1 |Shri Darpan
2 |Shri Darpan Index Title Page No. 1 From The Principal’s Desk 5 2 Message from the Vice Principal –Senior School 6 3 Message from the Vice Principal –Junior School 7 4 Message from the Academic Coordiantor–Senior School 8 5 Message from the Academic Coordiantor–Middle School 9 6 From Editorial board desk 10 7 Student Council Body 2022-23 11-18 8 My Reflection- Head Boy 19 9 My Reflection- Head Girl 19 10 Message from Student Editor 20 11 Farewell Poem for Grade X(Batch 2022-23) 21 12 Interaction with Mr. Christopher C Doyle 22-23 13 Arstistic Expressions of NK-A 24 14 Creative Writing pieces from Grade X A 25 15 Arstistic Expressions of NK-B 26 16 Creative Writing pieces from Grade X A 27 17 Arstistic Expressions of PK-A 28 18 Creative Writing pieces from Grade X A 29-30 19 Arstistic Expressions of PK-B 31 20 Creative Writing pieces from Grade X A/B 32-36 21 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IX A 36 22 Arstistic Expressions of PK-C 37 23 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IX A 38-43 24 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IX B 43 25 Arstistic Expressions of PK-D 44-45 26 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IX B 46 27 Arstistic Expressions of PK-E 47 28 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IX B/C 48-50 29 Arstistic Expressions of BK-A 51-52 30 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IX C 52-54 31 Arstistic Expressions of BK-B 54-56 32 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IX C 56-57 33 Arstistic Expression of BK-C 58-59 34 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IX C 59-60
3 |Shri Darpan 35 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VIII A 61 36 Arstistic Expressions of BK-D 62 37 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VIII A 63-65 38 Arstistic Expressions of BK-E 66-67 39 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VIII A 67-69 40 Arstistic Expressions of BK-F 69-70 41 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VIII A 71-72 42 Arstistic Expressions of I A 73-74 43 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VIII B 74-76 44 Arstistic Expressions of I B 77-78 45 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VIII B/C 78-79 46 Arstistic Expressions of Grade VIII B 80 47 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VIII C 80-83 48 Arstistic Expressions of I C 84-86 49 Arstistic Expressions of Grade VII A 87 50 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII C 87 51 Arstistic Expressions of I D 88-89 52 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII A 89-93 53 Display of Student Art Work by Grade VIII B 94 54 Arstistic Expressions of I E 95-96 55 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII B 96-98 56 Arstistic Expressions of I F 98-99 57 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII B 99-101 58 Arstistic Expressions of I G 101-102 59 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII B 102-105 60 Arstistic Expressions of II A 106-107 61 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII C 107-108 62 Display of Student Art Work by Grade VII 108-109 63 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII C 109-110 64 Arstistic Expressions of II B 111-112 65 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII C 113-117 66 Arstistic Expressions of II C 118-119 67 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VII D 119-120 68 Brush Strokes of creativity by Grade VI (A-C) 121-122 69 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VI A 123-125 70 Arstistic Expressions of II D 126-128 71 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VI (A-B) 128-133 72 Arstistic Expressions of II E 133-135 73 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VI C 135-136 74 Celebrating Freedom through Art VI D/E 136-137
4 |Shri Darpan 75 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VI (D-F) 137-141 76 Arstistic Expressions of II F 142-143 77 Creative Writing pieces from Grade VI F 143-145 78 Creative Writing pieces from Grade V A 146-147 79 Arstistic Expressions of II G 148-149 80 Creative Writing pieces from Grade V A 150-155 81 Creative Writing pieces from Grade V B 156-158 82 Boot Verbs by students of Grade VB 158 83 Arstistic Expressions of II H 159-161 84 Creative Writing pieces from Grade V 161-207 86 Creative Writing pieces from Grade IV A-G 207-271 87 Creative Writing pieces from Grade III A-H 272-327 88 Worli Art 327 89 Art Curation 328-331 90 All Staff Photo 331 91 Personal Student Achievement 332-336 92 Inter School Achievement 336-339 93 School Sports Team 339-340
5 |Shri Darpan From the Principal’s Desk Dear Students It gives me child-like happiness to pen my thoughts for the student- magazine each year. It gives me an opportunity for me to look at the year gone by with a different lens. The student magazine is one of our proudest presentations as a school and I am proud to pen my thoughts for the vibrant students’ magazine yet again. The year has instilled a deepened sense of gratitude, for we have had our students back on campus after the prolonged pandemic. Once again my purpose of choosing to be an educator is strengthened. As the head of the institution, I am humbled and extremely proud of the fact that we live by our core values, the mission and the vision of the school every single day. A school is so much more than just learning, subjects and exams. The friendships, the fun in the sports field, the never-ending practices for various events and competitions, the silly fights, the adventures, the learning journeys, outstation trips, the community projects, collection drives and so many moments to cherish and look back fondly. A happy and purposeful journey at school for every Shriite is my steadfast goal. I would like to close by sharing two of my most emotional times at school. Every time I walk down the corridors of the Primary and the Elementary grades, my heart fills with immense joy looking at the excitement with which my little Shriites greet me with smiles and hugs, calling out to me fondly as Jyothi Ma'am. These are moments I live for! Secondly, when I held the pen to write personalised letters for my Grade X students, it was an emotion, I cannot express in words. Knowing that they will be leaving us soon, felt like a part of me is leaving me. I wish them the best of life and pray that each one leads a happy and purposeful life. In conclusion, I look forward to seeing more of your contributions to the student magazine and witnessing the amazing things you will achieve. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep inspiring each other. Warm Regards.
6 |Shri Darpan Message from the Vice Principal – Senior School Dear Shriites Namaste! I am delighted with the way you are shaping up to be sensible and sensitive young individuals ready to enter the world and make it a little bit better. I want you to know that we would like to shape you to be job creators rather than job seekers, as content creators rather than content consumers. Therefore, it is our responsibility as Shri Educators to ensure that we are giving you inputs that give you an edge. And, the edge will be most visible when you are open to learning new things, receptive to feedback and willing to invest in and engage with your teachers and peers. This also means that you become very conscious about the diet that you feed yourself. Remember that your diet is not just the food that you eat but also what you feed your mind - the people you connect with, the social media content that you consume, the programmes that you watch - everything impacts how you shape your future. You know that good input results in great output! Shriites, in today's world, it is more important to be kind than to be right. Remember not to be a part of a herd for you are meant to stand out! Be sincere. Be kind. Be mindful. Be you! Love Usha Ma'am
7 |Shri Darpan Message from the Vice Principal – Junior School Dear Shrities It has been a wonderful year of learning and growing with you. You have been a part of many Form Evenings & Shri Khels, Celebrations, events and festivals and I am confident that you would have learnt a lot and enjoyed being a part of them. I wanted to share that each event or celebration is designed carefully to help you hone your skills and develop your passion. Your contribution to All About Culture was indeed noteworthy and you learned a lot about diverse topics. I hope that you will explore every learning opportunity that comes your way to become a better version of yourself! Looking forward to seeing each one of you shine! Love Nirupama Ma'am
8 |Shri Darpan Message from the Academic Coordinator– Senior School Dear Students Namaste! I would like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible accomplishments and achievements that you have made over the past year. This year has been challenging in so many ways, however, with your resilience & commitment, you have risen to the occasion. I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the growth path of each and every one of you. I have seen you tackle difficult situations, work collaboratively with your peers, push yourselves beyond your comfort zones, and achieve incredible things. From academic achievements to taking up leadership roles in Student Council, Interact Clubs and other School Events, participating in Sports, Music, or Arts, and volunteering in Community Service Projects. You have inspired everyone with your enthusiasm, and your drive to succeed. As you move forward, I would like you to focus on two prominent areas this year. The first is to start focusing on the Why of Things by asking questions. This can help you connect the dots between different concepts and ideas and see the bigger picture. Understanding the why can also help you process information better, as you will be able to see how different pieces of information are related to each other. Another thing to focus on is Responsible Decision-Making, before taking any decision consider the consequences of your actions and think through your choices. This can help you to understand how your actions fit into a larger context and also help you make better decisions. I encourage you to continue to build on the accomplishments that you have made. Take what you have learned this year and apply it to your future goals and aspirations. Use your successes as a foundation for continued growth and development. I am proud of each and every one of you! Best Wishes, Shweta Vaze Head of Students Welfare Advisory Board Senior Academic Coordinator
9 |Shri Darpan Message from the Academic Coordinator– Middle School Being sensitive is being kind, caring, able to pick up on the feelings of others, aware of their needs, and behaving in a way that helps them feel good. Being sensitive is often a good thing. It helps respond to the environment and people. It helps us be alert of danger. As Sensitivity is one of the core values of the school here are some ways to develop sensitivity: When someone is speaking to you, give them your full attention. Listen to what they are saying without interrupting or judging them. Pay attention to their body language and tone of voice. Try to put yourself in other people's shoes and understand their feelings and perspective. Imagine how you would feel if you were in their situation. Avoid making assumptions or judgments based on your own biases or beliefs. Be open to learning new things and considering different points of view. Take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Be present in the moment and observe your own reactions to situations. Show appreciation for the people and things in your life. This can help you develop a more positive and compassionate attitude toward others. Ask others for feedback on how you are perceived. This can help you identify areas where you may need to improve your sensitivity. Be kind and considerate towards others, even in small ways. This can help you develop a more compassionate and empathetic approach to life. Being sensitive can help us build stronger relationships and be more empathetic toward others. It can also help us become better listeners, more effective communicators, and more compassionate people. Ruchi Mundra Academic Coordinator Grade VI-VII
10 |Shri Darpan From the Editorial Board’s Desk Dear Readers We are thrilled to present the latest edition of our student magazine – Shri Darpan.Our student magazine is a reflection of our students’ creativity, curiosity, and passion for learning. In keeping with our Shri Philosophy, we encourage 100% student participation and this issue features an exciting array of articles, essays, stories, illustrations, etc. from our talented Shriites. As always, our team has worked tirelessly to bring you the best content possible. We have articles on varied topics, personal experiences, and creative writing pieces and artistic expressions that are sure to captivate and inspire you. We aim to provide you with an informative and entertaining read that reflects the diversity of our student body. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the contributors, editors, and designers who have put in countless hours to make this magazine a success. Our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Surabhi Vyas, Ms. Simpy Dadiala, Ms. Lavanya Mukkala and Ms. Sushweta Saha for their support and contribution to the magazine. The editorial board encourages you to read, engage with, and share this magazine with your friends and family. Let us continue to showcase the amazing talent and potential that exists within family of The Shriram Universal School Hyderabad. Happy Reading! Editorial Board Ms. Ronak Batham Ms. Rachita Dave Ms. Kalpana Movva (Editor in Chief) (Designing and Publication) (Designing and Publication) Student Editor Varnika Vaish (Editor)
11 |Shri Darpan Student Council Body 2022-23 Shreyan Nawagekar Head Boy Vikramaditya Nadupalli Junior School Head Boy Nandini Tirdhala Head Girl Dhriti Pavan Junior School Head Girl
12 |Shri Darpan Yashas Yallapragada Sports Captain Om Prasad Kodali Jr. School Sports Captain Varnika Vaish Chief Editor Vihaan Sandeep Jr. School Editorial Head
13 |Shri Darpan Maitri Ramanathan Ratnam Abhay House Captain Anika Kasat Jr. School Abhay House Captain Devesh Srivastava Dhairya House Captain Aaradhya Reddy Jr. School Dhairya House Captain
14 |Shri Darpan Zoyaa S. Kazi Nishchay House Captain Rayesha Dubey Jr. School Nishchay House Captain Manasvi Reddy Lakshya House Captain Abha Pandey Jr. School Lakshay House Captain
15 |Shri Darpan Shriya Shastry Abhay House Prefect Manas Mishra Dhairya House Prefect Tanvi Kaliga Nishchay House Prefect Akhil Korrapati Lakshya House Prefect
16 |Shri Darpan Charvitha M Shri Paryavaran Head Shreya Kumar Shri Dayitv Head Praneel Kamineni Shri Sparsh Head Aadhyanth Vishwanath Techno Captain
17 |Shri Darpan Dhriti Madan Cultural Activity Captain Junior School Shri Army Anvesh Agrawal Dristi Gupta Raghav Shastry
18 |Shri Darpan Senior School Shri Army Rishika Agrawal Harshita Bhargava Vigilapuram Naina Ritika Krishnan Daiwik Dommati
19 |Shri Darpan My Reflections -Head Boy, Shreyan Nawagekar X B It seems like yesterday that I had joined The Shri Ram Universal School, Hyderabad. It is a mystery how time flies. The way the school has beautifully and amazingly has shaped and moulded me is my greatest gift. As the Head Boy of TSUS, I was given the privilege and responsibility of representing the student body and working with the administration to create a positive school culture. My time in this role was filled with triumphs and challenges and it was a great learning experience. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons about leadership and responsibility. Balancing my duties as a Head Boy with my personal interests and studies was a challenge however it taught me the importance of time management and prioritisation. TSUS gave me that expanded horizon for vibrant thinking, excellence and where I could blossom into a confident person that I am today. I feel immensely proud to be the Head Boy of the first batch of tenth standard of TSUSH. My motivation to become the Head Boy stems from the innermost desire of being able to guide and inspire others. This desire was in alignment and thrived with the values of TSUS. Without the guidance and support of our beloved Principal, Ms. Jyothi Reddy, Vice Principal Usha Ma’am, Senior coordinator Shwetha Ma’am, my subject teachers and my Class Teacher Nidhi Ma’am and the entire staff of our school, I would not have been in this role. I am grateful and appreciate the faith put in me. Heartfelt gratitude to the Didis, bhaiyyas and the support staff whose selfless service made TSUS a home away from home. To all my juniors I would like to say Hard Work cannot be substituted. With the great values our school has taught us, I am sure we will be able to meet the challenges of our endlessly changing horizon. With the values and ideals safely inculcated in us we are going to be a reckoning force for the Gen Z world.
20 |Shri Darpan My Reflections -Head Girl, Nandini Tirdhala X A When I first ran for the post of Head Girl, I never expected to be elected. When the election results were about to be announced, I waited eagerly, but was prepared to be disappointed. When they finally came out, I couldn't believe my ears. It took me a second to comprehend, but the second the news finally struck me, I promised myself that I would make the most out of this opportunity. And, looking back on this year, I think I have. This year has been full of new experiences, and every one of them has taught me something about myself. The school and my memories here will forever be imprinted in my heart. But most of all, I will remember the people- the heart and soul of the school. The teachers who went so far beyond their role and the students with whom I formed unbreakable friendships are all an indelible part of my life now. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity of being the Head Girl of this school. Although I have to say goodbye, I am comforted by the fact that every student in this school will carry on its mark and its legacy long after they leave. My Reflections -Student Editor, Varnika Vaish IX B Language is an art. As the editor of the school for the year 2022-23, it is my duty to help my peers understand this through the school magazine. This and the return to the campus after two long years provided many opportunities to connect with the outside world and pass these learnings to others through my pen, such as interacting with the Rotary Club, being a part of the WeHub- Girls STE(A)M sessions, and meeting Christopher Doyle. These also helped me explore career opportunities. All in all, being the school editor gave me plenty of exposure needed for character building and opened many closed doors.
21 |Shri Darpan A Bittersweet Farewell Poem for Gr X Batch of 2022-23 We will miss your smiling face, Your energy and your grace, We'll miss the way you light up the room, And chase away any gloom. We'll miss the way you make us laugh, And all the silly things you do, We'll miss your kindness and your heart, And all the things you say and do. But even though you're leaving here, And moving on to something new, We'll always have the memories, Of the time we spent with you. So go out and chase your dreams, And don't be afraid to soar, We'll be cheering you on every step, As you walk out through that door. -Ms. Ronak Batham, XA Class Teacher
22 |Shri Darpan Interaction with Mr. Christopher C Doyle We had the privilege of hosting the globally renowned author, Christopher C Doyle, for an interactive session with the students of Grades VIII to X on 24 June 2022. His books have an eclectic amalgamation of fiction, legends, mythology, science, and history that appeals to our millennial readers. He began the session by enlightening the students about various mysteries and unexplained phenomena surrounding world-famous archaeological sites around the globe. In addition, Mr. Doyle also mentioned how Mythology and History are intertwined and tried to explain the links between mythological legends of Mahabharata and modern scientific facts. He emphasised the importance of extensive and quality research work for writing gripping stories. The discussion was followed by a questionnaire session. 1) When is your next book coming out? Ans: It is coming out next year, as I am between publishers as of the moment. 2) What is it about Indian mythology that fascinates you so much? Ans: I think all of us are fascinated by the stories that we have grown up listening to. I have always been fascinated by the Mahabharata, which states, quite unequivocally and repeatedly, that it is “Itihāsa”. And Itihāsa is a Sanskrit word that does not mean “history” but means “this is what happened”. I have always wondered if there was some truth, events that actually happened, that the stories of the Mahabharata are based on. And this is what I explore through my work. I have researched the original text of the Mahabharata for more than fifteen years and when I began writing, I wanted to see if I could find scientific explanations for some of the stories
23 |Shri Darpan of the Mahabharata. And, indeed, there are interesting explanations based on facts and real science. 3) How much of your work is fiction, and how much fact? All my stories are fiction, but they are rooted in well-researched facts. While writing ‘The Magadh Mystery’, I read almost 100 books and journals, including the ancient Jain and Buddhist texts that chronicle the history of Magadh and Girivraja, in the 6th century B.C. And for my other books, I sometimes read as many as 300 books on history, science, and archaeology, just to get my facts straight. All my theories are vetted by experts in their fields to ensure that the basic facts are correct. But the theories used to create the plot are fictional. I use real facts and then use fiction to connect them. 4) Your latest work, 'The Magadh Mystery', is in audio format. What motivated you to move to this new medium? While handwritten books have been around for more than 2000 years, the print medium is more recent - the printing press was invented only in the 15th century, just 500 years ago. But oral storytelling stretches back for millennia. Our first stories were oral. And, in India, our oral storytelling tradition is ancient. The Mahabharata, which forms the basis for all my stories, including ‘The Magadh Mystery’, was narrated by Ugrashrava to the rishis in Naimisharanya and also by Vaishampāyana, a disciple of Veda Vyāsa, at Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice. So, I think it was natural that I would want, as a storyteller, to write a story that could be told rather than read. 5) You also run 'The Quest Club', wherein you share your research on science, history, and mythology and also provide free content to your readers. What was the inspiration behind it? Ans: In the years following the release of my first two books, ‘The Mahabharata Secret’ and ‘The Alexander Secret’ (Book 1 of The Mahabharata Quest series), I realized that a lot of my readers were very interested in the extensive research that I do for all my books, and which I’ve mentioned in an earlier answer. I’d get lots of emails asking questions and seeking more information. So, in 2015, I decided to start a free club on my website where I post bits of my research, free chapters, and other information connected to my research and my books. It has helped me forge a bond with my readers, who have complete access to me and my research and who can interact with me either through the posts or through Quest Club meetings which are both in-person and online.
24 |Shri Darpan Arstistic Expressions of NK-A Aayra Jakar Aavya Vidyathi Aaradhya Bhargava Amaya Singh Amaya Thakar K Amyra Gupta Diyash Roy Kavyasree Reddy Lasya Siddula Mishkaa Garg M.Anantha P Tejas Surapaneni Varenya Kommera VeerPratap Singh VishnuReddy Gollapalli Jivaan Kumar Sarth Prasad ViranshRao Surabhi Eshan Mahakala
25 |Shri Darpan An Insight into My World of Graphic Designing -Aarush Gupta, X A Adventure to the Lost City of Gold Once upon a time, there was a brave adventurer named Sarah. She loved exploring new places, discovering hidden treasures and solving mysterious puzzles. One day, she set off on a journey to a distant land in search of the lost city of gold. As she travelled through dense forests and scorching deserts, Sarah encountered many obstacles and dangerous creatures, but her determination never wavered. Finally, after many weeks of travel, she reached the entrance to the lost city. Inside, she found a maze of twisting tunnels and towering structures, filled with ancient riddles and treacherous traps. Undeterred, Sarah pressed on, her heart pounding with excitement. With her quick wit and fearless spirit, she solved each challenge and uncovered the secret to finding the city's greatest treasure. At last, she stood before the glittering gold, a wondrous sight that shone brighter than the sun. And with a smile, Sarah claimed her prize, having proven her bravery and skill as a true adventurer. She returned home as a hero, her tales of adventure inspiring many others to follow in her footsteps. And from that day forward, Sarah lived a life filled with excitement, wonder, and the thrill of discovery, always seeking out new adventures and the next great challenge. - Aaryan Bhatia, X A
26 |Shri Darpan Arstistic Expressions of NK-B Aaryav Bhargava Mahadev Ramaram Vedant Anand Aadya Sachdeva JiteshiReddy Gunna Adhrit Mukund AvyaanRawat Sharma Bala Nainika Vrinda Tatikunta Dharani Polavarapu Yuvansh Reddy Turpu Arjun Reddy Potati Venkata Sai Kartik Nivaan Patel Sriaditi Jalagam Vedansh Kumar Kaveti Lakshit Konka Ananya Raizada Akshara Chokkakula Tanush Dande
27 |Shri Darpan Movie Review - Meals on Wheels Wheels on Meals is a 1984 action-comedy movie starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung and Lola Ferner in lead roles. Directed and written by Sammo Hung with action choreographed by Jackie Chan. The movie follows the tale of two food truck owners and best friends Thomas and David who bump into Sylvia who is a pickpocket. When they find out that she is being tailed a mumbling private detective Moby, that reveals and twists take them on a roller coaster of a journey without guardrails. Wheels on Meals has the specialty of having amazing moments to watch, whether it’s Jackie Chan’s own style of comedic martial arts, or Sammo Hung’s comic timing, or just the sheer absurdity of a food truck chase scene. It makes all of these scenes work so masterfully that you can’t help but just enjoy the things happening on screen. From a technical aspect, the movie is directed amazingly but the plot is where it takes a dip in quality. While the acting of both the protagonists and antagonists are great being able to immerse you in the story. The story is all over the place and at times feels disconnected. It also suffers the problem of the tropes and character’s aging poorly. These are however minor nitpicks as Wheels on Meals is more about the absurd and comedic moments rather than the greater journey and in those aspects, it delivers Jackie Chan as a waiter on a skateboard. The amazing fight choreography, comedic moments and over the top set pieces make it an amazing watch for turning off your brain and just enjoying things as they happen. A guaranteed recommend if you are a Jackie Chan fan or if you just love action movies. -Aayush Unni, XA
28 |Shri Darpan Arstistic Expressions of PK-A Aadiren Dinesh Aavya Sarin Aaditya Anoop Adyant Navaluri Dev Pattamatta Gauraang Srivastava Hridhaan Sanauria Kaira Naidu C Laasyavie Chalasani Nyra Priyadarsan Pransh Agarwal G Priyabrata Nayak Rishika Pagidi Samaira Singh Samarth Sharma Shabbarish Chavan Gayatri Tanvi Jonnavithula Riaan hottai Shourya Gupta Charan Veer Bera Kotagiri Raga Kruthika Reyansh Srivastava Vedh Rayala
29 |Shri Darpan An Insight into Our Indian Cinema Indian movie culture has expanded to the west. This has been due to the innovating and progressive nature of Indian cinema. It is now widely known that India is one of the best movie producing economies in the world, with a number of movies topping the list. In fact, as per Forbes, it was number two country on their list when it comes to Hollywood movies produced. This has led to more and more Indians migrating westward for work opportunities and living in western countries for some time now. Recently we have seen movies that have come from the South Indian industry taking big awards like the Golden Globe and having nominations for the Oscars. Indian movies and the movie industry, in general, is an integral part of Indian culture and society. A majority of the population is involved in or exposed to the movie culture through one or more means. The movie industry is said to be “the largest in the world” in terms of number of films produced. There are enormous amounts of diversity and change that have been seen with respect to Indian cinema, but still we have seen a lot of continuity. This is because new and modern topics are not received well by the audience. We see that in India, most of the population is comprised of a younger generation (18-40). These groups are open to viewing more of these niche topics. This is a big portion of the Indian population and also includes females. Another point to be noted is that, it is mostly the cities of our country that have seen this change in Indian cinema as most of the movie house owners are from Western countries. India has always had a complex cultural and political structure. The same was also evident with respect to the movie industry. India has a diverse culture and background as most of her movies are acclaimed for their metaphor and symbolism as well as their political message and theme. In the more recent movies, we see the film crew taking more creative liberties in making movies that are politically related. The Indian film industry is not just made of Bollywood. There are many regional industries co-relating with their respective languages, such as Tollywood, Kollywood etcetera. There is also the performance industry namely ‘Naga Desh Kach-kach’ and the South Indian film industry. In recent years, we have seen a lot of changes in terms of production, distribution, and pricing. In fact, there has been a trend for realistic movies to be made in the past few years. This is because people are becoming more accepting of this idea. -Diya Rao Machiraju, X A
30 |Shri Darpan The Art of Driving The Essentials of Driving: The first step towards becoming a better driver is developing the basics. The essentials of driving include things like understanding the traffic laws and rules of the road, familiarizing yourself with the vehicle you are driving, and learning how to maintain control of a car at all times. Before you get behind the wheel, it’s important for you to understand what kind of car you will be driving, so that you can use the correct posture and brake correctly, as well as effectively handle the car while driving. To ensure your safety, brush up on the traffic laws and rules of the road, as well as the traffic signs, speed limits, and points to remember while you’re driving. Additionally, self-assessment and understanding your own capabilities is an important component of becoming a better driver. You need to be in tune with your body so that you can make the best decision in any situation. Always be aware of your own physical and mental state when driving, as it has a direct impact on the safety. Mastering the Art of Driving: Once you have developed a good understanding of the essentials of driving, it’s time to master the art of driving. This means refining the small details of your driving. It involves learning the proper way to handle different types of roads and conditions and understanding how to maneuver around other vehicles and obstacles. Whether you’re driving in the rain or fog, knowing how to adjust the speed of the car and the positioning of the vehicle is essential. You should also be familiar with common driving techniques, such as using your mirrors to check blind spots, responding quickly to road changes, and anticipating the actions of other drivers. Anticipating the actions of other drivers is an important skill to master, as it allows you to know how to adjust your speed and driving techniques accordingly. Additionally, you should be aware of your surroundings and be able to quickly adapt to unexpected events or changes in the environment. The Perks of Being a Good Driver: Becoming a good driver has several advantages. First and foremost, it ensures safety for you and your passengers, as well as surrounding drivers. You’ll also gain confidence in your driving skills, which will give you peace of mind knowing that you have the skill to adapt to any situation. Being a good driver can also help you save time. With the proper driving style, you’ll be able to navigate quickly and efficiently, getting from point A to point B in the most efficient manner. This also reduces the risk of traffic tickets, as well as wear and tear on your vehicle. To Wrap Things Up: Driving is an art form, and like any art form, it takes practice and dedication. Start by mastering the basics of driving and make sure you understand the traffic laws and the different driving techniques. Once you’re confident in your abilities, continue to refine your skills, so you can become a safe, confident, and timeefficient driver. -Harshith Dunna, X A
31 |Shri Darpan Arstistic Expressions of PK-B Rishi Bhatnagar Rushika Gaurav Vanya Chopra Kiaan Sharma Sisira Avutu Shreyan Vaidya Jasritha Machukari Saanvi Ranaut Mannat Bali Anagha Vutukuru Sabbu Anish Reddy Yuvan Rasa Abhinnav Ram S Advik Ojha Ananya Patil Virangana Sen Sejal Swain Hanvika Mannam Vemuri Sai Jayanash Dharvik Reddy Goguladinne Shaurya Adapa Shrihaan Ashwik G Tiya Tarini Arth Gupta
32 |Shri Darpan Fill Your Cart with Art- Lunchtime Doodling - Khanak Jain, X A Around the World in Eighty Days- A Tale of Surprising Twists and Turns Around the World in Eighty, written by Jules Verne, is an adventure book. This story revolves around Phileas Fogg and his servant Passepartout and many others. It starts with Phileas Fogg making a bet with his friends at the Reform club on whether or not it is possible to travel around the world in 80 days. He then sets out to travel the world with Passepartout to prove his stance. The characters in the book are very well written. The side characters are meticulously developed even though they were introduced later in the story. The description of the setting was not too long and descriptive or too short and brief. It was enough to get us to the point that the characters are in another country. It helped to differentiate the regions in which the story took place. This story is similar to the author’s life. The author, Jules Verne was an adventurous kid. He was caught trying to run off to become a cabin boy for a ship. But eventually his dream came true. Four years after his success with Around the world in 80 days, Verne bought a yacht and traveled from port to port within the European countries. Just like Verne, in the book Phileas Fogg spends a lot of money for his adventures around the world. I really liked Around the World in Eighty Days. Like most classics, the writing took a while to get used to, but it ultimately wasn’t a distraction. It’s very entertaining and I can see why it has staying power. -Manovi Mehta, X A
33 |Shri Darpan The Beauty of Nature “In the soulful place where earth and sky meet, nature embraces one divine beat, heartbeat”- Angie Weiland Crosby I had a great opportunity to experience such a pleasant scenery in the hills of Tadipatri, Andhra Pradesh. The visit to a temple located miles away from the town of Tadipatri was very exciting. The most amazing part was the waterfalls behind the temple. It wasn’t flowing from a river; it was the rain water stored in a water body which was continuously flowing. Have you ever seen or heard about a whole village on top of the hills? Well, honestly I have never heard of that. When I visited this place I was astonished to see flat land spread everywhere, which my eyes couldn’t even reach the end point. The next exciting event in this place was fish pedicure. Wow! I could feel those little fishes biting my feet and feeding on the dead cells, it was really fun. I loved the whole adventure and this was a picture which I had captured during the end of the day. The sun set right between the hills and it was a breath-taking moment. I would love to visit this place again. -Vigilapuram Naina, X B Time is Precious - Don't Waste it Since the beginning of 2020 a dark cloud has been shadowing us, making these times known as ‘dark times’ this has weakened many people’s and student’s abilities and skills such as social skills, cognitive skills, and time management skills. Time management is a skill of utmost importance for students. In the academic life, time management is a skill that should be honed to the edge. The pandemic has given students and people a lot of time, which makes them value it a lot less, and hence end up wasting it. Prioritizing tasks is the step to take if one is looking to start managing their time efficiently. Managing your time, has various benefits. One can notice an improvement in discipline, which greatly helps in their productivity and efficiency. It also helps in maintaining a work life balance, and for students, a study and play time balance. This in turn reduces stress as it takes the worries of our shoulders. Maintaining a healthy mind and a healthy body is important, and the path to it is having good time management skills. -Vihaan Agrawal, X-B
34 |Shri Darpan Oh, the Places You'll Go!
35 |Shri Darpan Cannibalism in India Cannibalism is the act of eating another organism of the same species as food. It is found abundantly in nutritionally poor environments. It has a couple benefits, such as regulating population numbers, which is an essential element in battling a majority of the world’s issues, in today’s world. In many ecosystems and communities that have a high population, cannibalism helps to regulate competition, by eradicating other competitors, who could pose a threat to the wellbeing of an individual and their family. Although it might be beneficial for the benefactor, it decreases the survival rate of the population as a whole, and increases the risk of pathogen transmission. It’s not only caused due to food shortages, but also because of many other cultural and natural factors. In the Papua New Guinea islands, culture required women to cook and eat the flesh of dead ancestors, after their death, resulting in a plague. It is also prevalent in aquatic ecosystems, in which 90% of organisms have indulged themselves in it once or the other in their lifetime. India isn’t an exception to its own fair share of cannibals. An alcoholic in March 2020, brought home a human limb that he uncovered in a nearby cremation ground, and brought it home to request his wife to cook. On seeing a human limb in a pan, his wife fled the house, locking him in and called the police. The man was unsound and was detained by the police, after they were alerted by the woman, and her neighbors about the incident. India hasn’t declared cannibalism as illegal in through any law or provision, there are some ways in which one can reinforce the position of cannibalism in India, through many cases that don’t fail to pop up in media these days. Brutality isn’t new in India, but the fact that you could end up in a kitchen cauldron, be cooked to your death, and flushed out of a drain, chills most people to the bone. Tribes such as the Aghora tribes, a group of Shiva Sadhus and ascetics, use human bones, and human flesh, to build shrines, make jewelry, and for consumption. India has two major articles that could be used to incriminate cannibals, article 297, and 300. They are articles for trespassing on burial grounds, and murder. In cases such as the Nithari case, the accused was blamed for murdering the victims and then consumingthem. -Aadhyanth Vishwanath, IX-A
36 |Shri Darpan -Aarushi Rachakonda, IX A Arstistic Expressions of PK-C Aarohi Khandelwal Aarsh Agarwal Akshay Raam Yarrarapu Aryahi Singh
37 |Shri Darpan Ayansh Jain Bhuvanika Nidadavolu Hridhaan Sinha Ishana Bansal Ishita Vivek Bhaganagare Kirav Chimakurthi Kiyaan Ved Reddy Kyra Gwari Lipi Sharma Mihira Reddy Madadi Nyra Pinninti Prisha Agarwal Riaan Kareddy Sarayu Dobbala Sharvani Krishnasai Kondubhatla Shriansh Gupta Srideepsika Valeti Uvan Sai Nandan Reddy Kota Vikhyat Singh Viraaj Sachdeva
38 |Shri Darpan Bringing Joy of Creativity - Praneel Kamineni 9A -Praneel Kamineni, IXA Ram Setu Adam's Bridge, also known as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu, is a chain of natural limestone shoals, between Pamban island, also known as Rameswaram Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. Geological evidence suggests that this bridge is a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka. The feature is 48 km (30 mi) long and separates the Gulf of Mannar (southwest) from the Palk Strait (northeast). Some of the regions are dry, and the sea in the area rarely exceeds 1 metre (3 ft) in depth which makes it difficult for a boat with a keel to pass over it. The ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana mentions a bridge constructed by the god Rama to reach the island of Lanka and rescue his wife Sita from Ravana. In popular belief, Lanka is equated to present-day Sri Lanka and the bridge is described as "Rama's Setu". Religious significance Hinduism The ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana, in the Yuddhakanda, mentions a bridge constructed by the god Rama with aid from an army of Vanaras (monkeys or forestdwellers) to reach the island of Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana.
39 |Shri Darpan In popular belief, Lanka is equated to present-day Sri Lanka. However, such a correspondence is not explicit in the Ramayana and some verses can even be held to be against such an identification; some Sanskrit sources of the first millennium emphasize on the distinction. On the overall, Robert P. Goldman — acclaimed for his editorship of the Princeton translation of the epic into English — characterizes most of the Ramayana, including the episode concerning Lanka, as "kind of [an] elaborate fairy tale" by design; attempts to probe into its historicity were misguided. John Brockington, noted for his scholarship on Hindu epics, concurs. In extant historical sources, the equation between the two islands appears for the first time only in the Kasakudi Copper Plates of Nandivarman II (r. late-8th century) pertaining to the conquest of Sri Lanka by one of his ancestors; as Ramayana took a life of its own under the succeeding Cholas, the identification proffered, justifying their imperial ambitions to invade the island. The link would then be co-opted by the Aryacakravarti dynasty of Jaffna in presenting themselves as the guardians of the bridge. Nonetheless, two reputed medieval commentaries on the Ramayana — Ramanujiya (drafted c. 1500 by Ramanuja) and Tattvadipika (drafted c. 1550 by Mahesvaratirtha) — continued to make a distinction between Lanka and Sri Lanka. Islam Muslim tradition holds that Adam's Bridge was crossed by Adam following his expulsion from the Garden of Eden. - Harnath, Grade IX A Stay Happy and Admire Art! -Laxmi Saisree, Grade IX A
40 |Shri Darpan Telugu - The Language of Culture Culture is the conglomeration of traditions and living values. It reflects the rich history, celebrates the current successes, and paves the way for future. Enriching the unique core values is what that brought success and recognition for Telugu people living in India and around the world. Culture is also highlighted in the celebration of festivals and the social living in one’s own country. Telugu is not just a mere language; it has a deep essence of cultural values and rich heritage within it but the culture of telugu has many pictures, many varieties but the one that always unites them is the language. The world's most spoken Dravidian language with native speakers of around 75 million across the globe. The language dates to 6th centaury and often gets linked with Kanada Language. The first written work of the language is introduced by the Satavahana dynasty also the first telugu speaking dynasty. Often referred as Andhra's, the satavahana’s got the glory to the language and culture of thetelugu.Source: Wikipedia, the picture above depicts Naneghat inscription (Earlier telugu known language). Dated to 70-60 BCE, in the reign of Satakarni (The third king during the satavahana dynasty). The telugu’s ruled the most part of todays Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Yanam (Puducherry). Telugu’s evolved from servants of Murya dynasty (Andhrabhrityas) to the kings. Telugus were first referred in ‘Mahabharata’ as a tribe Andhra known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess who were supporting kauravas during the war not only in this but also even in the Buddhist scriptures Andhra's were mentioned. When it comes to culture it’s just not about literature but also arts, clothing and festivals. Telugu’s have a special place in their hearts for ‘Kuchipudi the famous artform from Andhra Pradesh not only the dance form but also the ‘Kalmkari’ art also shows the talent of the telugu’s to the world. The festivals with the unique dressing style always adds cherry on top to it. The Telugu New year ugadi, Sankarnthi and many more that telugu’s celebrate with the
41 |Shri Darpan cheera(Saree), Pancha (Dothi) and Jubba (Kurtha/Shirt) and ofcourse with pindivantalu (Stuffed Pastries). Culture is something that originates from the lofty ideals of the individuals and the unique living traditions of the community which inherits the beauty and the diversity of its surroundings while tracing its course towards the vast oceans of human values and language is the soul of any culture. -Mohitha Bollineni, IX A Creativity Full of Positivity - Rushali Banerjee, IX A
42 |Shri Darpan Superstitions in our Culture India is a deeply religious country. People in this area are prone to believing in superstitions and traditional beliefs, frequently in the absence of scientific or rational proof. Superstitions are a part of everyday life in India and are strongly established in the country's culture and h1eritage. People frequently employ superstitions to explain natural events or to forecast the future. Common superstitions include the belief that black cats bring bad luck, that itching palms indicate good fortune, and that wearing black shoes on Saturdays brings ill luck. Superstitions are also used to explain diseases or death, such as thinking that an illness is the result of an evil spirit or a curse. Superstitions can also be used as a justification for why specific occurrences occur, such as the conviction that a specific occurrence was dictated by fate or divine intervention. In India, superstitions are frequently viewed as a method to ward off bad luck and protect oneself from the unknown. In uncertain times, people may turn to superstitions for solace or security. -Aarav Batham, IX B Pollution Effect on Ozone Layer My project is about the protection of the ozone layer. As you can see the painting I drew its saying that because of the pollution the ozone layer is depleting and the umbrella which is acting as the ozone layer is being torn by the sun’s harmful UV rays. The top part of the painting is saying the ways to protect the earth by keeping sonar panels, planting the trees, and not burning coal. The bottom part of the painting talks about the ways the earth is getting destroyed, like its being heated up by the smoke from the factory plants. The coal should not be used because when we burn it, it releases CFC gas into the atmosphere destroying the ozone layer. In real world we can see the ozone hole near Antarctica, which is now slowly recovering. So now we should step up to the environment problems and save the earth and the ozone layer. -M. Shravya, Grade IX A
43 |Shri Darpan Journey Through the French Language -Manasvi-9B, SaiShree 9A, Praneel -9A, Bhargava9B, Hrishikesh -9B Is Our Country Truly Free? Our constitution was implemented in 1950 on 26 January; the day we celebrate as our Republic day. flag, parades, awards, respect ceremonies and pride in our heart. Colourful flags, salute and number of things we do to celebrate this day. Why not? This was the very faithful day when India was recognised as Republic of India and system, we should be thankful to be gifted by doctor Ambedkar the chairman of the constitution making team and of course to all those who were involved in the making of the basic structure of democracy .15th August is known as Independence Day, our freedom from British monarch and raise towards a promising future this day is celebrated all over India and in last few decades all over the world. but in recent decades we may have forgotten the value of 26th Jan the day when constitution was accepted and our nation became free at least a step to end poverty, have equal rights, law and freedom of rights. it is a day to honour that we have become truly free of colonization and live in free world. Well, these are the things we celebrate on this day. Our lives, our rights, the way we live in a justice filled society and the making of the constitution is the reason we celebrate. -Manaswini Mannava, IX B
44 |Shri Darpan Arstistic Expressions of PK-D Akshara Jetti Divisha Singh Yohan Avishai Heyansh Akkala Jayesh Reddy Valluri Krisha Kumar Naksh Chandola Pranav Chamarty Pranay Maddi Rishit Reddy Tetali Ritvikgouda M Sahiba Kaur
45 |Shri Darpan Sarav Amit Modi Shievya Chowdary Gaddam Sikhi Ganesula Sri Dwija Kuchi Sriram Jalagam Vaishnavi Krishnamurthy Vishnu Mandava Yashvi Yenupuri Geet Kalla Rushika Madhavaneni Anaisha Khandelwal Samika Reddy Yedla
46 |Shri Darpan Connect to Your Roots India has its own type of culture in spite of difference in regional variations. Indian people like to follow their culture very much. Culture is passed through generations from our ancestral time. In India there is very much deviation in culture from area to area regarding their costumes, religion, language and food habits also. Kings also represented different culture as we observe history of regime. Culture plays an essential role in life of a person and society. It acts as mean of accumulation, storage and transmission of human experience. -Kruthika.J, IX B Diversity in Our Culture India is a diverse country with multiple cultures with each having a tradition. From the snow-covered mountains of Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari to the beautiful 7 sisters to the raging hot deserts of Rajasthan, we all are separated by borders and traditions but connected by love for the nation. The clothes worn, the language spoken, the dance performed, the god worshipped, each region has its own unique culture but it’s the diversity in our cultures that makes us strong and united. The warm Pashmina shawls to the mouthwatering Gujarati dhoklas, the beautiful sun rise and sun set in Kanyakumari to the green mountains of tea in Assam, every state contributes to the Indian heritage and proves that “unity in diversity” can only be found in India! -Saachi Garg, Grade IX B Cultural Flavours of India India is one of the most, if not the most, diverse country culturally. This includes all kinds of parameters like dance, attire, cinema, art, music, etc. For example, Indian cinema is known globally for its prominence, especially Bollywood. Many Indians feel a deep connection to these theatrics & the outstanding actors/stories. With so many people, new ideas spring up all the time creating beautiful stagecraft & plotlines laced with deeper meanings. The iconic music from these films also manage to bring Indians together more than anything, whether it is slow love melodies or sensational party beats. The music also comes along with dance like no other. There are classical dances like Bharatnatyam & Kuchipudi which align well with India’s rich heritage. In addition, party music brings forth all kinds of modern, trending, & freestyle type of dancing. All of these arts weave together to form India’s rich culture. There is no country which compares to the prowess of Indian arts. -Sriram Dandu, IX B
47 |Shri Darpan Arstistic Expressions of PK-E Aarav Singh Pranit Agarwal Sai Harshada Aarush Vemuri Adira Sinha SRK Yukta Ayam Khandelwal Ritvi Malhotra Chaitra Sameera Allam Devaansh Reddy Dharsha Reddy Geetanshi M Hiten Bhukya Ikshvak K Ishaan Daga Ishta Medhavi Mithra Rajesh Bhargav Ram bhandari Iha Sahasra Bobba Arjun Kumar
48 |Shri Darpan Celebrating Diversity India's rich culture, history untold A land of diversity, colours unfold From north to south, east to west Traditions and customs, truly blessed Spices and sweets, music and dance Spirituality and love, at every chance Festivals and feasts, with joy and pride Heritage and customs, always alive From Taj Mahal to backwaters so serene India's beauty, has much to be seen With each state, a story to tell Her culture and traditions, a treasure to sell. -Prabhav, IX-B Our Rich Heritage India is a diverse country in which we practice different religions. From religions like Buddhism to Hinduism, all are equally important. Now, here comes the question. Why do we practice traditions? They comfort us, give us a sense of belonging, and make us feel safe and secure. In our fast-developing world that always appears to be in constant chaos, traditions are more important than ever. India is a vibrant country full of colors. This country sees many festivals, mainly because of the acceptance of diverse religions and groups. The Christians have Christmas and Good Friday, Muslims celebrate Eid, Buddhists celebrate Buddha’s birthday on the day of Buddha Purnima, the Jains have Mahavir Jayanti, the Sikhs have Baisakhi, and the list goes on and on until the last page. It is always festive in India where thousands of traditions and cultures exist. But the heart of Indian society and culture has always been to be well-mannered, respect others, be polite, and progress together. -Samiksha Kottam, IX - B Rudransh Reddy Vihaan Dwivedi Siddharth Arya
49 |Shri Darpan My Chirstmas Vacation Trip Saint Francis of Assisi has said that “For it is in giving that we receive”. This is the summary of my Christmas holidays and vacation. I am grateful to the god and to my family for giving we a wonderful Christmas holiday vacation this year. Our family went to North of India, to visit Delhi, Agra, Amritsar, Bhimtal, Nainital and Jim Cornett National Park. It was the most memorable holiday for me. We spend time together as family. I also did Paragliding at Bhimtal, Junglee safari at Jim Cornett and boating at Nainital. At Amritsar, Goldent Temple we prayed for all. -Rudhrani Rasputra, IX B. The Silent Observer While leopards are a common and well-known part of the big cat family, they stand for much more than just their spotted hide. Leopards represent stealth and patience. These silent predators work unseen until the time is ripe, and then pounce towards success. They teach that a lot of unseen efforts go into the achievements that seem easy at first. These big cats also hold an everlasting supply of courage and determination, the two most important traits of one who is strong, perhaps not physically, but certainly mentally. Graceful but powerful at the same time, it is now quite understandable why they are often used to symbolise royalty, and definitely show all the traits of a true leader. -Varnika Vaish, IX B
50 |Shri Darpan Aditi Nayak, IX C Hasini Dandu, Grade, IX C This colour pencil piece depicts the essence of these beautiful beasts, showing a leopard lurking amongst forest cover. The Timeless Charm of Hyderabad India is a vibrant country with diverse cultures and traditions. One such culture is that of Hyderabad in the state of Telengana. This unique blend of tradition and modernity has given rise to many interesting aspects which make up its famous culture, ranging from cuisine to architecture. The distinctive mix of Mughal Influence along with elements borrowed from Persian empires makes this region stand apart from other parts in India – something that's not found anywhere else in the world! People here prefer a slow-paced lifestyle yet embrace advanced technology where required, allowing them to stay connected while keeping harmonious relationships within their local communities. The city's many monuments reflect its vast heritage while providing insights into the past. Visitors can explore beautiful bazaars full of handicrafts, experience hearty local cuisine, or simply admire architectural masterpieces. The local people also celebrate festivals such as bonalu every year with much fanfare - where people offer sacrifices of goats and turmeric-coated clay pots at their family deity amidst drumming beaters during a 9-day long festival period. - Advait Vuppala, IX C The Magnificence of Kathakali Kathakali is a narrative art form of dance originating from the southern state of Kerala. Kathakali is a combination of the words "Katha" and "Kali" which mean story and dance performance respectively, hence literally meaning story play. It is a breathtaking art usually performed by men where different actor-dancers take different roles from the stories of the Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Kathakali comprises the most distinctive and intricate costumes. The make-up called the aharya-abhinaya is complex and colorful. The colors are not merely decoration, but also a means of portraying a character. For instance, a green color base applied to the face called pachha makeup marks good characters, and the red on the feet is used to symbolize an evil character or evil intent. Its local color is achieved by the use of instruments such as chenda, idakka, and shuddha madalam. Kathakali provides a door into the past giving an opportunity to understand the ancient heritage that has been preserved for centuries in the Kathakali plays. Aishwarya Lakshmi Singani, IX C