A last visit made to the “Home for old and handicapped”, but still in a mood to continue…………..:)
Heading towards the end of the CAS program, we approached aged people living in ‘Home for aged and handicapped’ for the last time. But, we were unable to leave and console them that this is our last visit. Hence, we promised that we will again come after our examinations are over. We promised, thus we will maintain that. Ultimately, we got hearty blessings from their side. This time we went under the supervision of Mr. Jackson Joy, to interact with them again. We showed them a movie, talked with them and shared their feelings of which they were very enthusiastic to share. They told us about the dance performers that came just one day ago, and who made them feel energetic by their enthusiastic and killing performance. Also they told that they are happy being in that organization, they get every facility with very tasty food and nice clothes. We also acquainted them with the technologies like mobile phones and laptops, I played some funny songs to make them laugh, and literally they did.
Furthermore, one of them was making greeting cards to sell them and earn money as well as satisfaction. I was surprised and happy to see that living in a healthy, helpful and caring area they still worked to live and for self-esteem as well as satisfaction. We also learnt their creativity of making greeting cards, as I won some prizes in the same activity I suggested them some ideas to decorate it and they were happy to evidently receive it. This reminds me of one quote “We should not live on someone else’s money, but should try for our own.” – ANONYMOUS
Your betrothal leads me to a state of impuissance!
I’m happy, but it won’t last for long,
They want to see me happy, but feel so wrong.
Every time they make me feel lonely,
But, it’s not their fault.
May be the lady thinks,
that it will fill up the distance between them.
But, who knows they may sink,
as soon as the step is taken as a gem.
It’s so simple to sort out the matter,
That others can simply interfere in between.
But, it makes me more fatter,
With the dreadful feelings achieved after this scene.
It started just for one person, and one moment,
But, spread out with other people as a whole.
It was now my relative, who was meant,
Who was dearest to my soul.
The first person was my neighbour,
Came at the place just front of us.
It made me a cowardly fearful labour,
To save their life, so that it doesn’t get any minus.
Sometimes I sense them bending towards each other,
then how come they enter a dispute with such desires.
So are they just partners of wealth in night, further,
Who wake up early and start their fires.
My mother’s brother is always helpful to them,
He always sorts out the problem with light hand.
No matter he becomes a little bit harsh on them,
But, he makes their feud to safely land.
Once in a foreign country, it happened again,
With a different person, who were very friendly.
There they caused a fight and made themselves disdain,
It was lucky of mine, that I went with lots of fain.
Every time I liked and wanted to share my such feelings,
But, was scared that how and what people will think.
So, now I have got a medium of doing this freely,
Hope that it will pop out in one or the other meetings.
A Ghastly Dream!
She came as a shy and asked for help,
But, her shyness was nothing in front of mine.
I being sympathetic to everyone, helped her,
With no queries of why and for whom, but thine.
I’m what I’m in front of you, but no need
To prove that I may be special for you.
If an emotion can evoke you to ask for help,
Then it should last forever or germinate like a seed.
Slowly the distance between our friendship, shrank,
And we came closer like Adam and Eve made for each other.
Also, realized that we cannot live without each other,
but, I experienced and learnt how to be frank.
Who knew that a foe of mine, will try to create hurdles,
In between our relation which is far away from friendship and love.
Though , what you like was always my choice,
But, I was stupid, as was not able to recognize your voice.
It’s my philosophy, never mind if your brain don’t agree,
That is, “Don’t just believe on a thing blindly.”
But, feel your heart, and don’t transform into a freak,
I did, feel sorry for that, but was not into my consciousness, kindly!
After once we had a fight, I realized my mistake
Since then time has changed, we have developed an unbreakable trust.
hope that it last forever, and doesn’t rust,
Because, somebody wants you, and somebody really needs you.
For him, I have to be with you to judge that person,
And confirm a life with drawbacks of drawbacks.
So, that you be happy and always feel your life filled,
As I don’t want that your life ends due to somebody is killed.
My eye knows you better and has analyzed your pain,
And I don’t know, but a different type of water came out of my eyes.
Was it that you are someone different than others,
Or was it just an infatuation stage that made me gain.
No, it was nothing for you to be mine,
I couldn’t handle your removal as a pine.
Please, forgive me that I came so close to you,
I never knew you will betray someone new.
I was like a stranger of “Love and a question,”
Was new to this world, which I did mention.
And this created many feuds as in “home burial,”
So, I believe the road not taken could fetch sanitation.
Sometimes I feel, I may continue with apple picking,
Just by stopping by the woods on the next snowy evening.
But, our foe has tried to mend walls between us,
And you yourself thought that foe as a stranger being a hill wife.
Though we are untied again, but I’m scared of ghosts in our house,
Either in the footprints of the foe or of the spouse.
But, at last if you are alone just go for a new water,
And splash it on your face, “Oh Shit! It was a dream.”
Culmination of the activity of teaching in the Van Vasi Ashram!
After preparing a final test for our Ashram children, we approached them for the last time, with a last teaching and meeting. We were so much bonded to our students that we were unable to stop our activity here, but somehow we managed to make them understand that this would be our last visit. Subsequently, we gave them the test paper and checked their aptitude and knowledge about what we taught. This time we went to the Ashram under the supervision of Mr. Shiv Santosh Jha. We gave our students a practice of how to solve all the questions in the limited time period. Though my student lacked the power to understand English effectively, but was able to understand the question so as to answer them accordingly. But, I helped him out with whatever he didn’t understand. Through this test, I was able to identify his weaknesses, such as understanding English, algebraic expressions etc. I didn’t try to help him a lot, considering the ethical implications of a test i.e. no teacher should help his/her student or shouldn’t give extra time in any exam. I also developed skills of a teacher i.e. what are his/her roles towards his/her students and what rules and regulations should be set, so that the student is under control and improves consistently.
Furthermore, completing with the test I acquainted him with his mistakes and told him a way to deal with those types of questions. Also, told what all steps would be required in the final examination, of any subject. Thus, marked him accordingly, but he did his test unexpectedly good. Thereafter, I asked DP-1 students to take over the charge of my student and teach whichever subject they would like to. Hence, we culminated our service work towards Ashram children, waved them goodbye forever and gave them our warm wishes to be successful in their lives.
Creative activities done in the whole year of 2010………….
Woh woh woh! Whole year has been finished with many interesting activities in CAS. Starting from creativity, action and at last service, the year culminated. But, what exactly I did in creativity, apart from publicizing event, making banners, candle making, developing ground etc. What in arts, crafts, writing poem etc! So, in this refection I will be telling you about my creative piece of works, like sketches, paper bag making, haikus, poem, participating in global citizen scholarship essay, prose etc. First let’s talk about craft, i.e. we learnt to make paper bags and sketch a realistic tree under the supervision of Mrs. Deepshri Halve. Both of the activities were quite interesting and somewhat easy, as I already knew some skills of sketch. But, I learnt how to make it realistic by making some crooked curves, shading for their shadows. Paper bag making was something new to me, and I did with great interest as craft was my favorite subject since my childhood. I learnt to make it, and was guided by Mrs. Deepshri Halve. It was like we can sell our piece of work and generate some money for charity. Then come haikus and poems, actually one day I was influenced by someone to write a poem. One fine day, an MS kid named Himanshu Halve recited a poem “Money” which was actually written by him. So, my English teacher Mr. Chiranjeet Bhattacharyya asked me to write a poem, I still remember his words i.e. “Mukul! Now, you should come up with a poem for us to be recited in the assembly.” These two happenings influenced me so much, that while preparing for a test on English Paper 1, I read the poem metaphor by Sylvia Plath and suddenly came up with poem, which was parody of metaphors, but included some happenings in my life. The poem below is the first poem of my life, and most of the credits go to Himanshu Halve and Mr. Chiranjeet Bhattacharyya, if both of them would haven’t influenced me then, I would have not written a single poem till now:
“Fame in pain
I’m a baby in three different ages,
Never thought to act in these stages
I got two souls as my own,
But both were in different zones
Tried to extract my whole bio from them,
But turned into a teen with no deference
Heard a melody same as mine,
Changed my notion to a crime
Then came summer with full of remorse,
I lost my lovely daughter of force.
I was at that stage, when I had nothing to do,
Now I’m here in search of you.
Don’t go away as you are my aspiration,
I’ll catch you with a suitable exertion.
I’m looking for different measures to meet you,
But you, full of thorns treat only few.
You are the only way through which I can gain,
That’s why I’m here in the heaps of pain.”
By now I have written many poems, with varied rhetorical devices, themes and topics. Some were just a reflection on everyday happening, some were imagined and metaphorical. Also, side by side I started writing haikus i.e. a Japanese three lined poem. Most of them were on everyday happening and rhymed as a whole. Some came up just in my mind or as an imagination and added beauty to my life.
Eventually, I and Nishad Potdar participated in Global Citizen Scholarship essay, in which we had to write an essay on, the below mentioned prompt:
“As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, skills such as communication, innovation, leadership and critical thinking are more important than ever before. How could spending 14,000 minutes of your life on a tour to china equip you with the aptitude to compete in a world with no boarders? When future opportunities could become available to you as a result of refining skills such as these?”
This activity was quite interesting and not exactly new, but newer to me, because I never participated in such high qualified level competitions, though I participated in Essay writing competition under extra-curricular activities during my childhood in my school. During this activity I learned how to write, so that the reader is influenced, how to critically add views to a piece of work like essay here, so that it differs itself by other philosophies or essays. Though I didn’t succeed in getting selected among top 20 best students who wrote their essays, but I experienced to struggle against the whole world, learnt to express my views among more than a million people, and learnt the life is not as easy as we think so. This activity came as a lesson to me, and went with so quick steps that whenever I recall this moment, I feel proud that, “At least I participated and tried to struggle to achieve a status of pride, if not now then surely later.” For viewing my essay, you can see the file attached to this post:
Global citizens scholarship Essay
Reflection on November’s Newsletter!
A day spent in conducting the event — walk-a-thon!!
The day for conducting the event of walk-a-thon, was coming nearer and nearer. We started arranging for the requirements. All the students did their works as they were assigned to do. We arranged for the first aid boxes from the school itself, and instead of calling an ambulance we talked to our bus driver, to take rounds of the route or patrol with students so that if someone gets hurt or fells down, then he/she can be accommodated in the bus with an in charge, who can take care of the participant.
Furthermore, we arranged for the money from school so as to buy full size packets of glucose, some simple and some flavored. We used those flavored glucose packets as the part of juice, so as to provide it to the participants after the event gets over. Then, two packets were given to each teacher at a particular checkpoint. So, there were total five checkpoints where glucose was provided, so that was a total of ten glucose packets. Most of the packets were not finished, and were used up at the final stop where the event was actually culminated. Requirement of doctors, disposable glasses, tables and signals for direction was excluded, instead of which we used water pouches. As there was no need of doctors, tables and disposable glasses, so we excluded it. Also, we thought to assign Muktananda sir as the cameraman, but he himself volunteered for it. So, he took photographs of all the students while patrolling with us. Deepshri ma’am made squared cotton clothes with numbers in which I helped her to paint the numbers, to be tagged on every student’s back. This ensures that the student has passed the respective checkpoints, as the teachers would mark on their tagged cloth.
Some of the rules of the walk-a-thon were suggested by us, like it shouldn’t look like the student is running, speed limit should be set, knees shouldn’t bent, it should look like a march-past etc. But, the best suggestion was that while walking, our one of the feet should remain in contact with the ground, whereas while running, both of the feet are in air at some point of time. This was actually, suggested by us only, but under the supervision and guidance of Mr. Jackson Joy. Hence, we learnt to work out with many things on time, how to apply our own ideas, how to plan a successful event, how to work collaboratively so as to seek what we need on time, how to save money which was to be spent on costly goods like arranging for ambulance, doctors and how to use available goods or what we already have like buses and first aid boxes.
The second memorable moment spent at “Old age home”…….
Saturdays became interestingly amazing part of our life. Yet, we tried to search for more lovable moments to enrol in so called “Diary of our life.” This Saturday we made a second visit to an old age home i.e. “Home for aged and handicapped.” It started with a different feeling and ended with a different sensation under the supervision of Mr. Chiranjeet Bhattacharyya and Mrs. Deepshri Halve. Firstly, we divided into two groups with one of our supervisors. Then into sub groups dealing and interacting with different people. This activity was not only for sympathy, but was also to help them, make them feel special, and insert some colourful and delightful moments in some of their lonely life. These are the people who can’t bare the wrong way of people, who are kicked out of the house by their kids, who are helpless and don’t have anyone left in their life anymore etc. So, according to me these people don’t only need sympathy, help but also need to make relations and spend some time with different people so that they feel that someone thinks about them.
Furthermore, when we divided ourselves with different people, we greeted them with great enthusiasm, and introduced ourselves. I started talking to a woman, who sang a song for us in our first meeting named Shakuntala. At that time, she was making a comfortable chair with a typical material i.e. a plastic reel of different colours. On the upper surface of it, she was decorating with beautiful cuts, and designs using the same material. This is a type of their work, which they sell in market for at least 300 bugs per piece. For richer man, the amount is not worth, but for an old man or person it has a great importance and happiness in it. It consists of the pains, efforts, time which they spent or took out of their routine life to create it within a specific time period. I learnt this piece of art from her, and also asked her to sing a song for us, which she did simultaneously. She sang an old song, so I asked her that which time of song is this. So, she told that they used to sing it in their childhood. I was very much impressed, by her song and her remembrance and alluding nature. She told me some important facts and circumstances of that song which were very interesting.
Subsequently, I took a story book there with me, from which I told her some stories, through which she connected her life to it and I too posed some of my personal responses. Then, she asked me some questions that from where, why and how did we come there? I told her about our CAS program, and where did I live and about my family. I asked her too, about her childhood and parents. She told that she was there in that old age home since her childhood. Also, she lost her parents when she was born, and lost a hope of getting educated in class 8th due to eyesight problem. I was amazed to hear such a tragedy of her life, and thought about how I would have dealt with my life, if I was at her place. I would have surely suicide or done something wrong with my life, and would have also lost hope to live. But, seeing her it seems even if we wanted to do so, nevertheless we would have tried to live our life in our own way. I compared the situation with my present status, where I stand with my family, relationships, love, compassion, facilities, but in her life it’s since childhood, when we would have just started living and she still exists. I also learned that most of the movies are a reflection of the happenings in a society or the world, as she told that she didn’t marry because, most of the people or children after marrying kick their parents out of the house, just on an order of their wives. They break a relation of at least 25 years i.e. with their parents a relation of just three to four years, and that too to make his/her partner happy.
Later on, she introduced me to a cat, who was a part and a pet of that old age home and also the lives of people in the old age home. The name of the cat was Chintoo, who was very friendly and was always fishing for love and compassion. I too spent some time with him, took some photographs and loved him so that he doesn’t run away from me. On the other, hand she told me many don’t love animals, many beat them and some also keep them for their own safety and they don’t understand that they too have their lives and can live just like human beings, if they want too. I always though upon this “When a living thing gains power, dominance becomes an efficient weapon in its fight” – Anonymous and this time it really made me to think deeply. I too used to beat animals, which irritated me, but this incident came as a lesson to me. That if someone superior to us, does the same with us then how do we feel. That feel is the same feeling, which is felt by the inferiors due to our acts. At the end, we waved them and left with a great memorial day for them and us too. So, I posit:
“I feel dominance is a weapon which superiors have in their life. Also, it’s not rare and is present in everyone’s life and it also depends upon the situation i.e. “When, where, why and how” we use it. But, this doesn’t mean that dominant person doesn’t have or use it, that means he/she also uses it on someone else…………..What do you feel?”
Organizing Walkathon for improving health………………
“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” – John Kennedy
Scrutinizing crucially the above quote and applying it in real life, we thought to organize a walkathon so as to welcome fitness in our life, connotatively. We planned to conduct this event on 26 November under the supervision of Mr. Jackson Joy, for which we would be requiring some important stuffs. Also, we had to decide how many kilometers we would travel, hence Nishad and Chinmay undertook the task of preparing a route map for this event. We decided for a walk of 5 kilometers. I undertook the task of preparing the list of requirements and to distribute different tasks to all the students, who were interested in organizing this event. Then so as to work out with the route map, we went in a bus to see exactly till where the 5 kilometers walk will end. Subsequently, I prepared a list of all the requirements as mentioned below and distributed different task to the students, whose name is mentioned in front of it:
|
Task |
Students, who will arrange for the things |
|
|
|
|
Fliers |
Kaustubh |
|
First aid box (3 sets) |
From school |
|
Ambulance |
|
|
Glucose |
Agam, Mukul |
|
Water |
Agam, Mukul (From school) |
|
Juice |
|
|
Doctors |
Trisha |
|
Disposable glasses |
Agam, Mukul (From school) |
|
Tables |
Agam, Mukul (From school) |
|
Circular |
Kaustubh |
|
Signals for direction |
Chinmay, Nishad |
|
Volunteers (teachers) |
Dasom, Hyunju |
|
Judges (teachers) |
Dasom, Hyunju |
|
Route map |
Chinmay, Nishad |
|
Tissue papers |
Aditi (From school) |
|
Cameraman (teachers) |
Agam, Mukul |
|
|
|
The task for arranging an Ambulance and juice are yet to be decided. Also, those tasks which are filled with “from school,” means that money or the thing will be provided by the school, so as to arrange for it as quickly as possible.
Twelfth visit to Van Vasi Ashram!
We were asking them for needy things, because we had o make use of money that we generated on 15th August, so as to fulfill demands of needy people. Also, we informed DP-1 to ask for needful things from the students whom we couldn’t ask due to lack of time. We also asked them, if they needed any indoor game stuffs. So they asked for Carom board, which would be very helpful for them at their leisure time. Also, we culminated our day by completing the chess game and telling them some tricks to win. This was just like a meditation class, as we have to concentrate a lot on the game and keep our blinkers on.
A frictional force for experiencing love………
If I just need to love,
just for the sake of experience.
I won’t do it with that dove,
Because it won’t let me enhance.
What if first I reach my successful stage,
And then enter the love cage.
It would fetch me more happiness,
Instead of making such an early reference.
If I’ll have a break up,
then it will force me into guilt.
no matter I was involved in that cup,
to destroy the wonderful world she built.
It’s nothing like, I didn’t try,
And don’t forget those three wry.
Who had there own desires,
Either to love other or don’t wanna get into these fires.
At last you have to agree,
For a wonderful love with great happiness.
At this stage you have to be free,
And jerk yourself out of stress.
It’s not just my saying, but experience of many…..
Endless feelings……….
In the time, I will learn,
how to fight,for my life.
In the time, I will learn,
how to fight, for my life.
First of all,
Give me some time,
To go through what,
is right to fight.
I will learn, to stand alone,
don’t you need to get back home.
If I will be,
Somewhat free,
You will get your oldie tree.
I’m again to allude the song,
Which was not that much wrong.
If you were the one and only,
So, I would be a person very lonely.
Initial stage, I need some help,
But, you took a profit of that.
If I will ever need some help,
I would never call you for that.
Whatever the reason,
of teasing me.
Whether ‘twas a season,
for your bloody glee.
How to tell,
that respect is all,
To which I’m concerned,
Before my free fall.
If you were that,
Kind-hearted.
Then you won’t kill me,
As a microscopic flee.
As I’m concerned about your likes,
Why don’t you understand my dislikes.
If power was the only thing,
To make a person metaphorically ring.
Then, I will be more powerful than you,
In future no one’ll know you.
This one is full of endless feelings,
Which were experiences in my hapless meetings, meetings, meetings………….
But, at last it’s not an end, (picture abhi baaki hai mere dost)
Let me swim in my own sea!!
It’s still that bloody dark,
But, you were hurt unwittingly by part.
You know, I respect you all a lot,
But, before being fully developed you urged me into a drought.
We all discussed about 2012,
It may happen that we all will dwell.
And another time will be intiated,
which would be left untouched and uncreated.
That time could be utilized,
but you didn’t give a chance.
That’s why, I again cried,
But, I was forced to step in trance.
Thought that I’ll try up,
a degree in either my interest or business.
Which will at least satify you all being a sup,
yet you don’t sense my stress.
Because, you just need your kind of life,
Which you enforce on me.
You don’t understand my feelings,
For which I chose this tree.
Still I hope 2012, should be the last year,
So that can come up in a new world.
With the same aim, to accomplish,
And just clobber away my fear.
I know you are dear to me,
But, what to do one lives and swims in his/her own sea!!
Eleventh Visit Made To The Van Vasi Ashram!
Every day is a special day in which we all wake up with new potential to learn something new. On this new Saturday we went to the Ashram, to teach them again. But, obviously something new, even if it’s a new sub topic. This time we taught them under the supervision of Mrs. Purva Jha. I taught them Algebra again, from where I left my teaching last time. Also, I checked the homework which I gave them. I pointed out their casual and silly mistakes, also told them how to do those types of examples and moved on with my teaching. I went by new topics serial wise, taught them sets, sub-sets etc. I made a goal this time that I will try to finish up to 10 topics in one and half hour of this day, which I did. It was easy to do that, just because of my earlier procedure of teaching. I will ask my students in what all topics, he has some doubts or he didn’t understand. So, I did like that and whichever topic he knew already I checked by giving him some examples, which he unexpectedly answered all right. So, it was a happy moment for me that I was able to achieve my goal that I set.
Furthermore, I moved on towards English department as always to teach him English. This time they had different types of worksheets, but interesting for them to solve. The worksheet was a puzzle of jumbled letters, in which they had to find the words given below, and also they had to understand its meaning and tell it to us. I learnt how to make studies interesting or how to learn something from a game. Also, I learnt how to teach faster, thoroughly with great understanding and how to check whether they understand those topics or not.
Your trust was a fallacy!
Every day and night,
I lived for you as a future bride.
Don’t know how to make a concrete love,
But, you actually made me to trust.
Now, after the happy days of our life,
You say, “I’m bored of your ride.”
Now, please mind if you leave me,
I’ll never ever come across you,
Instead I’ll feel somewhat free,
Of the fallacy you created in your trust.
Even if you gain a lot of fame,
The same guilt will be there in you, you Bloody Hame!
See, if you think I’ll give away my life for you,
Then, you are wrong.
Because , the only reason for dying is you,
But, I have many other reasons to live too.
I’ll recover sooner than you!
I’ll recover sooner than you!
My career in a deep connotation with love……….
Your one decision, oh just one decision,
made us fall apart,
I’m just wandering about now in the park,
Because, I was already in the dark.
No matter you(I) come again,
Nothing would be as simple as it was before,
Also as same as it was before,
Now, I couldn’t properly snore.
I hope that you got my connotation in the above core,
But, I won’t request you or blame you,
As half of it was my fault,
So let’s still be apart……………..
Debate competition held in school!
With every new single opportunity, I went on increasing my confidence level and new skills which would be helpful to me in my future. So, this time debate competition was in the queue of my developing and improving life. So, we prepared fliers and banners for this event. We undertook the task of organizing as well as participating in it. Thus, we prepared fliers and banners to publicize this event, and prepared for the debate by searching some points from web. The motion before us was, should grading system be abolished? And I was in the favor of motion i.e. ‘Yes, grading system should be abolished” hence implementing the marking system is better. So, all the participants of different houses individually searched for some effective points on web. Subsequently, there was a selection on the basis of whose points are best, hence I was selected. Furthermore, Chinmay and Agam undertook the task of photography and as well as we arranged for the technical equipments required during the debate. The participants were namely:
Sapphire Ruby
Trisha JerryDasom Nishad
Mukul (me) Ujwal
Through this activity as well as task I gained more confidence in public speaking, and learnt how to evoke people to fetch their support in our role or motion for which we were striving during the debate. Though, I was emotionally touched by my friend Nishad Potdar’s extempore, I tried to grab some of his actions and the effect he creates in atmosphere while delivering his views. I thought, that I too want to motivate people so as to support me, so I tried to stress on some important points with unusual dramatic pauses. Hence, I learnt to motivate people to choose what is right in their view, consulting the points posed by individual participant.
After all the extempore, we had a rebuttal round in which the following were supposed to rebut the selected ones:
Trisha will rebut Jerry
Jerry will rebut Dasom
Dasom will rebut Nishad
Nishad will rebut Mukul (me)
Mukul (me) will rebut Ujwal
Ujwal will rebut Trisha
At the time of culmination of the event, the results were declared. Though we lost, but I learnt many things as mentioned above and experienced my first debate competition in my life till now.
Literacy day – A day to spread literacy…………..
“Literacy is a key to success, and opens the doors of opportunities.”
Literacy is part of our life, and should be provided to all either supported by parents or funded by some organizations. Who knows the future of the country or whole world is depended on a particular person, who is later on not provided this key to unlock the glory of success and development either in a particular area or country. The privileged people get this chance and this facility, but underprivileged are left behind. So, a day is celebrated in a way to spread literacy i.e. literacy day on 24th of September. This is a day when, we all spread literacy in the whole world by reading, doing some activities, donating books to underprivileged children and participating and organizing some competitions. Firstly, to invite and make people aware of this day, we publicized about this event by creating and sticking some banners, posters and creative charts including proverbs, IQ, autobiography of some famous literate people etc. The event took place in multi-purpose room, so at the entrance we stick all the creative piece of works.
Many teachers also organized some activities and competition, such as silent reading, donating books, spelling bee, book mark making competition, creative writing (memoir for DP), watching movie, prize distribution, propelling speeches and vote of thanks. Starting from the first activity, we participated in all the activities and helped the teachers in some or the other. In spelling bee competition, I played a role of providing sound effects such as, if a student spells right then playing the sound of cheering, applause, yee-ha or any positive effect to make the event successful. But, if a student spells a word wrong, then providing a sound effect like booooo, toilet flush, failure buzzer or any negative sound effect. I had 19 sound effects and played all of them as and when required under the supervision of Ms, Chloe Hill and Mr. Chiranjeet Bhattacharyya. Moreover, I won the spelling bee competition from DP. This spelling bee was somewhat different, all of us were given certain difficult words which would be asked at the time of competition, DP were given 100 words, some were easy and some were difficult.
Furthermore, we had the activity of creative writing in which we had to write a memoir. I got a prompt to write i.e. “Write about your religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) growing up. Continue by writing what you believe in your life today and the personal philosophy you live by.” I wrote about a traditional dance of India that is being diminished day by day and compared with other countries and it could also have been taken in the metaphorical or connotative sense. Then we switched towards the bookmark making competition, four bookmarks were to be made per person and we all made four creative bookmarks. In my first bookmark, with the help of plastic and craft paper, I made a shape of goggle and the rest three I made with creative cutting and wrote some quotes on it. Afterwards, we saw a movie “Lords of the flies” which was very interesting and moved on towards prize distribution, orating session of the creative writing, and speech by the senior school coordinator and vote of thanks. In the prize distributing session, one more category was introduced i.e. great reading challenge which was given to the Middle school kids to read 20 books in the time span from 6th September to 24th September, out of which 7 completed their task and were felicitated on that particular day. I was amazed to hear about this, that the students younger than me read more than me. Also, I thought I should also read a lot so that I can improve my English skills and open more doors of knowledge. At the end I gave the vote of thanks thanking all the people present there to celebrate this event. The speech was as follows:
“It is now time to congratulate all the people who have taken painstaking efforts to make this program a grand success. I would like to express a deep sense of gratitude towards the participants for their willingness, interest and proactive attitude towards this celebration and program. I would also like to thank all the teachers, who meticulously prepared interesting activities and competitions for this particular day. But this is not the end of our campaign to spread literacy. The books that you all have so generously donated will be utilized by some underprivileged poor students, and thus LITERACY WILL PREVAIL OVER MOTHER EARTH! I also congratulate all the winners who gave it their best shot and won, but I would also felicitate the participants. Wining is not everything, participation matters a lot too.
Let Literacy bestow its blessings on every human being!”
First visit to “Home for aged and handicapped”
Though we try to reduce poverty, eliminate corruption, evoke people to work and make their status stable, but there will be still some complications in life of others which may hinder this process which we try to. The complications no mutual relationship between parents and children or their daughter in law, no hope to work or live on their own expenses etc. Such situations tend to make old people take a drastic step to live in ashram, old age home or on somebody else’s expenses. Seeing this in movies and real life too I with my classmates planned to go to an old age home, and minimize their emptiness, loneliness and add a reason to live in their lives. We did this task under the supervision of Mr. Chiranjeet Bhattacharyya our CAS coordinator and Mrs. Deepshri Halve our CAS advisor. This was our first visit, so we went as if to introduce ourselves to them, but firstly took permission from the head of the old age home. We told about our CAS program, and what we intend to do there. She gave us a warm welcome, approved our proposal, and showed us the whole old age home and different departments of work such as medical treatment, kitchen, tailor, dining area, sleeping area, school, classes, their canteen etc.
We talked to a person in the tailor department named Narendra Roy, introduced ourselves with warmth, shared his feelings, asked the reason for being here, made him more comfortable with us, and encouraged him more to live, and enjoy rest of his life by saying, “You work by your own and live on your own expenses, even though you lost your wife and son, that’s really great!” Then we went in the medical treatment area, and talked to the patients for some time, increased their hope of getting better soon by just saying, “You will get better soon.” Then we met different people in the school area and sleeping area. We introduced ourselves to all, by saying “Namastey” and shared their interests. We met one lady named Shakuntala, who sang a song for us. Slowly, we saw the whole old age home and at last went into the prayer room, observed their beautiful infrastructure and interior of that room. Stayed for 10-15 minutes, and prayed. Then, at the time of leaving they gave us some snacks to eat, it was very nice of them, to care for us a lot. “New relations tend to be sweet, polite and safer than a long term relations.” If one ponders upon this quote, it may deduce that why these people are in old age home. But, I left that part on you.
Teacher’s day celebration by newly appointed teachers (DP students)…….
With the culmination of each day and many other events, teacher’s day approached and we all decided to celebrate it with great zeal and enthusiasm. We took the charge of different sub-events such as, solo dance, group dances, English skits, Quiz for teachers, whole school teaching by DP students etc. Starting with the assembly I took the quiz for teachers and many different students gave their performances like MS gave a group dance and PYP gave a skit on school life. Trisha Gupta hosted the whole event and Chinmay and Jerry took the event coverage. Then we started with old school schedule of all the periods, but we DP students played a role of teachers and came dressed up like them. I and Nishad decided to teach mathematics, Kaustubh taught Biology, Chinmay became a P.E. teacher, Jerry taught them music and Trisha taught the kids arts and crafts which could be enrolled as a service activity. But, we all were given different classes at different time periods. So, it was like we can teach anything. But, I stuck to my previous decision.
Starting from grade 6 to 9 i.e. all MS kids, I taught them mathematics but in a different way. I gave them some puzzles in numbers in which they had to identify some patterns and give a right answer with the help of the similar pattern. Then, whosoever gave right answer I gave them a diary milk chocolate to just felicitate them. Take this question for example:
473982 is to 1419
And
329684 is to 1418
Therefore
751694 is to X
Find X?
Answer: 1319
How is this possible?
They contain a similar pattern. See in 473982, 473 = 14 and 982 = 19, hence 1419. Similarly, see in 329684, 329 = 14 and 684 = 18, hence 1418.
Further, I gave them not only the above particular question, but some difficult and different too. Also, from each grade there were some winners. From grade 6 there was one, from 7 there was one, from 8 there were two and from 9 there were three. The probability suggests, that 9th grade is more intelligent than other grades. But, it is not always true. The difficulty of questions should also be judged. I personally didn’t like the grade 7 as they disobeyed and didn’t listen to any of my instructions, but a little strictness in my attitude changed their behavior towards me and the presence of a real teacher i.e. Jha sir for some time, changed the whole atmosphere of the classroom. Initially, I thought I can’t handle them for a whole period and thought to withdraw from the activity, but tried for a while and succeeded for some time. For the first time, I experienced a real stage and difficulties faced by teacher and why they get angry and frustrated on our mischievous acts.
Tenth visit to the Van Vasi Ashram!!!
“One can’t bruise his/her leg intentionally, it happens because one has got foes in his/her life.”
Thinking in the same way as above, we tried to improve our teaching instead of taking break from this activity. We kept our punctual attitude untouched and again went to the Ashram to teach them further under the supervision of Mr. Prashant Bhushan Pandey. This time we came after they were done with their second term examinations and the word which I wanted to hear from my student was, “I have improved in Mathematics, since you started teaching me.” I was so impressed and touched with his saying, that I felt proud and advised him to maintain his performance in future too. Subsequently, I started teaching him Mathematics further, but this time Algebra. I asked him what all he has finished in school, so that I would deal with those chapters and mainly his doubts. This way, I would be able to complete his syllabus quickly as well as clear his doubts crucially. Here, I learnt how to control our felicitousness, so that we won’t break concentration from our duty. Also, I learnt how to make anyone comfortable with your teaching and tend to make him/her happy in your company.
Furthermore, I moved on towards English department to teach my student English as always. This time the English department teachers Kaustubh and Agam, prepared a crossword of past participle of different words to make them comfortable with it too. Hence, we culminated our activity of this particular day with a new great moment.
Do you have any talent? Then, just wait for the opportunity…………
Talent is a natural ability or quality, which is either hidden or flaunted indirectly. Hidden for those, who take time to explore their ability and have different ways of getting acquainted with it. Many famous critics either get to know about their talent by somebody else or they extract it from their interest. Some of the people also learn a talent, like learning to play guitar, play piano, how to dance, how to act, how to mimic etc. So, does it suggest that talent exists in everyone in some or the other form? Yes, one can say that. If one is extra-ordinary in mathematics or any subject, then he/she aspire for it. Eventually it is denoted his/her talent. Similarly, if you are good in dancing then, it is your talent. So, talent not only lies or exists in any physical activity or appealing performance, but it can also exist as mentality, which may or may not be appealing to some people.
But, we need an opportunity or a favorable chance to express or explain why you should be appreciated or selected for a competition either locally, nationally or internationally. By explain I mean, in any reality show or competition, one is just not allowed to show his/her talent in public directly, they have to pass through some stages or assessment and selection, that he/she can do good, represent our team very well and attract fame and appreciation towards him/herself and us. This opportunity either naturally occurs or is created or originated from a famous person or an interested person to explore the theory of talent. In our school too, this opportunity was created by the house mistresses as a competition, but later on was just left untouched to a talent show. All the students of both the houses i.e. ruby and sapphire were asked if anybody is interest in showing their talent. The house mistresses made some categories, that are Group Dance, Group Song, Solo Dance, Solo Song, Musical Instrument (solo and group), and Skating Dance etc. To select one student for each category on the basis of their performance, was unfair for others and was deteriorating the importance and meaning of talent show. It’s basically a show where everyone should get a chance to show something new and outstanding. So, at last anyone who was interested was welcomed with their beautiful soul as their emotional expression in the talent which they presented.
So, for this event I and Chinmay undertook the task and responsibility of organizers. We both presented our talent too, in spite of so many responsibilities for the event. Chinmay hosted the whole event whereas I took the charge of technical department and being a coach. By coach I mean, I guided some students in their group dance, also for group song. In group dance, I told them some steps, and play a role of choreographer. Their group dance included some stunts like hand stand, carting, scissor etc. Also, it included some steps of salsa. The group consisted of two boys and two girls. Thereafter, I worked and looked over my preparation for solo dance. I danced on a mixture of songs by Michael Jackson and took some steps from his videos. Then I took all the songs, background music for singers etc and played in my laptop on the day of talent show. The whole event went smoothly, and at the end some teachers also came up with their piece of talent like Jha sir our senior school coordinator played mouth organ, Rohini ma’am our librarian sung a song, Jackson sir our P.E. teacher and Shubh Shinde danced on the same song as mine etc. The whole event was very interesting and included many breathtaking performances and talented people. Then gradually, I gave a closure speech and ended the whole event.
Have a glance on the coverage of DYPIS talent show:
Reflection on August 2010 newsletter……..
“Creativity can never be bought, but can be enhanced by experiences and obviously practice.”
Newsletter, which we have been doing since one year, overtook most of our minds. We started doing it with more creativity and with a sense of releasing an actual newsletter. This time joining with DP 1, we divided ourselves into two equal groups, not equal in magnitude but equal in handling the tasks. So, we were the group to do for this month i.e. August. Eventually, we divided the tasks and decided who will undertake which field of work and how many pages should be included in the newsletter. Agam and Chinmay undertook the task of event coverage and photography. Trisha and Hyunju undertook the task of DP news and special article, whereas I undertook the task of Editor and designer. Due to my terminating task, it became tough for me, to make the entire newsletter. This is so because, before this I was just a designer, interviewer or writer and never undertook two tasks simultaneously.
Furthermore, everyone became too much busy and engaged with their work, as many events were coming up. I set up an early deadline, so that I can get all the stuffs much early even if they submit their work after or before 1 or 2 days. To be on safe side, I thought of doing so. The deadline was 23rd August, so that it could be approved by newsletter incharge i.e Mr. Prashant Bhushan Pandey before 30th August, so as to release on that particular day. Unfortunately, many were late by one day, but it was on exact time. Hence, I got a lot of time for editing and designing, but I faced many problems while editing. I was confused how to make it more attractive and propelling, so I took help from our newsletter incharge, so he suggested me some changes and also there were little bit shortcomings in designing work too. Subsequently, I was done with my task, and made it approve by the newsletter incharge. At last one more newsletter was released with the accomplishment of another task.
Mux cas blog 
