The Doon School.A great experience.

I have just got back from The Doon School (see previous post) after giving a talk to the students there.

There is just one word for the school---Splendid. I am now officially a Doon School fan. I had an opportunity to interact closely with the faculty, and the students and I spent a lot of time on the campus. I spotted Vikram Seth's name on the wooden boards outside the Principal's office which have embossed on them, the names of school captains and the editors of the school magazine, throughout the years.(Since 1935 which was when the school was established).  The former prime-minister Rajiv Gandhi too studied in this school. (But his name isn't on the boards outside :) )

It is a myth that the school is 'elitist and western'. I absolutely loved the 'Indianness'  of the school. The students are grounded, intelligent and smart. They asked me great questions. They loved my talk and the interactions, and some of the students told me 'M'am, yours is the best talk we have ever had.'




Here is another picture after the talk:




The local newspaper covered my talk. (It wasn't a creative writing workshop as the headline claims but a talk)



For more photos from the event,  click here


The campus itself is magnificent---set in 70 acres of greenery. They have a separate art school, a music school, an art and design center--all of which are superbly equipped. They also have a very well equipped music school. It reminded me so much of the school in UK that my children used to go to.



This is the view from one of the windows of the art school.



This is the upstairs gallery which has a separate water colour room, acrylic room, a room for fabric painting, a digital art room, potters wheel, sculptures--you name it, they have it. I was really impressed by the work done by the boys.

I had my dinner with the faculty and I loved the bond between the students and the teachers---and how caring and approachable the teachers were.

The school has great emphasis on discipline, traditions and customs. The school aims to be an institute of excellence, dedicated to producing leaders of the future. Their intake is in class 7, through an entrance test, and there are limited seats in class 8.

I  loved the wellness centre of the school, which boasts of a very well equipped modern hospital and also  the pastoral care that the boys received.

The well stocked library spread over two floors  impressed me. (and yes, my books are very popular and well stocked :) ) This is a view of the ground floor.























A day after my return, I am still reveling in the warmth of the welcome that I got, the unmatched hospitality where even the smallest of details was taken care of,  the enthusiasm of the students who interacted with me, the questions they asked and the thunderous applause (and appreciation) that I received for my talk.

 It is easy to see why my mind is still lost in the valley of Dehradun, even though I am physically here.
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Comments

  1. I think I visited it during one of my trips. I vaguely remember the large green campus.

    Would you advise sending a child there? It's a boarding school right?

    Please post the video link once it's available.

    And you look sexy n gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot Shachi :)
      Yes. It is a boarding school. There is never a simple yes or no on whether I would advise to send a child there. It depends on a plethora of factors, all of which have to be taken into account, before making a decision.

      Delete
  2. Glad you njoyed,reflects in your post

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow the pictures are amazing , and you look very good in them :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad you started writing again

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Didn't get that.. I have always written! never neglected my blog :)

      Delete
  5. Boarding schools look so beautiful, the huge campuses, the space/facilities they have. Feels divine.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ma'am, I am a student of 11th grade at this school and I missed this event because I was at a tournament at another school in Ddehradun.
    I am into writing poetry, and I could actually use your comments more than you think I can.
    please visit my blog :

    rishabhpoems.blogspot.com
    comment if you get the time and mood.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good to know such Boarding Schools exist in our Country.
    Sadly! I had worst experience in Boarding schools, which i want to forget.
    Living under the shadow of mom & dad is some what precious, which i never felt more than 14 years. Right from schooling to Job, i've been staying in hostel.
    Such a terrible feeling.
    :,-(

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your vivid account of the school fills me with delight and makes me curious to be reborn so as to enjoy school life in The Doon School as it always had been my father's dream which couldn't be fulfilled.

    ReplyDelete
  9. There are many boarding schools like this in India and good too, but they charge exhorbitantly..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true.This makes it beyond the reach of many students .

      Delete

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