A note about the artist of the drawing in the cover page
Mighty Ganesha - Artist comments I have drawn this artwork where Shri Ganesha is in Maa Parvati' lap. As any child seeks his/her mother's love and affection, so does the God even. Mighty Ganesha finds the utmost happiness in his dearest mother's proximity.
Introduction of the artist of the drawing in the back page
Reflection - Artist comment - Do you have any idea in your mind?
Acknowledgements
Sponsors:
Sponsors: Animesh Mozumdar, Anjan and Purba Lahiri, Anup and Soma Rakhit, Arun and Rita Bhowmik, Ashok Rakhit and Bandana Rakhit, Biswajyoti Nayak, Debajyoti and Sikha Chatterji, Dipak K. Sarkar and Shirley Sanderson, Indrani and Subrata Dhar, Jai Prakash Biswas, Joy Bhowmick, Nimai Ghosh, Nilotpal Paul, Mitra Purkayastha, Prabir Biswas, Rik Sen, Riteka Ghosh & Soumyadeep Sen, Sajal Mukherjee, Sankha Ghosh, Santosh and Ambalika Mukherjee, Shyamal and Ruby Sarkar, Surya Dutta, Utpal Sengupta.
Editors: Utpal Sengupta, Dipak K. Sarkar, Sudipta Choudhury
Magazine Composer: Dipak K. Sarkar
Kisholoy is produced by members of Ananda Mandir The articles or photographs of this magazine are copyrighted and should not be reproduced in any other forms without the consents of the owners. For information contact Dipakksarkar@hotmail.com
A Collection of Arts by Children
Cherry Blossom - Painting the earth pink one petal at a time!
By - Anay Mitra (age 9)
By - Aditya Rajvanshi (age 8)
By - Adrija Bhattacharya (age 12)
By- Maya Arya Kundu (age 7)
By - Anahita Mitra (age 6)
By- Maya Arya Kundu (age 7)
By - Asha Kuriyan (age 9)
By - Saranya Zaveri (age 11) By - Kavya Sarkar (age 8)
Buddha
Meditating Goat
By- Meghna Roy (age 14)
Grand parent
By-Anooshka
Sen (age 11)
Photographs from Konark Sun Temple and Dhauli Santi Stupa
By Anooshka Sen (age 11)
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, India is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an engineering marvel for many reasons, including:
Chariot-like structure
The temple's design is based on the sun god Surya's chariot, with 24 wheels that symbolize the passage of time. The wheels were designed to align with the sun's rays at different times of the year, indicating the seasons and solstices.
Intricate carvings
The temple's walls are covered in ornate sculptures depicting mythological tales and daily life scenes.
Precision
The temple's interlocking stones were put together without mortar, showcasing the structural integrity of the temple.
Orientation
The temple's orientation allows the first rays of the sun to pass through the main entrance and illuminate the sanctum sanctorum.
Kalinga style
The temple's design is an example of the Kalinga style, which is characterized by its curvilinear tower and intricate carvings.
Historical significance
The temple is a physical representation of the Ganga dynasty's power and prosperity.
Spiritual significance
The temple is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, and is the site of the annual Chandrabhaga Mela.
A Collection of Short Stories, Poems and Religious Stories
Trip to Washington and Oregon
By- Soumili Dey (age 6)
In middle August of this summer, we went on a trip to Washington and Oregon. At Newark airport, we went to the new Terminal A which was great to see. We went to the Lego store and then spent time in the kids play area before boarding the plane. On the flight to Portland, I had fun watching Young Sheldon, Barbie movie etc. The next day, we next to Mount Hood and Trillium Lake and had a wonderful time. After a night halt, we went to Crater Lake National Park and saw some great views of the lake. The following day, we went to Mount Rainier National Park. We saw some beautiful wildflowers in the meadows, and we walked around. The next days we spent going around Seattle and also went to Olympic National Park.
It was a great trip, and we brought back some lovely memories.
US Open Tennis at Flushing Meadows, New York
By: Soujattyo Dey (age 12)
The US Open for Tennis is one of the world's biggest grand slams in tennis. It takes place in New York City in Flushing Meadows, Queens. It is a great opportunity to go and see the match live. It is a different experience. We were fortunate to go there this year and see the quarter finals which was an even more tense match.
Me and my dad left early in the morning to reach the place on time. There was a huge crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium (which is the largest tennis stadium in the whole world) and we had to patiently make our way to our seats. It was a great sunny day and the atmosphere in the stadium was electric. The views of the tennis ground and the matches were great. I knew the rules, but I learned
the point system from my dad (goes 0,15,30,40 then deuces). In the beginning, the women's quarter final match happened. It was a very interesting match, as many interesting styles of hitting the ball were seen, and it was a low pace game. One of the players was from the Czech Republic and the other was from Brazil. There were many display screens showing if the ball went out or not and to show a closeup of the players playing the match. Then there was a small break, and even more people entered the stadium as the men's match would happen. It was Britain vs Australia. It was a long and tense match. The game was a bit less interesting compared to the women’s quarter finals match as the way the ball was hit was repeated, again and again. What made the game interesting was it was a very high paced game. In the end Jack Drapper, the British player won. It was a very good match. It is one of the good matches I have seen.
We both still had time left, so we went to the Louis Armstrong stadium. We saw the women's doubles semifinals. We luckily got free seating. We were able to get seats in the first row of the stadium. The balls that were hit were moving very fast. During the match once the ball hit the wall guarding us in front really hard and it was really scary. We almost got to see the whole match. All the four players were from different countries. I also saw the spider camera that could move to different angles in the stadium very quickly and show the different moments of a tennis match. It was hung with very thin wires, hovering over the audience.
Unfortunately, it was soon time to go, but I had a great time. While returing, we both went to Times Square. The streets were flashing with lights and felt very lively. Also, there were a lot less trees compared to Queens and the Flushing Meadows. Going to a stadium to see a match in real life is a different experience that a person should experience.
My Cold Wife
By - Asha Kuriyan (age 9)
My wife’s getting cold I don’t understand she is not getting old She’ll freeze to the bone
I’ll have to save her on my own Last night I gave her a blanket But she wouldn’t take it And that is ok
Because we’re snowmen today! **********
Trip To Italy
By - Shourik Basu (9 years)
We took a plane from Newark to Brussels, Belgium. From Brussels airport we quickly went to another flight to Milan, Italy. Over there we ate at Mcdonalds, from there we took a train to Venice. On the train something happened that made us stop, so we sat there for a while. Finally, the train got moving and we got to Venice.
At Venice we got out of the station and called a water taxi (because Venice is a city on water). On the water taxi we saw hotels and restaurants. It was so exciting! Finally, we went and got pizzas from a pizzeria. Then we tried to figure out how to get to the hotel. We realized that there was a private boat from St Mark’s square to the hotel. Finally, we got on the boat and went to the hotel, and at the hotel we ate pizza and went to sleep.
The next day after breakfast we took the boat to St Mark’s Square (our hotel was on a private island). There was a beautiful basilica at St Mark’s Square. We had some gelato, and then in one of the canals I saw some sardines. After that we went to a shop where my mom bought a mask. I bought a magnet, and my dad bought a small gondola that when the sun shines on it moves up and down. After that we went to some places, and we saw awesome things like the famous Rialto Bridge and other churches.
We also saw a golden clock. In the evening, we went to Doge's palace where we saw some beautiful paintings, bedrooms, dining rooms and a dungeon. Finally, we had dinner and took the boat back to the hotel.
The next morning after breakfast me and my mom went outside and walked around the hotel island. There were flower gardens and a lush green field.
Then my dad called, and we took the boat and went to St Mark’s square, over there we took the water taxi to the train station. There I ate a croissant at
This is a picture from Venice, you can see the canals and gondolas in the background.
the station while we were waiting for the train. Then we took the train to Florence. When we arrived in Florence we went to the hotel and put our luggage in there. Then we spent the rest of the day walking around Florence city center and Uffizi Gallery wh ere we saw famous paintings and sculptures by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci. Lastly, we had dinner, went back to the hotel and slept.
The next day we got an uber and went to a car rental where my dad rented a car. Then we drove that car to Pisa where we saw the leaning tower of Pisa. From there we drove to San Gimignano, an old city where we walked around, and bought souvenirs. From there we drove to Sienna. Over there it was very windy, so we saw a church and drove back to our hotel in Florence where we ate dinner and went to sleep.
We spent the next day in Florence old town visiting the Duomo, bell tower, piazza Signoria, and a beautiful bridge. We climbed up to the top of the bell tower where we got a beautiful view of Florence. The next day we went to the train station and took the train to Rome. When we arrived, we checked into our hotel and went to the colosseum and Roman Forum.
Then on day 2 we woke up, ate breakfast in a fancy room then went to Vatican City, there we visited the Vatican Museum and St Peter’s Basilica. We saw a program in the basilica. Then as we exited a priest patted my head. After that we went to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Finally, we went to sleep.
On our last day in Italy, we went to the Spanish Steps, then we went to Trevy Fountain. Then we went to the Pantheon. After that we visited a castle. Finally, we ended our Italy trip with an amazing dinner! The next day we went to the airport and flew back home.
Colosseum where the Gladiators fought during Roman times
Kumari Puja
Tanisha Rudra (age 11)
Last year I got a chance to become a Kumari. It was possible with the help of Biswabhai and Mita Auntie of Ananda Mandir. I was thrilled when Biswabhai did the puja. My grandparents always told me, "If I get a chance. I will be blessed." I was born here in the U.S.A. I don't know much about my religion and culture, but now I know how powerful it is. I feel the power within me. Kumari Puja is a ritual performed during Durga Puja that involves worshipping a young girl as a representation of the goddess Durga. The ritual is significant because it recognizes the divine feminine energy and celebrates the goddess's victory over the demon Kalasura. A young girl usually between the ages of 5-16 is chosen to represent the goddess. The girl is dressed in a traditional dress, seated on a pedestal, and treated as a living goddess. Devotees wash their feet, offer new clothes, and worship them with incense sticks, and rice grains. Kumari Puja is usually performed on the Ashtami and Navami days of Navratri. The ritual celebrates the goddess's victory over the demon Kalasura and the significance of the divine feminine energy. After the Puja, I feel the power within me. I pray to Ma Durga every night to overcome my fears and celebrates the goddess's victory over the demon Kalasura and the significance of the devine feminine energy. After the Puja, I feel the power within me. I pray to Ma Durga every night to overcome my fears and challenges.
Photograph showing several participants attending Kumari puja conducted by Biswabhai at Ananda Mandir
My trip to India
By- Anooshka Sen (age 11)
I stood up and gazed out the window of the plane. The moment I had finally waited for, had come. I buckled my seatbelt and rested my back against the seat. After a few minutes, I found out that I had to overcome another problem, waiting for the plane to takeoff. There sure were a lot of people boarding the plane. I’m happy I got the window seat, but here's the catch, although I had a window seat, but it had no window of my own to look out of. I had to look at the window of the person in front of me to watch what’s going on outside.
“Wait, will we have the same seat while coming back?” I asked my parents. “Yes.” The seat numbers are same. They replied. I sighed and crossed my arms. The plane began to rise-up and I closed my eyes trying to sleep. There was nothing more I could do. It was a 12hour plane ride. My only option was to sleep. Ok so let me speed this up because it’s pretty boring. So basically, what I did was read, sleep, eat and look at the plane cameras. And after what felt like eternity the plane LANDED (yay!).
We landed at the airport where we would catch our next fight (plot twist: after waiting for 5 HOURS!! ugh!). It was pretty boring; I slept, read and ate. Then we boarded our next flight. We landed at Mumbai airport around midnight and WOW! It was like no airport I had seen. Unlike JFK airport, it was colorful, vivid, modern and festive (Diwali was coming). Not a single part of the airport looked boring. I looked around in awe. We then stood in line and went through the whole airport process. Then we picked up our luggage and came out of the airport. I saw my father’s side of the family waiting for us. All of us sat down at a table, where a bunch of food vendors were right next to the airport. Immediately I saw a lot of dogs. But I'm a cat person, so of course I went looking for cats. I didn’t see many, but I did see some kittens. I had some food, and we talked until we had to go to catch our next flight early morning. We had to walk across the entire airport to reach our gate (ugh).
I heard my parents talking about how our next flight to Bhubaneswar got delayed by one hour and the connecting flight to Rourkela got preponed by 1 hour. During the whole flight I was nervous if we would land on time. After landing, we rushed though the airport. The next flight was delayed a bit because of us running late (thanks to the very cooperative Bhubaneswar airport staff). An hour later we landed and came out of the airport where I saw all the family members on my mom’s side. We all hugged each other and got into the car. What surprised me the most is the fact that you didn’t need to wear your seat belts there in the back of the car. I took advantage of that. On the drive back home, I saw a lot of goats, cows and dogs. That evening, I went to bed and fell asleep almost immediately.
The next morning, I woke up at 4:30 am not feeling tired must have been the jet lag. I had an Indian breakfast which I immediately engulfed. I looked over at my cousin who was numbly eating her breakfast. I was surprised since it was so tasty. She left for school shortly a fter, her exams were going on. Later that morning, my uncle took us out on a tour of the town. He bought us some fresh coconut water (that you drink from the coconut itself). It was a first for me and I loved it. We went back home, and I did some of my homework, while waiting for my cousin to come back from school. When she came, she had to study for her next test so she couldn’t play with me. Instead, I played Ludo with my grandma (and I lost).
Next morning I again woke up early and ate another lovely breakfast. Today we walked to the fish market, and I saw a lot of cats. They seemed so friendly to the people selling fish. We walked back home, and I went to annoy the touch-me-not plant. I found it pretty amusing that it closes its leaves when touched.
The next day, we went to a temple atop a hill where you had to climb a thousand steps. I know it sounds menacing. When we reached, I saw a bunch of pigeons all cluttering up in front of the steps. As I started climbing, slowly it didn’t seem as daunting anymore. When we reached the top, I appreciated the view of the entire city from the top. We offered our prayers and left. When I got home, I did some of my homework. My cousin came home and started to study as usual, but she seemed a bit more motivated in her studies than usual. Later I learnt her motivation was because we were going out for dinner that night. My grandma’s family friends were also joining us, they knew my mom since her childhood. The restaurant was on a rooftop , and it had a great vibe. My cousin introduced me to her friend, and I introduced. I ate dinner mostly talking to my dad. We took some pictures and called it a night.
The next day after waking up I found myself sitting in the car reluctantly. We were going to see my aunt's school that she teaches at. She showed me her classroom and the teachers’ lounge. Then she took me to the principal’s office. The principal greeted me and gave me a few chocolates. Soon it was time for her to teach so we left. Later that day we went to the mall with my cousin and my aunt and did some shopping.
The next morning as I woke up, I found my cousin was home and she was packing for our trip to Puri (I think it was the weekend, not sure). She seemed super bummed about the trip (I think she was sad she was going to Miss Diwali party at her school). Then we had to go to the train station. We got on the train, and it was my first time going on a train that had beds. We ate the dinner my aunt had packed and went to bed on the train. I couldn’t sleep so I stared out the window. The train passed lots of stations. And at some point, I fell asleep. The next morning it was Diwali, we got off the train and went to the hotel (ate and went out in the evening to go into the famous Puri temple but it was so
crowded that we came back (saw some monkeys on the way). We had some spicy indo-Chinese food from the hotel restaurant which was really good.
Next day we planned to visit some historical sites, so we drove to Konark Sun Temple (I did some photography). There was some cool architecture. We also went to the see the Dhauli Santi Stupa at a Buddhist monastery. My mom said this is where the ancient Kalinga war was fought.
Later in the evening we went for some saree shopping where my mom looked around for a while (1 hour). I played games on my cousin’s phone. We left them there and came back to the hotel with my cousin and my grandma. After shopping my mom, dad, my uncle and aunt were planning to try to get into the temple again (my grandma wasn’t too happy as she was not going). The three of us had another great dinner. We went back and my cousin decided to put on a Bengali movie, (I couldn’t really understand Hindi, and my grandma couldn’t understand English). I fell asleep while watching the movie.
The next day I woke and got out of bed. The driver drove us to the airport. We said our goodbyes and left to catch our flight. (2 hours later…) we arrived in Mumbai. My aunt picked us up. She told us about how her driver fell sick, and my cousin, grandpa and uncle argued on who would take the vacant seat (the driver ended up coming back). We arrived home. We were greeted by everyone.
The next day I woke up and my aunt showed me around. We looked for cats and she even ask someone if they had seen a cat (the person’s expression was funny). I was told bhai phota was today. My aunt hadn’t given it is 10 years so today was a special day. I gave it to my grandpa and my cousin brother. My aunt gave to my dad. We took photos. It was a day of family fun and laughter. Next few days we spend watching cricket world cup matches, everyone in the family was very passionate about cricket and this was cricket world cup. They explained me how the game is played. I played some games on my grandparent’s phone. My grandma and I would go and look for cats at night. In the afternoon I would play games with my cousin. One evening my uncle and aunt got samosa chaat (really good). Went out for ice cream one afternoon (me and my cousin saw 2 cats playing around with a mouse). Later on, I started to teach my grandma how to play the keyboards. I met up with my grandparent’s neighbors and we exchanged gifts. We talked for a while. We bought sweet yogurt (really good).
One night, my aunt and uncle took my parents and I on a tour of Mumbai. We saw Marine Drive and Gateway Of India. I got to poke my head out of my uncle’s car through the moon roof and take photos.
I woke up the next day and ate some breakfast. My grandma and I took a walk around the parking lot and looked around for cats. I went back and had some lunch. I talked with some of my grandparents' neighbors. Soon the time came, and we had to go to the airport. My aunt’s driver drove us to the airport (very long drive). We reached the airport and said our goodbyes. We caught our
flight (this is where it gets boring again). I did what I did on the plane going to India. Soon the plane started to land and as we approached the airport at JFK all I could think of was all the people, smiles, and vibrancy and fun my trip to India was, and alas here I was!
My experience at a municipal school in India
By- Auroni Sen (age 14)
Every summer, my family and I try to visit my extended family in India. In elementary and middle school, I would spend the whole two months there with my grandparents and cousins. My parents would take turns traveling with me there and back, and stay for a few weeks. I looked forward to these trips every year. As I got older, however, I found that I had less time during the summer to travel.
With high school came more stress about school, and things like summer internships and courses. Suddenly, I wasn’t able to spend as much time as I would have liked with my family. This summer, I was faced with making the decision of either going to India or staying back and setting up my future. I ultimately made the decision to go visit my family for a few weeks.
My mother knew I wanted to spend time with my family, and that I would also feel guilty for spending 3 weeks without doing anything proactive. She did some research and found a non-profit organization in need of volunteers in my area, and she decided to get in contact with them. The organization was looking for volunteers to work with and teach underprivileged children. She reached out to them and they replied saying they would be grateful for more volunteers.
I spent 2 weeks volunteering at a municipal school in Pune district in a place called Warje. I taught 5th grade kids more about the English language, improving their reading and writing, and helping them learn more about the culture in America. My first im pression of the school and the children was that they seemed determined and ready to learn, despite the limited resources the school could offer.
The kids were very engaged and participated in every lesson I prepared for them, and tried their best to improve their reading, writing, and language skills. They were all very polite and respectful. There wasn’t a day when I wasn’t offered food by the children when they found that I didn’t eat with them during their lunchtime.
The kids there mainly spoke Hindi and Marathi. I spoke neither of those languages, so it was a little hard for them to understand me and for me to understand them. They spoke English fairly well, and they tried to understand
my accent. To help with this, my mother would often translate in English, since she spoke both of those languages.
After meeting them, I realized that they always do their best with what they have. Volunteering there introduced me to a very different culture and system of learning than what I was used to. Although I visited India often, I had never spent that much time in a school. Overall, my experience was enjoyable and very rewarding. I was able to teach as well as learn about different cultures. I hope I will continue to have experiences like this in the future.
Moment of Connection
By-Toorjo
Bhattacharya (age 14)
What does the term ‘connection’ signify to you? Connection to me is the bond we share with ourselves, our friends, family, and the world we live in. In today's busy world, it is even more important to stay connected with ourselves given the numerous duties, diversions, and commitments we have in our day-to-day lives. Developing a strong connection with oneself is essential for our overall well-being and mental health. Additionally, connecting with Nature and other people around us can also contribute to our overall happiness. We can lead a better and joyful life, by nurturing our connections. These connections positively influence our lives. Connections in general help to share feelings, gain knowledge, create relationships, and change the way we experience the world around us. The world we live in is constantly evolving, and so do we. We have to make continuous efforts to consciously maintain our connections with ourselves, Nature, the people around us, and the passions we follow.
Connection with Oneself: Connection with oneself is vital but it is also important to understand the challenges towards achieving it. Finding time or identifying areas of connection could be key deterrents. Something that could help self-connection is finding a hobby, like music. My connection to my saxophone has led me to be more rejuvenated and progressive in my life. I am still continuously creating a lot of special memories with my saxophone which I cherish a lot. Playing saxophone helps me to relax and take time out from the daily rigors of life.Some other ways I have been able to connect with myself are reading books and martial arts. I read the book, “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind”, which portrays the struggle of a poor boy in Malawi, Africa who against all odds, created a windmill to save his village from famine. While reading the story I felt a strong connection with William Kamkwamba, the protagonist of the book. I realized how hard work and perseverance can get us through adversities and it helped me value the comfortable and blessed life I have. Martial arts has helped me connect with my body, soul, and mind to cohesively elevate my inner senses. It helped me to inculcate many virtues in my life which ultimately
assisted me to connect with myself better. Hitting the dojo after a hard and taxing day helps me a great deal to relieve stress and have some me time. In conclusion, self-connection in this digital age is essential for fostering and maintaining meaningful relationships, cultivating a sense of belonging, and being empathetic towards others. As we strive to forge deeper connections within us, let us embrace our actions, creating relationships that enrich our lives and nurture our connection to the world around us. If we all understand, trust, and have faith in ourselves, then we can connect better to build a stronger, happier, and healthier community.
Connection with Nature: Humans share an innate bond with nature. Nature has the power to heal, revitalize us from the mundane burdens of life, get us connected to ourselves, and think beyond what we are. A simple walk in the forest, listening to the gurgling sound of the water gushing through wild streams, feeling the first drop of rain on my forehead, and seeing the first snow of the year fall on my window-pane all make me happy and help me understand the strong connection I share with nature. When I first hiked up a high mountain in the beautiful Pacific Northwest region in Mt. Rainier National Park, one of the 11 I have visited so far, it was the most breathtaking experience of my life as I walked into the clouds shortly after crossing a glacier lake. On my descent, I met a flock of beautiful mountain goats with silky wild fur flowing in the wind, making for an enchanting experience. After the hike, I felt enriched, and I got a better understanding of my connection with nature. I came to realize how insignificant we human beings are amidst the vastness of nature. I also felt the same kind of strong connection while we took the backcountry tour of The Monument Valley in Utah. I was awestruck while I walked into a mud hut also known as a hogan belonging to the Navajo tribe and had the pleasure of spending a few moments learning about their lifestyle. Till then, I had only read about them in books, but to see them in real life was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. I could instantly feel a connection brewing between us as our guide was taking us through the backcountry while explaining their ancient, ancestral cultures. My parents and I are still in touch with Ray, the Navajo guide who helped us establish a connection with a world we never knew before. Engaging with nature has been scientifically proven to result in numerous health benefits as well. Spending time in nature can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and can also make us feel more calm, content, and connected to something bigger than ourselves. In conclusion, connecting with nature can be highly rewarding and soul-cleansing.
Connection with Others: As I reflect on my fourteen years of life on this beautiful planet, I find myself surrounded by loving, caring, and forgiving people. They include my parents, friends, teachers, and well-wishers. I believe whatever I have achieved till now would not have been possible without the connection I have with them. The easiest way to connect with other people is through verbal,
in-person communication as I do with my friends, family, and teachers every day. We can also make efforts to connect with other people in our society casually, by simply greeting them while entering a store, by holding the door for a stranger, thanking my bus driver every day when I return from school, and socializing with others. We can connect better with others by making them feel good and included. Though technology has many disadvantages, we experienced firsthand how it helped us to connect with the outside world during the Covid 19 pandemic. Technology helped us to stay connected with school and our friends remotely, right from the comfort of our homes. For immigrants like us who have left our country to come to America, staying connected with our grandparents and extended family is of utmost importance. Since we cannot visit them regularly, we have to resort to virtual means to stay connected to our roots. I migrated from India at the tender age of three, however with the help of my parents I have always maintained a strong connection with my family back in India, even though it has only been through weekend video/phone calls. Photos and videos of all my little achievements, be it getting my karate black belt or playing my first solo in my school concert, are shared with them regularly, which makes them feel constantly connected to me and watch me flourish in life. These moments of connection are priceless to me as well as to them as it enriches both of our lives.
Reconnection: Finally, I want to share the significance of reconnection in human life. Getting reconnected with a long-lost friend, revisiting a memorable place, or rediscovering almost-forgotten hobbies or passions can give a sheer sense of happiness to any human being, making them feel nostalgic. Reconnection always has a profound impact on our lives. For example, I had a Jamaican friend, whom I had met around 8 years back and developed a strong friendship with. We used to spend time playing basketball at our favorite park court, meet in school every day, and experience a very strong connection with. He turned out to be my best friend. Suddenly one day he shared the news that he was moving to a different state on the other side of the map. This news broke my heart but after a few long months I got in touch with him through social media, and as he shared his number with me, I felt a great joy in reconnecting with him. Another instance where I felt reconnected was when I met my old friend from kindergarten back in middle school. Though we had our differences when we were young, we felt a stronger bond for each other when we reconnected after a few years at middle school. I also felt the strong impact of reconnection with one of my pet dogs whom I had to leave back in India. When I saw him after 5 long years, I was pleasantly sur prised to realize that he could still remember me. That made me feel special, as if I was the most important person at least to someone and could not hold back my tears. One more instance, which I fondly remember is the day when I had to visit my elementary school for some volunteer works and I got reunited with my previous teachers and principal for a few hours. The smiles I saw on their faces, the hugs I got
from them, and the strong connection I felt will be treasured by me forever. So, reconnecting with people, culture, food, and other things that were once close to our hearts has always had a positive impact on my life and I feel, this can help any person if they find a way to reconnect with their happy memories and their respective associations.
Conclusion: People connect based on shared interests and goals, regardless of where they are from or what their background or faith is. Positive connections help us explore life's different aspects and avenues. On the contrary, I feel that creating a distance or disconnecting from negative people and thoughts is always better to progress further in life. Sometimes people take connections for granted. The bonds we share in a relationship are not permanent and will never be. Disconnection occurs when we stop working on our relationships or when something hurtful happens to break trust. We need to constantly work on keeping our connections alive. In today's world, it is very important to maintain healthy connections for us to thrive and lead a beautiful life.
Will Thrift Stores be Our New Way of Shopping?
By - Meghna Roy (age 14)
Image sourcewww.greenmatters.com
Global fashion waste is a major environmental concern that hasn’t been getting enough attention lately. The fashion industry is a huge polluter, producing tons of waste each year, much of which ends up in landfills. This waste comes from over-consumption or buying too many clothes that you don't need. Many people who live in countries where the clothes are dumped have to be surrounded by mountains and valleys made from the overconsumption of the western world.
A big issue in fashion is that many materials used in clothing are not biodegradable. Even natural fibers can also be harmful if treated with chemicals or dyes, which most are. In order to make clothes, you must use a lot of water and energy which ties into our next concern, environmental harm.
Data shows that due to limited space, civilians will have to burn the fabric if they want to get rid of the clothes which are invading their space. Countries
like Indonesia, Kenya, Ghana, and Chile which have the largest landfill due to fashion waste in the world. Children are being born to the fumes of clothes being burned and harmful gasses in the air. Not only that, the idea of fast fashion and getting new styles every week, is also exhausting and for young minds, it's normal to want to follow trends that they see online. We have to persuade young kids that it's okay to reuse your clothes, and you don't have to have the latest new shoes or hoodies. Reuse of outfits doesn't make you less cool.
There is no way to remove every piece of clothing off the backs of these civilians no matter how determined you are, but there are ways to stop this problem from getting worse. Let's normalize shopping at thrift stores, giving your clothes to friends or family that might like them. Let’s stop fantasizing over having the biggest closet ever and start focusing on making those small choices that matter.
Better Than Fine
By- Maya Stoker (age -14)
How are you? It's a question we all hear at least once a day, right? But all of us, almost without fail, will answer with a just default, “good” or “fine”. Something like this happened to me the other day. I had seen my friend in class at school, and asked how she was. She nodded, replied with, “fine”. But then, just minutes later, I found her crying in the bathroom. I asked what was wrong, she explained, and then I asked, “Why didn’t you tell me before?”. She replied with, “I wasn’t sure how to.” It made me so sad to think that my friend was unsure of how to open up and talk to me about how she was really feeling. I wondered if maybe I could have done something different. If maybe, there was a way I could have better opened up the floor for her to connect with me and talk about how she really felt. That's what inspired the topic of this paper and what inspired me to ask the question, why do we as humans struggle to generate and maintain basic human connections? This emotional detachment is a result of many things in our modern society; such as, overreliance on social media, mental health struggles that lead to self-isolation like anxiety and depression, defective social skills and past negative social experiences. But as humans, we need social connections. This need for social connections stems from basic survival skills. It was easier for our ancestors to survive in groups because larger groups allowed
them to hunt larger prey, fend off larger predators and help to raise and care for one anothers young. These behaviors were so beneficial to humans as a species, that overtime, due to natural selection, social connections became a crucial part of surviving.
In today's society, social connections are still as essential to survival as food and water, but it also has many other benefits. Science has proven that connections with others increases longevity by 50%, increases immune function, leads to faster recovery from illness and can lead to a longer, healthier life. Some illnesses social connections can help prevent include heart diseases, strokes, dementia, depression, and anxiety. Social connections improve quality of sleep and promote healthy eating habits and physical activity. Along with this, social connections can provide a feeling of belonging and being loved and cared for. So, how can we fix this problem? How can we learn to stimulate connections with people in our lives and learn to build healthy relat ionships? This can start with changing what we say to each other; especially the questions we ask. “Instead of asking how was your day?”, we can ask more challenging questions like, “what was the best part of your day?” or “what's something you are proud of yourself for today?” These questions force people to think harder about the response they are giving and can open up opportunities for better communication. It is important to remember that for humans, there is no connection without communication; if you 're not communicating well with others, your connection will suffer. Good communication is talking with others in an engaged way where you not only share your genuine feelings in a kind way but also actively listen. This baseline and respectful rule of communication goes for both easy, five-minute conversations with a coworker, and more intense, deep and longer conversations with the people closest to us. Good communication is crucial for not just connections with others but also for building healthy relationships. Whether the relationship is familial, a friendship, lovers, or whatever else, it is critical that the communication involves honesty, trust, and respect.
In relationships, showing we care is also important. Small and random acts of kindness can completely transform relationships along with expressing gratitude and spending quality time with the other. Random acts of kindness and gratitude can often take form in similar ways that include making cards just because, cooking someone their favorite meal on a stressful day, sending flowers to a friend and just simply saying “thank you”. Another vital aspect of a healthy relationship is supporting one another. Taking the time to learn about others’ interest and hobbies is a great way to show you support what's valued by them. Showing up to important and special events in that person's life also shows you care about them and can help to build trust. All of these str ategies for connections and relationships seem a lot easier when put together in a neat list, but they can be challenging at times. Learning to connect with others can be scary, uncomfortable, and difficult for so many reasons. But in the end, only
communication and effort will bring us the real, true human connection that is crucial, not only for us to survive, but also for us to thrive. So, for both yourself and others, I challenge you to take the risk. Reach out to someone today, say thank you, have a small conversation with someone who looks lonely. Just make the effort to connect and see what happens and you may get an answer that's better than “fine”.
Animal Love
By - Ishanaa Banerjee (age 9)
It’s a lovely weather. Guess who dropped a little feather? Guessed a bird? You’re right! A bird’s eyes are truly bright. What about a little fox? Have you heard of a Fox in Socks? It is a Dr. Seuss book. I think it’s something you might want to look! Pandas like to eat bamboo. It’s harder than a plastic shoe! For a panda though it tastes so good. Panda's teeth are hard for chewing wood. Bears are awfully growly. While you camp, they follow slowly. Although bears do not howl, they make noises like a growl. Snakes love to hiss at a human. If the person won't move, they inject venom. However, this venom is not so bad. It cures sickness. Phew that's glad! Monkeys are pros at eating bananas. They love picking lice, even in Havana. Monkeys have packs with brothers and sisters. They are human’s ancestors. There are several species of animals, Insects, rodents, apes, and mammals. The size does not matter what does is the mind. Like lucky ladybugs are worth a find. You must have a good heart for these creatures. Each one will teach you like teachers. Make sure not to step or crush.
Or do not be crushed yourself by tigers in a rush. It would take a thousand papers to write about animals all. Some are short, while others are tall. Some are weak and some are strong. Some are house pets, like a dog. Now I will keep this poem short. If I wrote more, I would be crazy on court. There are so many animals in so many places, which one will YOU stare at with your faces? You should be gentle and act carefully, so that animals in their natural habitat can live peacefully
Her Name✨
By-Sapphire Mukherjee
(age 17)
In shadows deep, where silence lies, A girl stands firm, with hopeful eyes. Her spirit bruised, yet never gone, She fights the dark, she carries on.
With every tear, she finds her might, A spark of hope in the darkest nights. Her battles rage inside her mind, Yet strength and grace entwine.
Her dreams may waver, fears may shout, But she believes in herself, without a doubt. For in her heart, a fire burns bright, A raging fire in the endless night.
Through storm and strife, she holds her ground, In every loss, a lesson found. Her soul unbroken, faith anew, She rises strong, she sees it through.
With every dawn, she hails the day, In her own light, she'll find her way. For though the night is long and cold, Her heart of gold remains untold.
A warrior, with courage true,
The world will see what she can do. For in her soul, hope's gentle flame, Will light the way, and speak her name.
Who am I?
By - Sapphire Mukherjee (age 17)
Who am I? I don't recognise me anymore, I drowned in the abyss of gloom, With a smile I swam back ashore. Am I really in glee? Or this is an illusion? I closed my eyes in trust and lost my vision. My loud laughter is a cry, For every time I was stabbed, Each time I healed another dagger was jabbed, By the ones I loved, by the ones for whom I care.
My tears have dried, I have stopped weeping, Along with my core, my eyes now start bleeding. I want to run away but my feet are tied, Forced to face the world, and the cloying lies. Can't anyone really tell? Beyond the layer of my blithe, I forced a smile for the thousands of times I have cried, I am standing in a legion, but I'm so forlorn, Now for the worst, I have no fright. **********
HUMAN
By - Shama Dinesh (age 23)
Inconsequential, trapped in the clutches of time unyielding Misery relentless, every moment tragic and appalling Being empty, unafraid, hopeless, unfeeling Prey to the decay and coldness spreading
Plagued by hesitation, cowardice remains tempting Every step towards the beyond grows more appealing Resentment and envy poisoning memories everlasting A feeble promise of hope remains hidden in dying
On this hill of broken dreams stands a castle unfalling Avarice and hubris haunt the doomed, enticing
The damned and the lost echoing their regrets, imploring Evermore, all that remains of a human in the end is nothing
News Items from a Kisholoy Alum Sophie Sarkar
- I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you! After two years of writing and illustrating (and ten years of gathering the courage to share this story), I completed my children’s picture book Mixed Rice.
MIXED RICE
By Sophie Dipti Sarkar
A simple family meal reveals the power of mindfulness and healthy communication in this heartwarming children’s book celebrating the unique cultural traditions that shape our identities.
When Joya’s parents disagree on what rice to eat for dinner, she must search high in the sky and deep within to find the glue that holds her multicultural family together. Beyond its engaging storyline, Mixed Rice serves as a practical guide in mindful communication and conflict resolution inspired by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings.
Available for pre-order at bookstore.org, amazon.com, or your favorite local bookstore. For more information visit: www.sophiesarkar.com/mixed-rice
From the Ananda Mandir Priest
Ananda Mandir Youth Group Magazine
Saradia Kisholoy
Kisholoy group is the youth group of Ananda Mandir. Any youth member of Ananda Mandir can join this group. If you are interested to join please send an email to Dipakksarkar@hotmail.com.
