Shishukunj

Mind Boggling

Avani Kamdar, Class XII C

How mind boggling it is, right?

They give you their everything.

When dreamy monsters scare you at night…

A lullaby with sweet voice they’d sing.

When your world is falling apart,

Or you’re starting to fail,

When you think there’s no one,

And no wind for your boat to sail,

Be thankful for one thing you have,

One thing which will remain forever.

Unconditional and eternal,

A love which will end never ever.

A love that can fix a million hearts,

And a love which can never be replaced.

A love that can heal wounds and remove your deepest scars,

This is the love which our parents give.

Cell Phone Etiquettes – Do We Possess Them?

Sanika Fegade, Class XI A

We possess mobile phones but lack mobile phone etiquettes.

Imagine a situation where you’ve spent hard-earned cash to watch a suspense thriller, the mystery is at its peak as the culprit is about to be revealed, you are at the edge of your seat when you hear a catchy – Bollywood-inspired tune, a cell phone ringtone actually. Wouldn’t you be irritated that someone has interrupted you? Moreover, this irritation doesn’t stop here – the next thing you hear is an old gentleman with a booming voice complaining about the food he had yesterday.

What I would like to talk about is something which is slightly more important to us than breathing – our cell phones. As a society, we have come to accept mobile phones as an important organ of our body. But have we learnt how to use this organ efficiently?

The answer is an obvious no!

Every day, we are subject to irrelevant conversation of strangers because people just don’t talk softly. Every day, we are disturbed during important meetings because the facility of ‘silent mode’ has been left unexplored by a large section of our society. This matter is of such great importance that even renowned writers like Jug Suraiya have taken up the cause of ‘Cell phone Privacy’. But even so, we haven’t come to realize any correlation between owning extravagant cellphones and practising free of cost cell phones etiquette.

This problem does not require a solution as ground breaking as rocket science but a simple understanding that people are not interested in our lives and that we must let people live their own lives without the worry of cellphone interruption.

Denmark Exchange

Aliya Sheikh, Class X A

In the beginning of 2014, I was introduced to AFS. I was really interested in the idea of going abroad for a few months and learning about a new culture. The experience ended up being more than just a vacation; it became one of the best and most memorable parts of my life that has helped me grow and discover what I want in life.

It was a one month school program in Denmark where subjects such as language/cultural skills and science are combined with challenging and creative profile courses. All the participants took part in social activities, excursions and cooked and dined together. In addition to the AFS participants there were a large number of international and Danish young people at the School. The School therefore provided ample opportunities for sharing intercultural experiences and exploring exciting and challenging activities together with young people from all over the world. I also took part in exciting intercultural activities together with Danish and international participants.

I can still remember the first day when we all met at the airport. David and Richard were there to welcome the three groups from India, Thailand and Indonesia. We were 16 students in total. Then we went to our school, Ranum Efterskole College. Ranum Efterskole College is the global department of Ranum Efterskole, which is an International boarding school for learners between the ages of 14 and 18. We all went for a small tour of the school campus and Ranum. My time spent in the school was the best. I made many new Danish friends without whom my experience would not have been so meaningful.

We also went for an excursion to Copenhagen which is the capital city of Denmark. Our trip was for 5 days with some of the Chinese students and our teacher Mette. We visited National Museum, Folketinget, Little Mermaid, Rosenborg Slot and many more famous places. We even went to watch a Ballet Show at the Royal Theatre and for shopping we went to Nyhavn shopping street.

After our trip to Copenhagen I was with my host family for a week and enjoyed a lot with them. I didn’t realize how much I’d grown to love them as a family until my exchange days were coming to an end. When it dawned on me that I might not see the people I have lived with–the people who have treated me like a daughter and a sister–was so heart-breaking that I cried.

Once back at school, we had a packed schedule. I attended classes for Danish, English, Business, PE and Danish History. We also had sports and evening activities like skateboarding, cycling, girls boxing and volleyball. The students of the three countries also worked on a wall painting showcasing our distinct cultures.

The most beautiful thing about the experience was how one can feel so strongly about others in such a short period of time. As different as people from different countries can be, from the language we speak, the food we eat, and the way we think, we still have the capacity to accept one another like our own if only we allow ourselves to do so. The exchange changed the way I look at people and their differences. I believe that the kindness I have seen during my exchange in Denmark was only a fraction of what is out there in the world. I would like to thank AFS and my school for providing me such a golden opportunity.

Tak !

The Sitlakhet Caper

Bhakti Badlani, Class IX E

It is rightly said that experiences change our lives and they do matter in the most ways. Even the smallest of an experience can turn the perspective of people’s way to look at oneself and the future ahead. And so here I am to share one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Being out for ten days only, with people who I had never met (no contact with others), can be said, was the most terrific experience I have ever had. I had been to Sitlakhet, a place in Uttarakhand. Though I had never heard of the place nor had I ever been to a proper camp site before, I was highly charged and was eagerly looking forward to the trip. We took a train from Delhi to a place in Uttarakhand. During this journey I met people from different cities and some even from different countries. Interacting with different people and knowing about them was just very stupefying.

After a six hour long journey, we reached the campsite, a very cool but quite ‘to-be’ place. At the camp, we lived in tents. While, for two days we went and lived, rather survived in the jungle! In that particular outdoor survival we had to find a suitable campsite for ourselves with the help of a map and a compass, which was a fun activity. Thereafter in the survival we cooked for ourselves and also made our own fire using flint. After returning to camp, we rode mountain bikes. We were trained on high hilltops in the coldest of weather. I know you won’t believe but I fell over forty times while riding, and I did hurt myself in the most dreaded ways. The last day was very different from the rest, we had a talent and DJ night and the next day we left for New Delhi.

Learning with different people has helped me grow and come out as a person. Now when I look at the deep scars, it reminds me of all the ecstatic memories of Sitlakhet. Oh! I miss it so much.

Making Friends

Disha Gupta, Class VI D

Making friends is a pleasure,

A friend is like treasure.

Friendship is a unique bond,

Throwing stones together in a pond.

A friend is like a sun,

Each day is full of fun.

Together they make different relations,

Paper planes, paper boats, all new creations.

Together friends are always cool,

Playing together in the pool.

A friend is like pure gold,

Who can never be sold.

Time

Mishi Jain, Class VII F

Time! Time! Time!

It makes a perfect rhyme.

People who follow time,

Are always able to digest their chyme.

Like a juice of fresh lime

Is this time.

It finishes fast,

For the people who are last.

Time waits for none,

Not even a single one.

You move according to time,

And you will shine.

Disrespecting time

Can be called a crime.

Conscience’s Thought

Swasti Solanki, Class IX D

I read the following story in the column ‘The Speaking Tree’ of Times of India.

King Rishabh had a hundred sons. Bharat, one of his sons, had conquered kingdoms of 98 of his brothers. Bahubali was 99^th. Bahubali was stronger and more powerful than Bharat. The brother fought and Bahubali won. The angry Bahubali raised his arms to strike his brother when he stopped. ‘Would I kill my brother for a kingdom?’ This moment of stillness is called the Bahubali moment – when the conscience questions itself whether the step to be taken is correct or not.

Inspired by this story, I have written the following poem.

When the swords arose, and death was close

The sturdy thought, ‘Should I let him go?’

The sin was waiting for its presence to be seen

When all held their breath,

The result was shortly to be revealed.

It is said that only the dead fish go with the flow

In the silence of fear, only the raging wind could dare to blow.

To kill a brother, for a kingdom’s sake,

Would mean love all those years was fake.

Would he favour the values, or commit the sin

The question arose, ‘Who would win?’

Ended the fear of defeat and death

When the stronger dropped his sword

And the weaker lost his breath.

Looking Through

Art by Alefiya Havelivala, Class X D

Mother’s Love

Siddhant Dubey, Class X A

It’s not just love that’s in those gifts

It contains a medicine that heals rifts

It signifies the unbreakable bond

Of their mother, the children so fond.

It gives her immense pleasure

Because in front of her are two beautiful treasures.

They don’t say a word, neither does she

Because it’s not the words but the love they see.

She hugs the small one and kisses her elder

It’s the love in the heart that she renders.

Her eyes become moist

It’s a flag they hoist

About the one ‘unbreakable bond’.

They hold each other tight

She doesn’t let any of them out of her sight.

Because it’s them she loves the most,

Even more than her own life

Because they are her brightest stars.

And it’s just pure love that has no bars

She has held them close, one nudges, the other shifts

Because it’s not just love in those gifts

But a medicine that heals rifts.

Live to Forgive

Jivyaa Vaidya, Class IX C

Live to forgive all sins,

All mistakes, all bad things.

Whether it be one of your kins,

Or be it one who has hurt your feelings.

Live to forgive so that you may,

Live without any regrets about something you did not say,

Just open your mouth and say, it is okay.

Live to forgive so that you make

An unhappy and regretful soul joyful

Instead of answering back with something foul.

Live to forgive so that there lives no more

Bitter, bad feelings in the heart.

Forgive, be it at school or the sea shore

Or in a supermarket discount store.

Live to forgive anywhere and anyday

And let the person live his life in wellness.

If you don’t, the person will regret everyday

And will lose some of his life’s happiness.

Live to forgive and teach others the same

To forgive people, to be happy and make others happy.

But practice what you preach, don’t treat it as a game

And try your best to not let a soul regret or be unhappy.

Month: January 2016