JNV- More than just a School

My Experience of JNV

Everyone's Journey Starts from some place and ends at some place. But, the most important and beautiful part is that time in between. In this Blog I want to write about the place where I had lot fun, from where I got lots of experience, the place that taught me many things, the place that made me who I am right now, I want to write about those amazing 7 years (2015-2022) I spent in JNV Dantiwada. 

This all started in 2014 when one day my father came home and asked me that, “Do you want to give Navodaya entrance exam? ” I replied, “What will come in the question paper? "

Since the beginning I was very fond of reasoning type of questions, those questions with figures where you have to find incorrect one or next one in sequence something like that. I got to know that, there will be reasoning questions, maths questions, G.K. and Gujarati language questions. So, I said yes to my father. So, at that time what  I knew about Navodaya was that it is a school with hostel, where you go to study away from your parents and home. But I was not thinking anything about that I was just happy because I will get to give the exam. My father brought 3 books for me to practice for exam - one for Reasoning, Maths and Language each. Now, when I think about that time I really used to like those questions because I completed the Reasoning book in 3-4 days and the Maths' book in a week. Then the exam date came  and I did great. And after a while result came and I got selected. But , right now was the toughest part , time to send your 10 years old kid to hostel far from you. At first my mom didn't wanted me to go but at that time she understood that this will be good for me and decided to enrolled me in JNV. If I talk about myself I was little nervous but seeing encouragement and support of my parents that nervousness flew away. 

Visiting for the first time

Then ,I remember in May 2015 for the first time my father, my mother and I went to Dantiwada to attend the meeting to understand all the formalities, to know which things to bring when they come to drop me and we saw the whole campus for the first time and seeing that campus I don't know why I felt like comfort even at that time. Then the time came, it was was 24th of July ,2015 when we again went there but this time to drop me there and leave without me so that I can start my new journey. I remember entering through the main gate then parking the car there and walking for the first time on the road that leads to the main building. I can still clear see that moment,My father had my bag on his shoulder, my uncle and father was carrying my trunk in their hands, my mother holding the steel dabba that carried my snakes and I with my bucket. From this walk my Navodaya journey began, the journey that didn't know will bring so much so joy, experience , challenges and many life lessons. 

Everyday Life

Then the routine began, waking up at 5.30 a. M. for the morning P.T. then breakfast, then assembly, then classes, lunch, rest time, remedial, games time, study time, dinner, house meeting that used to conclude the 17th and the last roll call of the day and finally the bed time. This was our routine for everyday except sunday. This routine I believe brought discipline and time management in my life. 

I was in Shivalik (Red) House and A section in class. Being in hostel teaches you many things such as adjusting, doing all your work by yourself etc.. This was the place where you live with your classmates and seniors. This was the place where you made your friends and used to spend most of your time when you are not in the class. You do your homework, you study, you eat , you play you do everything with your friends. 

Time was passing, I was making new friends and new relations, I was making the existing bonds even more strong, I was studying to make my family proud, I was studying to so I can become a good person and a person who knows the worth and respects the opportunities he got. 

When you come for the first time to the Navodaya and start living there you might face difficulties to adjust but, personally I thank God that I didn't  face much difficulties during the whole time I was there. Many including sometimes myself also wanted this to finish and just go home but as you spend you time there you don't want to leave that place that had become your home in some sense. 

JNV is the place that gave me the teachers that inspired me and brought positive changes in me, this is the place where I made brothers for lifetime, this is the place from where I got so much experience and learning. 

You go to Navodaya  as a new comer , as a junior who is afraid because he is away from the home for the first time and leave the place after a 7 years as senior having so much experience , learnings and so many life lessons. You are ready to face the life ahead of you with all the memories, values and teaching you inculcated in your stay. 

Leaving my home

You get outside of the main gate and look at that gate while leaving the school or say your home🏠❤ where you lived for 7 years. And read what was written on the gate the whole time, “Come to Learn, Go to Serve” Now you really understand what that meant. It was school saying you goodbye, school saying that , “You came here to learn and we taught you many things including study, values, patriotism, sportsmanship, relationship and you made many bonds. But now it is Your turn to go and serve the Nation, to serve the people of your nation and make yourself, your parents, your school, your friends, your teachers and your country proud.”