Success at Samagam!

Disha was adjudged the Best Speaker in an Inter-School English Debate Competition organised under the aegis of CBSE Sahodaya Schools Complex, Indore.

She spoke against the motion:

“SOCIAL DEPRIVATION CAUSES CRIME”

The transcript of her debate:

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the architect of our constitution was haunted by caste discrimination and humiliation from the early years of his life. He was awarded prestigious scholarships and a doctorate from the University of Columbia, yet, faced social deprivation all his life. But he went on to become the first Law Minister of India and he undoubtedly had an iron-hand towards criminals.

Social deprivation does not have a direct relationship with the crimes committed. When we try and solve the mystery behind criminal minds we find that it isn’t social deprivation but the failure to realize one’s virtue; the failure of self- direction; the desire for a bed of roses which leads to a belief among potential bombers that 'my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak' and induces in thieves a never satiating craving for more and more.

In fact, according to Criminal Psychology, crime occurs because the criminal chooses it when he starts having a feeling of inadequacy or when he becomes extremely sensitive towards negative evaluation.

There are people like Dhirubhai Ambani and Oprah Winfrey, coming from the grassroots of poverty who have worked hard come rain or sunshine to become the epitomes of success. They wisely used their conscience to choose legitimacy over rebellious and undesirable thoughts.

“A Criminal Mind makes himself so !”

By nature he is irresponsible, impulsive, self- centred and lacks empathy. He tirelessly trudges into the fields of anger, frustration and the lust of more power. He is infested with greed leading to molestation, murder, burglary and theft to calm the ravenous self. He gets convinced to commit heinous crimes in the name of religion.

Social deprivation is but a euphemism for some who can’t tackle the frustration and are lazy enough to give infinite excuses not to modify the situations around them. 

With more power comes more greed. The infamous prisoners, be it Lalu Prasad Yadav or Harshad Mehta, didn’t lack power, money or respect. Then why didn’t they think twice before involving their grey matter in the fodder scam or in stock market crash? Doesn’t the very clique of concentration camps and genocide traillblazed by the highly educated Adolf Hitler ring a bell in your ears?

For the socially deprived, the cat comes out of the bag as they lack the resources to bribe the administration while the bracket of high earners successfully manage to evade taxes and disprove allegations against them! As a result, we find statistics indicating that the majority of the criminal population belongs to the uneducated poor!

Social deprivation is a veil that blinds the stringent laws while catching hold of criminals.

Desires are nourished by delays

by Vinisha

Naturally, each person judges us differently and we perceive ourselves differently. With every little effort we put in to achieve the set grades, it always comes down to ‘you could have done better’.

My mother always taught me never to expect anything in return, just help and forget. And I jumped right at it doing the same. But every time things can’t be better and we give up. Lot of time I feel being nice and helpful has not been great at all.

We’ve always been told - childhood or the teenage happens to be the most beautiful days of life. The days when you desire to be the most successful. “I’ll do this. I’ll do that”. And sometimes these desires are shattered. We forget that desires are nourished by delays. 

Forcing yourself to attain academic excellence cannot be everyone’s award. The mind set becomes weak if expectations are not fulfilled. It could cause so much pain that you may feel there is only a single way left to end it – SUICIDE !

Wanna kill yourself? Just imagine this. This happens when you start to love. But sometimes things you love turn into things you hate. This should be a cry to be heard but remains unheard.

However, nobody should be pushed to such an extent, the elementary school is just the beginning. The real world could be even more harsh and cruel. These choices do not affect you at times.

Whenever you feel you are entering the world of wrong. Just question your motives, Academics is not something which decides that you should live or not. Be calm and don’t let your feelings go beyond. Else, it will end up with people who love you blaming and accusing themselves.

Well, I am a kind of person who loves to please people and at times go out of my way to help them. Though this would affect people’s mentality about me. But it is sometimes wise to let people take you for granted. Yet alas! A moment comes when you have to act. Just talk directly about things that matter. You are a living being and you have emotions. If at all it hurts learn to say no, learn to ignore and never compromise.

I personally feel that the more we stand out from the crowd, more the chance to be yourself- BE UNIQUE!

Everything in life makes you ask yourself - were you able to fulfill what you want or what people want from you? Well, never give this question a second thought. Think positive, whatever the result is. “Yes I achieved it.” Or maybe “ it was not a bad try.” This would surely be better than scribbling a suicide note on a paper out of frustration.

Just develop a thought. C’mon! There are so many things to live for. This is just a start to the real world.

I hope reading this would change how people think.

I know, this dilemma would never end but a clear mind could help. We have to have this positive perception and the broken expectations will definitely work the way you want. 

Happy Independence Day

Our class came second today in Inter-Class Board Decoration Competition!

King Tut’s Curse and Superstition

By Manas

Superstition is a pejorative term for belief in supernatural causalities – that an event leads to the cause of another without any natural process linking the two events, such as astrology, religion, omens, witchcraft, that contradict natural science.

When reading about the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb we came to hear about the Curse of the Pharaoh. The belief in a curse was brought to many people’s attention due to the sometimes mysterious deaths of a few members of Howard Carter’s team.

The Curse of the Pharaoh refers to the belief that any person who disturbs the mummy of an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh is placed under a curse. This curse which does not differentiate between thieves and well-intentioned archaeologists allegedly brings bad luck, illness and even death.

The first of the ‘mysterious’ deaths was that of Lord Carnarvon who sponsored the excavation. He was bitten by a mosquito and later he slashed bite accidentally while shaving. It became infected and blood poisoning resulted.

Carnarvon’s death had a medical explanation. But why did it have to happen to him just days after King Tut’s mummy was discovered. Was it just chance? And if the curse really exists, why didn’t it hit the others including Howard Carter?

Superstitious beliefs may have a scientific explanation or a logical genesis. Whether it is true or not, most importantly it is a belief. If we step on a book we touch it to our forehead out of respect or out of superstition? That’s debatable.

Some common superstitions of the world:

- Friday the thirteenth is an unlucky day

- If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck

- If a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck

- To break a mirror will bring you seven years bad luck

- Garlic protects from evil spirits and vampires

- Wearing your birthstone will bring you good luck

- If you blow out all of the candles on your birthday cake with the first breath you will get whatever you wish for

- An itchy palm means money will come your way

- Crossing your fingers helps to avoid bad luck and helps a wish come true

- After receiving a container of food, the container should never be returned empty

- When a dog howls, death is near

- Washing a car will bring rain

- You must get out of bed on the same side you got in on or you will have bad luck

- To kill an albatross is to cause bad luck to the ship and all upon it

Superstitions in India

-          Donating a sum of INR 101 instead of INR 100. The extra rupee is supposed to bring good luck.

-          Cutting nails or sweeping the floor after sunset is considered unlucky.

-          Footwear kept upside down will bring bad luck to both the owner and the doer.

Terror Has No Religion

- Vinisha

(Most of this article was written in class during a Writing Skills assignment)

Sometimes things go our way and sometimes they don't. Terrorism is widely recognized as the most threatening enemy of mankind. News about any terrorist attack in any corner of the world gives a spine-chilling effect. Terrorists do not see themselves as evil. They believe they are legitimate aggressors, fighting for what they believe in. hence, by whatever means possible, they try to attain their goals.

‘We can’t accommodate terrorism, its like demanding the IMPOSSIBLE.’

I have heard this almost every time a terrorist attack is carried out. And immediately after the attack, there will be some ‘secular’ rather ‘sickular’ leaders giving statements. They would talk about how cowardly the leaders are and how brave are those who die innocent.

It might not be the right time to ask but still I do. We can always keep alert and prevent such attacks but for how long? We do need to ask what makes people plan such attacks. These cannot be natural disasters. These mass murders are executed with a carefully thought-out plan. After the questions, the so-called leaders would choose their words judiciously and paint a saintly picture of unity that nature has and ‘they’ don’t. They would end saying – “terror has no religion.” LIARS!

They claim it is money, the biggest reason for the destruction. No wonder it refuses to stop. No wonder it keeps growing. As the real problem has never been acknowledged, never been controlled. Religion is and has always been the greatest fuel for terror and threat to life and property.

26/11, 9/11 – the dates hold a profound meaning to all. These were the days when horrific terror struck Mumbai and the United States. These are just a few examples which exhibit the acts of terror. 

Heard stories and made the movies, the facts have not turned. All religious people are not bigots but all terrorists are certainly religious. 

Someone has to control these religious think-tanks before they bomb the last surviving common man. If you really love your religion, your life, try to see where you are going wrong. Can any god be so cruel as to condone such indiscriminate murder? 

We all refuse to accept these facts generally. Bur we need to understand the need of the hour whether this red color is of passionate DANGER or LOVE!

Ask yourself and decide how you will end the lie. 

Pratibimb 2013 (2)

All that's hidden needs a platform for its exposure. Very true! We all have certain talents hidden in us and during our daily routine we hardly give any notice to it.
But our school gave all the Shishyans a platform to showcase their calibre and potential in different fields like Science, Art, Music, Dance, Commerce and all the other academic / non-academic areas.
There were skits, street plays, dance performances, inter-house competitions, the band, delicious food and what not. The show was a grand success and enjoyed immensely by the crowd.
The food court that was set up by the students earned a handsome revenue. This profit has been decided to be used for charity.

This is how we advertised our blog during Pratibimb 2013.

Art by Priyamvada.

Inter-School Dance Competition

Muskan and Mansi were part of the twelve-member team that participated in an Inter-School Kathak and Bharatnatyam Fusion Group Dance Competition held at Choithram School, Manikbagh on July 31. Of the twelve schools that participated in the competition, our school team was adjudged among the top three. Congratulations!

Pratibimb 2013 (1)

Shishukunj International School is proud to announce “Pratibimb” the Annual Exhibition on July 28, 2013.  It  is a platform for the students of the school to showcase their talent in different areas like maths, commerce, banking, and various other areas in front of parents, teachers and fellow students. Also, for entertainment, various recreational activities have been organized.  

Our class students have worked hard and are playing an important role in this exhibition. Nehal has made a chart on diet in which she has covered topics like what we should eat, how much and at what timings should we eat. Shourya and Dhairya have made a chart on body mass index (BMI). They also have a beautiful model of the Olympic track of Beijing that is The Bird's Nest Stadium. 

A group project on sport injuries made by Muskan, Mansi, Krishna and Rishabh will surely be attracting lots of parents. Shivesh has portrayed the life of our nation's pride “The Flying Sikh” (Milkha Singh) through charts and models. 

Yash has made a chart for maths related to the graphs of trigonometric functions. Khushi will be explaining the guests about security measures in banking and RTGS, with the help of two charts made by her. Along with these there are many recreational ideas like quiz on The Reserve Bank of India organized by Disha and Tanishq. Varnika, Vinisha, Mohnish and Avani J will put up a skit depicting the financial difference in the society.

An Inter-House TV show is also going to be held during the Exhibition. Shivesh, Sanjana N, Priyamvada and others in various capacities have participated for their House TV show. 

For the refreshments Sarthak and Manas will put up food stalls in which they will be selling vada pau.

With all the efforts and the hard work put in by the students, the exhibition will undoubtedly be a grand success. 

End of a 'Decade' - Another Beginning...

'It is the end of a decade, but the start of an age.'

The end of class X is a precursor to many new hopes, challenges and aspirations. We have taken our first tentative steps by making a choice of the subject stream we are going to study in school.

The school journey is considered to be the metamorphic stage in our lives, we wriggle out of our cocoons to soar high in the sky. Our school days have been pretty amazing. From the hot summer refreshments to getting wet in the rain. The day starts with the morning prayer and in our case the 'Thought of the Day' as well. Among all the chattering and giggling we try to find our way to wake up in the real sense.

So far, we've had the Inter-House English Word Power competition in which Akshina, Disha, Saurabh and Priyamvada represented their Houses.

We had the Investiture Ceremony. Krishna and Sanjana G from the class are a part of the Students' Council. Disha had proposed the Vote of Thanks for the Ceremony.

The Annual Awards Function 'Ojas' was held on June 27, 2013. The following students from the class received awards.

Akshina                Disha          Disha          Disha          Saurabh          Disha          Mansi          Rajat          Saloni          Shivesh          Siddhi

10 CGPA 10 CGPA Excellent Speaker (English) Best Quizzer Award Model Student Model Student Indian Dance Clay Work Clay Work Basketball Basketball

Sidhhi and Shivesh have brought laurels to the school by participating in the Sunita Singh Memorial Basketball Competition.

The mid term is over and everybody is gearing up for the half yearly.

But before that we are all engrossed in preparations for the Annual Exhibition that is on Sunday, July 28. Each of us is involved in some activity or presentation. It is certainly going to be grand!

Sometimes the journey is more beautiful than the actual destination. We do not know where the destination lies for us. Nevertheless, it has been another good beginning. Class XI is certainly going to be memorable!

Dreamology - A Childhood Rhyme

POEM BY VINISHA SHRIMAL

(This poem was written as part of a class assignment which required us to talk to an adult at home and find out how their childhood was different from ours.)

From the albums of my father’s mind,

His childhood was one of a kind,

The kingdom where nobody dies,

His childhood world had lesser lies.

Life was good,

Skipping up and down,

And running like a clown,

Scattered stones were around,

Shouting sitolia when completely bound.

Be it kho-kho, kabaddi or gulli danda,

Dad puts down all the techno-fundas,

Playing on mobiles, computers which are all indoors,

Dad only gets amused by the outdoors.

Along the days of dreaming,

And the childhood gleaming,

There were no fans on the school ceiling,

Still the childhood was amazing.

Teachers were strict,

Standing with a stick,

They are still in contact,

They enriched their students, it’s a fact.

Waiting to open his lunch box,

Sharing the food stocks,

After the food fight,

They again ran behind the kite.

Comics had them spell bound,

Chacha Choudhary, Champak were the gifts found.

A Childhood snippet,

10 paisa was enough buy a movie ticket,

Mischiefs caught,

For which daddy fought,

He and his friends made teachers funny sketch,

And also put glue on his bench,

Professor could see daddy's notorious smile,

And he asked him to display the funny profile.

Attending a marriage feast,

Was the only treat,

Poha and other Indian snacks,

Were definitely better than fast food packs.

Costs were low,

Of all lands and bungalows,

Now it’s seen moving with the wind,

Hence petrol and gold are bought thin.

He had interest in sport,

Cricket was his daily port,

Grandpa said,

“No! You need a profession.”

And he had to give in to this repression

Yet my father never told lies,

He made me experience his childhood time,

“Unbelievable”, said my eyes,
The English class made me write this childhood rhyme.

Dâstân-é-Class-XI-A

What happens when you have a room full of excited, confused, intelligent, boisterous, shy, wide-eyed, gifted,  eager teenagers? 

First, you run out of adjectives.

It is difficult to have a dull moment in such company. 

While there is a set of newcomers (including me), there are also seasoned Shishyans in the gang. When talking about the experiences of class X, something that came up repeatedly was how we missed our friends and the wonderful time we had last year. The time spent with friends always becomes cherished. We always wish we could travel back to those times when we were younger.

And then there is so much we can learn from each other. Where to contain all the brimming creativity? A space to express ourselves? A platform to celebrate the class that we are?

So, here we present, the first time ever from Shishukunj, a class blog

              
                      Dâstân-é-Class-XI-A

the legends of our time together as Shishukunj Class XI-A, 2013-14.

Father Thomson :)