THE FINAL VERSION JNANAMANJARI

The reason for this relative anonymity is because the cities of this vast
empire, which flourished in the Indus River valley thousands of years ago,
did not leave any remnants behind: no weapons, temples, or artwork that
we could use to rehearse their happenings. But what we do know about
Ancient India is by it captivating and enchanting & thus arousing our
curiosity.

More often than not, Historians tend to be distracted by their
overwhelming obsession with medieval India rather than ancient India.
The remarkable excavations done in 1920s by British Archaeologists
somewhere around Larkhana district (Northwest frontier) greatly
facilitated in establishing the indisputable fact that India henceforth can
be placed on par with Egypt, Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) and China in
terms of its rich cultural ancient heritage which is punctuated with pristine
glory in all its illustrious radiance. In the words of Mark Twain “India is the
cradle of Human race ,the birthplace of Human speech ,the mother of
history ,the grandmother of legend and the great-grandmother of
tradition. Most valuable and didactic specimen in the history of mankind is
a source of treasure trove in India which can be referenced for the collective
cultural emancipation of humanity.

To relive the greatness, richness of this ancient civilization; which is
doubly a watershed moment in history, we have to travel back to the past
to gaze at its intrinsic grandeur, splendor and magnificence. The
landscape of Indus valley witnessed the sanctimonious birth of a
civilization, which although incipient was the forerunner of a modern
Human civilization. Historians have varying accounts as to when this
civilization actually began. For now, it is safe to presume that the
chronology for this civilization has not been discovered till date. Some
remnants of great structures like great bath can be found even today in
North West Punjab (Pakistan). The architectural marvels of the people of
those ancient times have definitely bedazzled every keen onlooker overly
interested in dissecting our ancient roots.

Let me juxtapose the Indus valley civilization with its counterparts namely
Mesopotamia and Egypt to demonstrate its moral, ethical and cultural
superiority. In the case of Mesopotamia and Egypt, money was spent
ostentatiously in building opulent temples and luxuriously sheltering the
head priests and nobles while ironically the poor were left to starve and

subjected to untoward sufferings. This societal mindset and behavior was
perverse, cynical, ethically hazardous, and morally defunct and thus
epitomize an ugly manifestation of wrong and skewed priorities to
exemplify an unequal society.

However, comparatively, we discern that in the Indus valley this sordid
picture of exploitation of the meek and voiceless is systemically reversed
where buildings were built for the convenience of the masses signifying and
signaturing a morally elevated, ethically sound, egalitarian society. It is
astoundingly striking and remarkably interesting to read some accounts of

the excavators which quaintly endorse that the civilization was
quintessentially a matriarchal society. There were miniscule armaments
excavated from the sites purportedly inhabitated by Indus valley people

which conspicuously connote that the people of Indus worshipped and
valued peace.

As to the racial origins of the Indus civilization, there are varying
uncorroborated accounts. There is a school of thought which conjecture
that the people of Indus were Dravidians .But, this theory has not been

corroborated by Historians yet. Ergo, this is a persisting conundrum
puzzling our Historians for time immemorial. The decline of this

civilization supposedly happened in the latter half of 1400 BC. Again, there
are multifarious accounts for the decline. While, some historians

adumbrate that the invasion of Aryans from Eurasia may have been the
reason for the decline, others proffer that a great deluge might have been
the reason for the fall of this great civilization. A few years back, I chanced
to read in a newspaper that the excavation sites were defiled by the locals
by misusing them as latrines. Archaeologists also are putatively suspicious

about another ancient city buried waiting to be excavated. No tangible
steps have been taken so far by the Pakistani government. Once this task is
taken up, startling and remarkable discoveries would be discerned for sure.

-ADITYA RAMAN

JANANE S- II A
SHARON JESSICA- VII B

S MAHIN- VI A

BENEFITS OF JOKES

In today’s world, people are prone to excess stress due to a lot of reasons.
Usually this is found in people going to work and among students. Jokes are
the most important medicine needed for us today to come out from that
stress.

The importance of jokes is that when people around you are either sad, in a
serious mood or in a problem. Jokes can help them to feel better. Jokes are
basically the stories that bring laughter to the people who are listening or
watching. Once a writer remarked, “The most wasted day is that in which we
have not laughed. “There are various benefits of laughing and sharing jokes.
HEALTH BENEFITS: Jokes make us laugh and create a positive impact in our
body. Jokes stimulate most of the parts of the body.
STRESS RELIEVER: Jokes help in relieving our anger, depression, tension and
stress and make us feel light and irritation free. It also improves the mood by
reducing anxiety and fear.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Jokes help in developing a sense of humour. It develops
personality by bringing urn lighter side. It also encourages people to express
their feelings without fear.
But before sharing jokes we must also ensure that it does not hurt anyone.
So if you know any good jokes share it with everyone around so that you keep
yourself and others healthy and cheerful!!

JOKE 1: My friend said he knew a man with a wooden leg named Smith.
So I asked him "What was the name of his other leg?"
JOKE 2: A man goes to the doctor and says, "Doctor, wherever I touch, it
hurts."
The doctor asks, "What do you mean?"
The man says, "When I touch my shoulder, it really hurts. If I touch my knee -
OUCH! When I touch my forehead, it really, really hurts."
The doctor says, "I know what's wrong with you - you've broken your
finger!"….

-SAMYUKTHA V OF X B
Source (iteslj.org)

I LOVE HISTORY AND I AM PROUD OF IT.

Friends, Classmates and Schoolmates, Why show such hatred towards
history? History is beauty at its best and I would like to tell all those who
disrespect this beauty that I can take this attitude no more. History is not
boring. History is not unnecessary. History is not uninspiring.

History,
Isn’t it a mystery?
Kings, Queens and Revolutions,
There are both problems and solutions.

It taught us how to make the wheel,
It taught us how to fire,
Now we can smelt steel,
Now we can make a tire.
Indian, French or Russian,
Polish, Austrian or Prussian,
History is old,
But like pure gold.
Neither everyone loves history,
Nor does history love everyone.
But, history is very dear to me,
Loving history was meant to be.

My friend once said, “History is a mystery. It is like a story.” That moment I
knew that I had found a true HP fan girl (In this case, HP is History period,
not Harry potter). The truth is, it is not like I hate everybody who hates
history, it is just that I don’t really get why people are frightened by a
goddess like history. If you ever want to know how to love history, ask a true
history lover, even me. I will be honoured to share my love for history. That’s
because, I love history and I am proud of it.

-JAYASHREE MANIGANDAN OF IX A

? First off, why did you choose math out of all other
subjects?
 “Right from the beginning, in my school days, I

used to be very interested in commercial math. Thus, I

chose math.”

? What would you have been, if not a math teacher?
Would you have been a teacher?
 “I would have been an English teacher. I would

have been a teacher, no doubt about that.”

? How long have you been a part of kalalaya? How was
your experience all these years?
 “It has been 22 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed at

kalalaya.”

? Looking back, how would you rate yourself as a
teacher, say on a scale from 1 to 10?
 “When you have experience, you know where the

students go wrong and every year gives you an

opportunity to know how to teach the next time so that
the students don’t go wrong again. I would give myself
a 9 on 10, but that is just me.”

? How has your family supported you in this journey?
 “My family has extended a helping hand for all my
endeavours. When I was studying through
correspondence in the University at Delhi, they
supported me a lot. It was not just my immediate
family; all my cousins and relatives helped me.
They did not make me worry about commutation and
transport. My cousins would go on behalf of me and
collect my important things from the university.”
? How are math classes- then vs. now?

 Math is math, but the attitude of students has
undergone a sea of change. These days, geometry is

working out better than arithmetic.”

? Describe one of your most memorable moments at
kalalaya.
 “Many passed out children and those who have
moved to higher classes have come back to me saying

that they miss me. It is not just them, their parents too

come to meet me and say things like their child had
excelled in math under my guidance. Moments like

these have been most memorable. Yet, I cannot really
choose either of these, since it will do justice to

neither.”

? What are your ideas on tuitions and coaching classes?
 “I personally think that they are unnecessary. I
wouldn’t advise it till 8th or 10th. It just adds the

pressure on students. Nowadays, parents are forcing
their kids to study at coaching institutes. I feel that it
has to be the child’s wish and not theirs.”
? What are your hobbies?
 “I love reading books. I don’t care whether it is
fiction or non-fiction. I love authors like Agatha
Christie. I like taking walks and listening to all kinds of
music, regardless of language and style barrier.”

? If you have the power to do anything in this world, what
would you do?
 “I would see to it that every district has people
appointed to guard schools, hospitals, orphanages and
save children from abuse. I would like to eradicate child
abuse from everywhere.”

? Any words about kalalaya…
 “In kalalaya, we have a very strong web of
teachers, who are sportive and supportive. The teachers
and students are lucky to work in the Kalalayan
environment. The management is also very supportive.
They see to it that the interest of teachers and students
are met. The timings are sharp and flexible; we are
informed well in advance about all matters. All
teachers are treated in a very professional way.”
? Finally, your message for students of this generation…
 “For any person, young or old, this is my
suggestion- Have a proper hobby which you are
passionate about. It will be a great stress buster. Do not
leave it at any point in your life. Hobbies should run

parallel to your academics. Trust me; it will help you

throughout your life.”

Thank you mam for spending your time in sharing your
valuable thoughts.

SANSKRIT
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