The Aviva Great Wall of Education, India’s biggest book donation drive for the underprivileged children culminated into a book distribution ceremony today at High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel. Abhay Deol, prominent Bollywood actor along with Gaurav Rajput presented over a million books to the representatives of Save the Children India, SOS Children’s Villages of India, and Handpaper, the recycling partner.

As part of Aviva’s Street to School program, the books from the Wall will be used to move thousands of underprivileged children with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, Save the Children, CINI Asha, Eureka Foundation, Hippo Campus and SOS Children’s Villages of India closer towards education. The books which are not relevant for children will be recycled into fresh notebooks by Handpaper.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Rajput, Director Marketing, Aviva India, said, “At Aviva, we believe that ‘Education is Insurance’ and we are truly grateful to the people of India for making the third edition of the Aviva Great Wall of Education a big success. We have collected over a million books and still counting from across the country this year, which will go towards building a brighter future for the underprivileged children by helping them into education. We appreciate the patronage of the people of India towards this noble cause, and thank them for donating books.”

Thank you India for donating so generously and helping us in bringing underprivileged children closer to education!

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar inaugurated the opening ceremony for the grand finale of the Aviva Great Wall of Education, India’s biggest book donation drive for the underprivileged children. He advocated promotion of education in the country, especially among the underprivileged children. Speaking at the event, Sachin said, “This cause is very dear to my heart. Please be generous and contribute.”

The day was filled with a lot of excitement, with people reaching in large numbers wall to donate books .There were special puppet shows highlighting the importance of education and urging people to make a contribution to the great wall. The puppet show captured the attention of the children present at the event and was liked by the them very much. Along with other activities there were quiz shows and street plays for kids. Small kids managed to surprise elders with their wit and understanding of the importance of donating for the cause. There were young minds coming forward and motivating people with their delightful thoughts. People from all age groups came to donate books at the wall. This was one of the classic examples of people  from different walks of life to coming together.

Once a child’s talent has been identified, it becomes the duty of the parents and his school to nurture this talent. The focus should now shift, from exposing the child to various activities in order to explore his talent towards concentrating on the discovered talent. 

Unless you are following Home Schooling for your child, where it is only the parents who are involved with planning the child’s activities and exposure, it is a 50/50 partnership between the school and the parents. 

Lets go through the roles of each of them one by one. 

Parents role in nurturing a child’s talent 

Parents have the most important contribution towards this objective as without their participation and encouragement even the most promising talent can go waste. They are the one’s who generally are responsible for the identification of the talent in their child. 

● Fall in Love with the activity yourself

○ It is the responsibility of every parent to get to know the subject/activity that your child is talented in. You should try to grasp as much knowledge as possible about the subject. If you cannot do it practically, like playing the sport or the musical instrument that your child is skilled in, you can still try and become an expert in theory on that subject. 

If you are not able to do so, then it might have two consequences, either your child will try to find someone else to talk about or share his passion for the subject, which might lead him to drift away from you a bit or he might loose interest in pursuing his talent if he feels that you are not showing enough interest in his passion.

Enjoy talking about and participating in the activity to the extent possible for you with your child. Remember, it should not become a burden for you or your child.

● Provide all resources at home

○ Try to provide all possible resources that are necessary for the practice, further development and improvement of the talent at home. It can be either books on the subject, Cd’s, musical instruments, sports equipment etc.

● Professional Coaching/Training

○ It is always a good idea to seek professional help and coaching to hone the interest of a child for a talent that has been identified. A professional coach,who would be an expert in that field can help your child to focus on his talent and sharpen his skills and take advantage of the experience of the trainer. For example – Singing, painting, ballet dancing, football or any such specialized interest would need a professional coach as early as possible. It is the duty of the parent to choose the right coach after doing proper research.

● Be Patient, don’t push

○ It is a very important role that a parent needs to play once the talent has been identified. Parents should ensure that the child does not suffer from burn-out by over exposure to an activity. Please ensure that the child gets a normal life like the children in that age group and has a mix of activities in his schedule. Let himplay other games also even if they are not the ones he is talented in. Let him enjoy other activities too. Never push a child to pursue his talent only; be patient as a talent generally takes time to develop and too much pushing can lead to a dislike towards that activity.

● Choose the right school

○ It is one of the most important role that a parent has to play in his child’s life and especially a talented child. As mentioned above, a school and parent should act as an equal partner in the pursuit of developing the talent of a child. Hence,we as parents should exercise all due diligence while selecting our partner ( the school ). Do your research, meet the school authorities and make sure you are choosing the right school that will focus on nurturing that specific talent of your child.

If the talent is identified at a later stage, then we should have no hesitation in changing the school of the child, if the existing school cannot play the role of nurturing that specific talent.

The choice of the right partner ( school ) in this case can have a huge impact on the development of child’s talent. Ensure that you choose the right school that understands and plays its role well developing your child’s talent.

School’s role in nurturing a child’s talent

● Acknowledge the child’s talent

○ This is the first and foremost thing that a school should do. Unless there is a policy or a system to acknowledge talented children and their individual talents, a school cannot plan or nurture that talent further.

● Provide resources to develop that talent

○ The school should have the resources and specialized subject experts available for the proper development of the respective talent. For example, in case of computers ( Well, even programming can be considered a talent in the modern era), the school should have a state of the art computer lab with all the latest technologies at its premises, which should be supported by teachers who should be MCAs or Computer Engineers with domain experience. Similarly, in case of sports, for example football or cricket, if the school does not have the proper ground or pitch, it won’t be able to contribute to the talent of a child who is bright in these games. Same goes for badminton, lawn tennis or any other game.

● Provide opportunities to showcase and practice that talent

○ Just providing resources and training will not serve the goal, a school should also provide enough opportunities for the child to showcase his talent. This would lead to appreciation and recognition from the peer group and teachers and also help in building the confidence of the child, which indirectly leads to more interest in that activity.

Various opportunities that a school can provide are:

■ Performing in school events in case of kids with talent in performing arts.

■ Regular stage exposure, for example an activity can be chosen on a daily basis to be showcased during the school assembly.

■ Regular competitions, in case of sports.

■ Sending talented kids for zonal competitions, inter school competitions etc.

■ Working on some school project or social project, for IT whiz kids.etc.

However, it is a well known truth that every school is not a specialist in all the talents and might not be a right fit for your child, even though it might be the top ranked school in your area. Hence, choose the school for ruth that every school is not a specialist in all the talents and might not be a right fit for your child, even though it might be the top ranked school in your area. Hence, choose the school for your child with utmost care and after doing full research and ensuring that the school will be your perfect partner in nurturing the talent of your child.

Is your child talented ? In what field or activity ? What steps are you taking to nurture his talent ?

Do you think the current school is playing its role perfectly in helping your child ? If not, then are you planning to do something about it ?

Author – Rajan Arora – ( Founder of SchoolAdmissions.in) 

© Copyright 2011-2012 – SchoolAdmissions.in

We asked parents on what they feel about – Cost Of Education will be a major concern in the near future. Here is what they had to say:

DrChiranjib Deb
I see cost of education is a major concern even in present days…yes it will be of more concern in the near future…but who are responsible for this…we blame politician,we blame private sectors,we blame standard of education in govt school,a…nd we blame everyone….but excluding us….have we ever thought that we are also responsible for this?????yes…we are equally responsible for this….I have seen people,rather its amongst that ,they think there will be some special development among students if they are admitted in private schools….I agree that these days govt schools are not not up to the mark,not able to give quality education…but its because of their limitation…or in some case because of some negligence….it might be that they are not getting the remuneration that probably they are expecting, then many other factors do work,…govt schools are not getting enough infrastructure……but if we look at the background ,then probably we will find out that some of the very top professionals come from poor family,and they get education in govt schools and at reasonable cost….so I believe its in our mindset that we developed already that without money ,probably education is difficult….but I believe if we work upon our mindset,our plan..then education is still affordable at reasonable cost….lets organize our mindset,that it’s our mind that guide our plan…but being said so I do agree also that private institutions give quality education with quality infrastructure….but if we can get quality infrastructure from authority in govt schools and if we can organize our mindset,and if we convince ourselves that we can have quality education at reasonable cost….then probably it will be a much more optimistic approach

Kailash Sharma
Cost of Education is a major concern. If the govt. provides scholarship to all students without considering any ground of reservation like cast, religion, economy & other. Govt. is providing mid day meal in all govt. schools. All govt. schools may converted into day boarding schools. Teachers should stay 24 hours, 6 days in school for consult the subject for students. Books, stationary & other accessories are not the major part. Fee should be reduced up-to affordable limit.

Sia Sharma
After reading everybody’s views, i come to a conclusion that everybody is describing d problem in 1 way or d other. Ever person is concerned but no1 including me want to take a step. Y we always lend d blame on others, specially polititions…, when deep in our hearts v all know that polititions cant be true even to their families. I beg ur pardon 4 getting away from the topic. Yes i also agree to d fact that rising educational costs can make any parent go boo hoo. When a child is born, parents start planning his future. Earlier parents used to save 4 their child’s marriage, now they save 4 their studies. Even to take admission in nursery u hav to pay 20,000 donation, n fees extra. D worst part is that u hav to give entrance exam to get ur child admitted to a gud n reputed school. I agree that competition has increased n education scope has also increased but we must think about those hu hardly live their livelihoods. A person who earn 50 rupee per day, how can he pay his kids fees. V must nt forget dt 70% india is below poverty line. No matter how much educated v becom if poor do nt get d benefits, india can never grow.

Rashida Jasdanwala
“The sky’s the limit” was a term coined by Cervantes in Don Quixote which means there is no apparent limit. That is exactly what is happening in today’s scenario. There is no limit to price rise in any arena. The rate of inflation is so hig…h that all levels of society are getting affected not just the middle class. Coming to education, IT IS going to get dearer. On one hand we speak of educating all children and on the other hand the basic as well as specialized education is getting pricey. What does one do? Where do we go? Whom do we blame? How do we deal with this topic? Can we all take a stance, can we create mass awareness, can we stir up a movement to deal with this issue? Somewhere we have to take ownership to curb the over pricing of at least basic education so there is 100% literacy in our country. Simultaneously we need to rework the rising prices of specialized education in India first and thus set an example for the rest of the world. Sounds very idealistic but if we don’t start now we can only then continue cribbing forever. Let’s join hands for a better future in education for not just your or mine but ALL THE CHILDREN.

Parveen Bobby
Instead of distributing free color tV’s, Gas stoves……the government can supply free text books for all classes from kg to X!!for both Pvt and government schools ie as soon as samacheer kalvi is formed . cos eventhough the government has fixed the fee structure from 2010,many pvt schools have collected full fees.

Ramnik Sandhu
yes of course cost of education…..as we all knw education is bcming costly wid evry cming day…..4 a common man it hs bcme difficult to afford higer education..esp when u talk bout professional courses…..so it wont b wrong to sat dat education will b major concern…and we r all well aware dat widout education a nation cnnot evn dream of developing..isnt dat true??? so wt r ur views…..do we need to tk steps dat education reaches evry hand…..

Man Yusuf
Cost of education will be a major concern in the near future particularly in the developing countries where prudent utilization of resources are a big problem. This attitude hinders the provision of better formal education to all children; since education is agreed to as insurance for better tom…orrow, then any hindrance will breed a “tsunami” for the universe by extension. Every child should be entitled to opportunity for education that is available and affordable in order to have a decent and meaningful contribution to life.

Parents play an imp role in child’s education,……parent should encourage their child, help them with their studies n should spent an imp amount of time in discussing various subjects, GK, sports, ETC n one imp thing is parent should make… their child’s pillar hard n tough by teaching them proper basics of studies which will help child in his every level……1st teacher of child is mum, then pa n then finally the educational teachers….a baby already starts learning from his moms womb n than from others after coming in this beautiful world.

Extra curricular activities play a key role in developing skill of individual, it give enough space in child’s mind to think and act in different innovative way in different fields…

See knowledge is something that ought to be expressed, that should not remain bookish only….the extra curricular activities give a child to enhance the skill which he /she has learnt…now debate competition, speech ,extempore speech, playing different games, participating in quiz , dance, music all play synchronously with school study to develop all round outlook of a child…

Most importantly extra curricular activities enhance the confidence level, which is a very much needed, ….as self confidence is an important component of success…. also extra curricular activities make school studies enjoyable ,a sense of integrity develops in their mind,they start enjoying in groups.

School studies are  must, and extra curricular activities give an edge to succeed with an inherent knowledge…. extra curricular activities can not be a substitute for school activities….but both school studies and extra curricular activities are very much important….when both are combined, the children get into actual education…and it becomes effective ….

Dr.CHIRANJIB DEB.

Saving for college has a lot of variables attached to it that are almost as tough to forecast. A lot can happen between now and then to our personal finances, the tax code and the formula for granting aid. And we really have no way of knowing how much scholarship or grant money will be available until our child applies. But don’t let that discourage us from getting started. Start early and save regularly can be the only mantra.

The third day at the Aviva Great Of Education event started with the arrival of our chief guest – Honorary member of the parliament, Priya Dutt, She graced the event with her husband & two lovely kids. They supported this event by donating book at the Book Wall. Her son Siddarth Dutt donated 33 books to the Aviva Book Wall. Siddarth also hummed poems with other kids at the event. He also participated in the quizzes & won himself a cricket bat autographed by Sachin Tendulkar. Speaking on the occasion Ms. Priya Dutt said “I love fiction and currently I am reading fiction called Confessions. Reading is a great habit as it takes you to a new, different world altogether. It exploits your imagination.”

When asked which were her all time favourite books as a kid she excitedly smiled us and gave us an enviable list that every kid should read. “I loved Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and even Noddy! My parents have an extensive library where I spent considerable amount of time as a kid. I love reading books. This is the best thing in the world! Education is Insurance.” It was an honour to have her at the event & we thank her for her presence & contribution.

The Aviva Great Wall of Education started with an enthusiastic crowd at High Street Phoenix Mall, Lower Parel, Mumbai. Knowledge was the word at the venue as Aviva Great Wall Of Education spread the wave of knowledge all across. Students of Queen Mary’s School assembled at the venue to witness the event. All of the people present at the event were enthusiastic about the event as well as the arrival of the chief guest of the day.