23 March 2026 – On the last day of this academic year, Tyros Primary School chose to do something unusual. Instead of a traditional graduation ceremony, the spotlight shifted to a group of people who are often overlooked, yet deeply woven into the fabric of everyday school life — the drivers, cleaning staff, and assistants. The familiar chetans and chechis who ensure that the children arrive safely, learn in clean spaces, and move through their days with ease.
Each one of them was invited and honoured with bouquets.
What followed was something no scripted ceremony could have achieved. They spoke about their work and their hopes. One of them even sang, filling the room with warmth and joy. It was a surreal moment—one that reminded everyone present of the extraordinary value of people.
Teachers and the management were also honoured in a meaningful and culturally rooted way — through dakshina. Traditionally, dakshina is an offering made by a student to a teacher as a gesture of respect, humility, and gratitude. It is not about the material value of the gift, but the symbolic act of acknowledging the role of the teacher as a guide and a giver of knowledge. By practising this, students experienced a living tradition, one that reinforces reverence for learning and those who impart it.
In a touching moment, the first primary batch of Tyros presented a gift to our founder, Shini Mathoor. It was an artwork — a painting that imagined Tyros as a simple school nestled amidst greenery, where a mother and child walk in together. The imagery was quiet yet powerful, reflecting not just a physical space, but a feeling of belonging that is unique to Tyros.
At its heart, the day was about gratitude. It teaches children to notice the person who opens the gate, the hands that clean their classrooms, the driver who ensures their safe journey. These seemingly small acts form the foundation of their daily experience.
Gratitude is far more than a polite “thank you.” It is a way of seeing the world. Research from Harvard University, particularly through Harvard Health Publishing, highlights that practising gratitude can improve emotional well-being, reduce stress, and foster a deeper sense of happiness.
It also nurtures contentment. In a world that constantly pushes for more, gratitude gently reminds us of what we already have. And when expressed, it creates a ripple effect. The one who gives thanks feels uplifted, and the one who receives it feels truly seen.
