Page 16 - The Lotus Jan-Feb 2021

It’s a new (academic) year and a new edition! What better way to start off the year
than by reflecting on the past and the people we once were? I hope that you took away
something from this edition of the Lotus. I hope it struck a familiar chord with you.
Thank you for giving us your time. I think everyone has had moments when they
think of their younger self and cringe, but maybe that’s an indicator of our growth.
You need to be on both ends of the spectrum in order to truly realize the value of the
lessons being imparted. Adolescence, the teen age, it can all be very isolating. Being
expected to act like an adult while knowing your place as a child is an almost
impossible balance to strike but now that we’ve almost emerged on the other side, I’m
sure I’m not alone when I say that LOTS of mistakes have been made but at the same
time LOTS of lessons have been learned. If it has taken all the mistakes I have made
in my life in order to truly understand the value and the richness of the lessons I have
learned, then I do believe that it’s well beyond worth it.
As a new academic year begins, let us set our intentions for what we wish to achieve
but also understand the value in giving ourselves the grace we so easily give. Take
care of those around you, but don’t forget to take care of you too.

Growing up is confusing, but very often we meet some exemplary adults who show us
what it truly means to spread light in this world. So here’s a huge thank you to Ma’am
Sharmila, Sir Augustine, Sir Gaurav, Ma’am Alisha and all the other teachers who
help us make the Lotus a reality every single day.

Our counsellor, Ma’am Nandini contributed to our guest column this time. Thank you
Ma’am Nandini for always being there for us, and for truly understanding us.

This edition we did something slightly different by having a parent contributor, Mrs
Sheetal Karkare, mother of Kasturi Karkare of Class 11A. Thank you Mrs Sheetal and
Kasturi. Your contribution to the Lotus is invaluable and we are so grateful for it!

Vini, Akanksha, Meera and Mithil, you’ll keep the show going. Thank you for
everything you do, for the Lotus and beyond. We appreciate the dedication and
interest of our guest contributors, Ronan and Kushaan, as well as everyone who
contributed to our gallery wall. Cassandra, Anezka, Ananya, Tarini and Schneider, we
have some pretty big shoes to fill. Thank you for everything you’ll have put into the
Lotus and it is an honour to continue building upon the foundation you all have laid.

Ma’am Valerie works tirelessly behind the scenes to make the Lotus available to
everyone. The Lotus is not a one-person show, but rather, the culmination of an entire
army, teachers, students and parents, and we’re so proud of the final product we get to
show the world.

~Jade da Silva, Editor (2021-22)

Photograph: Mithil Anup