The thought balcony

  When Writers Speak, We Learn I recently had the privilege of attending an online literary festival - Adventures of the Literati ,that brought together 13 remarkable authors from across the globe ,each offering a new lens to view the world. Over two intense and engaging days, I found myself completely immersed in discussions that spanned thrillers, environmental concerns, spirituality and the craft of writing. What moved me the most was watching students from my school’s Reading Club participate with maturity and enthusiasm. They sat through six hours of sessions, asking thoughtful questions after every talk—proof of how deeply literature can engage young minds. The authors brought a wide range of insights. One admitted that he often finds inspiration by eavesdropping, turning snippets of conversations into characters and scenes. Another, who had read the Bhagavad Gita, felt compelled to simplify its wisdom for modern readers. An environmentalist-author spoke urgently about ...

  When Silence Becomes a Cry: Reflections on a Child’s Inner World The recent news of a student’s suicide in Delhi has left a heaviness in my heart that I cannot shake off. It forces me to look beyond headlines and into the shadows where a child’s unseen emotions often sit quietly, waiting — sometimes too long — to be heard. As teachers and parents, we find ourselves asking the same painful questions: Who went wrong? When did it go wrong? How does a child reach a point where ending life feels easier than living it? Children today live in a world far more complicated than the one we grew up in. We like to believe that they are protected, loved, pampered, and supported — and many of them are. Yet, beneath that comfort lies a silent pressure. Their minds are overloaded with expectations, comparisons, judgments, and fears they don’t know how to explain. A child rarely says, “I am scared” or “I feel ashamed.” Instead, he withdraws, hides behind a smile, or breaks down over something...

  When Behaviour Shapes a Life As a teacher, I have watched generations of children walk into my classroom with their own strengths, quirks, and sparks of brilliance. Each one brings something unique—some show it in their writing, some in their curiosity, some in the quiet sincerity with which they try. It is heartwarming to see them work hard and to witness their thoughts take shape on paper. Yet, even in this beautiful mix, there are always a few who drift—held back not by lack of ability, but by low motivation, inconsistency, or the absence of behavioural grounding. And this, I have realised, mirrors life. Some move ahead, some find their rhythm, and some continue to struggle because the drive to push themselves is missing. The real challenge, however, lies not just in academics but in behaviour. As a class teacher, I often find myself becoming a surrogate mother, trying to understand how children speak to one another, how they form friendships, how they handle anger, disa...

  The Touch, The Voice, The Presence: What AI Can Never Replace by Nidhi Guglani Artificial intelligence is everywhere—shaping our thoughts, assisting our work, and quietly becoming a part of our everyday routines. After today’s book discussion, I found myself questioning not just the future of AI, but my own relationship with it. Am I using it the right way? And more importantly, are we, as teachers, guiding our students to use it wisely? AI is powerful, but it is not human. It learns from data, not emotions. It responds with empathy, but it does not feel. And that is where our human edge lies. Today, many turn to tools like ChatGPT for comfort, validation, or companionship—perhaps because real relationships sometimes feel heavy, demanding, or imperfect. But this dependence can be dangerous. AI can support, but it cannot replace. It can listen, but it cannot understand the way a living, breathing human does. The warmth of a conversation, the reassurance of a touch, the wisdo...

  Gradually, Wisdom Comes Wisdom does not arrive in a moment— it seeps in, slowly, through the cracks of living. You begin to see patterns— the way people move in circles, some lifting you with honor, some silencing your voice as if your presence were too loud. There are those who listen to every word as though it were a prayer, and others who look through you— as if you were made of air. It’s easy to think life is about placing yourself at the center of attention, but it isn’t. It’s about giving space, observing others, holding them with kindness— and yet, knowing when you are being emptied. Because not everyone returns what they take. Some will drain your light and call it theirs. Some will use you as if it were their right, and the world will quietly allow it. Still— your karma remains your own, your heart keeps its record. I only wish to help, to be kind, to hold others when they fall— but not at the cost of burning my soul to k...

  The Other Car in the Parking Lot Sometimes gratitude loses its focus when comparison sneaks in. Today, I want to talk about money—our ever-demanding companion. There was a time when I dreamt of owning a car. Just one. Back then, a car meant luxury. Years later, I found myself wanting a better one—because apparently, luxury also updates its model every year. The other day, we finally bought a new car and went straight for a puja, feeling quite content—until, of course, the universe decided to teach a quick lesson in humility. Right next to us parked a far more luxurious car. Shiny, sleek, almost smug. As we stood there praying, our eyes somehow refused to close. We were looking at the other car—while offering gratitude for our own! In that moment, our car suddenly seemed small, and our satisfaction even smaller. It made me realise how money often brings along a few uninvited guests—jealousy, comparison, and pride. As Oscar Wilde once quipped, “When I was young, I thought...