THE COVID
Guwahati
TIMES
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL “There is no traffic jam along the extra mile.� -Roger Staubach Dear Parents and Students We have been walking the extra mile since the day we began the new session. The journey covered in the past two and a half months was on an untrodden path and it has been full of hidden challenges as well as opportunities. The challenge which seemed indomitable when we thought of doing something novel, vanquished once we faced it head on with the huge army of Team RGS. We at RGS have unlearned to learn and remained confined to get more exposure.
ANUBHA GOYAL PRINCIPAL
This e-magazine is one of the milestones we have achieved in this journey of ours, after crossing many hurdles. It is a humble yet very thoughtful presentation of our children, who have poured out their hearts while wielding their pen and brush. The times we are facing now, have been very wrathful and unforgiving. Perhaps there were actions on our part which has made the environment unleash its fury upon us. These are times of retrospection and introspection on our part, so that we do not commit the same mistakes again. Let us all strive for a world where we all co exist together, without harbouring the greed to get more at the expense of our earthmates. I hope and pray that the day is not far when we will once again be able to live our lives to the fullest, sans the scare of the virus. Have an insightful reading
I SEE IT, I GET IT, I CAN DO IT
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n the presence of troubles, some buy excuses, others grow wings.” We may face problems but these are to test us to do our best. The difficulty is that some stop trying in these challenging times but at Royal Global School every hurdle is a secret opportunity and this e-magazine is a perfect example of the unflinching effort and innovative ideas of our management. Our farsighted Principal Ma’am realised that technology is omnipresent and is the single most important instrument for human progress. Teachers at Royal Global School are trying their best to integrate technological processes and make life easier for both students and parents. I am filled with a sense of awe and respect for the fabulous teachers who have left no stone unturned to equip us with competence to confront changes without compromising on our core values - Respect, Kindness and Gratitude.
AYUSHMAN CHOUDHURY GRADE XII B
RGS is a place where we students are encouraged to say- “I see it, I get it, I can do it” This magazine emanates new prospects and fresh promises. It is a medium for those to express their extraordinary potential that may not be outspoken but possess a talent completely different from the rest. My dear friends be aware of yourself, your thoughts, and values. Try to introspect things around you. “Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing”. Read that again. Don’t over think about the past but do retrospect. Follow the journey of your thoughts. None of us is born with perfection. We attain perfection as we grow consciously. We learn and grow each moment. Learning and growing should never stop for us. Stay Strong. Things will get better. It may be stormy right now, but it can never rain forever.
MY LOCKDOWN DIARY
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t is lockdown and we are at home.
I learnt new words during the Lockdown like CORONA, COVID-19, Social distancing and I don’t like any of them, because my little sister and I cannot go out to play in the park, no family outings on Saturdays, the school bus does not come anymore, and we miss our school, teachers and friends. It is lockdown and we are together. I am so happy that I got more time with my father, asked him all the questions and play with him. Mother tells us stories and cooks healthy and tasty food to make our immunity strong. It is lockdown and we are learning new things. My parents say COVID-19 is a
very infectious virus and we must practice social distancing, wash hands frequently for 20 seconds, use sanitizers and stay home for our own safety. They told, we must wear masks while going out, but what is the point, we are not even allowed to go out, except for one hour to the terrace in the evening, which we enjoy! It is lockdown and our online classes have started. Our online classes have started and it is so nice to talk to our teachers, friends and wish them Good Morning! I am learning to type, copy, paste in the computer, join Zoom Meeting, do Mind Spark and Google Classroom. I enjoy the Sports and Activity classes very much!
It is lockdown and we are always busy now. We are always busy now with homework, activities, assignments, Mindspark, and not getting enough time for my Barbies and TV !. Now I know, why I must finish all my school work on time. It is lockdown and I understand many things now. My mother always tells me not to interrupt when somebody is speaking and I get upset and wonder why she does not want me to speak. But now, I understand how our teachers must be feeling during online classes when all of us start interrupting by yelling “Ma’am! Ma’am! Ma’am!” Now, I will always wait for my turn. It is lockdown and I am sad. When I think of all the stray dogs and animals, I feel sad! They cannot talk and must be very hungry. My mother says, do not be sad, God will always
send somebody to help them, like we are feeding the dog in our apartment. I am so thankful to God! It is lockdown and everything happens for a good reason. My father says, it is Nature’s way of healing Mother Earth from all the pollution and gives us a better world to grow up in. He says; the year 2020 will become History and we all will be a part of it. It is lockdown and it is OK to be afraid. My father says COVID-19 is here to stay and everyone is scared but says, “It is OK to be ‘Afraid’, we just have to be ‘Brave’ and overcome our fears and never give up.” It is the new normal now, and we must learn to live with it like in the past with other pandemic diseases. It is lockdown, Stay Home, Stay Safe!
AANYA TOURANGBAM GRADE IV A
PRISHA, GRADE IV B
A TIME LIKE THIS
A
time like this…. When everyone is tormented!
No one saw it coming, No one imagined! A pandemic like this. Which made everyone wonder! Oh! the crown. A sickness! Destroying our body. Called the Corona. At times like this, It makes us wonder… “Is it really worth?” Although it may seem… As if it has no upsides, But downsides there are many.
SHAUN DAS, GRADE VII
But this has caused the world, To restore itself. With beauty and splendor. This has caused the families, To get- together And have some quality time! A time like this, We remember our Creator.
LOECHIN PHANGCHO GRADE VI A
DHRUV AGARWAL, GRADE XI C
"THE FORLORN TOWER" DHRISNI BORA, GRADE XII B
SUNSET IN A CUP
B
ring me the sunset in a cup Also bring the breeze with it And the silence of the beach Then just mix them up Bring me the sunset in a cup I want to see it in my room Arrange the colours..fill in some love Just do a beautiful set up Bring me a sunset in a cup I don’t want the stars and the moon Neither I wish for a fairytale life Just be with me when I’m messed up.. Bring me the sunset in a cup..
KIRTI JAIN GRADE XII
MY TIME MANAGEMENT DURING LOCKDOWN
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uring the first few weeks of the lockdown that started on 24th of March, 2020,it was indeed a very tough time for most of us. People were stuck in their homes, everyone was worried about their financial situations, schools were closed and hunger and poverty was on the rise and there was a lot of misery arond. It was a very boring time for me too like many others. I was stuck at home for weeks.But things gradually began to change. I realized that the lockdown would be one of my most memorable experiences in life. I began to do regular exercise, started spending more time with my parents and things which I was not able to do before the lockdown due to my hectic schedule. I got a lot of time to relax and watch interesting TV series like Ramayana and Mahabharata with my parents .Then from 27th of April my online classes started which is a great experience for me and a first time experience for me including all the students of RGS. The classes are very fun and also comfortable. I got a chance to make lots of new friends from RGS online.
GAUTAM BARUAH GRADE XI C
Overall, this lockdown was great for me as I got a golden opportunity to discover myself and my family and I was able to spend more time on my health and relaxation .The friendly teachers and students of RGS made this lockdown even more fun for me and I am very excited to go to my new school and meet all of them. No matter what the situation is, we should always use time wisely. This holds true for the famous quote “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. “ -Leo Tolstoy
VAIBHAV DAGA, GRADE V B
A CAGED BIRD
“O
ne sneeze and you end up in the hospital, fighting for your life. At least I, of all people, have not heard anything so dangerous that could force the leaders throughout the world to lock themselves, and us, up in our houses. COVID-19, this unseen stranger, who with one touch, starts paving our way to the unknown, has made this possible. Everyday you get news of deaths in every corner of the world. Hospitals are flooded, roads are empty, the economy is on a rollercoaster that only goes down and children now, like me, don’t have the liberty to go down and play. The badminton court below my apartment is waiting to feel a pair of feet on them. My heart is anxious to go down, but my brain knows what’s right and weird that I am admitting this, but it is what it is- dangerous. From when did going outdoor and playing games be more dangerous than sitting in front of your screen? Answer- since corona virus thought of experimenting with a planet full of weird creatures called homo sapiens or simply putting human beings. Those humans who demanded a six month holiday twice a year are dying to see school once. These humans who wanted Netflix and chill through out the year are craving one small walk with their friends. These humans who loved to stick to their beds and homes, are now tempted to go play outdoor games. These weird creatures, humans.
As my mom says, “always look at the brighter side of things”. Well, here’s how I look at it. We, as kids of Mother Nature, had one duty to fulfill, which was paying a fraction of the love and care she gave to us, back. Rather we kept on exploiting it, selfishly and cruelly. She gave us many chances but we just made her condition worse. Corona virus (I am specifically saying that I don’t mean it is an agent of nature or anything) finally made us, though forcefully, pay her back. It had been years since I last saw glistening stars above my head. Years, since I no longer saw animals as a threat, but captives of an invisible prison that we had built. I feel like a caged bird now, during this lockdown, but now I realise what an actual caged bird has to go through everyday. Though people are dying, but Earth is repairing, and this is what we call the cycle of karma- what you give, you get back.
SRIDHARI DEORAH GRADE IX B
DIGITAL CLASSES
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chools were swapped for us and our buddies, Bedrooms and lounge are now a study. Empty classes in empty places, Missing my teachers’ familiar faces. No friendly talks which make me feel better, Just the echoes of all who constantly chatter. Earlier we thought ‘our friends are insane’, But to stay away from them is such a pain. E-learning allows us to carry on our education And also makes us better in technology execution. Two or more is now considered a crowd But online chatting and studying is still allowed. When the lockdown and pandemic, Both are over , we will celebrate. The feet will once more dance through our gate.
DEVANGI JALAN GRADE VII A
RGS ONLINE CLASS
LIFE WITH COVID-19
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ife was going smooth And then out of the blue Came a nano-size monster They called it the Novel- Corona-Virus from far-away Wuhan Which turned everyones’ world upside down. Without any warning it devoured any living thing That dared to cross its path . Infections & death counts increased by leaps n bounds. No place is too far , no climate too harsh No wonder it has touched almost every country The pandemic has struck , they call it the COVID-19 Social distancing , face mask , sanitizer & quarantine This is life with Covid-19. Keep your surroundings clean, Wash your hands frequently and maintain hygiene. This is life with Covid-19. Staying indoors, practicing social distancing Bake nights with mom and games with siblings, Online classes and zoom meetings. This is life with Covid-19 From hundreds to thousands, The death counts keep increasing. Overwhelmed hospitals and health workers Neighborhoods turned into centers of quarantine This is life with Covid-19
MAHFOOZAH BARBHUIYA GRADE VIII C
ODE TO CORONA
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orona, Corona, please fly away I want to go out and play It was fun when you weren’t there you scare me like a huge big bear. On the brighter note Even though we can’t boat I’ll give you some credit As you have some merit. Mother Earth is at peace As the humans are not creating any crease. It is wonderful to watch Earth heal and the animals coming to the streets. The learnings I’ve had have been different But I’m adapting beautifully to the apparent. It looks like you are here to stay So, just know that we are trying to deal with you better everyday!
DIYA SARAWGI GRADE IV B
WHEN EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE
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hen everything will be fine, We will do this every time as we are doing it now. Exchanging recipes of the favourite cake and playing our favourite games, Those video calls with our friends, and those lovely chit-chats We will do this every time as we are doing it now. Making beautiful bird’s nest in our garden trees, Waiting to catch a glimpse of them, sitting on it and feeding them with grains and seeds. We will do this every time as we are doing it now. Sitting with our parents and grandparents, going through their wedding albums, Seeing them getting nostalgic with their eyes moist. When everything will be fine, We will do this every time as we are doing it now. Staying up late nights and wishing our dear ones on their special day with a special song. Doodling with my brush and having pillow fights with my sister without looking at the time. We will do this every time as we are doing it now. Making dream catchers with hues of pink, white and blue And adding on dreams to the different line of hues When everything will be fine, We will do it every time as we are doing it now.
NAVYAA OJA GRADE VII C
PRISHA BHATI, GRADE IV B
AFS INTERCULTURAL PROGRAM
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t this time, when we all our at our homes practically doing nothing, Royal Global School has taken a step forward by providing us an opportunity to participate in an intercultural program organized by AFS INDIA. AFS Intercultural Programs is a nonprofit, international youth exchange organization. Three schoolsMaa Anandmayee School, Dehradun, Mayo Girls College, Ajmer and we, Royal Global School, all from different parts of the nation were part of this cultural exchange program. The Royal Global School was represented by three members, Gazala Fida Sabbir of grade X, Ranitya Raj Sarmah of grade IX and myself, Swayam Agarwal also from grade IX. We showcased Assam and its unknown side to the people which they really enjoyed. This was a great experience for us where we were able to explore the rich culture and diversity of India just by sitting at our homes. Since we all are stuck in our homes during this lockdown period, we came up with whatever resources we had to present the treasures of Assam which included the land of the Ahoms- Sibsagar, the Majuli Island and the mighty Brahmaputra, the history of the Vaishnavite culture in Assam, the holy pilgrimage site of Hojai and also the Ambubachi Mela, an annual festival held at the Kamakhya Temple. The meeting was held through Zoom app which was moderated by Dr. Sandeep Khanna, principal MIT Pune’s Vishwashanti Gurukul School. Each
school presented a 15 minutes long presentation followed by a questionanswer round among the participants and the dignitaries present. It was a great learning experience for all the three of us as we got the opportunity to learn about the diversity of our country and how still plenty of it is unknown to most of us. We even bettered our presentation skills through this program. Apart from letting people know about the cultural beauty and diversity of Assam, we ourselves learned a lot of new things about it. We worked hard and innovatively under the guidance of our mentor, Jayeeta ma’am who was the backbone of our presentation. We had spent hours together working for the presentation and we are thankful to her for providing us the required guidance to have a successful virtual tour. We would also like to thank our principal, Anubha ma’am and the RGS management for providing us with this platform. We all had a delightful and enriching experience this event.
SWAYAM AGARWAL GRADE IX C
NIKITA BORAH, GRADE IV B
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NON-ECONOMIC TIMES
ho would have thought that the world would come to such a stage where everything will be ‘Locked Down’. COVID-19 has left every human being’s life in utmost turmoil. Not a single soul is aware of what they are going to do further. Who would have thought that even the Gods will be locked in their places of worship. On 25th March, 2020, the first lockdown was announced in India by the Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi. This prevailing pandemic has brought an entire nation to a standstill. There are various economic crises affecting the country currently. Street vendors, laborers, and small businesses that do not have savings, are affected in great magnitudes because of this lock down. Companies are either cutting down the salaries of the employees and associates or are laying off their workforce due to this economic crisis. The rate of unemployment in the
country has been at an all time high during the pandemic. If you see the migrant laborers, you will see with your own eyes what hunger is, what hunger can do, what hunger can reduce you to and how hunger can change you into someone or something unrecognizable. The Prime Minister has urged the people to become vocal about the local, meaning to promote the local businesses and stop the promotion of international brands. We must move forward with positivity, without overthinking about what we are going through, instead we should find out ways to successfully fight against this situation. 10 years hence, I would like to see India as a developed nation with even brighter and stronger economy. As it is rightly said “Tough times don’t last, Tough people do”.
KASHVI SUREKA GRADE VIII A
THE UNWANTED INTRUDERLOCKDOWN
“P
rince get up, it’s 6 already, or you will be late” That was a regularly irregular quick alarm clock for me. Yes you guessed it right, that boy Prince, is Puranjay, and that alarm was none other than my mother, waking me up and in turn waking up my sister as well. I really dislike Monday, but once I am awake everything seems to be great. After getting ready, our father used to be drop us at the bus stop and bus no 11 used to pick us up. But then, one fine morning in February everything changed. No! not that I don’t wake up early but the statement - ”or you will be late for school ”was missing in my mother’s wake up call. When I asked her the reason, she took my hand in her warm hands and looked straight into my eyes and said, - “We have an unwanted intruder in our life. Her grip tightened a little more and she said, the Intruder ithe COVID 19 pandemic caused by Corona Virus and hence the the entire country
has been put under lockdown. I was a little terrified but then she smiled at me and told me not to worry! We can fight back. Just follow my instructions and then repeat ” ”Corona! Corona! go away Corona we will fight you back, by washing you back We will throw you back, by staying back ” So we can fight back I asked her again to reassure myself. Her smile widened Yes,we can. Those initial days were fun. There was no hurry, no rushing and pushing to get ready. All I had was lots and lots of time without anything to worry about. I did utilise my undefined time playing all day, running from one corner of the house to another. Little funny fights with my little sister and then patching up with her by painting in our drawings books and laughing together watching Cartoons.
After few days had passed, I took out my newly received stock of books Secret Seven by Enid Blyton . For the next few days I was a detective who was ready to solve the the unsolved mysteries. Reading can take you to mysterious places, through nail biting adventures, and also can make you whatever you wish to be . I thoroughly enjoyed those days. While reading I used to tell the stories to my grandparents as well. I finished reading the whole bunch and it was then time for me to do something new. I straightaway went to my mother and questioned her -what’s next? I could see , she had a mysterious smile and then she told me - “Now it’s your turn to help“. We did dusting and arranged books together and watered our plants. It was so
much fun. She taught me how to make Cucumber salad and Maggie. But when you get unlimited freedom you tend to feel bored. I was bored too . I was missing my school, my teachers, my friends, the big school playground, our Music Room and the classes as well. But somehow our online classes saved me . With new classes we were introduced to a whole new way of learning, exploring and expressing. Now I can profoundly say , intruders at time can be good too. This unwanted Intruder Lockdown has taught me a lesson as to how simple things can bring happiness and we can be bound together by doing simple things. Learning new things can be fun too. Hope you had fun reading my Lockdown story as I loved writing this for you all.
PURANJAY CHAKRABORTY GRADE IV B
VEDIKA PATNI, GRADE VI A
YASHASWI JAIN, GRADE V A
CORONA GO BACK
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e can’t go to School, Nor to the swimming pool. The weather is cool, The lone one on the street is the biggest fool. The virus can bring harm, One can lose his whole charm, Cause this virus doesn’t come with a loud alarm. If you have to go out, think twice. Wear your mask and be wise After coming home, sanitise And wash your hands thrice. COVID-19 is the name, It’s playing the hide and seek game, By following the rules, we can ensure an endgame.
YUG BUCHA GRADE II
THE LOCKDOWN
Y
ou have heard about it on the news, in articles, newspapers and even from people. No I am not talking about the never ending fight of Indian politics. I am describing Mrs Rona. (For the unaware it’s the Corona Virus). We all know what a toll it has taken in our day to day lives. Now every time I go to the store and cough even if it is to clear my throat, everyone would give me a paranoid stare as if I were the devil in disguise. But instead of talking about the same death numbers and affected people and the daily panic I will tell you how the COVID19 is not that bad. People are becoming much closer to family. Personally I wasn’t very close to my cousin but now her being the only person who would participate in silly gimmicks with me. I have started taking out more time for recreational
PAVIKA BATRA GRADE VIII A
time and have taken better care of my mental health. My stress is currently going through an anti worrying detox. Besides the fact that I said the Corona Virus isn’t “that bad” it doesn’t mean it isn’t great either. There are millions of migrant workers who are on the road travelling long distances on foot with no proper nutrition and hydration and no protective medical gear. You might just be doing a home workout video while panting for breath every two seconds while some poor family is walking barefoot on dirt roads in scorching heat. While you refuse to eat your mother’s daal some child would do anything to get a sip of the same daal. All I am trying to express is before you say the sentence “lockdown is so annoying” think about the people going through worse.
O
MY LOCKDOWN EXPERIENCE
h! My Lockdown was wonderful… Wonderful and beautiful… Peaceful and serene… And yes full of great new experience… I don’t know about others, But mine was wonderful than others. I didn’t know how to cook or bake, But this lockdown taught me how to make. I heard the birds chirping in the morning, And learnt new keyboard notes in the evening. I thought craft was not my cup of tea, But then tried and could make lots of origami. I learnt a new form of art interesting, That is commonly called as doodling. I would cherish the memories moreover, All the love and cuddles with my parents forever.
MISHKA AGARWAL GRADE V C
CHARVI AGARWAL, GRADE I C
SCHOOL COMES TO OUR HOME
FREYA KALITA, GRADE II B
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ducation is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world. But did we stop ourselves because of this pandemic? No!! Not at all. Our school administration has brought school to our homes! Studies and even Assessments are happening online. The most impressive part of online classes is that our teachers are showing us Images and Videos to make our understanding fun and enjoyable. My favorite activity MINDSPARK makes our Mathematics and English more interesting. Games
SIA SOTHALIA GRADE IV B
and Worksheets are also a part of Mindspark. Assembly period with our Principal ma’am and our Class Teacher encourages our mind and we get to learn many new things from our friends. Quiz time makes the assembly more innovative. Gradually we have learnt a new concept of Google Classroom in which we can do our assignments easily. Finally I would like to extend my gratitude to Royal Global school for introducing us to such a platform so that our education did not come to a full stop.
THE LOCKDOWN PANDEMIC
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‘lockdown’ is an emergency protocol by the government that prevents people from leaving a given area. Today, the whole world is in the grip of a deadly virus: the Corona Virus (COVID-19). Although the mortality rate of the disease is very less, it is highly contagious. To slow down it’s spread, most of the nations are in a lockdown state. Apart from the health crisis, the lockdown has led to a full-blown economic recession. This will mean job losses and a huge increase in unemployment. The most horrific impact of the lockdown has been a rise in domestic violence in all parts of the world. However, the most affected were the migrant workers and the daily wage workers who were short of their basic essentials like food, milk etc. Amidst all the odds, this lockdown is an eye-opener for many. It made us realize our priorities. We have got a lot of time to spend with our families and our dear ones. It is a boon for our mother nature. It is healing itself. There is a tremendous drop in pollution and we can see the positive changes around us. The air around us has become clearer; the water bodies are refilled with clean water which has resulted in an improved condition of marine life. A variety of animals could be seen on the streets. Dolphins could be seen
again in many rivers across India as well as different parts of the world. Many species of migratory birds which had stopped migrating were spotted. The lockdown gave us the time to think about the harm we were intentionally or unintentionally causing to our planet. This situation also gave us an amazing opportunity to enhance our creativity, experiment with our talents, improve our reading and writing skills, draw, play games and the list goes on. It is evident that the Corona Virus is not going away in a hurry, and we will have to learn to live with it, take every precaution, but not be paranoid. STAY HOME, STAY SAFE
PRIYASHI GRADE VIII B
ZEPHRINE KHAITAN KHARPURI GRADE I A
THE LOCKDOWN PERIOD
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he lockdown was imposed in our nation on 24th March, 2020 to break the chain of COVID-19 which is a very deadly virus which came out of China in 2019 around October. Everyone’s life got affected by this pandemic. As students, we cannot stop learning. Our teachers and the school administration conducted many meetings and thought of a creative idea to keep learning during this pandemic. We got introduced to “Virtual Classrooms” which was a new concept for us. We were worried whether this would be successful or not. As time passed, we got adjusted to this new form of learning and also enjoyed it. Our teachers worked hard and made Power Point Presentations and notes on the lesson to make us understand the chapters well. We were also introduced to ‘Mindspark” which helped us understand the chapters well and also cleared our doubts. Certainly there are a list of advantages due to the lockdownsuch as a reduction in traffic jams and pollution.This is leading to the purification of the air we breathe in. As the factories and industries were closed, no garbage or waste is being released into the
SHLOK AGARWAL GRADE VIII B
AKSHAT CHANDAK GRADE VI A water bodies. The River Ganga (Ganges) which got so polluted due to tourism and the factories, is now much cleaner than before. The Government spend thirty thousand crore rupees to clean the river but today it has cleaned up naturally without any expenditure. Our Mother Earth has got a Golden period to heal itself. The animals are roaming on the road without any disturbance. The birds are flying in the sky freely. We can hear the wind blow and the chirping of birds rather than horns of the vehicles. The magic and the beauty of nature can be seen clearly during the lockdown.
HEART FELT DESIRE As I live today I would rather see a smile, A heart to feel and see, The yearning of my heart, To hold you close to me. Than a tear at my pyre, When I’m long gone, To my abode of destiny. I would rather have a hand, To lead me through my journey, And a shoulder to rest on today, Than a shoulder to carry My body through the woods, To my eternal destination. I would rather feel the warmth, Of dear ones close to me, Friendship today, Than praises galore, When life ceases to be. I would rather have the love today, Than all the rich laurels, After I have sailed away, Through the turbulent Journey of life, Far far away. I would rather have you beside me, Today when I’m here to see, Than when my soul has flown away, To a distant land, To set my soul free. Give me all You desire today, And bring a smile on my face, For this is what I long for today, And not when I cease to be.
KIRTI JAIN GRADE XII
LAKSHYAJIT DAS, GRADE IV C
THEN AND NOW
I
feel as if I am caged- as I look outside, I see raindrops falling as lightnings strike.
Unlike earlier, now I noticeThe birds’ panic in despair. But I’m not annoyed by their loud flaps, Or their piercing chirps as they come aware. Aggressive weather tend to make me sleepy, But the forlorn, forgotten nature Keeps me awake yet cosy. I sure miss all the fun outside these four walls, But if for our greater good, I’d rather play in our halls. And what shines above the rest Is the time spent with my family, And all these sweet moments, Are indeed very lovely. This lockdown was quite bitter at first. But as time passed, I’ve learned to adjust.
AISHANI BORAH GRADE VI C
LOCKDOWN: A WORKER‘S PLIGHT
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he isn’t moving. Why? Why isn’t ma responding to my cries? This is probably what went through the mind of the terrified little baby boy as he tugged and tugged at the sheet covering his mother. She didn’t look up and gently pat her baby’s head one last time. She didn’t smile. She just lied there. Fallen, cold, dead. Wednesday, 27th May, 2020. A viral video clip shared on social media shook the nation. A toddler was trying to wake up his dead mother on the platform of a railway station in Bihar. The mother was a migrant labourer who like many others had lost her job due to the nationwide lockdown and was struggling to reach home. Her apparent cause of death was heat, hunger and dehydration. Similar to this case, thousands of migrant labourers have become a casualty of the lockdown. This raises the question Why are migrant labourers so neglected in this country?. If we delve deeper into this topic, we realize that this is not a new problem. Since decades, migrants have not been treated equally in this country .They don’t get any other job opportunities so they are forced to earn their living by being labourers, construction workers, etc. Ever since Prime Minister Modi declared nationwide lockdown from the 24th of March due to the Novel Coronavirus, their only source of livelihood has come to a standstill .They have been forced to leave their jobs and are struggling to reach their home towns. Worse, many of them have been forced to walk back home, because of the shutdown of vehicles. Imagine walking hundreds of miles, without food or money, in this scorching heat.
I don’t think we will ever be able to even imagine such a plight . These labourers are the very backbone of our economy. If not for them our economy would have crashed years ago. I think as citizens of the nation, it is our duty to see that these migrant workers are not neglected and abandoned in their time of need. We can donate to funds helping these workers .We can also write petitions urging the government to provide more resources to these people. Being an Indian, it breaks my heart to see my own people in such conditions. We should try and help those who need them to the best of our abilities. In a time of crisis, we must stand together. We shall not let our own people down. Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.
GAZALA FIDA SABBIR GRADE X
LOCKDOWN: A MAKEOVER FOR ‘MOTHER NATURE’
C
lean Venice canals, dolphins in the Kolkata Ghats, and white swans in Milan; these impossible thoughts became a reality during the lockdown due to COVID-19. During the lockdown factories are shut, public transport is closed, no cars and vehicles are allowed on roads, offices, gyms, restaurants, schools, colleges, and businesses are closed. Frankly, we humans aren’t disrupting Mother Earth anymore. Before, roads were noisy with horns blaring all the time, the sky was colored grey with smoke from factories, the land and water was filled with plastic and pollutants, and it was as though wildlife was neglible or wherever it was, it was
stuggling to survive. Throughout the lockdown, horns are replaced with melodious chirps from birds flying all over, air pollution is decreasing, the rivers are clearer, and animals are finally returning to their habitats. Countless birds living in the city have made many windowsills, balconies, and window-plants their temporary apartments. The blue sky is clear and we can see the beautiful sun, moon and clouds. Rivers are cleaning themselves up quickly, in the absence of factory pollutants. Various birds and animals are returning to their rightful places and nature is recovering exponentially. Mother Earth is finally healing, all thanks to the lockdown.
PRATHAM B SARMA GRADE VIII A
MAYURESH, GRADE IV C
KASHVI BANSAL, GRADE VI C
GAYETRI GROVER, GRADE X
NISHITA AGARWAL , GRADE X
HARSHIV GUPTA , GRADE II A
SNIGDHA DAS, GRADE I A
NOVYANNA BORDOLOI, GRADE I C
AYUSHI SINGHAL GRADE V B
GAYETRI GROVER GRADE X
YUKTI JAIN GRADE IV B