Dear Mrs Sengupta,

I remember the evening of 2nd August 2011 when I took the bus to Vidya Valley School to attend the inauguration of the new Karate Dojo without any intentions of joining it. In fact, I almost cancelled attending the ceremony because I felt I was too tired to go anywhere. I have my daughters to thank for pushing me out of the house that evening, for I was about to miss the wonderful opportunity that you had offered in the form of the Dojo!

I have been training in the Dojo under Shihan Haridas Govind's able guidance and I have gained a lot as a person: in terms of fitness, confidence, fun, new friends and now, a Yellow Belt! Every session has been immensely enjoyable. The beauty of the Vidya Valley campus has given our training an unmatched, magical backdrop. The coldest Saturday mornings of this winter have not seemed cold enough to miss the 7 a.m. bus to the morning Karate session!

Thank you, Mrs Sengupta, for having us train in the Vidya Valley Dojo. Thank you, Vidya Valley, for making us feel at home! Mrs Sengupta, you were a great inspiration in the Dojo. We miss having you there!

Vivek Sir and Manishi Sir, your spirit and determination keeps us motivated. Thank you also for looking after all our needs: drinking water, clean changing areas, clean Dojo mats and above all, the transport system. You have always arranged a bus for us in any weather, any day of the week, whatever the time and whatever your other transport commitments may have been.

A big 'Thank you' to the Bus Kakas for foregoing their 'off-time'  for us. We appreciate the welcoming smiles and helpfulness of all the school staff.

I know this sounds like a Thank You speech written by a Class 10 student passing out of school. The difference is, we (the Dojo students) have no intentions of passing out of the Vidya Valley Dojo! We will keep coming to train there regularly, refill our cups of fun and fill the campus air with our 'Kiai's'!

With many thanks and fond regards,

Ashwini Marathe