“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi
The joy of giving is a powerful, timeless force that binds us all, creating connections that transcend words. It’s the simple act of sharing what we have—be it a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or a meaningful gift—that not only uplifts others but fills our own hearts with warmth, reminding us that true happiness lies in the happiness we create for others.
One of the first initiatives of the school was in 2003, when Mrs. and Mr. Jaipuria, patrons of DPS, Gurgaon, founded Shiksha Kendra, a non-formal afternoon school for children belonging to the marginalised section of society. 200 students enrolled in the first year who were not only the first generation learners, but also the catalysts of change. In the last two decades, more than 20,000 children have passed out of Shiksha Kendra. Today, with the visionary guidance of Pro Vice Chairperson, Ms Devyani Jaipuria, Shiksha Kendra continues to scale new heights, standing as a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless young minds. Under the transformative leadership of the Director Principal, Ms Aditi Misra, Shiksha Kendra has grown into a thriving institution, expanding its reach to over 2,000 students.
Sharing its resources and infrastructure with the principal school, Shiksha Kendra exemplifies how collaboration and kindness can create lasting change. This initiative facilitates the holistic growth of its students, embracing both scholastic and co-scholastic development. It also fosters an environment of consideration and shared learning through peer-teaching programmes and aid from the school community. The morning school led clubs of DPS Gurgaon, Interact Club and Team Shiksha Kendra create co-scholastic activities and assist in teaching the afternoon school students. The club members stay back after school to organise activities for different age groups to foster 21st century skills.
The essence of gratitude is reflected beautifully in heart-warming celebrations of Daan Utsav, Garage Sale and ‘Sahyog’- the school carnival. During Daan Utsav, students come together to contribute raw vegetables and pav, which is prepared into a delicious pav bhaji meal for the children of Shiksha Kendra, by the teachers and students of the morning school. The Garage Sale adds another layer of warmth, as parents of Shiksha Kendra students purchase gently used articles donated by the school community at minimal prices. The carnival offers Shiksha Kendra children the chance to enjoy games and activities while uniting the school community in a shared cause. Funds raised during the carnival and garage sale go towards the Shiksha Kendra corpus, enhancing resources and opportunities for the students, and fostering a cycle of care and generosity.
This act of compassion manifests in various ways throughout the year. On World Book Day, primary school students share their class library books with Shiksha Kendra children, cultivating a sense of connection and community. Similarly, fuelling their imagination and curiosity, Scholastic India distributes free books to them at their book exhibition. Both initiatives highlight the power of shared learning to unite, inspire and educate. In the same sentiment of giving, during Diwali, the parent community gifts beautifully wrapped traditional attire, spreading festive cheers and a sense of dignity among the children. Sports gear donations further encourage physical fitness and teamwork, aiding the comprehensive development of the students.
The Christmas festivities at school are truly special. Winter is the time of the year when DPS Gurgaon celebrates the ‘Joy of Giving’ where the morning school students play the role of Secret Santas, and fulfil the wishes of the students of Shiksha Kendra, written on their wish card. DPS students purchase these gifts, spreading joy and creating cherished memories, truly embodying the spirit of Christmas. The morning students interact with the Shiksha Kendra students from a very early age, resulting in total acceptance towards the children who are lesser privileged. Therefore children who do well are inducted in the main school seamlessly, as they are easily accepted by the morning school children. When students graduate from Shiksha Kendra, they are encouraged to pursue higher education with the support of the school management and the corpus created by the alumni of the school. It is heartening to see the alumni of the school supporting the children they learnt to empathise with, while they were in school themselves.
Health and well-being are at the heart of Shiksha Kendra’s mission. Regular health check-ups, including dental, eye screenings and blood tests ensure that every child’s needs are met. Those in need of corrective eyewear are provided with free spectacles and those diagnosed with anaemia are given iron supplements. These efforts underline the school’s commitment to the joy of empathy, ensuring every child feels valued.
DPS Gurgaon strongly believes that uplifting women at the grass root level uplifts the entire family. Under Project Muskaan, DPS Gurgaon has adopted two government schools, Government Primary Girls School Kanhai and Government Primary Girls School Jharsa. In addition to renovating the school buildings and appointing a permanent support staff to maintain cleanliness, DPS Gurgaon shared its best practices in learning, innovative ideas and creativity with the adopted schools. Educational board games and books have been contributed by the DPS family. Regular interaction with the two schools had made the teaching-learning process effective and interesting. Not only the students of DPS Gurgaon, but also the students of the school’s Exchanges with overseas schools, visit the school and interact with the girl students. An exposure of this kind broadens the horizons and the aspirations of the girls, and they look forward to a future which is not limited to only looking after the family.
Through its crowdfunding efforts, the school extends support to children in rural Haryana by providing back-to-school kits, festive outfits, reusable sanitary pads, refurbished cycles, and even assisting infants through Palna, further amplifying the joy of giving and creating ripples of positive change.
Amidst a rapidly changing world where priorities shift and connections fade, ‘joy of giving’ remains a timeless bond that unites humanity. Little acts of kindness can weave lives together, creating a rich tapestry of compassion- whether it is the joy of sharing a resource, the joy of empathy that brings comfort, or the joy of uplifting someone in need. At Delhi Public School, Gurgaon, the ethos of sharing is not just a belief but a vibrant reality that permeates the school community. Guided by the school motto, ‘Service before Self’, we have built a legacy of giving back to the community and nurturing generations of compassionate leaders ready to create a better world.
Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Community Outreach Programmes teach us the Joy of Giving, thereby playing a pivotal role in fostering a sense of connection, support, and empowerment within diverse populations. Director Principal, Delhi Public School, Sec-45, Gurgaon, Ms. Aditi Misra firmly believes that the impressions children form in their early years have a lasting impact. She consistently works to help them develop empathy and forge connections with diverse communities, guiding them toward becoming mindful individuals who will contribute to an inclusive and unified nation.
