Friends,
It all began with a flash of inspiration in September 1994.
A single thought … a small seed … sowed in my
mind by Bhagawan Baba, on a delightful autumn morning –
has so wonderfully materialized into an institution called
Abhyasa….. A shy and an unassuming guy that I was,
I could never ever visualize myself as an entrepreneur 12
years ago. But, we are all driven by destiny – especially
when we are in Baba’s fold….. He has a role
earmarked for each one of us …. And as the supreme
manager , He… has his own ways of getting things done.
Any one who intimately knows the complete, true story of
how Abhyasa came into existence ….. Will definitely
agree that it is indeed a miracle! The idea, the curriculum
concept, the land, the buildings, the finance, the resources,
the people who carried forward this mission with their dedicated
service and involvement, the support of all the parents,
the participation of students, the growth of the school
and the intuitive inner voice…. That guides us everyday
are all a perfect harmony of His Creation! I am deeply overwhelmed
to be a part of this Divine tapestry that has brought people
from various walks of life, people from various parts of
the world under one roof called ‘Abhyasa’! Thank
you Swami for making me your instrument, in your grand global
mission of Human Transformation, which is also taking place
here in Toopran by your Divine Will!
….. The other day, one of my colleagues from an ICSE
School in Hyderabad was be wildered to see our invitation
for the Decennial Celebrations and wondering whether all
this was necessary….
Well…10 years is too small a period in an institutions
life span…. But these celebrations reflect the gratitude
the emotions, aspirations and joys of - not only all the
Abhyasa Family members towards their Alma Mater - but also,
its an expression of gratitude and delight of Abhyasa herself
towards her family members for bringing her where she stands
today…. How else, can Abhyasa thank her founder patrons
Sri Rangadass and Smt. Padmavathi Kalletla who have magnanimously
donated their sprawling property for the school to come
up ? This land could have easily become a part of the booming
real estate business. I am indeed indebted to my parents
and brothers – who have shared my dreams and helped
generously in materializing this campus…. How else
can Abhyasa thank her governing body members ? –Sri
R.Prabhakar Rao Garu, Smt. Jamuna garu, Justice Neeladri
Rao garu, Prof.Sastry garu - who are all highly eminent
persons in their respective fields, who had readily supported
the school at a stage when Abhyasa was nothing ,but just
a piece of land !..... How else can Abhyasa thank her Gurus
…. Dr Prasad Rao, Mrs. Shoba, Mrs. Veena Venugopal
among others who had all sacrificed their personal family
ties for the noble cause of the school ……….
How else can Abhyasa thank the parent community which has
reposed immense faith in her to be the foster mother of
their children – especially the parents of the 1st
year who came here – even before a building came into
existence ….. How else can Abhyasa assure her children
of her strength and capabilities?..... But for these decennial
celebrations, which are verily a tribute in true spirit
and fervour to all the stakeholders of Abhyasa – the
founders, the management, the teachers, parents, students
and also the society at large! That is why we are all gathered
here today and it is indeed befitting that an eminent person
of the stature of Dr. Geetha Reddy garu is amidst us to
add glory and enhance the importance of this occasion for
all of us…. When I invited madam for the celebrations
at Hyderabad and mentioned to her about the programme in
Toopran, she was so generous to say that she would participate
in the Toopran programme also! It is her Humility and Dedication
to a noble cause that has made her grace this humble function
today ….. if I may also add, in the true spirit of
Sai Comradeship.
Today, our chief guest – honorable Dr. Geetha Reddy
garu has launched a service programme called ‘Arpan’
for the underprivileged citizens of Toopran. Abhyasa students
will strive to develop the small hamlets in Toopran into
a model village! By ‘model’ we mean a role model
– in the physical, intellectual, cultural and spiritual
sense also…. It is indeed a challenge, but by the
will and grace of Bhagawan, we are all confident that this
will also be a reality in the times to come. If Abhyasa
is Baba’s miracle for us, Arpan will be Baba’s
miracle for Toopran!
J.R.D. Tata once said: “The community is not just
one of the stake holders for our organization, it is infact
the very purpose of our existence”. For Abhyasa too–
whose very mission statement needs as: Lokaah Samasthah
Sukhino Bhavanthu, For Abhyasa – who expects her students
to be world leaders of tomorrow, this service programme
is indeed a training programme for the future leaders to
take up Social Responsibility!
What else is Abhyasa doing to her children? Today, competition
has crept into the Education Industry also. It’s good
as long as its Healthy! In the process, many schools are
today talking about shaping future leaders and all-round
development and child – centered education etc. etc…..
So, how is Abhyasa really different and unique?
1. Firstly, in the true sense of child centered education,
Abhyasa had declared in her very 1st year, that the total
strength of the school would be limited, to ensure individual
attention …. And today in spite of growing demand
and pressures, the school is living up to its commitment.
2. Secondly, the all-round education of Abhyasa –
not only trains students to be successful in life , but
also how to manage that success responsibly. It is the –
answers - to fundamental questions such as “Who am
I” – “Where did I come from” and
“Where am I going” - which will constantly provide
happiness and satisfaction – all along the road and
not just at the end – called Success!
3. Thirdly, Abhyasa celebrates the diversity of children.
The Council for Indian School Certificate examinations (ICSE)
New Delhi, has recognized Abhyasa as the first school to
introduce education based on the multiple intelligence mode.
Hither to society has been cruel towards children by classifying
them as intelligent, average, below average, little realizing
that each child is unique and differently abled! In spite
of so much progress, it is sad to still see many parents
- themselves perpetuating this cruelty on children –
as if IIT and Medicine were the only goals of life. I am
proud of my Abhyasa parents, who are thinking ahead of times
along with us and allowing the all round growth of the children
and enabling each one to discover his or her hidden talents.
Parents, if you remember 5 years ago, Abhyasa predicted
the decline of competitive entrance exams and believe me
- the days are not far off - when students will not be burdened
any more by the coaching for competitive entrance exams……
4. Next – Total Quality Management (TQM). Abhyasa
is one of the first few schools in India to introduce TQM
in education – under the guidance of the CII (Confederation
of Indian Industry) Quality Institute at Bangalore. Still
in the process of implementation, TQM at Abhyasa enables
teachers to be update skills and become more accountable
to teaching. T.Q.M also enables Abhyasa parents all over
the globe to receive daily notifiers over their mobiles
about the daily activities at school, classroom transactions,
performance of the students, health status of the child,
account statements and what not? Today at the decennial
valedictory this notifier is going to be upgraded to “ANUSANDHAAN”
or the multiple inter-link, which will enable the parents,
teachers, students and the management to interact on a daily
basis, over the internet !
5. All these and many more features – all of which
cannot be elaborated here for lack of time – make
Abhyasa indeed a true blend of Tradition and Technology!
With the best teaching practices and good results at the
ICSE and ISC board exams, this “ten year old school”
is perhaps the youngest – to be rated by the Indian
Express Survey as the best ICSE school of Hyderabad and
one of the top ten schools of Andhra Pradesh. Jagadguru
Shankaracharya of Kanchi has awarded a gold medal for innovative
teaching methods at Abhyasa. We have indeed so many reasons
to celebrate the ten years and have our targets set for
the next celebrations i.e. the silver jubilee in “2022”!
Firstly, we would like to fulfill a commitment to Toopran…
make all eyes turn towards Toopran with Arpan programme.
Secondly, having provided so many facilities for students,
we would like to next upgrade facilities for our staff members
with better accommodation. Thirdly, upgrade our education
facilities beyond Class XII to a Management School and a
College of Education….all these will become visible
during the next 15 years…. So, my dear friends, as
the Sun sets on the western horizon, marking the end of
another day, marking the end of the first phase of Abhyasa,
behold…. there rises the full moon….bringing
new hopes, aspirations and dreams – heralding the
dawn of another new dawn with streaks of silver on the horizon…...THANK
YOU…………
