Students' Articles

Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal

Inner Awakening
Students' Articles

L ckd Twalens
2020

PREFACE TRAINING OUR BRAIN DURING A CRISIS

The ‘war’ metaphor that is used so often to elucidate the battle
against the Corona has become so common today, to be ubiquitous.
There is an air of stress, worry and uncertainty looming large over us ,
manifesting itself in questions like, How long will the pandemic last?
When will normalcy be restored? When can we stop social isolation? Let
us not while away the precious time at our disposal in worrying .This is, in
fact, the time to learn how to tolerate anxiety and fear of the unknown
and develop problem-solving strategies.

Dear Readers,

We are the role models of our children. Our children watch, hear and
emulate us. It is our responses to critical situations that will set a
precedence for them and teach them how to respond to and tackle
change and challenges. Maintain equanimity and develop tenacity today
to nurture resilient kids that become resilient adults tomorrow. There are
lessons to learn from every experience in life. Let us not forget that if the
pandemic has posed challenges to us, then, it has also taught us personal
hygiene, importance of investment in public health, sensitivity,
cooperation, collaboration, digital literacy, patriotism, humanity and
national integration.

The profound changes in our lifestyle that happened in 2020,
required us to take more deliberate actions to exercise our thinking skills
and to cope with the changes and threats that the new normal posed to
the people across the world. So, in a departure from the norm, we have
documented in the yearbook, 20-21, LOCKDOWN TALES, some of the
experiences and learnings of our Sagarites, be it the students, the
teachers or our valued parents, which are the stories of their resilience
and fortitude in the face of danger. These tales are a part narrative of our
journey and experience, and partly a reflection on the times we are in.

The feelings and experiences of the Sagarites have been recorded
here for you to savour, reflect upon and draw inspiration from. This
Lockdown edition will have different narratives, each highlighting a
different aspect of the struggle and the lesson learnt. It has been divided
into three segments; Articles, Pictures and Videos showcasing the myriad
skills and talents (writing, culinary, sketching, painting, singing, dance
and sports) of our stakeholders, the students, the parents and the
teachers.

INNER AWAKENING-

STUDENTS’ ARTICLES

Expressing oneself, be it through writing or any other art
form, is cathartic. Thank you sagarites and all contributors
for sharing your experiences, thoughts and vision with us
through your Articles. Listed below are a few takeaways
from your expressions that we believe will serve as a
source of inspiration for all the readers.

• What you cannot cure, endure.So work on what is within
your control.Resilient people look for the good even in
the bad.

• Seek help.Develop a healthy social support system.

• Develop mindfulness and learn emotional regulation
strategies.

• Self-care is critical and imperative– physically,
mentally and spiritually. Exercise, meditate,read,cook,
andclean as these are therapeutic.

And lastly I would like to quote a few lines from the
American poet,John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem,

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

When you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must,but don’t you quit.

Thank You, SPS

I, Jari Abbas Abdi of class 1'A' would like to share my experience of the
lockdown period with you. I spent 52 days of lockdown at home. I spent
my time doing various activities like helping my mother in the kitchen,
filling water bottles, playing indoor games like ludo, carrom, reading
books etc. These days I have also enjoyed the most memorable moments
of my life i.e my online classes with my wonderful and amazing teachers
who teach me lots of new lessons in my life. The way my teachers teach is
very nice and polite. They always say that we should be confident to give
answers to the questions. I also like the activities given by my teachers like
beat the heat activity, supermoon day etc. I do it very enthusiastically. My
online classes never give me the feeling that I'm not going to school. Last but
not least my teachers put lots of effort for us and give us love, care and
knowledge which we need during this time. Thanks to the Sagar Public
School Team.

Jari Abbas Abdi (I A)

Things That I Miss

I miss going to school, I miss dressing up;

The school bus rides, planning weekend trips,

Eating with friends and visits to the mall, having cola sips,

playing on school’s slides. Oh! It’s been a while this way,

I miss meeting up with teachers, Once again I want to be carefree and gay.

Chatting with school friends, So, I don’t miss washing

Going back to the bus, in lines my hands for 20 seconds,

when school ends, I don’t miss social distancing

I miss my dancing class and I don’t miss Homestay.

and my music lesson, In the end, I plead to my

I miss giggling with friends friends and the mass,

in our funny fashion, That stay hopeful,

I miss playing out; running all maybe not immediately,
around, but sometime soon
this too shall pass.
Jumping from the heights and Jaynika Patil (I C)
Rolling on the ground,

The Threat of Virus

The lockdown period was tough for me as we
were restricted from outside and meeting
friends in the school. My parents had told me
there was a virus outside,ready to attack us if
we dared go out. Soon I discovered the best
thing about the lockdown, I could play as
much as I wished , though indoors, and spend
time with my father and my grandparents. In
the lockdown period, I learned many things. I
practised yoga, learned painting, danced,
attended online classes, did reading practice
and helped my mother in household work. I
pray to God that soon we get rid of this virus
and can go to school again to meet my dear
teachers and my friends.

Samreet Kaur (I E )

New Activities

I learned about corona in February.On 21st March, our
Prime Minister Modi Ji announced to lock down the
entire India. We stopped going out due to lockdown.
We stayed together with the whole family.We
understood the value of family and the caregivers, the
police, nurses, doctors and sanitation workers.In the
lockdown, we played indoor games and had an indoor
picnic. I missed my school, teachers and friends the
most in the lockdown. These days we also enjoyed a
lot of online classes and we met with our new
teachers.We made a lot of videos and did a lot of
activities. I want to go to school early and meet our
teachers and friends. How hard all the teachers work
for us, I understand. Thank you Alpa ma’am, Shailija
ma’am, Dhanlaxmi ma’am, Hasmeen Ma’am and thank
you to all the teachers.

Stay Home Stay Safe
Tanay Begwani (I A)

Missing School and Fun

School is one of my favourite places. I'm missing my school,
teachers & principal. I'm very excited because of my new admission.

I miss you my Nana-Nani. I will come soon for
endless fun and feasts, be ready to welcome me.

I’m very eager to make new friends and bond
with them.

My mother told me that in my school there are
many rides & swings and a big swimming pool
which makes me excited to go to school. And yes,
other than this my school organizes summer
camp. They improve our skills and hidden talent.
Looking Forward to many activities makes me

super excited.

“Phir muskurayega INDIA”

I want to salute our doctors, nurses, health workers, sanitary
workers, policemen, farmers, sweepers & the Indian army.

Kanak Lekhwani ( I-C)

An Innocent Dream

One night in a dream, when I was sleeping, I went to my worship place and sat quietly. I
asked my Lord Shiva,” God, we humans are very powerful but what happened with our
power? Why can't we step outside? Why are we all trapped
inside? Lockdown, masks, COVID-19, sanitizers, viruses
are the only words in my ears. Why is this invisible virus
ruling over us?” My lord Shiva replied, ”Dear Aaradhya,
whenever there is an imbalance on the earth, I have to
come in some form. Don’t be scared, my child. I’ll protect
everyone, who stays safe inside. ”

“But how can I go to my school? I am missing each and
everyone.”I continued.

And I slept before his answer. The next morning, when I
woke up my mother told me to get ready for the online
classes. My joy had no bounds after hearing that as from
then, I could see my teachers and friends. And days are
passing… “I am living as good a life as I was living earlier. I
am having my food, fun and studies.

No matters if malls are empty, shops are closed, roads are deserted. My home is my little
world, I get everything here. I have learnt the importance of something IMPORTANT.

My mother says,” What has started will also end.”

I hope we all return to our routine life very soon. Till then SMILE and BE THANKFUL.

Rest Assured.

Aaradhya Pankaj (I C)

My Lockdown Prayer

For the last 2 months, I did not go outside of my house due to coronavirus. All this time
people and the media talked about viruses only. I asked my father if I could see this virus
that got everyone scared, but my father told me that we couldn’t see this virus with the
naked eye.

I thought the virus was a ‘booth’. At the start of lockdown, I thought I would watch TV,
play and do whatever I liked but after some days I got bored, doing the same thing daily.
Then my brother and I thought of making ice-cream and cake. I felt excited and we
started working on a recipe my brother had told me that we can see on YouTube. With
the help of YouTube, we had prepared a very tasty ice-cream and cake. My mother and
father were very happy when they ate it and said ‘wah beta’. Also, I started drawing with
the help of youtube and made some beautiful pictures.

I was afraid of one thing only and that was that my father daily went to the office during
lockdown. I asked my father why he went to the office when all the people were staying
at home, my father answered that if every person will stay at home then who will
manage outside. He told me that people who are staying at home and following rules are
also fighting with corona and those who are doing their duties outside like doctors,
police, scientists, farmers, and milkmen etc are also helping people to fight against
coronavirus. I daily pray to God to throw this coronavirus from our lives so that we may
live as we had lived earlier.

Arohi Verma, (II A)

How I Spent The Need of the
My time Situation

I have learned many things in this Lockdown is the need of the present
lockdown like drawings , dancing etc. situation. I learned many things
However, in this period, I have during the lockdown. Firstly, I knew
discovered something special, my the importance of hygiene and
hidden talent .Yes, I have acting skills sanitization. During the lockdown, I
also. Let me tell you one more thing. I was helping my parents in many
didn't waste time. I obeyed my parents, housekeeping works. I played with
helped my mother, father and my sister. my little brother, mother, father and
However, I had apprehensions. I forgot even grandfather. Now,I began
my fear of cockroaches and was scared learning drawing and painting. I am
of corona more.What if we got infected studying regularly with video classes
, what if we died? So, I prayed to god at my home due to the efforts of
to remove this virus from our life.I Roohi ma’am. In my free time, I help
know God listens and answers prayers. my mother and father in gardening
Very soon we will be back to school and also. But I have missed outdoor
everything will be fine. games, my friends and my school
very much.
Shourya Garg (II C)
Aarohi Omre (II E)

Locked Up in My Home

We had just shifted to our new home and I had taken admission in Sagar Public School
but the very next day the lockdown was imposed. I was very much disappointed as I
wanted to join my new school for which I was very much excited. But this lockdown was
also necessary to save us and our country from the pandemic. This is the 55th day of the
lockdown when I am sharing my experience . It has taught me a lot of lessons : I saw my
father full time at home, otherwise, he was always busy and often on tour for official
work. Lockdown allowed me to have greater bonding with my sisters and parents. I
learnt that we should help in home affairs. We should help the poor and the needy. This
lockdown gave me a very exciting new opportunity to get introduced to the digital world
where I met my new teachers and friends online. I learnt to pray for ourselves and the
whole of humanity to be safe from the pandemic. I don’t know how much more this
lockdown is going to stretch but hope we will get free from the pandemic and start life
afresh.

Mohammad Sarim Khan (II A)

Lovely Time My Activities

Schools are closed, shops are closed, The lockdown was an
everyone is locked and tensed at home but unexpected situation that
arose and changed our lives. I
someone who is more than happy is me want to thank all my teachers
because nowadays my dad and mom are for adapting to technology
always there for me at home. No office work, and starting teaching online.
During the lockdown we
no calls, no kitty parties, no late-night started doing lots of activities
meetings. They are always with me from like - Reading books, yoga,
morning till we sleep. We watch movies & drawing, helping mother in the
play ludo every day. My dad has made a kitchen and also enjoying lots
house for my doll and my mom is preparing of games taught by Suman
yummy snacks and dishes just for me. I want ma'am. Thank you once again
to thank god for giving me this lovely time to all my dear teachers for their
cooperation and support.
with my family.
Stay home, Stay safe.
Saesha Peswani (II-G)
Alfiya Saulat ( III D)

The Show Must Go On

Lockdown is all over India due to COVID 19.It is a very critical situation for everyone
but it gave us many experiences, sometimes good sometimes bad. It gave me more
time to spend with my family. The best part is the online classes which I enjoyed a
lot. Thanks to SPS, learning did not receive a setback. India, however, has been set
back by a few years. I hope everything will be fine soon but whatever the condition I
love My India and I support my India in every situation. Let’s follow the state
guidelines and support our country.

Garvita Bhateja (I F)

Swallowing the Bitter Pill is better than
Dying

The lesson I've learnt from the Corona Pandemic is that Social Distancing is
very important. Social distancing means keeping a minimum distance
between us and the other people. It is the only way which can limit the
exposure of coronavirus . The main benefit of Social Distancing is that it will
ensure that we don't get to the serious stages of Covid-19 or any other
virus. Social Distance plays an important part in our daily life, even in the
absence of a virus, it is better to follow it to protect our family and friends
from different diseases and even from any attacks from viruses like corona ,
in future too. We can use social media and smartphones to stay in touch with
our family and friends.

Ridham Ahirwar (V B)

Life is Still
Beautiful

Wash your hands with soap,
For twenty seconds don’t let it go,

Stay at home and don’t go out,
Listen to the PM and do not doubt
Stay at home or else you will be quarantined
So don’t take your foot out at any point of time,
Stay at home and stay connected,
Do not think that you are deserted,
Times are tough ,but it shall pass,
Do not touch your face and wear a mask
So ,read a book or sing or dance

Bake a cake or be in a trance..
But remember to pray and be thankful

To all the Covid Warriors without
whom our life would not have been so

beautiful.

Prajusha Singh (IV D)

The Use and Abuse of Technology

Technology can be defined as the practical use of science or knowledge in our lives for
practical purposes. Technology does not only mean silicon computer chips or
supercomputers or artificial intelligence. Any machine in the world can be said to be an
invention making the best use of technology. Starting from the phones that we use not
only to communicate but also for our entertainment, till the fans, the clocks, the
television; all of this can be termed as some of the other technology made use of.

There are many uses of technology in our daily life. Technology has now become a part
of our daily life. We use television to watch news and cartoons. We use fans, coolers and
air conditioners to cool ourselves. We use lamps, light bulbs and torches to provide
ourselves with light. We even use clocks to know the time. There is almost nothing that
can be done without technology. Like, if someone wants to buy something, but he/she
isn’t getting it in the nearby shops, he/she can easily order it online using technology.
Technology even alters our thinking about time and space. To understand this we can
think that we can talk to anybody in any corner of the world using a telephone, no matter
how far they are from us. From waking up in the morning until sleeping at night, we use
technology. Even just thinking about not having technology will be very delusional.
Without technology, we would be like early humans. Even during the global COVID-19
pandemic, the progress of the world has not stopped because of technology. We can still
study and do all our work due to technology. We can order food online when all the shops
are closed due to lockdown because of technology. These are just some of the boons
that we get from technology in our today's life. Technology can today be used for
performing almost every task in the world.

But we should remember that where there is white there is always black; Where there is
light there is darkness. The same applies to technology. Where there are good uses of
technology, there are also the ill-effects of it. There may be many uses of technology in
our life as it has become an important part of our daily life. Still, we cannot ignore the ill-
effects of technology. The fact that harmful rays are emitted from phones, computers,
laptops, televisions, iPods, etc is less commonly known. These rays can damage our eyes
badly, but people still use these appliances daily on a large scale of time. Nowadays,
during the lockdown, people are using these appliances for even more time than usual,
since they are undertaking online classes, virtual meetings due to work from home, etc.
Many people store their personal information in computers and phones which leads to a
threat of data hacking and leaking. Many people engage in unethical deeds such as
hacking phones and computers to gain access to the personal information of other
people. Hacking is one of the worst uses of technology according to me.

But nowadays, an agency known as cyber police is helping in stopping these
cybercrimes. We can also help the cyber police and ourselves by not providing our
personal information to anyone on the internet. We should also not enter our personal
information on any site unless it is totally secure ( a site is secure only if it is showing
https:// before the address link of the site ) or we are sure that the site can be trusted.

Tanishk Singhal (VII F)

Qualified Round 1 - Read India Competition

The Value of Life and Self-Belief

e value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use, we make of them
-Michel de Montaigne

Let us ask ourselves, “What is the true value of life? Do we value our life?” Life is a
beautiful gift, given to us, by God, and it must be cherished. Most importantly, we must
learn to value life. To value life means not to take it for granted and simply live it in its
ways. Life should have a purpose, it should be driven by goals to do something good for
oneself, for the society, for the nation, for humanity as a whole. Our aim in life should
ONLY be based on what we like to do and what we are good at. It should not be based on
the parents’ choice or what our friends are doing. Parents and teachers should support
our choices and guide us accordingly. Also, we should have the utmost faith and belief in
ourselves. We should believe that with strong will-power, desire and the “never say die”
attitude, we can achieve anything. Sometimes we may have made a wrong choice, we
may fail and sometimes we may be mocked at, but that is not the time to despair or take
the stress. For sure, life will always test us with both good and tough situations. When
faced with good times, one should learn to rejoice, share one’s happiness with others.
When faced with adversity, one should remind oneself, “We are human after all and we
are not perfect”, trust God and our ability, analyze what went wrong and take the
corrective actions. The corrective actions could be to work smarter, putting in more
effort, take guidance from an expert, talk to a loved one, and/or even change our goal,
only if required. Life should not be driven by materialistic needs as the joy and happiness
you derive from them are short term and they fade away very easily. One must learn to
cherish and derive happiness from the smallest of things or events.

“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt

People tend to spend so much time worrying that they forget to find pleasure and
happiness in their lives, thus forgetting the worth of life. We should not harm or even
shorten our precious gift of life by unwanted worries, or anxiety, which will ultimately
lead to us being stressed out, and also wearing our body and mind out. If we wish to
appreciate life, we ought to live it without even the slightest of worries in our mind or our
heart. The key is to value life and have self-belief. Self-belief will make you more
confident about who you are, and what you do. It is one of the keys to living a happy and
successful life. Lack of self-belief, will ultimately and inevitably lead to stress, anxiety,
tension and depression which will make us emotionally, mentally, and physically weak
and unstable. So believe in your abilities. Believe that all kinds of problems can be
resolved, things will only get better and that time is the greatest healer.

STAY POSITIVE …. STAY HEALTHY.

Alvira Khan (VII A)

Never Thought This Would Happen Someday

My books are in the school and this session, I am not going to school as our prime
minister, Mr.Narendra Modi has ordered a complete lockdown due to COVID 19.

I wake up late, but on Sunday I wake up early as my sister has her sports classes and I
work out with her. I get ready by 2 pm as this is the time for my online classes with
Geeta Tiwari Ma'am and I can see my friends. I enjoy these classes but I'll be happier
when my school gets reopened and when I can play outside with friends and meet my
cousins. Hope this COVID 19 goes back to where it came from, soon.

Mysha Qureshi (II G)

Habits to Inculcate

Ikeep discussing the current affairs with • Live streaming of aarti for crowd
my parents at home.Naturally with corona management.
in the air for so long, this was a topic of
our discussion every now and then.I have • Social distancing circles to be
written here my understanding of the drawn inside temples, mosques,
pandemic and the safety measures one churches and gurudwaras.
should follow this whole year. CORONA
virus disease named as COVID-19 has • ‘Holy water’ at churches to be put
become a pandemic because it is highly on hold.
contagious. It spreads primarily from
person to person through respiratory • Only 2 persons to be seated on
droplets. LOCKDOWN 1 ,2, 3 & 4 were church benches at a time.
imposed to defeat it. But in vain, now
LOCKDOWNS are over. Today about 4.75 • Langars to be packed and carried
Lac people are suffering from this disease. home from gurudwaras.
The Nation was advised to follow some
precautions to overcome it. We did so but • Hotels and restaurants should ensure
failed. Now the question is “How to deal the following formalities:
with such a crisis?” • Masks, gloves and hand
Every crisis is an opportunity to learn and sanitisation rules are strictly
get better. These are the lessons that we followed.
have learnt and should remember as • All staff must be thermally
corona is here to stay,how long , no one screened properly.
can tell. • Online payments must be
• Wearing a mask must be our habit in received.
• Napkins and finger bowls must be
future. Wear the mask properly. It is replaced with disposable tissues
not for the neck or chin. It must cover and wet wipes.
our nose and mouth. • Home delivery must be preferred.
• We should wash our hands with soap
and water for 20 seconds many times a • To face the virus we should increase
day. our immunity power by taking a
• We should follow social distancing . balanced diet.
• Spitting at public places and parks is to
be prohibited. • We should do YOGA and AASAN
• Schools, colleges and universities must regularly and properly. It will help us to
continue online classes and take keep fit and will increase our immunity.
utmost precautions on reopening.
• Train services and air traffic should be • We should take proper sound sleep for
resumed in a controlled way.. at least 6-8 hours daily.
• Religious places should continue with
restrictive entries • Used PPE kits, masks and face shields
• Washing of hands and feet to be should be thrown in a covered dustbin
after use.
compulsory before entering any
religious place. • Marriage ceremonies should be
• No entry without a face mask. celebrated with a limited number of
• No touching the idols. invitees, not more than 30.
• No offerings, Prasad, flowers,
garland and Ganga Jal in temples. • The CORONA virus has changed
everything from the way we live to the
way we grieve. Limited persons should
attend the funerals and conduct the
prayer meets online.

So, at last, I would say we should try to
convert hard times into opportunities.

Vedant Shrivastava (V A)

My Observations

As you all know that due to the outbreak of COVID 19 disease, a nationwide lockdown
has been imposed by the Government in the last week of March -2020 . During this
lockdown period when all others are confined to their home , I am restricted, far away
from my house at Bhopal , to another city Jabalpur . Actually my father is in a Bank . He
was transferred to Jabalpur in the month of Feb-2020, But my mother , younger brother
and I stayed back at Bhopal. After the closure of my school , I visited Jabalpur & was
supposed to stay here for one week, but during this period suddenly the lockdown was
imposed & I was left with no other option but to stay at Jabalpur for an indefinite period .

Having little resources, no TV , No fridge , no other necessary household items , initially,
we faced many problems , but here at Jabalpur my maternal aunt and landlord helped us
a lot and provided all the necessary support . It taught me a lesson that if you are good
in your deeds and help others then, definitely others will help you .

During this lockdown period I also watched “ The Ramayan '' serial on DD & came to
know many facts about lord Ram, whose life teaches us that good always wins over evil,
we have to respect and follow instructions of our parents and whatever may be the
difficulties / situations in life, we should not lose hope and face them with courage and
confidence. Another experience of mine during the lockdown is about the importance of
family & bonding between family members. If we respect and take care of our family
members then, any difficult situation may be faced in this life.

I also came to know about the importance of responsibilities of various jobs, Whether it
is my banker father, my teachers, police men, medical staff, other community helpers, all
are performing their best while facing all odds. It has taught me the lesson that the
welfare of the nation and society is our top priority. I pray to the almighty that we may get
rid of this COVID 19 disease and definitely we will get rid of it with our courage and
collective efforts. I have also learnt that Nature is supreme. We have to take care of
nature and our environment & we will definitely be a Winner.

Parth Gupta (V D)

Feelings Unleashed

Lockdown is a tough time, But safety really is the key.
So I thought I could write a rhyme. Watching cartoons on TV,
My brother says thanks to me.
Lots of time with my family, One day when we will win
In this worldwide calamity. That Joyous day when everything begins.
Our education system and We will look back at the lessons we learnt.
its dimensions are changed, Do good and live with precautions ,
Now we are studying from the If you don't want to repeat the current.
Internet, mobile and computer. Everyone is important family,
Missing my school and playing out,
It really makes me shout. teachers and friends
Every day with mom and dad, With them, life is good and

Makes me happy even fun never gonna end.
when the times are sad.
My friends can't see me, Yuvika Verma (VA)

Tales of the lock down

CoronaVirus. We took it very lightly,initially. We thought that it was in China, very far
from our home. But that time we didn't realize that it could attack our country too, and
finally in the month of March 2020 this virus knocked the door of India and gradually
started breaking us down. Estimating the seriousness of this pandemic, our honorable
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi announced the lockdown for 14 days. Honestly
speaking, I, being a school going kid was very happy that it was a 14 days leave from
school and we could enjoy the time as we wanted, but after 3 to 4 days, I started getting
bored, because we couldn't go out to play or to roam around, as everything was closed
outside. Even I started missing my friends and my school. But it is not the end of the
lockdown, we faced lockdown 1,2,3 and now there is a possibility of announcement of
lockdown 4. The elders were also facing the problem, the best part of this was that they
could spend time with their family, but they were not earning money for many days, so
they were and still are ,facing a financial crisis. But to me the scariest part of this virus
was my intuition that it is the end of Earth. Because this virus does not seem to be still
under our control, going by the numbers of patients increasing day by day. However, we
should not leave hope till we are alive; we have to keep ourselves motivated. Once we
pass this hard time and life gets back to its normal routine, we will achieve everything
that we are missing now. Now the question arises, how can we keep ourselves
motivated? The answer is, we can pursue our hobbies, like I love playing music and
sketching. So, I am learning how to play the piano with the help of YouTube videos. In
the same way others should also pursue their hobbies to keep themselves motivated. We
will definitely overcome this hard time, till then take care of your family and yourself, stay
home, stay safe, and follow the rules of lockdown for the betterment of humanity.

Suyash Tolani (V E)

The Lockdown - My Opinion

It all started with breaking news,
It was a virus attack; We all had our own views.
Opinions, casualties, news were shared,
And finally the lockdown was declared.
Initially, break from the school was good news,
We pledged ourselves for its appropriate use.
But, we never thought this break would go this long,
However, we thought to stay positive and strong.
Boredom entered slyly in our lives,
Ludo, Carom, Antakshari and Board games were revived.
Getting back to teachers and classmates looked a farfetched thing,
But online classes brought us back like Hathori’s magic ding-ding
Oh! how I miss my old life; playing outdoors, catching up with friends
long bicycle rides, games and laughter having no ends….
To me the value of freedom, liberty and carefreeness was not known;
until today when it’s all gone. Yes, I took all that for granted,
And now, lifting of this lockdown to a healed and better world is what my
heart’s most wanted.

Shourya Patil (V E)

“Improving immunity is the only way to protect
against such pandemics in the future.”

The COVID-19 virus has caused an extreme situation in the world and it has many
negative effects. There are many positive examples and situations around the globe
which show that humanity can join together and help each other like many countries.
India has ordered a nationwide curfew lasting for several weeks however many poor
people are badly affected by this lockdown and are no longer able to earn an income. We
should learn some lessons from this novel coronavirus outbreak so such a terrible
situation will not repeat. We should boost our immunity to face such circumstances
shortly and here yoga is going to play an important role in our life.

History of Yoga: Many thousands of years ago in India, sages exploded nature and
the Cosmos and their meditation. They discovered the laws of the material and spiritual
realms and gained an insight into the connection within the universe. They investigated
the cosmic laws, the laws of nature and the elements, life on earth, and the powers and
energies at work in the universe both- in the external world as well as on a spiritual level.
The unity of matter and energy, the origin of the universe, and the effect of the
elementary powers have been described and explained in the Vedas much of this
knowledge has been rediscovered and confirmed by modern science.

The Benefits of Yoga: Yoga exercises have a holistic effect and bring body-mind
consciousness and Soul into balance. Yoga helps to develop a greater understanding of
ourselves, the purpose of life, and a relationship to God. On the spiritual path, yoga leads
us to supreme knowledge and eternal bliss in the union of the individual self with the
universal self.

Other Physical Benefits of Yoga Include:- Weight reduction, protection from injury,
increased flexibility, cardio, and circulatory health, increased muscle strength and tone,
improved athletic performance, improved respiration, energy, and vitality, maintaining a
balanced metabolism, and increased immunity.

It Can Reduce Chronic Pain: Chronic pain is a persistent problem that affects millions
of people and has a range of possible causes from injuries and Arthritis. There is a
growing body of research, demonstrating that practising yoga will help reduce many
types of chronic pain. Yoga may help reduce chronic pain in conditions like carpal tunnel
syndrome and osteoarthritis.

May Fight Depression: Studies show that yoga may have an anti-depression effect
and could help decrease symptoms of depression. This may be because yoga can
decrease levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that influences levels of serotonin, the
neurotransmitter often associated with depression. Several studies have found that yoga
may decrease symptoms of depression by influencing the production of stress hormones
in the body.

Could Promote Sleep Quality: Poor sleep quality has been associated with high
blood pressure and depression. Among other disorders, studies show that incorporating
yoga into your routine could help promote better sleep. Yoga may help enhance sleep
quality because of its impact on several common contributors to sleep problems.

Yoga Improves Flexibility and Balance: Many people add yoga to their fitness
routine to improve flexibility and balance. There is considerable research that bids this
benefit, demonstrating that it can optimize performance through the use of specific

poses that target flexibility and balance. Practising just 15 to 30 minutes of yoga each
day could make a big difference for those looking to enhance performance by increasing
flexibility and balance. Research shows that practising yoga can help improve balance
and increase flexibility.

Physical Health Development from Yoga and Meditation: The health of the body
is of fundamental importance in life. As the Swiss-born physician, Paracelsus very
correctly said, "Health is not everything but without health everything is nothing." To
preserve and restore health, there are physical exercises, breath exercises (Pranayama),
and relaxation techniques. What we eat influences both the body and physique. It is best
to avoid alcohol, nicotine, and drugs as these rapidly destroy our health.

Yoga Could Help Improve Breathing: “Pranayama” or yogic breathing is a practice
in yoga that focuses on controlling the breath through breathing exercises and
techniques. Most types of yoga incorporate these breathing exercises and several
studies have found that practising yoga could help improve breathing. Vital capacity is a
measure of the maximum amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs. It is
especially important for those with lung diseases, heart problems, and asthma. Yoga
incorporates many breathing exercises which would help to improve lung function.

Conclusion: The purpose of yoga is to create harmony in the physical, vital, mental,
psychological, and spiritual aspects of the human body. Yoga is the medicine for nearly
every problem. As you practice yoga, it does not only help you improve your physical
body but also helps in maintaining inner peace. Thus there is nothing that yoga cannot
help. Moreover, yoga is not just a one day practice; it is a lifelong commitment.

Yuvika Verma V A

Back to Nature

Lockdown, a time I thought, would be difficult. I had many worries. What would
happen if things are not available? How will I pass my time? What about
education? Soon, work started coming from school and there were online
classes also.We grew food at home or got it delivered.All the problems were
getting solved as if someone was solving them for us. The biggest question was
how to pass my time So I juggled - with helping in the house chores,with
gardening, with making new games,with imaginary plays etc.During all this,I
made a lot of mistakes ,but learnt even more.

I didn't realize how the time flew and taught me many - many life skills Now,I
don't need to pester my mom if I want to eat something.

Now , I can grow lovely tomatoes and make chutney out of it .

Now , I don't mess up my home as I realize how difficult it is to keep it tidy .

Now , I'm going to love Earth back through my actions .

I know it better what makes my brother tick .

I can weave stories and go anywhere , just by closing my eyes .

I know that I don't need much to keep my life happy.

Lockdown, you looked very scary but you turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Three cheers for simple living and high thinking.

Pradhi Rai (V E)

POVERTY

In my opinion, poverty is the biggest challenge of the modern world and the community.
Poverty is not about having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing,
and shelter. Poverty is the root of crime. If the government starts giving people jobs then
the people will have money and then they will be no more living hungry because they will
have their own money and they can buy food and they will not starve. Then there will be
no crimes.

“Extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere”.

The government of India also took several measures to eradicate poverty. Some of them
are – creating employment opportunities, controlling the population, etc. In India, about
60% of the population is still dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. The government
has taken certain measures to promote agriculture in India. The government
constructed certain dams & canals in our country to provide easy availability of water for
irrigation. The government has also taken steps for the cheap availability of seeds &
farming types of equipment to promote agriculture.

The government is also promoting farming of cash crops like cotton, instead of food
crops. In cities, the government is promoting industrialization to create more jobs. The
government has also opened 'Ration shops'. Other measures include providing free &
compulsory education for children up to 14 years of age, scholarship to deserving
students from a poor background, providing subsidized houses to poor people, etc.

Poverty affects the life of a poor family. A poor person is not able to take proper food &
nutrition & his capacity to work reduces. Reduced capacity to work further reduces his
income, making him poorer. Children from poor families never get proper schooling &
proper nutrition. They have to work to support their family & this destroys their
childhood. Some of them may also involve in crimes like theft, murder, robbery, etc. A
poor person remains uneducated & is forced to live under unhygienic conditions in
slums.

There is no proper sanitation & drinking water facility in slums & he falls ill often & his or
her health deteriorates. So, all social evils are related to poverty. Governments are
finding it difficult to provide food, shelter & employment to the rising population. The
other causes are- lack of education, war, natural disaster, lack of employment, lack of
infrastructure, political instability, etc. For instance- lack of employment opportunities
makes a person jobless & he is not able to earn enough to fulfil the necessities of his
family & becomes poor. Lack of education compels a person for less paying jobs & it
makes him poorer. Lack of infrastructure means there are no industries, banks, etc. in a
country resulting in a lack of employment opportunities.

Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes also contribute to poverty. In some countries,
especially African countries like Somalia, a long period of civil war has made poverty
widespread. This is because all the resources & money is being spent in war instead of
public welfare. Countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. are prone to natural
disasters like cyclones, etc. These disasters occur every year causing poverty to rise. The
rate of poverty in India is increasing because of the increase in the urban population. The
rural people are migrating to cities to find better employment. Most of these people find
an underpaid job or an activity that pays only for their food. Most importantly, around
crores of urban people are below the poverty line and many of the people are on the

borderline of poverty. Besides, a huge number of people live in low-lying areas or slums.
These people are mostly illiterate and despite efforts, their condition remains the same
and there is no satisfactory result. Furthermore, there are many reasons that we can say
are the major cause of poverty in India. These causes include corruption, growing
population, poor agriculture, unequal distribution of natural resources, old customs,
illiteracy, unemployment, and few more. A large section of people are engaged in an
agricultural activity but the activity pays very less in comparison to the work done by
employees. Also, more population needs more food, houses, and money and in the lack
of these facilities, poverty grows very quickly. Besides, being extra poor and extra rich
also widens the gap between the rich and poor. Moreover, the rich are growing richer and
the poor are getting poorer creating an economic gap that is difficult to fill up.

One idea on how to prepare for Corona like challenges in future is some of the most
impactful steps to stop a coronavirus outbreak are ones we are all aware of but often find
it hard to put into practice. We need to make our disaster management team very
efficient, give them a very tough practice. If the population will be controlled then it will
be easier to control corona like challenges.

Abhimanyu Singh Tomar (VA)

Qualified Round1- Read India Competition-2020

Make the Most of Your Time

In this period of lockdown, since there was no need to get up early in the morning, I
slept for 8 hours everyday. In the morning I would go for a walk with my mom. I had
enough time for a slow and hearty breakfast. My main regret is that my father works and
stays in Delhi and has not been able to come to Bhopal on weekends during lockdown so
I have been missing him. I am the only child of my parents and stay with my mom in
Bhopal. My mom is a working mother but as her office was also closed during the
lockdown period, I spent a lot of my time with my mom. She prepared delicious food for
me during this period.

As most of the time I had to stay indoors, I watched a good number of movies. During
the afternoons and at night when I was in bed, I read a lot. I have finished a good
number of story books which I could not read earlier due to lack of time. I have read and
utilised my time readingTintin, Dasavatar, Ruskin Bond, Alice in Wonderland, Malgudi
Days etc. Reading has now become a habit for me. My parents always tell me that I
should read a lot which will help me to develop my imagination power and develop my
language and reading skills. My father has promised me to get me books like Tintin,
Famous Five, Detective stories, Pirate stories published by Children’s Book Trust and
many more when the lockdown ends. I have also spent some time preparing for the
Spellbee Contest with my mom. I am also enjoying my online classes. It is a new
experience for me. Sometimes I have also been playing video games and online chess or
ludo, carrom, cards and indoor cricket with some of my close friends. In the evening we
have been speaking everyday with my father in Delhi, my uncle and aunt in Kolkata and
my cousin and bhabhi in Hyderabad. Sometimes I go cycling on the campus where we
stay. I have made the most of my time. Have you?

Divit Bagchi (V C)

Learning to Think Independently

Independent thinkers feel the need to make sense of the world based on personal
observation and experiences rather than just going along with the thoughts of others.
Independent thinking is always important even in team exercises. This encourages the
student to think about their concepts. Independent thinking develops your skills on
many other levels, including the building of confidence in your ability to stand up for your
beliefs.

One can learn thinking Independently if he or she tries to give different answers for the
same questions and then compare the given answers to know how they differ from each
other. This practice not only develops critical thinking but also develops writing skills.
This broader aspect of thinking of a lot of many ideas to observe the happenings
differently is what makes us independent and confident. One starts taking his/her own
decisions in a better way because they start seeing things from different perspectives.

This lockdown period made us more independent, as we are having our online classes
where we have to do our homework and studies all by ourselves.

This lockdown has also taught us that we all are Independent in our own life. Sometimes
we think everyone is there to do the work and then we feel we are free but sometimes
our parents are not there then we have to do our work on our own. Learning by doing
makes us feel that we are Independent. It means we are always independent to do what
we want to do. So, never think that you can’t do anything without anyone’s help. This
lockdown has also given us a chance to showcase our multiple skills and talents we have.
It has also built up our confidence that this life is ours and we can do all the things that
encourage us. Another takeaway is that the things we hear, see, and believe, help us to
build our values and become better humans.

Ways To Think Independently Independent thinking skills are at the forefront of
learning how to be not only a great thinker but a great leader. Such skills teach our
learners how to make sense of the world based on personal experience and observation,
and to make critical well- informed decisions in the same way. As such, they gain
confidence and the ability to learn from mistakes as they build successful and productive
lives.

Create an Open Environment Students are used to sitting in the class and listening
to teachers, but those who want to encourage independent thinking should make clear
on the first day of class that their class will be different. Let learners know there will be
fewer passive lectures and more opportunities for them to talk and write about what they
learn. For example, putting up a sign in class reminding students every day that they
should be active learners reinforces that you are paving the way for independent
thinking.

Reward Initiative Giving students the same assignments and tests is not the best way
to determine every student’s grade. That's why teachers should make it clear from the
beginning that they want their students to be active learners rather than passive
learners. For example, students who volunteer to write a report for extra credit should be
encouraged to do so.

Scrutinize Independent Work Teachers must be willing to be as specific as possible
when reviewing the work—a grade and a few comments are not enough. In this case,
use the 3X3 Rule—tell students at least 3 things that they did right and give them 3 tips
for improvement.

Assign Research Projects If you have 25 students in a class, why should they all read
the same chapter in a Social Studies book or answer the same Math questions again and

again? Having every student do one or more research project instead of the regular
homework during the school year will help most, if not all, of the students, develop a
different skill. You might, for example, ask one student to research how many other
nations have constitutions similar to the Indian Constitution.

Encourage students to speak Students should be allowed to make up their minds
about important topics as much as possible. In this sense, classroom discussions should
be encouraged to allow students to debate important topics. Teachers might facilitate
the debates by asking some students to pretend to be the “losers” in history. For
example, a debate between pro-American and pro-British forces might get students to
think more deeply about concepts that pertain to the present day such as whether
people in present-day dictatorships should be encouraged to revolt.

Encourage Brainstorming Historically, students who take notes tend to write down
the highlights of teachers’ lectures. Instead of this, teachers should encourage students
to write down questions and ideas that they have. Some students will appreciate the
opportunity to share their ideas orally, but journals can also give shy students a chance
to write down their thoughts and submit the highlights of what they wrote to their
teacher.

Ask Open-Ended Questions You might not always get adult answers, but students
often appreciate being asked difficult questions. Here are some examples:

1. What is freedom? 2. What is democracy? 3. What should be your rights as a citizen?

Putting students in small groups to discuss these questions is a good idea. Asking each
group to present the highlights of its discussion to the rest of the class is also a good idea.
Returning to the same question months later might give students an opportunity to show
that their independent thinking skills on many questions have improved.

Focus on the Positive

Risk-taking should be rewarded, so praise students for taking risks and then focus on
getting them to think about the validity of their ideas. Some strategies that will be helpful

1. Don’t go with the flow: You must realize that what everyone else is doing may not be
the best alternative. Do not get carried away. Think rationally.

2. Don’t get carried away by peer pressure: Your friends and people of your age and
social strata may not always be the wisest.

3. Don’t try to impress, do what is best: You must always try and do what is best for the
given task. Make decisions that improve the quality of the work and people around
you will surely be impressed.

4. Use logic at all times: sane mind at all times and think logically. You must remember
that as you think, your mind’s capabilities further enhance. So never give up to the
temptation of doing what the others do.

5. Be willing to take a risk: You may not be sure about the result when you use your
logic. Be willing to use your logic as it may show you new paths and methods which
you may have never explored.

6. Have the courage to accept failure: You must not be disheartened by failures. Have
the courage to face failure with a bold heart. Be willing to change your approach. Do
not give up at any point and understand that when you wish to reach pinnacles, you
need to face great challenges. Digesting this fact will help you progress in life. Do
not give up at any point and understand that when you wish to reach pinnacles, you
need to face great challenges. Digesting this fact will help you progress in life.

Roshita Reddy (VI A)

(Write up has been selected by Read India Competition,2020 )

The Value of Life and Self-Belief

e value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them.

-Michel de Montaigne

Let us ask ourselves, “What is the true value of life? Do we value our life?” Life is a
beautiful gift, given to us, by God, and it must be cherished. Most importantly, we must
learn to value life. To value life means not to take it for granted and simply live it in its
ways. Life should have a purpose, it should be driven by goals to do something good for
oneself, for the society, for the nation, for humanity as a whole. Our aim in life should
ONLY be based on what we like to do and what we are good at. It should not be based on
the parents’ choice or what our friends are doing. Parents and teachers should support
our choices and guide us accordingly. Also, we should have the utmost faith and belief in
ourselves. We should believe that with strong will-power, desire and the “never say die”
attitude, we can achieve anything. Sometimes we may have made a wrong choice, we
may fail and sometimes we may be mocked at, but that is not the time to despair or take
stress.

For sure, life will always test us with both good and tough situations. When faced with
good times, one should learn to rejoice, share one’s happiness with others. When faced
with adversity, one should remind oneself, “We are human after all and we are not
perfect”, trust God and our ability, analyze what went wrong and take the corrective
actions. The corrective actions could be to work smarter, putting in more effort, take
guidance from an expert, talk to a loved one, and/or even change our goal, only if
required. Life should not be driven by materialistic needs as the joy and happiness you
derive from them are short term and they fade away very easily. One must learn to
cherish and derive happiness from the smallest of things or events.

Believe you can, and you re halfway there.

eodore Roosevelt

People tend to spend so much time worrying that they forget to find pleasure and
happiness in their lives, thus forgetting the worth of life. We should not harm or even
shorten our precious gift of life by unwanted worries, or anxiety, which will ultimately
lead to us being stressed out, and also wearing our body and mind out. If we wish to
appreciate life, we ought to live it without even the slightest of worries in our mind or our
heart. The key is to value life and have self-belief. Self-belief will make you more
confident about who you are, and what you do. It is one of the keys to living a happy and
successful life. Lack of self-belief, will ultimately and inevitably lead to stress, anxiety,
tension and depression which will make us emotionally, mentally, and physically weak
and unstable. So believe in your abilities. Believe that all kinds of problems can be
resolved, things will only get better and that time is the greatest healer.

STAY POSITIVE …. STAY HEALTHY.

Alvira Khan (VII A )

My Story During the Lockdown

Chapter I: The Night Fox

It was a night in the mystical forest where a girl of sixteen years was lost in the woods.
She was scared, sad and crying from the depth of her heart. She thought “Would I be
able to find my way back home?” Suddenly, she saw something sparkling near her feet.
She realized, to her amazement, that the whole forest was glowing. The tree, the
flowers, the leaves, the roots, every bit of the things surrounding her in the forest was
glowing with a calm and peaceful light. She dipped her hands in a nearby pool to wash
her face. As she did so, she felt something furry rubbing against her hands. She stared at
a furry tail on the other end of which she saw was a glowing fox. The fox was glowing
with mystical colours, red as a plum, blue as the deep blue sky, purple as a cranberry, as
black as the darkest night ever seen. The girl exclaimed “Good gracious! What am I
seeing! A magical fox or a fox that was dipped in a pool of colours! ” The fox asked-
“Should I drop you home?” The girl was in a state of shock and fainted on the soft and
glowing grass. The fox put her on his back and carried the girl to her home. The girl
didn’t remember anything when she woke up.

Chapter Ii: The Eight Tailed Fox

It was eight-thirty in the morning when the same sixteen-year-old, Sofia Linkdon woke
up and started to remember what had happened to her the last night. She decided to go
into the forest along with her brother after breakfast. Sofia told her brother Jake all about
last night. Jake was older than Sofia but he always believed in her without being
judgemental. Both of them set off into the woods. They took their dog, Max, a golden
retriever who was staying with their Aunt Mary in the Brookwood street. Max was very
energetic and was always excited for any adventure with Sofia and Jake. The three of
them first went to the pond where Sofia had last seen the magical fox. Sofia was amazed
to see beautiful, huge green and frosty mountains surrounding the three of them in the
daylight. Max began to bark when he saw something moving behind the bushes.
Suddenly, something popped out from behind the bushes. Jake stood bravely in front of
Sofia to defend her. Sofia was startled to see a peculiar fox with eight tails emerging from
the bushes. Jake too was quite startled. The fox looked at them and asked “Would you
guys like to be my friends? I mean no harm to you.”

Both of them replied in unison “Yes, we would like to” without any hesitation. They all
talked and talked for hours about the mountains, the greenery, the forest and the
animals living in it. Max liked the fox’s tails’ and kept on fiddling with it. The fox said,
“The whole forest is filled with peculiar animals like me.” He added, “If you visit me
tomorrow, it would be my pleasure to show you around the forest.” They agreed and
also decided to come to the forest as often as possible to see all the wonders. The three
went home very happy and excited in anticipation for the next day.

Vihaan Vinod (VII B)

The Use and Abuse of Technology

Technology can be defined as the practical use of science or knowledge in our lives for
practical purposes. Technology does not only mean silicon computer chips or
supercomputers or artificial intelligence. Any machine in the world can be said to be an
invention making the best use of technology. Starting from the phones that we use not
only to communicate but also for our entertainment, till the fans, the clocks, the
television; all of this can be termed as some of the other technology made use of.

There are many uses of technology in our daily life. Technology has now become a part
of our daily life. We use television to watch news and cartoons. We use fans, coolers and
air conditioners to cool ourselves. We use lamps, light bulbs and torches to provide
ourselves with light. We even use clocks to know the time. There is almost nothing that
can be done without technology. Like, if someone wants to buy something, but he/she
isn’t getting it in the nearby shops, he/she can easily order it online using technology.
Technology even alters our thinking about time and space. To understand this we can
think that we can talk to anybody in any corner of the world using a telephone, no matter
how far they are from us. From waking up in the morning until sleeping at night, we use
technology. Even just thinking about not having technology will be very delusional.
Without technology, we would be like early humans. Even during the global COVID-19
pandemic, the progress of the world has not stopped because of technology. We can still
study and do all our work due to technology. We can order food online when all the shops
are closed due to lockdown because of technology. These are just some of the boons
that we get from technology in our today's life. Technology can today be used for
performing almost every task in the world.

But we should remember that where there is white there is always black; Where there is
light there is darkness. The same applies to technology. Where there are good uses of
technology, there are also the ill-effects of it.

There may be many uses of technology in our life as it has become an important part of
our daily life. Still, we cannot ignore the ill-effects of technology. The fact that harmful
rays are emitted from phones, computers, laptops, televisions, iPods, etc is less
commonly known. These rays can damage our eyes badly, but people still use these
appliances daily on a large scale of time. Nowadays, during the lockdown, people are
using these appliances for even more time than usual, since they are undertaking online
classes, virtual meetings due to work from home, etc. Many people store their personal
information in computers and phones which leads to a threat of data hacking and
leaking. Many people engage in unethical deeds such as hacking phones and computers
to gain access to the personal information of other people. Hacking is one of the worst
uses of technology according to me.

But nowadays, an agency known as cyber police is helping in stopping these
cybercrimes. We can also help the cyber police and ourselves by not providing our
personal information to anyone on the internet. We should also not enter our personal
information on any site unless it is totally secure ( a site is secure only if it is showing
https:// before the address link of the site ) or we are sure that the site can be trusted.

Tanishk Singhal (VII F)

Qualified Round 1-Read India Competition

The year 2020- The Year of Revolution

Everyone was waiting for the year 2020 hoping to celebrate New Year, birthdays, visit our
relatives during vacation etc. Some were waiting for their weddings while others were
preparing for finals. It was during that time when the news of deadly virus Corona which
had originated in China began brewing. No one ever cared and knew how this virus was
going to change its avatar and take many lives, but it slowly started spreading to
different countries and kept its footsteps in India on January 30, 2020. Then cases
started increasing rapidly which made the Government declare a nationwide lockdown,
not only in India but other countries too, did the same. This Coronavirus made us learn
its history and journey from Wuhan in China to the whole world.

We became familiar with its names such as Corona, COVID - 19 etc. Mainly old aged
people and children were in danger and still are. Corona has been making our stay at our
homes with our family. This, through a perspective, is very important, since nowadays
due to busy lives people have forgotten what family time was. Lockdown not only taught
us the importance of spending time with family but also taught us children, chores such
as cooking, cleaning and many more. We now had more time to dig out our hidden skills
and to polish our talents. Then the question arose: how long were we going to be at our
homes? Wouldn’t that affect our livelihoods? This question eventually became a hotly
contested debate as to which was more important, lives or livelihoods. Many people
explained that if there were lives, there were livelihoods, but others interrogated that
what if we didn’t have the source to live, would then we be alive. These debates resulted
in our entry into the universe of technology. We were now entering into a new world,
which is better known as the digital world. We all imagined that one day we would be
completely learning on our laptops or mobiles, but today we are living our imagination.
This has led to the new concept of blended learning.

This lockdown is an eye-opener to all of us. Amongst this chaos the happiest creatures
are animals. Lockdown also reduced pollution and created a clean pure environment as it
was before the invention of automobiles and has mainly brought happiness to birds.
Today we have taken the place of animals. Being at home all the time is similar to being
caged in a zoo today. We also explored and have properly taken advantage of our
technology. India had taken proper precautions earlier itself and today even after being
densely populated has less number of cases compared to other countries. During this
time Scientists were in a hurry to find drugs, doctors treated patients, police made us all
stay at home and soldiers sacrificed lives for the nation.

This made us realise that we should start calling these unsung people as heroes rather
than calling actors as heroes. We also lost some precious gems of our Bollywood
industry, Rishi Kapoor and Irfaan Khan and the recent death of talented actor, Sushant
Singh Rajput has left everyone shocked. The fact that he committed suicide was very
shocking. According to some media, it happened because there was no one with him
during the difficult times he was going through, and also mentioned his depression.

This was the major news which kept all the news channels busy. Now, that lockdown is
being partially lifted, it has been a little benefit for some people, some airports have been
working, but safety precautions are still being taken such as 14 days quarantine for
travellers, temperature checking at every public area etc. We from our side are taking
complete precautions by using sanitizers, washing our hands regularly, avoiding going

out too much in public areas etc, since it is said that prevention is better than cure. There
is news that the drug for Corona has been discovered by the company of Patanjali and by
some scientists in Japan, but it is not yet completely proven. We hope that this crisis ends
soon and in future, we be more prepared for such difficult times by taking precautions at
the earliest, by avoiding travelling and most importantly being optimistic. According to
me, the year 2020 is the year of revolution not only in our lives but also in our livelihoods.

Mayuri Motagi (VIII )

(Selected Write Up - Read India Competition)

Lockdown Learnings Fifty Days of Lockdown

I, Rudra, want to share my experience Fifty days into the lockdown and I’m
during the lockdown. During the discovering many new things about
lockdown, I felt that all my family myself. One of the the biggest skills that I
members stayed close together at have learnt is to make chapati. Although it
home. We played many games like is in the shape of an amoeba, I'm still
Ludo, Carrom etc. All family members loving it. One more thing I've learnt is that
helped each other. We decided to help a human's best friend is the barber, not the
the poor people. My mother and aunt dog. My hair define my appearance and it
(bua) made food for them and we is the barber who designs my hair, so
distributed it. I learnt that we should ultimately my appearance and personality
help the poor. During this time I made lie in the hand of my barber.
many things with waste materials with
the guidance of my aunt, and Since I cannot go to him, my hair has
participated in an online drawing grown wildly and they have very little
competition too. My family members effect on the comb. So I appear like a wild
were very worried about the increase in man now. Another one of these learnings
cases of the corona. My parents taught is that washing clothes and utensils is
me measures to be safe in these more back-breaking work than studying
circumstances. I feel that now there is a for eight hours in school. Since no maid is
need to change our daily life routine. We coming due to lockdown, my mother is
should use masks, gloves and use assigning me some household tasks too. I
sanitizer to keep ourselves safe. usually get to wash my clothes or to wash
my utensils. That is how I got to know how
During the lockdown, my school it feels to be self-dependent.
management decided to start online
classes. Our teachers taught us through The last learning is that the food you
online classes. They cleared our doubts. dislike the most even becomes normal and
I enjoyed it a lot, especially the dance acceptable to you during the lockdown. I
class. One day we celebrated my aunt's used to dislike the taste of "Gilki" ( Turoi /
birthday. Due to the closure of shops,I Ridge gourd ) very much, but it is one of
made a birthday card for her. My mom the few vegetables that are available in the
made special dishes for us. I enjoyed market. So I have to eat it daily and I have
helping her, too. Lockdown has been a got used to eating it so much that I don't
happy learning experience for me. dislike its taste any more.

Rudra Singh Gehlot (V F) Tanishk Singhal (VII F)

Literacy and Education

I woke up and heard the announcement, Ram Kumar has done B. Tech, he’s educated. A
thought hit my mind that said is education the same as literacy? I encountered my
grandpa, he was a doctor to all such problems. He started-

“Education is a designing process and Literacy is an empowering process”.” Getting
knowledge is literacy and adopting knowledge is Education’’. “Recognition of problems is
literacy and finding solutions to problems is Education ''. Literacy teaches us “how” to
read and write, and Education teaches us “what” to read and write. An educated person
may or may not be literate. A person working in the right direction, who thinks of the
welfare of the country before himself, who works for humanity is the quintessential
educated person. He is not stuck in any religion, he rises above it and makes Humanity
his religion. One who is literate but not educated gets disappointed by his failure but the
educated learns from his failure and bounces back. Rahiman, an ancient poet, was
actually an illiterate man but was truly educated whereas the morally corrupt people end
up as terrorists like Osama bin Laden may have been literate but not educated.

Literacy is like a theorem which needs to be proven whereas Education is like an axiom
which has already been proven. Actions, application of ideas, thoughts, mentality and
personality speaks about you quietly. Awareness and Maturity are the main outcomes of
Education and come from experience. Every subject is a beacon which envisages a vivid
path to reach the destination. The determination, interest, devotion towards the
destination determines your destiny. It’s our behaviour, character and mentality which
create a difference. Education can broaden the vision of a person. Education is a torch
which differentiates each aspect, each condition at different corners of life. Education
allows thinking creatively, it generates curiosity, and allows us to think out of the box.
Analyse your feelings and thoughts. Eradicate the dilemma between literacy and
education. Let’s drive a nation which keeps an account of the educated, not of the
literate. Don’t burn in the misery of captivity of such thoughts, let’s pursue the beacon
which would enable us to meet the true meaning of knowledge-Education.

Parv Daga (IX A)

A Cognizance

Sitting at home, I’ve become a nefelibata (one forgetting to be cool
who lives in the clouds of dreams) Facing the phobia of not being good enough
A phantom at home searching
for bread and butter For teachers, for parents…
and not a time to huff
The little birdies, the irana, and oh the petrichor I thought I lost myself
Giving me reasons to avoid the usual queries,
Of what I might find down the road, in the process of becoming a nerd
what’s in my card Running after the herd
This empty space, makes me realise,
The prominence of easing at times, I lost my vim and giggle head self
Why speed? Why deadlines? Thanking the soul-searching angels
Stress…. the only thing you’ll find
The last two years of a student’s life at school For time I’m grateful
To find my way back home
We’ve been brisk and reckless… To a proud little happy and foodie angel

Aarushi Sharma ( XII C)

Rediscovering Myself

After being cooped up at home since December 2019, preparing for my Board exams, I
was bursting with anticipation to go out of the house and celebrate in March soon after
my Boards exams. Instead, the silent, invisible and deadly Coronavirus reared its ugly
head, forcing everybody indoors and effectively turning all my expectations of
celebrations to rubble. So, instead of going out, I celebrated my sixteenth birthday on
22nd March at home, on the day when the whole country came together by staying
home to observe the self-imposed “Janta Curfew” before the lockdown began. It was a
memorable one for sure; I baked my cake, dressed up to stay at home and had a quiet
celebration with family. At 5 pm, when everybody was on their respective rooftops,
clapping and cheering for the essential workers, I went up too and pretended everyone
was wishing me for my birthday. Of course, I too put in my fair share of clanging utensils
for appreciating the essential workers.

Initially, I considered the lockdown to be a curse, but then, it started to show the side of
itself where it was a boon too. Had school started on 23rd March as scheduled, five days
after Board exams, I would’ve never been able to catch up on all the novel-reading I’d
staved in the shelf since December.

During the preparation of board exams, the amount of willpower that I mustered almost
broke me, but I pulled through sans novels. The temptation remained but I did not give
in to it. Being away from my books was as hard as trying to breathe underwater. But I
proved to myself that if I had resolved to something (studying for Boards), I could do it, I
had enough self-control and determination to detach myself from all my distractions. I
must admit, listening to a lot of music helped me remain focused.

Finally, on March 18, I was one with all of my book characters, I became engrossed in
their lives, and just like that, it was easy for me to forget myself and escape into their
vivid worlds. It was like I could breathe again, even if the events of the books cut off my
breath. I was and am happy. The online classes keep me busy and being in the
humanities stream with the subjects I love- especially the fascinating history- is the best
choice I could have made for myself and to my contentment.

Anakta Prabhu (XI Humanities)

It’s Already Too Late

It’s already too late, Yellow walls of Taj Mahal
to defend our only life-mate. were evoked due to acid rain.
Temperature spiralling due Deliberately, one day,
to global warming, the entire earth will be drained.
Nature has previously The calefaction of the earth has risen,
given us a warning. Ascend, conk population and listen.
The hoarfrost glaciers are melting, Let us all come together,
The water level is rising. my cherished sisters and brothers.
The greenhouse effect is created To save this planet that we own
by deforestation of trees, and afresh convert it
To save the globe, stop this, please !! into a green zone...
Shreya Trivedi (IX E)

Pandemic Teachings

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill said, “Never let a good
crisis go wasted.” And who else would have more experience, when talking about a
crisis, and specifically about dealing with one, for he was the man, who led the United
Kingdom to victory in the Second World War.

The world now faces a crisis, very different from the Second World War, nevertheless, it
is just a crisis, and the human species has dealt with many, throughout the course of
history. And, as terrible as the crisis may have been, life found a way out, and the human
species moved forward, having acquired hitherto unknown knowledge, and using which
they built better societies.

The current lockdown situation has reminded us of our true needs by showing that we
can live without activities and places, which were considered quintessential elements of
urban societies and culture. Dining out, for instance, was at its peak before the
pandemic. People went to restaurants, just for the sake of it, and the health and hygiene
issues were there with restaurants even then, but it took a pandemic for the general
public to stay home, and the health and hygiene issues in public eating spaces are still
not acknowledged, and from the look of it, the practice will resume once the lockdown is
over.

Sitting at home, no question of going out, having to clean the house yourself, cooking
independently and, most importantly, loving solitude. One thing we know for sure is that
the lockdown has reminded us of the need to be independent. Basic culinary skills are
something every individual should possess; the pandemic has made this very much
clear. Taking the same topic and looking at the macro perspective, we see that this is a
major reason that India was able to handle this situation, on self-sustenance grounds,
better than the USA. In India, people eat home-cooked meals mostly and eating out is an
occasional affair, whereas in the USA people ate out more regularly.

If any old lesson came handy during the COVID-19 crisis it was that hygiene helps. We
have all been taught to wash our hands every time we’ve been to a place that could have
disease-causing germs when we return home from outside and from time to time for
good measure. This will bring a change in workplace sanitation and workplace hygiene
ethics for sure. This might sound silly, but before the pandemic, most people might not
have known that soap destroys certain kinds of viruses and bacteria. Who knew? Well,
now we all do, and we’ll probably wash our hands a lot more frequently after this is
“over.”

The shutdown has, once again, shown us that society has a heart. We have seen
individuals rise to the occasion and help elders take care of their daily needs, allow
house-help to stay home without fear of their wages being affected, organisations come
forward to manufacture personal protective equipment, provide meals from factory
kitchens, and administration open up stadia and public buildings to provide space for
those who need shelter or isolation. Central banks have brought in massive policy
measures to help tide over the crisis and governments have provided the weaker
sections of society with cash and food. Artists and musicians shifting to online concerts,
etc. have proved that we are adaptable in all aspects and that we will find a way if we
have to.

Post-pandemic, there will be new energy to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and its
importance will be acknowledged more than ever. People in India have become more
sensitive towards cleanliness and sanitation, there is no doubt about it that people in
India are really poor when it comes to maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, the concept

of toilets and washing hands in our country came into existence after 20th century and if
we talk about rural areas people in remote and rural areas are still not aware of the whole
concept of maintaining personal hygiene, even till now people here don’t prefer using
toilets or washrooms for urination rather they go to open areas and fields to do so. After
the coronavirus pandemic, the people have become more sensitive and aware about
their hygiene, and we know this from our insights that how much we all have developed
our habits on being clean and hygienic, before the coronavirus infection how many of us
had this habit of washing our hands in every one hour, we used to wash them only at the
time of using the washroom or before eating food, but now after the infection, our habit
of washing hands 2-3 times a day has been changed to at least 10 times a day. Thus, due
to the coronavirus people have become more sensitive towards their health and hygiene,
and they have started using masks, soaps, and sanitisers, etc. This awareness needs to
be spread to rural areas too. We need to know that ‘living/co-existing with the virus is
going to be the new ‘normal’. And we have to introspect, adapt to these changes, resume
and move on with life.

Arihant Kumar (XI A)

My Story

I was so excited to attend my new class 4F which was due to start on 16th March
but due to the alarming rise of covid cases, classes were suspended till further
notice. On Sunday, 22nd March, 2020 Janta Curfew was announced by our Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi and I too supported the corona warriors by clapping
hands.Since then I am also staying at home missing my routine things like school
fun and friends and my dear teachers. However,this lockdown has been a time of
fun, togetherness, online classes and celebrating days with homemade recipes
too. I took care of my pet birds,Veena and Teena, changed their water and
pellets with the help of my father. Everyday I water my little plants in the morning.
My mother is very strict about doing school work early morning as she says it
helps to grasp the concept better. Each day I google about birds and tell the same
to my mother.

My days in lockdown are very interesting, my neighbourhood friends and I pass
our time with activities like dance, art and craft, treasure hunt, role play, painting,
colouring etc etc while maintaining social distancing and washing hands
frequently. Afternoon time is reserved only for online classes but still I miss the

classroom teaching, it is more fun.
Occasionally, I have helped my
parents especially my mother in her
work and also taken care of my
grandmother. I miss my relatives
coming to our house, visiting DB Mall,
Lake etc. Oh! God Please take away
this coronavirus. I want to go out
again. I miss my school, Oh! God
when will our school reopen?

Serah Mariam Bijoy (IV F)

My Musings in Lockdown

“Learning to Listen, Learning to see & Learning to Think Independent”

Listening is an activity which only a few people truly understand. It may seem easy when
we think about listening, but it is a very difficult activity. One needs to be patient and
have an ear for everyone who wants to speak as well. Learning to listen is also not an
easy task. Teaching someone to listen is a harder task. The learner may even not pay
attention to the teacher. For the teacher, it is a herculean task to teach his student to
listen. Learning to listen can be learnt from anyone. There need not be a special school
for learning to listen. You may get inspiration from anyone if you have the heart to learn
to listen. You need to bend your will to learn to listen. Once you WANT to learn, you will
go to any heights to learn it, however hard the task may be.

“Speech is silver and Silence is golden”

The above quotation is true. A person who speaks more than he listens is not respected
in society. If you like to speak you must also have a willing ear to listen. Also, hearing
allows people to improve their speech as well as body language. This will make other
people listen to your speech and be affected by it. Around us, there are lots of people
and we often ignore them, however important they may be to us. This is because of our
inability to see. From seeing I do not mean, looking through our eyes. From seeing I
mean looking through our eyes and processing it in our heart. Our ability to see will help
us to understand the happiness and problems in other people’s lives. Our reaction to this
will help us gain trust and friendship of others. Others will think of us as a friend, a
mentor, a true friend in need.

“We are what we see around ourselves.”

What we see around us shapes our role and our life. It also changes our perception of
ourselves. Take, for example, a child who regularly sees his father work hard on a farm to
earn money for food, will soon be a hard-working child trying to better his situation. But
then comes the thought of seeing what is right. It is a famous thought by Mahatma
Gandhi,

“Don’t see wrong, Don’t hear wrong, Don’t speak wrong.”

If we see the right things that are good for the interests of society and ourselves, we will
make the right choices in life and succeed in whatever goal we want for ourselves.
Everyone must know what is right for them. It is like an instinct. It is taught to us by our
parents, teachers and elders, though they are not to blame if a person sees wrong.

Finally, comes the thought of learning to think independently. Our country had been
under colonial rule for over 200 years. So it is no wonder that people lost the ability to
think independently. Independent thinking means not to influence anyone over our
thoughts. Our thoughts should be free and we must have the right to say them out aloud.
Learning to think independently can only be learnt through willpower. People who are
accustomed to being mute and not having thoughts of their own are as good as dumb.
They should be given an example to encourage them to speak out their independent
thoughts. It is not so that they will never be able to do so. They will do so, given that they
are encouraged and given time. Independent thinking is a very important skill which
everyone should be allowed to do. It promotes healthy thinking and growth. If we think
we can understand the logic behind everything.

“Understand the limits of logic, you become unlimited”

With this thought, I will conclude and begin on the connection between the three skills.
Listening, seeing and thinking must work together in coordination to make a human
being. When we see and listen, we think. This process helps us to analyze our situation.
Then, we can do what we feel is right.

Novel Idea on Reducing Pollution

I think that air pollution can be controlled in a very interesting way. Just like we
are facing a corona pandemic and are under lockdown, the environment got
cleaned and the pollution levels are quite low. So we should have a day per
month, on which no one will use a vehicle unless necessary and everyone must
contribute some time towards nature. I believe this idea will work if people do this
wholeheartedly. If it is followed, maybe in 10-20 years we may be able to
eradicate pollution completely.

My Idea

We can add a small cylindrical pipe ( of which the prototype is given below ) on the
car exhaust pipe which will purify the car emissions. The small thread like fibers
which we can see will be made using nanotechnology , which will help in making
very small microscopic holes. These holes will trap the carbon and other harmful
materials out of the emissions and give out clean air. After the drive , we can open
the valve and clean the disc by blowing air on it. Then we can collect those
particles while wearing a mask and dispose of them by burying them in a pit.

Avnindra Singh Tomar (IX E)

Locked Up

2020 has been a year full of surprises right from the very beginning. We had the
Australian wildfire, set off World War 3 and then the virus which originated in Wuhan
spread all around the world causing millions of deaths worldwide. India has fought pretty
strongly against the virus and has suppressed it effectively. The fight against COVID-19
is a long one and has caused utter chaos all around the world.

Our schools came to a halt as the virus took over India. The whole country went under
complete lockdown. I spent the initial days of these holidays eating, sleeping and
enjoying but eventually, it became boring. I couldn’t meet anyone or do anything as I
was stuck in my house. Day and night were not there anymore as all the time I was free
with nothing to do.

In the middle of all this, schools decided to begin online classes. They were a great
substitute for our regular classes. There were assignments, tests and school work which
consumed all of my time. I was so busy with all

of the work that I forgot that I was at home all the time.

The lockdown gave everyone a chance to learn new skills and pick up their old hobbies.
Thus, I also decided to work on some of my inner talents as it was during the 1775
plague when Newton discovered calculus and gravity. Thus I tried my hand at sketching,
culinary, art and gardening. Unfortunately, I didn’t possess the skill for any of these
activities except cooking. Thus I started helping my mother in the kitchen and helped in
cooking. It was altogether quite fun.

Lockdown did teach us an important lesson that freedom was a privilege we were very
fortunate to have. It taught us how much we love to be around people, especially friends
and family. Thus, I am waiting for all of this to end so that we can all go back to our
normal lives and live happily together.

Joshua Thomas (X D)

The Fault in His Stars

June 14, 2020; just another Sunday basking under the serene evening sky of Bhopal, I
was perusing through the daily news feed for the sake of passing time. There’s not much
to do in this pandemic-driven socially isolated environment. I stumbled upon a webpage
which made me believe that even my trustworthy Motorola phones can have technical
glitches!! As a defence mechanism, I reloaded the page and stared at the screen for a
few seconds. But the page remained the same. The headlines were: “Sushant Singh
Rajput found dead in his Bombay Mansion…”I was dumbfounded. My heart started to
corrugate. I was many adjectives at the same time. Slowly, I picked my phone to further
read into the grotesque webpage. I will quote the lines as it has been engraved in my
head ‘Reports say that Sushant committed suicide.’ After that my memory ditched me.
There has been a huge uproar in the film industry regarding the star’s untimely death.
Everybody’s trying to express their condolences through social media. I switched on the
television to see if some new information is there regarding the incident. To my surprise
what I found was more terrifying than what I read. The reporters barged into Sushant’s
parent’s house with subterfuge in their hearts, scavenged his childhood photos and
presented on the news channels. I was chagrined by the revelation that for Sushant’s
father, mourning in peace is just a utopic idea. Surfing through other channels, it was a
sheer display of the reporters’ ribaldry. I paused in on a channel where a debate was
going on whether what he did was right or wrong. Suddenly my senses started to
diminish and the echolalia of the reports died down…. Reports say that he hanged
himself. Reports say that he was going through depression. Reports say that he was cast
out of the major production houses of the industry.

Reports are saying this and that, everyone is trying to make sense of what happened.
After not being to have a good night’s sleep for the last four days, I realized many
different things. What was the primary reason behind the creation of social media? To
bridge the gap between people belonging to different cities, states, countries. To take
one more step closer to the idea of achieving the title of “GLOBAL FAMILY”. What was the
plan and what happened! We became socially isolated, trying to showcase we are
happier than others. The never- ending thirst of gaining followers, being more famous.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his Ted Talk, explained how seeking attention hinders our
creativity. There was one line which particularly resonated with me and is still fresh in my
mind is: If your creativity is driven by desire to get attention, you are never going to be

creatively fulfilled. Try reading it several times in your mind, and after a considerable
amount of time, in one of the least expecting places, you will experience an epiphany
regarding the ever-elusive meaning behind the line. Sushant Singh Rajput had ten
million followers, that counts up to 1 crore in Indian numeration system. What is the
meaning of this? He had copious amounts of people who looked up to him but no one
looked into him. He was alone at the time when he needed social indulgence the most.
My only point is that, having one person who you can confide all your feelings in is a
thousand time better than having a million followers.

Let every man be respected as an individual and no man idolized.

- Albert Einstein

If loneliness has become a strong presence in your life, the first thing you can do is to try
to recognise the vicious cycle you may be trapped in. Try to observe about how you
perceive others. An initial feeling of isolation leads to the feelings of sadness and tension
which makes you focus your attention on only the negative interactions with others. Due
to this, you distance yourself from the outside world which results in more isolation.

Loneliness makes you sit far away others in class, not answer the phone when friends
call and decline invitations to gatherings and rendezvous. You can start by accepting that
loneliness is a totally normal feeling and nothing to be ashamed of. Everybody feels
lonely at some point in their lives. It’s a universal human experience. You can’t eliminate

or ignore the feeling until it goes away magically, but you can accept that you

feel it and get rid of its cause. You can self-examine on what you pay the most attention
to and check if you are selectively concentrating on negative things. If think of the worst
case scenario of even small things. Are you trying to avoid opening up because of risk of
getting hurt. If this is so, can you give others a benefit of doubt. Can you assume that
they are not against you? Of course Every person and the situation they are in is unique.
Introspection may not be enough. If you feel unable to solve your situation by yourself,
please try to reach out and get professional help. It is not a sign of weakness, but of
courage! We perceive loneliness, depression and other tensions as a purely individual
problem that needs to be solved alone, but it is something that deserves more attention.

Humans have built a world that’s nothing short of amazing, and yet, none of the shiny
things we have invented has been able to satisfy our fundamental biological need of
connection. After reading this article, I want you all to prank call someone who you have
been out of touch for some time, share some slangs, reminisce about the past, have a
laugh, you will realise that you are not alone!!

Kumar Prakarsh (XI B)

Covid-19 Experiences Portrayal
of Death
This is an experience for everyone,
It brings many values to gain. Like discarded pages
This is a very rare situation, from the book of autumn,
It will never come again. the leaves come tumbling down
in red and umber
This situation made us understand Each page carrying
The importance of sanitizer and soap. a poem, or story, an unread letter
pleasant like a snuggle
The pandemic leaves us in a cosy blanket on a frosty morning
That is all we can hope. Open your arms
But this pandemic brought To the dying colours,
To the fragile beauty
A piece of positivity. Of deciduous November.
It helped in enhancing Deep in the hearts
Every child’s creativity. Every frond, every bract, every leaf,
Every unread letter
It made us realize Is never lost.
Our family duty.
It made us know Izhaan Husain (XIIA)
About nature’s beauty.
Although we also got
To try out new dishes.
The pandemic concludes well,
That’s all of our wishes.

Amey Agnihotri (IX C)

My Thoughts During Lockdown

e di erence between EDUCATION and LITERACY is the same as one between Wisdom and
Knowledge. - Roza

Literacy is acquiring the ability to read and write or have knowledge in a specific field. It’s
essential for a being's social and human development. It improves their skills and
empowers them to ameliorate their economic status. Universal measurement of literacy
grades/scores. Conversely, Education is about knowing one’s skills, abilities and
learning, and subsequently using them in the right direction at the right moment.
Educated understand their responsibility toward society and the country. It is more of
using ethical practices to bring a real change in society. “Education is what survives when
what has been learned, has been forgotten.” – BF Skinner. True education is the
knowledge and application of it, giving back to society and service to the nation. The
person who serves his people the best is the best master. The measure of intelligence is
the ability to change. It can only be measured by one’s service and his tenderness
towards society. Literacy is just having enough knowledge or skills.

Just like age can t de ne maturity, grades don't measure intelligence A leader is one who knows the
way, goes the way and shows the way .- John C Maxwell

Leadership is the ability to lead effectively. The question is what yields a strong leader.
Undoubtedly, he’s enthusiastic, patient, and fearless. In addition to his calibre, he
maintains strong integrity, possesses strong influence over his subjects, stays
motivated, is empathetic and furthermore is a good listener, reader and a reliable
person. Another aspect that produces a fine leader is his level of knowledge. He is always
‘educated’, educated not just in terms of being literate but also wiser due to the
experiences of life. Ultimately, to become truly educated, one also needs to be a man of
character.

Education is the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world - -Nelson Mandela

Tanya Singh (Xl C )

Gandagi Mukt Mera Gaon

Sanitation and hygiene are two important aspects of human life, inextricably
linked to our physical and mental health. If practised consistently,they will only
bring benefits which include peace of mind and good health. Cleanliness is a
practice that is often considered next to godliness. Keeping your body and
surroundings clean not only keeps diseases and infections at a distance but also
improves one’s mental health. These times of COVID-19 have shown us just how
important cleanliness is, it can only be defeated by maintaining distance and
practising proper social and personal hygiene.

Be the change you want to see –Mahatma Gandhi
Perhaps the biggest problem is that people would rather follow someone else than
start the change themselves. During the process of blaming the government for
everything, people tend to forget that as citizens they too have some responsibility
towards their country which includes throwing garbage in dustbins and not on the
streets, using public toilets instead of defecating in an open space etc. If one person
throws garbage in the dustbin, someone else gets inspired and does the same which
triggers a chain reaction. If everyone starts realizing their duty and doing it, the
country will automatically become cleaner.

Riya Chaturvedi (XI D)

Stay Home Stay Safe

The final exam of 10th was to be over on 18th March. I had planned many things a month
before it but I knew if I didn't take my exam properly I would not be getting a second
chance. I forced myself and said: "Just a few days and you will be through." I started
studying as hard as I could. I took the 10th board examination and was happy from
inside not for holidays but because my exams had been really good. I was very fond of
living outdoors, playing games with friends maybe my age or older. I always waited and
was a little desperate to be outdoors again between old and new sessions after my Board
Examination. I utilized my holidays fully. I would wake up earlier in the morning in the
holidays as compared to the school days because I used to play a match with my friends
in the field. The fresh morning breeze would awaken me and give me the energy to play
to win! I was happy but within a few days, I heard that the virus Is spreading in a jagged
rhythm. I thought I would be for some time but I was wrong. As time went by, the virus
spread over the situation, it came out to be a lockdown. My father is a Branch Manager at
ICICI BANK, the lockdown holidays were not meant for him so he comes back home
between 2-3 PM. I have seen changes around me, I have seen problems faced by the
country, by the people, I always wonder that the stage in which we are today may drag
down all of us many years back. Our economy, our lifestyle, our society, our people,all
are changed. Many of us know that time is critical but the thing which has started has to
end one day. Although we may not know the date nor time yet we know that this (COVID
19) will end one day or the other.

One day, I was thinking of going out and having a cricket match but my parents stopped
me; from then on, today is the 44th day in the house. After lockdown, I haven't gone out
from the main gate since then. Living at home is now becoming a habit. It feels like just
living in the midst of housework and studies. But living in the house is not bad. It feels
good, living with parents all the time, spending time with them talking about the old
days, new trends and the outcome of the COVID 19 pandemic situation in the country
and the world. I do not just request but Appeal to everyone to #StayHomeStaySafe.

Atharva Jain (XI C)

The Grandiosity of Time

In the darkness of this night, and a belief of happiness returning home

there’s still hope for staying alive. when people seem infantile.

In these ordeals, There’s a yearning for the authenticity of

There’s a surreal belief of Life being benign. Our mere existence in

In those memories of us, stumbling, the times of fortitude.
roaming, laughing, admiring, There is love as well as pain.
And happiness together with the
clicking each other over the streets,
And in the glories of poetry and Existence of grimace.
And it’s the law of life,
The undeniable need of humanity, The grandiosity of time.
There’s love. And there’s life. And it's the law of love,
There’s hope. And there’s joy. The expedition of time.

There’s a longing for bilingual ambiguity Yashika Ramnani (XII B )
of understanding,

Gandagi Mukt Bharat

When there is both inner and outer cleanliness, it approaches godliness.
-Mahatma Gandhi

India is a fast developing country but there are many factors which pull India back from
achieving the goal of a developed Bharat. One of these factors which are now becoming
a threat to the development is cleanliness. Cleanliness is an essential part of our lives.
But when we are asked about cleanliness we often tend to think that it relates to a clean
environment. And yes it does! But not every time. Cleanliness is not only about the
environment, but also about hygiene and mentality. To clean the environment the
government has already launched the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ which indeed made
progress towards ‘Clean India Green India’. Now on the occasion of our seventy-fourth
Independence Day our Prime Minister launched another week long campaign: “Gandagi
Mukt Bharat” with the aim to clean all cities and regions of rural and urban areas.
‘Gandagi Mukt Bharat’ is also a kind of awareness to the people of proper sanitation and
hygiene. The use of plastics shouldn't be done anymore as it is non-biodegradable.
It does not break down and mix into soil.

The campaign is to make people aware of the place where they live. The road, street,and
surroundings also must clean. The government pays people to clean roads and streets.
It also spreads awareness about personal hygiene during these pandemic hours and it’s
importance. But we must not forget that cleanliness is also about a person’s filthy
mentality as it’s said that cleanliness may be defined to be the emblem of purity of mind.’
If the minds of people are freed from all the trash like negative thoughts, myths,
stereotypes and blame-games, one day our country will surely grow up to be a
developed country, with not only a clean environment to reside in but also citizens with a
clean and hygienic body where a pure mind resides and grows. “Cleanliness is a mind-
set- a positive habit that keeps the body, mind and environment happy, healthy, simple,
neat and delightful.”

Rehat Kaur (XI Humanities)

Garbage Free India-My Dream

We finally have found out, we are all we can rely on. It's all we need. Now we have found
our way, and we'll stand, hand in hand and march on.

My thoughts during this pandemic,when the country went on a cleanliness drive,
travelled back to the time when Gandhiji propounded his dream, that was to clean the
entire India. Many years have passed since our independence, but a drive like the one
initiated by our PM,Mr Modi to achieve that dream has not seen the light of the day. He
did everything he could to make this dream come true. Gandhi's spectacles have been
chosen as a symbol of this great initiative. Modi Ji is making sure that not only big cities,
districts, and towns but even small villages of India remain clean. The three 'P' policy of
which most of us are unaware, plays a significant role in this mission. The first 'P' stands
for persuasion for the great act. The second 'P' represents the prize distribution to those
who volunteer in this initiative. The last 'P' stands for a penalty for those who do not
maintain cleanliness. It's in the youth’s hands to take this initiative to the next level
because if we won't, then who else will? So, we all should take a vow that whatever we
can do , we will do it unconditionally. Let's make it happen, not for us, not for the
government, but for our motherland, our Bharat. Let us take a pledge to work in unison
towards the attainment of this dream.

Hrishita Pahuja (XII A)

Gandagi Mukt Mera Gaon

“A clean person is not the one that runs away from dirt but one who takes the time and
effort to tidy-up a dirty environment.”

What shall we give to our next generation? A broken world? Diseased environment?
Polluted environs? Waterless earth? Fruitless trees? Sweetless fruits? Plastic love? Hate?
Filth? Just take a moment and think, when you go out on a long road trip and do not find
any litter on the road or maybe you are on a beach which does not have a single piece of
garbage. Sounds interesting, right? But do you think is it possible for a single person to
take the initiative and clean the land which is around 3.287 million km2 large in area?

All of this is only possible if everyone understands the importance of keeping our
surroundings neat and clean. Cleanliness is the state of being free and clean from dirt
and germs and the act of imbibing this as a habit . Cleanliness is one of the best qualities
a human being can possess. In fact, not only humans, even animals are known to keep
their surroundings clean. Our Indian Government is doing every bit to make sure our
country becomes a cleaner and a healthier place to live in and as responsible citizens it is
our duty to take the initiative and do every possible thing to make India the cleanest and
the most hygienic country.

Mahatma Gandhi had a dream of a cleaner and healthier India and he emphasized it time
and again during his lifetime. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a step towards fulfilling of this
beautiful dream of the father of our nation. Shri Narendra Modi himself initiated the
cleanliness drive at the beginning of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan to spread awareness
about the mission and its importance. Picking up the broom to clean the dirt, making
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan a mass movement across the nation, the Prime Minister said
people should neither litter nor let others litter. He gave the mantra of ‘Na gandagi
karenge, Na karne denge’. Now it's the need of the hour, it's time for us to take the broom
in our hands,become the sweepers and the cleaners of our country. Don't Litter, throw
waste in the dustbin only. Don't encourage spitting, immediately condemn people if
found doing so. Avoid usage of plastic covers, plastic disposables. Teach Children about
cleanliness and sanitation etc. Take all the possible actions to make our motherland
proud of us.

if not ‘I’ then ‘who’, if not ‘now’ then ‘when’, if not ‘today’ then, which day

Do not wait for the moment to come before it gets too late. Let’s promise ourselves that
we will surely be successful in making India the cleanest and the greenest country.

Be clean, be green, be a recycling machine.

Priyanka Pardasani (XI A)

My Idea

We can add a small cylindrical pipe ( of which the prototype is given below ) on the car
exhaust pipe which will purify the car emissions.The small thread-like fibres which we
can see will be made using nanotechnology, which will help in making very small
microscopic holes. These holes will trap the carbon and other harmful materials out
of the emissions and give out clean air. After the drive, we can open the valve and
clean the disc by blowing air on it. Then we can collect those particles while wearing a
mask and dispose of them by burying them in a pit.

Avnindra Singh Tomar (IX E)

Gandagi Mukt Mera Gaon-Towards a Clean Green
and Garbage- free Environment.

Mahatma Gandhi believed, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Hence, the
change must begin from a person’s mind. We Indians, have the mind-set that others will
clean up our filth. We are simply not used to picking up after ourselves. It is imperative
that we become self-reliant in cleanliness and sanitation.

When Mahatma Gandhi gave the call for the Quit India Movement, India in all of its
glorious diversity, united against the oppressive British rule and succeeded in achieving
Independence. Similarly, if all the Indians become of one mind regarding cleanliness,
Indians will be unstoppable. United, we can endeavour to keep ourselves, our homes,
neighbourhoods, villages, cities, states and ultimately our country clean.

During these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic, many citizens have been
witnessed flouting rules and wandering in public places without masks, thus exposing
themselves and others to the threat of the coronavirus. The gravity of the situation is
sorely missed by the people, despite the number of cases skyrocketing at an alarming
rate.

The solution lies in taking up the mantle of responsibility for maintaining personal
hygiene and following safety norms, like not spitting in public places, observing social
distancing, sneezing into handkerchiefs and elbows, and above all, wearing masks when
venturing outside.Spreading awareness and not the coronavirus is the priority. The
responsibility of collective safety is not the government’s but ours, as the citizens. Safety
in this case is not in numbers but in isolation and a hygienic environment.

Let us follow the 3 P policy, where the first 'P' stands for persuasion for the great act, the
second 'P' represents the prize distribution to those who volunteer in this initiative and
the last 'P' stands for a penalty for those who do not maintain cleanliness.

Anakta Prabhu (XI Humanities)

Who's the Real Virus?

Who's the real virus? The protective layer of Ozone is recovering
Is it Coronavirus? As the life-giving planet is itself reviving
Or is the virus US? Jalandhar wakes up to the scenery of
Beasts are out on the roads after ages the Himalayas in decades...
Whilst beings are locked down in their cages As the view becomes as limpid as glass
Proliferating AQI digits have stopped But is it to last? This corollary?
Is it so, because Pollution has been mopped? What remains and forever will, is the query
Breathe in the air, it is so pure Who's the real virus, is it coronavirus?
Carbon emission has tapered, that's for sure Or is the virus US?

Gavish Lohat (XII C Humanities)

Indian Army Can Take Care of the Border -Can we
take care of the Army?

I would like to begin by talking about two recent incidents which happened in our
country. Firstly, on 4 June the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput was truly shocking and
heart-breaking but this was not the only unfortunate news delivered to all of us. On the
same day, an Indian Army soldier got martyred in Rajouri protecting his nation till his last
breath. The actor's suicide was covered by every news channel whereas the latter didn’t
even make it to the headlines. In both instances, a life was lost then why were people
more eager to see the fallen actor rather than the fallen hero? Secondly, on May 3 the
news that five personnel of armed forces were killed in an encounter while undertaking a
counter-terrorist operation in Handwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir, was a brief insert
in the newspaper while our bureaucracy was busy planning the extravaganza of the
day’s flypast, dropping petals on hospitals, along with band displays and lighting up
ships.

This is not it, there are innumerable occurrences where our soldiers have not been paid
the respect that they deserve. Idiocies like "The Nation wants to know" are what we get
to hear as the media competes to be the first to report. Such first reports are often
followed by media debates on the incident with the so-called experts. The print media
too fails to inform its readers about the sacrifice of soldiers.

The Indian armed forces represent the country. Its soldiers come from each part,
extending from Arunachal to the Andamans. They represent every religion, caste, creed,
profession and strata of society. A soldier is exhorted to even sacrifice what is dearest to
any human being, his life, without thinking twice. The soldier who got martyred fought
valiantly, took a bullet for us, not once did he care about his family and we can't even
remember his name or honour him. Making statues or memorials is not enough.

Are we responsible and respectful citizens? Indian Army can take care of the border. Can
we take care of the Army?

When our armed forces are ignored by the government and denied their rightful dues, it
is the common Indian who has to come to the soldier’s support. The flak on social media
against the government for its anti-armed forces decisions are led by Indian society,
which is aware of the gratitude the nation owes to the soldier.

Around 60,000 soldiers hang up their uniforms every year. If governments claim to care
for the soldier, then they must look beyond his service, to the time of his retirement and
ensure that he has the wherewithal to support his family. Every retired soldier has at
least two decades of operational and man-management experience. Just a few weeks of
orientation training can unlock their potential as supervisors and entrepreneurs. It is a
national responsibility to ensure that ex-soldiers are well-settled post-retirement.

The support is there but needs to be translated into something more concrete. Emotions
do not change the systemic issues that need addressing and fixing. Not only do we need
a systemic reform but also a national resolve to ensure that our soldiers and their families
are looked after.

It is time we move from mere words and posthumous tributes to action, and ensure that
our soldiers, veterans, veer naris, children and parents of brave hearts know that the
nation cares.

Tvisha Gandhi (XII C)

The Challenge of Cold-shouldering China

Patriotism is usually stronger than class hatred, and always stronger than internationalism.

India is currently facing a standoff at the Galwan valley, amidst the horrendous pandemic
of coronavirus, whilst it still has to recover a receding economy caused by a failed
lockdown. Why does it feel like we are faced with the worst of both the worlds? And is it
not already obvious that the situation that India finds itself in today is probably (if not
certainly) because of CHINA? Our Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi promoted the idea of
‘Atma Nirbhar’ recently since the world is already acquainted with the dirty tactics of the
Communist Party of China. The notion of “Boycott China” is also gaining momentum
once again but what are the odds it won’t fade away just like the last time? Is an
Atmanirbhar Bharat even possible in this world, which is intoxicated with the idea of
globalization? The concept of self-dependency and boycott of China can transform India
Into a force to be reckoned with but it lies in the hands of the citizens and government of
India to NOT LET THIS movement go in vain. No matter how impressive a plan may
appear on paper, the real challenge is to implement the plan which us Indians have been
familiar with for years by now. It is not going to be easy to beat China in political and
economic warfare, a game they have become the masters of by now, but India HAS to
start from somewhere and has to effectively work towards minimizing, if not completely
ending its dependence on China. It is a journey and not a jingo where emotions are to be
juxtaposed with actions. I see some people on the news, destroying Chinese electronics,
toys and other goods. But I would like to pose a question to them, how do you possibly
think this is going to benefit India in any manner? People need to realize that the profit
from the sale of these products has already reached its destination which is the pockets
of the Chinese. Some people are vandalizing shops dealing with Chinese products,
without realizing that they are creating a problem for the businessmen of their own
country and ultimately their economy. It breaks my heart to see people taking such
foolish steps which they can’t afford to do if they wish to beat China in its own game.
Also, it needs to be kept in mind that people cannot do anything without the essential
support from the government’s side. No matter even if people start acting as a smart
consumer and take calculated steps…it will all go to waste if the government is busy in
making official accounts on Chinese apps like 'TikTok'.Speaking of apps, it is the easiest
to drive out China virtually, that is uninstalling Chinese apps and software from our
devices. Some might argue that India is still in a better position than most countries, it is
not at least a part of China's debt trap like Sri Lanka, Nepal and other African countries,
but my question is for how long? Now is probably the best time for India to react and
overcome Chinese dominance. Even other countries such as the USA, Australia and UAE
have realized the threat China poses to the world. Thus UAE, India must come together
with these countries and also join forces with its other neighbouring countries to combat
China. But is India justifying this role it needs to play?

If yes, why has India not been able to settle a Free Trade Agreement with Australia since
the past 8 years? And also with the EU for nearly 10 years? India is also faced with a
challenge of deterioration of existing relations…it is very evident with the current
situation with Nepal and no significant improvement in relations with existing rivals like
Pakistan. India needs to be more vigilant than ever on an international level. Even the
Government and citizens need to step up their game in this context. What is to be kept in
mind is that people should refrain from purchasing goods associated with Chinese
companies from now on instead of throwing away what they already possess and the
same goes for the shops which can use 'Not made in China' banners as a smart

marketing strategy. There is a need for people to look for alternatives of Chinese brands
and software as the bitter truth is that businessmen do what the consumers ask for,
people need to stop choosing Chinese goods just because they are cheap and must be
willing to pay high, especially in the sphere of electronics and pharmaceutical.

Large MNCs are planning to move out of China and seek shelter in other nations. India
needs to take a lesson from countries like Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea who are
making the most out of this situation.

Efforts are to be made to balance the existing ‘Trade Deficit' of $54.62 billion between
India and China. The government must increase the Import Tariffs and work on replacing
import destinations from China to other countries, for which it requires healthy foreign
relations. India has taken a brilliant step by recently banning 59 Chinese apps as a
hindrance to ‘National Security’

We must ponder upon this idea… “What difference does one make? But doing one by one
certainly makes a difference.”

Gavish Lohat (XII C, Humanities)

Random Thoughts

We all have been staying home for the last three and a half months. We really miss going
out for eating, driving, shopping (and the list goes on).

Yet, this lockdown has made me realise the significance of socializing, as well as, the
importance of social distancing. I know that all of us are really exasperated, and
annoyed, by being at home.But, practically that was the only thing that we could do in
this situation, as we didn’t have any other alternative, right?Staying home, and
performing the same set of activities, has really bored us !!! And then we have some
people who are like: “Oh man, be productive, you have so much of time, you can do
many productive things (like this or that ) and utilise this precious time”.I agree with
them, but I feel that, at this time, ( specifically focusing on the present scenario), it's
more important for us to maintain a happy and contented predicament, than being cent
per cent productive.

I mean, try your hands at things that make you feel rejuvenated, rather than sitting and
calculating their productiveness! And more importantly, right now the focus should be on
our mental health, to stay jovial and buoyant, in whichever best way we can, as that's
what the situation demands of all of us. I think, as of now, it's a prime responsibility of
each one of us, to take good care of our mental health, to overcome various health
disorders. Do something that makes you feel elated and cheerful. Stop thinking about
what happened or what will happen. (But in this regard, don’t forget the difference of
right from wrong....) I believe it's ok if you've lost your productivity. It's fine if the
situation has really messed up your routine. I would say just stop beating a dead horse
and focus on the good. As everything happens for a reason.

Just want to say - Be happy, be satisfied, stay optimistic and have faith in God.

Everything will be back on track, and soon we all will be absorbed by our daily routines,
and then we will miss this time... (surely)

In the end, I just want to wind up with the thought that let’s not sermonize and judge
each and everything. Sometimes, all you need is to just sit and stare, and do nothing. It
leads to self-analysis. That too is productive. Situation varies.

Anushka Shrivastava (XII C()

My Perceptions

From celebrating birthdays in hotels to baking cakes for quarantine birthdays, attending
lectures in classrooms to joining online classes, going out with friends to spending
evenings with family, this Pandemic changed us for good. Never in my entire life had I
thought something like this might happen to me. I’ve been through many highs and lows
during my stay in my hometown. I wanted to visit my dad and grandparents but because
of monotonous lockdowns, I ended up staying here,in Nagpur. In some ways, I consider
this experience as one of the best I’ve had in recent times. There's so much I've learnt
from the people around me and the world while they were united to fight against this
deadly virus. My dad is a specialized doctor but during this tough time, he was being
consulted by all types of patients. He spent around 10-12 hours in the hospital each day
and took all the necessary precautions. I have seen him being strong while he was
battling in the hospital rooms, treating patients and advising recovery. My mom is no less
than a fighter too. She has been serving in the specialized Covid-19 hospital rooms since
almost 4 months now. She has tested negative so far by God’s grace and I hope this
continues to happen until the coronavirus completely vanishes from the face of the earth
. My grandmother took abundant care of my grandfather when he was down with a
disease. Reading in newspapers about how selflessly the doctors, soldiers, policemen,
teachers and other social workers are serving the nation and working with absolute
dedication, makes me feel so proud and inspired. This lockdown and quarantine phase
has brought utter changes in me. I've become more positive, more adaptable and
started valuing my life even more. I've invested my energy looking for good things.I have
become more vocal in my thoughts and I’ve learnt not to suppress my emotions. My
mental health is my priority and I feel I’ve been doing things which make me feel relaxed
and rejuvenated. I've made many new friends, I’ve experienced many new things, I’m
working on my hobbies, just doing what I love. I've gained an understanding about how
important it is to love ourselves, to nurture and care. I do feel sad and disheartened
when I get to know people are dying each day, I feel helpless and low but then I rise up
and value my life even more. With people killing themselves, I've decided not to put
myself in a position wherein I feel so low and disgusted that I even think of it. Hearing
about people getting killed because of natural reasons has made me more grateful to
God and I thank him each day for keeping me alive and safe. I think it's important for us
individuals to recognise the actual importance of life. I am not Meera without the
problems I’ve faced or I face and nobody is him/herself without the problems they face.
Life is beautiful but it is tough too. There are two quotes I believe in blindly and they go
as - EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON and GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME TO COME. I
know this shall pass too.

Meera Dawle ( XII Science)

Novel Idea on Reducing Pollution

I think that air pollution can be controlled in a very interesting way. Just like we are
facing a corona pandemic and are under lockdown, the environment got cleaned and
the pollution levels are quite low. So we should have a day per month, on which no
one will use a vehicle unless necessary and everyone must contribute some time
towards nature. I believe this idea will work if people do this wholeheartedly. If it is
followed, maybe in 10-20 years we may be able to eradicate pollution.

My Transformation -Talkative to Silent

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” I really like this quote by British Actress,
Audrey Hepburn. During this lockdown, I saw that people around me, my friends, they
weren’t doing well mentally and emotionally. When the lockdown started in March,
everyone around me used to talk to everyone. But slowly and steadily that stopped.
Same happened with me. Because how can we just talk all the time when nothing as
major as the pandemic is happening. You run out of topics to talk about. So, the only
thing we can do is check up on our friends now and then because some of them are going
through some major mental changes. Some have their parents working as CORONA
WARRIORS, which is a huge responsibility. Speaking about my academics, they are
going on in the same way as earlier. The only difference is being present in the class,
physically. And that really changes everything. I used to be quite vocal in each and every
class. I used to be vocal in the initial classes during lockdown. But now I only speak when
absolutely necessary. That’s what the lockdown changed in me. I know I’ll return back to
my normal when this lockdown is lifted but until then I’ve got to go through this new
normal. The positive effect of the lockdown is it gave us a lot of time to spend with our
family. I refined my baking skills and cooking skills. I got time to practice my hobbies like
reading and painting. I am a book lover. Bibliosmia intoxicates me. I love fiction and
autobiographies. I read a novel by Mrs. Michelle Obama. She inspires me. Even though
she used to be the first lady, she was the humblest person in the White house,both she
and her husband. They used to celebrate the birthdays of every person working in the
White House. They are the most humane beings and they inspire me to become the best
version of myself. My parents, both being government servants, had to go to work every
day in this lockdown. Though they are not frontline warriors, still the risk is there. Both of
them follow proper precautions and are responsible citizens. Recently, a person in my
father’s workplace was tested positive for Covid. His office was thoroughly sanitized and
proper precautions were taken care of. Things like these make me realize how real this is
because never in my life could I have imagined something like this. Covid exceeds my
imagination and expectations. So let’s hope for the best, because that’s what we can do.
Hope survives best at hearth. Be safe.

Prashansa Raj ( XII Science)

The Grandiosity of Time

In the darkness of this night, there’s still hope for staying alive. In these ordeals,
There’s a surreal belief of Life being benign. In those memories of us, stumbling,
roaming, laughing, admiring, clicking each other over the streets, And in the glories
of poetry and The undeniable need of humanity, There’s love. And there’s life.

There’s hope. And there’s joy. There’s a longing for bilingual ambiguity of
understanding, and a belief of happiness returning home when people seem
infantile. There’s a yearning for the authenticity of Our mere existence in the times of
fortitude.

There is love as well as pain. And happiness together with the Existence of grimace.
And it’s the law of life, The grandiosity of time. And it's the law of love, The expedition
of time.

Yashika Ramnani (XII B )

The Indian Education System

The Indian education system has a long and rich history from Gurukuls dating back to
ancient times which are till date considered one of the best means of imparting quality
education and teachings for life. Nalanda and Takshashila, the world's oldest known
universities were the part of this prestigious education system.

This education system has allowed students to choose from a variety of subjects which
make them familiar with a wide range of concepts and help them choose the right stream
for their future. Subjects like History and Civics teach us about the long - lost culture of
India which we all must be knowing about. Subjects like Economics and English have
daily life applications, be it at work or home. There are many other positive aspects of
our education system too.

But as everything has its pros and cons, the Indian education system has its own. The
onset of the 19th century was marked by some major education reforms in India by the
British officials like allowing Christian missionaries to spread and preach their education
system. At that time, the industrial revolution was in full swing and the need for clerks
and engineers was felt. Thus, special emphasis was given to the STEM subjects (Science
Technology Engineering Mathematics). They needed people who just followed their
orders and did not use their brains, so their creativity was to be somehow suppressed.
Thus, this education system was carefully and cunningly invented and implemented in
India under the name of "Western education" which inculcated the needs of "babus" and
"brown sahibs' in the British autocracy. They put us into the rat race and extracted almost
all their work out of us and slowly things got worse. The Gurukul system, as I mentioned
earlier, focused on giving an overall experience of life with all the ups and downs, without
any biases to kids of proletariat and bourgeoisie alike. Today the emphasis given to
character building or the importance given to mannerism and etiquettes is nowhere to
be found and kids are not allowed to make mistakes. Mistakes are rewarded with
punishment, which acts as negative reinforcers. The physical activity in today's school
life is close to negligible. The focus given on Maths or Science is way more than any other
subject or to other kinds of education like physical, vocational or sex education. A future
in the sports field is not seen as a career option as the society expects all Engineers and
Doctors, and Chartered Accountants and not Athletes or players from us. Even the
subjects which we are currently studying have a lot of importance and application in our
daily life but the theoretical approach of education authorities makes it nearly impossible
for schools and colleges to give away some practical experience to the students.

This causes most of the knowledge memorized and temporarily stored until the exams
where it is all to be omitted and grades are to be awaited for the successful rote learning
of the potentially interesting subjects. The division of children into intelligent, average
and dumb by the system of grades leads to the objective analysis of children rather than
a subjective interpretation of the qualities and talents that the child beholds, ready to
unleash if given opportunities. Majority of the general population faces tremendous
difficulty in Rote learning which is required to "pass" the exams and come under stress
from parents, school, teachers, friends, relatives and society. This results in high
chances of psychological instability leading to disastrous after-effects like suicide. Every
hour 1 student in India commits suicide which accounts for nearly 7% of all the suicides.
The social taboo of being mentally unstable or needing to see a psychiatrist or a
counsellor keeps the child mum even when he realises he needs help and needs to open

up and talk about his problems. Statistics reveal 53.2 % of students suffer from
moderate, severe or extremely severe depression or frequent mental breakdowns. One
of the main reasons for this stress is the worry of living up to the expectations of the
parents, teachers, the society and also the worry of the copious amount of money
invested in education. High fees of schools, high fees of transportation, coaching
classes, uniform, stationeries, etc. Now if we say that Government schools teaching for
free or minimal charges do exist then we also would have to consider the quality of
education imparted in these schools. The private education firms hire the best and the
most educated and qualified teachers that are in the market and lesser or even ineligible
teachers for the Government schools are left. This is also due to the meagre salary that
these government teachers get. This clumsiness in the system is all because of the lack
of a centralised authority. There are n number of boards, each state having its own and
then we have the Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE). We also have the Indian
Certificate of Secondary Examination(ICSE) and many more boards which are scattered
here and there all over the country having different syllabuses and curricula. The high
fees of private schools force the government to open schools for the underprivileged,
where unfortunately they are not able to impart the right kind of education necessary for
the upliftment. Talking about the most important event in a student's life-
EXAMINATIONS. Examinations are considered as the ultimate goal of life. Thus we focus
more on the result rather than the continuous learning where each exam pieces of
something different. Several competitive exams like JEE NEET, CDS, UPSC, CLAT, NIFT
have only one thing in common, they try to make the child realise that it is just one exam
that decides whether they are going to be successful or happy or contented or they are
going to make money in life or NOT. The rise of these competitive exams has given way
to a new institution of education known as the Coaching Classes which emphasizes rote
learning and faster recall of the ocean of knowledge that we are supposed to mesmerize.
Even after clearing the so-called do or die examinations and completing graduation most
of us fail to conceive great business ideas or innovative inventions or creativity and settle
for some 9 to 5 jobs which pay us enough for our family to sustain or maybe a little more
to live a luxurious life.

But these job people are just 40% of the society and the other 60% remain unemployed.
The major reason for this misfortune is that there is so much competition. Also, the lack
of skill and experience which most of the hiring companies seek comes in the way of
employment. The Vidhyalays which we all have been going to all these years have never
taught us Vidhya. All we have got here is Shiksha and I must tell you they are different.
Shiksha refers to only remembering and knowing how things are and how they work
whereas Vidhya is the complete package of learning skills, knowledge, mannerism,
morals, ethics, including Shiksha. So now without this, the major chunk of the society
remains helpless.

It is not that the Indian education system is on the verge of collapse or it can't be revived
but yes, it definitely has more negatives than positives and is currently unable to serve
the purpose why it was made. We often talk about how successful and ideal the
American and European countries are but the sole reason for their Upper Hand is their
educated citizens which have been made from their effective education system. We can
inculcate many of their teaching methodologies into ours. We can start giving more
emphasis on teaching as a profession as in the present scenario teaching is one of the
last career options being chosen. The education systems of Switzerland and Finland are
one of the finest all around the world and there is a lot we can adopt from them as the

special emphasis on vocational and skill learning. The Finland education system ranks
number one in the world because it promotes relaxed, good and encouraging
atmosphere between students and teachers and it also lays emphasis on the journey of
knowledge acquisition and not just the final destination whereas the Indian education
system ranks 121 even though we produce more engineers and doctors and CAs, etc
more than many countries combined. These are one of the many reforms we can
introduce into our present system. Many teaching techniques from the Gurukul system
can also be adopted as we can see how it gave vocational skill and skill training to its
students used now and then.

I would like to end with a famous dialogue-

"Kamiyab hones keliyenahiKabil hone keliyepadho, Success kepeeche mat
bhago, Excellence ka peechakaro Excellence ka. Success jhak maar
ketumharepeecheaaegi” - Baba Ranchodas Shamaldas Chanchad

Uday Parihar (XII Science) (Qualified Round 1 of Read India)

Different Perspectives

Life is not unfair. Life is just unpredictable. Life is an exact cause effect of our doings
on earth. Life ain't flawed, OUR PERSPECTIVE IS FLAWED. Align your perspective
right. The postal address of happiness is INSIDE.These are not mere words.I can say
as I know it from experience. The survival expenses of all human beings are the same
.This lockdown has proven that . Most of us are not chasing money for survival, then
why be miserable? If happiness is there inside you , you will find it everywhere
outside you in the same abundance. It all depends on your selection of thoughts.
Have a two way communication with yourself. Speak with your inner self through
your THOUGHTS. Listen to your inner voice through your FEELINGS. Feel! Listen!
Think! Speak! Find happiness inside. Be happy outside. Let this time be a reminder
that taking time for yourself and doing exactly what you want is not something to feel
guilty for.

Veeral Bothra (XII Humanities)

A Cognizance

Sitting at home, I’ve become a nefelibata We’ve been brisk and reckless…
(one who lives in the clouds of dreams) forgetting to be cool
Aphantom at home searching Facing the phobia of not being good enough
for bread and butter For teachers, for parents…
The little birdies, the irana, and oh the petrichor and not a time to huff
Giving me reasons to avoid the usual queries, I thought I lost myself
Of what I might find down the road, in the process of becoming a nerd
what’s in my card Running after the herd
This empty space, makes me realise, I lost my vim and giggle head self
The prominence of easing at times, Thanking the soul-searching angels
Why speed? Why deadlines? For time I’m grateful
Stress…. the only thing you’ll find To find my way back home
The last two years of a student’s life at school To a proud little happy and foodie angel

Aarushi Sharma ( XII C)

The Use and Abuse of Technology

Technology can be defined as the practical use of science or knowledge in our lives for
practical purposes. Technology does not only mean silicon computer chips or
supercomputers or artificial intelligence. Any machine in the world can be said to be an
invention making the best use of technology. Starting from the phones that we use not
only to communicate but also for our entertainment, till the fans, the clocks, the
television; all of this can be termed as some of the other technology made use of.

There are many uses of technology in our daily life. Technology has now become a part
of our daily life. We use television to watch news and cartoons. We use fans, coolers and
air conditioners to cool ourselves. We use lamps, light bulbs and torches to provide
ourselves with light. We even use clocks to know the time. There is almost nothing that
can be done without technology. Like, if someone wants to buy something, but he/she
isn’t getting it in the nearby shops, he/she can easily order it online using technology.
Technology even alters our thinking about time and space.

To understand this we can think that we can talk to anybody in any corner of the world
using a telephone, no matter how far they are from us. From waking up in the morning
until sleeping at night, we use technology. Even just thinking about not having
technology will be very delusional. Without technology, we would be like early humans.
Even during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the progress of the world has not stopped
because of technology. We can still study and do all our work due to technology. We can
order food online when all the shops are closed due to lockdown because of technology.
These are just some of the boons that we get from technology in our today's life.
Technology can today be used for performing almost every task in the world.

But we should remember that where there is white there is always black; Where there is
light there is darkness. The same applies to technology. Where there are good uses of
technology, there are also the ill-effects of it.

There may be many uses of technology in our life as it has become an important part of
our daily life. Still, we cannot ignore the ill-effects of technology. The fact that harmful
rays are emitted from phones, computers, laptops, televisions, iPods, etc is less
commonly known. These rays can damage our eyes badly, but people still use these
appliances daily on a large scale of time. Nowadays, during the lockdown, people are
using these appliances for even more time than usual, since they are undertaking online
classes, virtual meetings due to work from home, etc.

Many people store their personal information in computers and phones which leads to a
threat of data hacking and leaking. Many people engage in unethical deeds such as
hacking phones and computers to gain access to the personal information of other
people. Hacking is one of the worst uses of technology according to me. But nowadays,
an agency known as cyber police is helping in stopping these cybercrimes. We can also
help the cyber police and ourselves by not providing our personal information to anyone
on the internet. We should also not enter our personal information on any site unless it is
secure ( a site is secure only if it is showing https:// before the address link of the site ) or
we are sure that the site can be trusted.

Tanishk Singhal (Class VII F)