School LIVE Jan 2018

ToTal pages: 60

Volume 03 | Issue 06 january 2018

The Little

Bravehearts of

IndIa

e understandinBgluthes Winter The need for Traditional eating How to join thees armed Forc lutions admission resofo r the new year

contributors

S C H O O L

L I V E Board Of Directors

Harun Robert, a.k.a, Rob

An arts & crafts wizard, and an award-winning designer.

Richa Aniruddha

Urvashi Malik

Sanjay Dua Hariharan Balagopal

Founder & Managing Director of CollegeCore with over fifteen years of experience in guiding and aiding students.

EDITOR Mansi Tikoo mansitikoo@gmail.com DESIGNER Ashish Kumar

For AdvertiSING M.G Ramachandran Mo. 9953593081 advertising@school-live.com

Jitin Chawla Educationist and career counsellor tells you how to pick the right course

Amit Dubey

Crime Investigator and expert on ethical hacking.

Bina Nangia

Pioneer in the field of Special Education and Dyslexia, Associated with the NGO, Hope Ek Asha

Ranjoo Mann Pro Vice Chairman, Delhi Public School Sonepat

For subscription editor@school-live.com

C o n ta c t Kritika Negi 9810560472

School LIVE : Printed and Published by Richa Aniruddha fromPlot No. 202/2E-23, Jhandewalan Extn., New Delhi-110055 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: www.school-live.com Twitter: @schoolLIVE_mag Facebook: School LIVE ToTal pages: 60

Volume 03 | Issue 06 january 2018

The Little

Kavita Devgan

Nutritionist, weight management specialist and health writer

Shubhalakshmi Narayanan

Bravehearts of

IndIa

the understanding Winter Blues The need for Traditional eating How to join thes armed Force

utions admission resolfor the new year

Former Principal AG, GOI

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 3

Know for Sure Quiz

The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) is located in which state?

• • • •

Karnataka Tripura Goa Manipur

Where is the headquarters of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)?

• • • •

Paris Geneva Washington DC Warsaw

Mary Kom has won gold medal in which category at 2017 Asian women’s Boxing Championships?

• • • •

52kg category 57kg category 48kg category 42kg category

Who has won the 2017 IBSF World Billiards Championship?

Pankaj Advani Geet Sethi Ashok Shandilya Subhash Agarwal

Meghalaya 48kg category Chennai Pankaj Advani France

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6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

• • • •

• • • •

Green economy Fake nation Eco library Fake news

Which country’s team has clinched the 2017 Women’s Hockey Asia Cup Tournament?

• • • •

China England India Japan

The 2nd edition of India International Cherry Blossom festival has started in which state?

• • • •

Odisha Mizoram Jammu & Kashmir Meghalaya

Which Indian city has been included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its rich musical tradition?

• • • •

Chennai Surat Lucknow Amritsar

Audrey Azoulay has been appointed as the new chief of UNESCO. She hails from which country?

• • • •

Germany Italy Bulgaria France

Answers

2 4 6 8 10

Tadamori Oshima Shinzo Abe Hirotaka Akamatsu Junichiro Koizumi

Shinzo Abe Fake news Goa India Washington DC

• • • •

Which word has been named official word of the year 2017 by Collins dictionary?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1 3 5 7 9

Who has been elected as the 95th Prime Minister of Japan?

ed-note

S C H O O L

L I V E

Hi All!

So it’s that time of the year again when the old has gone and the new has just arrived. Time to say goodbye to the old one and welcome the new. Yes, New Year!

How many of you actually sit and introspect about how the past year has been and plan well for the coming year?

It’s good to do so because it helps us not make the same mistakes that we made in the previous year. After all, even if we want to keep making mistakes in life, let them be new ones. No fun in repeating our mistakes :) I wrote a small poem about what I wish to do at the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018.

Thought of sharing it with you....

Time to look back...

At good things and bad At gains and losses I’ve had At the mistakes made and the lessons learnt At new relationships found and some bridges burnt...

All moments that made me happy and sad And also the ones that made me go mad...

Time to unclutter the heart and mind..

And create space for new happiness that I shall find..

Time to let go...forgive and forget..

All people who I wish I’d never met...

Time to sing a new song, read a new book, visit a new place, eat a new dish...

Time for new beginnings and make a fresh wish.....

Time to break away from the world...

To spend time with ME, the most ignored!

Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful 2018. Hope 2018 makes us better human beings and better Indians...

Lovingly yours

Richa Aniruddha tweet to me @richaanirudh

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 5

5

CROSSWORD NO. 138 1

6

7 9

3

2

4

10

5 6

7

8

9

13

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14 12

11

17

16 13

14

15

19

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ACROSS: 12 11 5. False claimant (9) 8. Sorcerer (4) 9.15 Slight amount (8) 10. The United _____ of America (6) 11. Of the18spine (6) 13. Adheres (6) 15. Stationary (6) 16. Opposite (8) 18. Sacred water-bird (4) 19. Systematizes (9)

DOWN 1. O 2. Cr 3. Lo 4. Pe 6. Di 7. Li 12. vis 14. St in 15. En 17. In

ACROSS: DOWN: LEARNING THROUGH PUZZLES! 5. False claimant (9) 1. Of art or artists (8) ACROSS: A. The Right Orbit DOWN: 8.(9)Sorcerer (4)art or artists (8) 2. Crushes underfoot (6) a.

5. False claimant 1. Of (8) 8. Sorcerer (4) 9. Slight amount 2. Crushes underfoot (6) 3. Loud exhalations (6) 9. Slight amount10.

(8) The United 3. Loud exhalations _____ of (6) 4. Persian fairy (4) c. b.

10. The United _____ America of 4. (6) Persian fairy (4) 6. Division (9) America (6) 6. Division (9) (6) another (9) Bharatiya Amrita Bharati, 11. Of the spine 11.

(6) Of the spine 7. Living off another (9) 7. Living©off 12. visualises (8) 13. Adheres (6) 13. Adheres 12. (6) visualises (8) 15. Stationary (6)15. Stationary 14. Story (6) appearing in regular 14. Story appearing in regular B. Saved from Extinction ANSWERS: 16. Opposite (8) 16. Opposite instalments.

(6) (8) instalments. (6) 18. Sacred water-bird (4) 15. Enter (4,2) 18.

Sacred (4) (4) ACROSS: 15. Enter (4,2) 19. Systematizes (9) 17.water-bird In a high degree 19. Systematizes (9) In a high 5.17.

Pretender 8. degree Magi 9.(4) Marginal 10. S State the kind of satellite orbit suggested by the clues given below: a. A circular orbit in which the satellite remains above the same point on the Earth’s surface, at an altitude of 35,786 km b. This orbit is away from the operational ones, and is used to place crafts at the end of their operational life c. An orbit in which a satellite travels over a point on the earth’s surface at the same local solar time

In the early 1900s, in the eastern USA, a fungus spread that nearly killed off an entire species of tree. The fungus later spread to other parts of the world too; in all, it destroyed three to four billion trees! The blighted tree was big, with spreading branches and dome-shaped appearance, and was known for the strength of the furniture made from its wood. A lot of care and attention is being given to the few thousand of these trees that still survive in the USA. What tree are we talking about?

14/ © Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2017

B. The American Chestnut Answers: A. a. Geostationary; b. Graveyard; c.Sun-synchronous

Prakash got really nervous when he read these terms, but the doctor reassured him that there was nothing seriously wrong with him. So, what did the terms in the report stand for?

Answers

DOWN: 1. Artistic 2. Stamps 3. Snorts 4. Peri 6 12. Imagines 14. Serial 15. Step in 17.

ACROSS: 5. Pretender 8. Magi 9. Marginal 10. States 11. Spinal 13. Sticks 15. Static 16. Converse 18. Ibis 19. Organises

Prakash went to the doctor, who did a thorough check-up of him. Then he wrote a repor t in which he mentioned that Prakash suffered from these things: a. furuncle b. horripilation c. sternutation

13. Sticks 15. Static 16. Converse 18.

DOWN: 1. Artistic 2. Stamps 3. Snorts 4. Peri 6. Partition 7. Parasitic 12. Imagines 14. Serial 15. Step in 17. Very

C. a. furuncle is a boil; b. horripilation is the medical term for goose bumps; c. sternutation means sneezing So Prakash had a boil, some goose bumps and a bout of sneezing.

C. The Report

© Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2017 / 13

Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2017 / 13 SCHOOLLIVE

CROSS: Pretender 8. Magi 9. Marginal 10. States 11. Spinal

© Amrita Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2017 / 13

© 6 | Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018

ANSWERS:

ANSWERS:

S C H O O L

contents

L I V E 5 Editor’s Note 6 Indiannica Learning 8 School in Spotlight 13 Slam Poetry

COVER 14 Exclusive: Small Bundles,

E

nd of the year is a very confusing time for me, personally. As cliche as it sounds, I am genuinely confused if I should feel good for the coming of the new year, or feel sad for the year gone by?

Plus, the bitter cold: it really freezes my brain. But then again, SO much festivity in air, how does one remain unaffected? The New Year also brings with it the reason we define ourselves as a nation today.

We did become a Republic in the January of 1950, and our young reporters Vani Joshi and Zara Javed give us their perspectives on where we stand today on that front. We also thought that the new year should be kicked off by talking about issues that are absolutely crucial to our community of writers and readers, one of them being body positivity and Yatharth Vohra has a stellar take on banishing body shaming from our systems. This brings us to another pressing issue of our times, the beauty pageants, could anything be more pointed in its focus on the body? Tavashya Kumar shares with us his valuable input on the issue. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough food for thought, Swastika Tiwari kicks off her debut as a storyteller with us!

With every issue, we try to put in as much diverse content as we can for you in an issue, and if you feel we are missing the mark somewhere or if you want to submit your own writings, do remember to write to us at editor@school-live.com. We would love to hear from you.

Exemplary Courage 20 Career Chat 23 Open Letter 24 Teen Travels 26 In Counsel 28 Blog 32 DIY 34 On Your Mark 37 Fun Side: Adventures of Maya 38 Storytelling 40 Fit for Life 41 Opinion 42 Cyber Safe 44 Study Guide 47 Positively Positive 48 Rap Up 49 In The News 50 Watch this Space 53 The Untold

Juniors 54 DIY

56 Blog 57 Travel Tales 58 Slam Poetry

Quick Edit

“Happy Reading!”

Mansi Tikoo

20 56

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Of Education

& Hope

A

s she sits in her office long after the hum of school life has quieted she shares with us the journey of where it all began. Ms Jolly studied in a government school and she fondly remembers her English teacher, Mrs. Devyani Joshi, “She was not an ordinary teacher.

She was an unconventional, creative and exceptional educator who wielded quiet command and unfailing authority in school due to her affection, trust and regard for fellow teachers and students alike. That is when I knew that I wanted to be like her; to be able to walk into the hearts of children. Being an Educator seemed like the next natural step towards fulfilling this goal and here I am today, living my dream!”

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However, being a Principal and crossing over to administration was not something Ms Jolly had planned.

As a teacher of English in Classes VI to XII, she enjoyed teaching Literature and Poetry to students. Being a Principal happened virtually by default as she was inspired to change her role by an Educator who had touched many lives and changed them in the process. She says, “It seemed like an unknown adventure at the moment but one that fascinated me by its unpredictability and sheer magnitude. The scope of actually making a difference to young lives was immense as were the possibilities. It was challenging to be able to empower people to see themselves differently and to help

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In a smaller city creating an environment of holistic education is a feat very few have been able to achieve over the years.

We at School Live had the opportunity to interact with the Principal of Chinar Public School, Alwar, Ms Vimmy Jolly and get a sense of the workings of the school and the heights it has reached in just a few years since its opening.

S c h o o l them take charge of their lives. I was ready to combine the roles of teacher, friend, agony aunt, administrator, guide all in one and start on my roller coaster ride. Surprises were many as were mistakes. Perhaps but they were all cherished as valuable lessons for the future.”

What has Chinar as an institute come to mean for you?

Chinar has been special to me as Principal of the school since January 2015 and I am happy to be part of the school that values its heritage despite welcoming the winds of

Chinar Public School is pioneering the licensed programme of IAYP in Alwar district, by becoming a Youth Engaging Society (YES) Centre to engage young people in schools/ community.

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change. The school has an illustrious past and a rich legacy of success and is revered for its dedication to excellence and openness to new trends in education. Conceived with the hope of nurturing citizens of tomorrow it was the aim and mission of Hon’ble Shri S. S. N. Ganju Sir to reach out to the smallest cell in the school’s organization and empower students to be responsible and compassionate.

Known to be one of the most progressive schools of Rajasthan state, Chinar Public School, achieved numerous milestones in its three decade long journey. Huge cam-

Vimmy Jolly, Principal, Chinar Public School, Alwar pus, large playgrounds and a fullfledged gym, swimming pool, 2 open air theatres , 81 classrooms, a fully equipped conference hall, technology enabled resource room, well equipped science and computer labs, 1350 students, 86 fully trained dedicated staff members, and so many more features that keep adding year after year.

Tell us about the relationship that the school has built between a student’s various stakeholders.

A dedicated faculty of trained teach-

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ers, computer aided learning with classrooms equipped with interactive boards, state-of-the-art laboratories for science, multi purpose hall, computer labs for junior, middle and senior sections as well as well stocked library that are our pride, contribute to interactive learning that strives to go beyond the textbook and integrate a curriculum drawn from life experiences. Parent’s involvement at functions and other school affairs is our greatest strength for we believe in building bridges between the home and school in an effort to sustain and strengthen the learning process.

Regular counseling sessions are also held involving teachers, students and parents with experts contributing towards greater sensitization and awareness of common concerns. quirements for these sports: football, basketball, gymnastics, athletics, What are some of the extra- swimming, volleyball, play swings, curricular activities that the table tennis, cricket, lawn tennis. school takes pride in?

Chinarians have brought many lauThe school campus spreads over a rels to school at different levels, be it sprawling 6 acres and accommo- inter-school, district, state, national dates hitherto unprecedented sports and CBSE tournaments and chaminfrastructure, quintessential in pionships. The list of achievements this region. The campus is rich and in various sports and at various levspacious enough to fulfill all the re- els is very very long.

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Debating, quizzing, dramatics, artistic gymnastics, self defense, entrepreneurship and similar other activities are encouraged and supported by the school with professional trainers coaching students.

Needless to say students have made their presence felt in the cityscape with excellent Board results and numerous awards and accolades won in co-curricular areas. Our students

S c h o o l

A dedicated faculty of trained teachers, computer aided learning with classrooms equipped with interactive boards, state of the art laboratories for science, multi purpose hall, computer labs for junior, middle and senior sections as well as well stocked library that are our pride, contribute to interactive learning that strives to go beyond the textbook

global citizens.

Chinar Public School is pioneering the licensed programme of IAYP in Alwar district, by becomKindly walk us through some ing a Youth Engaging Society (YES) of the accolades and achieve- Centre to engage young people in ments of the school. schools/community.

So far, more than fifty students Our school is ISA certified and are Bronze level and ten Silver level maintains a global outlook towards education. It is committed to help qualifiers. young learners become effective Chinar is the member of NPSC,

are rank holders in CBSE Regional Level Science Exhibitions and other competitive examinations, as well.

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an organization, dedicated to ‘Excellence in Education’. Participation in different Inter-school competitions organized by NPSC is a regular feature at Chinar.

Chinar has been participating in Amity International Model United Nations Conference for the last three years. This is an ongoing club at school. Students host Chinar MUN and invite students to participate in the same. Representing school at Inter-school Model United Nations Conferences ensures a good exposure and learning to students.

Prize Money worth Rs. 15 lac has been awarded to top Gymnastic achievers at Chinar in the year 201617.

Raising awareness about environmental issues, collaborating with neighboring villages and school, NGOs, orphanages to have wider outreach regarding social concerns and community service, gender sensitization and consciousness about women’s rights as well as intensive life skills training with peer mentors and use of cinema as tool to impart values to our young learners, adventure activities on the campus and outside, regular workshops for teacher and students to have potential and talent; all this and more sums up our life at Chinar Public School.

Street Plays, Surveys on social issues like ‘Green Planet’, ‘Save the Girl Child’, ‘Save Water’, ‘Women Empowerment’, ‘Child Labour’ etc., are organized by the school to indicate the value of dignity of labor and compassion towards the downtrodden segments of the society.

What do you envisage for the school in the coming future?

In a school, challenges are a part of the air I breathe! From truancy of students to time management, discipline issues, sharing goals and vision as well as involvement of teachers, students and parents in decision making, often it is all about

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S p o t l i g h t the society works and how we as individuals and members of groups, communities and nations can participate.

Inculcate habits of good citizenship.

Performance Analysis: Academics along with all the other exposures need to be given more focus and attention.

Co-Curricular Activities: After varied and rich exposures for students in art, sports, music, dance, it is time to raise the bar, increase visibility and quality of our performance in each of these areas.

Parent Involvement: The team needs to develop newer ideas for enlarging the home-school -connect program and possibilities for parent volunteers and PTA/Open House.

staying calm through all the stress and thinking things through. To say that I am passionate about life and optimistic about all that it has to offer is to say the least about myself. ..this too will pass…..and it helps me look forward to a new day. Battling hurdles like resistance to change or preconceived notions has merely made me stronger in my belief that I am capable of swimming against the tide till I have others swimming alongside.

Putting more effort on increasing student motivation, student behaviour and igniting the joy of learning Enrolling and engaging the parent community widely and actively Enhancing the Exposure & Global Dimensions in the Curriculum in wider manner; by Video – Conferencing Sessions, Connecting Class room programs and other student exchange programs.

Areas of work & focus in 201819…..

Some of the prospective plans for Chinar…..

Increasing Academic Competence and Performance Continuing to work on Teacher Quality and Appraisal

Life Skills & Community Projects: A detailed Life Skills Orientation Program will be the core agenda of Chinar Public School. The objectives of LSO will be as under: To help students understand how

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Creating In-House Trainers: Discussions, trainings and seminars on different subjects and other topics; and deeper understanding of teaching and learning process need to be organized on frequent basis.

Concluding, I would pray for our students to be able to pursue excellence in their chosen field, live life to the fullest, retain a sense of humor and reach out compassionately to those less fortunate.

As an Educator I feel privileged to be in a profession that allows me to be surrounded by youth and energy, belies the wrinkles on my face with the young dreams, I still cherish and the purity of hard work and endeavor that inspires me to continue striving for betterment. The school, we pray, will endure the best of time for students to come back to it as alumni and would be parents for the legacy to continue.

Above all, it is our dream to give our children the gift of hope so that even when in times of trouble they may think to themselves….what a wonderful world…and strive to keep it so.

We pledge to a sincere job.

S l a m

Admirer I look at the dishevelled structure, The broken windows, The chained gates.

I look at the imperfectly placed bricks, Out of order, Yet, sustaining the cruelty time brings with it.

I see the arches, the domes, How each one just like the other, Tells us the Mughals touched this.

I see the walls, And think of all the pain they must have endured, The tears they have soaked, The whispers they hold.

The secret of numerous kisses that they keep safe.

And I wonder, What is the monument waiting for?

Another conqueror?

Or just another admirer.

A Letter To My Father Dear father I hate the fact that the man I wish I could inspire to be isn’t you

P o e t r y

I’m sorry I’d much rather be a boy with Nothing but ink stains and A blank page I’d much rather be a road That has an end, for at least I’ll be home to dead leaves And homeless hearts If no one I’d much rather be a broken roof So I’m mended Rather than being broken down I’m sorry, father But please don’t feel ashamed When you tell your friends That your son wishes to be a painting And not to be mistaken for the canvas He wishes to be a five year old’s Creation He wishes to be the sea that lets The sun sink in it every night And reflects the new stars that greet His new canvas everyday Father, tell them he wishes to be painted With bare hands so he can leave his heart In the hands of a creator Because that’s what they call god, don’t they?

I’m sorry, father.

By Amrita Chopra Class XII Convent of Jesus and Mary, New Delhi

By Mukul Jindal Class XII Delhi Public School, Sushant Lok

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 13

S l a m

P o e t r y

Small Bundles of

Exemplary Courage

Have you ever thought of taking on yourself the blame for a prank that your friend might have played? What lengths would you go to save your friend from trouble?

More pointedly, what lengths can we go to save a stranger from trouble? Just to think of putting your own life in physical and psychological danger to be able to save another’s, what kind of courage would that take, and where exactly does one pluck that courage from? What makes it even more admirable is when the people displaying such acts of courage are children themselves!

T

he National Bravery Awards, first started in 1957 by the Indian Council for Child Welfare are given to young children in recognition of their exemplary acts of selfless service in face of extreme risk to their own lives. As the story goes, Jawaharlal Nehru saw a young boy save the lives of many others when faced with an untoward incident on Gandhi Jayanti at Ramlila Grounds in the same year. The incident inspired him to ask the authorities to set up these awards.

Though originally given as a general award, over the years it was further bifurcated into sub categories. The national bravery awards to children are given in 5 different categories: • Bharat Award: Instituted in 1987 and awarded to

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exceptionally outstanding gallantry deeds.

Geeta Chopra Award: Instituted in 1978 and given to a girl.

• Sanjay Chopra Award: Instituted in 1978 and given to a boy.

• Bapu Gaidhani Awards: Instituted in 1988 and given to three children.

• General Awards: Instituted in 1957.

The recipient of the Bharat Award gets a Gold Medal, rest everyone receives a silver medal. The children also receive financial assistance to complete their schooling.

There might have been many winners of the award over the years, we thought of putting together for you some of them here: •

E x c l u s i v e Late Tarh Peeju (Arunachal Pradesh, 2016) 8 year old Tarh and her two friends set out to cross the river to their parents at farm, without the knowledge of their families.

All of a sudden, she saw that her other two friends were being swept by a strong undercurrent. She jumped into 5 ft deep water and managed to drag them both to safety. But unfortunately, she herself was submerged and swept away by the strong current of the river.

Late Gaurav Kawduji Sahastrabuddhe (Maharashtra, 2015)

While trying to save the lives of his four friends, Gaurav lost his own. The boy swam for 20 minutes pulling out his friends and dragging them to safety.

By the time he saved the last of the boys, he passed out of exhaustion and drowned.

We may not know the exact origin story of all of the categories of awards, but we do know about how the Geeta and Sanjay Chopra awards came into being: In August of 1978, 16 year old Geeta and 14 year old Sanjay left their house at Dhaula Kuan to participate in a Radio programme. Their father, a Naval officer was supposed to pick them up after the show. As it started drizzling they hitched a ride in a fiat driven by hardened criminals, Ranga (a.k.a Kuljeet Singh) and Billa (a.k.a Jasbir Singh). Assuming that children were from a well to do family, the kidnappers held them for ransom.

When the siblings learnt of their intentions, they tried to break free. A lot of people witnessed it on road, and tried to get the police involved. But the police failed to perform their duty. On learning that their father was a naval officer, the kidnappers tried to dispense with the two. They first murdered Sanjay, raped Geeta and then killed her.

The two were arrested on a train in 1978. This was one of the major, sensational cases that received a lot of media coverage and had the public outraged. The bravery award was subsequently named after the two siblings.

Resham Fatima (Uttar Pradesh, 2014) While she was on her way to her tuition, Resham’s uncle picked her up at knife-point. He wanted to marry her and she refused to give into his demands. When she refused to budge, he poured concentrated acid over her auto passing by stopped and took her to the police stahead. She did her best to fight him off, and eventually tion, and then to the hospital. She lost her hair on the pushed him away and threw herself out of the car. An right side of the head permanently.

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E x c l u s i v e

Mahika Gupta (Delhi, 2013)

along with other students in a 8 year old Maruti van. Due Mahika was to a short circuit in Kedarnath in the gas kit, the with her fam- van caught fire. ily, when the The driver was terrible floods the first one to of Uttara- flee. Om Prakash khand shook broke the van not only the door, caring litstate, but the tle about the fire entire coun- engulfing him, try with it. pulled out the She was alone other students. in the hotel He saved 8 lives room with her that day. brother one evening, when floodwaters slammed into the building.

As lights went out and the room was getting filled by wa- Tejasweeta Pradhan and Shivani Gond ter and debris, she saw her 4 yr old brother being swept (West Bengal, 2016) away in the floodwaters. She managed to pull her broth- Tejasweeta and Shivani have been volunteering with er with all her strength, and stayed clung to a window Students Against Trafficking Club (SATC) for many rod before they were rescued. Only 10 of the 16 family years. When an NGO, Marg and the CBI were tracing members made it back safely. a missing girl from Nepal in New Delhi, the two girls became part of the project to find her. They befriended the missing girl on Facebook and started chatting.

Om Prakash Yadav (Uttar Pradesh, 2012) They continuously kept the minor girl engaged in chatLike any other day, Om Prakash was going to school ting and pretended to be in need of employment. These

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E x c l u s i v e

SATC members were lured by the missing girl to flashy work/sex trade in New Delhi. Fake Aadhar Cards were sent to them and they were told to cross the border immediately. A trap was laid by the local police with the help of MARG and SATC members. A lady and a man, who had come to pick up the girls of SATC, were appre- when a search party came looking for her. She was eventually abandoned in the forest and walked for an hour or hended by the police. more to find the nearest human hut.

Shivampet Ruchitha (Telangana, 2015)

Sumit Mamgain (Uttarakhand, 2016)

Ruchitha saved two lives when she saw her school bus come to a sudden halt on a railway track. As the train was approaching fast, she pushed two students out of the window and jumped out herself. Unfortunately, she could not rescue her sister sitting in the front row.

One fine day, Sumit and his cousin Ritesh were going to a nearby field to graze cattle. Suddenly a leopard that was hiding in the bushes attacked Ritesh on his head. Seeing this, Sumit cried aloud and threw stones at the leopard.

The leopard left Ritesh and moved towards Sumit. Holding its tail, Sumit hit him with a chopper. Sumit continGunjan Sharma (Nagaland, 2014) ued to retaliate and the beast fled. As Ritesh was bleedWhen their school van of 11 children was abducted with ing profusely from his head and hand, he was taken to the driver, Gunjan pleaded with the gunmen to let oth- the hospital. ers go and take her alone as hostage. Even though the inebriated gunmen had abducted them in broad daylight, and kept firing rounds of ammunition to keep the Arjun Singh (Uttarakhand, 2015) crowd away, Gunjan did not flinch. The gunmen stuffed A fully grown tiger entered Arjun’s home, seeing which her mouth with a pistol to prevent her from screaming his mother fainted. While she fainted at the sight, the

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E x c l u s i v e

16-year-old boy showed great presence of mind and rushed inside one of the rooms and grabbed a sickle to fight the tiger. Realising that the weapon wasn’t long enough to hit the tiger without getting too close, he picked up a stick and waved it towards the big cat until others in his village reached and the tiger ran away because of the crowd.

Prasannata Shandilya (Odisha, 2012) found, he was still and speechless. Siya realized that he had come in contact with a live wire. She thought that touching her brother would electrocute her but not helping him would mean losing her brother forever. Siya held his shirt and pulled him tightly. As a result, her brother got detached from the live wire and fell unconscious.

Even Siya fell at a distance. As her younger brother was unconscious, Siya screamed out for help. Her parents immediately rushed to the spot and took him to the hospital.

Dishant Mehndiratta (Haryana, 2015) While she was in her room, five dacoits entered their house and started beating her parents. As her room lay close to the kitchen, she tiptoed her way to it and not knowing one from another, mixed turmeric and chilli powder in a big utensil. She carried it to her parent’s bedroom where they were being brutally beaten and threw it in the eyes of the dacoits. By the time they could recover she had already called the police.

Siya Vamansa Khode (Karnataka, 2016) Siya Khode was playing with her four year old brother and cousins at home. They decided to go to the rooftop.

She suddenly realized that her brother was nowhere to be seen. Siya started looking for him. When he was

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At home with his mother and younger brother, a stranger appeared at their doorstep wanting to see Dishant’s fa-

E x c l u s i v e driver of one bus lost control. The bus fell on the right side & was dragged for nearly 100 metres. With the impact, the students, who were sitting on the left side of the bus were thrown off from their seats. As everyone started screaming & shouting, Zeal became alert. Noticing the broken window pane, she got out of the bus & then helped other injured students to get out. Using her teacher’s mobile phone, Zeal informed police and called the ambulance. Zeal kept on tapping the cheeks of the injured & talking to them to keep them conscious till the ambulance arrived.

Late Riya Chaudhary (Uttar Pradesh, 2014)

It was an ordinary with Riya studying in her room, and her parents going on about their daily chores. Suddenly, Riya heard some commotion from outside. She saw her parents & uncle surrounded by some miscreants, armed with dangerous weapons. All of a sudden, they started firing. Seeing them targeting her father, she rushed ahead & stood in front of him. The bullet that was aimed at her father, hit her in the chest. Undeterred Riya continued to shield her father.

Mittal Patadiya (Gujarat, 2012) ther, Ravinder. Ravinder spoke to the man on the phone, but did not know who he was and told him to come some other day. The man then asked to use the bathroom.

When Archana (Dishant’s mother) was showing him the way to it, he took out a knife and put it on Archana’s neck. As he threatened the children to bring out all the valuables and cash, Dishant started pleading with him to let go of his mother. But the very next moment, he got up and knocked the knife out of the man’s hand, and Dishant and his mother were able to overpower the man.

Zeal Marathe (Gujarat, 2014) While returning from a school picnic one evening, the Mittal was doing her homework like any other day, when three robbers entered their house. The leader of the robbers, a auto rickshaw driver known to the family, would have thought the child would be alone with her grandmother. The robbers, who had beaten her up and held her old grandmother hostage, failed against her courage.

She caught a robber by his hair and tried to throw him down on the floor. As she shouted out for help, other people rushed in to nab two of the robbers. The robbers might have left her with 350 stitches to get but it only left her with an undeterred spirit.

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 19

CPC aa rgr ee ee Hrr e CaC hdh aa tt

Arming the Defense India has the 2nd largest military force in the world. To serve the country should remain the top reason for joining the army services, but life in it offers much more. Getting trained in latest weapons, being with a group of people who have a mission, a life of adventure and excitement and building up a successful career is what Defence forces offer you. Our expert, Jitin Chawla helps us with all the relevant details.

T

he Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of India which consist of four professional uniformed services: The Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The various paramilitary organisations and various inter-service institutions also help the Indian Armed Forces.

With a strength of over 1.4 million active personnel, it is the world’s 2nd largest military force and has the world’s largest volunteer army. It is important to note that the Central Armed Police Forces, which are commonly and incorrectly referred to as ‘Paramilitary Forces’, are headed by officers from the Indian Police Service and are under the control of the

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Ministry of Home Affairs, not the Ministry of Defence.

Recruitment in Indian Armed Forces

a) UPSC Recruitment of Commissioned Officers b) Indian Army c) Indian Airforce d) Indian Navy (Nausena Bharti) e) Indian Coast Guard f) Central Armed Police Forces

ligion and community, provided the laid down physical, medical and educational criteria are met.

UPSC Recruitment of Commissioned Officers : The Union Pub-

lic Service Commission recruits the Commissioned Officers in the Armed Forces by conducting mainly the two all India Competitive Examinations.

• National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Defence Academy (NA): The Indian Armed Forces symbolize The UPSC holds entrance examinathe ideals of service, patriotism and tion twice a year for entry into the composite culture of the country.

NDA and Naval Academy. CandiRecruitment to the Armed Forces is dates on completion of 10+2 examivoluntary and open to all citizens of nation or while in the 12th standard India irrespective of caste, class, reare eligible to compete.

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• Combined Defence Service Examination : CDSE is conducted by the UPSC twice a year. University graduates or those in final year of graduation are eligible to appear in the examination. Successful candidates join the Indian Military Academy/Air Force Academy and Naval Academy for Permanent Commission and Officers Training Academy (OTA) for Short Service Commission.

• Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry : The Short Service Commission (Technical) Entry Scheme provides avenues to eligible technical graduates/post graduates for recruitment in Technical Arms.

After SSB and Medical Board, the selected candidates are required to undergo approximately 49 weeks pre-commission training at OTA, Chennai.

Career in Indian Army: Apart from

recruitment through the UPSC, the commissioned officers are also recruited in Army through the NonUPSC entries.

The Army offers both permanent and short service commissions. Permanent commission (PC) is granted through the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun and Short Service Commission (SSC) is granted through Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai. When you opt for ‘PC’, you are basically looking at a permanent career in the Army, a career till you retire. SSC is a wonderful option for all those of you who aspire to serve it for a few years. It gives you the option of joining the Army, and serving it as a commissioned officer for five years. Once your tenure is over, you are allowed to opt for PC. Alternatively, you can also ask for a five years extension and can choose to resign from your post any time during this period.

• Permanent Commission (PC) • Short Service Commission (SSC) • Short Service Commission (Women)

• Recruitment of Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR)

Career in Indian Air Force: Recruitment of Officers through Non-UPSC Entries: Recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Air Force is mainly done through the UPSC. For technical branches, women special entry scheme, National Cadet Corps (NCC) special entry scheme, service entries, recruitment is made directly through the Recruiting Directorate for the Indian Air Force. As an officer in the Indian Air Force you will strategise, lead and manage. Depending on your qualifications, you could join

one of the various branches in the IAF. Broadly the Air Force has three branches with further sub-streams.

• Flying Branch • Technical Branch • Ground Duty Branch

Career in Indian Navy: A job in the

Navy offers you a chance to exploit your true potential as a professional - by learning new skills, acquiring unrivalled experience in the process of applying those skills, and making the most of Navy advancement. In the Indian Navy, you will find there’s much more to be gained than a regular salary. In fact, the experience that you gain in the Navy can help you

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 21

C a r e e r

C h a t

shape your future through outstand- It is a Union Government Agency ing financial benefits, unparalleled under the administrative control of career potential, and the lifestyle of Ministry of Home Affairs. It is one freedom and personal growth that of many law enforcement agencies of India. It currently stands as the you’ve been waiting for.

Broad Classification of Navy world’s largest border guarding force.

Branches Central Industrial Security • Executive Branch Force (CISF) is a premier multi• Engineering Branch skilled security agency which pro• Electrical Branch vides security cover to nuclear in• Educational Branch stallations, space establishments, Career in Indian Navy Indian airports, seaports, power plants, Coast Guard : Onboard a Coast sensitive Government buildings and Guard ship is engaging, adventur- ever heritage monuments. ous and challenging experience for Central Reserve Police Force youngsters. From saving human (CRPF) is an armed Force of the lives at sea and assisting fishermen Union of India, with the basic role of in peril, to apprehending poachers striking reserve to assist the State/ and preserving marine biodiver- Union Territories in Police operasity, job satisfaction comes easy to a tions to maintain law and order and “Coast Guardsman”. Each day at sea contain insurgency. is filled with promise, and each mis- Indo Tibetan Border Police sion is different in an inimitable way. (ITBP) is a specialized mountain Force and most of the officers & men Career in Central Armed Police are professionally trained mountainForces: Indian Paramilitary forces eers and skiers. also recruit for various posts time to Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is a time. Following are the five Central Border Guarding Force (BGF) unArmed Police Forces which come un- der the administrative control of the der the purview of Ministry of Home Ministry of Home Affairs. You can find detailed information pertaining Affairs. to recruitment and career opportuniBorder Security Force (BSF) is ties in the SSB. a Border Guarding Force of India. Assam Rifles (AR) is a potent or-

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ganization with 46 battalions and its associated command and administrative back up. It is designated by the GoM committee as the Border Guarding Force for the Indo-Myanmar border and is also its lead intelligence agency.

NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD National Security Guard (NSG): It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprising personnel drawn from the Central Para Military Forces/State Police Force. All the personnel are on deputation.

INTER-SERVICE INSTITUTIONS • National Defence Academy (NDA) • National Defence College (NDC) • Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) • National Cadet Corps (NCC) • Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) USEFUL WEBSITES • www.upsc.gov.in • www.nausena-bharti.nic.in • www.joinindianarmy.nic.in • www.indianairforce.nic.in

O p e n

L e t t e r

Can We Stop Blaming the Victim?

Recently, while commenting on an alleged gang rape of a 22 year old, the member of parliament from Chandigarh, Kirron Kher had asked the survivor and girls in general to be more careful while boarding public transport. It started with it another round of focussing on what the girl should or shouldn’t have done, and again taking our focus away from the fact that men SHOULD NOT RAPE. Here is an open letter to the parliamentarian by a 17 year old, Amani Chowdhry.

Respected Member of Parliament, Considering the fact of how many times you’ve played the role of a mother in the films, you being a feminist, and you being part of the Rajya Sabha, your statement on the Chandigarh rape case was least expected. But I guess they’re right about the phrase ‘expectations hurt’, because you’ve just proved it to be true.

We’re a country of 1.2 billion people who never fail to miss a day for worshiping the goddesses Durga for strength and Laxmi for wealth. Also, approximately 92 women are raped every day in this ‘holy’ country. Ironical, isn’t it?

Authority gives people the power to reach out to millions of people. You have the ability to make and break lives with your words. Again, I’m not implying that you weren’t concerned about us women, and what you said wasn’t for ensuring our safety, as prevention is better than cure, any day. But the truth is, we wouldn’t be needing prevention if it wasn’t for the psyche of some perverts. I do care about your intentions, which clearly weren’t visible in your statement. But when you join the words like ‘girls should’ and ‘girls must’ in accordance with our safety, you clearly are putting the blame on the wrong side.

So, I request you to take out 5 min-

that’s already present in our society.

I’m aware of people who totally agree with what you said, ma’am.

Rather, I am sure 80% of people would agree to what you said. And that’s not what’s messed up. The only thing that’s messed up in this country is that those 20% of people, who stand by what I just said, would remain quiet. If we, the 20% people of India, could be stubborn and rebellious to fight against the majority of you, the world would be a better place to live in. utes from your precious time, and To be very honest with you, I rerethink about your statement and ally am trying to concur with what what kind of an impact it would’ve you said. I’m trying to say that the created. To enlighten you, I’ll tell you girl shouldn’t have boarded the auto what your statement must have done. that already has 3 men as passengers.

One rape victim today would’ve again But if we, the youth of today and the agreed upon the fact that it was her future of tomorrow, agree to the fact fault and she could’ve stopped what that it should be a girl who’s solely rehappened to her. One mother would sponsible for her safety, it should be again pull in her daughter inside a girl who must comply to the norms, their home before the dusk. One fa- it should be a girl who must think 10 ther would’ve again prohibited certain times before doing what she really ‘types’ of clothes for her daughter to wants to do, the future won’t be any wear. One brother would’ve again different for us. And that’s something spied upon her sister’s male best we can’t afford. friends. One filthy minded man would Yours, again check out a girl knowing that if Not a fan anymore. he carries out an act of molestation, By he wouldn’t be the one to blame. The Amani Chowdhry truth here being, your statement may Class XII Ahlcon International School, not carry a negative influence, but it Mayur Vihar does bolster up the negative influence

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T e e n

T r a v e l s

Tales of Tirupati

rushed to the Indira Gandhi Wednesday, starting early at six in the morning we for Tirupati. Tirupati is a city in International airport where we boarded our flight le is located here it is considAndhra Pradesh. As the Tirumala Venkateshwara temp a very clean and developed is It sites. ered as one of the holiest Hindu Pilgrimage cities in India. smart red hund top the of city. It is even considered as one to Bengaluru. On the went we day next wara, atesh Venk of Taking the blessing Nadu. Bengaluru is Tamil re, way we visited the Sri Lakshmi golden temple in Vello developed IT city very a is it se becau India’ often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of over there is traffic the and d packe very is aluru of India. Being a metro city, Beng the worst. But the pleasant climate recouped it.

It too has a pleasing climate.

146 km southwest of Bengaluru is the city of Mysore. e is one of them. It is a Palac re Myso It is very popular for its heritage structures.

Wodeyars. On every Sunday majestic building and was the residential place of the ng which adds to its beauty and public holidays the palace is lighted in the eveni (Unfortunately, I couldn’t see it as it was a Friday). i Hills and is a very popuOn Saturday we went to Ooty. It is located in the Nilgir er destination because of its lar hill station of Tamil Nadu. It is a well liked Summ pleasurable natural environment. (like a nature walk). We Our travel from Mysore to Ooty was very enjoyable we could not see any gh (thou ve Reser even passed through the Bandipur Tiger saw the Sim’s Park. It we where oor Coon d name city tigers). Adjacent to Ooty is a of plants. is a botanical garden and houses different varieties bye to all the places and taking good saying , Delhi to back came we ay On Mond lots of unforgettable memories.

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T e e n

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By Shivanshi Gupta Class IX Pragyan School

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Singing of the

Winter Blues

We often describe summers as hot, and winters as gloomy: former stating the weather, latter a mood. A lot of us do not know that our moods are also linked to the seasons. Winters are known for a condition called SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Our expert, Bina Nangia gives us all the details.

M

y favourite season is winter.

It brings with it cold, winds and snow in some places. It is nature’s way of coming back after hot summer days and sweat. The rains in between compensate for connection between the seasons to be smooth.

Winter along with its glory brings along a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder. In layman language it means changes in moods.

Symptoms come and go at about the same time each year. Most people with SAD start to have symptoms in September or October and feel better by April or May. The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter onset of SAD. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression. A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, might play a role in SAD. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months; sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer. It’s sometimes easy for parents to overlook symptoms of SAD, or dismiss them as normal mood swings in children.

Aside from feeling sad or depressed,

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People between the ages of 15 and 55. The risk of getting SAD for the first time goes down as you age.

People who have a close relative with SAD. What causes SAD? Experts aren’t sure what causes SAD. But they think it may be caused by a lack of sunlight. Lack of light may: Upset your “biological clock,” which controls your sleep-wake pattern and other circadian rhythms.

Cause problems with serotonin, a your child may be irritable, feel tired, brain chemical that affects mood. have difficulty concentrating, experience changes in school perfor- What are the symptoms? mance, or have decreased interest in If you have SAD, you may: things he usually enjoys.

Feel sad, grumpy, moody, or anxious.

What is seasonal affective disLose interest in your usual activiorder (SAD)? ties.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, Eat more and crave carbohyis a type of depression that occurs drates, such as bread and pasta. during the same season each year.

Gain weight.

You may have SAD if you felt deSleep more but still feel tired. pressed during the last two winters Have trouble concentrating. but felt much better in spring and summer. Some people may have How is SAD diagnosed?

SAD during the summer months.

It can sometimes be hard to tell Anyone can get SAD, but it’s more the difference between SAD and common in: other types of depression because Women. many of the symptoms are the same.

People who live far from the equa- To diagnose SAD, your doctor will tor, where winter daylight hours are ask if: very short.

You have been depressed during

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Counselling Counselling may also help. Some types of counselling, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy, can help you learn more about SAD, how to manage your symptoms, and how to help prevent future episodes...

the same season and have gotten better when the seasons changed for at least 2 years in a row.

You have symptoms that often occur with SAD, such as being very hungry (especially craving carbohydrates), gaining weight, and sleeping more than usual.

A close relative-a parent, brother, or sister-has had SAD. You may need to have blood tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as low thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Your doctor may also do a mental health assessment to get a better idea of how you feel and how well you are able to think, reason, and remember.

that are brighter than indoor lights but not as bright as sunlight. Ultraviolet lights, full-spectrum lights, tanning lamps, and heat lamps should not be used.

Light therapy is usually prescribed for 30 minutes to 2 hours a day. The amount of time depends on how strong the light is and on whether you are starting out or are have been using it for a while.

You may start to feel better within a week or so after you start light therapy. But you need to stay with it and use it every day until the season changes. If you don’t, your depression could come back.

There are two types of light therapy: How is it treated?

Bright light treatment. For this Treatment for SAD may include treatment, you place the light box light therapy (phototherapy), psy- at a certain distance from you on a chotherapy and medications. desk or table. Then you sit in front Light therapy is the main treat- of it while you read, eat breakfast, or ment for SAD. Medicines and coun- work at a computer. selling may also help.

Dawn simulation. For this treatLight therapy ment, a dim light goes on in the Experts think light therapy works morning while you sleep, and it gets by resetting your biological clock. It brighter over time, like a sunrise. helps most people who have SAD, Talk to your doctor about light and it’s easy to use. therapy, and follow the steps that he Light boxes use fluorescent lights recommends.

What can you do on your own to feel better?

Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Getting more sunlight may help too, so try to get outside to exercise when the sun is shining. Being active during the daytime, especially early in the day, may help you have more energy and feel less depressed.

Moderate exercise such as walking, riding a stationary bike, or swimming is a great way to get started. But any activities that raise your heart rateincluding daily chores-can help, especially if you can do them outdoors or near a sunny window.

Try to do muscle-building exercises at least 2 times each week, such as weight training or stair climbing.

Moderate exercise is safe for most people. But it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program.

Some people try complementary treatments to help with SAD. One example is melatonin, a hormone that may help regulate your biological clock. If you want to use melatonin or other complementary treatments, be sure to check with your doctor first. These medicines may interact with other treatments.

In children, these months coincide with months of finals or board exams.

They could show genuine symptoms of SAD or plain anxiety for coming exams. It’s a good idea to get assessment done by an expert and not simply put it aside as exam stress.

Just as in all other mental health issues, being proactive is important, SAD also can be managed in all people whether children or seniors. It only is matter of awareness and alertness.

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B l o g

Top 10 Ways to Create a Body-Positive Environment

All websites and magazines will sell you on a lot of Top 10s. But very few matter as much as this one. One amongst you, Yatharth gives us the listicle that counts.

A

s nutritionists mint money by leading our masses with their fancy diets and our masses continue to stare with gaping mouths at ‘Body Transformation’ posts on social media, there are certain people who step back and think, “Oh, but what is wrong with my body?”. They seek to bring about a change in the ideology of our majorly unhappy population, and remind them that everybody has different bodies, which makes them not weird or ugly, but rather unique.

I’m speaking on behalf of aware teens in the contemporary Era of Information; it’s almost as if we’re being hit in the face with conflicting views always. While my parents would look at their paunches and mine with dismay and sigh, probably visit my dietitian sister, or vow to go and workout, people like Megan Jayne Crabbe actively speak against the fatphobic culture and create a virtual safe space for body positivity.

Here are 10 very personal, self-realized (tried and tested) ways to create a positive environment for your body to naturally survive in, no matter what shape, size, or color, focusing largely on fatphobia as a culture.

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Understand the logical sequence No matter what you think right now of your stomach or chin, you deserve to be surrounded by more positivity related to your body.

Here’s why your thoughts don’t matter right now - you didn’t think it, oh, you adopted that thought.

Most of what you’ve internalized since childhood is being taught to be judgmental and degrading. And since you spend the most of your time with yourself, this is what you spend your time doing - criticizing yourself based on viewpoints presented to you by harrowing people.

are unhealthy and ‘wrong’. If it’s the only option available, please do as you feel; after all, it’s imperative you stay happy. But always remember, there’s a solution which doesn’t require you to let go of basic foods and a relaxed mind.

And this solution is an act of rebellion.

Don’t focus on numbers or standards

Let’s say you choose to lose weight.

Sure, alright. But from surprising corners of the world you will notice the effect of diet culture. They’ll force numbers on you. “You must hit at least 72 kg, haan!”, or “I’m overweight because my BMI has gone over 26, I must go on a strict diet!”

Protect yourself. You haven’t creThere’s always a solution! ated these numbers. They don’t necBUT, SOLUTION! Choose now. Either essarily apply to you. If you feel any change the way you look physically, or such measurement causes you distress, change your attitude towards fat bod- let it go. No targets, no yardsticks. ies with psychological support. Simple, clear cut solutions. But a lot of people Food has a nutritional cannot indulge in the former (other value, not moral value than junk food, multiple issues may Throw this fact at every one. The cause you to look fat: thyroid, PCOS, most absurd notions ever. “Potatoes etc). Even if you could, and you choose are bad”, “I feel so bad for eating that to, you’d be contributing towards this one piece of chocolate”, “Guilty foods!”

BULLSHIT. Frankly. system of preaching that all fat bodies

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B l o g They all have some nutritional value. You may plan your intake accordingly. Fine.

But shaming someone for eating a slice of a pizza? Making them super conscious for using chocolate to distract them from their pain? How dare they.

Tell them, you reject this opinion, and the food you consume is what your body demands. Neither will its consumption, nor the food itself, be subjected to moral policing.

Before you finish, don’t punish

You chose to do something, but you’re not a superhuman! You will get through this task one day. Your body image will get better, in either case. A platitude, I guess, but the truth.

But for that, you must treat yourself like a patient in recovery.

Would you scream at yourself, or get angry at yourself, if you had cancer? How about punishing yourself with no medicines or self-care?

Why then, when you have an eating disorder? Or a genuine, serious problem with weight? Stop punishing yourself.

Don’t be very rigid Trying to change your eating habits or exercise pattern? Don’t feel low for cheating on that schedule; maybe it doesn’t suit your body. You wouldn’t voluntarily sabotage your efforts to reach happiness, now, would you?

Your apparent ‘failure’ is your body telling you: THIS IS NOT FOR US. Trying to work on the psychological responses to the emotional trauma and cut off toxicity? Don’t feel low if you start doubting yourself again, or if you go down any of the hateful paths again. It’s alright, the community of body-positive individuals is gaining strength by the second as knowledge spreads, and you will be rescued. If you’re reading this now, you’re already a part - the first step is acknowledging the existence of a fatphobic culture.

And you may even be your own savior.

In other ways, if this one doesn’t work, there are more options.

BUT THE POINT IS, if something doesn’t suit you, let it go.

ful, you will live your whole life being more successful in other areas, since you’re already over this insecurity.

But you cannot, no, create illusions for others around you. That’s taking Stop thinking changing a control over their minds. You may exsmall part will let you win plain the working of the same to them, You’re literally trying to enter the con- but do not initially present them with ventional standard. Something we’ve your extremely positive views on your condemned all throughout and fought body; there’s a chance you’ll be viewed against. So, no, a thigh gap isn’t the as too selfish for loving yourself. You’ll solution, my friend, staring at the end up losing their support. jiggly-jelly and smiling goofily is. It’s So instead, let them get access to fluffy and cute. You learn this. the knowledge, and form their own perceptions. They’ll come around.

Tell your loves they look gorgeous

Be mindful, however. Do not go around telling people they look gorgeous and “so thin now!”, or how they are pretty for a “tall girl”. Likewise, for masculine-presenting individuals. They might be handsome, but not conditionally. Don’t say that. You reinforce the conditions of standardized beauty. Cute with no Conditions.

Not everyone lives in the same illusions, don’t force yours upon them. TEACH THEM.

YOLO, stop talking to toxic people

You legitimately will live for a limited time. You know it. Your energy?

Limited. Your strength? Limited. Very honestly, to avoid falling back into a body-negative state, simply cut off the ones who effortlessly try to make you “conscious”. Snip snip! Yeah, talk to them a few more times, but you’re smart enough to figure out which walls are worth knocking down.

Best of luck! I am very sure all of y’all will make through your tough times!

Now, everyone sees things differently.

You have the power to create such an illusion for your brain, which will enable it to view your body as the most beautiful thing ever. If you’re success-

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By Yatharth Vohra Class XI Delhi Public School, RK Puram

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D I Y

Lighting up the Nights

You know the look on the face of your friends when they see something really cool in your room? How we wish to keep watching that on replay! Well this DIY will ensure that you have more and more friends intrigued by your crazy skills. Pssst‌ It’s really simple!

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D I Y You will require: • • • • • •

Resin Hardener Mould Plastic Cup Pendant Hacksaw

• Wooden Sticks • Tea Light • Glue Gun • Adhesive Tape

Now follow these steps: • Take a tea light, which can be bought from any local store, and this will be our base • On top of this, use a pendant design, in this case an octopus • We are going to stick the pendant on top of the tea light, but first we need the upper portion for the tea light to be flat and stable • Since the tip of the tea light is pointed, using a hacksaw cut the tip off • Using a hot glue gun, stick the pendant in place on top of the tea light • Since we will be putting the tea light upside down into the mould, we have to make sure the head of the pendant fits in the mould that we are using • We also have to make sure that resin covers only the top part of the light that we are creating • For this, take two wooden sticks and measuring the tea light in accordance with the depth of the cup, tape the two sticks on two sides of the light • The sticks should be able to help the tea light float on top of the mould, as shown in the photo • Take the resin in a plastic container, and measure to about half of the glass.

Add about 30-40 drops of hardener into the resin. Mix well to avoid any bubbles • Now pour the solution into the mould, • Use as many shapes and types of and place our tea lights on sticks on objects you want! top of the mould. Pour carefully so as To watch video, look for “How To not to spill over Make A Night Lamp | MadStuff• Leave it to dry WithRob” on YouTube • When the resin solution starts Follow Rob and share your hardening, it gets really really hot.

DIYs with him @: Check over the mould to see if it is Facebook.com/MadStuffWithRob warm, and can be taken out Twitter.com/MadStuffWithRob • Remove the sticks, and your nice, Instagram.com//MadStuffWithRob clean mould is ready!

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 33

Education O n

Y o u r

M a r k

& Culture There is little debate about the fact that education is one of the most important factors in a child’s growth. But as we progress as a nation and a civilization, finding newer modes to make education more relevant are also significant. Our expert, Ranjoo Mann talks about one such avenue.

S

cholars often talk about the impact of the arts and cultural education on the thinking, consciousness and a child’s ability to interact with their built environment. However, it becomes important to begin the discourse of the relevance of the Creative and Cultural Industries and their ability to foster growth in employment numbers, entrepreneurship and better design in the Indian Landscape.

To tap into Indian cultural heritage and continue the narrative of its deep and complex traditions in contemporary India, India’s future skilled labor needs to undergo an innovative and dynamic educational program. Skill development and digital capabilities are vital for the creative and cultural industries.

The creative industry can be defined as comprising advertising and marketing; architecture; crafts; design: product, graphic and fashion design; film, TV, video, radio and photography; IT, software and computer services; publishing; museums, galleries and libraries; Music, performing and visual arts. Additionally the notion of cultural industries generally includes textual, music, television, and film production and publishing,

34 | Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018

as well as crafts and design. For some countries, architecture, the visual and performing arts, sport, advertising, and cultural tourism may be included as adding value to the content and generating values for individuals and societies.

Creative Industries, excluding software and general scientific research and development, are said to have accounted for around 4% of the world’s economic output in 1999, which is the last year for which comprehensive figures are currently available. Taking the UK as an example, in the context of other sectors, the creative industries make a far more significant contribution to output than hospitality or utilities and deliver four times the output due to agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

In terms of employment and depending on the definition of activities included, the sector is a major employer of between 4-6% of the UK’s working population, though this is still significantly less than employment due to traditional areas of work such as retail and manufacturing.

Most leading economies now see the creative industries as a key component in a new knowledge economy, capable perhaps of de-

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livering urban regeneration, often through initiatives linked to positioning cultural heritage that leads to increased tourism. This is most relevant to India’s agrarian economy. It has been reported that the number of unemployed people in India was expected to rise by 1 lakh in 2017 and another 2 lakh in 2018, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This calls for a need to tap into all sectors of employment in India, and most importantly in potential dormant sectors.

By adopting an educational program around the Creative and Cultural Industries, from an early age children can develop technical skills that are mindful of relevant and sustainable development. Academic programs around design, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship can go a long way in fostering newer sectors to emerge in evergrowing India and the first step that can benefit the development of the country has to be taken in national educational programs.

To promote cultural education, the curriculum should make sure more children and young people can create, compose, and perform.

Art and cultural organizations, edu-

O n

cational institutions and local authorities need to come together to foster art and cultural educational offering that is local and economically sustainable. In 2017 one saw competition becoming an almost obsolete term which was replaced with collaborations. Cultural Education Partnerships can prove to be a great methodology for effective and visible delivery of cultural education.

In the UK, The Arts Council is a national body that aims to establish Cultural Education Partnerships across the country in places where it is most needed. India has several organizations both public and private that foster relevant programs however their relevance requires re-emphasis. Just as Niti Aayog has proposed to the Museum Authority of India to impact consolidated museum development, other centrally affiliated educational organizations should develop effective consolidated programs around creative and cultural economies.

This educational program is not a

Most leading economies now see the creative industries as a key component in a new knowledge economy, capable perhaps of delivering urban regeneration, often through initiatives linked to positioning cultural heritage that leads to increased tourism. trend but a pressing issue that needs to begin its due process for development. An impactful program can only be developed when the smartest minds come together to drive a narrative that leads to policy decisions in the government. A centrally mandated program ratifies the relevance of the creative and cultural industries and defines the focus areas for the educational programs.

Y o u r

M a r k

It becomes important to mention here that fostering and promoting education programs around culture are more pressing in non urban hubs. Urban centers should not be the only employment loci for the entire nation, employment should endeavor to be spatially democratic and inclusive of regional trends. It is urgent to preserve local crafts and traditions through reuse and frugal innovation for sustainable development. Thus teaching a curriculum that is local is vital for educated young adults to combine creativity, design and innovation for regional entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship can be fostered through a strong and immersive academic programs from a young age which complements theory with technique. Future working population requires sensitivity, awareness and skill to truly realize meaningful development. And the root of this potential remains in curricula that is implemented from the formative years of children.

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 35

IF NO ONE HAS SEEN HIM HOW DO YOU KNOW HE’S WEARING BELLS AS EARRINGS?

IT’S UNLIKELY HE’S CARRYING THE BELLS IN HIS HANDS, CHILD! OUR HEADMAN WHOM YOU TALKED TO A LITTLE WHILE AGO, FEELS HE MUST BE WEARING THEM IN HIS EARS!

BANGLE!...

OH! CRUMBS! HE’S CHASING GHANTAKARNA!

WOOF! WOOFFFF!

SSSSSSSH! I THOUGHT I HEARD THE BELLS AGAIN!

YES, I CAN HEAR THEM TOO! BUT VERY FAINTLY.

WOOF WOOF!

BANGLE!

MONKEYS!

WOOOOF! WOOOOOFFF!

THEY’RE THE ONES RINGING THE BELL! I WONDER WHERE THEY GOT IT FROM!!

BANGLE, COME BACK!!

WOOF! WOOFFF!

WHERE’S THAT DOG OFF TO!

HERE!

54

53

???

???

???

???

COME OUT! THERE’S NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF!

BUT THAT’S ENOUGH! COME ALONG NOW!

GOOD DOG, BANGLE! YOU SOLVED THE MYSTERY!

IT WAS NOT A MONSTER! JUST MONKEYS RINGING A BELL!

WE HAVE BEHAVED FOOLISHLY!

WOOF! WOOF!!

I CAUGHT GHANTAKARNA! I CAUGHT GHANTAKARNA!

GORAMBA HERE TOLD US HE HAD FOUND A HALF-EATEN BODY! THEN HE HEARD A BELL RINGING NEARBY…

55

THIS GIRL HAS TAUGHT US A VALUABLE LESSON: DON’T BELIEVE IN RUMOURS! DON’T BELIEVE EVERY FEARFUL TALE THAT YOU HEAR! CHECK OUT THE FACTS FOR YOURSELF!

WE PUT BOTH THINGS TOGETHER, AND CREATED THE FEARSOME MONSTER GHANTAKARNA, A CREATURE THAT DOES NOT EXIST!

HE’S A FIGMENT OF OUR... OUR...

WHAT WAS THAT?

56

TO be Continued...

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 37

S t o r y t e l l i n g

A Beautiful

Breakfast

M

y day began with the sound of the conch shell, as it reverberated throughout our home-my grandmother, worshipping in the little room, she calls her “Mandir”, her temple. The flowery fragrance of the incense stick emanating from the Mandir, just across the corridor, seemed different that day, probably a new brand. Just then my grandfather walked into my room, startling me as he shouted out my name, loudly.

“Baba, I am here, not in another room, that you had to shout so loud” “Oh no, no Bela, while you are asleep, you are in a different world altogether. Now, come downstairs quickly.”

I took a quick shower and ran to the dining room, my grandmother stood in the kitchen, the cracking sound of the oil simmering in the pan, suggested that something succulent was going to be on our plates soon, thus my grandfather’s excitement.

And as expected my grandmother came with a plate full of my favorite kachoris, fried dumplings stuffed with vegetables. As my grandmother lowered those into my plate, I could see my grandfather’s eyes, tracing their path, expecting each time she picked one, that this one kachori was destined to be his, but not to be, not a single one. Instead she opened the casserole, and put three chapattis on his plate. The disappointment on his face was as evident as it could be.

Without even waiting for his approval,

38 | Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018

my grandma turned around and put a bowl full of lentils in his plate.

Out of pity, offering him my own, I said, “Umm, Baba, would you like to have a kachori, I insist you do.”

Secretly deep inside I was wishing that he’d say ‘NO’.

But just as he opened his mouth, grandma replied, “No, Bela, your Baba isn’t supposed to eat those, fried food is prohibited for him.”

I could notice Baba’s seething anger, as he set aside the plate and stood up from the table, with a courtesy, that came with effort.

“I just remembered that Gupta, had invited me for Breakfast today, keep the food in the fridge, or give it to Magan, he will eat it.”

Magan is our servant.

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“One more thing, a sick man does not have to be reminded of his sickness every minute of the day.”

I’d have given anything at that point, for my grandma to remain silent, but no. Baba’s stern reaction was met by an equally stern retort from her.

“Oh, but you see, he has to. Why do you have a problem with everything that I do for you?”

“Oh, but you seem to be the one who has a problem with everything I do, anything I want.”

And he went pacing out of the door.

It has always been very difficult to classify the relationship shared by my grandparents. Every time, I think I have finally solved this mystery, another unanticipated angle conjures up from nowhere. They squabble over every other thing. You would wonder,

S t o r y t e l l i n g how could misunderstandings persist between two people who have been together for practically their whole lives. And given all the confusion and the apparent incompatibilities between the two, how did they even stay together for so long? Is it something very recent, or was it there from before? Or is this something that old age does to you?

So I gave in to the intricacies of this extremely befuddling bond, and concentrated on the plate before me.

The kachori caused an explosion of spices and delectable flavors in my mouth, tickling my taste buds, and the words just escaped out of my mouth.

“Dadi, this is fabulous” And I saw her teary eyed, staring at the door. She turned to me.

“What did I do, Bela? Is it wrong of me to care for him? What precisely does he expect from me?”

The helplessness of her situation was absolutely aggrieving.

After the breakfast my grandmother retired to her daily chores and I went to my bedroom, a new article had to be drafted for the newspaper and the deadline was the evening.

Samay had just sent me a picture of Shiuli, him and his wife. Their happy faces filled my heart with warmth.

And I found myself wishing that they don’t end up like Baba and Dadi. A guilt, this wish, I later found myself to be culpable of.

I was midway through the article when Dadi, came in with a plate full of papayas.

She sat beside me on the bed, and without saying anything just stared at the blue screen. She does that often, just pass her time, looking at me studying, reading, watching Television, her presence around me is assuring, and I usually work faster and better with her around. She radiates this inexplicable energy.

My grandmother is just as perplexing a person to me as the bond she shares with my grandfather. Unlike, all the other ladies of her age, she

My grandmother is just as perplexing a person to me as the bond she shares with my grandfather. Unlike, all the other ladies of her age, she likes to watch news, instead of daily soaps, likes to discuss politics instead of people likes to watch news, instead of daily soaps, likes to discuss politics instead of people. Bowed down by the responsibilities of marital life at such a young age, grandmother probably never got the time to grow up. All this just makes me wonder, if only she’d have received the kind of education she deserves, how prodigious a woman she’d have made. Not that she isn’t one right now. Every bit of her inspires me, and it makes me feel proud to have her blood running in my veins. Her life had paused at the age of 16. Since then she has grown in years, and maybe experience but at heart, she still retains that bustling spirit of a boisterous 16-year-old girl, although dormant. The innocence intact. I have seen that spirit come alive every time, she looks in the mirror, preening herself, when she used to help me with my holiday homework at school, when she tells me stories of her childhood.

After some time, she left the room, asking me to be in the dining room at three for lunch.

The lunch, that day, awaited a beautiful experience, I would cherish throughout my life.

Quite unexpectedly, grandfather had come for lunch. We sat for a while in the drawing room, watching the news, my grandparents were casually debating a statement made by a politician, as though nothing had happened that morning at all. That’s what made it so difficult to understand, how can two people reconcile

so quickly, just hours after a heated argument.

Grandfather said, “Bela, the fragrance of the agarbatti, seemed different today didn’t it? I personally loved it.”

A surreptitious smile lit my grandmother’s face, as she stole a furtive glance at my grandfather.

At the lunch, I was not expecting anything flashy, but again I heard the same sound of simmering oil in the pan, and the dumplings lay beside the stove ready to be fried. This time Grandfather had succeeded. Grandma had finally surrendered to his tantrums, and relaxed his diet for the day, or so it seemed.

I could make out that grandpa was having a really difficult time concealing and containing the happiness, bubbling inside him. Such a sadist.

But all in vain, for there still weren’t any kachoris, destined to be on his plate. The mere speculation of what was about to follow,intimidated me. I felt like running to my room with the kachoris. My grandma, just like she did in the morning, took out the chapattis from the casserole, and kept it on the plate, which already hosted a bowl of lentils, and then she sat down beside my grandfather, and they both ate from the same plate.

Looking at their faces, you’d think that they were having the most sumptuous delicacy in the world. I found myself wishing, that they stay like this forever, withdrawing the wish, I’d made earlier. The instability of their relationship, I came to realize, is actually the revitalizing force, which nourishes their love, keeps it forever young and alive. So, I rejoiced in the beauty of that moment, without making any attempts at understanding these two people in front of me, for I knew and I know, I will never be able to.

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By Swastika Tiwari Class XII Ahlcon International School, Mayur Vihar

Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 39

F i t

f o r

L i f e

Go Traditional!

I am a big fan of the age old cliche: ‘Old is gold’. I feel that in today’s times of short lived food fads, a new one every day, it’s the old, traditional rules of eating that can actually save our soul and body both. Our expert, Kavita Devgan writes

I

n fact the world seems to be waking up to this fact, as more and more researches in the West are now bringing forth and confirming the traditional rules that were being followed earlier. For example, now we know why a little bit of ghee on the phulka (bread) is good for us, and why having water first thing in the morning is such a good idea… also why eating meals together on the dining table (with books closed /TV shut down) at fixed timings was non negotiable earlier, and why cut raw onions and green chilies were served with both lunch and dinner.

There are still lots of old rules not substantiated yet, but I am sure it is only a matter of time.

After all science as we know today is simply trying to catch up with many age old wisdom and observation led beliefs that have are being followed since yesteryears. And obviously as it has quite a few centuries work and convictions to catch up with, we need to give science time.

Meanwhile it’ll do us good to keep following the healthy way of living our elders followed, and have also taken pains to outline for us.

the abundance of natural products, highlighting local foods, and home cooked food. With home cooked food we rarely go wrong as everything right from the ingredients to the seasonings to the method of cooking are under our control.

Sticking to fresh food and eating seasonally as this way one can ensure more nutrients (nutrients get Few rules of traditional eating lost proportionate to the time delay that we must bring back in our from farm to the table) and better life are: taste (out of season foods don’t taste Instead of relying on highly processed that good). foods that are stripped of their nutriFinally instead of succumbing ents, flavor, traditional diets celebrate to mindless eating, microwaveable

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foods, or munching in front of the television, embracing the community aspect of traditional diets where people used to eat with each other and really enjoyed their food - can help us lead a healthier, happier, disease free life.

So instead of looking at the latest superfoods doing the round, maybe first all we need to begin emulating the way our ancestors ate, and also take a good look at our grandparents’ cookbook and begin making and eating those recipes that have been handed down to them over the years.

O p i n i o n

A Republic: Are We Really One?

Being a Republic on paper, and in actuality are two very different things. How far have we come from the moment of actual freedom, our teen reporter Vani decodes.

H

ave you ever thought about the essence of being a republic? Republic literally means that the power resides with the body of citizens of a country. Just gaining independence from the foreign rulers wasn’t enough, it was the constitution which truly made us into a nation.

“At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps India will awake and rise to freedom.”

These are indeed some sagacious words by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and then this legacy was furthered by the Iron Lady of India, Indira Gandhi as she once said, “We the people of India all section, all languages, all religions and it is if we can combine together and really have a united stand and keep this is as tremendous struggle against poverty and backwardness that we can win through and hold our own with the advanced nations of the world.”

But, do we really abide by their words? Are we independent of our own thoughts?

If there wouldn’t be poverty or lack of education, crime rate would lessen day by day. A study shows that out of the total population of India which is 1.324 billion approximately 276 million people are under the poverty line! One major cause of poverty is illiteracy. Education opens up a path towards leading a successful life even for those who come from a poor family. Poverty eventually leads to many problems such as malnourishment,

the first five months of 2017 saw 836 rape cases being reported to the police. Think again is this what we want our country to become? Delhi has been given the inglorious title of the ‘Rape capital’. Isn’t this a thing to be ashamed of? And how lightly do we take child abuse?

It is very easy to sit in front of the television all day long and comment about the pathetic state of affairs of our country. But, have you ever when people don’t have a source of tried to think as a responsible citiincome and they can’t even afford a zen, what could possibly be the root good meal. People living under the causes of all this? I’m so sure this is poverty line don’t even get the basic not what our nation’s leaders wanted amenities! Another effect of pover- our country to become. ty? India is considered the capital of For this Republic day, I hope that open defecation even after 67 years we celebrate the republic by its literal of celebrating our republic. meaning. It is high time that we take Our constitution gives its citizens the power bestowed to us by the conequal opportunities and equal rights. stitution of our country and do someBut does this really happen? thing for the betterment of our future Since ages girls have been consid- or else nobody would prefer living in ered the weaker part of this society this country! and have not been given the avenues This republic day let’s think of the they should have been given. If you state our leaders envisioned for us don’t educate the girl child it only when they made us a republic, let means that there are more women us not just be loud and all about the than men under the poverty line. It rhetoric, but act in our small little isn’t always about the muscle power ways which would make India a sometimes intelligence and caliber flourishing and powerful nation that count more! We as the people of this it once was! developing nation should understand By our rights and use them in a way it Vani Joshi benefits all.

Class IX As urban educated class, can any Sri Venkateshwar girl go out in the dark without carryInternational School ing a pepper spray in her bag? Just Dwarka Sector -18

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 41

C y b e r S a f e

Return of the

Trojan Horse

It is an old saying, nothing teaches us a good lesson like experience does. We bring to you a series of true tales from one of the foremost cyber crime experts in the country, Amit Dubey.

A

young software engineer who, as a hobby, starts helping the Police in solving criminal cases, turns into a critical resource for the Force. He becomes entrapped in the system. Return Of The Trojan is the riveting narration of how he is compelled to draw inputs from his personal life, and use sharp thinking and advanced technology to solve the criminal cases he is brought into “Why are you so late?” Dilip was waiting for me at Videocon Tower.

“I’m in trouble, Dilip!” My voice was shaking.

We entered a neighbouring garden and as we walked about, I explained the result of my phishing attack.

“Don’t worry. They don’t know you; they just know your email ID.” “But how did they find my email ID? I’m sure they know everything about me.”

“We’ll catch them before they reach you, don’t fear.” Dilip was calm and collected.

“Are you joking Dilip? Don’t you know the consequences of this? I am exposed to a terrorist outfit. I am nothing to them! They can kill me like a fly!” I could feel my heart thudding with fear in my chest.

“That is a positive thing then – that you are nothing to them. What would they gain by killing you? You won’t be a priority. You have not harmed them...yet.” A cucumber had nothing on SP Dilip Rohatgi.

42 | Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018

“Are you sure we should do it?”

“We should.”

We found a bench and sat down, looking like two friends enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon in a garden.

I started up my laptop and wrote a spy script and attached it to my reply to the Mujahedeen: ‘I need to know why the Indian PM was in such a hurry to sign the Nuclear Treaty with Pakistan on 20 June 2004.’

Our eyes were glued to my laptop.

They didn’t disappoint. We received a reply in just three minutes: ‘Amit, don’t send me attached scripts. To get the answer to your query, contact your IB guys. They know everything, they gave all the information to your PM. Why are you asking me?’

“Hmmm, this guy is smarter than we thought. But by naming the IB, is he giving us information or is he tryI looked at him, my mind in a ing to distract us?” Dilip looked up at churn. the clouds in the sky, perhaps seek“Why don’t you reply with a Trojan ing answers in their willowy depths. now? They will surely open it. Then “Maybe, but what’s the harm in we can trap them in their own net.” checking? Can you tap your sources?”

“So you want me to become their “It’s difficult to get such details priority target number one? It would from the IB. They will never disclose be suicidal, Dilip!” it to us.”

“I know.” For a moment I thought “Hey! I’m training some CBI guys, he was making a joke at my expense, let me try them. They may possibly but his face he was dead serious as have some connection in the IB.” he said, “Don’t you think we are this “No Amit, never!” Dilip warned close to cracking it?” me sternly. “These are extremely I looked at his thumb and forefin- sensitive investigations. We cannot ger come together, leaving just an share it with anybody else.” infinitesimal gap. ***

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C y b e r S a f e

Noida: 15 September 2008, 8 am

ter it is. I had taken a calculated risk by sharing it with Yogesh. It was Just Yogesh came for the morning against our investigative principles and I had realized long ago that unclass.

“Where are the other two experts?” certainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with inI asked.

“They’ve got caught up with some security is the only security.

“I can try Sir, but I doubt if the IB work; they send their apologies.”

“That’s fine. Yogesh, I need a fa- will reveal that.”

“Do your best. It’s in the interests vour.”

Yogesh looked at me in silence, of our country.” plainly surprised.

“It’s a matter of national security. I can share these details with you only Residence, Noida: 15 because you are a CBI officer and I September 2008, 11:30 pm can trust you. Do you know anybody in the IB?” I lost no time getting to It was Yogesh again: “Sir, I have a the point. response from the IB guy. I’m send“IB? But why, Sir?” ing you the details in an encrypted “I need to know what information email and you will get the key via was given by the IB to the Prime SMS.” Minister’s Office, in May 2004.”

In a few minutes I was able to The look on Yogesh’s face was read the decrypted mail. There were priceless. He thought he had come to three messages that had been passed a end a training session and here he to the PMO in May 2004. was being pitchforked into an issue “Oh my God!” I automatically hit of national security and espionage! the speed dial for Dilip. “I have a The first principle of secrets is most shocking revelation! Come imthat the fewer who know it the bet- mediately!”

Thirty minutes later, Dilip was at my front door. Only the odd passing car on the road broke the silence of the night as I let him in.

“What is it?” He knew it was something 3. Pakistan may undertake a nuclear attack on India in 2004.

“What!” Dilip couldn’t hide his astonished disbelief. “Pakistan was planning a nuclear attack on India in 2004? What nonsense is this?”

“I got these details from a very trustworthy source. Now do you understand why Manmohan Singh was in such a hurry to sign the nuclear treaty with Pakistan in May 2004, just after becoming Prime Minister?”

Excerpted with permission from the author and Platinum Press, an imprint of Leadstart Publishing from the title “Return of the Trojan Horse: Tales Of Criminal Investigation” by Amit Dubey

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 43

S t u d y

G u i d e

New Year’s Resolutions:

Admissions Edition

Happy New Year! Its January 2018 already and wow time flies. As an Admissions Counselor I’ve been working with students for nearly 18 years now (that’s right, my admissions career is old enough to go to college!) and each January the whole CollegeCore team takes a giant sigh of relief, prays for successful results, and then, prepares themselves to do it all over again. But we also take this time to make goals for what we want out of the New Year or should we say, resolutions! Here we are, me, Urvashi Malik and my team, with our new year admission resolutions.

S

o we wanted to use our experience to lay out some Admissions Resolutions to go along with your goals of going to the gym twice a week or reading the newspaper every day.

script, and they reserve the right to rescind an offer of admission or financial aid if they see a decline in a student’s grades. Each year we have to deal with frantic students who didn’t study and were in danger of getting their applications rescindSeniors / 12th Graders: I prom- ing because of less than acceptise not to let senioritis set in! able grades. They end Whether you were already accepted up spending the or if you were deferred from early applications, whether you are all in for college abroad or still in two minds about going abroad versus staying in India, don’t let Senioritis* ruin your efforts at this stage.

It’s difficult I know, you spent months on SAT / ACT prep, churned out essays and you just want a break already!

Take a break. For a week. And then get back on the study horse.

For those who’ve been deferred or waitlisted, that strong academic performance is crucial to help you move your application into the accepted pile. And grades are important for those who’ve been accepted to college too! Colleges will see your final tran-

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weeks of summer, when they should been having fun, dealing with a lot of stress and sleepless nights, not knowing if they were going to college after all that work.

Work hard on your grades by making realistic and specific goals.

Maybe you want a minimum of 38 on your

S t u d y

G u i d e

IB exams or 92% in your CBSE Board exams. Be specific, make them attainable and put in the effort needed. When it’s time to hit the books, it is important to turn off the TV, sign out of Facebook, put your phone on silent, and really focus on work. Don’t get swept away by all the chatter from friends and strangers. Remember that someone else’s admissions decisions is not a reflection on you. You need to put your head down and work. *a phenomenon afflicting students in their final year of school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance Juniors / 11th Graders: I will realize that I need to start two months before I think I need to!

It’s here. It’s time. You will be sending applications this year and while 12 months feels like a long time, it isn’t!

Let’s take a quick look at what is coming down the pipeline. You need to take the SAT / ACT more than once, plus the Subject Tests.

So make your schedule of when to take the tests, set score targets and get studying. Remember to have a backup plan and don’t leave testing for later because knowing your test scores is essential to creating your list of colleges and that is essential for the next steps like writing essays.

As scores evolve, so do lists.

Great college applications take time. Each college will have 1-5 essays to write, plus you’ll find yourself iterating on your CommonApp essay or personal statement again and again. You may need the time to think, reflect, revise, and maybe even come back to it and edit again.

All of which takes time.

Moreover, you need to give your recommenders time to work on the letters because all the teachers will be inundated at the same time. AND you need to complete applications themselves. You may also want to

beef up your extracurriculars but that needs time too so that it doesn’t look superficial and clearly only for the applications. All this while going to school because remember, grades are vital!

Overwhelmed? Well not if you use ALL 12 months well. So start early. Maintain a calendar and a To Do list. Stay organized to stay sane and give your best.

but also as you write your essays.

And then act by planning out your standardized testing. You’ve heard about the ACT and SAT. In fact I hope you’ve taken the PSAT already.

But many students wait and wait to dive into test prep not realizing that sometimes you need to take a test more than once and you need time to prepare for each exam so you’re successful at them. Make a plan for it and don’t stress unduly over the Sophomores / 10th Graders: I result of that practice test you took will not leave – you still have more time, because Because a year from now, you will you took charge early and gave yourwish you would have started today. self time.

We have a two part resolution for you – Explore and Act. Freshmen / 9th Graders: I will Start exploring colleges. You may think about college and plan have heard of a few of them – UCLA, my time out now rather than Harvard, Stanford – but there are waiting till I’m older thousands of colleges in the world. College feels impossibly far away.

Start thinking and exploring. Put I mean you just got out of middle social media to good use by follow- school! But in all honesty, College ing the colleges on Facebook or Ins- is a complicated admissions process. tagram. But also attend information You need to figure out what you’re sessions in the city, spend time on passionate about in the classroom blogs and websites to start explore and outside of it. the range of countries and the difWe also know that starting now ferent education systems out there. doesn’t mean your plan is set in Going on a family vacation abroad? stone – over the next few years you Go visit a college! At the same time, will grow and evolve – but getting keep track, in writing, of what you started early can mean you will have like or don’t like. This will be valu- a foundation of strong habits that able as you make your college lists will carry you through successfully.

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 45

S t u d y

G u i d e

Get Involved: Extracurriculars are a big part of not just your application but also play a large role in figuring out what you are passionate about. Start exploring your interests, step out of your comfort zone, volunteer with the less fortunate or gain leadership in something you’ve been involved in for a while.

Strengthen both your application and your personality.

Start Reading: And not just on your phone. Pick up a book, actually pick up one new one every month and start to build a habit of reading.

It will help you become a more expressive person, a stronger communicator and a better writer.

Study Hard: Grades matter now.

Colleges abroad need your grades across all 4 years of high school so put in the effort and study hard.

Parents: I will remember that my child’s college experience begins with this process, and will be supportive but will also

46 | Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018

let them take charge.

You thought we would only have resolutions for students? No, this is also a stressful time for parents which is why we have a resolution for you too.

We recognize that this process is difficult, and the most well-intentioned parents want to help their children. However, this process is also a learning experience for your child. They learn to plan, to make mistakes and to grow from them, all skills that are essential to their success in college.

So, set up regular times to chat about college but don’t plague them about it every day. Don’t take over the process for them because you feel they are overwhelmed because you end up sabotaging them in the process. Don’t compare your child to Mrs. Sharma’s son Rahul who went to Harvard and get caught up in an arms race. Each college is unique and just because you haven’t heard of it, doesn’t

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mean it isn’t good for your child.

Recognize that you made choices to bring up your child with a set of values that may be different from Mrs. Sharma’s values, so why not let their college journey also be different instead of copying someone else?

We aren’t telling you to not help though. You can help. In fact you SHOULD help, you know your child best. But let your kid, be a kid while they are going through this difficult time. Be tough when they needed it and help them relax as well so that they can focus when they need to.

More than anything, remember, it’s their college decision. Be your supportive self, but let them take charge. Help them find the place where they can make the most of their opportunities.

So happy New Year to all our readers out there. And remember, if there are ever admissions related questions, CollegeCore Education is here to help.

Vantage Point P o s i t i v e l y

P o s i t i v e

We know of a lot of different armed services in our country, but we often forget to pay attention to the one nearest to us. The one’s helping us and serving the people of this country at close quarters. Mrs Shubhalakshmi Narayanan shares with us a heartwarming tale of CISF in this cold season.

T

he Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was established in its present form in 1983 and is a Central Armed Police Force in India. It is a federal law enforcement agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It takes care of paramilitary law enforcement, counters insurgency, provides armed response to civil unrest, and counters terrorism. It takes care of the safety and security of all public buildings and fixed assets and provides security to industrial units, government infrastructure and establishments all over India. Thus, it is a unique organisation that works for seaways and airways as well.

The public is mostly not aware how much work the CISF personnel put in the background to make extremely sensitive places like the airports safe for the common man.

More often than not we take all that for granted.

We had a very heart-warming and positive experience which made us realise the very important and supportive role that CISF plays in our day to day lives.

In the month of December 2017, my daughter, who works in a University in Australia, was returning back from Delhi via Singapore. At the IGIA, she checked in a baggage and was carrying a cabin bag with her. As it contained an expensive professional camera for her work, she had decided to carry it as a cabin baggage.

ised to look into it. She had to soon board her flight.

Shri Purshottam Malik, Assistant Commandant, CISF, did not let the matter rest at that. On the basis of a photo of my daughter that was sent for identification when she reached Australia, he got the CCTV images scanned and located how she had forgotten the bag and how a group of six passengers who were behind her seemed to inadvertently check in her bag along with theirs. He scanned the data to locate the identity and destination of that group, and within 24 hours managed to locate the bag at Kathmandu.

When I followed up with him twice he was extremely considerate, positive, spontaneously responsive and totally determined to retrieve Purshottam Malik, the bag. He also coordinated with Assistant Commandant, CISF. Incharge Police Security, IGI Airport the concerned Airways. It was indeed amazing that within three days At the check-in counter, as an we managed to get back the bag with elderly passenger sought her help the very expensive camera and other in getting a wheelchair, she got personal belongings in the bag withdistracted and forgetting to take out lock perfectly intact. the cabin bag, left it in front of the Our family travels a lot and we check-in counter. She remembered have had even some very bad theft it after 20 minutes and rushed back, experiences outside India. I can say and the bag was not there. She con- with complete happiness and satistacted the airlines staff on duty who faction that nowhere in the world told her that it could have been have we seen this kind of positive checked in. This was baffling as she and effective help being rendered, had not tagged it with name or des- at such a short time, with minimum tination as yet and the bag was not formalities involved. even locked. She also contacted the Hats off to CISF and Shri PurshotCISF police staff on duty who prom- tam Malik and people like him!.

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R A P

U P

Top 4 Holocaust Movies

Winters are often a time to sit back and just watch some of our favorite movies. To mix a little knowledge and history to it, never hurt anyone. Sanjana gives you her top movies on Holocaust.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (1997)

SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993)

On its release, “Life is Beautiful” was hotly debated for having the audacity to employ humour in its treatment of the Holocaust. But that is how its protagonist, the Jewish-Italian waiter Guido, always navigated life, so why stop when he and his son are sent to a concentration camp? It builds slowly from charming romance to Holocaust drama and does not fail to leave its audience in tears. It delivers a heartwarming message of not giving up on life even in the most difficult of times and at the same time portrays the horrible circumstances that the Jews underwent during the second world war. In my opinion, this one is a must watch.

In German-occupied Poland during World War II, Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazi Germans.

This film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley and Caroline Goodall portrays the effect that the brutality suffered by the Jews had on the hearts and minds of all kinds of people. It shows how people leaving behind their character, however it was, went ahead to aid the Jews at any given cost.

THE PIANIST (2002)

Roman Polanski’s gritty film about the Warsaw ghetto built by the Germans, is a A BOY IN THE STRIPPED PYAJAMAS film that’s gut-wrenchingly (2008) affecting. The Pianist is an Directed by Mark Herman and incredibly haunting film that starring the young Asa Butauthentically captures the terfield in the lead, ‘’ A boy in virulent life of the Jewish the stripped pyajamas’’ is the ghetto and how inhumane story of a young eight-year-old the Nazis actions were boy Bruno whose father has reagainst such people. cently been sent to countryside The film also shows the kindness of those Germany. Having no friends, sympathetic to Szpilman and other Jews, with Bruno sneaks out to the back- their offerings of food and shelter: something that yard, which he considers a farm acts as a strong reminder that amidst all the evil, hoping for children to play with. there remained those who fought against prejudice However, he is oblivious to the even when it was dangerous for them to do so. fact that back there is a concentration camp of which his Starring Adrian Broody and Thomas father’s in charge. There he meets a Jewish boy, about Kretschmann this movie is one of the best holothe same age as him, Shmuel. The story then outlines his caust movies made in the contemporary times. encounter with the harsh reality and what that means to someone his age.

By It’s a powerful film that creates an impact on the heart Sanjana Kumar and mind of the audience. In the uncomplicated world of Class XII children, it portrays the purity they hold in their hearts Scottish High International School, and how for them every relation is equally important.

Gurgaon

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I n

T h e

One Step Forward,

N e w s

Ten Backwards

It’s a moment of pride for us Indians that our own diva, Manushi Chhillar, is Miss World 2017. But, in these moments of jubilance and pride, it is also the need of the hour to ponder upon the regressive, ancient and parochial views of beauty propagated by such pageants. Tavashya Kumar writes

I

n the modern times that we live in, where everything has become a matter of perception and face value, how can we have such rigid thoughts about beauty? I refuse to believe that having to fast oneself to socially acceptable body standards and the ability to pose like a mannequin for a photograph is the be all and end all of beauty. Beauty cannot and must not be defined by mere looks.

These pageants are relics of a colonial era, misfits in the 21st Century.

Despite having tried to reform, they retain several of the detrimental idiosyncrasies of the 20th century, a time when women were treated as objects and subjected to several stereotypes and stigmas. One good example is the existence of something called the swimsuit round. There can be nothing more atrocious, especially in present times, than judging women by the shape of their bodies!!

Some of the pageants claim to be empowering women, but whatever they do is flying in the face of the basic tenets of women’s empowerment. The mere existence of beauty pageants undermines and destroys the progress made towards women’s empowerment. All such events do is make sure that the same archaic ideas and stereotypes against women continue to play an important role in the 21st century. Yet, thankfully, people have realised the regres-

siveness of such pageants and hence, these events have fewer followers than ever before in their history.

Unfortunately, skin colour plays a very important role in deciding the outcome of these events. Indeed, it is not surprising to know that very few, if at all any, black women have won these events. As is to be expected, these pageants are a hegemony of the privileged whites. This one observation is more than enough to highlight the retrograde, prehistoric principles on which they are based.

The modern woman does not have the time or see the necessity for looking graceful and ‘ladylike’ all the time. Indeed, activities such as long hours spent on makeup and wearing corsets to look lean etc are relics of a time when women were forced to stay at home and had literally noth-

ing better to do. But today, women actively contribute to the society in a productive manner. They play a dual role, both inside the house and outside it. They have correctly renounced the practices propagated by these pageants, which portray women as pretty dim-witted dullards.

Needless to say, such things which propagate stereotypes against women, hamper the prospects of them contributing to society and getting the recognition they deserve, have no place in any modern progressive society. And consequently, regressive ‘beauty pageants’ too have no place in our society.

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By Tavashya Kumar Class XI Delhi Public School, Hyderabad

Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 49

W a t c h

T h i s

S p a c e

Delhi Public School, Sonepat

Inter DPS International Lawn Tennis Tournament 2017

D

elhi Public School, Sonepat hosted the ‘Inter DPS International Lawn Tennis Girls’ Open Tournament 2017’ from 24 November 2017- 25 November 2017.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Varun Nijhawan, Joint Director (Physical Education), OP Jindal Global University, declared the tournament open by rotating the tennis ball working model prepared exclusively by the students of DPS, Sonepat. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Ms. R. Mann, Pro-

Vice Chairperson, DPS Sonepat; Ms. Sudesh Singh, Director, DPS Sonepat and Mr. RK Singh, Headmaster, DPS Sonepat. All the 10 participating teams and their coaches took an oath of fair play and sportsmanship. Thereafter commenced the quarter finals with grit and gusto.

The winning teams qualified for semi- finals, which were held on 25 November 2017. DPS Sonepat and DPS RK Puram competed for the Final Match where DPS RK Puram

DIS Annual Day Celebration

Delhi International Group 50 | Volume 03 | Issue 04 | November 2017

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W

ith all might and grandeur, Delhi International Group of Schools celebrated their Annual Day on 13th December 2017, at the Thyagaraj Stadium.

It was a proud and exciting event for all the parents as well as for the teachers. Where on one side our little students tapped their feet to pay tribute and presented their love for their nurturing mothers, on the other side senior students beautifully portrayed a skit teaching us a lesson in humanitarian be-

W a t c h proved their mettle by winning the tournament. DPS Sonepat stood second, while DPS Rohini bagged the third position. Riddhi of DPS RK Puram was declared the Player of the Tournament.

The Chief Guest, Captain JS Mann, Member Managing Committee and the Guest of Honour Mr. Peter Thabiso Bustraan, research associate at OP Jindal Global University graced the occasion with their striking presence and declared the meet closed. All the participating teams and the Prize Winners were given away the medallions, certificates and trophies.

T h i s

S p a c e

“Karma A Boomerang” A Cultural Feast

Fortune World School, Noida

F

ortunites wore the festive look for Fortune World School celebrated its Gita week and fete on 10th December 2017. The morning was reserved for a Gala Presentation. The function was presided over by extending a warm welcome as the troop of Fortunites escorted the chief guest of the day, Gita Manishi Mahamandaleshwar Guruji Gyananand Ji Maharaj with a well synchronised march past.

They say happiness comes in small packages. Well, the little bundles of joy running helter skelter and cheering up the audience with their singing skills certainly proved the adage to be true. Commencing on a devotional note the tiny-tots then offered prayers to the almighty by enchanting School Hindi Prayer. After arrival of chief guest and other invited dignitaries, a rainbow of colours unfurled on the stage as the students of P3, J1 and J2 took everyone into the world of devotion and spirituality as they danced on the tunes of the shlokas from Bhagavad Gita.

The Annual School Report read by the Head Boy and Head Girl, brought to fore, the achievements of the students of the school and presented the vision for the progress of the school. The theme of the event was in accordance to the need of the day. The musical drama Karma – A Boomerang reflected the essence of Bhagavad Gita and Newton’s 3rd law of motion.

The festive spirit achieved its greatest height, when students performed it in a synchronized step in colourful attire which enthralled everybody. A glittering bonanza of skits, dances and songs enthralled the audience. The resounding applause from the spectators confirmed the haviour. Above all, the highlight of proof of children’s talent. The chief guest of the day also congratulated the event were our bright, prize win- the Fortunites for understanding the need of the times and selecting the ning students who with their hard most appropriate theme for the function. After the musical drama amidst work have continued to add laurels great zest, vibrancy and elation Fortunites Funtastic fete was open for everyone. The beautifully decorated premises of Fortune World School to our organization. were abuzz with stalls of games, shopping and food items. The mood was It was a memorable event for all festive and upbeat. The entire programme was applauded by everyone the people associated with Delhi Inpresent and will always remain etched in the memory of one and all. ternational Group of Schools.

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 51

W a t c h

T h i s

S p a c e

Kokuyo Camlin conducts the

Principal’s Day in Puducherry K okuyo Camlin, the country’s pioneering and leading manufacturers of school stationery and art material, has conducted the Principal’s Day event in Puducherry on 11th January 2017. Conducted with the objective to recognize and celebrate

the role of principals in the K to 12 education, the Kokuyo Camlin Principals’ Day is being conducted from last two years. The Principals’ Day 2017 was conducted by Kokuyo Camlin in association with ‘The Hindu’ in School and CK Confident Kids. The event was to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary and was inaugurated by the state’s education minister Mr. Kamal Kannan.

“The learning process should be more fun filled as it will help children comprehend better during their formative years”, Mr Kamala Kannan said while addressing the participating Principals. Mr Kamala Kannan noted that the theme “Let’s Make Learning Fun” was very relevant in the present context. Minister for Education R Kamala Kannan suggested a relook at conventional

52 | Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018

teaching methods in schools so as to make the learning process for children more fun filled.

Stating that the heads of the institutions played an important role in the process of learning of every child through their dedicated team of teaching faculties, he said: “The future of India lies with the young people. It is necessary that the students be educat-

ed properly so that they imbibe good habits and thoughts.”

Mr. Saumitra Prasad, Chief Marketing Officer, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd said, “We are very excited to celebrate the third edition of Principal’s Day in Puducherry. While the nation celebrate Children’s Day and Teachers day, we took the initiative of creating Principal’s Day two years ago to recognise the crucial role that the heads of institutions and schools play in shaping and moulding young minds. A Principal is an administrator, educator, psychologist, motivator, and thought leader of the school.

However, their contributions are

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often not recognised. Mr. Prasad congratulated the Principals participating in the seminar and thanked them for support.

At a panel discussion that followed, participants discussed how learning could be made more interesting. A Senthil Kumaran, Chief Confluencer, The Learners Confluence, Bengaluru, who moderated the panel discussion, said that education should not become a burden for children. He stressed on the need of identifying the expectations of the parents as well as the children and address them.

Chandra Shekhar Ojha, DGM Marketing, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd made a very interesting presentation of how healthy art practices could benefit the young children in many ways and the Dos and Don’ts for the same. He said that children should be allowed the freedom to paint and experiment. They should be motivated to express themselves.

Their work should be valued and appreciated. Art helps the children in improving observation, concentration, assimilation, imagination and expression, and adds a lot to the personality of the child making him or her a successful and responsible citizen.

Amudha Ranganathan, Trustee, C K Group of Institutions, Cuddalore and Founder Director Canopo International, Chennai gave a vote of thanks and expressed her happiness for being a part of the event.

The participating principals, more than 60 of them, were very happy with the event and they appreciated the contents. They were especially very happy to learn about the benefits of child art and how to harness them.

U n t o l d

Mahabharata and Bhagadatta

We bring to you stories from Indian mythology which are little known to most readers, yet hold fascinating aspects of the epic narrative.

B

hagadatta, the king of Pragjyotishpur, was probably one of the oldest character in Mahabharata, and one of the most fierce fighters at the same time. It is said that when he fought on his elephant, Supratika, it was next to impossible to defeat him.

As per the order of the day, Bhagadatta had organized a swayamvar for his daughter, Bhanumati. Hundreds of princes from different parts of the country participated in the swayamvar. The challenge was, a living fish was tied to a fishing stick and any prince who could hit the eye of the fish looking at the refracted image of the fish in the water, would be the husband of Bhanumati. Duryodhana achieved the feat and was married to Bhanumati. It was hence, that Bhagadatta sided with Duryodhana in the War of Mahabharata.

The Legend: Legend has it that Bhagadatta was very old; so old that when he fought the Mahabharata war he had to tie up the sagging skin of his forehead to keep it from blocking his vision.

Bhagadatta’s elephantry was extremely formidable and it would not have been easy to defeat him in Gaja yudh. There is mention of the details of which day he led the Kaurava Army in the Mahabharata war in the Mahabharata by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

(Rajaji), (probably the 12th day.)

A lot of the mighty warriors like Bheem, Abhimanyu etc. had tried to fight him away, but in vain. Since he was proving unstoppable and kept slaying the Pandava army in large numbers, Lord Krishna advised Arjuna that the only way to defeat Bhagadatta was to severe the cloth with which the folds of his skin were held up. Finally, Bhagadatta was engaged in an intense battle with Arjuna, who first killed the guards protecting the legs of Supratika. Eventually, Arjuna could only kill Bhagadatta by severing the cloth tied to his forehead, and in doing so blocking his vision.

This fascinating chapter of might and valor was completely missed in the TV serial by BR Chopra.

Pragjyotishpur or Kamarupa is the modern day Assam. Dutta is a very common surname in Assam and this shows the connect history does have with mythology.

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 53

J u n i o r

D I Y

Jamming with the

CD Spinners

Fidget spinners may come and go, but making our own recycled spinners never went out of fashion! So take a few old supplies, and create this great toy for the holidays.

54 | Volume 03 | Issue 04 | November 2017

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J u n i o r

You will require:

• • •

CDs Bottle Caps Marbles

• •

Markers White Glue

Now follow these steps:

• •

• Take an old CD, and a bottle cap • Stick the bottle cap on top of our • CD with the help of some glue • The bottle cap will act as the holder to hold and spin the CD • For the spinning motion, we will • add a marble to the other side • Flip the CD, and stick the •

D I Y

marble in the centre with the any which way you want it! help of glue • Holding the bottle cap, start This will take a bit to completely spinning to no end! dry While that dries, flip the CD To watch video, look for “How To again and start drawing on it Make CD Spinners | Mad Stuff carefully With Rob” on YouTube Draw a simple spiral design starting from the centre of the cap Follow Rob and share your DIYs and moving outwards using a with him @: permanent marker The spiral looks like a cool whirl- Facebook.com/MadStuffWithRob pool when the CD is spun Twitter.com/MadStuffWithRob Design and decorate the sides Instagram.com//MadStuffWithRob

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Volume 03 | Issue 06 | January 2018 | 55

J u n i o r

B l o g

How Far Have We Come?

Grown ups have their own take on how we stand today as a Republic. Some good and some bad are of course the part and parcel of it. What is more fascinating is to see the same institution through the eyes of the future, through the eyes of the children who will be shaping this future. Read our young writer Zara’s take

T

oday, there is negativity all around us. From terrorist attacks to natural calamities like earthquakes and tsunamis, negativity is on the rise every minute. Voices of victims from Syria, pictures of people badly injured in the Manhattan accident or nuclear tests in North Korea, we are at a point where World War 3 could be announced any minute. The fight between the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and the American President Donald Trump can lead us into the third world war. Every day we hear news about unrest in the Kashmir valley. There are problems in almost every country at this moment, problems that will lead to battles, battles that will lead to another World War. Countries are already preparing weapons for the war, weapons that will cause mass destruction, but who cares.

The lives of 7 million people or more will be at risk, but all that matters is to prove your might. But what power?

Power to kill people? Power to destroy countries? Well, who will benefit, when one’s own country will be destroyed?

We have to stop this. We have to spread positivity and happiness. Countries like Scotland and Switzerland are small but happy countries. So, why can’t we be like them? It is time to leave aside all negativity and sort out matters patiently, it is time for countries to join hands in order to make this world a peaceful place. But none of this would be possible unless each and every citizen of this world would contribute in this movement. So this 26th January, let’s not only celebrate Republic day, but come together for peace and unity.

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By Zara Javed Class IV Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School

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J u n i o r

T r a v e l s

The Spring

Break!

I

n the Spring break of 2017 I travelled to the USA with my family. It was very exciting to fly in a big aircraft. I had the opportunity to visit the NASA space centre located in Houston, Texas.

I saw the space shuttle “Endeavour” and got my picture clicked with it. It was fun to see how a space shuttle looks from the inside. I also learnt how astronauts train to be in space and how “Our Earth” looks so beautiful from outer space. I touched a moon rock which was brought to earth by the astronauts. I also visited the Children’s Museum at Houston. It had many interesting things for kids to see, learn and play.

My parents then took me to Keystone snow resort in Colorado. It is a great place for snow sports. My little brother and I enjoyed throwing snowballs at each other. My dad and I made a small snowman together.

I also skied with my dad at Arapahoe basin which is the highest peak in Northern America at 13500 ft.

I was taken by surprise when my parents took me to Galveston which is a sea port. I had never imagined that I would get to see snow and sea both in my spring break. I saw a huge cruise ship at the port. I made sand castle on the beach and collected many shells to decorate my room. I bought many souvenirs for my cousins and friends.

It was a fun filled and most memorable spring break with my family.

By Aharnish Dhir Class II Springdales School, Pusa Road

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J u n i o r

S l a m

Cleanliness Garbage, garbage everywhere,

Why Can’t We? Oh look !! Unwanted to my sight, There’s someone hidden in the window light, Who is it???

At the time of the candle lit??

See, it’s a boy, Willing to sell a toy, Looking at him, We say it’s bad, And the traffic police goes mad, We rush & go, Forgetting about all the sorrow, Why can’t we??

Why can’t we help ??

Why can’t we see ??

Are we blind , No , Then why can’t we ??

Are we deaf ??

No , Then why can’t we ??

I question you , Why can’t we ??

By Pari Arora Class VI Holy Child Auxilium School, New Delhi

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No cleanliness...Oh! God I swear!

Turn around here or look there, I find heaps of garbage...everywhere.

I need my surroundings pristine green, And make my home, city, and India clean.

So get set go, take your mops and brooms, To clean our lanes, schools and rooms.

Take your soap and your duster, To clean up the smelly clutter.

Throw the wrappers in the bin, Don’t make excuse that there is no tin.

Bury the dry leaves, the litter and be sure, To get nourishing soil and manure Recycle the newspaper and every book Ways to reduce waste, we must look.

Shoulder this responsibility with sincerity, As on it depends our prosperity.

By Shaivi Katyal Class III Springdales School, Pusa Road

DL. No.- DL(C)-14/1404/2017-2019 | Date of Publication- 01-01-2018 | Date of Posting-07th-10th | Posting Office-Srt Nagar Po. New Delhi-110055