What did the four years at FLAME teach you ?

What did the Four years at FLAME teach me? This is not for the students to answer...Its for the Teachers to answer.. Students are oft asked this question...especially when they are passing out.. Maybe its time for the Teachers and the Founders to ask themselves this question "What did the 4 years teach you ..?"

So let me reflect .. I learnt that young people have a mind of their own!.. I learnt that just because they are your students , they will not respect you. They may be afraid of you. They may not say anything to something they disagree with. But a 17 year old, with so much happening in his or her brain, is not going to listen you, because you are their Teacher or they are your students. They will first ignore you, then ridicule you and maybe...just maybe if you are lucky they will begin to see you a little differently. Most of their issues are not with you the person.. they feel they owe it to the world , to change it ! And the lesson for all of us is to let them think that way.. we should never prevent them from dreaming and questioning and believing that they can change the world... We are a bunch of cynics who could not change the world much anyway.. what makes us think that they cannot.. let them at least try! Let them at least fall ...and get up again and fall again... Let us not be shepherds who are trying to keep students in line...let them explore and find out.. Kabeer, Namrata, Harsh, Phuntsong, Richa, Aarti, Gopi , and Salomi..this ones from you!

I also learnt that they actually listen to you but don't want to admit they are listening to you! I wonder why ! I never thought they ever listened, but they often have surprised me with something I said even 3 years before! So don't ever think they are not listening.. I think their conscious mind is fighting for them...telling them don't listen to these adults, they will start controlling your freaking lives! so ignore, fight, argue but don't fall in line! But all these are speculations! Only speculations! I have no idea why they do that! Urvi, Vanessa, Aditya, Samar , Avi , Sushant , Samrit , Himay , Akshay, Jitu ,

Vidhi, Vishwa, Vishesh and Yashwant, Nishant ...I learnt this from you..!!

The third lesson I learnt, and mind you this is the most important lesson.. They have a MOB MENTALITY AT ITS WORSE! You talk to each one of them as an individual, they would be the most loving , caring and obedient kids...but the minute you herd them together and treat them like a mob...they will come at you like a ton of bricks!!!! So first establish a personal rapport with each one of them , treat them as special people with special needs.. care for them , look after them...indulge in them once in a while and they will be your best friends.. but only when they are alone..never ever let them become a Mob....!!! Thats a secret worth sharing! Pranav, Husein , Nayantara, Dharmi, Gaya, Karishma, Niyomi and each one of you FSLE guys!

The fourth lesson is they become Adults overnight!!... you give up on them, you feel they are beyond repair.. they will never ever change, they are losers, they surprise you with their maturity.. I dont know whats it about these kids.. they just become adults overnight! Gayatri, Sonali, Rashi, Ami, Ashish, Hemlata , Agam, Aalisha I learnt this from you...

The Fifth Lesson is, they are out there to surprise you everyday ! Every Day! I cant imagine the discussions amongst the Faculty, you mean so and so did this ? you mean so and so wrote this assignment ? You mean he made this film ? You mean he came drunk ? You mean she brought alcohol bottles to campus...from the profane to the stupidest things, from the unhealthy to the most creative lies , from the obscene to the most serene things they will do and surprise you with it every day ! They really do surprise you every day ! Anurag, Atisha, Eritu, Vishwa,Hardik Hemakshi ,Imli, Kavita-s (KAvita number 2 - did you really have a boy friend at NDA?) ,Madhavi, Malay , Malavika, Mritikka,Nandi , Parmarth,Vidhi , Ria, Ujjwal and Urvi Palwankar..

Now if I have missed some names here.. it means they have done all of the above... If I have put your names twice, it only means you came into the radar too often!

Having said all this.. I must say , I am not going to say Good Bye to you guys.. FOR YOU WILL NEVER EVER STOP SURPRISING US !!

LOVE YOU!

PARAG SIR