Sipra Shah has been active with Shishu Bharati for more than 34 years. She taught language and cultural classes for five years, and has held the position of principal for the last 30-plus years.  

 

Ms. Shah holds a B.Sc. and Bachelor of Teacher's Training degree (BT) from Calcutta University and a M.Ed. from Henderson University, Arkansas. Before coming to the United States, she taught geography and English to higher secondary school children in Calcutta and Ahmedabad.   She was awarded the India New England lifetime achievement award.  

I have been active with Shishu Bharati for more than 34 years. I taught Language and Cultural classes for first four years and have held the position of principal for thirty years. In that role as principal of Shishu Bharati, I have helped to grow the school from a class of 25 to 430 plus students at Lexington. All three schools combined we have under 900 students in Shishu Bharati. With the help many dedicated teachers we spearheaded the development of six languages, history and culture curricula in Shishu Bharati for multiple grades.  Most importantly, we worked with many volunteers who generously devoted their time to be teachers and administrators for the school.  It is this devoted group of teachers, volunteers, and administrators are the reason for the success of Shishu Bharati.

 I hold a B.Sc. and Bachelor of Teacher’s Training degree (BT) from Calcutta University and a M.Ed. from Henderson University, Arkansas.  Before coming to the United States, I taught geography and English to higher secondary school children in Calcutta and Ahmadabad.   As I watched my own children grow up in the United States, I became a firm believer in exposing children of Indian heritage and others to Indian cultures and languages. We take especial pride in Shishu Bharati’s role in the community and its impact on hundreds (now approaching 900) of children as they go through higher education and discover their own place in the U.S. with a clear sense of their proud heritage.  Working with children and parents in Shishu Bharati has been a profound rewarding experience for me and I am happy to report that I sill maintain contact with many of the” graduates” of Shishu Bharati. 

I have lived in Andover, MA with my husband for the last 35 years.  We have two children and three grandchildren.

 

I did not start Shishu Bharati when I joined them in 1981, but was involved when my children started attending the school. 

 Shishu Bharati’s success can be attributed to our strong sense of mission of acting in the best interests of children. This has made it possible for us to overcome personal egos and agendas. As a result, this school has been able to maintain its mission for last 35 years with new volunteers, and has been able to expand. 

On a basic level, it is the idea that your children will learn and gain some knowledge about India and may be able to communicate with grand parents and other relatives who live in India or do not speak English. 

At a deeper level, it gives children a sense of identity and confidence that incorporates the best values of both countries. 

What advice would you offer for young Indian American parents as they try to raise children balancing the two cultures important to them? 

This is a very good question and very pertinent because I see my grandchildren growing up in areas without schools like Shishu Bharati.

We know melting pot theory says that after third generation, there is no noticeable difference between immigrant families and the general population. Even though this may be inevitable there are two very good reasons why young parents should send their children to Shishu Bharati.

1) Learning about Indian culture and language will make it possible for them to maintain contact with India and any benefits that might accrue for an additional generation and a sense of belongingness. This might allow them to continue to maintain connection with extended family in the future.

2) In a global economy, the knowledge of Indian culture and language may be very desirable.

I am just happy to be doing this and in a very selfish way, it gives me immense pleasure. 

What advice would you give to women who are trying to establish a new institution? 

For many of us, men and women of Indian descent, have an opportunity to contribute to the Indian community that might have impact on their loved ones as we take advantage of next best career. 

Shishu Bharati has a well-developed curriculum and procedures to start a new school in your own neighborhood in New England and beyond. I am sure that Shishu Bharati will be a willing partner in that development.

I came to the US during the Vietnam War. I have been deeply influenced by watching the civil rights movement in the United States and the Bangladesh freedom movement. 

I always had an active extended family that lived with us. Our children growing up in the United States with the privilege of living with uncle and aunts in the same household. Our children learned to share in a new way, even giving up their own ways for relatives for an extended period of time. Learning to care for simple needs of elders and respect was very important lesson for them.

Managing a large household with an extended family at the time my husband was in a start-up firm was a unique experience.

Working and learning to work with a diverse group of parents, teachers, volunteers and directors at Shishu Bharati has also been a great honor for me. 

Work/life balance is an individual issue. For me right balance is achieved when you have a strong element of community service and personal happiness. 

For me, it was unconditional love guided by strong sense of fairness, sharing, accountability and respect applied to children, parents and family.

 

I admire many ordinary men and women who spend their “ordinary life” to raise their family in very challenging situation and still are able to maintain smile on their face. I listened to my grand mother how she put her expensive sarees in fire and started wearing simple white saree to answer the call of Mahatma Gandhi. I am amazed when I read about our freedom fighters that gave years of their life for the freedom of India.

 

In general I am a happy person and like to be with friends and family. I am secure in my own way and try to help women in our society where many of them have no voice of their own.  All women must remember how one can make others stronger.

I like to read social and political articles, my day is not done till I read local and national newspapers. I read on Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi. I try to read some of the contemporary writers.  I try to keep up with the world events and also with politics.

I love music, vocal and instrumental both. I learnt some vocal music and sitar during my younger years. I listened to classical music, Rabindra Sangeet and also some popular music too.

 

I am still learning, don’t have much wisdom yet!!  Be true to yourself.