100 VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 02 DECEMBER 2016
Smogging us Out Save us From This Future
Lig With hting Pas Kshi sions rja R aje
How to Detect Morphed Images? with Amit Dubey
ob ff withb!R u t S D . M.A Meeting Ro Study Guide Insider’s Guide to Admissions
contributors
S C H O O L
AMIT DUBEY Crime Investigator and expert on ethical hacking.
HARUN ROBERT, A.K.A, ROB An arts & crafts wizard, and an award-winning designer.
LIVE Board Of Directors Richa Aniruddha Sanjay Dua Hariharan Balagopal EDITOR Mansi Tikoo mansitikoo@gmail.com
KAVITA DEVGAN
Nutritionist, weight management specialist and health writer
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tanima Kedar BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Stockbay Partners DESIGNER Ashish Kumar FOR ADVERTISING richa@school-live.com FOR SUBSCRIPTION editor@school-live.com
C o n ta c t Kritika Negi 9810560472
URVASHI MALIK
Founder & Managing Director of CollegeCore with over fifteen years of experience in guiding and aiding students.
School LIVE : Printed and Published by Richa Aniruddha Printed at Rolleract Press Services A-83, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase 1 New Delhi - 110028 Owned by FUTURE READY EDUCATION SERVICES PVT LTD. EDITED BY RICHA ANIRUDDHA
Connect with us at: Twitter: @schoolLIVE_mag Facebook: School LIVE
100 VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 02 DECEMBER 2016
Smogging us Out
Lig With hting Passi Kshir ons ja Ra je How to Detect Morphed Images? with Amit Dubey
Rob Stuff with Rob! M.A.D Meeting Study Guide Insider’s Guide to Admissions
Save us From This Future
Picture Courtesy : Sutapa Pal
SCHOOL LIVE
Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 3
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S C H O O L
LIVE
Hi!
Delhi’s air pollution has crossed all danger levels it seems. And I haven’t met a person who hasn’t been affected by it. Bad throats, allergies, cold, coughs and what not…. I am no exception. I suffered through it last week and to add to the pain….I had the shooting for my TV show lined up on the weekend. And this is when I learnt my lesson in “will power”. So I thought I’d share it with you. I was unwell. Fever, chills, bad cough, sore throat..I could barely speak. But I had no choice of postponing the shoot. It HAD to be done. I did everything possible. Medications, home remedies, and what not. But nothing seemed to work. On the day of the shoot, I got up and thought about the guests I was going to interview. And guess who they were—- the Indian medalists of Rio Paralympics, 2016. And I suddenly felt so guilt-ridden for feeling ill, weak and for that desire to postpone the shoot. Deepa Malik, silver medalist in Shot Put, is a paraplegic. Varun Singh Bhati, the medalist in High Jump, has Polio. Devendra Jhajharia, the medalist in Javelin, lost his left arm as a child. One thought of each of them, braving all odds in life to achieve the impossible, made me get up and get ready for the 3 day marathon shoot. And I did it! Honestly guys, illness, weakness, is all a state of mind and not of the body. When not feeling am not saying, don’t rest or don’t take medicines. Of course, you must do all of that. BUT don’t Wishing you a life of wellness.
Lovingly yours
Richa Aniruddha tweet to me @richaanirudh
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 5
Which Indian leader was affectionately called ‘Netaji’? a) Subhas Chandra Bose b) Bhagat Singh c) Jawaharlal Nehru d) Sardar Patel Who is the author of the famous fairy tale The Little Mermaid? a) Lewis Carroll b) Charles Dickens c) Hans Christian Andersen d) Oscar Wilde What colour does the Earth look from outer space? a) Blue b) Green c) White d) Red Rcuhhc (Church) Hans Christian Andersen Tomatoes Blue Camel
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6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
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Thomas Cup and Uber Cup are tournaments in which sport? a) Cricket b) Polo c) Golf d) Badminton Which of these options, when unscrambled, would give you the name of a place of worship? a) Emlted b) Rcuhhc (Church) c) Qmuaso d) Negard In Spain people celebrate the La Tomatina festival by throwing what at each other? a) Onions b) Apples c) Grapes d) Tomatoes Which animal is called the ‘ship of the desert’? a) Baboon b) Wild ass c) Horse d) Camel
Answers
Which mountains are mentioned in our national anthem? a) Nilgiri and Aravalli b) Vindhya and Himalaya c) Satpura and Sahyadri d) Anaimudi and Shivalik
What do you call a piece of land surrounded by water on all sides? a) Valley b) Island c) Mountain d) Forest
Gorillas Island Vindhya And Himalaya Badminton Subhas Chandra Bose
2 4 6 8 10
Which animal builds a new nest with leaves and branches every night? a) Turtles b) Squirrels c) Termites d) Gorillas
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1 3 5 7 9
Know for Sure Quiz
contents
S C H O O L
LIVE 5 6 8
Editor’s Note Encyclopædia Britannica School in Spotlight
12
Exclusive: Finding the Green in Smog Worthy Opponent Fit for Life: Eat Right for Winters Positively Positive Meet Up! Perspective: A Day in 2036 CyberSafe Slam Poetry Fun-Side: Crosswords, Cartoons! Teen Travels Study Guide Storytelling Views-on-the-News: Demonetization! Blog Rap Up Parenting Watch this Space
17 18 20 23 26 28 33 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 49 50
COVER
Juniors
O
Quick Edit
h! What a month was it! One could safely assume, it was indeed one of the most newsworthy month of the year. Rather than going into the obvious details of it, we would hope you take time to read the creative pieces the students have come up around these different topics: from demonetization to pollution. From Kuhu Nagpal’s poem to Swaraj Jaiswal doing some amazing art around the topic. We have often been in denial of the rapidly changing weather, and the affect it will have for the posterity, Lalit Sharma paints for us a picture of this not-so-distant future. To relieve the stress from all the serious business, we also have Tanishka Sharma talking about her favorite stress reliever! In this edition, some of our reporters had an opportunity to meet Harun Robert, a.k.a, Rob and they documented their experience for you. When a lot seems to be happening simultaneously around us, sometimes it becomes essential to keep guides you through the process.
“Happy Reading!” Mansi Tikoo
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54 DIY: Superhero Frame 56 Junior Blog 57 Junior Slam
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 7
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East-Wise
School Live Team had a wonderful opportunity to interact with the principal of Seth Anandram Jaipuria School Ghaziabad, Ms. Manju Rana.
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hat was the idea behind the foundation of the school? The House of Jaipuria has a legacy traversing nearly 10 decades. It has acquired a place and stature of its own in
markable story of its successes and in turn for me as well. The growth and progress of the school from a modest beginning to a colossal name among ny to the hard work, excellence and untiring efforts of the Jaipurians. As as one of the most respected and com- of Mr. Shishir Jaipuria, and a name to the founder member of the Jaipuria mitted business groups of the country. reckon with in the Indian industrial educational fraternity, I joined as the Seth Anandram Jaipuria Educational and educational domains. Vice Principal of the school in 2004 Society was conceived and founded by Twelve years on, how has the and today as the Principal cum DirecLate Seth Anandram Jaipuria in the journey been for the school and tor, this sojourn has been quite chalearly forties to ignite the light of knowl- for you as the principal? lenging. The accomplishments over edge among the youth. Since then the The school has propelled towards the years have been the culmination of Group through its conscientious ef- greater zeniths and the journey in insightful endeavors and initiatives for forts has been promoting educational the past twelve years has been a re- the multifold expansion of the school. Today, proudly Jaipuria has made its mark at the National Level and placed tionally, it is ranked 88th among the top co-educational day schools in Ghaziabad by the annual All India survey of Education World school rankings and is acclaimed for its academic repute and co-curricular education. Kindly talk us through some of the achievements of the school. Academic achievement formulates the backbone of any school’s success and the students of Jaipuria have been giving consistent results each year. Also a large number of students are accepted into reputed colleges in India and abroad. Furthermore, in the relentless quest to endow
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excellence coupled with a rare blend of tradition and modernity. Seth Anandram Jaipuria Schools in Kanpur, Ghaziabad and Lucknow, were founded by Late Dr. Raja Ram Jaipuria, a doyen of textile industry. Today, the schools
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tion towards Students Leadership Initiatives in Values, Life Skills & Health Promotion in School by Expression India. The Science Olympiad Foundation awarded ‘The Best Principal’s Award’ for both National and International category for the year 2015-16 and the students have made their mark at state and national level examinations. The school is also the proud recipiInitiative Award by Digital Learning at the 7th World Education Summit – 2016. At the world forum, Jaipurians have proved their mettle as students secured six medals at the World a Global Education, the school has been accredited with the Internation2016-2019 and is also the recipient of numerous awards in the category of Innovation and Technology, Outreach Programmes and Environmental Initiatives. commendable work for Human Rights and Social Equality. arduous promotion of eco-friendly measures has fostered into achieving the Green School Award by Saviour’s Olympiad Foundation for third successive year and Pary-
At Jaipuria, we attempt to enhance vocational training through work education classes every week and another initiative is the school enterprise ‘Katran’, whereby students are taught varied art and crafts and then the club organizes an exhibition to showcase and sell the end ready products
curricula and the lithe Jaipurians have achieved numerous accolades at State, National and International levels wherein they have demonstrated their acumen in skating, football, volleyball, taekwondo, badminton etc. Another aspect in the school takes utmost pride is the extraordinary contribution to social causes and consciousness that is inculcated through India etc. and has internationalized its curriculum with educational partners -
avaran Mitra Puraskar by Union Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India consecutively for two years. Emphasis on personality development, careful mentoring and chiseling each child, to
How would you describe the philosophy of the school? Education has a higher purpose than just developing knowledge and skills – of enabling children for a purposeful and meaningful living - and that comes with an understanding of the self and Award for Distinguished Participa- the world around.The philosophy of
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after leaving school. Another challenge is vocational training, which should be provided at all levels in the school and should be a part of the curricula. At Jaipuria, we attempt to enhance this through work education classes every week and another initiative is the school enterprise ‘Katran’, whereby students are taught varied art and crafts and then the club organize an exhibition to showcase and sell the end ready products. This initiative is a beginning for training students in entrepreneurship, but many more challenges await for the overall holistic development of students in the modern day. How do you envision the school growing in the coming future? My vision for the school encompasses the school, ‘Empower Enthuse & Excel’ of knowledge ablaze. Propelled by the missionary zeal, the curriculum is designed to offer opportunities for holistic development in the multidimensional world. The school boasts an enriching learning ambiance through a dynamic teaching methodology that is comprehensively supported by audio-
an educator? As a principal and an educator, education as envisaged by me needs to encompass the right blend of academic acumen and creative effervescence. It carries along with it numerous challenges and the prominent among them are skill development and vocational training. We live in an era of rewards, incentives and material motivation. Jaipuria eschews this approach. InPre-primary education ensures com- stead we empower our children to plete enhancement of Multiple Intel- identify their idea of accomplishment ligence of the learners. by bringing excellence in whatever What are some of the challenges they do. I feel that every child before you feel we face today in the edu- leaving the school should acquire at cation sector, as a principal and least two skills that he/she can utilize
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and venture into is to provide inclusive education in the existing system of education. Being a Principal, I often come across children during admission interviews with special needs. The escalating statistics of learners with exceptional and special needs touches a cord in my heart and this propels me to amalgamate special education within the mainstream. To further this cause at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School we have initiated dedicated remedial, vocational and counseling centers. Through these initiatives I wish to lend a helping hand to the young nubile children and in the long run to the society at large.
E x c l u s i v e
Finding the
Green in Smog
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E x c l u s i v e
In 2015, three toddlers filed a petition in the apex court of the country seeking measures to control the pollution in Delhi. The three toddlers, Arjun Gopal and Aarav Bhandari, aged 6 months at the time, and Zoya Rao Bhasin, aged 14 months at the time, did this through their parents, of course. But Supreme Court largely rejected their petition, on religious grounds. We at School LIVE do believe that children are the future, hence instead of giving you another list of already repeated facts, we decided to present to you a programme that could be the change we are looking for.
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hy should Delhi think over As the temperatures drop, dust and Pollution? other pollutants further stay susDelhi, time and again, pended with the trapped air. features itself on the “Most Polluted A lot of experts will give you a lot of solutions for the problem, some of them are short term (cloud seedof course, can only be implemented question is why should it bother us? in the long term. But what becomes And more importantly, why is it so more significant is the knowledge significant that children not be ex- that we are provided today about the posed to such toxic air? issue. Not only as individuals, but A survey conducted in 2015, by mobilising the futures of tomorrow, HEAL Foundation and ‘Breathe Blue’, the students and the schools. found that 40% of the children’s lungs are comprised in the capital city THE GREEN SCHOOL as compared to other metropolis in PROGRAMME - Remember a few years ago, when Enable to unhealthy atmospheric state vironmental studies was introduced as they not only breathe twice as fast as a subject into the school curricuas adults, but their immune systems lum? Remember how we groaned are still at the developing stage. about the addition of yet another set Delhi is prone to such disastrous of textbooks to our already overloadpollution, for once, because of its ge- ed school bags, conveniently neglectography. It is landlocked, where the ing the importance and need of the wind-movement often gets trapped. said inclusion? Well, if one notices,
that has been the trend. Every once in awhile, we hear of some apparent hazard of pollution on our health, we discuss the matter, resolve to make changes in our lives, but then, that’s weeks later, we conveniently forget the entire matter and get back to our old lives, following our habits. Old habits, they say, die hard. So shouldn’t they be nipped in the bud? for Science and Environment, Delhi of making kids aware of the environmental hazards of our lifestyle and arousing their interest in reducing our carbon footprints and making the earth, a better place to live. research and advocacy organisation into, lobbies for and communicates
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E x c l u s i v e
In 2013, Global Burden of Disease Report, stated that Outdoor Air Pollution is the fifth largest killer in India. Programme lies in the fact that the programme concentrates solely on ‘doing’ and treads beyond textbooks and theories. Green School Programme encapsulates in itself, a community of schools, from all over India, who strive to educate and thus, better themselves in their treatment of the natural resources. Thus, each participant of the Green School Programme, undergoes an annual audit where they assess themselves on the basis of the following parameters: the urgency of development that is
bate on the topic or organizing a ‘Best out of Waste’ activity, came up with upon realising that environmental is- the Green School Programme, to lesues are taken into consideration by gitimize the steps taken by various schools only when conducting a de- schools to conserve the environment.
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Air:
Assessment of the effect of the school transport on the quality of air.
E x c l u s i v e
The WHO database of urban-air quality, covering 2,972 cities across 105 countries, shows that Indian cities are among those with the highest levels of PM10 and PM2.5 (particulate matter or tiny particles of diameter 10 micron and less and 2.5 micron and less respectively)
bio diverse areas.
What We Can Still Do!
Focus on Mass Rapid Transport Systems (MRTS). These are specifically designed to carry large numbers of passengers rapidly at one time as, for instance, the Metro. Minimise the use of personal cars, and promote carpooling. To improve air quality, minimize the burning of leaves, grass, paper and plastic waste in and around school. Also ensure proper fuel is used for generators and there is adequate exhaust facility for its emissions.
Energy:
Assesses the energy consumption by the school.
Land:
Mapping of the green areas of the school and identification of the
Water:
tion, catches and recycles water and provides healthier space for its occupants as compared to a conventional building.� The categorization and audit not only enables the schools to examine the consequences of their actions but also allows them to improve their practices with the expert help of
Assessment of the water conservation methods and sanita- School Programme organizes events, tion methods, employed by the workshops, drives and competitions schools. to create awareness among the students and to prompt them to take immediate steps. GSP conducts workAssessment of the amount of shops, each one of which focuses on waste generated by the schools, one particular aspect of the environtheir methods of segregation and ment, namely air, water, soil, waste disposal of the said waste. management and the like. Based upon the result of the said However, workshops and events audit, the schools are, thus, cat- create, what can be termed as drawegorised into the four distinct cat- ing room environment enthusiasts. egories: The workshops, no doubt, raise Green (schools that are 70% eco awareness among students and stir awake the slumbering environment Yellow (Schools that are 50-69.9% conservationist in them, but as soon as the workshops get over, the zeal to Orange (Schools that are 35- conserve the environment begins to fade away, ultimately giving way to Red (Schools that are less than our old habits, which are convenient and require less effort, for who wants Thus a green school, as per the to get up, leave the warmth of their Green School Programme is “a re- vehicles, walk up to the trash can and source-efficient building, one that throw in a water bottle? Or segregate uses little water, optimizes energy their waste before disposing it off? Or
Waste:
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 15
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GSP WINNERS TOP 10 (2015-16) National Rank (based on highest points – merit based): The top TEN green schools in India
Winners
1.
First
Father Agnel School , Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
2.
Second
Queen’s Valley School, Dwarka, Delhi
3. Third
GSSS Majheoti.PO Devnagar.Tehsil Rampur Bsr, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
4.
Fourth
Sonam Choda Lepcha Memorial GSS, Lingdong, Upper Dzongu, Sikkim
5.
Fifth
GSSS, Thaili Chakti, Himachal Pradesh
6.
Sixth
DAV International School, Amritsar
7.
Seventh
The Pinnacle School, Delhi
8.
Eighth
Government Junior High School, Mangzing, Sikkim
9.
Ninth
Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani, Rajasthan
10. Tenth
ASN Senior Secondary School, Mayur Vihar, Delhi
get a leaky tap repaired? So to combat this particular glitch, the Green School Programme designed a community portal, called munity Portal. The idea behind being the provision of a means to students, where they can discuss their ideas and actively act upon them, the portal is a refreshingly new take upon the rut old ways of invoking participation. The community portal features a forum, where the students can
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hold anonymous discussions about anything, ranging from ban on the The members can earn green points by posting pictures of themselves, where they have helped the environment. With an option to choose from categories including food, energy, water, waste and air, the members can pick their category and select their act of conservation to gain points. However, these collection of points do amount to something.
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Remember that particulate matter less than 10 micron (like PM 2.5) in diameter can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and cause respiratory health problems. Most of the PM pollution from diesel, petrol, and CNG combustion falls under PM2.5; most of the open waste burning pollution, biomass burning pollution, and coal combustion at boilers, falls under PM2.5 Once you log in to the portal, each member is assigned a virtual brown patch of littered land, which turns green, bit by bit, as you earn green points. If that’s not adorable, we don’t know what is... The efforts of the Green School Programme are laudable for the simple reason that the programme prompts the students to take action, which the lessons in their textbooks and have been failing to do. In addition, the GSP organizes the Green School Awards every year, wherein the top ten green schools of the nation are awarded. The schools are also given laurels for their efforts in once again does it right, for isn’t a sense of achievement just the right thing to spur you into action? All the information has been sourced with permission from the Green Schools Programme Centre for Science and Environment, website @ http://www.greenschoolsprogramme.org/ and http://www. cseindia.org/
W o r t h y
Bursting the Air
O p p o n e n t
After the incredibly high level of smog in Delhi NCT after Diwali this year, firecrackers have come under a larger scrutiny. An already severely polluted Delhi had another blow coming at it. But is banning the firecrackers the solution to the problem? Our School LIVE reporters debate. Cannot Ban the Sentiments
Firecrackers have always been a fascination for people of all ages. Tradition says that illumination of houses with lights
Ban for Public Well Being
heaven gods for attainment of health, wealth and prosperity.
Recently, India celebrated the most jubilant of its festivals, the festival of lights- Diwali. But this year, the festival of
generates a substantive and rich source of revenue.
After being already warned of the deteriorating pollution - some educated families to refrain from buying and bursting ning over Pakistan in a cricket match or victory of lord Ram crackers. The aftermath of the Diwali saw people choking on smog and unable to breathe in and around Delhi. Various people complained of burning sensations in their eyes. The supreme court itself has said that the burning of All those who did not burst crackers are also suffering from the consequences of it. suddenly implementing a ban on it would hurt religious sentiments, as it’s dangerous to intervene into the common ing condition of our environment. Even after being apprised man’s right to enjoy his religious festivity. to the harmful effects of inhaling the toxic fumes of a cracker, - they don’t hesitate even once before wasting their precious tory measures to lessen the amount that can be burnt in a single day. The smoke in a limited way is good for killing person or one locality, it is an issue of one and all and to stop monsoon insects and mosquitoes. it, preventative measures need to be adopted. Rather than bursting crackers, we can light paper lanterns. minor cause as they aren’t a part of our daily routine. Sweden By this, we are not only causing no pollution, but also not has banned petroleum which serves to resolve the issue of losing the spirit of the festival. We need to save the air we air pollution. Therefore, the government should focus on relevant and permanent solutions towards the issue of air pollution. towards a cleaner and healthier environment. By Nupur Marwah Class XI New Era Public School, Mayapuri
By Anjishtha Sharma Class X New Era Public School, Mayapuri
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Warm up from the Inside F i t
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Children are often some of the most easy targets of seasonal changes. With the onset of winters, we have our expert Kavita Devgan give you some expert tips.
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inter is almost here, and along with the season change will come cold in-
cold and myriad respiratory issues. To keep them at bay, it is important inside by eating naturally warming foods. So, beginning now consciously add some naturally warming ingredients to your diet on a daily basis. Switch to complex carbs: like brown rice, quinoa, and buckwheat. two raw garlic cloves early in the morning and have raw onion with boosts the circulation and warms the body naturally. Add some warm crunch to your meals by snacking on nuts like walnuts, peanuts and almonds, and soups. the use of whole spices like cloves, cumin and peppercorns in your cur-
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F i t
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Morning fix
Papaya Smoothie Blend 2 cups papaya with a pinch of cardamom powder. Add 1/2 tsp lime juice, 1 tbsp soaked chia seeds and a pinch of salt. The fix: Papaya warms the body by increasing the blood flow and improving circulation. And cinnamon protects against cold and cough.
Evening Fix
Ginger and carrot soup Serves 2 1-tbsp olive oil 1/2-cup coarsely chopped onion 1/2 tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger 3/4th cup cooked pasta 1/2-tsp curry powder 1-cup carrots peeled and sliced ¼-inch thick 1/2-cup chicken broth / water Salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste 1 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves, for garnish
Method:
ĐƋ Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion and ginger and cook until the onion is wilted, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. ĐƋ Add the curry powder and cook for 1-minute, stirring well. ĐƋ Add the carrots and broth. Increase the heat and bring the broth to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered until the carrots and pasta are tender, about 30 minutes. ĐƋ Let the soup cool slightly, and then puree it in a food processor in small batches. Return the soup to the pot, add the pasta ĐƋ Season to taste with salt and pepper and heat through. ĐƋ Garnish with any fresh herb of your choice before serving. ĐƋ The fix: Ginger is intrinsically warm source, carrot nutrients are great score to boost immunity during the winter months.
ries, sprinkle some dried coconut green leafy vegetables (saags are naturally warming. Herbs Help. Add a tsp of ginger juice to your fresh fruit juice, sprinkle rosemary in the soups, use nutmeg liberally, add basil leaves, ginger shreds or a bit of cinnamon to morning cup of tea. Also switch sugars: switch to honey instead of sugar for sweetening your tea/coffee/milk/ cereal, and eat dates for dessert. Incorporate warm soups in your dinner menus. While soups don’t release mood boosting endorphins like chocolate, still these are a perfect remedy for sore moods. They make a delicious winter meal as they
are warming and satisfying, plus are an an ideal comfort food. And who weather starts to get nasty. And to further ensure that you keep the you add at least one of these each time – garlic, onion, or ginger. Garlic and onions are natural antibiotics and immunity boosters and ginger is a fabulous digestive with super antiviral properties. Want to make it even more effective? Add some mushrooms, too. These promote the growth of white blood cells so make End of the day it’s a good idea to have a tsp of turmeric with warm by chewing a bit of fennel.
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P o s i t i v e l y
P o s i t i v e
Lighting
Passions
Kids express their creativity in different ways, ways which sometimes become difficult for adults to grasp. A little girl with her love for arts and craft decided to use her gift to feed the needy children on Diwali. Here is Kshirja Raje’s story, in her own words.
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i friends! Diwali is a festival of lights. It brings harmony, delight and love to our lives. As I walk down the memory lane, each Diwali has been very special to me. I was blessed to live with my grandparents and parents. My grandmother was a real storyteller. She had a huge storage of mythological stories, stories of preindependence, poems, songs and stories of my father’s childhood, all in her head and the tip of her tongue! And my grandfather used to play Scrabble with me. His English was very good and he studied at the Robertmony school pre-independence. On Diwali, my mother and grandmother used to make sweets and we used to enjoy times of togetherness. It’s something I haven’t forgotten till today as my mother makes packets of homemade Diwali food for the maids, the jhaduwalah, watchman, newspaper boys, and all those who help us. My mother also used to tell me stories that her grandma had told her, that always think of the poor people around you, of those who help make your life better and share the joy with them, it makes you feel much better. I started nurturing these thoughts. I have been watching people burning crackers but I was never tempted
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to use noisy crackers. My father used to talk about pollution post Diwali and people suffering from congestion during this time. I decided in my mind that I will do good things and in my own way I will celebrate this Festival of Lights. I don’t remember how and when my opinions on all these became so strong. But, I believe enjoyment is very relative term. I have enjoyed craft, drawing, painting etc. a lot from the beginning & I used to draw with
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crayons all over my home when I was very small. My parents never told me not to do it, but rather they also gave me drawing books and encouraged me to draw. My father used to paint the walls along with me, both of us drew natural scenery on half a wall. My father gifted me a lot of pottery to paint and that’s how my love for art became stronger. My grandmother told me that my father used to make lanterns for home every year till he started his engineering college. When I was in 3rd class, I had a craft assignment to make lanterns in school pre-Diwali. My father helped me and taught me the technique. I remember, a few days prior to this lantern making, on a Sunday afternoon, I was being naughty and fussy demanding to eat ice cream. My mother took me out. Outside my society gate, I noticed a row of running kids with plates in their hands, behind a small truck. There was a gentleman serving food on the truck and he was serving food to these slum kids. I was in tears, as the kids were as small as me or even younger. I felt that I was blessed to have food, shelter,
P o s i t i v e l y
P o s i t i v e
velopes, photo frames decorated with there as to what that art was & if I can learn it? To which I got a very rude answer that I was too small to learn the paper quilling and probably my My parents read the ‘hurt’ feeling in my eyes. My father consoled me and bought a couple of envelops for me. Next day, I told my mother to search the means to learn this art. She looked in stationery stores and got a learning kit for me. I was overjoyed. And my passion for this self taught art began! I had started making shapes, rings & things as described in the booklet. And my journey began. I was truly encouraged by my parents and my fa-
My mother also used to tell me stories that her grandma had told her, that always think of the poor people around you, of those who help make your life better and share the joy with them, it makes you feel much better. I started nurturing these thoughts.
clothes, education, and these small kids didn’t even know if they will get food to eat. An idea came to my mind to gather something in my own little way. I just asked my mother that how much does a lantern cost us? My mother told me that it could be 2-3Rs. So I asked my parents if we can make such lanterns and sell it to our relatives for 5 Rs or so and get the slum kids food for Diwali. My parents loved this idea and they backed me. We did
ther gifted me a book of Jane Jenkins, a great quilling artist from the UK. My quilling art had become talk of diya painting, lanterns and sold them the town in my friend circle as they apto my maternal uncles, aunts and col- preciated it through the greeting cards lected some money. To this my mother I presented them on their birthdays. added some more and we gave it to an I started using the techniques from - the book and like Eklavya, I used to lectively. I continued doing this every year and it gave me a very unusual My mother preserved all my work feeling of satisfaction. properly and the collection started When was 9 years old, there was to grow. an exhibition on 26th January in my I made one full collection themed aunt’s complex. We went around and around Maharashtra sanskriti darshan I was attracted by a nice stall that dis- in 3 days, in summer vacations and played very different paper craft en- we exhibited that through one of the
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P o s i t i v e l y
P o s i t i v e
friend’s mother. lio of my work with nice photos, which is her love and encouragement for my work. In 2013, she was detected with with fear of losing her. The pain and trouble were evident on her face but and I used to make lovely cute dolls to please her and forget the pain. After one year of treatment, she recovered and started an NGO to create awareness among Indian women. I accompanied her for many lectures and I was sensitized more about the conditions patients have to go through. She often mentioned that many people can’t afford the treatments and hence lose a chance of survival. So when my parents decided to exmade sure that whatever money I got, was donated to needy cancer patients. I have been fond of reading. As much as quilling, I love books. In my own collection of library, the best of the autobiographies I read multiple times such as My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi, Wings of
22 | | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2016
This year’s Diwali, I had made decorative rangolis using paper quilling & craft. My mother has created a range of products using the prints of my dolls to support my cause and “Kshirja’s Creations” became a unique brand. We exhibited in Mahim through a group exhibition (Funability) and we are donating that collection to schools run for kids living on streets.
ations” became a unique brand. We exhibited in Mahim through a group donating that collection to schools run for kids living on streets. My aim is also to follow my passion and dream and give it back to the society. I am conducting Paper Quilling to add some moments of fun to their lives and also for tribal kids in Sanjay Gandhi national park soon which will add value to their lives. Friends, I feel, each one of us has some good qualities and some dreams. We need to just follow our dreams and nurture good values. I wish you all the very best in life and remember to share your joys with others.
Fire & Ignited Minds by APJ Abdul Kalam, Playing it My Own Way by Sa- kshirjascreations@gmail.com chin Tendulkar, Unbreakable by Mary www.facebook.com/kshirjascreations. Kom, and so on. They have played a big role in nurturing my thoughts. By This year’s Diwali, I had made decoKshirja Raje rative rangolis using paper quilling & Class VIII Rustomjee International craft. My mother has created a range School, Dahisar of products using the prints of my dolls
SCHOOLLIVE
M.A.D Blast! M e e t
W
e were an excited bunch as we waited outside Vivanta by Taj on the morn of 5th of November, waiting to meet arts and craft wizard, Rob aka Harun Robert.
When you are a teenager and you have spent your entire childhood, idolising an adorably talented guy on television, and then one day you get a call telling you that you get a chance to meet him, a blast of colours, is what can best describe what goes on in your head.
U p !
And that’s not it, he even taught us how to make dogs, swords and all sorts of amazing stuff with the balloons. The fun and frolic of the event made us think about the thought that goes behind organizing such an event, and so we decided to speak to the host of the show. Here’s how it went.
the country, were to have an exclusive interaction with Rob and the Google team, thereafter the winner, whose How was your experience, conducting doodle would be the Google India this workshop? homepage on the 14th of November, You know it’s very great to see these was to be announced. As we entered kids take part, draw and interpret the the venue, we were greeted by the weltheme in the anyway they do. It’s comcoming Google team, and thus began mendable. our roller coaster ride. one adorably confused kid gave in and First up it was time to address the said no, because when you are tiny and Were you ever creative when you were standing on the stage with a person their age? doodles and the ideas behind it. Seeing who wants to know about you, you *Laughs* What are you saying? I used those beautiful slides of doodles left tend to get nervous and well slip of to make brilliant rats in school and us in awe! But there was one question that was the last time I drew. NEVER that we kept asking ourselves, did they a balloon guy appeared to amuse us AGAIN! I just organize this so that really draw this on their own? Well with balloons in all shapes and sizes. I can see these kids be creative and
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 23
M e e t
U p !
that’s it! What’s the most rewarding thing about working with Google? Most rewarding thing is to do kinds of campaigns like these, and especially when you think of Google as a brand you see all the Doodles that we do on the homepage. We don’t sell it to any brand, it’s all just for a cause. And when you give out that brand to a little kid the results are just spectacular! (He used this word a lot, but well their doodles deserved it)
I always carry a small sketchbook with me so wherever I go and I see something interesting, I immediately sketch it in rough. This helps me collect ideas from everywhere and anywhere and then combine them to come up with new ideas every time.
Why can’t you have this for classes 11 and 12? Well it’s the rules! You guys are grown- spy campaign to their school. I’ll go ups now you can have your own start- personally to their schools with a fake ups. (Grownups? Who, us? have three regional winners. One from and see who makes it. *laughs* each group. And then there will be one By now, we were extremely enthusiastic and impatient about our ‘Meet there will be one kid’s doodle amongst and Greet’ with Rob. A National icon all these. You know there are lots and of creative excellence who encourages lots of people who open that homep- learning through creativity. Host of age every day and one kid would have his or her doodle there, so it is a big successful children’s TV show. Rob achievement. And what these kids do has kept audiences meaningfully is absolutely incredible, that is what I engaged for over ten years via his want to understand whether these kids unique creative interpretations. He make them on their own or someone is a multifaceted artist who specialelse does. So next year I will do like a
and many other creative aspects and has now been teaching art for more than ten years. As we waited for him with bated breath, Rob hopped up on stage with his usual cheerful smile and greeted everyone. The host gave all of us a brief introduction, what took us aback was when we were told that Rob used to put up his artwork in his college’s canteen (Empty walls always call out and as we sat down to chat with him, we unearthed a lot more! What is the reason behind the name M.A.D ? And what was the main idea behind the creation of the show ? ROB: M.A.D stands for Music, Art and Dance. So when we started the show, the whole idea was to design something for the younger generation where we cater them to look forward to alternate career options , so we were thinking of more innovative ways to enhance these hobbies. We thought of naming it MAD in India, like made in India, but then it seemed to be too long for a television show, so then we cut it short to MAD. The idea was to simply persuade people to try new stuff related to arts and craft. Were you allowed to use material in such large quantities when you were young? ROB: Well, my mom used to get worried that I was using so much material but then seeing what I am doing now, she is really very happy about me using so much material. Also, I haven’t experienced how kids react to my show nowadays , but all my friends keep telling me to stop making my videos because their bed-sheets, cardboard boxes, glue , paint and all the other stuff is always missing from the house. In fact, the best part about my show was that children learnt how to recycle. By Anmol Sibal Class XI New Era Public School, Mayapuri
24 | | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2016
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M e e t
What triggers you to use different forms of art ? ROB: Whenever I was at my studio we usually called different artists to help us for that episode. So if they would do something I would say, “Okay! I have never tried this, let me do this too!” Once I went underwater and seeing the beauty down there I thought why not paint underwater, and that turned out to be something new and something different. I always carry a small sketchbook with me so wherever I go and I see something interesting, I immediately sketch it in rough. This helps me collect ideas from everywhere and anywhere and then combine them to come up with new ideas every time. I have always loved to experiment By Varalika Kataria Class XI Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar
like this. Have you ever faced the criticism about not becoming a doctor or an engineer instead of an artist? ROB: Of course, my parents wanted me to be a doctor. Actually I was a science student and I was preparing for my medical exams when one of my friends told me that you are good at art so why don’t you do it? I said I don’t know. My parents were supportive, in the sense, that I had the option of exploring art but for choosing it as a career, they were reluctant. But now they are both very happy and so is my whole family for that Have you ever been troubled by the art-
U p !
ist’s block ? ROB: Yeah, in fact it happens to me all the time. But then I just go out for a holiday and it calms my mind so I am able to think better and draw again. What is your message for the budding artists out there and for us too ? ROB: See I always encourage art and students to pursue art as their career because it is one of the best forms to express yourself. If it’s about improving yourself then just spend more time doing what you do rather than giving up if you don’t get what you want in Having had such wonderful experiences in one day, we left the venue with just one thought in our minds....
By Madhushree Sarkar Class XI Ahlcon International School, Mayur Vihar
SCHOOL LIVE
By Tanishka Sharma Class XII Ahlcon International School, Mayur Vihar
Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 25
P e r s p e c t i v e
A Day in 2036 We don’t want to accept it: Global Warming. And with our current state of pollution, one can only begin to imagine how things will look some years down the line. Here is one take.
“W
hat have I done?”. I crawled out of my bed. Putting on my slippers, I walked across my white tiled bedroom. My bed started dissolving, slowly changing to a couch. I knew that in 10 full seconds, the metamorphoses would be complete. I was thankful. **** I waited at the station for my vactrain. Like all great things, the vactrain had been a child of necessity. Hypothesized by a Russian professor Boris Weinberg in 1914, the development work on the train had only train had been built in Saudi Arabia companies had simply started begging the Saudi Arabian government to share the technology. The government agreed to share the idea. At a “They needed funds after their ”, I mused. The concept of the vactrain was really simple. Reduce friction, get speed. The vactrain ran on a mixture of liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Its powerful Hybrid engine powered
26 | | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2016
rnational School, Vasant Kunj
Swaraj Jaiswal, Class XII, Ryan Inte
up the superconductors, allowing **** the train to levitate 20cms above I sat on my holographic seat the ground. The tube containing the and stared at the television screen train was a complete vacuum, allow- cum window. The V-train was fully ing the train to achieve mach-10. stocked. A child sat near me, face ex-
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P e r s p e c t i v e pressionless. He looked at the window as well. I wondered what he saw. The population had started increasing at an alarming rate in late 2020’s. The UN and the different member countries, unnerved by the constant banging of WHO, had passed a bill, announced that all member countries needed to adopt ‘one child policy’. Any country that refused to comply would no longer be considered as a member of the UN. The WHO director had made the point. Each country reluctantly agreed. But that was not all. Recently, the pollution levels had started increasing at a terrifying rate, attributable to the bright lights and long winters. Smog abused health, that was known. That it was a killer, was unheard of. The children had been the greatest sufferers. Ironically, it did not surprise me when the breakthrough came from a young high-school student, who claimed to have found a way to solve this problem once and for all, having come up with the idea of making a catalyst that could convert some of the dangerous air pollutants into less harmful gases. The additional research done by some graduates of of the Kuki catalyst. The news went viral. The 15-year old Indian quickly became famous. *** I stepped into the sun. In front of me, tall buildings rose high above the ground, all of them in a perfectly straight line. I knew it
Vidit Jain, Class IX, Pragyan School,
Greater Noida
I sat on my holographic seat and stared at the television screen cum window. The V-train was fully stocked. A child sat near me, face expressionless. He looked at the window as well. I wondered what he saw. where the rays went to a nearby par-
with fauna, from tigers and onehorned rhinos to the dinosaurs and dodos. All were holograms, touch sensitive. Many were the old-school been in the city of ‘NIyma’ in 2032, androids, which looked stupendous. I had fallen for this as well, just like But nothing could beat the strucany newcomer. The buildings were ture built in center of the park. It was actually arranged in a triangle, with a simple obelisk, that allowed the the third side opening up in a huge people to see in three-dimensions. central park, which spread over a What that meant was that though distance of 8 km lengthwise. The you look at only the front of the obepark was enclosed in a gargantuan lisk, you could also see its backside, - without actually going 180 degrees around it. Few knew that NIyma was named after this masterpiece. On
the left was the stadium where the Annual robot football league took place. On the right was my destination. I took a cab from here. Telling the computer my identity and running my face through a scanner, I announced my destination. The engine hummed to life and in a few seconds we were going at a 100 km/hr. Although the AI taxis had become available only in 2030, I speculated about how quickly they had become the world’s most trusted and convenient mode of transport. After a few minutes, we reached the building. I entered the building. After going through a dozen or so doors, I reached a metal door coated with high-tensile nanotubes. Here, I removed an artifact from my pocket, and touched it to a tiny spot, 5.2cms right of the door. The hinges came alive, and I marveled at the machine that loomed before me. “Still wondering how I know my history so well?”
SCHOOL LIVE
By Lalit Mohan Sharma Class X Ahlcon International School, Mayur Vihar
Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 27
C y b e r S a f e
Detect Morphed
Images & Videos How often do we find pictures going viral these days, insinuating people in different situations, while never even pausing to wonder if the said image or video was real in the first place? We have our cyber expert Amit Dubey on how to detect the same.
F
riends, these days, we are surrounded by images and videos and large multimedia content has become an integral part of our daily lives. While there are some good, positive and inspirational images, we also frequently encounter content which creates negativity and hatred. Last month, a news caught my attention, where a 29-year-old Delhi man allegedly downloaded photographs of girls and morphed them only to blackmail his unsuspecting targets. He told the police that he procured the cut-and-paste application for his mobile phone from Google Play Store using which he could paste the faces/pictures of anyone and superimpose them, on other’s pictures. When raided by police, lots of objectionable morphed pictures of several girls were found in his mobile phone. This was a shocking case for many of us as the criminal was not an engineer and neither was he well educated. Still, he could manage to do all this with easily available free
28 | | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2016
mobile applications. Today, when almost everybody is on social networking sites like Facevisable to take care of your privacy on such platforms or else one can get misuse it with some bad intent.
SCHOOLLIVE
Actually every day, such morphed contents is posted on different social media platforms. Even though, you yourself are not creating these morphed contents, but some times by sharing or liking such images/videos, you unknowingly endorse the objective and become part of such criminal activities. Mostly such
C y b e r S a f e
Fig 1 morphed contents are created just for fun but yes, some time there are organized criminal intentions too. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. In today’s world, we hardly get time to verify authenticity of a picture, almost 350 million pictures are uploaded every day only on Facebook. Some time, we see a negative post and create an opinion about that person but we hardly verify if the picture is real or not. Anybody can easily play with our emotions by creating a morphed image targeting an innocent person. Pictures and Videos are very powerful tools now a days. A video can create hatred among people to that extent that it can even lead to riots. So, here, we should not only protect ourselves by keeping our personal images private and secure but also be cautious not to share any image or video which has been created with an evil intention. Here are few guidelines which you should follow while creating a DP Image. Use a low resolution image for history.
to have access to an album, choose bottom right corner of an album’s “Friends” from the “Make this visible cover image that has a small arrow to” menu and then enter the name next to it. A privacy options menu of a friend or friend list in the “Hide decide who can see the album. options menu to stop anyone who is cess. not on your friend list from seeing the album or downloading the photos in it. - visibility link & click on only me, your about who can see your albums. If you want all of your friends but a few
It’s not easy to distinguish the morphed image from an original one
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 29
C y b e r S a f e You can also analyze the image morphing ratio using the JPEG%. It shows the quality of image when it was last saved. If the quality has decreased, then it must have been Meta data information is also useful to check the authenticity of an image. Through meta data headers, you get to know many details about that photograph such as when was it camera was used to take that photograph, etc. You can also check from headers if the image is taken from Facebook, or not. If you upload images which
Fig 2
Anybody can easily play with our emotions by creating a morphed image targeting an innocent person. A video can create hatred among people to that extent that it can even lead to riots. are downloaded from Facebook, then the header will show a message like “Photo has been taken from Facebook” and also give detailed information about that photograph like which software is used to edit this photograph. For Video Forensics, the easiest with naked eye only, so there you can take help of some online tools which are capable of distinguishing if the images are morphed or not. Fotoforensics (http://fotoforensics.com/ online tool, which you can use to validate the authenticity of an image. Actually, you need to extract the
ity, you can upload the same to this website (http://fotoforensics.com/ after uploading the image, you will get two image outputs, one is original image and another one is analyzed image. ited or morphed, then it shows some color in image analysis. If the image is not changed by using any software, JPEG% , Meta Data, etc. to check then it shows normal white color on if an image is morphed or photo- the image. shopped or not. Fig 1: Example of morphed or tamIf you have a doubt on any im- pered image age and want to check its authenticFig 2.0 Untampered Image
30 | | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2016
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the data frame by frame and visually analyze the frame. You need to letter “e” on the keyboard, this will allow you to move the video image –by-image. Every time you press the letter “e” a text “next frame” will appear and if on pressing “e”, image a duplicate image. If it’s morphed then you can detect such sudden transition in frames, when you analyze it frame by frame.
Olympics Special
100
11 2 | ISSUE VOLUME 2016 SEPTEMBER
100 12 2 | ISSUE VOLUME 2016 OCTOBER ERSARY 2ND ANNIV SPECIAL
The Man in all his
Glory
ation with Students in ConversShri, Minister I&B Olympian, Padma Singh Rathore Col. Rajyavardhan Lost Your Phone? Laser Cane
Ray of Light for
Decoding the
Mahatma The Man & His
DIY? We Love
It!
Mad Stuff with
ons
Hunger Resoluti
Rob
dhigiri Discovering Gan Story behind
Ideas
Jai
Jan and Bani Kohli
The
na Bhai Lage Raho Mun Secure your WiFi
with Amit Dubey
the Elderly
India’s Pride
No Worries!
CyberSafe with
Amit Dubey
Women Ruling
the Rings
Expert Expression
with Pankaj Agarwal
32 | | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2016
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S l a m
P o e t r y
A Delhi Destitute I can’t step out look at my poor plight The dust grabs my neck hard and the smoke threatens me everyday, every night. Forget about the stars; I can’t even see my sky. It’s shameful how this air filters my cry. Filters my prayers, destined to reach the god (if any) up there; Then how will He, into our problems pry? Am I at fault? For thinking that breathing is an involuntary action? For today, my efforts are being half wasted in sucking in some air for my survival. Tell me; Is this the result of my benefaction? The atmosphere, an apt reflection of my soul, polluted. Living through an air like this, Tell me, who needs a choker? And if you trust ME and not my LUNGS today; I’ll tell you (hard to believe though) I really ain’t no chain smoker.
Even my thoughts find it hard to escape my mind Living inside a gas chamber It’s become tougher to think. My brain feels tied and tired. From health to humanity, Are all on survival’s brink. My future today, is but blur. I cough more than I breathe; As this Diwali, Delhi puts on a smoky attire. And I realise that I should’ve understood by the heavy, loud sounds that they’re not crackers, but an open fire. This is my desultory, a self- constructed mess Who knew that I would die like this? Wrapped up in my own air’s suffocation. Unable to progress; Weighed down under my own transgress? And if anyone can, It is I who can save ME; From this smoke in surplus, From this dark & dreadful dust and from my fading existence, thus.
By Kuhu Nagpal Class XII Amity International School, Pushp Vihar
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1
2
3
ACROSS: 5. Pecking Order (9) 8. Group of three (4) 9. Border (8) 10. Large lizard (6) 11. Ancient Celtic priests (6) 13. Worships (6) 15. Oar (6) 16. Of or involving measure (8) 18. Defeat (4) 19. Bus fare collector (9)
4
5 6
7 9
8
11
10
14
13
15
17
16
12
18
19
DOWN: 1. Mythological creature A. The Great Outdoors with bull's head (8) 2. Land of the Arabs (6) 3. On every side (6) 11. Ancient Celtic priests (6) 4. Fitted with shoes (4) B. Food for Thought 6. Army officer (9) 7. Gullible (9) 12. Loser (8) 14. Girl's name (6) 15. Royal residence (6) 17. Early (4) PUZZLERS -2
A kangaroo is a marsupial. Marsupials are mammals that carry their young in pouches on their bodies. Can you think of three other marsupials?
Two employees, Shekhar and Shammi, upset with their employer, decided to poison her. Shekhar added hydrochloric acid (HCl) in her food. Shammi was worried that the acid would not be enough. So, just to be extra sure, she added sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong alkali used in drain cleaners. They waited to see what would happen to their employer. The employer finished her food, but nothing happened to her. The only thing she complained about was that her food was too salty. How did she survive?
C. Horn, Please!
ACROSS: 5. Hierarchy 8. Trio 9. Boundary 10. Iguana 11. Druids 13. Adores 15. Paddle 16. Mensural 18. Rout 19. Conductor
Answers: A. koala, wallaby, possum, wombat, etc. B. When mixed in right amounts, hydrogen chloride combines with sodium hydroxide to form common salt (sodium chloride) and water. HCl + NaOH NaCl + H2O C. Hair, nails
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DOWN: 1. Minotaur 2. Arabia 3. Around 4. Shod 6. Brigadier 7. Credulous 12. Underdog 14. Sarada 15. Palace 17. Soon
34 | | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2016
02/ Š Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2016
ANSWERS
Rhino horns are made of a protein called keratin. Keratin is also what forms the beaks and claws of birds. Is keratin found in humans too? Think of two human body parts that are made of keratin?
I CAN CURE YOUR HEADACHE! TAKE THESE ASPIRIN TABLETS!
WAIT, KUMBAKARNAJI!
?!
VERY GOOD, GIRL! VERY GOOD! I’M HIS PERSONAL VAIDYA, DR KALA MIRI AND I WAS AT MY WIT’S END!
DON’T SWALLOW THEM ALL! OH,NO!
TAKE HIM TO THE PALACE!
AH, YOU’RE A FOREIGNER! I KNEW IT!! COME OVER TO MY HOUSE AND REFRESH YOURSELF. YOU MUST BE HUNGRY.
NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT, YES, I’M FAMISHED!
DADA, RUN AHEAD AND TELL MY COOK TO MAKE SOME PIZZA! CERTAINLY, BOSS….. BUT WHAT’S A PIZZA?
THAT’S DADA GIRI, MY ASSISTANT. SLOW IN UNDERSTANDING BUT A GOOD MAN TO HAVE AROUND!
ANOTHER COUNTRY. ANOTHER PERIOD, IN FACT!
I COULD DO WITH A PIZZA. DO YOU GET PIZZA HERE?
PIZZA? ER… WHY NOT!
HOW SHOULD I KNOW YOU FOOL! JUST TELL THE COOK!! HE’LL KNOW!!
AHHA! BUT WHERE DOES THIS CHEMIST FELLOW GET THE MEDICINE FROM?
I REALLY WOULDN’T KNOW, SIR. YOU DID SAY YOU WOULD GET ME A PIZZA? I’M AWFULLY HUNGRY. I THINK MY DOG’S HUNGRY TOO.
6 / © Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2016
THIS GIRL KNOWS POWERFUL MAGIC! SHE MUST BE A SORCERESS…
SEE HER STRANGE DRESS…
NOW PLEASE TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT MEDICINE IN YOUR COUNTRY!
FROM THE MEDICINE MAKING COMPANIES, I SUPPOSE.
OH, YES! THE PIZZA!
WELL, WHEN WE FALL SICK WE GO TO THE DOCTOR AND HE TELLS US WHAT MEDICINE TO TAKE. THEN WE GO TO THE CHEMIST AND GET THE MEDICINE.
BUT WHO TELLS THE MEDICINE-MAKING COMPANIES HOW TO MAKE THESE MEDICINES AND WHAT TO PUT INTO THE MEDICINES? THERE MUST BE SOME GREAT VAIDYA IN CHARGE!
DID YOU ARRANGE FOR THE PIZZA!
8 / © Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2016
WHERE HAVE YOU COME FROM, MY DEAR?
WE MUST WIN HER OVER AND LEARN THE SECRETS OF HER MAGIC POWERS!
IT’S GONE… AND I’M SLEEPY...
7 / © Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2016
MY HEADACHE’S GOING… GOING…
5 / © Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2016
YOU’D BETTER DRINK PLENTY OF WATER NOW!
TO BE CONTINUED
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 35
T e e n
T r a v e l s
The Stunning Away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitans, our young reporter Lusha Jetley explored Leh, and it made all the difference.
Leh L
eh is different. And I’m not just saying that to make myself sound unique - I’ve already taken
awfully cold, and came back as a web - strong, connected and a lot warmer (because let’s be real, anything is ness I thought I’d long lost in Delhi. Being in Leh alfor the journey. Leh is the sensory overload every city inhabitant needs to experience. You wake up, surrounded by the Greater Himalayas. You tread among mud houses and demographics you’d think you’d only ever read about. You unearth Buddhism - sans sight, smell, sound, taste and touch in every monastery. You experience life like a movie. It’s all too much, and so enticing, that staying there for less than 10 days would seem unfair. In my 7 day trip there, I covered as much as I could. I did the usuals - Pangong Tso, Moon rocks, Khardung La et al, but I also took my time exploring Leh city, and I saw so many cultures existing so peacefully. It’s as though the air has lulled the animosity to sleep. And to experience try, was a feeling my heart will hold onto for all troubled times ahead. Which reminds me, Leh reminded me what peace felt like.
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T e e n
T r a v e l s
Maybe it’s because we were in the mountains. Maybe it’s because my phone wasn’t working. But in those 7 days, everything around me seemed like it was humming ‘Across The Universe’. There was no semblance of time, no urgency. Days and nights merged into an unforgettable memory which everyone lived in. It was so abstract for a city dweller like me. I ate snow. I experienced oxygen socks on. But those seven days, have given me renewed energy. Leh will embrace you with it’s cold, and you will let it, because it’s all too much, and it’s so enticing. Like sleeping on a
By Lusha Jetley Class X Sanskriti School, New Delhi
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S t u d y
G u i d e
Insider’s Guide to Admissi Exhibiting Interest through I
Admissions Interviews can often be awkward and nerve-wracking. This is usually because for the average seventeen year-old college applicant, this is your first interview ever. I’ve seen students range from excited to nervous and every year, I have at least one student ask …
“W
hat is the point of the in- what the college offers. terview?” Through the interview, a student The objective of the has the opportunity to make his application come to life. Think of it as reading a book and then seeing the college and secondly to give you an trailer for the movie adaptation of the book. The trailer may reiterate
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certain themes, making them a reality, or show something new, adding color. But one thing is clear, the interview is meant to exhibit interest. However, it’s also important to know that interviews aren’t created alike. Just like each college differs
ons: nterviews
S t u d y a deep-dive into your subject area, asking you to solve problems or discuss theorems even. So if you’re a Math, Economics or an Engineering / Physical / Natural Sciences applicant, you can be sure that you knowledge you are required to have as someone interested in the major. selective in nature, which means that the applicants offered the chance to interview have been selected from the larger group. On the other hand, in Singapore they can be selective or provided to all. It’s important to understand that it’s rare to have selective interviews at the undergraduate application level. However, even without the subject specific knowledge, the interviewer could be evaluating you for fit. This means that the interview-
Through the interview, a student has the opportunity to make his application come to life. Think of it as reading a book and then seeing the trailer for the movie adaptation of the book.v in what they prioritize from an applicant, different interviews also prioritize different things. The two big buckets of interviews are as follows:
er’s thoughts, notes and comments will play a part in the admissions process. They may ask you about “why our college” or ask for stories on “specific moments or failures.” Their notes will become an addition to your file as a recommen1) Evaluative: dation. They won’t make or break As the name suggests, the intent your application but can definitely of the interview it to evaluate your help the decision. readiness. If you’re interviewing in Singapore or the U.K., this could 2) Informative: mean that the interviewer will take The informative interview is differ-
Informative
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ent! The intent is to give the student information about the college as a whole and not necessarily evaluate the student. However, remember ential alumni or members of the admissions council and a very good or very bad interview can inspire them to drop a note about the student.
So here are some tips to keep in mind: Ask for the interview! This applies to non-selective interviews but recognize that requesting an interview shows interest. Even if the admissions committee can’t organize one, they will note your interest and appreciate it.
Show up on time. You will be surprised how many start the interview on a bad note by being late. control, but in that case, email or call your interviewer letting them know you’re running late.
Be prepared. Prepare the answers to a few common questions but don’t be robotic and rehearsed.
Ask Questions. At the end, there will be an opportunity to ask questions so come in with a question the student website. The best questions result in a story – “What was your favorite memory about the college?”
Thank them. Thank you notes are polite and a great way to remind the interviewer of some of the things you discussed. More than anything, take each interview as an opportunity to convince your dream school you really want to be part of it and Be Yourself. For more information, log on to http://www.collegecore.in
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 39
S t o r y t e l l i n g
The Great King:
Hammurabi
There are many sources which today portray Babylonian king, Hammurabi as a harsh and cruel ruler. But our young writer Lalantika had a different perspective on it: for someone to think about justice so much, to the brink of obsession, they must have some humanity in them. She gives us here not a harsh ruler, but one that was kind hearted with a kindred spirit. After all history does tend to forget the good, at times. (Part 2 of 2)
* Upon learning about King of Elam’s duplicity, Hammurabi and the King of Larsa decided to forge an alliance. Hammurabi’s forces attacked Elam’s forces and won. However, Lar-
T
Hammurabi’s reign were quite peaceful. Hammurabi used his power to undertake a series of public works, including heightening the city walls for defensive purposes, and expanding the temples. However, he still did not have the resources to build vast temples, like his father had told him. Elam’s military camp, outskirts of Babylon, c.1710: “Sir, despite there being a wall around the city, we can easily enter the city by the port.” The Lieutenant reported to the King of Elam. Elam was a powerful kingdom, which straddled important trade routes across the Zagros Mountains. The King was feeling particularly eccentric as he had just invaded the Mesopotamian plain. “Hmm. Hammurabi has enough military power to combat our forces at present,” the King said, “how about, we tell the King of Larsa to attack on Hammurabi’s kingdom, and assure him that if his forces make the initial attack, we will soon back them up? Hammurabi’s forces would be invest-
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military might. “How dare they?!” Hammurabi raged in his chambers. “I had an agreement with them. Larsa was supposed to back me, and now I’ve lost more men than I can account for! The spoils of war won’t be enough for recovery!” “It’s not their fault, they are a peaceful nation who just happen to be strategically placed.” Hammurabi’s wife Nyassa consoled him. Yes, this was the same grey eyed girl Hammurabi ran into when he went will easily be able to vanquish both kingdoms! And that way, I can get control over the Tigris Rivers’ Delta that is controlled by Larsa!” Elam’s King laughed maniacally at what he thought was a brilliant plan. Little did he know that Hammurabi and the King of Larsa already had a peace treaty.
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Soon after Hammurabi was crowned king, he resolved the povenough food to regain their strength, and then giving them employment as constructors for the temple. The second thing that he did was go down that alley again and knock on every
S t o r y t e l l i n g door until the girl with the grey eyes opened the door.
justice. In the forty odd years of my reign, I have worked to prevent the strong from oppressing the weak and to see that justice is done. I will not have it all go to waste,” he continued. “But sire, some of your punishments like cutting of hands or even death are a bit severe don’t you think?” the scribe asked nervously. “Yes, it does include harsh punishments. But one must never forget that justice delayed or reprimanded, is justice denied,” Hammurabi said as he patted the scribe who got to work. “I do quite like the number 282. I say, let’s make 282 of these laws shall we?” Hammurabi laughed. down the laws that I govern my King* dom with. After all, my citizens have Louvre Research Wing, Paris, 1902: now been divided into the propertied men, freedmen, and slaves. Each is treated differently, and for order to on display!” Frank hugged his uncle Jacques de Morgan and his friend are treated.” Jean-Vincent, who had translated it. “Go ahead! Shall I call the scribe “Merci mon chéri.” His uncle tomorrow??” Nyassa asked. hugged Frank back. “That would be good.” Frank looked around the room, The next morning Hammurabi was previously messy, now neat and tidy. brimming with ideas. He remarked on the many nights “Say, dear scribe, I need a few things he had spent in these messy corrito be conveyed properly. dors, helping his uncle and Jean. It was incredible really, how they had guilty, managed to decode the laws of an en- tire civilization in just a year. Frank lution. For example, if a man steals couldn’t help but compare many of an ox, he must pay back 30 times its the laws in this code to the Hebrew value, laws and the Islamic laws his friends used to talk of. must only pay as much as he can. For “Monsieur Jacques et Monsieur example, a doctor’s fee for curing a Jean, they are ready for you.” A pretty severe wound would be 10 silver shek- lady in a grey uniform came in to esels for a gentleman, 5 shekels for a cort them. freedman and two shekels for a slave. And thus, they headed for the
education. Yes, his citizens were unequal, but he still believed that it would be best to try and promote education. Educated masses would be cultured masses. And history has no room for the un-cultured. “I promised my citizens great victory. This was no great victory!” Hammurabi protested. “Your military might, even at this stage is greater than that of Larsa’s. If it bothers you so much, you can still conquer them.” Nyassa said coolly as she went back to nursing their child, Samsu-iluna. And so, fuelled by rage this time, Hammurabi turned on the southern power of Larsa and subsequently, gained control over the lower Mesopotamian plain. * At a Royal Dinner one day, some of Hammurabi’s special guests from the Indus Valley told him that they did not own the required dinner attire. This royal dinner had delegates from all over Mesopotamia and neighbouring kingdoms. Hence, Hammurabi provided the ‘Indians’ as he liked to call them, with the required attire. Upon hearing this, the ambassadors of Mari sent in their apologies for not attending, as they too did not own the ‘required attire’. They ‘requested’ Hammurabi that he provide them with the dress, so they can attend. Outraged, Hammurabi marched down to their quarters, where they had been staying. “Do you imagine you can control my palace in the matter of formal wear?” He asked the delegates from Mari. It’s safe to assume that the Mari delegation did not attend any further written law codes in history- Hamdinners hosted by Hammurabi. * from the bench permanently. There - will never be true justice, until those By serving justice are viable for their acLalantika Arvind “Nyassa, I was wondering,” Ham- tions too.” Class XII Sanskriti School, murabi told his wife. She too had aged “And the punishments must be seNew Delhi with him, yet she looked as elegant as vere. There should be no room for in-
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 41
V i e w s - o n - t h e - N e w s
De-
Money
?
“Beginning from midnight of 8 November, 2016; Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes will cease to exist as legal tender” − The entire country was sent down in a jiffy of disbelief as our honourable Prime Minister made the announcement during the late hours of Novemeber 8th evening as he made his address to the nation. Our reporter Gaurav Kathuria breaks it down. th
A
s many hailed the initiative as perhaps the greatest ‘surgical strike’ on black money in the history of India, and as many complained about the haphazard preparation for the implementation of this scheme, one thing was for certain, that the life of every single citizen was going to be affected by this decision. Prime Minister Modi explained that the move was initiated to strike the the circulation of counterfeit currency in the economy. He exclusively linked this action with the turmoil created in Jammu and Kashmir via terrorist insurgencies over the past months. The intricacies of the scheme are simple: exchange old currency for new currency notes through deposits in a bank rendering counterfeit currency and hoards of cash for illegal businesses useless. However, in a country that is considered to be -
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ence of corruption and tax stealing, the scheme sets to target a lot more people than we imagine. For anybody and having not submitted the details of such holdings to the Income Tax to deposit such an amount into their bank accounts under the fear of a scrutiny by the ITO, which might
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result in a 200% penalty. The Finance Minister commented on the scheme saying – “Once the money is available – in the system and also in the banking system – the advantages to the economy will be far more” The Prime Minister after his visit from Japan also appealed to his fellow citizens to endure the hardship in the favour of greater good of the
V i e w s - o n - t h e - N e w s country. A big takeaway from the scheme was that a lot of money would come under the scanner of the government and into the banking system giving a huge boost to the economy. Our shadow economy, which is estimated at over 23%, will contract and noncash transactions which are as low as only 22% of all monetary transaction
share in the country.” Many however, were also sudden in their skepticism over the scheme. The former RBI Governor, Raghuram Rajan stated – “The belief that black money was stacked away in pillow cases and in steel trunks is too big an assumption. Moreover, the scheme does not yield
marginal city workers more than it has had an impact on the rich goons against whom it is targeted. As people queue up to exchange or deposit their cash with a certain sense of discomfort, what is yet to be seen is
If the scheme is implemented successfully, it can be said with a reasoneconomy will be put to rest and real estate and services like health- care will become affordable for a lot many people. Interest rates for loans both on the public, and private level will too experience drops. However, the short-term consequences of the scheme are really gloom-ridden in nature with businesses already experiencing a steep slump in their daily sales and transactions. With purchases and demand hitting an all time low, the GDP growth rate for the forth-coming months will witness a drop even as the government tries to offset it through increased infrastructural spending. Many strategists and economists suggest that perhaps the scheme can only be termed successful if it is followed up with a constant vigilance to prevent the generation of new black money post the scheme. The any result where people have successfully been able to convert their the ITO all need to heighten up their black money into items like gold or concerted efforts to keep a stringent silver or even in terms of another forcheck on corruption by bureaucrats eign currency.” and tax evasions by businessmen. The opposition also mounted a big The Prime Minister also became attack in the parliament and on the sentimental while saying that, “It is roads demanding an immediate rolla shame that corruption and black back of the scheme. Mamta Banerjee money have been accepted as a fact and Arvind Kejriwal hinted at nationof life in India and it is a shame that wide allied protest saying the scheme an honest man cannot receive his due has affected the poor farmers and the
Many strategists and economists suggest that perhaps the scheme can only be termed successful if it is followed up with a constant vigilance to prevent the generation of new black money post the scheme.
whether these queues and the rush will become lesser or whether it will only increase as we approach nearer to the 30th December deadline for depositing old currency. The country has also been amazed by the methods through which illegally acquired cash is already being disposed away, right from dumping it into the Ganges to burning it up as garbage in order to avoid penalty. Whether the scheme will turn out to be successful and whether the common man is ready to champion his/her grievances is yet to be seen. Nevertheless, it is undebatable that that corruption is actually a combatable phenomenon and perhaps might not be actually undefeatable.
SCHOOL LIVE
By Gaurav Kathuria Class XII Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj
Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 43
B l o g
Hooman’s Stress Reliever Ever thought of what could be the most amazing gift to give to your child or friend or anyone you like, read Tanishka Sharma’s take on the matter!
W
alking around in a house, as ‘The Silent Observer’
see… I see members of a family sitting in separate rooms texting or using their phones for some other purpose. I see a kid who is a ‘Hyperachu’ (that’s what my teacher likes to call family member to give him attention or to talk to him. What do they do to distract him? They give
him a phone. Well Mission Accomplished! The Hyperachu sits down quietly, peace prevails and everyone is happy! Parents or be it anyone think that this is the only way to stop the kid from annoying anyone. And what does that mean? One less problem to worry about because… “I got ninety nine problems but a kid ain’t sure when I talk about stress reliev-
ers stress balls, throwing darts on the person you giving that annoying kid your phone seems like the only option. But I beg to differ. I see those sparkling eyes cry of joy that I hear when I come home, the wagging tail and the wet nose… If you didn’t get that, I meant the four legged ball of love. A DOG! Now compare all this to those stress relievers you thought were the only options (if you are still comparing then I’m seriously judging you right I mean sure there are cats, but come on! Who wouldn’t like a bit of face licking, those puppy eyes or other stupid stuff that they do all the time?! I don’t really know what being under stress is like (I’m kind of posed to be stressing about? I’m just seventeen! I mean people do feel stressed but I guess that never really happened to me as I always had my doge by my side doing stupid stuff to make me laugh and forget all about it. I wouldn’t say she’s energetic as she likes to sleep all day long (well, miracle happens and she decides to play or walk around the house with me (that only happens when she how bad my day went I see that glad
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B l o g
I see those sparkling eyes looking at me (or my food), the lovely cry of joy that I hear when I come home, the wagging tail and the wet nose… and happy face when I get home and every other bad thing just vanishes out of my brain. So, I think instead of just handing over a phone to your kid, giving him the greatest gift of all, would be the (may from it too! Healthy- because of all the long walks, Happy- because of all the funny and stupid things that they do, and you know what? The list goes on and on. But one thing you need to prepare yourself for before getting a crazy dog is… THE SUDDEN PULL THAT YOUR ARM NEEDS TO HANDLE while you are taking your dog out for a walk. You may feel like your arm may be pulled out of its socket or if you are skinny like me, this is kind of equivalent to going to a gym as your hands need to develop resistance to the force from the pull
about helps a lot. They’re great for hugs too (yes, I hug my dog everyday and it’s the best moment of -
you cannot bail out of this task it will be like going to gym each day, quence of that… Woo-hoo Muscles and girls be saying ‘me likey’ (Sor- listen to music or read a book. Sure none of these are even a close substitime then you would probably need tute to the wet nose and the wagging to pick him or her up and walk with all that weight to the bathroom (This hope all the other hoomans found it relatable and the ones who are not a So now can any of those stress hooman now want to be one. relievers do all this? No! You know you can talk to them as well because By they are the best listeners that I have Tanishka Sharma Class XII come across. They probably don’t Ahlcon International School, understand what you are saying but Mayur Vihar you know sometimes just talking
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 45
R A P
U P interview. Ayaan, a music aspirant is pushed into MBA while Alizeh is Spending time with each other, Ayaan has his heart set for Alizeh, while Alizeh has her own philosophy of love and friendship. All is well between the two till Ali and the two eventually decide to get married. A crestfallen Ayaan meets poetess, who propels him into becoming a singer. What follows is a mix of emotion, and drama, and everything bollywood. The movie attempts to dwell deeper into the nuances of love and all the forms it can take. Ranbir and Anushka are commendable on screen. The songs, the dialogues and the chemistry between the two grapples with your heart. This movie has best of all bollywood elements in it, though
AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL
Director: Karan Johar Starring: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anushka Sharma, Ranbir Kapoor
T
he romantic melodrama opens with Ayaan (Ranbir
than well-to-do families, meeting
in London. The two party together, and bond over 80s and 90s songs. Tracing different phases of love in bits and pieces that are connected by our narrator Ayaan, through an
storyline. It is scattered in parts and broken in its storyline. By Simran Sachdeva Class XI New Era Public School, Mauapuri
FORCE 2
Director: Abhinay Deo Starring: John Abraham, Sonakshi Sinha, Tahir Raj Bhasin.
T
he sequel ‘Force 2’ is primarily about the RAW, about heartily saluting our bold, daring and brave RAW soldiers who die for their homeland and also when caught are not recognized by their own nation. hvardhan’s best friend who before dying informs Yash to help out all the other agents from perishing. Then Yash to Budapest, to save all the RAW agents. While doing the investigation, they both get to know the killer and from
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then on the cat and mouse game between the imposters, begins. What will happen and will both be able to save the RAW agents who are alive or something else lies ahead is to be discovered.
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mundane medical procedures, if he averts his ego. He is a characteristic master, and it is essential for him to join the Ancient One in the struggle against her preceding student, Kaeconsumed by dark magic.
DOCTOR STRANGE
Director: Scott Derrickson Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen, Rachel
D
octor Strange is a superhe-
though it has been cinematized through a kaleidoscope — it is vacuous, entrancing, and with each twist it repercussus a dazzling new dimension of boundless capabilities. The movie harnesses its vibrant greens, breathtaking purples and transformed realities to a hero’s journey. Protracted set pieces become indigenous and compelled by visual effects, halting the movie ignore everything else - the story and restive audience. An artful neurosurgeon, Strange
conducts operations to beats of an batch conveys the character in wholly excursion, upholding superiority while phy. Dr. Strange’s vanity and recklessness leaves his career into nothing but detritus. After his dilemma, Strange visits Nepal where he is confronted by a he delves into the way of a hero with -
charisma, paramounting the doctor’s playboy egotism and catalysing talks of Dormammu, Agamotto, etc. with a sardonic touch of banter. The rest of the characters gad with less fortune, Adams’ characters are emaciated of both function and screen time, while Mikkelsen’s faded antagonist has all but depth and complexity. Heralding incantations and divinahazardous motion till date, but the could have been a genuine mis-step on the studio’s part turned out to be a sanguine leap into an undiscovered territory which revitalizes an overused formula while amplifying the shared universe. This is a reality-defying visual treat and the most ravishing extravaganza of the year.
it is clear that Strange’s fate is leads to a greater cause than returning to
The duo John and Sonakshi are seen encountering their acts here excluding their appreciative action talent and their emulation. And watching Tahir on the screen keeps everyone engaged and just entirely mingled with less face he easily attains audience interests and also through his stellar act. Abhinay’s direction is indeed a laborious one and genuine, shot well and also the storyline is captivating. of good music, mainly the recreated song – O Janiya,
By Malvika Nair Class XII Shikshantar School, Gurgaon
originality. some reality of how RAW agents lay down their lives unrecognized. They do not even get name, fame, revernation their family too doesn’t get support for survival by the Government. They might remain anonymous for many. But for themselves, their families and for their nation they are truly the best Heroes. A big salute to all the RAW agents. It is better to watch read about it here. So, I am going with 3 stars out of 5 stars.
SCHOOL LIVE
By Aniket Parihar Class XI The Scindia School, Gwalior
Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 47
R A P
U P
J
esse Andrew’s debut novel ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,’ is the dream debut any author in their sane mind could possibly want. The protagonist Greg is a socially awkward senior, who wants nothing more by the ‘traumatic experience’ that is high school. The only thing he loves more than avoiding interaction with fellow human beings is making movies with his only friend, Earl, whom he refers to as his co-worker. Greg is forced by his mother to spend time with an old childhood friend, Rachel, when she is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Unlike multiple books and movies based on terminal illness, this book doesn’t glamorise sickness nor does it make the one going through it look like a saint. every way possible, so much so that it becomes easy to relate to him and eventually one cannot help but end up liking this quirky teen with a sense of humour I wish I possessed. I loved the character development. The book
cared about anything or anyone apart from his own self. The writing style uses a heavy dose of parenthesis, a fresh break from the usual writing style of novelists. When I started the book, I went in expecting a sad melodrama about a dying girl but what I got was a story about a boy with a self-depreciating sense of humour, who is perfect in no way, trying to cope up with what it is like to lose a friend,
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews starts with Greg’s indifference to Rachel’s situation and reluctance to spend time with her, and ends with him trying to do every possible thingeven showing her the movies made by Earl and him- to make the world suck a little less for her. A very big step for someone who in the beginning barely
T
he society in which Beatrice Prior belongs tions namely- Abnegation,
what she wanted to continue doing after initiation test. Her test results became a deadly secret, a secret she was supposed to carry to her deathbed. Her choice in initiation was something nobody ever expected. With new faction came a new beginning. With the responsibility of “Faction before Blood”, she has to face new challenges, prevent her
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By Vitasta Singh Class XII Scottish High International School, Gurgaon
tecting her from something. Would she be able to survive the new faction, save her life and also of her loved one? This novel is one of the best I’ve ever read. With so many plot twists and a massive storyline, Veronica Roth created a masterpiece. Once started reading, I didn’t want to put the book down. It is one of the best summer or fall reads recommended. The protagonists of this novel were serious characters, so no humor was expected from them, but all the other characters kept us entertained. Also, to know the meaning behind the name “Four” was very satisfying for me. Highly recommended for those who seek action with mystery.
Dauntless. Growing up in Abnegation was not an easy task, always keeping others above you, showing acts
out the story behind the man that is a threat as well as the one who is pro-
where he is heading in life. The reader may be prepared for the sadness and heartbreak that comes with reading this book, but in no way would they be prepared for the conspicuous amount of humour. In an initial chapter Greg says, “This book contains precisely zero important life lessons.” He could not have been more wrong.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
By Anjishtha Sharma Class X New Era Public School, Mayapuri
P a r e n t i n g
Impulsion to Reading Studies show that children who read very little usually have poor reading skills. Reading is a struggle for them, and they avoid it whenever possible. Is there anything that we can do to encourage children to read?
F
irst, it’s helpful to know your child’s reasons for not liking or wanting to read. Reading is a multifaceted process that develops only with practice.
Reading helps…
Focus on language development It stimulates student’s imagination Enables them to think deeply Nurture their natural curiosity Develop their ability to express themselves more clearly Enhances concentration and discipline The most important is - The knowledge that reading is fun! As a teacher or a parent, reading to your students or to your kids is one of the most important things you can do to lay the foundations for their excellence at different stage in life.
Reading enhances language skills-
Language development or acquisition involves an interaction among these connected processes. Listening Speaking Reading and Writing Helping the children enjoy reading is one of the most important things we can do as a parent and its well worth the investment of time and energy. Kids will learn reading skills in school, but often they come to associate reading with work, not pleasure. As a result, they lose their desire to read. And it is that desire—the curiosity and interest—that is the cornerstone to use reading and related skills successfully.
A few tactics that we need to keep in mind
Encourage children to read, but
The more that you read The more things you’ll know The more you learn The more places you go! — Dr. Seuss don’t hound them. Explain what troubles you about certain types of reading materials after reading them yourself. Forbid as little as possible. And whenever you can, accept differences of opinion as just that. If you catch your children reading, show interest, but don’t make a big that they’re reading for their own pleasure—not for your approval.
Ways to encourage children to read...
Set an example. Let children see you reading for pleasure. Furnish your home with a variety of reading materials. Leave books, magazines, and newspapers around.
Give children an opportunity to choose their own books. When you are out together, browse in a bookstore or library. Let them make their own choices. Build on your child’s interest. Look for books and articles that feature the people they look up to or entertainment they are interested in. Gift them a subscription to a magazine that would interest them. Make reading aloud a natural part of family life. Read out an an article from the paper, a poem, or a random page from an encyclopedia— without making it a lesson. Keep the big picture in mind. For all sorts of reasons, some children go through periods without showing much interest in reading. Don’t panic! Time, and this may help to rekindle their interest.
clue to what interests your children.
SCHOOL LIVE
By Ms Ritu Nagpal Delhi Public School Sonepat
Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 49
W a t c h
T h i s
S p a c e
‘TRYST WITH TRANQUILITY’
P
ragyan School, Greater Noida, celebrated its 15th Annual Day on 12th November 2016. The
bitious ruler to seeking and spreading the message of Dharma.
with the school’s chairperson, Dr. tor and Broadcaster, Dr. Narottam Ruchika Sharma and the school Puri. Welcoming Dr. Puri and other mentor, Mr. S.P. Bakhshi, gave away luminaries with bouquets of white the excellence awards to the meritorious students of the session 2015with the spreading of the message of 16. Khyaati Bhati, the Head Girl of Universal Peace and Brotherhood. the school, proudly received the The theatrical presentation `Tryst with Tranquility` presented the change of heart of the mighty king XII who had appeared for their Ashoka, from a courageous and am- Board Examinations in March 2016
LEAD ON! 2016
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society. The third activity was an outdoor activity called Scavenger hunt- here students were divided into 6 groups, based on the houses of the popular TV show series Game Of Thrones, and were given certain location clues for the school which they deciphered and found the location using a map and at the location was a clue for a person/ organization. The last speaker for the event was Mr. Kapil Sibal. An eloquent speaker with a charming demeanor, he took the stage by storm and left each and every student awe-inspired. His take on the theme and correlating it with his personal experiences, anecdotes, and his own journey not only made his addressal ar t Vih riveting but thoroughly enjoyable. Tagore International School, Vasan Lead On! Truly helped the stuMr. Kapil Sibal- who held interactive ors and they were to identify those dents harness their leadership skills leadership sessions. colors as leadership traits, Utility and the sessions and the activities Ms. Madhu Kishwar, whilst ad- Vs Deontology- where students were thoroughly enjoyed by those dressing the audience, spoke aptly were presented with hypothetical present there. The student council, about the theme of the event- Excellence, Engagements, Ethics. She solutions for the situation which ganizing and conducting the event, beautifully connected achieving were either ethical but did harm to were highly appreciated for their teexcellence by engaging in society the larger society or weren’t ethical nacity, quick and innovative thinking with ethics, how one must have an however were good for the larger and their stick-to-it-iveness.
ead On! is an annual leadership summit hosted by Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar. With its ninth edition this year, the student council, with full energy, zest and determination, made Lead On! a remarkably successful event. The event included the two keynote speakers- Ms. Madhu Kishwar and
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ethical thinking and keep its importance in hindsight while pursuing any goal in life. Later an interactive question- answer session with Ms. Madhu Kishwar left the students present enriched and enlightened. There were three activities which were organized, Values in Hueswherein students were given col-
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W a t c h
T h i s
S p a c e
also received their awards. Jishnu Misra who scored 94.8%, Angja Kanotra who scored 94.5% and Karan Kaul who scored 94.4% were felicitated for the hard work they had put in for their Board Examinations. While addressing the audience, Dr. Puri commented that the school stands out from the milieu of schools that dot the region, being the recipient of the coveted International School Award (2015himself- a singer, Dr. Puri is familiar with the world of music and dance. He appreciated the efforts of the students in rendition through instrumental mu-
Pragyan School, Greater Noida
professionalism, mesmerizing the audience through their presentation. Dr. Puri, though with his commitment had to move away earlier during the function, yet remained spellbound till the very end of the three hour programme.
TRIPLE CELEBRATIONS tional curriculum, was awarded The -
ence held on September 20, 2016 at awarded the Best Staff Award for the Year 2015-16. The awards were given away by Liam Vint, Deputy Director, Global Network and TK Arunachalam, Regional Director, South Asia. Amity Group of Schools also the year 2015-2016 for Innovation
Amity International
A
ccolades
shower
as
held in Delhi on August 6, 2016.
Am-
Gold Plaques, in recognition of their growth and positive impact on lanBest Staff and Best Prepara- Group of Schools and RBEF, to pro- guage learning and teaching under vide the best educational services Education Services Organization, and add value to the existing educa- in schools.
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 51
A k a s h
ENGINEERING vs MEDICAL:
Choosing the right path! Acing class X is one of the initial quantum leaps that a student takes in his career, but it is after cracking the exam that the real predicament begins. With a variety of subjects available, it becomes extremely difficult to zero in on a particular discipline. We have the experts from Aakash Institute help you decide.
G
iven the present scenario, engineering and medical are two of the most popular streams where aspirants usually face the dilemma of which of these realms to go into. This is a crucial decision that can make or break a ing the class X exam brings students at a crossroads, where they have to weigh the pros and cons of both right decision about which road to choose. For the crème de la crème or the toppers, it is not such a strenuous task as they are already clear in
Usually students and their parents sets regarding the two streams. This is why some are biased towards engineering and others towards medicine. A quick glance at the numbers will reveal that the percentage of students opting for engineering is higher as compared to those choosing the medical stream. This is evident from the fact that there are more engineering colleges in the country and abroad than medical colleges.
The Dilemma
wish to go for. The real dilemma lies If we compare the two professions, for the average students who are un- a four-year B.Tech course can help sure as to which stream they students in grabbing a decentcan shine in. Engineering and medical have been the conventional choices of students for a long time, thanks to the scores of opportunities that they offer aspirants. Also, the immense job prospects that these streams hold make them the most lucrative career options.
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paying job after they graduate. In case of medicine, students have to toil for 8 to 9 years that include 4.5 years of M.B.B.S, 1 year of internship and 3 years of specialisation in entire process that medical students start earning well. However, it is the aspect of ‘nobleness’ that makes the medical profession a continued favourite. The high of curing patients and saving their lives tempts students to build a prosperous career in this one gets from being the saviour of people’s lives is something that money can never give. Also, the chances of creating a far more illustrious career is easier in the medical profession. Firstly, this is true because of the nature of the job and the larger good one does as a medical practitioner. Secondly, the number of engineering passouts every year is higher than the number of jobs being generated. Doctors, on the other hand, can get jobs
A k a s h be chosen after class X. Post class XII, they should appear for entrance exams that act as a gateway into prestigious medical colleges.
The Influencing Factors
It’s no unknown fact that the number of seats in the medical stream is very limited. There is a major supply and demand imbalance and this is also why many students take the engineering route. Also, parental and peer pressure are other reasons that This is, however, not very wise. A judicious comparison of both the disciplines by taking into account certain parameters is the right way for students to choose the path that is best for them. They mustn’t succumb to pressure and should try to identify their strengths and interests. Aspirants need to compare the two streams on the basis of their
easily as pass-outs of good colleges are limited in number.
The Decision-Making
Students should gauge their skills judiciously and then take the final call. For instance, engineering demands thorough understanding of the fundamentals, observation and reasoning skills and a high intelligence quotient. For engineering, students need to be meticulous in using the art of science in a practical and effective manner and produce something worthwhile and innovative out of it. For being an engineer, candidates should
Engineering and medical have been the conventional choices of students for a long time, thanks to the scores of opportunities that they offer aspirants. Also, the immense job prospects that these streams hold make them the most lucrative career options.
social challenges and ease of establishment. Apart from this, students who love their social life and cannot compromise on it can opt for engineering. An engineer’s work is usuthe contrary, doctors have to sacri-
there are serious cases that they have to attend to. Students should think on all these parameters before calling the shots. Making up one’s mind on the basis of public opinion and what others have to say will do no good. At such a crucial stage, it’s vital that aspirants introspect, listen to what their inner voice has to say and analyse both the streams carefully in order to take the right decision. It’s just stream of medicine, it’s of prime one thought, one decision and one Maths after class X and appear for importance that students have an step that can change the entire prostate or national level entrance ex- in-depth know-how of all subjects fessional course of a student’s life. ams which might get them an entry related to medicine and are compe- That’s why it is advised that aspiinto the top engineering colleges tent enough in this craft as far as the rants use their own intellect while of the country. practical aspect is concerned. Phys- taking this life-changing and transOn the contrary, for entering the formative decision.
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 53
Superhero Frame
Feliz Navidad!! It’s Christmas season, a time to exchange gifts, cake and memories. So here is a simple DIY Superhero Frame that you can gift your cousin or a friend who is a superhero fan. They will love it!!
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You will require: A plain photo frame Paint brush White Glue Scissors
Now follow these steps:
Pick out your friend’s favourite superhero comic book. Select the pages that you think are the most interesting or have the most interesting scenes.
If there are wrinkles on your pictures, smoothen them out with the help of a ruler. Now, to add another dimension to your superhero frame, stick another layer of scenes all over the frame. Let it dry. Your Superhero Photo Frame is ready!!
Keep in mind: Be very careful while sticking the scene on the frame. You can also combine scenes from two different superhero comics to make it even more interesting!
and scissors. Now separate the frames using scissors.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rf9fVRvWPU&t=305s
solution with the help of a brush. Stick a layer of miscellaneous scenes, all over the frame.
Follow Rob and share your DIYs with him @: Facebook.com/MadStuffWithRob Twitter.com/MadStuffWithRob Instagram.com//MadStuffWithRob
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Volume 3 | Issue 02 | December 2016 | 55
Outer Space J u n i o r
B l o g
When a child spins a creative web, for even the most basic knowledge, it often comes out beautifully. Here is Ronalee Bhuyan’s take on our space.
L
ong ago, when the universe was just formed by the Almighty, a beautiful star emerged who
sparkled with her own glimmer and always had a smile on her shiny face. Then the day came when she matured into a grownup star and was granted magical powers. The other stars in the whole Milky Way Galaxy celebrated. Sometime later, Proxima thought of using her powers in an amazing quantity and give birth to a stunning star. With the help of her powers and hard work, she gave birth to an amazing star. It was hot like most others but it was yellow and huge. It was the biggest dwarf star any star had ever seen. Proxima was delighted and identifying her as a female, she named her Sun, after the Roman sun god. Everyone applauded Proxima and told Sun that she’ll have unique brothers and sisters due to her mother. A few years later, Sun did get the yearning to be an elder sister. Proxima understood her daughter’s situation and using her powers, she gave birth to a very unique celestial body. It was round and not made of gases, but of rocks. It was of brown-yellowish colour and it didn’t emit its own light It was an amazingly unique celestial body. But the stars, Proxima and Sun were delighted by it. Its mother idenMercury after the Roman messenger of the gods. But since he was such a unique celestial body, everyone paid attention to him and Sun felt like she had been forgotten, which made her
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Sometime later, Proxima thought of using her powers in an amazing quantity and give birth to a stunning star. With the help of her powers and hard work, she gave birth to an amazing star. It was hot like most others but it was yellow and huge.
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jealous of her much-wanted-brother. Then one day, Proxima decided to put Mercury in an orbit around Sun 58 million km away from her, so the sister and brother would be close, this was a usual distance between celestial bodies in space. Sun was delighted because the moment Mercury was snatched away his atmosphere with her heat. Now, there was no protective layer to save Mercury from the asteroids and meteors that roamed around between the stars. Sun felt
J u n i o r But after some time, she started to feel bad and guilty. So she said sorry to her brother and mother and Proxima gave Mercury the power to feel nothing, so he wouldn’t feel the pain when any meteor or asteroid struck him. The next six children of Proxima -
a Greek god, the Greek god of the heavens. After him, the last creation of Proxima was born as she was too tired to give birth now. He was named Neptune after the Roman god of the seas. All of these children except for Sun were round celestial bodies, three made of rocks and four made of gases. But an asteroid belt was placed between Mars and Jupiter in the fear that their different components might harmfully affect them if they collide. They all orbited Sun. Venus was 108, Mars was 228, Jupiter was 778, Saturn was 1427, Uranus was 2869 and Neptune was 4496 million km away from their eldest sibling. These celestial bodies were named planets. And their ultimate source of light, the ul-
B l o g
to a really unique planet. She put all her hard work and powers into this
most unique planet. She was made of rocks and when her family members examined her closely, they were shocked to see that she had oceans, lands and gases with conditions favourable for life. She was even at a perfect distance from Sun at 150 million km away. She was named Earth in an orbit around her mother that took 365 days. Her uncle Mercury gave her the gift of an atmosphere to protect her from Sun’s ultraviolet rays, Aunt Venus gave her the beautiful nature, Uncle Mars gave her living beings that included humans, Uncle Jupiter gave her strength to bear anything bad, Uncle Saturn gave her crops, Uncle Uranus gave her a natural satellite, her own moon while Uncle Neptune gave her the gift of seas. Today, this very baby Earth is grown up and is Mother Earth to us. But the gifts given to her by her uncles and aunt are being used in the wrong way by us humans. Her Uncle Mars gifted us to her in the hope that we would make her the best and happiest planet but we went against his wishes. Today, there is pollution, garbage and global warming everywhere. Only because of her Uncle Jupiter’s gift, she is able to bear all this but the rising seas are the signs of her tears due to global warming. We should protect our Mother Earth as she has ter Mercury, a very beautiful daughter lovingly taken care of us for millions was born who was named Venus after timate source that combined all of the Roman goddess of love and beau- them together was Sun so this system cle Mars’ wish. We have to save our ty. After her came a son, Mars who was named the Solar System. Mother Earth before it’s too late! It’s was named after the Roman god of Years passed. Now all these celes- our responsibility as we are her chilwar since he was blood red in colour. tial bodies as well as Sun had grown dren and there are people who are tryAfter him, came the gas giant Jupiter up and been granted their magical ing to save her. We must follow them who was named after the Roman king powers. But besides Venus and Sun, and return her long lost glory to our of gods since he was the biggest celes- the brothers didn’t have the powers to dear and unique Mother Earth!!! tial body any star had ever seen. After give birth as they were boys and they him came another gas giant, Saturn didn’t even want to possess those By who was named after the Roman god powers. But Venus didn’t want to Ronalee Bhuyan of agriculture. Then came another gas have those powers either and she Class VIII giant, Uranus who was the only one had them taken back by the galaxy. Amity International School, among his siblings to be named after So one day, Sun decided to give birth Pushp Vihar
Sun was delighted because the moment
his orbit around her; she snatched away his
Now, there was no protective the asteroids and meteors
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J u n i o r
S l a m
Exams The pressure of study. The blabbering of Mummy. Publishing math problems in our minds. And history notes by its side. Keeping our eyes glued to the books. “Study hard”, “Gain good marks” from each and every nook. Oh Henry Fischel! What did you do? You think it’s as easy as preparing stew? Striking our luck with infinite marks. It seems as if we are surrounded by the dark. But alas! Somehow, the exams flee. And leaves us all full of glee! By Archisha Vedha Class VII Amity International School, Sector-46, Gurgaon
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P a g e
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H e a d
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