Life would be so much easier if the smart thing to do aligned with the thing that sets your heart ablaze. However, I have learnt on this trip that this is not the case for me. The children of India have confirmed something I have always known but chosen to ignore. I may be an honours law student but I am not a lawyer. I know what I am. I am a teacher. I was born to teach. Visiting the Gulzar Community Centre in Ahmedabad and Guru Nanak School in Delhi to play with the students showed me this. I might work in the foreign affairs and international relations field for a while after graduation, but I will return to teaching children again eventually.
Gulzar Community Centre and Guru Nanak School are both situated in the slums of their respective cities. However, the children’s genuine love and enthusiasm for learning despite their challenging upbringings was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Their boundless energy and curiosity reminded me of the joy and freedom found in nurturing young minds. These children show the universal truth that joy is found where we choose to find it. True fulfilment comes from leading with my heart rather than solely relying on intellect. Foreign affairs will always fascinate me, and I hope to do something in that field at some point. However, it is the simplicity and authenticity of teaching and working with young children that truly sets my soul on fire.
At Guru Nanak School today, the children showed me the life I was meant to have. These children come from low socio-economic backgrounds but are rich in excitement and passion. I taught a group of 20 students a dance that went: left side clap, right side clap, left side clap, right side clap, body wave one way, body wave back, throw your hands up on your left, throw your hands up on your left, do a pukana, and ROAR like a lion. We all had a fun time teaching and learning, with much laughter. The dance overcame the barriers of language to create an incredibly special moment for all. As I reflect on IndoGenuis’s Reimagining India tour, it occurs to me that India has made me reimagine myself too. My interests in law and international relations have shaped my worldly understanding, and I plan to use this knowledge at some point. However, I have been reminded of my love for working with children. I do not know what will come next for me, but I will always be grateful to the children of Gulzar Community Centre and Guru Nanak School for reminding me of what is important. No matter what I ultimately do, it must involve teaching in some capacity. The children of India are inspiring and AMAZING! I see their joy, excitement, and love reflected in the eyes of Aotearoa’s own children. I will never forget Gulzar Community Centre and Guru Nanak School or their amazing students.