A V E
Issue 1, 2019
Established: 1995
Saturday, February 9th, 2019
Even as the nahors stand speckled in red and orange marking yet another transient phase of this mammoth enterprise, the familiar faces trudge through a familiar schedule with familiar rigors only to charter a course towards unfamiliar territory. While new power simmers latent in old badges and time marks a different count for all who look up at its fluorescent dials, we wait to chronicle the tales, old and new. To capture the mundane and the extraordinaire. -Sieyna Meru, Deputy Editor
Recipe To Magic
Illustrations: Takhe Tamo Reela
-Nandini Garodia, Editor-in-Chief “So, do you write?” the teacher asked enthusiastically. behind. They say we do not need words to create a world Absolutely not. “Oh yes, absolutely”. A white lie but who of our own. All we need is our imagination. It becomes a could blame me? I had found a Potterhead after an entire different venture all together when the world we create is day of feeling homesick and lonely in my new school. the world we wish to show. Words then become a constant “Would you write for us then?” she asked with the exact source of joy and anguish. Like a lesson in shapeshifting expression of a child asking for presents on Christmas Eve. in Professor McGonagall’s class, we sit poised over our So for the sake of politeness and a little more, I agreed. On individual machines coaxing words to comply to the spells our minds conjure and thereby spill into que I was given the quick instruction to ‘Meet us’ with a the stories we yearn to narrate. vague direction The exclusiveness of the adventure to the............... is thrilling if Publications exhausting but....... haunt,‘the.... to suddenly find room above the oneself appointed library’. the Heimdall to That night I........ the room and a went to bed with proxy Professor..... the satisfaction....... Snape to the.......... of having perhaps individuals it......... found a way to keep houses, is daunting myself occupied to say the least. It while I waited for is not that the idea the next two years of jumping across to whizz past. I....... the barbed wires could not have then of the School and anticipated the........ racing to safety anxiety and solace had not occurred this single decision or mulled........ would bring me. They say we are all over. In all..... connected in a giant web of destinies the universe creates and every single circumstance we find honesty, for those who have fallen into the vacuum of the ourselves in, is a tug from its timeless hands to draw us space the room holds, have sown the magic seeds of words and grown themselves a world within, that moves and closer to the place we belong. A year has passed since I first stepped into a space that breathes and evolves with thoughts. This world holds me falls off into a vacuum from the moment the door with the fast and it holds me strong. I am here. I am held. In my clear warning, ‘Only wizards beyond this point’, closes little way, I am ready. (Stay close Deputy.)
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Weekly Newsletter of The Assam Valley Express
Mamata Brigade Illustrations: Takhe Tamo Reela
-Sempisang Toy, XI The furious race for the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections Mamata Didi, took to the streets that she knew so well in continues to surprise citizens all over the country with yet another dharna accusing the Prime Minster, Narendra dumbfounding issues ranging from alliance break ups Modi of launching a coup against her for political gains and make ups to so called ‘unconstitutional’, unilateral in the upcoming elections. Flexing muscles in a state she decisions made by the ruling government. The case of runs with a dictatorial streak, she used the dais at the Rajeev Kumar, the Police Commissioner of Kolkata, falls dharna as her Pride Rock to call out to her fellow allies in the latter. The Commissioner’s official residence was of the notorious ‘Mahagatbandhan’, to raise the call in bombarded by a 40-member strong team of the Central unison of ‘Out with Modi’. Political analysts across the Bureau of Investigation, to question country have been left divided in opinion regarding this the Commissioner regarding two issue. While this could be yet another gimmick before ongoing investigations into the the elections, other controversial issues wait in the wing Saradha and Rose Valley Ponzi and promise to make the 16th Lok Sabha elections a schemes which is being investigated probable Mission Impossible. The by the CBI. The former had refused underlying question buried deep to heed the CBI’s previous requests underneath this fiasco urges us to to make himself available for consider if institutions like the questioning of an emblazonment State police and the CBI coming of over two thousand crore rupees siphoned to such face off ought to be taken from a chit fund collected from hundreds of lightly. While the Supreme Court has ordinary citizens across the state. The Mamata Banerjee asked Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar led Trinamool government had long been under the to make himself available to the CBI in its scanner with the investigation casting shadow of doubts offices in the neutral state of Meghalaya and has given all the way to the door step of the Chief Minister’s the State Government of Bengal a show cause notice to own family. The evening unfolded like a scene from a explain its manhandling of the Officers of the Central Bollywood movie when the Chief Minister of the state Bureau of Investigation, it lies to reason if these are steps Mamata Banerjee arrived at the scene and turned the house enough to ensure such blatant misuse of power does not of Mr. Rajeev Kumar into a veritable fortress. While the take place again. With the election prediction being mixed media turned on the frenzy and the norm ‘unprecedented’ and dominantly forecasting a close race to the finish, was volleyed from one news room to the other, the circus the political parties need to work beyond party lines in raged from physical scuffles between the State Police delivering India the respect she deserves as the Largest and the CBI to raving chants of ‘Constitution Bachao’. Democracy in the world, making her a nation for others The Chief Minister of Bengal known more popularly as to look up to.
GRADUATION
-Aakangsha Dutta, XI “The Future belongs to those who believe in their dreams”. congregation in prayer and thereafter addressed the –Eleanor Roosevelt gathering. As the first set of mementos were given out, The Graduation ceremony holds a very special place in the hall resounded with applause lit by the proud elated the School Calendar. It is that special moment of the year beams of parents and teachers alike. Toko Tato, took to when the entire School comes together to celebrate yet the stage next and caught the audience’s attention with another batch of students who stand poised to step out his humour and wit, as he recounted his days from Tihu of the wrought iron gates of the School into the seamless when he was but another face in the crowd. As the evening horizon of the world beyond. The Chief Guest for the progressed, the second set of awards were given by Dr. evening was Mrs. Laxmi Dhaul, an author, an animator, Nazrana Ahmed, who has shared a long relationship with an educator, a motivational speaker, a horticulturalist the School and had seen her older son Nummier graduate and a mother of two, all rolled into one. The event began in 2015 and was now attending the graduation of her with the congregational hymn ‘One Moment in Time’ younger son Nammeir Ahmed, a fine swimmer and leader followed by the graduating pupil Jaagriti Borah’s speech. and the School Swimming Captain for the year 2018-19. One of the oldest pupils who has seen the School in Uroolee Changmai, the outgoing Head Girl delivered her multiple hues, Jaagriti spoke of her years at AVS which graduating speech sprinkled with inspiration and infused she would always cherish. The Head of School led the with humour. The Staff choir took to stage next and sang
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AVE, Saturday, 9th February
Picture Credits: AVS Photgraphic Society
‘May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You’ which was met with a hearty applause. Abhijay Hazarika, the outgoing School Captain delivered his graduating speech, in which he spoke of his gratitude towards the institution that had enthused in him his passion for tennis and groomed his personality. As Ms. Laxmi Dhaul, the Chief Guest
delivered the last set of mementoes, the excitement in the hall had reached its peak. Ms. Dhaul delivered her address which stressed on the principles of Gandhi and how his values stood steadfast to date. The evening ended with the batch photograph which captured amongst smiling faces, memories that would last a lifetime.
On The Run -Eloziini Senachena, IX
and lit the torch. Following this the action began on the tracks in earnest with the skills harnessed over the year bringing forth a roaring show from some of the finest athletes in School. The declaration of awards saw Subansiri- Namdang lift the coveted Athletics Trophy yet again while KolpiliDhansiri was awarded the prestigious Inter-House March Past Trophy. The event came to an end with the Vote of Thanks from the outgoing Sports Captain Chou Liangwan Choutang followed by the State and the National Anthem.
Picture Credits: AVS Photgraphic Society
After dedicating almost an entire Semester practicing in the wide fields of the pavilion, the Inter-House Athletics Meet 2018 commenced on the 14th of December. The esteemed Chief Guest for the afternoon was Ms. Rodali Barua, a National Taekwondo Champion. The Meet began with the much-awaited Inter House March Past. The squads held high their House Flags as they proudly marched by in perfect unison reflecting as much the spirit of their Houses as they did the spirit of gamesmanship. The School Captain for the year 2018-19, Abhijay Hazarika, then took the oath of Sportsmanship
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AVE, Saturday, 9th February
STARS OF THE WEEK Mr. Mallar Rakshit of the Department of Indian Music received a nomination for Bismillah Khan YUVA Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Academy. Along with this remarkable feat, he was also given an ‘A’ Grade by the All India Radio, 2018, an achievement that makes us feel very proud. Kudos to him for his achievements. Mr. Abhinav Gogoi, Head, Department of Careers received an award for ‘Best Counsellor’ at the Delhi Conclave of Institute of Career Studies. The AVS community extends their heartiest congratulations to him. Kekhriesilie Rio, School Riding Captain 2017-18 was awarded the Best Rider in the Junior Nationals Equestrian Championships held at Kolkata in December last year. He will be representing India in the Asian Junior Equestrian Championship this year. We are proud of his accomplishment and wish him all the luck for the upcoming event.
Mr. Mallar Rakshit
Mr. Abhinav Gogoi
Kekhriesilie Rio
Illustrations: Pronali Gohain
The Outpost
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The Centre plans to strip off medals of IPS officers who took part in Didi’s historic dharna in an attempt to “save the constitution” while the country gears up to witness many more as the unpredictable month of April approaches. Priyanka Gandhi actively begins her tenure with the Congress party, denoting that dynasty politics is here to stay. Meanwhile, Venezuela continues to plummet as President Maduro refuses to step down. British PM Theresa May heads to Brussels to continue negotiations with the European Council Chief on the Brexit Deal, paving ways to prevent Britain from hearing its own knell.
AVE, Saturday, 9th February
New Kid On The Block:
AUTUMN COURTESY
Illustrations: Pronali Gohain
-Suzanne Ahmed, XII Autumn leaves fell around him, In a shower of sepia. The colour of her eye. Tawny branches rose bare, Mauling across the pale autumn sky. Pools of scarlet rippled, As a leaf drifted down. The colour of her blood. Autumn, she was called autumn, Only later he had found. A blood orange broke off, fell And splattered across the ground. Out came the spilling scent of her gown. He broke into a run. A blur of autumn all around. But the memories weren’t bound. The feel of skin against his sabre, It’s like gilded in topaz. She was dying when found, The castle, a frenzy of battleground. Somehow he had heard her, A subtle, whimpered sound.
Amidst the banter of battle she lay, Saffron hair tasseled around. Never had he seen such beauty. It was haunting even now. She pleaded for the gift of mercy, And whispered a smile, As he unwillingly offered the courtesy.
Torn-&-Do -Jirmin Toko, XI
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AVE, Saturday, 9th February
Ripple #93 -Sieyina Meru, XI
The room reverted with the sound of the piano, The melancholy could be heard in the chords she played, She waited for the end, As the poison slipped into her system.
Tongue of Slip!! 1. Everyone has caughten us -Tarana Lama (I prefer silk.) 2. Hundreds of spiders cames out -Malabika Das (‘Into the Spider-Verse’.) 3. My life is instable -Srishti Pegu (The Riding School would like a word with you.) 4. They have to woke up- Sneha Singha (This isn’t ‘Inception’.) 5. One guy has die- Mr. Umesh (Was you?) 6. I was having funning during the sports gala- Toko Yayum(Sounds funning.) 7. I also founded them cool- Pronali Gohain (We find your grammar chilling.)
Keep It Reel! Cavernous currents -Rahil Hazarika, Class IX
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Editor-in-Chief: Nandini Garodia Deputy Editor: Sieyina Meru Associate Editors: Aakangsha Dutta & Saziia Selvia Correspondents: Sempi, Jeremy, Eloziini, Sanjana & Moom Design & Layout: Jeremy Jahau & Moom Lego Illustrator: Takhe Tamo Reela Mistress-in-Charge: Ms. Sarmistha Paul Sarkar Publisher: The Assam Valley School, P.O. Balipara, Dist. Sonitpur, Asom-784101, India E-mail: ave@assamvalleyschool.com Telephone: 09678074320/08812009627 Website: www.assamvalleyschool.com Weekly Newsletter of The Assam Valley Express