Day 4 of teaching practise

 Day 5 began with the start of a new week, a lazy Monday morning when you simply don’t feel like stepping out after a short weekend. As I stepped outside, I was greeted not by the freshness of a new day but by a thick blanket of smog hanging low in the air. It stung my eyes and made it slightly difficult to breathe. The once-clear morning sky now looked dull and lifeless, as if covered in a grey filter.

Because of the rising pollution levels, the outdoor assembly was cancelled, and we had to gather indoors instead. It felt strange not to stand in the open ground like we usually do, but at the same time, it was a relief to be in a safer environment. During the assembly, the thought for the day was a quote by Jawaharlal Nehru:

“Failure comes only when we forget our ideals, objectives, and principles.” 

The quote stayed with me for a while. It reminded me that true success isn’t measured by fame or achievements, but by the integrity behind them. A person might appear successful to the world, but if that success comes through dishonest means, then it is nothing more than a hidden failure. This message felt especially powerful to start the week with a reminder to stay grounded in values even when the world seems to rush past them.

As the day went on, time moved faster than I expected. The classes went smoothly, and despite the dull weather, there was a quiet sense of peace in the air. It could be because the indoor setting made everything feel more focused and calm. Students seemed as usual, without having the effect of Monday mood that follows after the weekend's freedom.

The environment surely causes a negative effect on people. It’s concerning how each year the situation seems to get worse around this time. The sunlight barely filters through, and the city looks as though it’s lost its brightness under a smoky haze.

Still, there’s always hope, hope that things will get better with time and awareness. Small steps like reducing firecrackers, using public transport, or planting more trees might seem insignificant individually, but together they can bring change.

By the end of the day, even though my eyes still felt irritated and my throat a bit dry, I felt grateful, grateful for health, for shelter, and for another day to experience and learn. As I packed up to head home, I silently wished for clearer skies and cleaner air in the days ahead.