DPS JODHPUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE 2020-21

ᗪIGITᗩᒪ ᗰᗩGᗩᘔIᑎE 2020-21

“The physical form of human beings is tied in chains… but the
wings are free to soar as high as possible!”

Digitalization today has kept millions of people work
from home foreseeing a digital future. A wave of crisis
has confronted humanity yet the ‘Digital Magazine’
unfolds before you a plethora of learning pertaining
to vivid ideas exhibited by students and teachers on the

theme Lockdown. The sole aim of the journal is to

understand the world today and get immersed in the
beauty of words. The brush strokes of children have
painted the canvas of life, exhibiting an
amalgamation of true language and literature. The
vibrant leaves of the magazine comprise different
genres of language like stories, articles, poems, short
compositions, images and life experiences. The
pandemic teaches us to possess a forward looking
perspective. In this hour of uncertainty, the heart still
seems to be free.

Come! Take a dip and enjoy the journey ahead.

With Regards.

QUARANZINE 2020

1

1

QUARANZINE 2020

Woke up one day to see,
Lifeless roads all around me.
Never knew hugs
Meant so much to me.
Desperately searching for a way to escape,
My mouth agape.
As I looked around and saw nothing but
Frowns and upside-down smiles.
But a voice inside says,
Something good will come out of this.
I learned more about life than I ever did
Never knew my mum love to dance
Never knew my dad got a chance,
To do what he wanted
In a way I think I took my freedom
For granted.

I didn’t think I would ever miss school,
Or get bored by my phone.
Turns out all those were untrue
I got to know myself a little more.
Always thought bored games are a bore
But in true they kept me happy throughout LOCKDOWN.
Promised myself I will never forget this and
Will do anything to prevent it.

Bhoomi Gupta
IX A

2

2

QUARANZINE 2020

The term ‘Stay at home’ is often used for lockdown. Covid-19 is one of
the most ferocious and threatening virus which hastotally disorganized
the environmental, India has nearly 2 lakh cases in which 1 lakh have
bresources and even this beautiful charming earth. In the present
scenarioeen recuperated and six thousand people have lost their lives
due to Covid-19. The small virus has shown its ruthlessness in front of
the humans who consider themselves as the biggest asset.

Our righteous honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is doing his
best to fight with Covid-19 for the amelioration and advancement of the
country. He transferred an order of complete lockdown of 21 days on
24th March 2020 to protect the country with the threatening virus. The
country also followed it very genuinely and dedicatedly but some people
were not following the rules given by the Prime Minister, due to which
the police took necessary actions against them. Police helped the
Government to implement the lockdown as much as possible. They took
strict actions for those who were walking unnecessarily on the roads.
But all these tasks didn’t show much difference in the deaths and the
improvement of Covid-19. All cross- national borders were sealed;
railway lines, even shopping malls, gyms, schools, public places,
restaurants, community halls and hotels were shut-off.

But, due to the increase in number of positive cases by the deadly virus,
our honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the
continuation of lockdown has Lockdown 2.O because of Covid-19, which
was of 19 days with the expectation of decrease in number of cases of
Covid-19. Night curfew was also imposed to stop Covid-19. Due to Covid-
19, many people lost their jobs and daily wages.

Large number of workers started travelling thousands and thousands of
kilometers without any vehicle for their native home because
Government was not providing them food, work, and especially wages.
On the other hand, the second lockdown was very much efficacious to
reduce Covid-19 pandemic but not as much that it will finish off.

Contd.

3

3

QUARANZINE 2020

Now another problem came in front of Prime Minister which was the
cyclone coming and destroying the Odisha in May 2020 and also the
decreasing of Indian economy. There are so many problems faced by our
Prime Minister but still he imposed the third lockdown which was of 17
days but the cases were still increasing and then the fourth lockdown
which was of 14 days was imposed by the Government. But, there was no
change in the situation of deaths and in positive cases of Covid-19.

Our Prime Minister also imposed ‘Janata Curfew’ in which nobody should
come out of home on 22nd March 2020 and it was strictly followed by the
people. In all the lockdowns strictness was high in all the zones, which are
Red Zone, Green Zone, Orange Zone, Buffer Zone and Containment Zone.

The highly Red Zones states in our country were Mumbai, Rajasthan,
Chennai, and Delhi and these places should follow the rules strictly
otherwise there will be many problems. Nobody knows that the lockdown
will increase or not seeing the present conditions.

It is the biggest lockdown ever in the Indian history. India learned many
things from Covid-19. India learned how to take advantage of such
conditions by increasing the trade and commerce with other countries.
India also learned the concept of turning Indian companies from local to
global by being vocal for local, thus spreading its products to the other
countries and also government asked the citizens to purchase their own
country’s products rather than any foreign product in order to regain the
economy of the country. We should never consider ourselves better than
Nature.

“We are confined but not broken, we shall overcome”

Angel Singh
IX B

4

4

QUARANZINE 2020

COVID -19

I can travel faster than lighting speed.
Can infect even a king of bleed
Who I’m you think it in lead.

I can eat anyone in this world
As just it is a matter of sneeze
I know there are fear, sickness, demise and even isolation
The whole world is lockdown in fearful situation

If you don’t want him
Read a book or cook a recipe
Believe me it is a greatest therapy
Do whatever you may like
But please stay inside
And wear a mask when outside
Keep sanitizer with you every time by aside.

Doctors are such a remedy
Without them we can’t live straight-forwardly
They are playing risk with their lives
So that we live without any fight

I don’t know if Monday is blue
It could be Tuesday and Wednesday too.
Or Friday, I don’t have a clue
But Thursday when I give slap to Covid, it’s due.

Humans always think he is the greatest asset
But he always forgets the ‘Mother Nature’ caset.

5

5

QUARANZINE 2020

He is someone who has no boundaries, no lanes
No celebrity can match his fame
He is not our friend at all
He is the one who eats us all.
If you don’t care to move outside the house
I must say
He is the elder brother of swine flu
Will make your lungs blue
Just wash your hands, face and mouth because he is a deadly clown.
He snatches to see our family upon a screen, friends from school we
haven’t seen.
He doesn’t care you belong to which religion
May it be Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian.
He just wants your lungs to make it blue without any shy.
Don’t be worried because of lockdown
As you will never remain with this clown
So, me the clown snatch your crown
Be safe, be hygienic and clean your town….
GO CORONA GO!!!!!!

Angel Singh
IX B

6

6

QUARANZINE 2020

LOCKDOWN AND ME

When I first heard of this virus called CORONA virus, I thought that it’s
just a virus which would disappear after sometime. But then I came to
know that it is spreading all over the world and many people are
dying because of it. This virus is very fatal and easily communicable. It
started spreading from China and now has engulfed the whole world
including my country India. So WHO declared this virus as PANDEMIC.
I was shocked that this virus which I thought was nothing, turned out
to be such a deadly and dangerous virus.

So to prevent it from spreading, the government imposed or issued
LOCKDOWN. It is an emergency protocol executed by the government
in which we cannot enter or exit a particular area. It is also a security
measure to protect people from pandemic. Our corona warriors like
doctors, cleaning workers and policemen joined hands to fight this
virus, and we were asked to remain safe in our homes. So when this
lockdown was imposed I was really sad that I could not go anywhere
like visit my friends or go to shopping malls or market or eating at
any café or restaurant or go to a cinema theatre to watch movies. And
the most of all I missed my school as it is the only place where along
with learning I meet my friends and we all play games and enjoy.

I thought that the lockdown would be like really boring but then
slowly and gradually I started enjoying it and I ultimately learned
many things from my parents. Like my father taught me and my
brother bird watching. My father would wake me and my brother up
in the morning to go outside and we would see different kinds of birds
with binoculars. My father would tell us the name of the bird and
gradually every morning we started identifying the birds by looking at
them or sometimes even listening to their voices. We also made many
artificial nests for the birds and hung them everywhere. We placed
some bird feeders around our house and bowls of water too.

Contd.

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QUARANZINE 2020

To my surprise one of the nests was taken by a pair of house sparrows.
They gradually laid three eggs. Then the eggs hatched and offsprings
came out. We watched the parents bringing the food and feeding their
little ones in their tiny beaks. With time they grew up and flew away. And
then luckily the same nest was again taken by another pair of house
sparrows. We used to look and search for nests of other birds by
following the birds to their nests and we found the nests of pigeon, tailor
bird, and Indian robin. Every day I would play badminton in our garden
with my family and after that for half an hour I would do cycling. My
mother taught me how to bake a cake and some other easy and delicious
recipes. Now I have also started reading English newspaper in the
morning to improve my English vocabulary and general knowledge.

Lockdown could have been boring and torturous for those who saw it as
a punishment but those who helped others and showed a positive
attitude landed up with a new perspective towards life and found inner
happiness.

Reyanshi Rajvanshi
IX D

LOCKDOWN-FRIEND OR FOE

Lockdown ! Lockdown! What is a Lockdown?
Answer arises from the nature that how beautiful is this lockdown
The wind answers me Oh ! Dear
I am now pure as rain, dear
I ask the water what you like
She smilingly replies that what are the things I don't like
Coming to the mountain I ask,“Hey dear, how is the upper air?
Is it now also that thin?”
He replies that now the ozone has been filled
With all I came to conclusion and assume that
Nothing is harmful than human act.

Akshat Aggarwal
IX H

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8

QUARANZINE 2020

TOUGH IS THE TIME OR THE PEOPLE ?

Our nation, in fact the entire globe, is going through a very tough time.
Corona pandemic has disturbed our nation and almost all the countries in
the world. Till now there is no medicine or vaccine available to us. Many
doctors, scientists are trying their best to overcome this problems early as
possible. Scientists have analyzed that corona virus spreads through
human to human contact, by sneezing, coughing, shaking hands and any
type of contact with each other. World Health Organization has declared
that this pandemic may last longer in the world, so WHO has advised to
maintain social distancing, use of mask, sanitizing our hands frequently
and overall immunity development to our health and surroundings.
Presently social distancing is the only solution to this pandemic which
leads to all the countries towards ‘LOCKDOWN’.

In India, our government has implemented lockdown to maintain social
distancing. During this lockdown our nation’s economy has been
adversely affected which is a matter of great concern to all of us. Many
industries and businesses are in a critical state. Millions of people have
lost their jobs. Nowadays we see many labourers going to their home by
breaking the rules of the lockdown as they have no other option. We must
follow the rules of the lockdown as they are the only ways to save
ourselves and others from this pandemic.

During this lockdown the ‘New Online Education System’ through online
conference on different platforms has also emerged which is helpful to
maintain the motive (social distancing)of lockdown by helping the
students study at their homes.

During this lockdown era the nature is also reviving itself which is very
beneficial to the globe. The rivers are getting cleaner, the forest greenery
has also recovered and the hole in the ozone layer has also started filling.
When the lockdown will be lifted up then people may possess the best
qualities like being independent, honest, kind and helpful.

Tough times do not last for long but tough people do’. Every tough time
brings us many new opportunities and inventions so we must be ready to
take these opportunities and challenges towards finding out new ways to
our existence, moral values and overall development on the planet.

Saloni
IX G

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9

QUARANZINE 2020

THE MODIFICATION OF LIFE

Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown
Proliferating it’s fangs in every town…!

It has taught us the value of nature
That was not understood by the human creature
It’s the prospect of sapiens to perish
And the endangered environment to cherish
Now the flora can grow and the rivers will flow
The human pessimism would gently blow.

Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown
Proliferating it’s fangs in every town

It’s the time to reveal your internal inventivity
And show your hidden creativity
The one who contemplates it as a difficulty
Can avail it as an enviable opportunity
Don’t assume it to be a solitude
Explore a little, and your mind would protrude.
Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown
Profilerating it’s fangs in every town

The economy of the country has collapsed
Whether rich or poor, everyone will be harassed
The old customs and traditions will once again renew
Spend time with your family members whom you never knew
Amidst this challenging and grim situation, the frontline warriors are
risking their lives and performing a vital role
We should salute them and show our gratitude, being a sensible soul

Contd…

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QUARANZINE 2020

Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown
Proliferating it’s fangs in every town…!
It has now become an epitome of life
Helping us to kill corona without any knife
Make yourself sturdy for the long combat
Or else, the human civilization would regret

Don’t panic, just prepare yourself for the change
Because learning has eternal range!

Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown
Proliferating it’s fangs in every town…!

#Stay home stay safe
#India fights corona

Prince Baid
IX G

11

11

QUARANZINE 2020

UNLOCK DUE TO LOCKDOWN

There have been many opinions in the past months about the decision
of keeping a complete nationwide lockdown. Even these changed as the
restrictions were eased till 4.0.
After all everyone has various perspectives. Many thought of it as a loss
of time and work. But, should we think like that? Think of all the things
we have learnt throughout this difficult time…
Everyone learnt to manage their household work without any domestic
help. You may have learnt to cook or bake new recipes. You might have
read new books and travelled to fantasy destinations (in your dreams of
course!), learnt new teachings or got inspiration from influencers,
picked up a new hobby like gardening, painting, writing and brought out
your own inner self. You discovered some things you may have wanted
to try for a long time, invented new creations and even rediscovered old
techniques or skills; bringing out those old vibes and crafts to create!!
Many of us tried to write either journals or diaries. We even wrote our
own books either in the hope of one-day publishing it or just for fun. You
may have tried to create a healthy lifestyle with good, clean food and
exercise or yoga to come out of lockdown, looking glam than roll out like
a potato.
The most important was that we got time to relax, think and improve.
We got to spend more time bonding and nurturing our relationship with
the family, playing games and working together.
And of course who can forget the struggles of having no barbers! All of
us must have surely tried new hairstyles and cut ours or others’ hair and
most probably ruined it!
One thing is for sure - we cannot possibly say that the lockdown was the
worst time of our lives stuck at home with nothing to do. In fact, we got
ample opportunity to unlock ourselves during this lockdown.
Truly said, “Only the most hopeless times of life bring out the best and
most creative sides of us and make us who we are….”

Shruti Bhaskar
IX G

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12

QUARANZINE 2020

EFFECTS OF LOCKDOWN ON

MIDDLE CLASS......

On 24th march 2020, our Indian government imposed lockdown under
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule due to corona virus. It was so
sudden that nobody expected such a critical situation. The virus spread on
a large scale in almost all of the world. Due to this lockdown everyone is
surrounded with too many problems. The problems include business
effects, food scarcity for poor people, students’ studies affected, migratory
labours, health problems etc., but there were some good effects also like
environment changes etc.

One major effect of lockdown is ‘the struggle of middle class people’. The
people who are suffering most of the problems during lockdown are
middle class. This was because they didn’t have any earning source but
they have to provide their family with all the basic needs like

1. Grocery and milk etc... Which is needed all the time.
2. Fees of schools for education of their children during earning time , the

paying of fees is too hard. So we can imagine how much hard it is when
there are no earnings possible in lockdown.
3. Too many bills paid by middle class which had to be paid fully, in which
the government is not giving any concession, during lockdown.
4. The loans of different kinds on middle class, in which they have to paid
the ecs along with the interest also on it to borrower.
5. Business and salary problems middle class has to suffer a lot in their
business, hence the money is blocked in their businesses and credits .
Also salaried person is not getting salary , due to business suffered by
lockdown employers are not paying them salary but are firing them.
6. Medicine expenses if there are any old parents or family members
having health issues it become very unaffordable expenses and take
care of them as it is very typical to go outside of home or call a doctor
immediately.
As compared to others, middle class is suffering much more - as rich
people have sufficient for themselves and poor people are being provided
help by the government, NGOs and rich people.

So what should middle class do????

Akshita Agarwal
IX H

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13

QUARANZINE 2020

EVERYTHING IS CONTRASTING

The day when our honorable PM announced LOCKDOWN, was a dull day
for someone and a bright day for someone.
Yes… this is the story of two children -Siya and Jivi
Siya was a rich girl who had all the luxuries of life but Jivi was a poor girl
with nothing more than a dry paratha for dinner.
Siya was quite excited to spend lockdown with her family and especially
with her dad. Her father did not have much time for his family because of
his business but now he was free to spend quality time with his family. On
contrary, Jivi was worried , she was half dead listening about this , as Jivi's
father was a daily wage worker who earned per day. They had money
which could suffice for only 2 days but this lockdown was for 2 months.
Siya enjoyed these best days of her life with her family; she was always
engaged in doing something new, something interesting. Jivi was also
engaged in something new that was thinking to her fullest extent that PM
ordered no one to go on the road but we already came on the road.
Thinking about the logic behind this, Jivi’s father was a heart patient.
Without medicine his health deteriorated. He was swinging between life
and death. Jivi always blamed her luck for not being given what she
needed but took what she had. Yes, she lost her dad.
Siya was bored in her house and wanted go out but could not. But for Jivi,
everything was haywire for her, her father died and her mother was a
worker working in another town and could not come to her because they
were poor and had no money to charter a car or to manage to come back
home.
LOCKDOWN was not the same for everyone, some died due to virus and
some due to starvation. Some enjoyed with their families but some lost
them forever.

NOTHING IS SAME FOR EVERYONE; EVERYTHING IS CONTRASTING.

Diya Jain
IX H

14

14

QUARANZINE 2020

THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF LOCKDOWN

A Pneumonia of unknown cause first detected in Wuhan, China later
named as COVID-19 by WHO on 11 February 2020, was declared a
pandemic on 30 January 2020. This pandemic led the world to go on mass
lockdown and stay at home measures, globally. India too was not spared by
the presence of virus which after one day 'Janta Curfew' on March 24,
declared a 21 days nationwide lockdown from March 26 onwards. Later,
Government extended the lockdown and currently, 5th phase of lockdown
or the unlock 1.0 is going on.

The country was divided in three zones i.e. red, orange and green,
according to the level of contamination and relaxations were applied
accordingly. People were banned to go out of house, all economic, sports,
cultural and social activities were temporarily discontinued, including
educational institutions, malls, gyms, religious places and markets. Only
the essential services were allowed such as, milk, vegetables, medical
stores and groceries to be open for a fixed period.
These lockdown measures posed great difficulties for daily wagers,
migrant labourers and medium and small businessman, who were forced
to close their businesses for a short time. We as students also faced the
difficulties of not being able to go to school after results were declared. All
of us were home bound and could not meet friends and catch up with
them. Our classes started through the online medium of instruction which
was a new experience for us as well as our teachers. Slowly and steadily we
made progress and became habituated to the 'New Normal'. Every coin has
two sides, in the same way this lockdown also disclosed its negative as well
as positive sides. In this article, I would be focusing on the positive side of
the Lockdown.
During this period of lockdown we learned many new and treasured life
lessons which we could never have learned in average life circumstances.
Many students and youngsters live away from their parents. Not just they,
some of us also, learned to enjoy our own company, as beautifully quoted
by ‘Mandy Hale’, “Learn to be alone, and to like it. There is nothing more
empowering and freeing than learning to like your own company.”

Contd.

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QUARANZINE 2020

During this period of lockdown, we learnt many new hobbies and
household work. Many free and paid webinars were being conducted
online which gave us really good opportunity to learn new things. Also in
the absence of any domestic help, we learnt to do household chores.
Furthermore, helping in household chores brought families together.
According to a survey conducted recently, 4 out of 5 families spent more
quality time together during this lockdown.

In the lockdown, when everyone got a break from daily grind and hustle
and bustle, people started to give their existent friendships a new bond.
Individuals, also caught up with their relatives with whom they rarely
talked. There is a reason for Migrant workers to walk back to their villages.
In this unprecedented and stressful situation, family can provide them
emotional support which is extremely important. Working professionals
also find it extremely hard to spend time with their families. Individuals
with work from home definitely managed to bridge this gap.
Many, were also conducting 'family zoom meetings' and 'online birthday
parties'. Classes were also being conducted online, which gave a rise to the
potential of further developing this technology. Some studies also say, that
families and children became more 'community minded', with most
common community service being donating ration to poor and needy. This
lockdown furthermore helped kids to develop healthy eating habits, as
junk food is not widely and readily available during this hard time.
Children don't usually get time to read due to extra activities and studies,
but during this lockdown, children were able to read more and they
actively watched news more.
By this lockdown, we got time to just pause our lives and think deeply. By
these past events, we understood the fury of nature. For those who
believed that humankind is more powerful than nature were proved
wrong by Mother Earth herself. During the lockdown period, pollution
levels dropped drastically and mother earth got time to heal. We also
revived our old values such as washing hands before cooking, eating and
our old ritual of saying 'Namaste' instead of shaking hands.

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the lockdown were sure overwhelming and
tiring experiences. But as quoted in the Bible, "This too shall pass." If we
reconsider the past events, we will realize, that how many precious life
lessons we learned and we should always look at the brighter side of life.
After all, we'll have a good story to narrate to our next generations.

Isha Rathore
IX H

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QUARANZINE 2020

REBOOT Avisha Mathur
IX J
When Lockdown-1 came in,
Turned upside down all our grin, 17
What we thought could happen this year,
We couldn't even begin!

Shook the whole system
Sensex 25 percent down!
Already unprepared, misery
finances embrowned.

Lockdown-2 brought back senses,
Doctors bearing strenuous trauma,
Even saw a few beloved celebrities go,
But they got muddled in all the drama

Lockdown-3 and we learn to survive!
It signals a reboot,
Discovering new hobbies,
cooking, writing, designing suit!

Stock market stabilised
and so did our state of mind
Kits and lunches were donated
By the rich and the kind

Everyone is trying to enjoy
Take some ‘me time’
But my dad is a doc and mom a teacher
I need to give them some sunshine

I tried really, extremely hard
To get some positivity in the time so grievous
But you and I both understand
The situation is quite serious

So if you really want to help
Become a "Corona Warrior"
Donate something, and stay at home
To break this microscopic barrier

17

QUARANZINE 2020

PAIN OF LOCKDOWN

We didn’t ask for becoming a part of a huge pandemic, still we are here
Locked in, not able to go out anywhere.

All the malls, cinema halls and shops are closed
Someday this scenario would come, no one had supposed.
‘All have to stay in’ has become the situation
But ‘to go out’ has now become everyone’s temptation.
And after a long spell of two months people have even forgotten how to drive
As bees are in dilemma where to build their beehive.

During this time whenever I see any bird flying in the sky,
A weird thought always comes to my mind, I don’t know why?
That, we humans once caught these birds to cage and showcase
But now we are only imprisoned at one place.
When everyone would be free like these birds, is a big doubt
Answer, to which, nobody can find out.

This novel virus commonly called Covid Nineteen
Has taught us the meaning of quarantine.
It came into being as a whimper
But gradually evolved into a sky-rending thunder.
It is a fatal threat to the mankind
Has devised its fear in everybody’s mind.

It could be nobody’s imagination
That a small thing could trap the whole nation.
We cannot go out for any exciting travelling
Nor can go for any gathering.
We cannot go to meet anyone, whether it be our relative or friend
The way to chat is only a message which we can send.

My restless heart keeps asking God- “Why have you sent this virus to this planet
Which has enfolded the whole world like a blanket?”
But time will change the things altogether
It will bring more peace and good weather.
Till then what can we do, we have no other option
Only to pray for a better situation.

Hey Almighty! Please make everything as good as before
For the pain of this lockdown really I cannot bear anymore.

Priyanshu Paliwal
IX J

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QUARANZINE 2020

LOCKDOWN LIFE

In the past few months, the novel coronavirus has been a major
predicament for the whole world. People all over the world have lost
their near and dear ones who got infected by the deadly disease. To
prevent the spread of this disease from one person to another, the
Indian government has imposed a nation-wide lockdown. Due to this
lockdown nobody is allowed to leave their homes until and unless it is
an emergency. My family and I are also staying at home following the
guidelines to prevent the transmission of coronavirus given by the
government and World Health Organisation. We are enjoying ourselves
at home. But as my father and mother both are doctors, they have to go
to the hospital to take care of the patients, so I am living at my
grandparents’ home who also live in Jodhpur. Due to this national
lockdown our schools have not opened yet. But our school has started
online classes which we are enjoying very much. Besides studies, my
school is giving me online classes for music, dance and art as well.

Apart from this, I am learning to cook new dishes from my granny. My
grandparents tell me many of their childhood incidents which I truly
enjoy. The most interesting thing I have learnt is some basics of
electronics and robotics. Also, I play many games with my grandparents.
I phone my friends to asked them about their safety and comfort.

I pray for the well-being of all the people of the world

Stay home, stay safe

Manan Mathur
IX J

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19

QUARANZINE 2020

COVID THREAT

Covid–19 is one of the most brutal, deadly, disastrous, life-threatening
pandemic that Homo sapiens and other species living on this beautiful and
charming earth have never seen in their past or present scenario. It is an
unseen dangerous virus which is ruthlessly engulfing various species in front
of our eyes on this holy ‘Mother Earth’. It has shown the so-called super
humans their real existence. A small virus measuring in micrometers have
shown that humans who consider themselves as the most intelligent and
worthy species on Earth are nothing in front of Mother Nature and they should
change their attitude and behaviour. The world is trying to protect the humans
from the very existence of being extinct. Our country India is also trying a lot to
overcome and protect them from this disaster. Our Honorable Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi is trying his level best for the betterment of the country.
He conveyed the order of complete lockdown in the country on 24 March 2020
for 21 days to protect the country from the rage of this deadly virus. The only
solution to protect ourselves from this virus is to maintain social distancing.
The country also followed it whole -heartedly but there were still some
careless, foolish people who just roamed outside risking their as well as others
lives. To stop this, strict curfew was imposed along with large number of police
force who didn’t allow such people to roam freely and if someone was found
roaming without any genuine cause, they were made to do different types of
activities by the policemen such as exercises, fines, oath not to get out from the
houses during lockdown etc. The first lockdown didn’t seem enough to beat
Covid–19 as the cases were on rise exponentially. So, this lockdown was
extended to 19 days more in a hope that this will stop this disease from being
spread and causing more death-threats to the lives of people. But this
pandemic is a bit more powerful than our speculation. As our nation is known
for its unity and brotherhood, most of the people cooperated with the state
governments and fought with this monster bravely by following the rules and
regulations of the lockdown. But, this was not the end of it. It turned nation’s
economy upside down, many people lost their jobs and were now depressed
and worrisome for their future. But the most affected strata of the society was
labourers and daily-wage-workers, who migrated to their respective native
places in huge numbers due to this lockdown. To keep a check on the spread of
Corona virus, the Prime Minister and the State Governments decided to
continue the lockdown and finally the third lockdown was imposed which was
of 17 Days. The fourth lockdown was imposed by the government with many
special reliefs for the citizens in order to regain the economy lost during
lockdown.

Contd.

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Also, two new zones were invented-the Buffer zone and Containment zone,
apart from the existing Red zone, Orange zone and Green zone. Now, seeing
the present scenario, the lockdown can increase further with some special
reliefs. The lockdown imposed by the Corona pandemic in India is the longest
and greatest lockdown ever in Indian history and this lockdown and the
struggle for maintaining its decorum is praised by everybody in the world
including The United States of America, Britain, Maldives and various different
countries. Apart from the disadvantages from Covid-19 and its lockdown, it
also had some advantages. India became the number one PPE kit maker in the
world with the production of 4.5 lakhs kits per day. India learned how to take
advantage from such critical situation by increasing trade and commerce of
the country. Also, Indians got united due to this lockdown. We can prove this
statement by seeing the magnificent amount deposited in ‘PM Cares Fund’,
which shows the dignity, respect, and responsibility among people. At last,
Covid-19 is a great pandemic which threatens the very existence of humans
and we humans should learn that excessive exploitation of Mother Nature is
the cause for catastrophe. We should never consider ourselves greater than
Mother Nature and should take care that such critical situation should not
occur again otherwise human race and other species would extinct one day.

Aryan Singh
XA

ENTERING A NEW WORLD

Mankind has faced many disasters, pandemics and wars. Each one taught us a
lesson, we learnt the lesson and moved ahead. This capability and approach of
treading forward makes us human.
‘Some lessons are painful but are priceless.’
It takes 10 billion years for the ideal planet to be formed and 3 billion years
more for right conditions to emerge before we are born. We are precious and
unique. Sometimes we gained, sometimes we lost. But whenever we lose
something, we gain something priceless, i.e. knowledge.
But our most dangerous form has appeared in the last century. We killed
ourselves by destroying something precious - environment. Our actions led to
our destruction – action causing the extinction of nature to its optimum level.
Now it’s high time to pay heed to our actions. Nature has given us another
opportunity to correct our mistakes. So let’s join our hands together and make
a new green world because above all, we are humans.
‘Be a good human because that will make you good person.’

Rishabh Mosalpuria
XC

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LET’S COMBAT TOGETHER

I sit and think
How our lives changed in a blink
Amidst it all
Is this a wake-up call?

State of crisis everywhere
Corona virus arrives to scare
Down the streets, there is hardly a soul to be there
In the dire circumstances, not a soul shall be spared… so let’s take care.

The adversity is at its peak
The economy of India has begun to creak
We ought to try our level best to seek
Quarantine and isolation centres for strong and meek.

The killer virus hits the re-set buttons
As humans retreat, nature returns
Things have changed in the matter of days and weeks
We have encroached territory of other living beings
Let's learn to co-exist.

We are safe because of medico and armed forces
They are working day in and day out for us
Mind it friends, it takes a lot of courage
To be selfless, compassionate and a feel for humanity to encourage
Express gratitude to those who serve humanity
It’s the need of the hour to unite for the sake of our community.

The world must move,
And should not stop on the same dark day
Corona, Corona go away.

It is a heartfelt plead to sapiens, please confront the obstacles, don’t be
frightened, fight corona
Stay home, stay safe and make people safe…

Smriti Gupta
XG

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THIS TOO SHALL PASS AWAY

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world is trying to find a way to deal
with this dreadful disease. Surely, vaccination is the best way but until any
vaccine is developed which would take quite a long time we need alternate
methods, and this is where the concept of Lockdown comes into the picture.

Lockdown is basically just shutting down of all non-essential things leaving open
only the daily essential services. Even the essential services are done with
reduced workforce. All of this is done to slow the transmission of the pandemic.
We know that we can't erase the pandemic until a vaccine is developed but we
can minimize the loss to the lowest extent.

But truth is that everything that has merits also has demerits and same is true in
this case also. The demerit is that our economy has fallen drastically. It is
estimated that it would be the second biggest economic crisis after the Great
Depression that led to the World War II. On the other hand, lockdown has also
resulted in the restoration of nature and natural resources which could never
have happened without it.

But the best we as Indian citizens can do is follow the instructions laid down by
our government and support it to fight this pandemic.

Hitaishi Gupta

XH

‘LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER LOCKDOWN'

“There’s no going back to 'normal' –all we should focus on is building a‘ new

normal'. ”Well said by someone.

I remember the day when my mother was telling me about the customs of

hygiene she used to follow as a kid. The same everything is being followed

today by us during this lockdown. Whenever they went out, they did not shake

hands with anyone but did ‘namastey'. After returning home, they used to

wash their hands thoroughly, kept everything that they had bought in the

sunlight for sometime before bringing it inside the house, etc. so, were we, the

Indians, always ready to fight against this COVID-19 pandemic..? Actually, we

were .But because of the influence of different cultures, we forgot our own

work ethics, and so, here we are, caught in the middle of the pandemic.

The reason of writing this article was to motivate you all and tell you the

worth of our Indian customs and work ethics. So, respect and follow them for a

better life ahead. Stay safe and stay at home.

‘JAI HIND’ LavanyaTyagi

XI B

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LOCKDOWN : A DILEMMA OR AN

OPPORTUNITY ?

This is the year 2020, a start of a new decade but this start is different this
time. The world is going through changes, the changes that are hard to change
back. We are living in the mid of a pandemic, covid-19 is spreading fast all
across the world. To be more specific about the situation; we all are stuck in the
lockdown. But the question is that is it really our dilemma or our opportunity
in a time like this?
On March 25, 2020, our honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced
an official lockdown for 21 days which was later extended to its next levels. A
lot of people say that limiting movement in a country with 1.3 billion
population is a huge dilemma; as people can’t perform their daily life routine,
everyone is stuck at home and can’t do anything but wait. Some are losing their
livelihoods, while some are losing their patience and the world is going crazy.
But on the other hand this situation has a whole new bright side to it. In this
free time people can learn new hobbies; it is said that it takes almost 21 days to
change a habit for good, not only can we develop new habits but we can also do
things that we couldn’t do earlier due to lack of time in our daily busy schedule.
Though we know that nobody is used to staying in for that long and it becomes
depressing and negative sometimes because of the feeling of being trapped in
our own house. It is a natural feeling but if we think about it with a calm mind
we would realize that it is all about how our perspective works.
For instance, staying in lockdown can be considered as a loss bringer for a
pessimistic mind, that person would have increased blood pressure, anxiety,
strain, hassle and what not! The problems around the person would just
proliferate because the perspective he has is not constructive enough to be
helpful to him.
And in the same situation an optimistic would mark this lockdown as an
advantage to use this time to spend more time with his family, to promote a
healthy lifestyle that may or may not bring profit to the person financially but
would definitely bring some sunniness in their daily lives or at least wouldn’t
grow more problems in someone’s life.
At the end, we know for sure that these are unsettling times and that we might
face a little difficulty in it but at the end of the day we know that sooner or later
this will end.
Dilemma or an Opportunity? It’s all in our perspective; it can be a dilemma to
one and be an opportunity to another if we think more deeply; the only thing
required is a better way of thinking.

Anushree Purohit
XI C

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WHAT THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT US

The days fell silent
The rush came to a stop
The streets were barren
All lives seemed to cease

The pandemic locked us in our homes
The fear never lets us out
But life must go on
The pandemic came and taught us

These days will also pass
‘Cause nothing lasts forever
Our lives may be clouded for now
But the sun will shine again.

We may not be doctor
We may not be police
But we will fight it together
By whatever means.

Mitiksha Jain
XI B

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A DAY IN LOCKDOWN

Days are gone, months have passed since I last saw my friends in the past,
Days are hard I know that for sure

And I know we have to wait for the cure.
I know better days will come, I know they will, but till how long-
How long do I- do I have to sit sighing near the window, thinking when

will I go out finally?
When will all this end?
And when will I finally meet my friends?
I ask for nothing much after all,
All I wish is to go out with my friends to the mall.
I really do miss my school, my teachers and all my dear friends.
Oh with them, the fun never ends!
Staying in, really made me realize that how we lived in ease
When all what Mother Earth needed was to live in peace.
I think about those good old days, how we always had fun in all the

different ways,
I miss those days with a sigh
Wondering if we would ever fly again that high.
Maybe now I understand how the captivated animals in the zoo feel,
Who have food to eat and water to drink but not the freedom to run across

the field.
Those voiceless spoke a thousand words but we couldn’t hear them asking

for help,
And all what we did was to ignore how they felt.
I would love to thank all the warriors who are saving so deep

Because they keep us safe enough to sleep.
They fight and still keep a calm mind

Even when they have to leave their families behind.
At last I- I know that it would take a little more effort than the one before,

But sooner or later the peace will finally restore.

Anushree Purohit
XI C

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NATURE DETOXIFIES ITSELF

Look at the ‘positive aspect of the lockdown’ if you don’t want to be
‘corona positive’.
COVID-19 had a very unimaginable and negative effect, it has proved to be
fatal all over the globe. Approximately all the people have suffered from
corona due to one or the other reason.
Some lost their family members, their fathers or mothers or sons or daughters
while some are still struggling to fight back the disease. Some families are so
great to put their children or parents for service to the nation as corona
warriors without whom it was impossible to fight COVID-19.
But as rightly said, “Every coin has two sides, every day has noon and night,” it
is also true for this disease and it depends on us how ‘WE’ consider it. If you
are from the 80 percent people of the world who are pessimistic, you will
definitely be stressed out. But being optimistic, if you see at the positive side of
the pandemic, you will not be able to resist yourself from being happy with the
good effects it has brought.
Yes! Corona virus and the lockdown which we have criticized a lot have also
brought some golden old habits to us. Though it has led to ‘distancing socially’
but the ‘distance between family relations’ has really reduced. People who did
not have time for their families have started playing with them, Ludo or chess
or cards or cricket or any other game which has strengthened the bond of love
and affection between them. Looking at the old memories, the albums have
made them relive the good old days. Children got to know about the ties of
marriage of their parents and grandparents. And yes! How can we forget
about helping the women in domestic work! Their work has been appreciated
and respected. Now everyone is a chef or an artist or a sportsperson or a poet
or a dancer or a singer. In a nut shell, mostly all have pursued their interests.
Environmentally also, this lockdown has led to cleaning of the atmosphere.
The ozone layer depletion has reversed. The pollution rates have really, really
reduced to an extent which was impossible without this LOCKDOWN. Global
warming and temperature have also come down. Moreover, the uncertain and
unpredicted showers when fall on the body give unending pleasure and relief
in the summer season. Of course, the corona warriors, i.e., doctors, policemen,
sweepers, bankers, vendors and many more who have still not left their jobs of
service to the nation is all the more appreciable. From now onwards, they
would be respected more for their work as we have already seen the doctors
being considered not like gods, but God themselves!

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Many a changes would be observed after the lockdown ends. Everyone
wearing a mask, washing hands hundreds of times a day, not high-fiving or
hand shaking, maintaining physical distancing, etc. It will feel awkward for a
while but then everything would be fine one day. It is not the first time that
the whole world is affected by a pandemic. It had happened before in the 14th
century with 50 million dead due to plague and also in 1918 with Spanish flu
infecting 500 million people. But yes, it is for the first time in the history when
the precautions are taken soon in order to not let the history repeat.
Be happy that our country is better in terms of the world toll of infection and
death.
A mother completes the task left incomplete by the child. ‘NATURE HAS
DETOXICATED ITSELF WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD COULDN’T DO THAT'.
Stay home, stay safe.

Tanushree Sharma
XI D

LOCKED BUT NOT DOWN

A pandemic spreading around the globe,
In big countries, developing cities and small towns,
The losses we have witnessed on a massive scale,

Still didn’t mark the end of this corona trail.
But still the hearts beating across the seas have hope,

The word is locked, but hope isn’t down.
Work places are closed,

Still I see people working, wearing safety gowns
They are the warriors in true sense,

Working whole day for us, is what they chose,
Their bodies are locked, but their courage isn’t down.

People are finding it difficult to stay in,
The situation is making them frown,

But now, we are getting a lot of time to spend,
Like a dream holiday that never ends.
Staying in is the only role we could play,

Inside our houses, we are locked, but our spirits ain’t down.

Indraneel Bakshi
XI C

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“I AM BORED”

With the imposition of Lockdown the world went topsy-turvy. We were
constrained to make changes in the usual life we were leading. Domestic helps
stopped coming. It was not possible to get out of the house for a walk. We were
barred from meeting our bosom friends. All our plans of visiting hill stations
had to be slashed. This is a matter of regret that social and cultural functions
like Nanak Jayanti, Pratap Jayanti and coronation day of Shivaji had to be
celebrated only by exchanging greetings and through web conferences. But
thankfully in keeping with my best wishes all marriage ceremonies had to be
performed unostentatiously. But one thing I noticed that made me really happy
was that we were able to adapt ourselves to new set of things. In all the families,
situation became very hilarious as all the members of the family became
domestic help. Cleaning the house and utensils became the new exercise and
pastime. Work culture changed. We took everything in our stride and the
adaptation has almost been seamless. Indeed it is well said that the wind does
not break the tree that is flexible and bends.
However there was something that bothered me a lot, the constant statements
of people saying “I am getting bored.” This statement seems quite ironic to me.
Had it happened 20 years back, this statement would have made much more
sense. But in present times such a statement is nonsensical. We live in a world
where we have innumerable things to do. We can have access to everything
from the safety of our home. We can read books, watch movies, increase our
knowledge, develop new skills, talk to our friends, attend classes, do our office
work, deliver and listen to lectures through web. Apart from this we could have
done so many things connected with domestic choressuch as learning to cook,
polish our talents, fulfill our dream to sleep till 11 in the morning (Which most
of us did). Some of us might have done all of these things and yet may have
ended up getting bored at some point.
That I am bored is a statement which in some way proves that we cannot be
satisfied with the situations we are in. When we our busy, when we have a lot of
work to do we crave for free time. But now when we have all the time in our
hands to do the things that we have always wanted to do before lock down, we
have a desire to return to the normal way of life. All of this seems hilarious to me.
Moreover we have no right to say that we are getting bored as we are the
creatures who are known to bore other creatures by locking them down as pets
and keeping them in biological parks. And the worst part it is that such poor
creatures have no access to Netflix and YouTube. The adaptability that we have
shown so far is appreciable but it is really important to understand that we are
quite privileged which is why we have no right to say “ I am bored."

Suhani Jain
XI E

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AMIDST THE LOCKDOWN

The lockdown of 2020 transformed the daily routine of all the people.
From schools to industries, everything was closed. People were just locked
inside their homes. They could not go to their workplaces. It mostly
affected the lives of those people who are fully dependent on daily wages.
Because of this, the economy of not just our country, but the whole world
is facing recession.
But there are always two sides of a coin. There are two aspects to every
issue - one negative and the other positive. Lockdown also had a positive
plank. The best part of the lockdown was that people could spend time
with their family and enjoy being together.
During this lockdown people realised that there are many things possible
which we never thought of. People could live without going outside and
learnt to do everything from their homes. They could live with complete
hygiene and without fast food. They had never imagined that there would
be a day without any vehicle on roads. They even realised how difficult it
is for animals to remain captive.
Everyone should learn from this lockdown that in every casualty, there is
an opportunity and with every bad thing, there is a positive side. In life,
negative things would not hold their value without experiencing the
positive ones. We need to focus on the positive and find the solution from
the negative.
Being positive and calm solves 50% of the problem!

Kiran Gehlot
XI E

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IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING ENOUGH

IN THIS TIME ?

"In today's busy schedule, we have almost ruined our social life and
relationships. We hardly get any time to know and listen to each other. The
lockdown has given us the time to touch base“
These days, most of the conversations in families are related to the pandemic
that no one ever saw coming. After World War II, coronavirus has proved to
have deleterious effects on all of mankind. It is not wrong to think that in the
future when our generation becomes parents or even grandparents, we will be
passing on tales of this time to our young ones. However, not all our versions of
this period will be the same or even similar.
We teenagers have very distinct opinions on almost all subjects. Thus, the same
characteristic applies to our views on the world’s and our country’s different
strategies to combat the new coronavirus too. A common step adopted by many
countries of the world has been to offer gratitude to the essential-services
workers by clapping for them. This was observed in India on the day of Janta
Curfew on March 22, and was appreciated and followed by common person
and celebrities too.
Amidst lockdown with Covid-19 cases rushing at a dangerously high rate and
the ever-stressed citizens, the video message by our honourable Prime Minister
Narendra Modi Ji produced mixed reactions.
I got in touch with some teenagers on what they think about the Prime
Minister’s speeches on March 19 and April 3 respectively.
The first person said, “I think that PM Modi ji has indeed set an example for
countries worldwide in expressing gratitude to essential workers and standing
united against Covid-19. However, I do believe that he is also side-tracking from
the real problem, which is India’s lax lockdown has not substantially controlled
the spread of the virus and extensive testing has not been done in all states.”
Another said, “The Prime Minister’s first address to the nation in which he
announced the Janta Curfew was an inspired attempt to assert leadership and
communication during the time of crisis. Unfortunately, the address on April 3
didn’t match that standard. When cases are rising, the nation needs to be
protected. We want to hear what the government is doing to get more medical
equipment, gloves, masks, ventilators, etc. It is important to show solidarity but
as long as the nation is in the dark about the future, the panic that might ensue
can undo all the work the government has done till now.”

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The government’s relief measures, on many counts, have been excellent. I
do feel, however, that his speeches have lacked the clarity to enable each
people of the society to understand how the various relief measures help
them. Yet, I salute the government’s efforts towards solidarity in India’s
fight against the coronavirus. During a crisis, the leadership must find ways
to make citizens feel secure and PM Modi’s speeches do just that.”
Our government has definitely won the support of its young people on the
emotional front. But is the government on the right track to reassure its
citizens of a strong plan of action in the coming weeks? We can only hope
and pray that things look up from here and this causes will end soon.

Meenal Bhargava
XI H

PRODUCTIVITY DURING LOCKDOWN

For the people who wondered how a virus can change the world. Look, this
is how a single virus can be chaotic for the whole world. It can just force you
to isolate yourself in your own houses. It can stop you from touching one
another. It even has the power to cancel out your most important social
gatherings. This is how hazardous, it can be.
Well, the people stranded at home started being productive and creative.
It’s like being productive while you’re quarantined has become a trend.
They read books, listened to music, made art, played games, some even
meditated, prayed and danced. They just started finding ways to tranquil
themselves during this chaos. People simply began to think differently and
learned a new ways of being. They started understanding everything more
deeply. It is just the kind of time when the world slowed down so people
could rediscover themselves and yes it’s working pretty well! Moreover, in
the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless and heartless
ways, the earth is healing.
Hopefully when the crisis passes, people will join together again, they will
grieve their choices but will make new choices, dream new images and will
create new ways to heal and live.

Maulli Maheshwari
XI G

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DO WE EVEN HAVE ANY REAL PROBLEMS

Like every teenager things seemed this way that I have hurdles
omnipresent. But a 10-year-old compelled me to adopt a totally different
psyche [ethos].I came across a notable incident that evening.
Today I visited my Masi's place and everyone was talking about a 10 year
old boy. They told me that he came to their place earlier asking if they
could give him any kind of work for some 10 or 20 rupees. They observed
his innocence to do something so they told him to come every day around
5 O' clock and water the plants.
Finally it was 5 O' clock and as usual he came, honestly he was so talkative
and affectionate. He was not at all bothered about his hardships. I asked
him if he ever went to school. When I heard his answer I was pretty
shocked by his reply, he told me that he did for a short time but left
because it was difficult even to earn money for food. While telling this he
had a half-moon smile on his face. It was getting dark so I along with my
uncle offered to walk him home which was basically a shabby hut made up
of plastic sheets. While walking him home we came across a big branch of
tree, he looked at it very carefully and asked my uncle if he can take it with
him to his place....I curiously asked him what he was planning to do with it,
he told me it is being used to cook food as they can't afford LPG cylinder.
This was an incident which got me face the reality of the world outside my
princess bedroom and Netflix world. This is the reality of the world of
problems.

Niharika Rajpurohit
XI J

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AND THE NEWS KEPT BLARING ON

Every pore of her body aching with exhaustion, she trudged back to the ramshackle
room she had come to call her home in this foreign city. As she neared her
neighborhood-a mix of shabby huts and small rented rooms, and as the familiar
reek of unwashed bodies and animal excreta attacked her nostrils, she could see a
veritable chaotic crowd ensuing in the streets.
"Not the petty fights again", she groaned. As she walked closer, she was surprised to
find real panic and fear instead of the usual excitement or annoyance at the fights.
As she got closer, she could see it wasn't a fight at all. All around, she could hear
shouts of "What does the government think it's doing?!! We're doomed! How are
we supposed to feed our children?" And hidden behind them, she could make out
the announcements being made by TVs and radios turned on high volume "....a
complete national lockdown from 25th of March 2020 for 21 days will follow in the
wake of the corona virus pandemic....", following on all the restrictions to be put in
place soon. The news kept blaring on.
She took a deep breath and showed no hint of discomfort, even though a dreadful
shudder crawled down her spine. She had got through the starvation that had
plagued her village years ago, had found work in the city - however low paying and
excruciating, taken care of her one year old on her own. She could do get through
this too.
She nudged a nearby man listening to the news with wide eyes and asked,"Bhaiya,
are we not allowed to work too? Will we be given our wages or food?" already
dreading the answer. The man shook her off irritatingly, but his eyes softened on
seeing her expression (her dread and panic were not that well masked) and he
shook his head. "No chance of that sister, and there are rumours that we'll be
beaten and flogged by the police if we do go out. Hopefully, our employers will
provide some help", he said, even though he knew that that hope was fragile.
Hope. She never hoped for anything. Had left hoping for love and help the day she
had to start working at the construction site at 15 to feed herself. Still, she thanked
the man and walked with heavy steps to her room, finding her 2 year old playing on
the bed with the neighborhood girls.
The sight of her daughter immediately lightened her heart and face, and she forgot
that a harsh world also existed apart from her daughter's chubby face. She let
herself forget, let herself dissolve into a blissful world if only for a few hours.
The next day, as she made her daily walk to the construction site with determined
steps, albeit with a cloth strapped across her face as a makeshift mask, she heard a
shout- and on turning around she found it was aimed at her-by a policeman. As she
approached him, he shouted again, "Please go to your home. No work sites will be
open today, lady! It is being done for the sake of your safety so please cooperate
with us.“

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Shaking her head, she replied,“ Saheb, please let me go today, at least let me get
my due wages and buy some essentials, it won't be long. I'm sure my employer
will help me." The policeman sighed and let her go, though urging her to come
back soon. She walked on and on the way heard some other radios
blaring,"....food packets and monetary help will be provided...".
When she returned home with the imprint of a hand on her left cheek, empty
handed save for some food she could gather with yesterday's earnings, she
knew she couldn't go on like this for long. If she were to die, she'd prefer to die
with her family back in her village, where her real home with her imprints lied.
She had heard of many labourers like her heading home on their own, and she
assured herself she could do this.
A childish gurgle interrupted her thoughts and she turned towards her
daughter, forcing herself to plaster a smile on her face. Her heart sank. How
could she do this to her child? Could she survive with the knowledge that she
had hurt her angel? No. She had to stop thinking like this. They could die alone
here and she wouldn't, couldn't allow that. With all the energy she could
muster, she fed her child, gathered all the money she had along with her sparse
few belongings and stepped out in the unforgiving heat, embracing it.
Three days. It had been three days since she'd been walking. Feet blistered,
hands aching, a parched mouth, a foggy head and with her sick daughter, she
trekked on.
Apart from the two meals she could afford to buy and a food packet she
managed to get in a long line outside an NGO, she hadn't had a single morsel
and had kept feeding her daughter as a priority. Both their heads covered to
provide some relief from the endless heat(though it did little to help),they
trudged on. Whenever they would camp on a footpath or the road for the night,
her daughter would ask her for food and would wail from the trouble; she had
to restrain herself from crying in front of her daughter. No, she would be
strong, if only for her daughter's sake.
She waded through each hour, focusing on her next breath and her next step,
trying hard not to think about her daughter's rising temperature or the hunger
tightening her stomach.
In the distance, she could hear a radio, "....help will be provided to all our
people suffering, our party has funded..". ".... people are rediscovering lost
bonds in this lockdown period..." ".....there are many ways via which people can
pass their time.....these precautions must be taken...." "....a spike of 150 cases
has been seen here.“
And just like that, no help ever came, and the news kept blaring on.

Jahnvi Thanvi
XI J

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TURN CHALLENGE INTO OPPORTUNITY

Lockdown had returned impulsive impact on the people of our country
particularly those people who were sweating in other states to assist their
families. Many people migrated thousands of miles to go back to their homes,
and the government is helping them round-the-clock by giving them the
necessities. Now what we can do is to help these people as much as possible
and seeing this pandemic as a new chance we can develop ourselves in many
ways like reading books, novels, and watching good series which would help in
improving our vocabulary and learn new lessons from them and spend time
with parents by reminiscing and sharing memories. This is also a good time to
grasp our health, we can follow a healthy routine, healthy diet to strengthen
our body for fighting the virus. As recently said by WHO Indian have a good
routine that’s why there is less death rate in India. Let's try to make our body
more powerful in the oppose of Covid-19 by performing yoga etc.

Diviza Sankhla
XI H

DIFFERENT TIMES

Silent streets
Whole world in the time of total dark
State of turmoil outside
But this strange silence is soothing our hearts

More time to pursue things which were passion once
More time to explore the person within
An opportunity to shine
A chance, which might not come in a lifetime

In this great global crisis
Which has shaken everybody’s faith,
Which has brought whole mankind to its feet
I only have to say
God is with us, he is among us
Through those who are fighting for us

Devvrata Purohit
XI J

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RENDEZVOUS LOCKDOWN

LOCKDOWN this word needs no explanation we all are familiar with it,
aren’t we? It brought unemployment for some whereas good fortune for
others. On one hand the economic impact of lockdown due to
coronavirus pandemic has been largely disruptive. The world bank had
initially revised India’s growth for fiscal year 2021 with the lowest figures
India has seen in three decades since India’s economic liberalization in
the 1990s. India’s GDP estimates were downgraded even more to
negative figures, signalling a deep recession. On 26 may, CRISIL
announced that this will perhaps be India’s worst recession since
independence. Not only this there is a sharp rise in unemployment,
within a month unemployment rose from 6.7% on 15 March to 26% on
19 April. An estimated 14 crore people lost employment while salaries
were cut for many.
On the other hand it proved to be a god sent gift for environment, visuals
of a cleaner river Ganga have emerged from Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur as
well as Varanasi. The clear water is a result of the shutdown of most
industries. Not only this, endangered fresh water Gangetic dolphins were
spotted in river Ganga in Meerut as a result of clean water. Also, air
quality improved in New Delhi as the average concentration of PM 2.5
came down by 71% in Delhi. The water of river Yamuna started to appear
clearer. Also, in many parts of the world, animals have been spotted
moving freely where they once feared to go. Even sea turtles have been
spotted returning to the areas where they once avoided to lay their eggs
due to human interference. People spent quality time with their families.
They also came to know about their culture and traditions.

Gargi Khatri
XII A

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THE WORLD IS FROZEN

Life was going easy,
Never thought I would,

Not at all be busy.
Eat, sleep and repeat,

Is in the trend.
No man on the street,
To change this blend.
Work is closed, doors are shut,

There's a pause all
over the world.

Neither man, nor environment
But, it's a covid pandemic
To freeze the Creations !
Dheeraj Sharda
XII A

LOCKDOWN – A MESS

This situation we are in
Is so loud and so numb together

Like a silent chaos,
All I see is an ocean in front of me,
I swim, I skim, but there's no end to this

Just we stand amidst nowhere
There's love, there's peace, there's no place to go,

I crawl to get out
I yell, I shout

My dreams are locked
My life is mocked

But the moment when I see the people suffering
And their lives puzzling

My problems don't exist then
And in my head, there are now faces
Just empty walls and empty spaces

I'll fight it all, I know that I will
Maybe in time, I'll show it to you
Yeah, I'll make it right, I'll make it true.

Devance
XII B

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EVERY THING IS NOT LOCKED DOWN

Yesterday, the world was happy
Today, everyone is unhappy.

Covid-19 made the world locked down
But I say, No, everything is not locked down!

Sun is not locked down;
It follows its routine of sunrise and sunset.

Seasons are not locked down;
From winters we’ve headed to summers.

Relationships are not locked down;
We are spending quality time with our dear ones.

Reading is not locked down;
People are spending time reading books, novels etc.

Learning is not locked down;
We are learning many things from this situation.

Music is not locked down;
It is always there to soothe our souls.

Hope is not locked down;
We can hope for a better future and keep us going.

EVERYTHING IS NOT LOCKED DOWN

Shivang Lodha
XII B

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QUARANTINE: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Who knew that one day you’ll be bidding farewell to your seniors, appearing in
your final examination, enjoying your break and the next day the whole country
will be locked down? Everybody knew the danger that came with corona but the
intensity was something nobody ever dreamt of. A pandemic!! now this is not
something we read in our newspaper daily. It was like the whole world changed at
a blink of an eye. Shops closed, schools closed, public transport closed and many
more. An eerie silence took over the roads in our country even in daylight. The
escalating cases across the globe created an atmosphere of fear. It was like you’ll
die the moment you step outside. Remember the game “lava on the floor” *giggling
to myself*. The year 2020, who knows what the future holds? We used to think
that whenever we’ll get time, we’ll spend it with our friends but now when we
have ample of time, we can’t meet them. Also, it blows my mind how nature is
diving into the pool of healing be it the locust invasion, cyclonic storms, mild
earthquakes and on top of that discrimination against the black community. These
things are almost unimaginable but this is the reality of today, isn’t it?
Staying at home is not as easy as it sounds. I’ll tell you the reality. Nobody has
properly stayed inside their places because we are venturing out for the essentials.
A student like me going to school, tuition and sometimes visiting friends. To be
very honest till last year I was only in my house for lunch, dinner and sleep. But
now I wake up everyday to see my mother making breakfast and father shaving.
Now should I tell you what this lockdown has really taught me? Should I tell you
the truth? Staying at home taught me that the views of my parents don’t match
mine. It taught me the weird and strange things that happen in the name of
religion that nobody wants to talk about. It taught me that some people really do
need others validation to survive. It taught me how easy it is for nature to take
over, so we must respect her. Let’s talk about a thing I mentioned just above, my
parents and my ideas not matching. Many of the readers would consider this
horribly wrong, but my parents don’t. Different mind-set is what makes us “us”.
Other than these things, I made friends with 6 stray cats that live behind our
quarter, where we are quarantining right now. A father cat, mummy cat and their 4
kittens, oh the father is so stubborn that I have to shout “oyee mote” to chase him
away because he tries to drink all the milk, I give to the mummy cat and her
kittens. Well it does remind one of patriarchy, doesn’t it? Also, I made a spider my
friend/pet, I call him Wilbur.
Oh, sorry but most importantly, I didn’t forget to study daily. Well now I know for
sure the trick to make parents happy, jokes apart, I’m really enjoying studying
these days. I guess it’s because of the lack of extreme pressure. There still is
competition and all, but now I think it’s all taking a healthy turn. So, staying at
home is not as bad as it seems.

AnanyaDev
XII D

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THE WORD OF FATE

I pulled the chair
And sat down to write
As I dipped my quill in the ink
The words in my head overflowed beyond the brink
And my hands began to dance to the rhymes of the fate of billions
It wasn’t easy being the mistress of future
As it was upto me,
How the humans pay their long due fee
But anyhow I commenced
So first, the humans won’t walk on their land again
And only lie on a stiff mattress of suffering and pain
Second, the human evolution will catch on a new trail
And all human race would start looking like pigs
And now all pretence will be in vain
Earth will be covered in barren lands
Yet there will be blossoming air
These wild beaSts will be disciplined by fears of death
And will stand in queues for even a loaf of bread
Treading slowly and cautiously like they got stuck with the mania of parading
Moving skies will be like someone painted the yellow paintings of Van Gogh in
thick black tar
And rains of pests that will even succumb the huge tree that you once praised
from afar
Ignorant and stoned hearts through which love and agony of separation will
gleam.
But even in between this immense suffering
I sadly see, the helplessness on the face and voracity in the eyes
This is what my 4 grams of paper holds
Enough destruction to suffice the word of my will.
But even in this state of catastrophe,
‘Heroism’ will be redefined
Earth will be walked on by the men and women in white overcoats and snakes
in their necks aligned
They will be the only ones to resuscitate the world’s half death soul.
But humans, how can you not see your life in their hands and you even hate the
ones who won’t let you fall off this inverted bowl.
This disgusts me
But still, I sincerely hope that you repent your actions this time
Or the actual apocalypse is still in my pen that will destroy your kind.

Aanika Sharma
XII B

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FINDING NEW WAY OF LIFE

‘Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.’
Since the lockdown was announced, all that filled my head was the
negativity; the sad reality that all my opportunities, studies, plans would
be troubled. But who said that reality cannot be changed? A pessimist sees
the difficulty in every opportunity but an optimist sees the opportunity in
every difficulty. When everyone sees trash in the lockdown, I see a treasure
of opportunities to give back. I realized that this is the right time to
introspect, understand myself more, reflect on what I did, what I am doing
and what I wish to do. Although I am missing my school, the lockdown is
also giving me more time to spend with my family and have the best
memories one could ask for.
Talking about my studies, at first I thought it would be difficult to cope up
as this year I have my board examination and competitive exams but the
technology made it easier. I am grateful for the online classes from our
educators during this pandemic. They are helping us in every way. I also
think that this is the best time to utilize for self-study.
During this period I learnt how to utilize resources for gaining knowledge.
The Internet turned out to be a life-saver for us. We are as close with our
teachers and classmates as we used to be in school.
We humans never experienced anything like this. But sometimes we are
tested not to show our weaknesses, but to discover our strength. We are
confined, but not broken. With collective efforts, we will overcome this
situation and find out new ways of working.

Poorvi Pratap
XII D

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IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH OF SCHOOL

GOING CHILDREN DURING LOCKDOWN

The coronavirus disease pandemic and the social distancing measures that
many countries have implemented have caused disruptions to all of our
daily routines. These closures can cause negative effects to our mental
health and a lot more for those who are already suffering. For children and
adolescents with mental health needs, closures mean a lack of access to the
resources they usually have through schools. The string of disappointments
of no school, no games and no physical activities combined with isolation
takes an emotional toll. Both together, may force a child towards a state of
mind which is not even close to ideal.
School routines are important coping mechanisms for young people with
mental health issues. Parents complain about their children locking
themselves up inside their rooms for weeks, refusing to take showers, eat,
or even leave their beds. All they want to do is to stay inside their covers,
pause their lives and resume only when everything is normal. What children
don’t realize is that this pause is only going to stop everything from being
normal? They might start confusing their struggle with their identity.
Students don’t have teachers around to correct them or scold them when
they are too naughty. These things sound fun for once but these play a huge
part in having no movement around a child. And without movements, the
mind starts slowing too. The 4 walls of the room become the 4 walls of the
mind. During a state of mind like this, stressing them up with too much of
school work and over burdening online classes isn’t the best for them. The
mind needs refreshments after every task and intervals between school’s
periods were like drink breaks for students. There is no opportunity left to
gossip after each class or catch paper balls just for fun. All you have to do is
sit at the same spot for hours and listen to lectures through computer
screens without any interaction with the teachers.
It’s more important to take care of how children feel than the completion of
a syllabus. Talking to the children and asking them what they are feeling is
the best thing we can do. Ask students about their passions and what makes
them feel themselves, shifting their focus from all the negativity towards
their goals and passions.

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It helps because when we think about our passions, we become happier
and automatically move towards a better state of mind making it more
probable that we think about are problems in a positive manner. It also
helps the students feel empowered and connect their passions to any
hardships they are enduring. Ask them to do one thing aside from
homework that makes them genuinely happy. It could be anything from
sketching to cleaning or from reading to dancing. It is the best as long as it
keeps their minds from drowning into all the possible negativity. Try to
understand what your budding stars are going through and help them
through it. Staying home and safe is important but being content is equally
necessary to protect ourselves from mental health issues that can
completely change how we feel. I am grateful that my teachers are trying to
fulfil all the above and are providing the necessary support to the students.

Gaurangi Bhoot
XII E

A LIFETIME OCCASION

It was in the year 2020
Where a virus outbreak was to occur

Every family to themselves
To live alone through summer

Inside in despair
I would tell myself
It was a once in a lifetime occasion
Never to happen again.
At the end of this outbreak
People would look lost
Having forgotten normal life
Uneasy to step outside
Losing relationships and friends
I would tell myself
It was a once in a lifetime occasion
Never to happen again

Vansh Dhariwal
XII H

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THE HOMEMAKER SPEAKS

Who says work from home when your work is at home?
When the family came together in the pandemic, there was euphoria in the
house.
Ankita, a homemaker was tensed on how to always keep her kids energetic
and positive during this period.
But she thought time will take care of everything and she was correct.
As the domestic help would not be there she was worried that she can’t do all
these chores by herself but the family decided to divide the work.
The most important message they got when the house help was not there
was they needed to be self-reliant.
During this pandemic she realized that her kids have more problems than
her, while things were messy around the house it was nice to hear their
chatter, she helped her daughter to build self-confidence and in the evening
she discussed movies with her son. Of course, the work was more she had to
clean after their cooking experiments but it didn’t matter. It’s all good so far.
Ankita realized that elderly people in our house tend to feel ignored and
lonely when their son is busy with meetings and their grandchildren are
preoccupied with their cell phones but now suddenly their son is asking for
his childhood pictures and memories and their grandson is asking about the
lifestyle during their teens.
She shares, in the present situation, stress is inevitable, where everyone is
experiencing anxiety it is important to maintain calm and have a positive
environment in the house. It’s important to keep anxiety at bay.
To keep anxiety at bay, her entire family baked cakes, watched movies, played
games, and many more. She also made sure to factor in a little bit of exercise
during the day.
She said and I quote, life is very simple. I think it’s we who have been
complicating things in our lives. Though it’s scary, we should take this time
very positively, value humanity, and look out for others. One should take
time out to talk to friends and parents, have a group chat, ask them how they
are managing and share your feelings. This type of peer therapy in some
ways can be very useful. Most importantly make sure to take care of yourself,
boost your immunity, and get enough sleep. It’s a time for everyone to
develop new skills and work together to come out of this stronger.

Lakshita Suda
XII E

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LOCKDOWN: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

In March –mid, I thought I was staring down the end of this academic session
not the beginning of a global pandemic. But it did happen. I tried to keep a
balance between my studies and other activities to keep myself motivated. The
experience of lockdown became more amazing when one of my friends was
celebrating her seventeenth birthday with twenty of her closest friends. And
when the group broke out into “Happy Birthday to you”, she took a slice of the
cake and blew the candles and from miles away we also blew the candles on the
screen. Suddenly, her father briefly popped into her screen to take a picture. The
meeting was taking place over zoom. On the other hand, when this lockdown
was announced for initial twenty one days, I was disconsolate. Because all the
plans of post examinations of moving out with friend for movies, lunch, birthday
parties, all of a sudden came to a halt. Though I found alternatives to these
activities by watching old movies, finding out new recipes every day but what I
noticed is that we often didn’t enjoy the simple things we had. Such as going to
school, going out to meet our relatives. And now I am realizing that we can’t I
am realizing the importance of these little things, the value of less is more. Also
the habit of wanting everything has set to undergo a sea change these days
because I have thought of distinguishing my wants from my needs. It taught me
that if you can’t find forests, just enjoy the trees.
Initially, when Covid-19 was announced as a global pandemic, everyone was
worried about their own existence. But having seen the plight of those across
the globe who run for their life and safety, I started appreciating and respecting
the value of co-existence. Normally, teenagers share a strong bond with their
friends than their parents and now families are confined at home. Talking about
my family, my parents have created an atmosphere of “all in it together” which
makes me feel even more responsible these days. Because I have to help them
with practical things-the household chores and cooking, keeping an eye on
younger siblings, etc. All these days we all have been sitting together watching
Ramayana. And I thought it’s just a matter of one month. But who knew that
Doordarshan would be telecasting all the mythological epic dramas of 80s and
90s one after the other. Now I have realized that what kept me away from
anxiety and boredom was my family and the strongest bond we all share with
each other. Even our school’s Principal and teachers interacted with students
and encouraged all of us to spend this time more productively. It came as an
epiphany to me that nature has pressed the pause button temporarily to help us
rediscover ourselves, our hidden talents and explore all the things which we
procrastinated under the garb of academic load.
So friends, hustle today to enjoy tomorrow, then when tomorrow comes, hustle to
enjoy the next day ad infinitum and be grateful to what we have.

Parul Ladha
XII E

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AN INSPIRING STORY OF A COVID
SURVIVOR

‘MY TRYST WITH COVID-19’

A new and very fatal virus found in China!!
Early morning sitting on my flight back home, I was going through the
newspaper. A sudden chill went through my spine but I shrugged off the
fear that crept into my mind. What if.... and then I went to sleep. Two
hours later, I was at my house, everyone happy to see me after six months
from my Business trip to Dubai. Since I come from a vigilant family, I went
directly to a separate room and kept myself in self-quarantine. After 5
days, I lost the sense of taste and my throat was sore. I immediately rushed
to the hospital and got myself tested. When the report was out, I met my
most dreaded fear. I was diagnosed positive for CORONA. But instead of
panicking, I called my mother and broke the news to her. After a long
silence, I heard the most calming and motivating voice ' Beta.... we're
waiting for you at home, come back soon. These words infused me with
energy and the next good news was that my family was tested negative.
For once I thought life has been unjust with me but eventually I accepted
the fact that this disease can be a comma but not a full stop. I started to
read. Since I’m a businessman, I even started writing business blogs. I
shared my experiences, dos and don’ts with the world. Practiced yoga, ate
healthy and was optimistic.
When my third report came negative and I was sent home.... my happiness
knew no boundaries. To express my gratitude to the almighty, I distributed
food packets to the poor and needy on my birthday. I learnt the value of
giving. I want to tell everyone that our body is a miracle machine. It can
heal if you really want it to.

Mahir Bhandari
XII E

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YOGA : THE IDEAL WAY OF LIVING

“Right here, right now, moment by moment, breath by breath, one thought after the
other, we are weaving intricate patterns in the tapestry of our lives as yoga journeys
are taking form.”

We’re in the midst of a worldwide pandemic with cities and even entire countries
shutting down. It is difficult to feel relaxed and sometimes panic over the
coronavirus pandemic, with the onslaught of updates on news and social media. But
if we pause for just a moment, we can discover ways to live at peace. Yoga offers
another path, a fresh perspective with which to deal with events that are beyond
our control. Many people expect physical benefits from yoga like greater flexibility,
balance and strength. But only a few know that through practice over time, one can
reap much broader benefits. I can endorse the benefits of Yoga because I have
experienced them from a very young age as my mother taught me these techniques
and she used to say, ’Yoga has all the answers.’ Therefore, when everything fails yoga
does miracles.

YOGA- a mind body practice is considered one of the many types of complementary
and integrative health approaches. The first Yoga Sutra “Atha Yoganusasanam”
means that Yoga isn’t past or future, but something right here, right now.

MEDITATION shares a common root with the word medicine and it is therefore
appropriate to consider meditation as medicine or the healing of the mind. We also
know that through meditation, there is a link to improving immunity, with our
immune systems at the focus of attention right now, given the novel coronavirus, a
healthy immune response is vital to fight the infection.

The practice of YOGIC BREATHING OR PRANAYAMA is an essential part of yogic
systems. Techniques that encourage breath manipulation like belly breath helps to
balance the nervous system to overcome fear anxiety etc. whether they relate to
current outbreak or indeed any other challenging situation.

Yoga practice serves as the bedrock for stability, clarity and inner strength. It does
not provide a cure to COVID-19 , but what Yoga does is - provides a system to help
you deal with and move through the crisis through values that are mindful of others
while at the same time, drawing upon our inner strength, breathing in a smart way,
limiting our time online and the way we react to news and events and finally finding
inner peace, we too can fight coronavirus . That is what the power of yoga is all
about. Practice yoga to reap its benefits like I did.

At last I would like to quote that “The body benefits from movement, but the mind
benefits from the stillness.”

Vidhi Moondra
XII E

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