Days of my life!!

Date: 15th Sep 2026 Dear Kapish, This year too, we celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in our society with a lot of faith, dance, music, and sweets You had a holiday on the first day, so you took part in the ceremony that brought the Bappa idol into the main hall. The day before, you had drawn a lovely little painting of Bappa, which was put up on the main wall of the clubhouse — and you even won a small token of appreciation for it! Overall, we prayed, enjoyed some yummy prasad, and soaked in the festivities. For me personally, it was a matter of utmost joy and pride that I was not only able to hold the idol on both days, but also served food in the evening and performed the visarjan with my own hands. That's my dedication to Ganpati Bappa, and I hope to continue it for a long time to come Cheers, Dadoo

Date: 6th Sep 2026 Dear Kapish, Last Saturday, there was a celebration in your school for Teachers' Day. Since you're in Grade 2, you didn't go to school that day, but you still wanted to do something special for your teachers. So you spent Sunday making them bookmarks — each with a different drawing and a small message on the back that said, "Thank you for making me love [subject name]." You handed them out at school on Monday, and your teachers loved them. I hope you continue to treasure the teachers you get throughout your educational journey, and always make them feel special on the day dedicated to them. Regards, Prasan  

Date: 12th Sep 2026 Dear Kapish, Please remember this date — today marks the day you officially started your journey into the world of Harry Potter! We just happened to show you a glimpse, and as we started the first movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , we were surprised that you already knew many of the characters.  When we asked how, you told us that your Year 2 teacher, Swapna Ma'am, had given everyone little Harry Potter–themed bookmarks — and that's how you already knew names like Ron Weasley, Hermione, Hagrid, and Dumbledore, along with the one you got yourself: Draco Malfoy :) We watched the movie over two evenings, and you had plenty of questions — your curiosity was definitely piqued. Even today, you kept going back to watch little bits of the movie, prompting Mumma to remark that you're now all set to join the Potterhead family Cheers, Dadoo

Date: 22nd Aug 2026 Dear Kapish, Today was your very first Parent Teacher Conference (PTC) for Year 2, and I must say, it was a wonderful experience listening to all your teachers. Almost every teacher had something positive to say about you. We started with Swapna Ma'am , who spoke very highly of how kind and compassionate you are. She told us that you are doing well academically, finishing your work on time and, even more importantly, finding the time to help your classmates when they need it. From English to Maths to Science, the feedback was remarkably consistent. "Eliminate a few silly mistakes and you are good to go!" As parents, that's certainly feedback we are happy to hear! But what happened after the PTC was perhaps even more encouraging to watch. After the meeting, we happened to visit Keya to check out our flat and decided to take a small tour of the apartment complex. That's when we came across some of the outdoor gym equipment installed around the ...

Date: 15th Aug 2026 Dear Kapish, Unlike the last few years, this Independence Day you did not participate in any dance performance. The decision to pull you out this year was mainly because the Junior batch now had some really little kids, and we felt you might have started feeling a little out of place in that group. But just because you didn't dance doesn't mean the day wasn't worth celebrating. In fact, this year, as you crossed the 7½-year milestone , we have started noticing several little signs of independence in you—things that tell us that you are slowly becoming more capable of doing things all by yourself. You are now doing the majority of your homework on your own. You even came home one day by yourself, navigating the lift buttons and finding your way back safely. You are able to change your clothes on your own and, more importantly, have started folding them too! You have also started learning to take a bath independently. I guess this is what Independence is r...

Date: 6th Aug 2026 Dear Kapish,  They say that LEGO is one of the best toys for a growing child. It helps develop fine motor skills, encourages creativity, and teaches children the importance of patience, problem-solving, and following instructions. Keeping that in mind, I had bought you a small LEGO set from Delhi a few years ago. You were only about four years old then, and if I remember correctly, I ended up building most of it while you simply enjoyed playing with the finished model. At that time, LEGO just wasn't your thing - Until today. While I was returning from Jerusalem, I had about thirty minutes to spare before my bus arrived. As I walked around, I came across a small toy and stationery shop. I couldn't resist stepping in. I picked up two little gifts for you—a LEGO make-up stall and a miniature living room set for your dolls. After I got home and we opened the gifts, you hardly gave the doll furniture a second glance. Instead, you picked up the LEGO box, looked at...

Date: 3rd August 2026 Dear Kapish, I am writing this from Israel. Over the past week, while travelling for work, I have realized just how much I miss both Mumma and you. Every day, our little video call has become the highlight of my day. No matter how busy the schedule has been, seeing your smiling faces for even a few minutes has always brought a smile to mine. Today, when I called, you were busy finishing your homework. Grade 2 certainly seems to have brought along a little more work than Grade 1! In between solving your worksheets, you excitedly told me about your Friendship Day celebrations at school. You proudly shared that three of your friends had gifted you friendship bands, something you were absolutely delighted to receive. What touched me even more, however, was what you did in return. Since you hadn't gone to school carrying friendship bands yourself, you decided to make something with your own hands. Using your Origami kit, you carefully created beautiful little cards...

Date: 31st July 2026 Dear Kapish, Today, I had the opportunity to visit the holy city of Jerusalem in Israel. It has been a childhood dream of mine to one day walk through this city—a place that is considered sacred by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, and one that has witnessed thousands of years of history, faith, conflict, and resilience. We took a guided tour through the Old City, and the conversations were just as fascinating as the places themselves. Along the way, we spoke not only about history but also about the politics, cultures, and events that have shaped Jerusalem into the remarkable city it is today. Among the many places we visited were the Church of the Holy Sepulchre , the Western Wall , and several other historic landmarks that made the experience truly unforgettable. The moment that will stay with me forever - especially standing before the Western Wall Like millions of visitors before me, I wrote a small note and placed it between the ancient stones. My prayer ...

Date: 26th July 2026 Dear Kapish, This morning, we were invited by one of our DSR residents, Amitesh Sharma (Flat 4134), to visit his home and explore his family's impressive collection of books. Amitesh and his son, Aarav, are both voracious readers, and their home library is a treasure trove of books for readers of all ages. It was wonderful interacting with them, and I came away having learnt a few new things myself. Amitesh highly recommended "The Devotion of Suspect X," a book that has now found its way onto my reading list. I also discovered that Satyajit Ray, besides creating the legendary Byomkesh Bakshi, wrote an entire series of detective stories featuring the famous sleuth Feluda —something I had somehow never explored before. But while I enjoyed browsing their collection, the real purpose of our visit was all yours. Ever since you started Grade 2, your Home Room Facilitator, Ms. Swapna , who also teaches you English, has been encouraging the class to r...

Date: 19th July 2026 Dear Kapish, It's been a month now since you started your gymnastics classes, and I am happy to say that your progress has been both steady and encouraging Over the past few weeks, you have learnt several new techniques, including front and back rolls—which, by the way, you seem to enjoy practicing on our bed at home whenever you get the chance! But if there is one metric that your gymnastics teacher has consistently used to measure your progress, it has been the handstand In my previous blog, I had mentioned that you had improved from holding a handstand for 38 seconds to 55 seconds in just a few weeks Well, today you set a new personal best -  1 minute and 15 seconds! That is an incredible improvement in such a short span of time You were, however, a little disappointed because Khushi managed to beat you by just five seconds. I actually like seeing that competitive spirit in you. It pushes you to work a little harder every time. At the same time, I hop...

Date: 4th July 2026 Dear Kapish, This morning, we received the confirmation that you have officially been assigned to Class 2A for the new academic year. Along with your new class, your Tribe has also changed—from Hope to Empathy . Later in the day, we attended the orientation session and had the opportunity to meet your new Home Room Facilitator, Ms. Swapna Gurung . She came across as warm, encouraging, and someone from whom I'm sure you'll learn a great deal over the coming year There was one thing she said during the session that has stayed with you ever since  - "Year 2 is a magical year." We also got to know who your classmates will be this year. It was nice to see a few familiar faces from Year 1B—Aarjohi, Trishika, and Shivani. At the same time, there were many new classmates whom you'll soon get to know, learn with, and hopefully become good friends with Every new academic year brings with it new teachers, new friendships, new challenges, and countless n...

Date: 28th June 2026 Dear Kapish, One of the observations in your Year 1 report was that you were able to grasp Spanish concepts quickly. The only thing your teachers felt was missing was regular practice, which would help you become more confident and proficient in the language Now, choosing Spanish as your second language was something I had advocated for quite strongly Hindi as a second language was always important to us, but we believed that, as a family, we could help you become fluent in it over time. French was the other option available, but I felt it wasn't quite as relevant as it once used to be. Spanish, on the other hand, is spoken across a large part of the Americas. I couldn't help but imagine the possibilities that knowing the language could open up for you one day—whether it be studying abroad, traveling through countries less explored, or simply connecting with people and cultures that would otherwise remain unfamiliar Of course, all of that depends on whether...

Date: 21st June 2026 Dear Kapish, Today happens to be both Father's Day and International Yoga Day, and so Mumma suggested that we head downstairs after your gymnastics class and click a few pictures in some yoga poses She also came up with a rather nice tagline for the occasion: "The Day of Balance." It felt especially appropriate because balance lies at the heart of both yoga and fatherhood. One teaches you how to stay steady on the mat, while the other teaches you how to stay grounded through life's many ups and downs. Now, the world may tell us that this is our 7th official Father's Day together, but in my heart, every single day since the day you were born has been special. And even today, whenever the opportunity presents itself, we still find ourselves cuddled up together in a pose very similar to the one below Some things change with time. Some things don't. And I hope this bond is one of those things that never does. Lots of love to this special relat...

Date: 10th June 2026 Dear Kapish, I believe you were around 4 years old when, one evening in the play area, you saw a girl perform a perfect cartwheel on the grass. You were completely fascinated by it. The moment we got home, you started trying to do the same thing yourself, practicing little flips and tumbles on the bed whenever you got the chance. That was when I first thought that, someday, it might be a good idea to enroll you in a gymnastics class. Not necessarily because I wanted you to become a gymnast, but because guided training would help you develop your strength, balance, and flexibility in the right way. Fast forward to this month, and I discovered that gymnastics classes were still being conducted in our society every weekend. We decided to give it a try and see whether it would contribute positively to your overall development It has been about two weeks now, and I must say that you have made impressive progress. You are already attempting front and back rolls, practici...

 Date: 10th June 2026 Dear Kapish, This morning, we were watching a video of an influencer family you love to follow, featuring little Samayra Narula. In the video, Samayra received a toy laptop for her birthday, and after watching it, you immediately asked for one too. When we asked why you needed a laptop, your answer came without hesitation: "For my restaurant!" Mumma then reminded us that you had made a very similar request when you were much younger. It was delightful to see that, even after all this time, the idea of having your own toy laptop still held a special place in your imagination. But getting one right away wasn't possible, and you were determined to have something immediately. That's when your creativity took over. You quickly asked me for a sheet of paper and, within minutes, designed and built your very own mini laptop Not only that, you proudly attached your restaurant's name to it and got straight to work. Soon, I found myself as your customer...

Date: 3rd June 2026 Dear Kapish, Today, we welcomed home our brand-new car — the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L . All three of us went to the showroom to bring her home, and we've finally named her "Krishna" — after the beautiful white stallion associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj . While I had been thinking about changing my car for some time—after nearly 11 wonderful years with our Honda City —the real inspiration behind choosing a white SUV came from an unexpected source - You! One day, you gave me a handmade model car crafted from simple stationery and craft materials and suggested that I keep it on my desk. At the time, it seemed like a thoughtful little gift. Looking back, it turned out to be much more than that That model car is still sitting on my desk today, and in many ways, it was the seed that planted the idea of what our next car would be. Long before I knew it, that little creation had already pointed me toward Krishna. We've made countless memories in...

Date: 23rd May 2026  Dear Kapish, Today was the final Open Day of Year 1, and you received a wonderful report card to cap off what has truly been a fantastic first year at school. You have done very well in Mathematics, English, Science, and Global Perspectives. As expected, there is still some room to grow in Art, Pottery, and Physical Education — and we know you will continue improving there too. Overall, your teachers, Ms. Sangita and Ms. Mitali, had only lovely things to say about you. They mentioned that you have worked hard, performed well, and will continue to do well as you move ahead in your educational journey. While we did receive your Assessment Report, the real highlight of the day was your very first class photograph from Valistus — Year Group 1-B. Your pose in the photograph certainly deserves praise, but more importantly, we know that many years from now, you will look back at this picture and remember the special friendships and beautiful bonds you built in your cl...

Date: 20th May 2026 Dear Kapish, Yesterday, with heavy hearts, we said goodbye to our beloved Honda City — fondly named Shadowfax , inspired by the legendary horse of Gandalf the White from The Lord of the Rings For nearly 11 years, this car was more than just a vehicle to us. It carried our family through countless journeys filled with comfort, adventure, laughter, and unforgettable memories with loved ones and friends. It was also the car in which we brought you home from the hospital for the very first time. And for three wonderful years, it faithfully took you to your Montessori at Kinfolk every single day. Over the years, Shadowfax became a part of our family story — something you beautifully reminded me of this morning when you sat beside me and said, "Aww, Dadoo, I miss our Honda!" Soon, we’ll welcome a brand-new car and create many more adventures together. But Shadowfax will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Cheers, Dadoo 

Date: 16th May 2026 Dear Kapish, Today marks the official beginning of your Summer Vacation for 2026. With this, your Year-1 journey has officially come to an end. Unlike many other schools that conduct exams or assessments, at Valistus you had the Student-Led Conference (SLC), where you reflected on everything you learned during the year and confidently presented it to your parents. Overall, you did a wonderful job and completed your first year with meaningful learning and growth. We are very proud of the progress you have made. At the same time, there are a few areas that we can continue to work on together: Improving your attention span and keeping distractions away Spending a little more time strengthening your Spanish skills Apart from these, you presented everything beautifully, and there were two special highlights that truly stood out for us: The way you explained different parts of grammar, especially adverbs The excitement of seeing and understanding a real electrical...

Date: 30th April 2026 Dear Kapish, You called me this evening, saying that you had worked on something special and wrote a story all by yourself. I asked you to read it out to me and you did that as well and while it was overall a good story, it did carry a very nice ending - something which you truly believe in! I hope you write much more and get better at both the stories and the handwriting :) Cheers, Dadoo