Not Just Surviving — Soaring

 Cancer forced me to discover parts of myself I never knew existed.At first, I was simply trying to survive—trying to care for my special needs daughter while fighting for my own life at the same time. There were days I felt broken by fear, responsibility, exhaustion, and uncertainty.But somewhere along the journey from the nest to the sky, something changed.I stopped waiting for someone else to rescue me.The woman who once quietly depended on others slowly became the woman others depended on.As I learned to fly, I wasn’t flying alone—I was carrying my children with me.

Every small step I took toward strength became a safer ground for them to stand on. Every time I rebuilt myself, I was also building security, stability, and hope for my family.And over time, the same woman who once questioned her own strength began helping other women discover theirs.I found myself encouraging women to study again, work again, believe in themselves again. To stop shrinking their dreams. To stop believing they must remain trapped in unhappy nests simply because they had forgotten they were born with wings too.

My preschool became more than a workplace—it became a space built on compassion, inclusion, independence, and acceptance. A place where children felt seen, and where mothers often left feeling a little stronger too.Looking back now, I realise something beautiful:

Cancer did not merely teach me how to survive.

It taught me how to rise.

And once I discovered my wings, I spent the rest of my life helping others believe in theirs. 

Die or Dye? The Confusion That Motivated Me!

 There’s an old story about a group of frogs climbing a tall tower in the middle of a forest. Apparently, frogs are very ambitious creatures. As the frogs began climbing, crowds gathered below to watch. But instead of cheering, the audience behaved exactly like social media comment sections in human form.

“You’ll never make it!”
“That tower is impossible!”
“Turn back before you fall!”

One by one, the frogs started listening. Some fell down and died. Some got injured. And one by one, they gave up. Except for one little frog. This frog kept climbing. No matter how loud the crowd became, no matter how impossible the climb looked, the frog just kept going. Slowly. Steadily. Determined. And finally… against all odds… it reached the top. The other frogs were shocked. 

“How did you do it?” they asked. 

That’s when they discovered the truth:

The frog was deaf. 

It had no idea everyone was discouraging it. The poor thing thought they were cheering. 😄

Honestly, I think I may have been that frog.When I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer at 29, people suddenly became experts on my future.

Some spoke in whispers.
Some spoke in statistics.
Some spoke in sympathy so dramatic you’d think they were auditioning for a tragic television serial.

And then there were the people who discussed death right in front of me.

“Oh, even people with the best treatment don’t survive cancer sometimes…”
“I knew someone who had exactly this…”
“It’s very difficult…”

Thank you, motivational committee. ❤️

But somewhere between chemotherapy, surgeries, fear, and survival mode, I think my brain accidentally became selective in what it heard. Because while people kept saying “die, die,” I apparently heard “dye, dye.” 💇‍♀️

So I carried on.

Then chemotherapy took away every strand of my hair.

And I remember looking at my bald head thinking,
“Well… this is awkward. How exactly am I supposed to dye THIS?” 😄

But life, thankfully, had other plans. The hair came back. Dark. Thick. Completely black. Of course it did—I was only 29. So I made a decision. I would wait. One day, when life gave me grey hair, I would dye it. And that became my tiny, silly, secret promise to myself:

Live long enough to complain about grey hair.

Years passed.

I survived.

But more importantly, I lived.Somewhere along the way, I stopped merely surviving cancer and started fully living life.

And one day, many years later, I stood in front of a mirror with hair dye in my hand and realised something beautiful:

I had become the deaf frog.

The world may have expected me to stop climbing long ago.

But I kept going because somewhere deep inside, I chose hope over noise. I did not stop after reaching the tower. 

I studied further.
I worked and built a career.
I rebuilt my confidence.
I became emotionally and financially independent.
I started a preschool filled with children, laughter, noise, crayons, chaos, and joy.

And moreover, just like that frog reaching the top of the tower…I lived long enough to dye my hair. ❤️

Cancer at 29. Driving license at 59!

 

Cancer at 29. Driving license at 59.

That says a lot about life.

At 29, I was fighting Stage 3 breast cancer, sitting in hospital corridors wondering if I would even have a future. People spoke about cancer like it was the end. Some even spoke right in front of me about those who had “everything” and still didn’t survive.But somewhere deep inside, I decided cancer may visit my life… but it would never own it.

So I kept going.

I studied again.
I worked.

I rebuilt myself.
I learned to put myself on my own priority list for the very first time.

And at 59, I finally got my driving license, sat behind the wheel of my Windsor, and drove into a life I once thought I might never get to live.

Life tried to stop me at 29.
I hit the accelerator at 59. ❤️

The Day That Changed Everything.

 28th April. The Day That Changed Everything.

30 years ago, on this very day in 1996, I walked into an operation theatre… not knowing what my life would look like on the other side. I woke up that morning with two breasts… and went back to bed with one— losing a part of my body to cancer at just 29.There are some days that divide your life forever. This was mine. Before that morning, I believed life would go on as planned.
After that morning, I understood how fragile, unpredictable—and incredibly precious—life really is. I won’t pretend I was fearless.
I was afraid. Afraid of the pain. Afraid of the unknown. Afraid of whether I would even have a future to return to. But I walked in anyway. Because sometimes courage doesn’t look like strength. Sometimes it simply looks like taking the next step… even when you’re terrified. That surgery didn’t just remove a tumour. It removed the illusion that I had all the time in the world. And in its place, it gave me something far more powerful— a second chance at life. A chance I didn’t waste. Over the years, I didn’t just survive… I rebuilt. I grew.
And today marks something deeply meaningful— from this day onward, I will have spent more years after my diagnosis than before it. Life after that day was never the same. But here’s the truth no one tells you—It got better.
So today, I don’t look back at 28th April with fear. I look at it with gratitude. Because that was the day my life didn’t end… It began again. And 30 years later, I’m still here. Still living. Still choosing joy. Still proving that this story was never cancer’s to write. It was always mine. ❤️
#30YearsStrong #CancerSurvivor #BreastCancerSurvivor #LifeAfterCancer #CancerWarrior
#StrongerThanCancer #SurvivorStory

30 Years Later… And Cancer Still Regrets Choosing Me

 This 28th April, I celebrate 30 years of outliving Stage 3 breast cancer.

Or as I like to say—30 years of cancer regretting its life choices.

I often think back to that version of me… standing at the edge of fear, staring into the unknown.
Back then, cancer felt like a full stop.
A word that silenced rooms.
A diagnosis that made people look at me differently—sometimes with pity, sometimes with quiet doubt.And sometimes, not so quietly.

I heard the whispers.

I heard people speak—right in front of me—about how even those who could afford the best treatment didn’t survive.
As if my story had already been written.
As if the ending was decided.

But what they didn’t see… was the battle within.

The long, exhausting days.
The nights filled with questions.
The moments where strength didn’t feel heroic—it felt like survival in its rawest form.
The times I had to dig deep… deeper than I ever had before… just to find one more reason, one more ounce of strength to keep going.

And somewhere in that fight, something shifted.

I stopped just trying to survive… and slowly started choosing to live.

That’s the thing about struggles like this—
they don’t just test you, they transform you.

Life after cancer was never the same.
But not in the way people feared.

It became fuller.
More intentional.
More honest.

I began to laugh a little louder—because I knew what silence felt like.
I loved a little deeper—because I understood how fragile time can be.
I started living more consciously—because every single day felt like a gift I had fought hard for.

Cancer tried to take away my life.
Instead, it gave me a new way to live it.

So when I say I’ve spent 30 years outliving cancer, I don’t just mean time.
I mean reclaiming joy.
I mean rediscovering purpose.
I mean standing tall, stomping on every doubt, every fear—just like that little crab beneath my feet—and saying, “I’m still here.”

And if you are in the middle of your own battle right now—whatever it may be—
please remember this:

This is not the end of your story.

Hold on.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when it feels unfair.
Even when others have already made up their minds about how your story should go.

Because there is a beautiful life waiting for you on the other side of this.

Stronger.
Deeper.
More meaningful than you can imagine right now.

Trust me…
I’ve been living it for 30 years. ❤️

NIPUN BHARAT Numeracy Roadmap

An interactive guide to the Foundational Numeracy goals from Balvatika to Grade 3, as outlined in the NIPUN BHARAT mission. Explore the key competencies and their progression across different grades.

Grades at a Glance

Select a grade to see the detailed learning outcomes.

Key Learning Outcomes: Select a Grade

Click on a grade from the left to view its learning outcomes here.

Progress and Complexity

This chart shows the number of key learning competencies to be achieved at each grade level, providing a visual overview of the curriculum's progression.

Skill Progression Tree

Click on any learning outcome to see its connection to other skills. This interactive tree shows the prerequisites and where this skill leads in the learning journey.

Please select a learning outcome from the list above to view its progression.

 

The NIPUN BHARAT Learning Journey

Visualizing the progression of foundational skills from Preschool to Class 3, building a strong base for every child's future.

Goal 1: Good Health & Well-Being

This goal focuses on the holistic development of a child, from physical growth and motor skills to self-awareness and healthy habits.

Progression of Gross Motor Skills

Physical coordination and strength build progressively, enabling participation in more complex games and activities.

🏃

Preschool 1

Performs basic movements like walking, running, and jumping.

🤸

Preschool 3

Engages in activities requiring strength and agility, like climbing.

⚽

Class 3

Masters complex activities and structured sports like football.

Progression of Fine Motor Skills

From simple manipulation of objects to fluent handwriting, fine motor skills are crucial for academic and daily tasks.

🧱

Preschool 1

Manipulates objects with fingers, like stacking blocks.

✂️

Preschool 3

Shows dexterity in tasks like cutting with scissors.

✍️

Class 3

Writes fluently and neatly in short paragraphs.

Goal 2: Effective Communication

This goal traces the development of literacy skills, from listening and speaking to reading with comprehension and writing to express ideas.

Growth in Communication Skills

This chart visualizes the increasing complexity of language, reading, and writing abilities as children progress through foundational years.

Goal 3: Involved Learners

This goal focuses on cognitive development, including numeracy, logical reasoning, and connecting with the surrounding environment.

Exponential Growth in Numeracy

The ability to understand and work with numbers grows dramatically, from counting small objects to handling numbers up to 999.

Profile of an Involved Learner (Class 3)

By Class 3, a child has developed a balanced set of cognitive skills, enabling them to analyze data, understand shapes, and apply mathematical concepts.

This infographic visualizes the Foundational Learning Outcomes outlined in the NIPUN BHARAT mission by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Cocoon Care: Gentle, Organic Baby Products Every Parent Can Trust

Running a preschool and daycare, My Giggle Garden, has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Every day I meet little ones full of energy, curiosity, and joy. But as much as children love to explore, their delicate skin often becomes prone to rashes and irritation, especially when exposed to synthetic fabrics.

Over the years, I’ve noticed how some clothes — though stylish, colorful, or even expensive — leave behind red marks on children’s skin. These rashes not only cause discomfort but also take time to heal, often leaving children cranky, restless, and unable to enjoy their favorite activities. This constant concern kept me searching for safer, baby-friendly alternatives.

An Incident That Changed My Perspective

I still remember one particular Montessori session that opened my eyes to the importance of clothing.

A little boy in my class loved sorting activities — it was his favorite. But one day, he couldn’t concentrate at all. He kept wriggling, scratching his back, and looked visibly upset. At first, I assumed he was distracted, but soon I realized he was in real discomfort.

His mother later told me that it wasn’t the first time this had happened. Each time he wore that particular shirt — his new, fancy birthday outfit — his skin flared up. Sadly, despite being expensive and special, the outfit had to be discarded.

That day convinced me that children need more than just cute clothing — they need gentle, natural fabrics that respect their delicate skin.

Why Baby Skin Needs Extra Care

Baby skin is not just “smaller” adult skin — it is far more fragile and sensitive:

• Thinner skin barrier – Baby skin is 20–30% thinner than adult skin, which makes it quick to react to harsh fabrics.

• Less natural oil – Babies produce less sebum, so their skin dries out easily.

• Immature protective layer – Their acid mantle (the skin’s defense system) takes about 2 years to mature.

• Higher absorption – Baby skin absorbs chemicals and dyes faster, making synthetic fabrics riskier.

This is why choosing baby clothing and accessories carefully is not just about comfort — it’s about protecting health and well-being.

Discovering Cocoon Care

In my search for safe, baby-friendly products, I came across Cocoon Care, a brand that genuinely understands the needs of little ones.

What I love most is their focus on bamboo-based fabrics — a material that is naturally breathable, soft, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly. Unlike synthetic fabrics, bamboo adjusts to body temperature, wicks away moisture, and stays gentle on sensitive skin.

Cocoon Care combines this with thoughtful designs, giving parents the assurance that their child is wrapped in comfort, care, and sustainability.

Products I Tried and Loved

Here are two products that truly stood out for me at My Giggle Garden:

🌿 The Wrap Blanket – A lightweight, breathable blanket with nature-inspired prints. Perfect for naptime, it keeps babies warm without overheating. Its airy weave ensures comfort even in warmer climates, making it an all-season essential.

👶 The Baby Jumper Suit – Crafted from ultra-soft bamboo fabric, this jumper is stretchable, gentle, and thoughtfully designed for everyday play. It moves with the child, ensuring freedom during crawling, running, and exploring. The fabric feels buttery-soft on the skin and helps prevent irritation even after long wear.

Both of these felt like a breath of fresh air compared to synthetic alternatives. What impressed me most is that Cocoon Care products are not only functional but also beautifully made, with prints and designs that parents love too.

Why Parents Trust Cocoon Care

• Organic & Sustainable – Made from bamboo, a renewable and eco-friendly resource.

• Hypoallergenic – Free from harsh dyes, chemicals, and irritants.

• Breathable Comfort – Keeps skin cool and dry, reducing the risk of rashes.

• Parent-Friendly Designs – Easy to wash, durable, and long-lasting.

As an educator and caregiver, I’ve seen firsthand how comfort impacts a child’s mood and learning. Cocoon Care products make a real difference by ensuring children feel free, happy, and safe in what they wear.

Final Thoughts

Choosing baby essentials goes beyond style — it’s about ensuring every fabric that touches their skin is safe and nurturing. For me, Cocoon Care stands out as a brand that truly blends comfort, sustainability, and love in every product.

If you’re looking for trusted, organic baby products that care for your little one as much as you do, Cocoon Care is a name you’ll be glad to welcome into your home.

Happy Birthday Rayyan

 Never Prouder Than When I Say, “I Am Your Mom”

From the very first smile that lit up my days,

To the gentle wisdom in your quiet ways,

You’ve shown me love that needs no song,

For in your silence, I’ve felt strong.

You never chase crowds, nor seek the loud cheer,

Yet hearts turn softer when you are near.

Compassion shines in the things you’ve done,

A thousand rays, all from one son.

Your respect for life, both great and small,

Your calm presence that comforts all—

These are treasures no world can buy,

They lift me always, they teach me why.

I may achieve, I may endure, I may become,

But nothing compares to being your mom.

Of every name that I’m blessed to own,

None makes me prouder than saying: You are my son!

 

Happy Birthday Rayyan

 

Dear Rayyan,

On this special day, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible person you are and the joy you bring to everyone around you. From the day you were born on August 20th, 1991, you’ve been a source of light, love, and peace in my life and in the lives of many others.

Watching you grow into the person you are today fills my heart with immense pride. Your ability to be loved simply for being yourself is a rare and beautiful gift. You’ve never needed to impress anyone, yet you’ve won the hearts of so many—your family, in-laws, friends, and now, your wife’s friends too.

What I admire most about you, Rayyan, is your deep respect for all living beings. From a young age, you’ve always shown compassion, never wanting to disturb or hurt anyone, whether human, animal, plant, or even the smallest insect. This gentle kindness has always amazed me and continues to inspire those who know you.

In a world often filled with chaos and noise, you bring calmness and tranquility. You avoid creating sadness, pain, or anger around you, and for that, I am endlessly grateful and proud. You are a beacon of peace in a world that needs more people like you.

On your birthday, I wish you endless happiness, peace, and love, just as you’ve given to so many. May you continue to live your life with the same simplicity and grace that make you so special.

Love you more with each passing year.