Kaleido_Mag_2ndEd

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Look Me Up

Musically Yours (PAGE 5)

Editorial (PAGE 3 to 4) Poetically Yours

(PAGE 5 to 8)

Palindrome In Sanskrit Covid vs Cricket (PAGE 10) Covid At Old Age Home
(PAGE 11)
(PAGE 9)

A Daughter's Tale A Synopsis On Our Social Footprint
(PAGE 12 - 13) Breathe (PAGE 13) (PAGE 14 - 18)

Trail of a Tiger Our Heritage Sari Our Divas In Sari Art and Craft by Grown
Ups (PAGE 30 - 34)
(PAGE 19 - 21) (PAGE 22 - 24) (PAGE 25 - 29)

Comic Strip Young Exponent Sneh Children Literature Children Art
(PAGE 33) (PAGE 34) (PAGE 35 -40 ) (PAGE 41 -43 )

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From Editor’s Desk - CLOUDS

Courtesy: Namrata Kolar(SL 403) Courtesy Cmde S Padmasankar(SG 404) Courtesy Arvi (NN 402)

Celestial dome is dark with clouds, blessing the parched land with showers.
CLOUD portrays dark emotions, it’s also a harbinger joy. Few denotations & connotations of CLOUD.

Cloud is a reality, a blessed
physical entity.

Clouds: The source and destination of water In music

While earth was wreathing under the

scorching summer sun, clouds brought a
message from Indra-Lok

(from “Neelo Anjono Ghono” - Tagore).

The water we cherish, cycles around the
clouds as a source or destination.

Remember the water cycle?

Clouds: An ubiquitous entity in literature

Annette P. B. Aleksandr Kalidasa’s lovelorn Yaksha, exiled in
Wynne’s Shelley’s Pushkin’s Central India, requests the clouds,
One Little as ambassador, to convey his
Cloud Is The The message to his lonely wife in
Out Cloud Kailash.
Today Cloud
Kalidasa’s delicate handling of cloud
TO Kalidasa’s Meghdoot, which is perhaps unparalleled.
is an epitome of poeticism.
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Clouds: In Mythologies

Man’s desire to fly shows in Indian and Greek mythologies.
Seven-headed flying horse,Uchchaihshravas, emerged during
the churning for nectar(Samudra manthan). Ravana’s pushpak

vimaan was an accomplishment in art and technology.

Winged horse Pegasus, emerged from Medusa’s head.

Then there is the Greek craftsman Daedalus who crafted two
pairs of wax-and-feathers wings, so he and his son Icarus

could escape from Crete island, where they were incarcerated. He affixed one around his shoulders, and the other around
his son’s, and decided to fly away. Icarus, titillated, came too close to the Sun, the wax on his wings melted, feathers
dispersed, & he fell into the sea, named after him as Icarian Sea ( Icaria, an island south-west of Samos).……..(#Collected)

Clouds: Travelling through

Man’s desire to dominate clouds & beyond found its realistic
manifestation, in journey to sky, into space and to other planets.
There came into being balloons, gladiators, aeroplanes, helicopters,

star ships, rockets etc.

Clouds: Information Technology

Finally the term cloud, caved back into the world of imagination,
where it began. It found yet another dimension in Cloud Computing.

As our footsteps increase in the Digital world, sharing of all resources
like Computing, Storage, Network, Security, Auditing, Orchestration

etc became more imperative. Service Providers(Amazon, Google, Microsoft etc) or Individual organizations pooled the

resources, and lent them to users, on a subscription basis. Use/Pay as you need. If no more needed, just move out.

Thus Cloud is also a virtuality, a blessed virtual entity. ……Piali Nag (B6 402)

A 22 degree HALO above Spandhana,

captured by Ayan Mitra (SF 401)

Sun halos are generally considered rare and are formed by hexagonal
ice crystals refracting light in the sky — 22 degrees from the sun. This
is also commonly called a 22 degree halo. The prism effect is such that
the rainbow colors go from red on the inside to violet on the outside.

22° halos appear when the sky is covered by thin cirrus or cirrostratus
clouds that often come a few days before a large storm front.

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एक गजल BY Gamon ki raahein kitni lambi hain, batao logon
Yeh nazaara hi kya hadbandi hai, batao logon.
गम ों की राहें ककतनी लोंबी हंै , बताओ ल ग Dr
यह नजारा ही क्या हदबंोदी है , बताओ ल ग । Hum to bade khush thhe ki hamare dukh huye
SN chhumantar Yeh kaisa manzar, kiska nashtar hai, batao
हम त बड़े खुश थ़े कक हमारे़ दुख हुए छू मोंतर Singh, logon.
यह कै सा मोंजर , ककसका नश्तर है , बताओ ल ग ।
(B8 - Gar yahi hai Nemat-E-Zindagi to jahanuum kya hai
गर यही है ऩेमत- ए - कजोंदगी त जहन्नुम क्या है 403) Kitni dushvariyan, kya shamat hai, batao logon
ककतनी दुश्वाररयाों , क्या शामत है , बताओ ल ग ।
In Hamara vatan hai kisi chaliye ki Maya nigari
हमारा वतन है ककसी छकलए की माया नगरी, Roman Udhar roshan, idhar syahi kyun hai, batao logon
उधर रौशन , इधर स्याही क्य ों है , बताओ ल ग । Letters
Sitam Kate hain aur kat jayenge ye din bhi agar
कसतम कट़े हैं और कट जाएंो गे़ ये़ कदन भी मगर, Yeh baarat hai ya ki vaardaat batao logon
यह बारात है या कक वारदात बताओ ल ग ।
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Me Click To hear Bhupesh
Recite his poem
I am unstoppable, I am me.
I am a warrior of destiny. Bhupesh Dasila – SA 402

I falter, I fall, Priyadarshini Basu - SK 302
I stumble on, baggage and all.
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I fall flat on my face and roll in muck.
I get exhausted, I give up.

I resent, I cry,
I seeth within till the tears run dry.

I scramble to my feet, I brush off the fall,
I stumble on.. Scars, bruises and all.

I fail, I fight,
I refuse to give up, until it’s done right.

I am a handful, I am me.
I am warrior of destiny.

I fight not enemies, I fight my fears.
I shed not blood, but I do shed tears.

Tears that water the saplings of dreams
Ambitions unfulfilled and smothered
screams.

I am all over the place but keep a straight
face. I lag far behind in the rat race.

My speed miserable, yet spirits high.
I may not get there first, but I will touch the
sky.

I may not be the fastest, I may not be the
best. But I am the most of me, I try the
hardest.

I am invincible, I am me.
I am a warrior of destiny.

And in my bonds and bindings, I am finally
free

संघर्ष - इक श्वंस कव पर है कु छ ज कगरऩे नहींो द़ेता ,

मन अब टू टता है हाँू कभी, आ खडा ह ता है आकों ठ ,

शून्य मंे ढूँढते़ साँूस की हर इक ड र क , और धीरे़ स़े कान में ब ल जाता है ‘मैं हूँ ना ‘,

और वक्ष स़े बाहर ह ती वायु की हर बूँद , मैं कृ ष्ण हूँ कशव हँू अनाकद हूँ ,

धमकाती सी है जैस़े, सुबकाती है , बस छ ड दे़ मुझप़े मंै आता हूँ ना ,

और हर उस साँूस क पकडकर छु पा ले़ने़ की आतुरता, कु छ परीक्षा थी वह ह गयी ,

उदासीन सी करती जाती है , कक कब लौटूँगा मैं, करनी थी ज क्रीडा व ह गयी ,

वहाूँ जहाँू ब़ेटी है म़ेरी और है जहाँू म़ेरी माूँ, चल अब चलना है तुझे़ , उठ

द न ंो के़ बीच एक बस है मे़रा आसमा , कनज सोंसार क़े कलए किर लडना है तुझ़े ,

बोंधु भी हैं बाूँधव भी ज छू नहीों पात़े अब मुझ़े , और उडना है अभी बहुत दू र,

पर मंै र ़ि ही कमल आता हँू तुम सभी क , दू र......

एक उलझी अोंधे़ऱे की ककरण पर बैठकर चुपचाप , दू र........

नहीों मंै दू र से़ ही दे़खता हूँ सब , बहुत दू र.........

मास्क लगाके़ , सबसे़ कछपाक़े , - पीयूष शमाा /Piyush Sharma (B6 402)

सांोसें बस थ डी धीऱे ह चलती हैं कभी, यश दा हॉस्पिटल, कौशाम्बी ,

कु छ टू टता कसमटता है भीतर कहींो , गाक़ियाबाद , May 05, 2021

क लाहल है चुपचाप सा ,

In Roman Letters : Man Ab tutta hai han kabhi, Shunya mein dhundtey sans kee har ik dor ko// Aur vaksh sey bahr hoti
vayu ki har boond, dhamkati si hai jaisey, subkati hai.

Aur har us sans ko pakardar chhupa lene ki aturta, udasin si karti jati hai ki kab lautunga main// Wahan jahan beti hai meri
aur hai jahan meri ma, dono ke beech ek bas hai mera asman.

Bandhu bhi hain bandhav bhi jo chhun nahi pate ab mujhey, par mai roz hee mil ata hun tum sabhi ko// Ek uljhee andhere ki
kiran par baithkar chupchap, nahin may dur sey hee dekhta hun sab,

Mask lagake sabsey chhipake, sansey bas thoree dheerey ho chalti hain kabhi.// Kuchh tut-ta simat-ta hay bheetar kahin,
kolahal hai chupchap sa.

Par hay kuchh jo girne nehi deta, a khara hota hai akanth.// Aur dheerey se kan mein bol jata hay 'main hun na', may Krishn
hun Shiv hun Anadi hun.

Bas chhor de mujhpe main ata hun na, kuchh pariksha thee woh ho gayee. Karni thi jo kreera woh ho gayee, chal ab chalna

hai tujhe uth. Nij sansar ke liye fir larna hai tujhey, aur urna hai abhi bahut dur. Dur... Dur.. Bahut dur.

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स्पंदन - तुम ममत्र नह ं ईश हो हर दुआ ज टकराती है तुम्हारी , कवच बनकर ,
( Dedicated to all my divine friends & well-wishers during हर उस दुआ का ऋणी हूँ मैं तुम्हारा ,
the tough time) तुमने़ नवजीवन कदया है कमत्र ,
——————————————— नयी श्वाोंस दी है आस की,
हे़तु अब तुम्हाऱे , य़े जीवन है समकपात ,
तुम एक भाव नहींो ह मात्र , एक बस सम्बंोध नही,ों जीव, हर भाव हर दुआ है तुम्हंे अकपात,
तुम हर व िोंदन ह जीव का ज दे़ता है जीवट, आगे़ बढ़ऩे क , धन्य हँू मंै कक जीवन में तुम ह ,
और समा जाता है मुझमंे प्राण वायु की तरह, अकवरल सतत समीर की तरह,
जब बट रता रहता हँू कु छ पल इस घुटन स़े छटपटाते़ समय क , मै दुआ क़े उन्ही पंोख ंो पर बैठ आता हूँ,
कजस़े शायद क़िंोदगी कहते़ हंै अभी भी, तुम संोग जुडऩे, उडऩे,
और अंोधे़री दीवार ंो से़ टकराकर जब एक मौन आ ठहरता है जीव क द़ेऩे एक कदशा नयी,
सामऩे, सत्य, न्याय औ शास्पि क़े सोंघषा में,
एक शून्य के़ साये़ में , आहुकत नवशस्पि क़े साथ,
कबस्तर के़ एक क ने़ मंे इकट्ठा करता हूँ जब टू टती कबखरती साूँस ंो और बह चलूँ नवरंो ग कलए ,
क, दे़ने़ सुकू न कु छ ददा क ,
सूऩेपन का अथाह कवस्तार कलए , कु छ छलकत़े अश्रुओंो क ,
कसमटत़े अंोधे़रे़ में झुरमुट ज ददा का है, जहाूँ ह बस सब
व कहीों टीस द़ेता है, चुभता है थ डा, सत्य..
जहाँू पता अब नहीों चलता कब कदन बदला क्या मौसम, कशव....
व जब दे़खता हँू कनकट जीवन क मुरझात़े हुए, संुोदर........
सांोसें टू टत़े हुए ,
तब दुआ तुम्हारी ही हैं, क कट नमन तुम सबक कमत्र ों
ज आ खडी ह ती हंै आकों ठ , ++पीयूष शमाा/Piyush Sharma, (B6 402)
एक ढाल की तरह, यश दा हॉस्पिटल, कौशाम्बी,
तुम बनकर मधुर स्वर म़ेऱे कृ ष्ण की वंोशी का, गाक़ियाबाद, May 15, 2021
बहने़ लगते़ ह अोंतस मंे,
म़ेऱे प्राण का रक्षक बनकर ,

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Tum ek bhav nehi ho matr, ek bas sambandh nehi. Tum har woh spandan ho jeev ka jo deta hai jeevat, agey barhne ko.
Aur sama jata hai mujhmey pran vayu ki tarah, jab batorta reheta hun kuchh pal is ghutan sey chhatpatatey samay ko.

Jisey shayad zindagi kehete hain abhi bhi, aur andheri deewaron sey takrakar jab ek maun a theherta hai samney.
Ek shunya ke saye mein, bistar ke ek koney mein ikattha karta hun jab tutti bikharti sanson ko.
Suneypan ka athah vistaar liye, simattey andherey mein jhurmut jo dard ka hai.
Woh kahin tees deta hai, chubhta hai thora, jahan pata ab nehi chalta kab din badla kya mausam.

Woh jab dekhta hun nikat jeevano ko murjhatey huye, sans tuttey huye., Tab dua tumhari hi hai, jo aa kharee hoti hai akanth.
Ek daal ki tarah, tum bankar madhur swar merey Krishn ki vanshi ka, Behene lagtey ho antas mein. mere pran ka rakshak bankar.

Har dua jo takrati hai tumhari kavach bankar, har us dua ka rini hun may tumhara, Tumney navjeevan diye hai mitr, nayee swaans di hai aas
ki.

Hetu ab tumharey, yeh jeevan hai samarpit. Jeev, har bhav har dua hai tumhey arpit, Dhanya hun may ki jeevan mein tum ho, aviral satat
sameer ki tarah.

May dua key unhee pankhon par baith ata hun, tum sang jurney; urney. Jeev ko dene ek disha nayee, satya; nyay au shanti ke
sangharsh mein.

Ahuti nav shakti ke saath, aur beh chalun navrang liye, Dene sukun kuchh dard ko, kuchh chhalaktey asruon ko.

Jahan ho bas sab Satya, Shiv, Sundar.

THERE WAS A GREAT POET CALLED - SURY kav or “Daivagjna Surya Pandita”. He wrote 36 poems, If you read
top to bottom - it is lord RAMA & RAMAYANAM. If you read backwards - it is lord KRISHNA & MAHBABHARAT.

IN GENERAL IT IS CALLED Palindrome . Sanskrit is one of the greatest languages of our ancestors, and they are
simple beyond words, composing lot of shlokas as palindrome, also called अनुल मप्रकतल मपदम्. An example below:

Regular:

तं भूसुतवमुक्तिमुदवरहवसमं वन्दे यतो भव्यभवम् दयवश्र (taM bhUsutAmuktimudArahAsaM vandE yatO bhavyabhavam
dayAshrI):

"I pay my homage to Him who rescued Sita, whose laughter is captivating, whose incarnation is grand, and from
whom mercy and splendor arise everywhere." (This refers to lord Ram)

Reverse:

श्र यवदवं भव्यभतोयदेवं संहवरदवमुक्तिमुतवसुभूतम्(shrIyAdavaM bhavyabhatOyadEvaM saMhAradAmuktimutAsubhUtam):

"I bow before that Sri Krishna, the descendent of Yaadava family; who is a divinity of the sun as well as the moon;
who destroyed Putana who only gave destruction; and who is the soul of all this universe."

#Collected… VijayKumar K N (NE B4 201)

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Bhupesh Dasila – (SA 402)

A few months back Team India was dismissed for 36 by Australia. Lowest ever score! Entire cricket fraternity
mocked at our ability, planning & strategy. All headlines flashed - India will be wiped out 4-0. But India fought

back. A month later Team India brought the series home 2-1 in style.
Covid is not cricket. But we the people of India function the same way in everything. We are exceptionally poor
in being proactive but we are a kickass when it comes to reacting to tough situations. That’s in our DNA and I

don’t foresee it changing in our lifetime.
Current Covid situation is our lowest ever score. Doomed, dusted and depressed. Although it’s unfair to expect

the leadership to have anticipated 3+ lakhs cases per day back in Feb yet they are expected to be visionary.
They have the machinery, they have the information to process. The nation felt disappointed by PM Modi 's
leadership in the first 3 weeks of April. At the same time opposition was clueless. And many local to national
leaders were hoarding at Delhi border while the new Covid strain had already made a silent entry. The general
public like us as usual were enjoying in lala land. “apna kuchh na bigad payega ye corona attitude”. Everyone

missed when to draw the line between Life over livelihood.
But the PM is most accountable, followed by CMs and opposition parties. Even judiciary could have taken a suo
moto and summoned govt on gathering in Kisan andolan and Bengal campaign. But everyone woke up late in
hangover. Everyone including general public should introspect before conveniently distancing themselves from
the accountability. However it’s time to move on. Too much sad and depressing news floating around. Time to

look straight and keep your head high.
India will fight back. We’ll come out as winner. We’ll be wiser and smarter. In few months time Economic times
will go gaga over our prospective GDP growth. Washington post will continue dismiss the idea of India. But the
World in real will continue turn towards India for Yog, Wisdom and Philosophy. We’ll continue be the most
important nation in Technology and Pharma. We could be the hub for most affordable medical tourism. GCCs of
all MNCs in India will continue be of highest importance. No global product could be made without India. Lots
and lots of Money will float in the market. If you have doubts then go to any Pub-restro-bar-mall or any food
court or any chai-paw ki tapir after a few months. More and more people will move up in middle class. We’ll

build it brick by brick.
Life will be back to Bindas – chaotic, crowded, loud and fast. Welcome to India this Diwali and you will witness a

brightest nation called BHARAT ( India).

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Dr Harsha is a Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist at Fortis Hospital,
Bangalore. The Doctor wins SPANDHANA with his compassion for the Elderlies in

Covid. KALEIDOSCOPE pays tribute.

Bangalore was going through a tough phase of the pandemic in the month of May,
with COVID cases on the rise, complicated further by dearth of resources like
hospital/icu/oxygen/ventilator/medicines etc.

Situation at Rotary Orchards Chaitanya Senior Citizens’ home in the city was no
better, with over twenty residents and ten caretakers fallen prey to coronavirus, there

was a dire need of a doctor to treat these delicate patients, who were mostly in the
age group of 60-90 years.

Our Dr Harsha Doddihal, took up this responsibility. After his own duty hours, every day for more than a week,
wrapping himself up in a PPE suit, he would visit all the patients in the quarantine section of the old age home.

Quoting from what the Doctor had told TNM: “Most of them who had multiple complications (comorbidities) were
shifted to hospitals immediately and the remaining were managed at the old age home itself. We had managed to
procure two oxygen concentrators and fortunately we didn’t have to use them. All of them recovered without the need
to take them to the hospital”.

After the difficult times, almost all those senior citizens who caught COVID, recovered, with an exception of one, who
had a co-morbidity. Quoting from what one of the patients spoke of Dr Harsha to TNM. “Dr Harsha patiently checked
us and told us if we were coronavirus-positive. However, he gave us confidence asking us not to be afraid. He used
to come every day and attend to each of us. Because of his selfless services all of us are out of danger now and we
are happy.”

Both Dr Harsha and the old age home management stated that as all of the inmates had received the first dose of
the COVID-19 vaccine, that factor played a considerable role in the recovery of the residents.

Again, quoting from what the Doctor had told TNM: “This is a really good thing we saw in the old age home. After
getting the vaccine they had very little interaction with the outside, helping their bodies develop immunity to the
coronavirus. One general trend is that, immediately after vaccination, many tend to become careless and don’t take
adequate precautions. It is not that the body will develop immunity the instant one gets the vaccine injection; the
body requires time to build up immunity. This case is a very good example of that. A huge credit to so many
recoveries can be attributed to them getting vaccinated”

All this tough time, the doctor says that both his family and his hospital stood by him, supporting him so that he in
turn could take care of the senior citizens.

Again, quoting him as he told TNM, “My entire family supported me, and my wife told me that this is my duty and I
had to do it as a doctor. The entire period I visited the old age home, all of us in the family slept in different rooms.
The doctors’ team in Fortis also gave inputs on the matter and overall it was a team effort.”

….Info taken from The News Minute’s : ”After Bengaluru old age home turned COVID cluster, this doctor stepped up
to help” (The TNM Article)

Thanks To Dr Harsha for permitting us to talk about this, and to Rohit Mahajan for sharing the info in first place.

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My maternal grandfather always said: Shelter Me Not From Danger, Bless Me So I do not fear It … (Tagore)

I am Sharbani (better known as Gauri ). I am a medical graduate, Piyush
At his
completed my internship this year. And what a time that was!! Shuttling Flute in
between hospital & duties, contracting covid from a patient… Yashoda
Hospital
But Today, I shall share with you, a voyage extraordinaire undertaken Covid
Ward
by my Father, Piyush Sharma; of fear and hope, of pain and peace,

His month-long battle with a particularly vicious strain of Covid, his tribulations, learnings, ultimate triumph
after a 19-day life-and-death struggle. A story of All in Spandhana, spandhanites abroad & all our well-wishers.

My father enjoys decent health, has no co-morbidity, is a non-smoker & teetotaller, has a healthy lifestyle with
regular yoga in Gp Capt P K Nigam uncle’s class, and had got the first dose of covaxin. When enemy struck, All
These, topped with positivity, trust in God; doctors, Fortitude, support, blessings, pranic healings, prayers
from all his well-wishers & sheer determination gave him an edge in vanquishing the disease.

Papa was visiting his parents (Ghaziabad), in April. NCR was at its nadir with respect to COVID then. While helping
some covid affected families, little did he know that the virus had invaded his body. Realization came with a
temperature. Consulting my seniors, my uncle’s friends, and our Doctor Swati, I immediately started the basic

covid regime. Both RT PCR & rapid antigen showed positive.

His condition worsened: Bad cough, Debilitating Weakness, Raging Fever > 104 deg F, dimming eyesight. The
HR CT Scan showed ~60% lung damage and high CRP, indicating cytokine storm. His other parameters also
went haywire. We started Favipiravir& associated meds. Fever subsided, but oxygen dipped. Frantic quests
began for oxygen, bed, home-icu, nursing etc, while my father went from weak to weaker, eventually
delegating the duty of carrying himself to a stick. He stopped eating, lost strength to talk. We approached my own
medical fraternity, and a few people here for help. Help poured in from all Ten directions !!
Specific mention about Spandhanites -> Everybody here was so kind, they took father’s case up as their own,
running frenzied search for oxygen, hospital, drugs. There were Spandhanites & other Friends from UK, US, Mumbai,
Kolkata, etc. Then an uncle arranged for oxygen cans@home, those were life-savers.

Now comes that fateful dawn. Receiving no response to his calls, my paternal uncle, wrapped in PPE, barged
in Papa’s room, to find him lying all huddled & unconscious. When revived, Papa was completely disoriented, his
brain registering nothing. Oxymeter gave an all-time low reading.

I flew to Ghaziabad. Herculean effort found oxygen-bed in a Super Speciality hospital. By now my father was
panting like a fish out of water. Doctor said the situation was grim & father was far gone.

Then began father’s rendezvous with hospital, with Oxygen, Remdesivir, Steroids, etc. His spo2 level was
very erratic. On my request, doctor elevated oxygen intake (as we follow in Ramaiah here), that helped. But with
heavy steroids & other meds, his liver, kidney and pancreas took the hit. His sugar went up to ~550.

But Papa kept his spirits up. He befriended All. Staff there told me how he took refuge in his constant-companion:
his flute, & was playing it softly once, when Doctors, attendants and other patients gathered, urged him to play
more, & that became a frequent ask. They recorded his music, and uploaded to hospital portal, without his
knowledge. These, later went viral in major newspapers & tv channels there, & made to few social media
Blessed is my father to be able to bring some peace and courage to those who were suffering.
…contd to Pg 13
12

Hospitals were a sad sight- patients waiting in ambulances, doctors/nurses/attendants attending those
hapless folks there itself, some unfortunate patients even losing their fight there.

Later, a doctor in the same hospital had detailed to me, how they play my father’s
clips as stress busters and patients find solace in them.

After a 19-day stint in the hospital, father & I are back to Bangalore now. He is
coping up with post-covid odds of sudden high blood pressure, nausea, sugar
crashing to 50s, sudden sinking, chest pains, abnormal weakness, etc. But I
have no misgiving. I know my father, a fighter always, will spring
back to his energetic, jubilant, spirited self soon, with all the support,
love, blessings that Spandhana has always, And will Always be giving him.

May the Force Be with Us All

by Dr Sharbani Sharma(B6 - 402)

Dhwani is a medical student in St Johns College. She, along with a fellow student
Reuban Roshy, conceived a booklet ‘bReathe’ foR the mental well being of the

Tirelessly fighting Medical Fraternity. Here’s a synopsis of the same, in her own
words:

"Breathe" is a wellbeing booklet that was conceived when our teachers described the
immense stress and pressure they, the PGs, interns and other junior doctors were

facing in the COVID wards. In the chaos of constant stressful duties, it was hard for any
of them to prioritise their own wellbeing. We as medical students couldn't contribute on
the frontlines, so my senior and I decided that the least we could do was come up with

something to support those on the frontline. We wanted it to be accessible and not a Huge and rambling treatise
on the theoretical parts of wellbeing, but rather small and doable activities. Keeping that in mind, the book has a
diverse variety of activities - from puzzles and journalling prompts to breathing exercises, mindfulness and even

letters from school children to healthcare workers. While the focus of the content is on the wellbeing of
healthcare workers, the activities like puzzles and journalling prompts can be helpful for anyone who is feeling

stressed or anxious, and we hope that it helps in this difficult time.

by Dhwani Ravi((B2 - 301)
13

What happens when nature decides to play with a double-edged sword?

when a devastating cyclone compliments a raging pandemic? we rise up to meet both.
remembering a few Spandhanites who rose up to meet them.

Rotary Bangalore Lakeside

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million members spread over 35,000+ clubs, who work to create lasting change
across the globe via philanthropical activities. They have been working tirelessly in the management of COVID,
Fighting disease, Providing clean water, Sanitation, and Growing local economies.

Special mention of Rotary Bangalore Lakeside, which has been involved in all these initiatives, to reach out to
people during this pandemic. Few things they are involved in:

• Setting up Covid war room, Tie-ups with hospitals and BBMP.
• Arranging hospital bed, oxygen, ICU bed, ventilator for critical patients.
• Arranging vaccines and lifesaving drugs like remdesivir.
• Food, clothing, medicine, free treatment for underprivileged patients like labourers who lost their jobs
• Distribution of food to people in need.

Tathagata Chatterjee (B7 301) from Spandhana, is an active member of Rotary Bangalore Lakeside. His
heavy workload at office and a very young daughter do not deter him from his service during the pandemic.

Tathagata Chatterjee

Nabadiganta TAPASSYA(by Rupa Chakraborty(SJ 404))

This Pandemic has taken away many of our near and dear ones. We have seen people suffer and running after

Oxygen and hospital to save their close ones. But this Pandemic demonstrated lot of positives also at the same

time. There are so many selfless people & NGOs who extended their support 24/7, Tapassya being one of them.

Members of Tapassya work across the geographical borders to support patients with all COVID related activities

24/7. Through a well-orchestrated communication network, they are able to arrange for Doctor consultations,

Diagnostics, Beds, Oxygen, Ambulance, Regular dialogue between patient party and hospital etc. Their sphere of

work is mainly West Bengal.

Let us look at some photographs of their work, in next page.

14

SANJAY ROY(SK 302) and RUPA CHAKRABORTY(SJ 404) from Spandhana, are active members of
Tapassya. Sanjay works out of UK, where he is stationed, but the distance did not hamper his enthusiasm and

ability to be involved, thus demonstrating it is indeed “A Small World After All”
WWhheennppeeoopplelehhaavveeaalrlereaaddyyeennoouugghhssuufffeferirninggss, ,nnaatuturereggaavveeuusstwtwooccyycclolonneesstotooo, ,oonneeinineeaacchhyyeeaarr, ,fifrisrst tAAmmpphhuunn((
22002200))aannddnnoowwYYaaaass. . TThheefufuryryoof fYYaaaasscclalaimimeeddppeeoopplele’s’shhoouussee&&bbeelolonnggininggss, ,aannddininssoommeeccaasseesseevveennlilviveess. .
TTaappaaSSssyyaammeemmbbeersrsaatttetennddeeddththeeaafffefeccteteddaarereaass, ,eevveennififreremmootetesst taannddhhaazzaardrdoouuss, ,aannddrereaacchheeddoouut ttotoaafffefecctetedd
ppeeoopplelewwitihthfofooodd, ,mmeeddicicinineess, ,ddoocctotorsrs, ,eesssseenntitaial lssuupppplileiesseetctc. .TThheeyyfefeddhhuunnddrereddssoof fppeeoopplele, ,ssuuppppoortreteddththeemmtoto
rerebbuuilidldththeeirirhhoouusseess, ,aalolonnggwwitihthaallllCCOOVVIDIDhheelplp. .TThheeirirwwoorkrkoonnththeepprirninccipiplele: :lelet’ts’shhooldldeeaacchhoof foouurrhhaannddssaannddccoommee
totoggeeththeerraannddaat tleleaasst ttrtyrytotobbrirninggaaliltittltelessmmilieleoonnththeefafacceeoof faafefewwoof fththeemm.... …. by Rupa Chakraborty(SJ 404))

SOUL and Asrambela and TAPASSYA

Rupa chakraborty

Let us look at some services provided by Tapassya:

15

SOUL and Asrambela
Purulia (Ram Krishna Mission) Asrambela in association with Soul (an NGO), has been working at grassroot level

in the low lying Sunderbans area of west Bengal. Yaas has flooded Complete land with brackish sea water, not
only killing all the plants and fish there, but also rendering it completely uncultivable. The hapless inhabitants of

those areas, mostly of Sabar tribe, spend most part of their day waiting for some rice to reduce the pangs of
hunger. They have lost all their belongings to the river and Bay of Bengal. They took refuge in local school.The
Panchayat has been pitching in wherever possible. Asrambela provided food & drinking water and set up medical
camps there, instructing locals on sanitation. It is difficult to judge what is more rampant there, lack of food and

water or gastroenterological diseases due to the stagnant water, dead fish and rotting stuff all around.
Dr Pinaki Ghosh(NF 103) From Spandhana is actively involved with Asrambela.

Dr
PINAKI
GHOSH

16

The giver is more enriched more than the recipient and more important that
intangible but very real psychic force of good in the world is increased.

The second wave of pandemic in India has hit us hard, we were gripped with the sorrow and fear of losing our

loved ones. I too suffered personal loss and there was a continuous distress in my mind that I am not able to

contribute to my society in these times of need. While going out and provide support as a frontline worker was not

possible with my limitation, I looked for means to join an organization that provides a constructive and organized

support to the Covid patients and their families.

I was lucky to come in contact with a NGO named StepOne. Their vision “ To blend technology and human
resources seamlessly together to provide healthcare access to those who need it the most” interested me. This

enabled volunteers like me to support the cause across different cities of India with the use of technology.

An innovative bunch of startups formed an Action Covid-19 team in 2020. Thus came about Project StepOne,

formed by 21 startups including Freshworks and Ozonetel; a telemedicine collective representing one of the
largest numbers of nationwide volunteer doctors to augment state governments’ helpline numbers. StepOne now

is an empanelled partner for telemedicine consultations on Aarogya Setu Mitr, an ancillary service on the

Aaroya Setu app that enables free tele-consultation for those with Covid-19-like symptoms. I joined as a

tele warrior supporting Delhi and NCR . StepOne has volunteers under different categories: Doctor, Nurse,

Medical Student, Non-Medical Counsellors and Tele- Warriors.

As a Tele- Warrior I tele-call Covid Positive patients from my home, counsel them, find out if they need help

(doctor consult, medicines etc) and escalate if they need to be shifted to a hospital/CCC for further care.
Once I started and connected to COVID Patients it has been a life changing experience. I realized that it’s more

blessed to give than to receive. .

When Spandhana was seeing a spurt in covid cases, a few families faced difficulty with food, specially with their
young children having lost the sense of taste or smell, and the elders of the family themselves down with the
disease. Along with a few other Spandhana ladies, Rituparna Mitra(SF 401) came forward to assist in the
nutriment needs of these families.
Little did she think that her sons would also share in her compassion and will to serve.
While her elder son Anchit would offer useful gastronomic ideas to appeal to the taste buds of those who had
lost most of the sense of taste, little Advik went a step further. He would leave his toys and other distractions,
and actually help his mother while she cooked, arranged, packed nourishment for the affected families. When
one covid-affected family expressed their happiness for Dates Tikki with Organic Honey For their daughter, that
happiness was like a Reward, a Blessing for Ritu and her sons.

Some pictures of the little angel
Advik as his hands grind and roll.

17

While Spandhanites were trying to do their bit for the needy in and out of Spandhana, there were a few
organizations from outside the society, who also came and contributed in the way they could. Here is what
Gautham Bhat from MomKhatai has to say:

Currently we are focusing our efforts on D2C model ( direct to consumer ) . Benefit of this is consumer gets freshly
baked products delivered directly from our factory without a middleman We have also launched a big range of
healthy cookies with 0 refined sugar and no maida . We use multigrains and millets and organic jaggery powder.
Also a big range of whole wheat products like breads, pav , buns loaves makes it an excellent choice for our
consumers. We also won radio city food icon award for best handmade cookies of Bangalore.

80% of our workforce is women and we are very proud of.

Our motivation has always been our Mom hence the name Momkhatai ( nankhatai made by Mom ).
At 71 yrs old she still constantly motivates us to surge ahead .

Since the lockdown and much before that we have been delivering freshly baked goods to Cheshire homes and
Rakum school for the blind .Ever since the lockdown in 2020 we have been extending our services and
products free to BBMP pourakarmikas , Police force on the streets , construction workers, Slums , beggar
colonies , hospital front line workers ,cemetery staff, support staff at apartments ( security, housekeeping
) at more than 10 apartments in bangalore . We have also partnered with Icare brigade , World hunger warriors
for the last mile execution of the baked products. We bake breads , rusks , buns , cookies , muffins etc and pack
them in cartons and handover to these teams 3 times a week . And will continue until end of the lockdown.

Last year when the lockdown was announced , Spandhana was one that we were introduced to by another
customer from Ranka heights . Ronjana was one of the first residents here we interacted with and the entire
community supported us, also whatever new product is launched at Momkhatai is first launched at Spandhana. We
love you guys

MomKhatai made two complimentary drives for Spandhana Staff in both 2020 and 2021 Covid
times.

We also won an award for best handmade cookies of bangalore

We have touched 6000 plus lives in the 2nd wave of lockdown

[21:23, 6/2/2021] Gautham Bhatt-RonjanaRef:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1816532261859651&id=592615374251352&sfnsn=wiwspmo

[21:23, 6/2/2021] Gautham Bhatt-RonjanaRef: Icare has just shared on their FB page now

(In photo): My mom , brother vikram and our chef

Momkhatai Free Bread and Cookies
to Spandhana Staff

18

The king Relaxing The queen : Majestic
19
May BHI
Hun

LEOPARD
SIGHTING

HUNTING
TIMES

AT

KOLARA
CORE

MADHU

AND

CUBS

AT

DEVADA
BUFFER
ZONE

MALE
BISON

MALE
SAMBHAR
(Pandharp
auni point)

Sun
rise
at
Kola
ra
Core

Sun
set
at
Shir
kha
da

20

Early Moning Moon Early Moning Agarzari buffer: waterfall of
Sunshine

Buzzard Preparing to Fly at Pangdi Spot me if you can at Morhuli Core

Black kite or
Pariah Kite
or Milvus

Migrans
Govinda
by (Arun R, SJ

304)

(Seen near the
army land)

21

(R to L) Kamala Padmasanker, Saroja Bhat, Sari, a song in (R ot L) Saroja Bhat, Usha Rangaswamy, Kamala
Sukanya Mohan, Saroja Rao dressing, a tradition Padmasanker, Saroja Rao, Vijayalakshmi T k
we inherit from our
mothers/aunts/grand
mothers. Do we ever
have enough of it?

For a multi-ediiton-
feature, Rituparna

Mitra (SF 401)
speaks of Jamdani

in this edition.

Catch them in coming
 editions ➔

The finest fabric mankind has ever made : Muslin Jamdani- The woven

It is often said that the original jamdani muslins were so fine, that they could pass through a
finger ring and could get packed into one small matchbox.

The history of Jamdani can be traced back to 321 – 185 BC .Greek ambassador
Megasthenes who adorned the court of Chandragupta Maurya for around five years (302

– 298 BC) had praised the finest Indian ‘muslin’ that can be found in his accounts.

The meticulous thread work combined with the finest quality of premium fabric gives
Jamdani sarees a perfect classy look. The discontinuous weft technique of Jamdani is
both time & labour intensive.

The journey of Jamdani and Partition of Bengal: The handloom industry of Bengal has triumphed the
trauma of partition and has been keeping alive the heritage of hand weaving since

decades. Initially located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Jamdani weavers have migrated and
settled in West Bengal during partition in 1905. Nadia and Burdwan districts in West
Bengal are currently two centres known for the famous Jamdani Textiles.

22

The effect of Colonial Rule : During colonial rules Britishers imported cheap textiles from Europe and did not
provide any protection like import duties to local industries. There are many horrific stories around it, one is that
the Jamdani Weavers’ thumbs were chopped off so that they cannot weave such fine fabric and the local industry
die.

The creator of world’s finest fabric still Work In poor condition: The Jamdani weavers work under extremely
poor conditions. With western garment replacing major chunk of the garment market and middlemen taking off
most of the revenue, artisans are not paid their due respect.

I drenched my hands in myriads of hues
Weaving poetries through the looms.

Endless days and endless nights,
Under the roof of a derelict house.

Class apart, sheer brilliance despite
Only to see you in sparkling delight!

-Rituparna

On a busy day Ma, hug me. Ritu IN JAMDANI
Like a thousand me can fit
inside. And when the zari
borders from your cotton sari
pinch on my cheek, I do not
move my face away, it makes
me feel alive.

Jamdani is not a saRee : it’s a poetRy

Save the nimble fingers : Jamdani is our national heritage and we can together make it a thriving industry. So,

next time you want to add this exclusive weave to your wardrobe, do buy directly from the weavers, so that
their artistry doesn’t die. Flaunt proudly, this feather light gorgeousness, and someone out there will surely

thank you in gratitude!

23

RITU In BALUCHari BALUCHARI - By Sumana Ghosh (NF 103) SUMANA In Pen
Kalamkari
In the history of textiles in Bengal, Baluchari came
much after muslin. Two hundred years ago 24

Baluchari was practiced in a small village called
Baluchar in Murshidabad district, from where it

got its name. In the eighteenth century,
Murshidkuli Khan, Nawab of Bengal patronized

its rich weaving tradition and brought the craft of
making this sari from Dhaka to the Baluchar
village in Murshidabad and encouraged the

industry to flourish. After a flood of the Ganga river
and the subsequent submerging of the village, the
industry moved to Bishnupur village in Bankura

district. Baluchari Sari made of tassar silk and a
thousand years old when the Jagat Malla king rule
in Mallabhum. This flourishing trend later declined,
especially during British rule, due to political
and financial reasons. It became a dying craft as
most of the weavers were compelled to give up
the profession. In the first half of twentieth century,

Subho Thakur, a famous artist, felt the need to
recultivate the rich tradition of Baluchari craft.
Though Bishnupur was always famous for its silk,
he invited Akshay Kumar Das, a master weaver of
Bishnupur, to his center to learn the technique of
jacquard weaving. Sri Das then went back to
Bishnupur and worked hard to weave Baluchari on
their looms with the financial and moral support of
Sri Hanuman Das Sarda of Silk Khadi Seva Mandal.
Once Bishnupur was the capital of Malla dynasty
and different kinds of crafts flourished during their
period under the patronage of Malla kings. Temples
made of terracotta bricks were one achievement of
these rulers. A major influence of these temples can
be seen in Baluchari sarees. Mythological stories
taken from the walls of temples and woven on

Baluchari sarees is a common feature in
Bishnupur\. Baluchari is two types: Baluchari and

Swarnachuri. Swarnachuri has gold thread
incorporated in weave And Baluchari has silk thread

in the weave. This Particular Saree is known for
portrait of mythological Scenes on the pallu of
the saree. So, Saree lovers of our Spandhanites
please enrich your cupboard with famous lovely

Baluchari.

The pride of Karnataka.
Ilkal sari takes its name from the town of Ilkal

in the Bagalkot. It was an ancient weaving
centre where the weaving seems to have
started in the 8th century AD. Growth of
these saris is attributed to the patronage
provided by the local chieftains in and
around the town of Bellary. These are hand
woven in cotton, silk and silk cotton.
These days, with the advent of the power
loom, many cheaper versions in art silk and
cotton are also available, eating into the
earnings of the handloom Weavers. It is
amazingly easy to drape. Main identification is
the unique pallu called the "Tope Teni". It’s
usually in a solid colour with two bands of

white or silver running in between.
……..By Namrata Kolar

Namrata Kolar (SL 403) in two
different ilkal sarees

Benaras paithani /Banarsi paithani
Weaving traditions of Varanasi can be traced back to
the Vedic times and have since been handed down from
generation to generation. The weavers of Varanasi pride
themselves in being able to weave with precision almost

anything that the human mind can imagine. But, with
cheap powerloom fabrics, rapidly making their way into
our wardrobes, the weavers and their families stand at a
cross roads. Having to compete on cost, without willing to
compromise on the quality is a daily struggle. To keep
relevant, the Banarsi Weavers draw their inspiration
from various other weaves. From the paithani weave, the

jamdani etc.
……..By Poornima Shanker Kaushik

Poornima Shanker Kaushik(B8 201) in Benaras
paithani border & pallu.

25

Kanchipuram/ Iyengar Madisaar
Kanjiwaram silk sari is
woven in The traditional
Kanchipuram region madisaar drape in
in Tamil Nadu, India It 9 yards
is so rich that it is kanchipuram silk
called the "Queen of saree. This meroon
Sarees" . It has been 9 yards silk is my
recognized as wedding saree. 9
a Geographical yards wedding
indication by saree is usually
Government of bought from the
India(2005–2006). groom's side.
Thus Only sarees ……. Mythreyi L.
woven in Kanchipuram
can be called and sold Mythreyi
as kanchipuram or
kanjiwaram sarees. Lakshminarayanan
( B8-401) in 9 yards.

Interesting fact about these sarees is while they are woven in Kanchipuram, silk for them (mulberry silk) come

from our very own namma Beng. aluru. There are many designs in these sarees. "Vaira oosi" design ,means
‘diamond needle’. Thin metallic (zari) stripes are woven through the body of the saree which gives a shimmering

effect of zari to the lustrous sheen of the silk. ……..By Prathima Shetty

Prathima Shetty(B6 202) in Vaira oosi. (credit : wikipedia)

Radhika: Neha Rai
(B6 203) in Mathur
Kanjivaram. (NM 103 )
Seeta’s
Swayamvar Ghaghra/
from Lehenga
Ramayana Saree.
is weaved Easy to
in the pallu drape,
just
(TamilNadu) wrap-
around.

26

Mother & Daughter Saroja Aditi Tapi in Silk Sari from Minal (NJ 401) in Kanchipuram
Bhat(B6 404), Ramya (SG 403) Hyderabad (NJ 402) sari from Chennai, worn in Coorgi

style

Namrata Kolar(SL 403) in
Kodagu style

The Kodagu style draping is unique, reflecting the beautiful culture of Coorg.

The pleats of the sari, here, are tucked at the backside of the waist. The

pallu of the sari is draped from rear to front tucked neatly over the

shoulder, accessorized with a nice brooch. The Kodagu style of draping the

sari is unique and not imitated anywhere else.

The origin of Kodagu sari is associated with a mythological tale of sage

Agasthya and his wife Cauvery. The legend has it that Cauvery

transformed herself into a river in order to serve people. Sage Agasthya

tried his best to curb his wife from doing so and in that process her sari

pleats were pushed back. From that time women from Coorg wear

their saris in the same manner.

In my opinion, this style of draping with pleats tucked at the back and the

pallu tucked on the shoulder, makes it very easy to climb hilly terrains &

pick coffee, or to climb trees which was the main occupation of the Kodava

ladies. ……..By Namrata Kolar

27

Just as our country is famous for its various handlooms, it is also

known for its handicrafts. Each state can boast of their own unique

crafts. What better saree to showcase for this section than one which is

a confluence of a handloom and a handicraft. Presenting the khadi

silk saree with chikankaari. While the usage of Khadi reduced post

independence, this hand-woven fabric is now making a fashionable

comeback. Khadi silk is 50% cotton and 50% silk. This fabric is

characterised by its sheen and luxurious appearance and is totally

handwoven. Threads for the weave are also hand spun yarn on

spinning wheels called Charakhas.Chikan is a traditional

embroidery style from Lucknow. The word means embroidery, and it is

one of Lucknow's best known textile decoration styles. The technique

of creation of a chikan work is known as chikankari. There are

references to embroidery similar to chikan work in India as early as

3rd century BC by Megasthenes. The most popular origin story

credits Noor Jahan, Mughal empress and wife of Jahangir, with

introducing chikankari to India. ( wikipedia)

This craft also recieved the GI TAG recognizing Lucknow as the hub of

original chikankaari. Poornima Shanker Kaushik (B8 201) in a hand

dyed chikan silk, embroidered by a young girl of 18 along with her

mother. Another artisan has done the starry "mukaish" work post the

embroidery. ……..By Poornima Shanker Kaushik

Patola sarees are the ikkat weaves Bhumika
from Gujarat. It is one of the oldest Lodaya
forms of weaving, very different from (SL 401)
other weaves. In this, the yarns are Adorns
first dyed as per the design and then a
woven. A laborious technique. This Chaniya
ikkat weave is indigenous to several Choli
cultures especially Indonesia, Japan, Another
Malaysia and India. In India itself the popular
ikkat technique of weaving can be seen attire of
in Patolas of Gujarat, pochampally of Gujarat.
Andhra, pasapalli and other ikkats of Fusion
Odisha, Teliya Rumal of Andhra etc. of Sari
Ikkat weaves are of two types. The and
single Ikkat(mainly Rajkot Patolas ) or Lehenga
double ikkat(mainly Patan). The double is very
ikkat weaves are one of the finest and popular
most expensive weaves. In this, one currently,
cannot differentiate between the front as
and the back of the saree. Prathima Lehenga
Shetty(B6 202) in single ikkat Rajkot Sari.
patola sari. …..By Prathima Shetty

28

Saroja Bhat (B6 – 404)

In Kashmiri Silk in Printed Silk

RUPA CHAKRABORTY
IN GREEN (SJ 404)

Spandhana
Ladies &

Little Girls
IN

Traditional
Atpourey
Style of
draping
Sari In
Bengal

29

Sankhya
(B3 401)

A Floral Story by Nirmala Kota and Sankhya Flower Nataraja and Chanting by A Subramaniam

Pineapple Giraffe and Pineapple Crocodile
by A Subramaniam (SF 402)

30

“My Time”, Icing on the
cake, began as a hobby &

now a routine,
encouragement flowing in, in

form of “Orders”.
Preeti Tandon (SH-403)

Pandemic challenge: Am I an
artist?? Have I ever been
confident enough to try out any
of the Art forms myself?? Can I
do any painting with Dedication
and Will to be able to complete
a 'so-called challenge'?

Answer was a big NO... Until I got a little inspiration
from my son's online class ... Until I made an effort
to understand about a beautiful Art form - Warli Art .
Until I got loads of guidance and suppport on
Youtube channels and the web alike I took up a "7-
day-challenge" to complete one painting a day...
And Yippee!! Here I am...

Vinodhini Chandrasekaran (B3 302)

31

Wall decor masks made with plastic soda bottles,
junk paper and homemade air dry clay by Bhaswati

Paper
lantern

made
with

Bleak Snow Outside Window, Awaiting Spring snack
By Nitasha Narula (NH 101) s/
cereal
boxes

by
Bhas-
wati

Living cosy Bhaswati Sengupta (NE 103),
In Greens pursues Craft with purpose of
by recycling, involving daughter too
to improve fine motor skills &
Asha nurture the creative mind. Her
Lewis (B8 Youtube Channel "SCRAPKRAFT",
301) has her craft(using mundane
/homely stuffs) are uploaded. Her
goal is to reduce buying plastic

toys for our child, and crafting through recycling, eg making cardboard pretend
toys like doll houses, playground, dolls made with outgrown clothes etc. Find her at
- [email protected] , Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Bhaswati10,

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkNYVvrI167Bu9rf8uFL3-w

32

Parrot Tanjore
and Painting
Cow By
ramya
Fluid shripathi
Art in (SG 403)
Water
Colour A
and Comic Strip
Acrylic MuRlidhaR’s
Obedience
By
Aditi
Tapi
(NJ
202).

By
Satyaki
Ghatak
(NK 403)

33

If I Could Rename Love
I would Call It Venice
By Vidya Singh (B8 301)

Sneh Pancholi (SG 202)
(non-resident spandhanite)

Sneh is an Ace Badminton Player. She
shares her journey with Badminton with us..

Sneh’s 2021 State Level Under 19 Rankings: Girls’
Singles-25, Women’s Category-42, Mixed Doubles - 3
Sneh’s tryst with badminton started with playing under direction of Ms Adfa, in Spandhana. Formal coaching
ensued at HollyHock Badminton Academy, where she learnt of state and national level tournaments from senior
players. Intrigued, she began preparing herself to be able to participate in those, some day. In sixth grade, she left
Hollyhock, but received the mentoring from a professional friend of her father, who had his own academy, for more
than a year, before she joined the prestigious White Peacock Badminton Academy. Sneh got registered with
Karnataka Badminton Association and under guidance of experienced coaches, she played almost all the
tournaments ‘Under 15’, ‘Under 17’, and ‘Under 19’. She, with a few other members would book professional
courts at multiple locations and play. She pursued her passion for the sports, with her academic dreams.
She has another love, Bharatnatyam. She learnt it for 7 years, under tutelage of Ms Purnima Sankar Kaushik here.
Hours of a day are limited. Hence Sneh has to carefully tailor her routine to meet demands of her increasing
academic load, and heavy commitment to sports. Her typical day starts around 5 am, with exercises and practice
till she breaks for her school (presently online) at 7 am. She had to forego spending time with her friends, to make
room for sports & studies. No late nights as well, as due to early morning practice, she has to retire to bed early.
Her parents have been her biggest support all along. They not only encourage her and make provisions to meet all
her training needs, but also actively accompany her in her exercise and play sessions. She speaks fondly of her
mother who would adjust her schedule to be there for Sneh when she exercises, and of father, who would sacrifice
his own rest days to be at her side as she practices.
Covid has stalled the tournaments and her professional coaching, but she continues to practice in special courts
overseen by her father, with the hope of resuming the playing once situation normalizes.
We also hope for the same, and wish her All the Best in Badminton, as well as Academics.

34

Future Warfare: Indo China Clash Year: 2036-2038 By : Jas Chetak Lodaya (SL 401)

Date: 20th February ,2036

A fair day in Mangalore. The fishermen are out on their boats and the markets are
bustling. Leia is busy watching her tv show on Netflix. Her show is interrupted by
an emergency broadcast.
“Mangalore is under attack by the PLAAF (People’s Liberation Army Air Force).
Evacuate immediately. As soon as the message ends the tremor of a missile
exploding nearby racks her nerves. Leia rushes out into her balcony and finds
innumerable attack aircraft rushing through the sky.

Half of them were dealing with the IAF, the other half was dropping bombs all over Mangalore.

Leia sees a fishing boat trying to rush to the shore getting blasted to smithereens as a direct cruise missile hit leaves
no trace of the boat. Leia rushes to see her parents, only to find out that they have left in their car. Leia had been
forgotten. Leia ducked under the bed and started wailing as the Chinese rained hell down from the skies. She was
left for dead.

Date: 14th February, 2036

Indian Prime Minister Virendra Modi and the American President Frederick
Brown were at the Annual Global Summit of 2036. “China has been trying to
prove its dominance throughout South-eastern Asia since the First Invasion of

Taiwan in 2025. Now Dictator Siwi Jinping has started her cowardly campaign of pushing around small countries in
the Indian subcontinent. Pakistan is already sided with China, Nepal had to give a large amount of territory and pay
a sum of 3 billion USD to China to prevent its invasion. Bhutan fought back, only to be swarmed by Chinese forces.
China must be stopped before they invade all the small countries in the continent.” Said Modi.

“That’s absolutely right. The Chinese are becoming a global threat as the Russians are also siding with the Chinese.
China is also increasing its nuclear armada. They must be brutally stopped before things go really bad and we end
up in World War 3” said Brown. China was not invited to the summit. Many believe that this was the cause behind
the aggression against India.

Date: 20th February, 2036

“Matters are escalating into a devastating war as the Chinese have bombed Chennai just yesterday. The total toll of
deaths reached 5000. China eyes Delhi next after bombing major cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and
Bangalore.” said the news reporter. “Delhi has already put up anti missile defences and has a round the clock aerial
protection”. “China is asking for a war. This inhumane act of killing innocent civilians must be stopped.” said Rewar
Kinjan, the Defence Minister of India. “The Chinese have started giving us plans of truce and surrender but we have
rejected all of them. War is inevitable.” The Chinese had already piled up on the LAC and had tried to pus their way
in, but Indian soldiers had the L2 point which they used to cleanly supress any Chinese advancements. The IAF and
the INA had already started mobilising their troops to the border.
Indian forces held the defending advantage, but the Chinese forces were not weak. This war would be a huge
decider of not only southern Asia, but the entire world, as both the countries have the largest populations and the
largest armies. China was not alone, though. India’s biggest archenemy and China’s Biggest supporter was also
here. It was Pakistan, and it wanted to score some clean territory when India was busy with China. Then, as a thank
you, Pakistan will share half of the territory with China, bringing them even closer.

35

Date: 25th February, 2036

The PLA was silent on the LAC, so India decided to send some troops to the Pakistani LoC to equalise the forces.
It was probably a good idea, because the PNA had also decided to start its ascent on Siachen Glacier, a key point
from where India always to beat Pakistan in their advancements.

When the additional troops reached there, the Army had already spotted the PNA troopers scaling the Glacier, and
they had begun firing. The First battle of Siachen was one of five battles which was fought here. This battle lasted
for two days and the PNA suffered heavy losses. Eventually, the PNA retreated and India still had the glacier, ready
to fight another battle

Date: 2nd April, 2036

The PLA at the border stirred up again, and
began firing at the Indian base at L2 point using
its artillery. The base was still in working
condition after the bombing, but the PLA had
started an advancement on the L2 peak.

The INA let loose with all it had, incurring heavy losses on the troops. The INA eventually ran out of resources after
the five day attack and called for an air reinforcement.”
“This is L2 base requesting an airstrike and a base resupply airdrop.” said the chief Dhanveer Rathod.
“Copy that L2 base. Airstrike team of 3 incoming. Callsign is Cheetah. ETA 5 minutes. Resupply Crate incoming in
3 hours” said the main base.

Five minutes later three Rafale class A jets sped through the sky.
“This is Cheetah 1, ready for tasking, mark your target”

An INA soldier came out of base and pointed a laser beam at a PLA makeshift Forward attack base.
“Roger, co-ordinates confirmed. Weapons loose in 20 seconds.”

20 seconds later a Steelos class 4 air-to-surface missile came tearing through the air and destroyed the base.
“Good hit. Nobody in the base would have survived that. Cheetah is returning to base. Good hunting”

To Be Continued in next edition

The serpent’s revenge – a book review by Mohor Chatterjee(B7 301)

Who were the first people on earth according to Indian myths? How did the lunar dynasty begin? What were Arjuna's
different names? Who brought king bharat ‘s forward vision to an end? Why is Yuddishtira called Dharmaputra? All
these questions can be answered if you read this book. This book is a compilation of short stories. Dive deep into the
behind the scenes of the mahabharatha war and into the backstory of the characters!
Author : Sudha murthy
Rating : 5 stars
The story I liked the most: The Akshaya Patra
Genre: Mythology
I really recommend this book.

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A Hat and a shoe, a murder mystery By Anchit mitra (SF 401) contd from previous edition

Chapter 3-The death of two brothers.

It was the 3rd of February,1863. Jason was writing something for his brother Jackson,

who had died a few days back. Now you must be thinking why he was writing something for his dead brother. He was
writing something that his brother wanted to write before he was murdered. Actually, these two brothers were given
the task to create the world’s first pilotless airplane. But in the middle of their work one of the brothers was murdered
and the next month the other one was murdered too. They had hidden their life’s work in their most valuable
belongings, a hat and a shoe. The murderer is still unknown to this date. Not only treasure hunters, even the
governments of many countries like China, USA, Russia, India and many other countries have been in this hunt,
even extremely rich people like the Sheikh of Dubai have tried to find the treasure, but so far no one has neither
found the treasure nor has anyone found any clues or any trace to the treasure. Though many people have claimed
to have got proof, their “proof” always turned out to be fake.

Chapter 4-Hello U S A . . . . . .

Many days later Shyam still couldn’t stop thinking about the hat he had seen.

Could it be true? Shyam thought to himself. Shyam was sitting next to the playground where his friends were playing
football with a small sponge ball that they used every day. That was when Shyam’s best friends Hari and Mani, who
were twins came up to him and asked him why he wasn’t playing. Because Shyam would always play with them
usually unless his mother did not let him come out that day. Shyam asked them to come sit next to him, they both sat
on either side. Then Shyam began to narrate the story about the two brothers. At the end of the story both the twins
were mesmerized. All of a sudden Mani said “So you think, that man is searching for these things?”. Shyam nodded
his head in approval to Mani’s question. That’s when the other brother suddenly broke his silence and said “Guys I
need to show you something interesting, come here tomorrow at the same time.”

The next morning Shyam woke up and saw his mother wasn’t home, he knew that she had gone to get water from
the village well so he decided to get some more sleep. The next thing Shyam knew was that his mother was waking
him up. She told him that his friends were waiting for him outside, he ran outside and saw Mani and Hari waiting for
him. Mani said “I wanted to save this for later in the evening, but this is what I wanted to show you.”, he took out
something from behind his back and showed it to Shyam. Only then did Shyam realize that it was a shoe , and not
only did it have the same pattern like the one he had seen on the hat, taken by the man and it also had the same
kind of name tag, like the one made of gold on the hat. Then Shyam asked his friend where he got it. Hari told him
that he had found this shoe along with the other shoe in the nearby forest one day ,while collecting wood. One day
he accidentally removed the label of one of the shoes and behind it he found a folded piece of paper . He had kept
this paper somewhere inside a neem tree in the forest the following day as he did not know whose it was and wanted
to stay out of trouble just in case. Then the man came and asked him for a shoe with the same description so he
gave him the shoe without the piece of paper . So, after the tale they all followed him to the neem tree where he had
hidden the piece of paper. He showed them the hollow in the tree and then took out the piece of paper from it. In it
something was written in a language none of them were familiar with. So, he asked Mani if he could take the paper
home with him. Mani told he didn’t want it anyways and kept it in Shyam’s hand and asked him if he would come to

play football . But Shyam wasn’t listening to him, the only thing that was going

through his head was why the man had wanted the shoe or was it actually the piece
of paper he was after? Mani was waving his hand in front of Shyam trying to get him
back to his senses. “ Yeah, I am coming ”Shyam told and followed the twins to the
ground where they played football. After about an hour they three along with other

friends all went home. He had completely forgotten about the chit he had kept in his pocket, right before he kept his
hand into his pocket as it was really chilly in the night. Suddenly a thought came to his mind, that maybe the man
didn’t actually want the shoe and hat because of the gold label on them but because of the possibility of there being

37

another piece of paper in the label of the hat he had found and maybe that led to a greater treasure or something like
that. But then he thought that he would have probably been searching for the shoe and hat because of the gold label
but who knew he thought to himself right when he saw the straw roof of his house in the distance and started running
towards his house as he was really tired. As soon as he reached his house, he saw his mom waiting for him. When
he got in, she asked him to drink some water and she told that she had something really important to tell him.

To Be Continued in next edition…

Time to move on By Arisha chakrabarty

(NF 401)

The Beginning

I was born with hundred more of my brothers and sisters. Our mom was the one who cooked , we on the other
hand were preparing to fly away. At least that’s what my mom said we should do. Though I didn’t quite
understand her. I was the youngest in my family. My eldest brothers had their farewell ceremony this afternoon
and we were all preparing them to get ready. The wind will be strong today my mother said ‘We need to get
ready, it might strike us any time now. I didn’t know where my brothers were going but I was used to this

episode. Last month, my father and few of my brothers and sisters flew away to someplace called the forest. He
never returned and nor did my siblings. Then mum said it was time. My brothers stretched themselves towards

the front while my mom pulled me and my sisters back. Then suddenly we heard a howl and the wind blew taking

my brothers along with it. I asked my mom where were they going? but she said the same thing, the forest. For

the next few days the wind was still and everything was normal until we saw this huge beast. It was a monster
and it came sniffing at us and howling. I was scared but mom told not to worry and she was right. The next
moment we heard a sweet voice say “Bruno, you naughty dog, come on in your food is ready” And the beast ran

into thin air. I always wanted to see where he went. I tried escaping once to follow it but my mom held me back.

She said that I will be allowed when the time is right. I never quite knew when would the time be right but I still
nodded.

One week later

It’s been a week and most of my sibling have gone. I started my training to go to the forest. My mom was getting
old, her hair was turning brown and she started to bend. Though I took good care of her she still seemed to get
weaker and weaker. But training was the worst. I had to walk all the way to the doorstep and stretch myself till
my organs popped out. Mom said I was doing great and that was the only thing that kept me from quitting. She

also said that in one week I would we ready to soar off into the unknown. I kept practising and I was actually
quite excited. I thought of all the things that I would find out and if I had luck on my side, I could even meet my

siblings.

The day has arrived

The wind was pretty strong today and my mom said that it was very lucky as I could soar farther away. I walked

towards our doorstep and looked at my mother with nervous eyes. She smiled with a thumbs up and assured me
that it would be great. What about you? I asked her. Aren’t you going to come? She’s too old and too weak to
even walk to this doorstep and anyways you can’t fly away twice. One of my sisters said. Hey, that’s just rude, I

told her. After what she has done for you is this how you treat her? Its fine, my mom said, she is stating the truth.
You can’t fly more than once… Then again, the beast arrived but this time he just looked at us with his large grey

eyes.

38

And the wind blew taking us off our feet and meters high into the air. My sisters decided to go the opposite way
while I decided to follow the beast, see where it leads me. But it was hard work. I had to fly in the opposite direction
of the wind. It was difficult but with the help of determination I was able to fly a few feet away. The beast was quite
fast itself but I tried my best to cope up. It led me to a place filled with greens and tall thorny creepy hands. It
started to spook me out but just as I was starting to get used to it a huge branch came and knocked me off.

The Dark City

The next thing I knew, I was no longer in the green field. Right now, I was on something which was moving. I
couldn’t see the beast anywhere I thought I had lost it. I didn’t know for how long I had been unconscious. I sat up
and looked around. Everywhere I saw it was just brown. I got really scared maybe I was in the dark city. My mom
had told me stories about all the dreadful things that had happened there. Dark thoughts were swarming my head.
My face was turning pale and my stomach started to hurt. I tried moving forward but the thing I was on was moving
too quickly for me to even stand up. Just then the object came to a sudden halt. I looked up to see the beast right in
front on me.

Mirror on the Wall

The beast looked scary. But with all my might and courage, I walked up to it
just then I see one on my siblings. I raised my hand to say hi my sibling raised
his hand in the same time. It might be a coincidence I said to myself, after all
we are siblings. I walked a bit closer. He appeared clearer. I walked towards

Him to give him a hug. He did the same. Now this cannot be a coincidence I told myself. I bent forward. Huh! I
gasped. Infront of my eyes were two beasts. They looked awfully similar. I jerked back. I turned to look at my
brother and let out another gasp. I was on the beast! I almost fell down with all that shock the beast had given me.
It gave out a huge and sinister bark. My stomach started to gurgle and I had to hold myself from barking. The beast
started to run. Now I couldn’t hold it anymore. The beast ran so fast this time that I had to hold onto its fur. It sat
dawn all of a sudden. And it bent down, licking a small bowl of… I don’t know what. “Hush! Bruno the same sweet
voice said” I looked in the direction I heard the voice. A large black shadow came over me as I saw the origin of the
voice. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I hadn’t seen something as big as this creature in my entire life. I assumed it was
a she though I couldn’t really tell. Oh! What have you got there little Bruno? She said picking me up. She carried
me towards the window and I prayed that she wouldn’t do what I thought she would.

Lucy

I kept my eyes closed just in case. For a moment I thought that this was my end and it would have been until the
someone called her. She dropped me on the ground where my good companion, the wind flew me to where she
sat. But not exactly where I wanted to land. Right now, I was soaking wet as I had fallen into her cereal bowl.

Once again, she pulled me out and raised me to the window pane. Now it was my
end. I said to myself. But for good heavens sake another large creature called the
other one. Lucy, what are you doing it said? From this sentence I made two
conclusions. One, the girls name was Lucy and two the voice I just heard was the
same as the last one so I assumed that this voice must have been of Lucy’s mom.
Mom, I am throwing a piece of some plant out the window and into the garden.
You dare not the other voice said. Don’t you know that plants have feelings too? Get it here and I’ll tell you
something. Lucy carried me back to her mom. Her mom put me on a soft pillow. Do you know where he came
from? Mom asked Lucy. No, I don’t think so, Lucy replied. Look out of the window, mom told Lucy. Lucy walked
towards the window. Oh! She said it’s from the Dandelion plant. Yes! her mom said. And it has flown away to
reproduce more of their own kind. Do you know that most of these do not get to reproduce? Why? Lucy asked.
Because of many things actually, like this one will not be able to, because of us and others don’t have the

39

appropriate atmosphere or appropriate amount of water. Can we help him reproduce? Lucy asked? We can try. I
didn’t know that Lucy’s mother knew so much about us… Wow!

I am being planted!
Lucy and her mom took me outside. Where should we plant him? Lucy’s mother asked holding me in her hands.
Next to his mother over there Lucy suggested. Perfect! Mom said. They took me next to my mom. I looked at her,
she was very frail and weak now. I just hoped that Lucy and her mom would help her too. Just as I said that, Lucy
suggested “Look at its mom, she looks very weak. Can we help her out too?” Sure, we can. I was being planted
near my mother and I was very happy. In a week’s time, I had grown up and had kids of my own and with the help
of Lucy and her mom I was able to save my mother.

Hence, wherever you go and how ever far you go you will always end up with your mom. It’s the circle of life.

What All can you do to keep those energetic minds in focus? To instil confidence in their demeanour and speaking? Obvious
answer would be to take a professional angle. And no need to look further as the Gavel Club for the 8 to 18 year olds
(affiliated to ToastMaster’s International) is right here in Spandhana. community – NITK Spandhana Gavel club, which started
on 19 th Sept 2020 and already has about 15 members (children). A team of 6 adults who are/were part of Toastmasters,
guide and evaluate kids for their speeches. The children themselves conduct the meetings just like a regular Toastmasters
club does. The guides, who take time off from their work and managing home, have been doing an excellent job of building
confidence and helping make good prospective leader out of these children. Language being an indispensable part of Public
speaking, Gavel club also enhances the vocabulary and usage skills of the language. And the Fun part is that all this is achieved
through fun ways of story telling, sprinkling humour, using anecdotes in their speeches. Besides a weekly congregation, Bi-
annual debate competitions, speech contests, evaluation contests, humorous speech contests also take place, with other
close Gavel clubs in Bangalore which are institutional / society based.

There is a nominal fee to run the club under the Toastmasters banner and for logistics of running the meetings. Under present
pandemic situation, the meetings are conducted online. Here is the link for those who might be interested to join:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/HbQBa9No7oCDDW9gwlToCZ

Quoting Mohor Chatterjee, as she attributes her good oratory skills to Gavel Club :

The first time I heard of it, I was not even interested but I still decided to give it a shot. And when I joined my first meeting, I just loved it.
The meeting was much synchronised and went very smoothly. There was the prepared speeches part where speakers give speeches on a
particular topic. Then there was the table topic segment where the speakers have to think on their toes and speak on different topics
without any preparation. Then there was the evaluation where we get feedback on areas where we did well and areas we could improve.
This is when I decided to join. Over the next few meetings, my speech writing ability progressed by leaps and bounds and I became a more
able speaker. My leadership skills also started improving. I didn’t feel nervous when I was speaking and I became a better listener too.

……Excerpted from Contributions by Minal Agrawal(NJ 401), Chaitanya T K(NG 304) and Jagadish Somaiah(NL 201)

-----Mentors @ NITK Spandhana Gavel club.

40

Akhila
Ramarathnam

(B1 304)

A Virtual Trip
Close To Nature

By: Pranay Bose
(ND 102)

Kashvi Gupta
Class - 7
(SL 103)

Arisha
Chakraborty

Class – 7
(NF 401)

Mihika Bharath (8 years)

Non-resident Spandhanite
(NF 104)

Mihika lives in Mumbai. She
loves various art forms, including
ethnic forms like warli, pebble,
salt, spoon paintings, water
colours and enjoys to portray
nature. She loves sharing her
work with friends in Spandhana.

41

The HAND Anika Narayan
By (B8 403)

Aarth Chakraborty

(NF 401)

Flower Painting Clay Elephant
By Advik Mitra By Samyukta

(SF 401) 6 years (SG
403)

Abhinav
10 years
(B2-203)

42

Fluid art in acrylic colors
and golden paint with
poster colours By Advik
(NJ 202)

Lord NARASIMHA By Samyukta
6 years (SG 403)

Kashvi Gupta Shashan
Class - 7 Chandras
(SL 103) -ekaran
(5.8 yrs)

(B3 302)

Lord Ganesh, a lotus in one hand, a bowl of laddoos
in the another, with other hand blessing devotees, and
4th hand is having an axe. A bowl of sweets placed

before him, a mouse on the other side is eating a
laddoo.. 4 people praying to him, and offering flowers

to the Lord... and the flowers are seen all over

43

Few INFO BEFORE WE SAY Till We MEET AGAIN:
1. Please Send in your Contributions, Comments, Questions to

[email protected]
2. Please find the first edition here in following link:

Kaleidoscope Edition 1(April 2021)
3. Please find the second edition in following link :

Kaleidoscope Edition 2(June 2021)

au revoir

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