Instructor at the prestigious Staff College. However, we had to reconcile to the fact that the rest of us could not move to Wellington, since both Ashvini & Nandini were in 12th and 10th standard. It was therefore essential for us to remain in Pune to enable continuity for their Board Exams next year and subsequent College admissions. Thus, began my saga of another experience in Separated Family Accommodation ( SFA ) at Pune.

As a policy, SFA is allotted in case of postings either to a Field/ High Altitude area or in case of postings to a Peace Station, if the children are appearing for their Board Exams. In our case, we were entitled SFA under the second clause but had to shift out from our spacious Bungalow, after one month of Vivek's departure for Wellington. It was another exciting challenge which involved the packing, moving and unpacking of the entire baggage and finally setting up our new Home again. The transition was smooth due to the enthusiastic assistance by our children, who applied the concept of "Place for everything & everything in it's Place".Location of our new House in Ghorpadi was very convenient specially for me, since it was just opposite the AWWA Pre-Primary School.

Next year, HQ Southern Command decided to expand the Army Public School, Pune which conducted classes from Sixth to Twelfth standard only. Hence, there was an urgent need to establish a Primary Wing of APS, for students from First to Fifth standard. I was eager to take up this responsibility and hence applied for the post of Head Mistress of APS, Primary Wing. I was fortunate to be selected for launching this maiden venture. Our very first task was to prepare a Presentation about the utilisation of the existing building & resources of PT School (near Pune Race Course) and the proposed plan for converting it to the Junior Wing of APS. This involved planning and discussion with various agencies, under the able guidance of Mrs Meera Sain, who was the Principal of APS. We sought lot of valuable suggestions from the Management Committee and Major General incharge of Administration of HQ Southern Command. Finally, it was our privilege to give a detailed Presentation to the Army Commander, about the outline plan for this new Project which would benefit large number of students in Pune Cantonment. Consequent to his final approval, the renovation works by MES began on priority. Simultaneously, we were involved for selection of teachers and purchase of the school furniture and sports equipment. The newly appointed teachers were busy preparing the lesson plans for their subjects. It was a race against time in order to complete the Project within next two months. Eventually, the Junior Wing of APS was fully functional in Apr 1998.

The First Academic Year commenced with just one Section each from First to Fifth standard and the total strength was only in double digits. As the strength increased gradually due to new admissions, we created additional classrooms in the adjacent building. The innovative teaching methods adopted by our team of dedicated teachers created an ideal learning environment. We conducted a variety of indoor & outdoor activities, celebrated all the festivals and organised a variety of competitions, which were appreciated by all the children and the parents. My schedule was indeed hectic from 8 AM to 5 PM daily. However, when I returned Home, I had the satisfaction that I managed to find solutions to all the challenges, to the best of my ability and utmost of my capacity, under constant guidance and encouragement by Mrs Meera Sain.

In Dasera vacation, myself along with Ashvini & Aditya went for our first visit to Wellington. Nandini could not accompany in view of her preparations for the Board Exam and the responsibility to take care of my mother-in-law who was staying with us. Our short vacation in Wellington was a refreshing break as we stayed in the DSSC Officers Mess, savoring a variety of meals, without bothering about planning the menu and cooking in our ad-hoc kitchen. We have fond memories of our short trips to Coonoor and Ooty --- the Queen of hill stations in the Nilgiris. As we left Wellington after a rejuvenating vacation in the pristine environment, we looked forward to returning during the summer vacation. We carried with us vivid memories of the aerial view of the Staff College!!

At the end of the year, Vivek was detailed as a part of the Team of Instructors from Wellington, for imparting Tactical training to Technical Staff College Course which was being conducted at Institute of Armament Technology, Pune. This gave us an opportunity to stay together as a family for the next two months. It was a proud achievement when we conducted our first Annual Day, with enthusiastic participation by our talented children. It was so heartening to witness the energy levels and the confidence displayed, in each performance on the big stage in the Auditorium. I treasured these moments with the children, which were possible only due to the dedication of our teachers.

Finally, we bid farewell to the students of the Fifth Standard who moved on to the Senior Wing of APS. In the summer vacation, we had to plan and supervise the expansion of the infrastructure and appoint new teachers, in view of the expected increase in the strength of students. Thus, there was never a dull moment since I believed that there was always a scope for improvement.

We went to Wellington once again during the summer vacation. This time we refreshed previous memories by spending time in the Staff College Library, shopping in Coonoor market and enjoying various sports in Wellington Gymkhana Club. In addition, we visited several other tourist spots nearby before finally visiting Mysore & Bangalore. Consequent to another memorable holiday, we returned from Bangalore, fully recharged to continue our busy schedule in Pune.

My responsibilities expanded consequent to the expansion of the Junior Wing. I was so happy to contribute as the vital link between the Teachers , the Parents and the Management Committee. On the home front, I decided to devote greater attention towards Nandini's final preparations. On completion of her Board Exams, she appeared in various Entrance Exams in order to keep her options open. It was a huge task to obtain & submit various documents such as Admission Forms, Domicile Certificate, Defence Quota Certificate, Dependency Certificate etc. It was possible only due to the assistance provided by our colleagues and friends from the Army family. In case of any problem or any decision making situation, I would often contact Vivek telephonically, seeking his advice before choosing our next course of action. His typical response was ---" You are the best judge. You take the decision. Just don't worry". We felt so assured with his confidence and composure in any crisis. Finally, we were extremely delighted when Nandini secured admission in Cummins College of Engineering, Pune.

Simultaneously, we had to face the challenge of vacating our accommodation in Ghorpadi since the SFA was allotted only till the completion of Board Exams. The search for another house continued till we managed to hire a house in AWHO Colony in Salunke Vihar. It was yet another enjoyable experience of packing,moving & unpacking, as per the Standard Operating Procedure, after which we settled down in our fourth house in Pune, within four years --- without taking the help of "Packers & Movers"!! Obviously, it was possible due to the confidence that I developed over 20 years of Fauji life and valuable experience gained in each of our postings. In Jun 2000, Vivek came to Pune for availing part of Annual Leave. During the leave period, we were really excited to receive the good news about his approval for promotion as a Brigadier.

In view of our anticipated posting, I submitted my resignation to the Management Committee of APS so that my successor could be appointed to take over my responsibilities. I had to take this decision with a heavy heart especially since I had nurtured the Junior Wing for two years, resulting in a strength of 600 students at the time of my departure. Finally, it was a touching moment when I was given an emotional farewell while I bid adieu to my team of teachers & the children of the Junior Wing. I still cherish the fond memories of my challenging tenure, at the helm of affairs in the Junior Wing of Army Public School. I felt blessed that I got this opportunity to achieve my dream as an educationist.

Thereafter, myself and Nandini went for a short trip to Wellington, since she could not come with us on earlier occasions. Ashvini & Aditya held the fort in Pune. It was a coincidence that soon after our arrival in Staff College, Vivek received his Posting Order to take charge in his new appointment, as Commander 27 Mountain Artillery Brigade located at Pathankot. This news certainly enhanced the joy of our well deserved break in the salubrious environment of the Nilgiris. We were privileged to be present for his promotion party, in the traditional style of Staff College. During our return journey from Coimbatore to Pune, we enjoyed discussing about our future plans and preparations for yet another journey across the country. We were aware of the uncertainty that we may not be able to go to Pathankot initially, since it was a temporary location in a Field Area. Yet we looked forward eagerly to our move whenever the Artillery Brigade would move back to it's permanent location in Bagrakot!!