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Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata
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The School that Cares
It is very essential for a school to create an emotionally safe environment for both students and teachers. A caring school not just looks into the well-being of its stake holders but relentlessly lending a hand into making the neighbouring communities a better place to be. Lakshmipat Singhania Academy staff and students have always taken care of the underprivileged and the weaker sections of the community.
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Showing Kindness and Integrity
In the morning, during their English class I would sit with a small group of students and teach them how to read and spell. I would help check their answers in Maths and explain things they got wrong. During their Linguascope (an interactive language learning platform for schoos) period, I would go around to different students and help them with their linguascope and interact with them. It was like a teacher's assistant position. I would help out the teachers and students in the different classes when I was with them. I would also make posters with my fellow exchange student Ruth Ann Herlinger but I was mainly interacting with the students. After their classes ended, Ruth and I would give extra tutoring classes to a larger group of kids from different grades and help them with the subjects they were struggling in.
- Dayna Yoo
Dayna Yoo with the students of Future Hope
During my exchange year in the United States, I have done a bunch of community service work. One of them was very interesting. We had to spend an entire afternoon doing fun activities with children with special needs. My high school volunteered to take care of these children who belonged to the “Gearity Professional Development Elementary School.” Around 30 students, including me, from my high school went to a park where each one of us was assigned a child, who was around 4 to 6 years old.
I was assigned to 5-year-old Nate who had a twin brother. Initially it was difficult for me to make sure that both were independent of each other but after some time, they both started doing activities individually. Nate loves the waterfalls and likes to throw pebbles in the stream. Besides that, there was a lot of running around. We went to a park where he loved playing with the beach ball. There were a lot of other children , so we interacted with them as well. To match Nate’s energy, I had to become a 4-year-old for the day. We went on merry-go-rounds, slides, climbers, played tag, and made bubbles out of soap water. There was a section where the children could draw anything they wanted with chalk which kept them occupied for at least 15 minutes. We also had to make sure that they had lunch with us which was the best part of the day, since the children loved eating junk food which they are not allowed to eat daily. Nate likes being independent , for he always refused my help , but it was ironic when he asked for help to hold his plate or open a bag of chips.
Overall, doing this community service was a huge learning experience for me. It was nothing like what I had expected but it was one of the most amazing experiences I have had since my stay in the United States.
-- Navya Khemka
LSA student in USA for Exchange programme
Navya Khemka with Nate
Future Hope offers safe homes and education to children from the streets and slums of Kolkata.
Future Hope offers safe homes and education to children from the streets and slums of Kolkata.
I assisted class 1 by helping them with class work and assisted the teacher with anything she needed. I also made several charts and posters for different classes and a junior class bulletin board. I enjoyed working with class 1 students, especially because of the difference in their ages. This was because these children did not have access to education before Future Hope, hence their ages ranged from 7 to 13. It was a new dynamic for me to teach students at all different levels, however because of the students' willingness and passion to learn it, in turn made me passionate to teach. After school I gave tuitions to the boys ranging from KG class to class 4 .We worked on handwriting, reading, and comprehension.
Ruth Ann Herlinger poses with the students of Future Hope after their class
My favorite memory from Future Hope was from the after school tuitions. I sat down with a boy in Class 3 who was struggling with reading comprehension. He could read flawlessly but could not explain what he read back to me. I sat down with him as we read a book together and after every page I asked a few questions about what he had just read. At the end of the book I asked him to retell the story in his own words and he did so perfectly. It was very inspiring to see the moment he realized he understood the book and came back to me throughout the next days excitedly asking to read more. Future Hope taught me that with some love and compassion every child can foster a safe home and the love for learning.
- Ruth Ann Herlinger
Antaragram Visit
The modern world's ever-increasing complexity is posing more challenges to the human mind than it can handle. Addictions and alcoholism are among the more prevalent forms of mental illness that are challenging society. Responding to these difficulties is Antara, a charitable institution for the mentally distressed. Established in 1971, and located in the outskirts of Kolkata, Antara was founded by a community of philanthropists, spearheaded by Mother Teresa in response to the turbulent scenario of the country with the primary goal of providing care, treatment, and rehabilitation to the destitute and very poor individuals suffering from mental disorders, including drug addiction and alcoholism. This drove home the idea that the mental agony of the underprivileged is in no way, less than that of the economically fortunate.
On 18th November, 2022, the Psychology Department of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy visited Antaragram. As they set foot in the institution, each of them had their own set of reservations. The students couldn't help but feel disturbed at the sight of the patients going about their daily lives in their wards. However, all their concerns were put to rest once they spotted the inmates approaching in a flurry. Soon, they realized that their conception of Antara had been wrong the whole time! The patients bubbled with joy and mirth, as they sang, danced and enjoyed their time onstage. It was their unique way of welcoming the students. Their conversations with the students were at once effervescent and profound. Their endearing words taught the students that Antara took them in when everyone else deserted them. In each other, they had found friends, siblings and companions, wreathing what looked like a lifelong bond. The students’ interaction with Dr. Bijay Jacob was particularly enlightening as he was able to widen their understanding of rehab and psychiatry. Citing the example of diabetes, he explained how every mental illness should be regarded as just any other illness rather than being a subject of stigma and taboo. As he pointed out, society's "hush-hush" mentality needs to be revolutionized.
Thus, this trip was more than just a part of the students’ project. It was an experience of a lifetime, aimed at broadening their perspectives and looking at the bigger picture of the society in being kind.
Image Gallery of Antaragram Visit
The vision of the Blind
Over 1 billion people all over the world suffer from blindness and visual impairments. It is up to us to provide them with a better quality of life and help them achieve their full potential. It is important to understand that not all of us are privileged enough to have all our senses, and it is thus our responsibility to give such people and children a chance to be at par with others. This project seeks to provide insight on organizations like Voice of the World, which provides for the visually impaired. Voice Of World is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Kolkata which has been working to aid visually impaired adults and children since 1992. They are committed to imparting education and knowledge to the blind and making them self reliant. Their activities include providing services like social rehabilitation to students from Kindergarten to College.
Members of Voice of World participates in a rally
Blood donation camp
The students of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy had conducted a blood donation camp in collaboration with The Kothari Hospital on 30th July and 6th August 2022. Charts and banners were made and were put up throughout the school. Few days before the camps, the students decorated the school with red balloons which gave the message of ‘donate blood’. A google form was shared with all parents where they had to register for the camp.
The students were extremely enthusiastic about the camp. They began their day with the preparation of the food that was going to be served to the blood donors. The menu included a very nutritious Spinach (Palak) Soup, Paneer Pakora, Bananas, Dates and Slice (Mango Juice). The camp was organized at the first floor A.V Room and the refreshments were organized in the Montessori classroom. The refreshments menu was taken into consideration because of its nutritious value. A certificate and badge was given by the Kothari Hospital and a gratitude card was designed and given by the school itself.
Students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the school for giving them such an opportunity to help others. Thus, the students were proud to say that they were helping in saving lives and would like to continue in many other ways in the future also.
A newspaper clipping of the Blood donation camp
Students and the teacher seen busy preparing spinach soup
The school’s Vice Principal is donating blood
A snippet of the Book donation drive
Book donation drive
Students of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy had participated in a Book donation drive. To serve the underprivileged section of the society by providing them with these resources. LSA organized a book donation drive hand in hand with Nirdhan Development and Microfinance. The school received an overwhelming response from the students of all sections. A huge number of books were donated to the NGO who is trying their level best to make the people of our local community 'functionally literate'.
Caring during Christmas
Children of PS1 to Class 2 were encouraged to understand the importance of sharing. They distributed food, clothes and other essentials to helpers at their houses and the less fortunate. An important lesson on empathy, awareness and kindness was imparted through this activity.
An image of Krishnavi Vora’s experience note of helping her house help
An image of Kiaan Veer’s experience note of feeding the house staff
An image of Hriday Goenka’s experience note of feeding the apartment’s watchman
ED Carnival
Entrepreneurship fate was organised on 15th October 2023. It was a platform where students sold hand made products like candles, soaps, lamps, tea lights, baskets, vases, decorative pieces, envelopes, table mats etc that could be used as Deepawali gifts. Each student was given a stall and they could keep an assistant sales personnel. They sold their products against coupons. The products were so attractive that it took an hour to sell off all that was offered!!
We also organised game kiosks which were a huge crowd puller. Students organised various interesting games with riddles and puzzles. Music added to the zest and the participants enjoyed everything that was going around in the 8th floor of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy. Students of classes 11 and 12 were the stall owners and the fete was thrown open to all students from classes 6-12 to participate as buyers.
The proceeds collected, were donated to charity.
Image Gallery of ED Carnival
Mid-Day Meal service by LSA
Lakshmipat Singhania Academy students cooking the mid-day meal
Our Academy students distributing food to the students of Behala Janakalyan Vidyapith
Girls of Behala Janakalyan Vidyapith enjoying the mid-day meal cooked by the students of our Academy
“Education is not only reading and writing and knowing a number of subjects but education is for life, that is to make a person more understanding and humble, and I believe that the more educated a person is, more humble he is than an uneducated.”
This saying is the belief of our honorable Founder Shri Lala Lakshmipat Singhania. The students at Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, are proud to celebrate the 27th birth anniversary of the founder of the institute. In honor of this occasion, the students of the Food Nutrition and Dietetics and Biology Department of standard 11 and 12 of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata, had provided a mid-day meal to 220 students at Barisha Janakalyan Vidyapith for Girls (H.S.) under the guidance of Ma’am Deepa Das. This program was conducted on the 23rd of November,2022 . LSA students served all the BJV students a plate full of nutritious food which included dal, rice, mixed vegetables curry and sweet curd. The mixed vegetable curry included potato, tomatoes, carrot, beans, cauliflower and soya bean. It was a pure vegetarian and a wholesome meal for the students. The preparation of food started at 8 am. LSA students prepared the food in the school premises and packed it in containers so that it was easy to transport and distribute. By 11 a.m. the LSA students had packed the food keeping in mind the hygiene. Not only did the LSA students serve the food to the BJV students but also showcased song and dance performances. Through charts, the LSA team explained what a balanced diet was and what food items they could consume to have a correct meal according to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). As a token of appreciation, LSA received a plant and a handcrafted frame by the headmistress of the school, Ma’am Sharmila Sen Gupta. LSA students were very thankful to the teachers for giving them a chance to be a part of a good cause towards the society. It was indeed a very good and educational experience. As Mother Teresa had said, ‘the greatest good is what we do for one another.’
A newspaper clipping of the coverage – Mid day meal service
Excerpts from Sharmila Sengupta (Headmistress, Behala Janakalyan Vidyapith) Facebook post
‘Roti Cart’ drive
Roti Cart is an innovative kitchen set up inside a van, a concept belonging to an initiative called ‘Apni Roti’ developed by Shivohum Balaji Seva Trust. Ms Sashi Kejriwal, who is a social worker and the head of an NGO known as Jasthi, coordinated with the school authority and booked the Roti Cart for the day. The food was given out at Bidhan Sangha Club in Buroshibtala, Behala. The rotis were prepared at the venue by the workers of Balaji Trust while the students joined hands in cooking the ‘sabzi’ (mixed vegetable) at the school itself. All of them had brought tools like chopping board, peeler and knife and helped in cutting the vegetables as per the instructions of their teacher, Deepa Das, who was in charge of the entire activity. Finally they set out together with the food and reached the place of distribution. The target was to feed 350 persons approximately. The students served four rotis, sabzi along with pickle and a sweet on each plate and actively handed them over to the poor and hungry people who had come there.
Roti being prepared independently by a machine
Lakshmipat Singhania Academy students serving food to the local people
A newspaper clipping of the coverage – Roti cart drive
Roti Cart is an innovative kitchen set up inside a van, a concept belonging to an initiative called ‘Apni Roti’ developed by Shivohum Balaji Seva Trust. Ms Sashi Kejriwal, who is a social worker and the head of an NGO known as Jasthi, coordinated with the school authority and booked the Roti Cart for the day. The food was given out at Bidhan Sangha Club in Buroshibtala, Behala. The rotis were prepared at the venue by the workers of Balaji Trust while the students joined hands in cooking the ‘sabzi’ (mixed vegetable) at the school itself. All of them had brought tools like chopping board, peeler and knife and helped in cutting the vegetables as per the instructions of their teacher, Deepa Das, who was in charge of the entire activity. Finally they set out together with the food and reached the place of distribution. The target was to feed 350 persons approximately. The students served four rotis, sabzi along with pickle and a sweet on each plate and actively handed them over to the poor and hungry people who had come there.
The students of classes 3 to 5 were given a topic of being kind and unite. They themselves came up with the thought that why not be kind to animals.... We definitely do a lot for our fellow human beings. The children did some research and found out about some Non Government initiatives who go out of their way to protect dogs, snakes and birds amongst many more. They went physically and spoke to them over phone to find out the main aim of their organization and how they go about doing it. The Final presentation was done on Bulletin boards to sensitize all students of classes 3 to 5 to be kind and unite together
Taking Care
This project of mine, gave me an opportunity to help educate the household helper and children. I realized how privileged I am and that all parents like ours ,want the best for their child. Their children too are keen to learn and do well in life not only for themselves but for their future children as well. This project also includes a day well spent with the kids of Gyandeepak where we played games and distributed goodies to them.
Spectacle Drive
Students collect old spectacle frames for donation
The students of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata studying in class 6B took an innovative initiative to start a spectacle drive to support the noble cause. The initiative was started from middle of December, 2022 to January 2023. The drive was the brainchild of our respected Vice Principal ma’am, Ms. Jaya Misra. The students started the collection of the spectacles from all the classes and as well as from the teachers of our school to help the poor and needy people who failed to afford glasses even if they needed them the most. It is one of the easiest way-out to help the poor and needy as it can be done by donating the glasses collected by the students to any renowned charitable organization.
Although the students are just eleven years old, they took up this venture for those who do not have access to the vision care that they need. This activity has successfully brought out compassion and kindness that each responsible individual ought to put up. The class was divided into small groups where the work was smoothly distributed among the students. They approached their teachers as well so that they could drop their old, undamaged glasses in the boxes provided. In this way they were learnt to acquire leadership quality. It was an experiential activity for them as they learnt through their experience and it was clearly visible that they highly enjoyed this activity.
They sportingly took up the challenge and designed posters for the drive. Their parents too supported their noble cause and provided necessary aids. The cardboard cartons were placed in the class for the collection. The students offered sweets to the younger ones who were donating glasses to the cartons. The glasses will be handed over to an organization that would distribute the eyeglasses collected by the students to the needy people.
LSA family
Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata a school under JK Organisation have always been a dynamic business organization with a socially-valued conglomerate.
LSA, Kolkata was established in 1996 and the school had completed 25 years of imparting knowledge to many bright minds by the year 2020. Unfortunately, due to the deadly presence of the Covid 19 virus, the silver jubilee celebrations for the school were kept on hold. In 2022, the school’s management decided to gift all the teacher and staff including the Group D workers beautiful uniform to mark the celebration of its 27th Founder’s Day. The teachers and staff also celebrated unity and harmony by watching a popular Bollywood film ‘Pathaan’ together at a city multiplex.
The organization’s commitment to care for its people is well evident with this initiative.
Beautiful uniform to mark the celebration of its 27th Founder’s Day
Lakshmipat Singhania Academy’s Director, Vice Principal & Headmistress enjoying Hindi film ‘Pathaan’ with other staff members in a city multiplex