AMITY-UNESCO RESULT
Answer: (Jarawa in Andaman, Lepcha in Sikkim,Jaunsari in Uttarakhand, Kondh in Orissa,
Bodo in Assam, Khasi in Meghalaya, Gond in Madhya Pradesh, Gaddi in Himachal Pradesh,
Rabari in Gujarat, Bhil in Rajasthan)
…Is The Key To Inner Peace As We All Make Mistakes
Amayra Jain, AIS Saket, XII D
The timeless adage, ‘To err is human, to forgive is divine’, shows the duality that exists between human fallibility of making mistakes and the human virtue of being able to forgive. This dichotomy has sparked numerous discussions over the years, both in the philosophical as well as real-world scenarios. Some people believe that certain actions are forgivable while some are inexcusable. Some think that after being forgiven, wrongdoers are prone to repeating their mistakes, while others vouch that everyone must be given a second chance. Forgiveness is, hence, a loaded term, open to myriad interpretations. Let’s find out more.
Forgiving is the best medicine
It’s human nature to feel resentful towards those who hurt us, whether physically or emotionally. Certain actions or words that make us feel bad about ourselves will always leave behind a sour memory. And yet, there are multiple instances in history when a person has chosen to forgive those at fault. Nelson Mandela, for instance, forgave his captors despite spending 27 years in prison, believing that they were misled by the government. He took the high road of forgiveness and worked towards building his nation.
A popular study conducted in Rwanda post the 1994 genocide examined the practice of forgiveness. It was found that forgiveness helped restore social connections and find inner peace.
Forgiving is not forgetting
Often used together, forgiving and forgetting are two facets of the same coin, but it’s rare that they go hand-in-hand. Many people who are able to let go of resentment believe that one must never forget the harm done to them since this prevents them from trusting the wrong person once again. The African proverb ‘The axe forgets; the tree remembers’, shows that some wounds are harder to heal than others. Forgiveness could deter accountability. In situations involving large-scale wrongdoings, such as mass murder or injustices, forgiving too quickly might hinder efforts to hold responsible parties accountable. This could perpetuate a culture of impunity, allowing harmful actions to continue unchecked.
Hence, forgiving isn’t always about forgetting, it is a profound decision that has its own consequences. Eva Mozes Kor, a Holocaust survivor, forgave her Nazi captors and said, “Forgiveness is as personal as chemotherapy – I do it for myself.” This tale emphasises the importance of forgiveness as a potent personal decision that enables people to overcome suffering and shows them to be strong enough to let go without forgetting or omitting their past. The question is, can embracing forgiveness truly make us divine? The choice is yours to make.
A universe that cares
It has always been my vision to create an inclusive learning ecosystem at Amity. We are especially tuned towards our commitment to children with special needs, and this is evident in our thoughtfully designed infrastructure, curriculum, and teaching methods. Walk into any Amity building, and you will find it equipped with lifts and sturdy ramps to accommodate children who have mobility challenges. For the visually impaired students, we have fluorescent markers on floors to make their movement hurdle-free. What truly sets us apart is our unique Learning Enhancement Centre, where trained teachers and counsellors offer continuous support and motivation. All this has enabled many of our specially abled children to excel. For example, Rakshit Mallik of AIS Noida achieved an All-India Rank 3 in the disabled category in 2016.
I am also incredibly proud of my Amitians who have created a conducive environment for special needs children. From volunteering as scribes during exams to including them in cultural activities, our students display natural love and care. Gursimran Singh was awarded the Pramerica Spirit of Community Award for developing reading glasses for the blind. Recently, a diagnostic tool for detecting learning disabilities, by students of AIS PV, was granted a commercial patent. Our Amity universe is one which embraces diversity with empathy, care and respect.
It’s Time to Say! Hip, Hip, Hurray!
Team Serve and Set Finances from AIS Saket has made it to the top eleven selected for the global finale of Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, keeping the Amitian flag of success flying high.
The special bond
The recent Supreme Court ruling that restricts visual media from mocking disabled individuals has prompted reflection on societal perceptions of disability. These preset notions promoting false stereotypes have been challenged every now and then by individuals like Srikant Bolat. Bolat, a visually impaired man who built a business empire, asserted in his biopic, “Koi bechare nahi hain hum, kuch bura nahi hua humare saath, hum bhi aap hi ki tarah hain.” His words reject pity directed towards disabled.
Howbeit, the push to break taboos surrounding disability needs to move beyond sporadic instances to a more comprehensive understanding. It is heartening to see educational institutions like Amity take significant steps in this direction. Reading the entries in prompt box (page 10), I was moved by the empathy shown by Amitians. This sensitivity and maturity are a result of Amity's commitment to nurturing human values through inclusive education. As an Amity parent myself, I have witnessed the profound impact of an inclusive classroom. When my son was at Amity, his teacher mentioned during a PTM that, despite being a good student, he was not able to complete his own work. I discovered that he had been helping a visually impaired child with his assignments. Unsure of how to respond, my husband’s cheerful remark, “I am very proud of my son today,” said it all. I realised that our son had become the empathetic human being we hoped he would be, thanks to the inclusive education at Amity.
I hope the Supreme Court ruling will further this cause, creating a more inclusive society for all.
Dear Editor,
This is in reference to the article ‘A take on intuition’, published on page 1 of the GT edition dated July 15, 2024. The piece captures the ‘realm of decision-making’, instincts, and gut feelings all too well. The article’s questions lead one to ponder, “What exactly is intuition?” “How do I make decisions?” The involuntary yet voluntary act of making assessments is thoroughly described in an engaging manner. Reading this article felt like I was learning something new about something I do all the time but never think about. The studies by Mahatma Gandhi as mentioned in the article illustrate how decision-making has always been important in the history of independent India. Thus, this write-up provides in-depth knowledge about the concept of intuition and illustrates how it can be both a virtue and a vice. Thanks GT for always coming up with such thought provoking pieces. Yoshita Chug, AIS Vas 1, X A