What the Heavy Rains Taught Me About the GGIS Team
Last Thursday, Ahmedabad witnessed some of the heaviest rains we have seen in years. Roads disappeared under water, traffic came to a standstill, and our student dispersal stretched far beyond what anyone could have anticipated. Parents were anxious, children were waiting, and for a few hours, the city seemed to slow down.
But amidst all that uncertainty, I saw something that reminded me why I feel so privileged to lead this school.
watched one of our Operational Leaders spend well over an hour at the gates, barefoot and drenched from head to toe, carrying children across waterlogged patches, comforting little ones, and making sure every learner reached a safe, dry place before their parents even arrived. It wasn't a task assigned to her. It wasn't written anywhere in a job description. She simply saw what needed to be done and did it.
Inside the school, our Front Office team never stopped answering calls. Every worried parent who reached us heard the same calm reassurance: "Your child is safe. They are with us. " Sometimes, in moments like these, those few words matter more than anything else.
No.
What moved me even more was what happened after the school bell rang.
While many would have understandably called it a day, our team stayed back. They coordinated dispersal, checked attendance repeatedly, spoke to families, ensured every child left safely, and refused to leave until the very last learner had gone home.
And when many of them eventually reached their own homes, their work still wasn't over.
Knowing the weather forecast for the next day, they opened their laptops and began preparing for online learning. Lesson plans were adjusted, links were shared, classrooms were made ready, because if the rains prevented even one child from reaching school the next morning,learning should not have to stop.
That, to me, is what commitment looks like.
People often ask me what makes GGIS different. They expect me to speak about our programmes, our curriculum, our results or our facilities. Those things certainly matter.
But today, I would say our greatest strength is our people and our agility.
On Friday, there were no departments. No designations. No hierarchy. Nobody said, "This isn't my responsibility." Teachers, Operational Leaders, Process Coordinators, the Front Office, support staff, transport teams everyone simply stepped in wherever they were needed. The school functioned as one team with one shared purpose: keeping our children safe and cared for.
Last Friday, I didn't have to speak about any of them.
I saw them.
And as I stood there watching everyone quietly do what needed to be done, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride.
We may not be perfect every day. We will continue to learn, improve and make mistakes along the way.
But when the day itself isn't perfect, when circumstances are difficult, and no manual has the answers, this team shows exactly who they are.
For that, I am deeply grateful.
