Fourthr

I recall one incident at JB Petit that moved me. Am sharing with all parents and ex students in appreciation of what Ms Shirin Darasha late legendary Principal of JB Petit School Bombay stood for.

It was the early 90s. My Std 7 class of giggly 12-13 year olds decided that year in keeping with the current trend of theme parties to have a Jeans Party where every girl would come dressed in blue jeans. Some would have Wild Parties where every child came dressed as a wild animal.

The principal came to know about the Jeans party. Approximately 1 /5 ths of the children came from families that did not allow their girls to wear trousers let alone blue jeans.

She called the class representatives and class teachers....and even spoke to the class as a whole . She asked them what parties were for- to have fun of course. How much fun would these parties be for the children who were excluded? Why was it so important to narrow down what each one wore? Why not have a theme that wouldn't exclude some children...like the theme where everyone came dressed as animals?

She convinced them using reason and kindness and inclusion. She didn't lay down the law forcing anyone to change. I recall how I spoke to my class too ...and how the children without any resistance immediately agreed and changed the theme to one inclusive of and acceptable to all.

Just wish we can learn to be empathic appreciate each other's differences and reason it out calmly- and live together in harmony . Also in appreciation of a great educator I've learnt a lot from.

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