N. Raghuraman's column: Discipline can be out of fashion, not out of fashion.

"I don't just drink on Saturdays, Sundays and weekdays, I drink anything the rest of the day. "That's been my dialogue for decades when I started going to drinking parties. My wife remembered this dialogue of mine when we were watching the film 'Twenty-One' on Saturday night. In it, the protagonist Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan's grandson) was talking to his friends who were upset about not attending the liquor party after winning the game. "If I were in your place, I would have fun after the win and do what you all did. But alas, I'm not your place. Sorry. My wife immediately said, "It's rare for a 20-year-old boy to make such a commitment." I said that it is not only Gen-G who is saying 'no' to alcohol, but schools are also getting active in instilling a value system in children again. One of them is the effective 'house system'. Wondering what is this system and who is running it? So understand here. The 'house system' is nothing but dividing a large school into smaller, but familyr groups. They can be named after rivers, colours or characters – such as the 'Blue House' or the 'Red House'. Instead of being a student of class 5, the child becomes a member of the 'Red House' or 'Ganga House' for the entire school term. How does it work? Each house has students from class 1 to 12. As a house master or mistress, a teacher is the head of every house. Student leaders are called House Captains. There are also a few more positions to give more students a chance. In such a situation, teaching is not limited to academic content only. Teachers become mentors and often act as guides to provide parent-like support and care. They aim for the physical fitness of the child along with social, emotional and moral – i.e. holistic development. They become instructors, identify hidden talents through school activities and develop leadership skills. For a robust house system, the schools that are adopting this process combine high-energy physical competition, creative collaboration, and academic teamwork. The aim is to make every child, from athlete to artist, feel that they have contributed to the success of their house. These terminology reflect the structural and practical pillars of the school environment, often together fostering a sense of community and personal growth in students. Every house competes for points in sports, debate, art, and studies. In the end, the trophy is given to the winning house. This creates a family-like atmosphere, as the 12th student takes care of the first grader, so that he can win the competition. Sometimes in the debate competition, the 12th student depends on the knowledge and participation of the 6th student. House also receives points for courteous behavior and character, such as keeping the door open for those following or greeting when they meet for the first time in the day. This system is common in British schools and is now becoming popular among Indian parents who want their children to be disciplined and virtuous. The trick is that sticking to principles always gives an edge over points, monotony, and many things that come with the situation. Believe me, if you are a principle, you will never go out of fashion.