Had an interesting learning at the Kindergarten Section of our School this morning...

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the teachers including the Headmistress awaiting to greet the kids, as they step-in

When I say “greet,” I really mean that every single child received an individualized greeting...

Just thinking how special I would have felt as a young student if the teachers, the only adults I trusted,  were excited to see me and all my friends, every one of us, every single morning...

How pleasing it would be to hear our teachers call us by our pet-names, compliment our dressing, the water-bottles we carry, or noticed even our new shoes, glasses or haircut.

I know – I should have been thrilled, even to see our teachers walk out the door. That's how I wish the students in my classrooms should feel: excited and ready to learn – from us.

Apart from having the students super excited to start learning every day, another great benefit, is the parents notice these...

Parents would give an amazing feedback on the positive reception their children get every day. It makes them feel so much happier when they know that the teacher is excited to see their child and, consequently, their child is so happy to be at school.

A lot of us out there, are currently parents or have been parents of young children. Isn't this exactly what we would love to see from our child's school teacher?

Even something as simple as meeting and greeting before the first bell can be a huge and positive step in building a close-knit and fun classroom community. Let's make time for it in our school schedule and see what a difference it makes.

Chennai Champions Conservation

National Biodiversity Authority

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002). The NBA is a Statutory, Autonomous Body and it performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory functions for the Government of India on issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.

Centre for Environment Education

Centre for Environment Education (CEE), is a Centre of Excellence, for Environmental Education and is supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India. CEE is affiliated to the Nehru Foundation for Development. The primary objective of the Centre is to improve public awareness and understanding of the environment with a view to promoting the conservation and sustainable use of nature and natural resources, leading to a better environment and a better quality of life. To this end, CEE develops innovative programmes and educational material, and builds capacity in the field of education for sustainable development (ESD). 

International Day for Biological Diversity

You may be aware that the United Nations has proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention of Biological Diversity. Marine Biodiversity is the theme for this year's International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). The Designation of IDB 2012 on the theme of marine ecosystems provides everyone interested in marine life, the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and induce practical action.

Attempting to create a Guinness World Records™ 

As a part of the National Celebrations of the International Day for Biological Diversity, NBA is organising a series of programmes for youth and general public. CEE Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu State Office of the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is attempting to create a Guinness World Records™ for the largest handprint painting in an area of approximately 6000 m² in an event organised, at the Marina Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India on 22nd May 2012.

The initiative is to garner public support and commitment for the conservation of Biodiversity. A special pledge has been developed for the citizens to express their solidarity for the efforts to conserve biodiversity. As a testimony to the commitment, we encourage every citizen to stand up for the cause for the Conservation of Biodiversity by reading the pledge and placing their handprints on one of the world’s largest canvass being developed in Chennai.

Some parts of the canvass would be taken around to different places of the city and one canvass would specially be placed at the following sites:

1. Near the Light House, in Marina Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2. Near the Marina Swimming Pool, Marina Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
3. Elliot's Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
4. Thiruvanmiyur Beach Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Come join the effort in conserving the World Biodiversity and be a part of the Guinness Book of World Records and experience life turning bright, and provide everlasting joy for the future!

• Come lets commit to conservation and get the beautiful earth back!
• Invite and mobilize all your friends to give a hand to conservation of biodiversity!
• Date: 22.05.2012
• Time: 04:30 to 20:30 Hrs

Needless to say, Life is bright, when the efforts are right! :~)

Looking forward to seeing you all make a visible (:~)) commitment to conserving biodiversity!

The Lion King!

Kevin Richardson, animal ranger in Lanseria, South Africa.
HE sleeps with lions, wrestles with cheetahs and hugs hyenas - meet the "Lion Whisperer". Thirty-two-year-old Kevin Richardson spends his days - and nights - curled up with massive cats as part of his job at The Lion Park, at Lanseria, outside Johannesburg.

The South African lion whisperer has a natural affinity with some of the most dangerous animals on the planet, many of whom he names and raises by hand from birth.

"I don't use sticks, whips or chains - just patience,'' he says. "It may be dangerous, but this is a passion for me, not a job.

"I have to rely on my instincts to gauge an animal or a situation, and I will not approach a creature if something doesn't feel right.''

Mr Richardson began working with big cats - and particularly lions and hyenas - 10 years ago after quitting his career in physiology, where he worked with patients who had undergone surgery.

He wants to educate people about the big cats in a bid to save these beautiful animals.

Part of his approach is to bond intimately with the animals and they learn to treat him as a member of their pride.

"They see me as a creature they have adopted. I have also been an adopted parent in a lot of instances,'' Mr Richardson recently told South African television show Carte Blanche.

"I am someone they relate to. I enrich their lives. When I come here it's fun: we take all these animals out into the big, open spaces. If these animals are going to be kept in a captive situation, don't they deserve to have the best care, the best entertainment, the best lives?''

Mr Richardson's job is inherently dangerous. The lions at Lanseria often weigh more than 220kg and the hyenas, which are notoriously unpredictable, have the ability to bite through thick steel.

And all the big cats are fiercely protective of their young - but Mr Richardson has few fears.

"With all the animals I'm near the top (in dominance terms). You have got to be near the top. The moment they see you as a lower-order figure, they will challenge you,'' he said.

Horrors at Hatchery!

Would a factory of King Herod be similar to this or would it be more merciful. We could run a debate on this!

I really pity these poor animals, and for once am extremely proud to be a vegetarian…!

For everyone who has not had any interactions with chicken, besides chewing them from their plate, this is a must watch video! Heart breaking! The scenes that show them de-beaking and grounding the gentle chicks, is outright disgusting!

One can understand the need to separate males and females, but acting like they are not even a live breathing animal with feelings is absolutely deplorable :~( It's like Hitler’s holocaust of sorts for the chickens...

This is the very essence of an unsustainable culture.

God, how horrible! Tweety, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! are how, one would feel like screaming! Hang your head in shame if after having seen these horrific images, and you still continue to eat animals and their products!