Aftaab Zaar - Annual magazine of Delhi Public School Srinagar [2013 - 14]

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-2014

Delhi Public School, Srinagar

OUR PRAYER

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Dr Sir Mohammad IqbalRA

Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua Ban Kay Tamana Meri,

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Zindagi Hoo Maray Parwanay Key Surat Ya Rab,

Zindagi Sham’a Key Surat Ho Khudaya Meri

Ilm Ki sham’a Say Ho Mujko Muhabat Ya Rub.

To my lips comes a supplication borne out of (the) desire (of my heart),

May my life be like that of the (devoted) moth, O Lord,

(That) may my life be like that of a lighted candle, O Lord.

(Such that) I love the (enlightening) light of knowledge, O Lord.

Dur Dunya Ka Maray Dam Say Andheera Ho Jaye,

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Ho Mera Kaam Ghareeboon Key Himayat Karna,

Har Jagah Meray Chamaknay Say Ujala Ho Jaye

Dard Mandoon Say Za’ieefoon Say Muhabbat Karna.

May the world's darkness disappear through the life I live,

May my work be to take the side of the unfortunate and the poor,

(Such that) every place lights up with the sparkling light I give.

Loving the pained, supporting the feeble.

Ho Maray Dam Say Younhi Meray Watan Key Zeenat,

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Maray Allah! Her Burai Say Bachana Mujhko,

Jis Tarah Phool Say Hoti Hai Chaman Ki Zeenat.

Naik Jo Rah Hoo Us Raah Pay Chalana Mujh Ko.

May my homeland, through my (devoted) work, attain (its) elegance,

O my Allah! O my Allah! Protect me from every evil,

As the garden, through (its) flowers, attains its magnificence.

That which is The path of righteousness, guide me (only) on that path.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

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Principal’s Desk

“I am silver and exact. I have no perceptions. Whatever I see, I swallow immediately Just as it is , unmisted by love or dislike. I am not cruel, only—truthful.” Sylvia Plath Mirror is a very mystifying object. We use a mirror to correct our posture, to check our profile, make sure that we look presentable etc. That is because we know for sure that a mirror does not tell a lie.

Most of the time we listen to it and try not to go against it. No matter how much one tries to convince onself but if a mirror says otherwise we know that is the only truth. We can never deceive ourselves when we are talking to a mirror and it responds loud and clear. You try and shout at it, it doesn't even waste a fraction of second to retort and reflect the anger. You pass a grin Lo and behold ! It grins at you. You can even cry in front of it to see that it cries with you.

Mirror is the best mimicker in the world. One can not escape from it . When we stand in front of a mirror and look at ourselves, our natural reflex is to smile and for sure it smiles back at you. It feels so good. If that is how we respond naturally then why don't we smile at each other more often? When we directly gaze at ourselves in a mirror we seem to be looking deep down into ourselves. If we continue doing that we soon feel that we are looking at the real us which generally remains elusive. Eyes being the gateway to soul then why are we not able to look into the souls of others when we make eye contact with them? Have humans become smart to veil themselves from each other?

Mirror can tell us how ugly we look when we hate somebody. We quickly try to relax our facial muscles when we see the reality of our expression. Others can not even dare to tell you what a mirror depicts. It can calls a spade a spade and tells us clearly whenever we are not genuine to ourselves, and we accept it quietly without getting angry about it. Who can deny this fact that the mirror is a friend? In our life there are many people who can be our mirrors only if we accept it.

Aftab Zar is the mirror of our school. Kudos to the students for presenting creative work and congratulations to the editorial team for bringing out this inspirational edition.

Kusam Warikoo

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

ACHIEVEMENTS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Over a period of 10 years, DPS has acquired the reputation of becoming synonymous with academic excellence. Apart from achieving 100% board results, many of our students on their own merit, have made it to the most prestigious institutions of the nation. The performance of our students has reached an all time high with Muhiba Shabir standing Second all India in her XII th class Board Exams. Many have excelled in individual subjects too.

The CBSE awarded certificates of merit in each subject to the top 0.01% of the successful candidates for their outstanding performance in English, Physics, Biology, Chemestry and Political Science, at the Senior School Certificate Examination. Following students are the proud recipients of the same. Aiman Salva Khan, Khalid Shabir Parra,Mir Minsha Tariq,Saifan Rafiq, Azeem Akbar Drabu,Rauza Shah,Anika Adfar,Duha Zaffar,Imtinan Naqash,Maleeha,Muhiba Shabir,Syed Faika Shah,Zaika Mushtaq,Madeha Drabu,Madiha Khan,Noma Tariq,Jasia Iqbal,Mukarram Ahmad Wahid,Zuhar Mushtaq.

The juniors have also done the institution proud. 25 Students were awarded certificates of Merit from the CBSE for their outstanding performance(Grade A1) in Secondary School Examination,2013 in all subjects. Their names go as follows, Elena Khalid,Kownain Tahir,Nazrah Altaf,Rihaam Lateef,Sheikh Romana,Kashaf Ul Khair,Mehvish Shakeel,Mir Mohd Burhan Hassan,Asma Mushtaq,Bazella Ashraf,Mahrukh Khanday,Mir Farhan Ul Haq,Khansa Mushtaq,Sheikh Nuamaan Iqbal,Suha Vaqar Khan,Taabeen Farooq,Zahida Ishaq ,Farkhanda Farjam,Mohd Hamzah Hamdani,Syed Atqa Qadri,Azan Mahmood Malik,Faisal Ashraf,Sobia Altaf,Safah Imtiaz Qazi.

SPORTS IN SCHOOL The Junior Wing (Classes LKG‐II) SPORTS MEET 2013 held on 5th October 2013, was a day filled with fun games and displays which were thoroughly enjoyed by the students, parents and guests . The SPORTS MEET kick‐started with a beautiful song – ‘I have a dream –The DPS vision’ which gave the message to each child‐be what you want to be. Children of LKG & UKG dressed in costumes ranging from pilot, teacher, master chef and doctor were a sight to behold. This was followed by ‘PAL‐From Darkness to Light’ a beautiful dance drama which depicted that dreams can only be realised when there is peace.

The Annual Sports Day of the Primary and Middle Wing was held on the 5th and 7th of November, 2013 respectively at the school ground in a frolicsome atmosphere. The event was marked by a string of performances presented by the young champs who were brimming with enthusiasm and sportsmanship spirit.The long awaited sports events began just after the sports torch was carried by the students. It included track events and races like 100 mtrs, 200 mtrs and Relay race. Yoga, Taekwondo, Persian and Kashmiri Dance kept the spectators spellbound. The prizes were given away by Mr. Vijay Dhar, Mrs. Kiran Dhar and the Principal, Ms. Warikoo. Deodar house bagged the overall championship trophy for the Middle Wing and Poplar House was the declared the best in the Primary Wing.

SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS Syed Mohsin Mehdi, a student of grade VIII, represented the state team in the Under ‐14 Cricket Nationals held in Himachal Pradesh. He also got an opportunity to play three test matches and three one day matches.Our girls U‐19 Basketball Team secured third position in CBSE – Cluster XII. The team beat APS Dakshai, Jodhamal Public School, Jammu and Heritage School, Jammu. Two students and a teacher participated in the Marathon “Run for Fun” organized by J&K Police under Civic Action Programme on October 2nd, 2013. Imran Nisar and Zeeshan Hyder secured the 7th and 15th position respectively. Our

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

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students made us proud in the National Inter‐DPS Athletic Meet held in Greater Noida (U.P.) Imran Nisar‐ Class XII‐ fourth position in 1500m race,Zeeshan Hyder ‐ Class XII ‐fifth position in Discus and Shot Put,Tehleel ‐ Class VIII qualified for the semi‐finals in the 400m race. Aihyaan Sheikh of VII standard and Ahsan Ahamad of X standard represented the State in U‐14 National Football Tournament for Boys 2013 at Kalyani, West Bengal .

DIPSITES bagged 20 medals in the 3rd State Tangsoodo Championship .Kariha Javaid was selected by the Government of India, Ministry of Women & Child Development for the National Award for Exceptional Achievements 2013. She won the gold medal in World Championship held at Malaysia. The Taekwondo Association of J&K appreciated her talent and the laurels brought by Kariha to the entire State.

Our students once again stood out in Kashmir Taekwondo Gold Cup. They bagged 8 medals which included 4 Gold, 1 Silver & 3 Bronze.

The Golf Training Camp was thrown open for our students by the Secretary General, Women’s Golf Association of India, Mrs Champika Sayal. Ms Kusam Warikoo, the Principal inaugurated the week long golf training camp. Mr. Vikram Sethi conducted an orientation programme to acquaint the students with the rules of the game. On the concluding day, the participants were felicitated by the school. 28 students have been registered for the 2nd NIGS – Golf Coaching Camp at Delhi Public School, Srinagar. These students will one day make it to the National Golf Circuits.

Rugby had achievers too. Faizan Nazir, a class 12 student represented India in the Under‐19 Asian Rugby tournament held from October 2nd to October 5th in Pakistan. Faizan was part of Indian Rugby team which participated in the Asian tournament. Before going on a Pakistan trip, he had participated in the 20 day national camp held at Kolkata. Indian team reached the finals. Apart from hosts Pakistan and India, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan were among the participating countries.

Basketball players performed well too. Nazrah Altaf, Anood Tariq ,Faizan, Iqbal Rather, Wasiq Ashraf, Ibrahim Khalil and Ikan Ashaq Shangloo participated in the Inter Division Competitions held at Udampur on 16th September and 17th September, 2013.

Our Football team represented the school in the Inter DPS football Tournament 2013 from 24th to 26th of October, 2013 held at Amritsar. The opening match was played between DPS Srinagar and DPS Rohtak in which DPS Srinagar won by 2‐0.The second match between DPS Srinagar and DPS Karnal was again won by DPS Srinagar scoring 4‐0.DPS Bhatinda lost the third match against DPS Srinagar scoring 0‐ 2. In the semifinals, DPS Srinagar beat DPS Jhakri by 4‐0 qualifying for the Finals where in DPS Srinagar triumphed against DPS Amritsar scoring 3‐0.Our Team won the tournament with a total score of 15‐0.

LITERARY ACHIEVEMENTS Muskan Shafat of Grade IX and Zehret‐ul‐Ward of Grade III were among the top 300 candidates from the entire country who made it to the second round of CBSE‐KATHA Creative Writing and Translation Competition. They were invited to Delhi for the Regional Writers Workshop on 18th and 19th October, 2013.During this workshop, they were given an opportunity to further develop and revise their submitted stories / translation under the guidance of professional writers, poets and translators. At the conclusion of the Regional Writing Workshop, the students submitted their stories for the FINAL ROUND. Haika and Zainub of class XI represented the school at a CDLS Leadership Summit held in Delhi. Their participation was much appreciated and their articles were published.

The students participated enthusiastically in many debates. The prestigious Nano Nagle trophy was bagged by the school for the third consecutive year and was presented to DPS for a lifetime.

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

STUDENT

ARTICLES

“FOR THE SAKE OF MY MOTHER!”

Mohammad Manan Khan XI B4

Leave the disabled aside and focus on the reservation of seats for women, review it for its validity in a democracy like the one we have in the country.

At first going through the laws of the land, which strictly state the “equality of people whether a man or a woman”. Then why reservation? Going through the laws reservation for women becomes pointless, baseless, and nonconventional.

Democracy at first lays laws stating equality and then contradicts its own sayings. Actually Democracy fails to explain what it says like the old Daltonic theories. Travelling by a local bus proves to be an irksome job not only for women but even men find it difficult. Local buses prove to be a rostrum for classes of words among the passengers, the tiered travelers. Men and women are seen pickled together and flavoured by the conductor's calls. And unfortunately women also suffer due to this harsh, idiotic nudging, and blamed to be is the democracy for the same, as the law of equality states somehow ,that everyone should suffer equally be it men or women.

The only treatment to stop the suffering of women is to treat women as special, not only in certain fields of life but in every aspect of life, because they deserve it. They deserve it because they are one half of the society and in fact raise the other half.

INVESTITURE CEREMONY 2013

Treating women as someone special, in a bus or in the educational field won't put an end to the miseries of our mothers and sisters. They have to be treated specially, in the journey of the entire life, rather than in the journey by bus, if we aspire for a change and stand by it.

Our young leaders ready to shoulder their responsibilities.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

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The

Tree

Areshva Mir VI-A

The Sun is shining bright and sweet The grass is a carpet at your feet It's a lovely day To escape away And climb up the apple tree Where you are as free as you can be Now I'm here at the top Where the fruit is sweeter than in any shop Lets take a look around To see what we have found On the left the meadow is full of flowers On the right the town has tall towers The little creek is flowing fast The huge fields are amazingly vast The big blue river flows slowly down the hills I too can see the houses, farms and mills Little children are happy at play Busy people work hard all day From the tiny village To the huge town From the blue sky up To the brown earth down Its such a breathtaking sight I could stay here all day and night

A Slow Poison..... Drugs A Slow Poison….. (Drugs) My days seem very horrible and dark My mind keeps going from time to time to crack Its hurting me everywhere But there is nobody to care Dear Parents! Don't be so mean I am dying without the heroin Give it to me or I'll die And when I die, please don't cry And when I die, I'll curse you bad And your life will be very sad Just give me the drugs I don't need more than that This is a request from your lad Give me the drugs, give them back

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Sunday

Nur Sadiq II D

Sunday is a fun day I wait for it everyday Counting Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday is a tiring day Friday thankfully is a half day Saturday is a smiley day Because next day is a Sunday But, very soon it is a Monday

The Winds

Sadiq Ali VI E

The winds play in the sky Trembling with fear The birds chirp The hedgehogs flee The badgers dig deep Chaos is all around The storm is roaring The rain is pouring Golden and silver winged Birds fly in the air The winds are playing in the sky Trembling with fear

Birjees ul Sama XII B1

I feel like I'm tied in a sack I see my immunity lack Just give me the drugs, please give them back Drugs, I have not yet forgotten I feel like I am rotten Without them my death is certain My body seems a victim of pain If you want your son back Just give me the drugs, please give them back So be aware once used to fatal narcotics You are destined to die either by leaving them or Continuing with them The only remedy that we can advise is “Be a hero, say no to drugs”

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

PEACE

Be Polite

Haider Javaid VI A

We must learn to be polite, It will make our future bright, This is the way, God wants us to be, This is the way we all should be.

One world, one dream We are all free to dream Let you and me join hands To fill the world with greener lands.

Let's join hands, you and me And all of us So that as far as we see, Lie beautiful lands for us to be.

I saw a bird fly..

Maheen Malik II

I saw a bird fly High in the sky Then it circled round and round And came to ground It came to my window And sat silent and smiled.

Let's join hands, let's join our hearts Let's make a new start We all are free to dream One world and one is our dream.

Let there be peace Let there be dreams Let you and me, join our hands Let you and me, join our hearts Let you and me build a new world together.

Our Unusual Body

Maheen Malik II

Esha Malhotra V

 The measurement from your wrist to your elbow is the same measurement as your foot.  It is impossible to cry in space because of the lack of gravity.  Every person has a unique tongue print.  Girls have more taste buds than boys.  One out of every twenty people has an extra rib.  An average person has at least seven dreams a night.  Your tongue is the strongest muscle in your body.  The only part of the human body that has no blood supply is the cornea of the eye. It takes in oxygen

directly from the air.  Human skin sheds continuously. The outer layer of skin is entirely replaced every 28 days.  The largest cell in the human body is the ovum, the female reproductive cell.  The pupil of a human eye will expand as much as 45 per cent when it sees something pleasing.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

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Precious Friend

Sama Fatima VI A

We all need someone To talk to in our life A friend to whom we run In times of stress and strife A friend who is always there Throughout the year Friend we know will care Take away our fears A friend who's always near Waiting out for our call To wipe our tears And lift us when we fall A loving friend indeed On whom we can depend To fulfill our every need Thank you, precious friend.

The Rainbow

Shaba Qadri V

Boats sail in water And ships sail in the seas, But clouds that sail across the sky Is far prettier than these.

There are bridges on the rivers, As pretty as you please; But the bow that bridges heaven, And overtops the tree, Builds a road from earth to sky, Is far prettier than these.

My Beautiful Friendship

Hayaan V B

When the grass is green The air is clean, When the birds are chirruping Your face is glowing.

When the grass is green Your mood is clean, A friend is near, You are chattering without fear.

Someone is admiring from behind the curtain, Upon the enemies something is falling, Just like a heavy burden, The friendship between us will clear the burden.

Now the enemies can't stay there long Because of our beautiful friendship.

Nature

Badriqa V

I am mighty I am beauty.

I am blue I am true.

I am beaming I am dreaming.

I am in every place I am always in grace.

I am tree I am you.

I am nature A rare creature…..

“ We must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice and ignorance. We must not forget that millions of children are out of schools, waiting for a bright peaceful future. So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty and fear and let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.

Malala Yousafzai

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Mother

Afnaan Mushtaq II

Mother is love ,enjoy her Mother is beauty ,worship her Mother is heaven, accept her Mother is a friend, share with her Mother is a teacher, respect her

Look Around

Muminah V

Look around and see The happy swaying trees The little buzzing bees The fresh blue seas.

Mohmad Aymen Naqash IX

“Do good and have good” is a very well known proverb. When we do an act of kindness, we set a chain of good deeds into motion, people who get help feel that they owe something to the society. They tend to give something back to the society and thus we receive back help from society when we are in need of it.

The good act that we do to make someone happy makes us feel happy. And thus in doing a kindness we are a bit selfish too because we do it for our happiness as well.

People who have the habit of doing good to others are desirable as friends. People choose them as friends because they are more likely to co‐ operate.

Look around and see The sun shining bright At the great height So beautiful is the sight.

Sometimes even a small good deed makes a big difference in someone's life. These small deeds do not require much time or effort.

Look around and see The pretty flowers around The chirping bird's sound What a beautiful place we have!

Amazing Persons

Good Deeds

Helping our family, friends and classmates are also valuable acts of kindness.

When you are paying attention, there are opportunities to do good things everywhere‐if you really look for them.

Imshaan V

 Smallest waist: Catherine Jung of U.S.A has the smallest waist of a living person , just 38.1 cm and she is

5'8” tall.  Largest waist: Walter Hudson of U.S.A had the largest waist of 3.02 m and his weight is 545 kg.  Greatest weight difference between a couple: John Brown Mannoch weighs 635 kg and his wife Jeannette

weighs 50 kg.This is the greatest weight difference between a couple.  Polydactylism: A baby boy born on 16th Sept, 1921 in London was reported to have 15 fingers and 17 toes.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

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“ In nothing do men more nearly approach the gods than in giving health to men.

Cicero

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

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I Love My Post Office

Bazella Ashraf XI

I would like to convey my thoughts about one of the most impersonal yet in a profound way personal, buildings ‐‐‐‐‐‐ the post office. This is the time when the entire world is getting digitalized and a single click makes everything happen, but the post‐ office still remains the way it was like earlier. This post‐office is basically like an avenue and storehouse of feelings and emotions which helps in traversing these emotions from one heart to another. It is full of love and emotions. But e‐ mails, chat rooms and voice mails have replaced this institution of compassion with digitalization. I still feel, it is a very important part of our lives which helps in transporting our feelings for each other. There are many people who are poor and down‐ trodden but to convey their feelings they can't afford the expenses of emails and all the digitalized stuff and hence resort to the post‐ office. I love my post‐ office. In a world like we have today, where writing by means of pen and paper is seen as inferior, I cling to my post‐ office. I think we are the ones to blame ourselves for alienating it and gradually welcoming all the web services. No doubt, web services are lucid and plain but the letters and the post‐ office are the elements misted by love and sense of belonging. To worsen the situation, some post‐ offices have also been digitalized.

I think the time is presently favouring everything on the web but I will be clinging to my, own post‐ office forever. When I see the letters that my mother and her brother exchanged, it makes me feel, that the time when no web or emails were present, it was the post‐ office which helped us all the way through and was highly instrumental. So, why are we depriving ourselves of the one who has always been there for us and still is? A post‐ office is always there, but even comprehending email without electricity is impossible and then electricity and some un‐ reliable sources shun our emails. So, I go on and cling to my post‐ office which is, will be and was heart fully mine.

“ Scatter from an unextinguish'd hearth Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!

Be through my lips to unawaken'd earth The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

P.B.Shelley

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Mahatma Gandhi

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“ There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Some Interesting Facts

Areej Fazili Xth

 The Earth orbits the Sun at a speed of 66, 700 mph.  The Earth is 0.2 degrees hotter during a full moon.  Some large asteroids even have their own moon.  On average, Saturn is 886 million miles away from the Sun.  Jupiter has 60 known moons but some of them are quite small and look fainter.  A 100 pound object on Earth would weigh 116 pounds on Saturn.  Mars is red because it is rusty. There is a lot of iron in the soil, and the air on Mars has made it turn red just

like rusty iron on Earth.  It takes 29.46 Earth years to complete its orbits around the Sun.  Mars completes its orbit around the sun in 687 days.  The atmosphere of Saturn comprises of hydrogen and helium.  Mars outshines every other planet apart from Venus.  Jupiter has a mass 318 times greater than earth and a diameter that is 11 times larger.

If a Child Lives With ……

Heena Khursheed

 If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.  If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.  If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to judge.  If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.  If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.  If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.  If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.  If a child lives with fairness, he learns to be just.  If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.  If a child lives with approval, he learns to live himself.  If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in it.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

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“ I only pray that our sons may never see any wars again.

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“ Be kind for, everyone is fighting a harder battle.

Plato

Guy de Maupassant

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

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Chinar

Manan Khan X

The horizon of three Enroots a majestic tree Chinar, Chinar n Chinar Hand loomed by the nature itself carved by God So charming, majestic and so broad Knows it all for six-hundred years Vast is the culture, the heritage it bears From green to yellow, and yellow to red Colourful does it remain till the autumn's fled Then comes the time when the leaves do glide On to the ground, adorned like a bride Alas! Alas! The leaves then cry Under your footsteps they crunch, they sigh!

TEACHER the TORCH BEARER. An old saying goes thus,"Teacher and Lord are standing before me. Whom should I pay my obeisance to? I bow to you my teacher.

Who guided me to God".

God brings us to the earth. But the teacher takes us up to the sky . He enables his student to occupy the highest position in life. He consumes himself like a candle in order to enlighten his student.

Children are like clay, a teacher moulds them.

When a child enters the gate of his life he comes across his teacher who moulds his personality, who would not like to praise him thus.

Teacher has divine qualities. He is simple, he is refined; He is happy if others shine, and he never cares for his life . "A mother gives birth, but the teacher gives the worth without which a man is like a purse; beautiful from outside but empty within.

When you are paying attention, there are opportunities to do good things everywhere窶進f you really look for them.

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Farewell, little girl Sarmad Abbas XII Exquisite, intricate floral and almond designs Dyed on honey窶芯oloured skin are dark.

Yet what be stronger than the feeling at farewell?

For mother it was just in the morrow That the colour of mehendi faded from her hands, And now her daughter is being decorated with the same colour.

When they get her ready, they sing: "Oh girl, you are our beloved girl" Then they escort her away, to the gate, singing: "Oh guest lady, you are going to your (destined) home".

In that single hour does she transform from an innocent little girl to a lady, to leave home with a stranger, whom she had only seen a couple of times before?

Has she to leave her home forever to live in different place, which they refer to as her real home.

But that home, she has never been to earlier and the doors and corridors aren't familiar to her.

How wouldn't she get lost between the rooms when even the odour that hangs in the air is so different.

When she will in the morrow wake up she won't be greeted by father with a smile, and a kiss on the forehead, but a strange face she will see; will he even smile at the innocent girl?

Father has however given her hand to a man!

Now, while she's leaving he wipes his tears and hugs her like that perhaps for the last time for the last time as a girl.

And mother continues to cry, picks up her veil a bit and puts it over her own head, and then both of them cry bidding good bye.

As she sits in the car mother strokes her hand over the window glass Slowly. then, slowly, The car drives away.

This journey takes her through the end of girlhood And enters her into womanhood, Where she is expected to be a gentle lady; not to act by will, but under order and direction, to act selfless, slitting the throat of her desires.

Now, after she has left, the mother disappears for sometime Into desolation.

They say the guest girl they attended to for so long is being sent home finally.

But there her brows will always be raised in worry.

She won't hear the sound of her brother's laughter, but mother窶進n窶人aw's scolding will be frequent.

Who will claim to be like her own mother; but the girl only knows the difference.

And will husband treat her well this is the greatest anxiety of father even in his deepest sleep.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Tears

Sarmad Abbas XII

I have risen when the sun hath fallen and the sun shall rise when I have fallen: when the sun will rise to the sky, i will be set beneath the soil. and when then the sun will set i will rise to tranquillity; tranquillity will then gaze me in the face: eye to eye.

The dust may glitter in the sun but it finds tranquillity only in a moon‐lit night. and that is why the dust: me‐‐ loves moon more than sun. and because the dust finds peace beneath the moon, and not under sun, the moon illuminates when the sun hath set out. how is dust different from moon: both clean and pure; and not like sun‐‐ ablaze? my rest rests with moon, under the dust. only moon can penetrate a bosom, sun can cause it to but sweat. how'd sun then comfort me?‐‐ never.

When once I've risen to tranquillity i will never again set then or rise yet, 'cause that will be the ultimate height and also the last depth of the ocean. i can go deeper in depths and still rise, simultaneously: rise deeper into depths and get intimate with the base of the greatest height‐‐ all in the same moment because height and depth are the same in peace. the sun can never reach there: it can only rise in the sky. hence it is peace‐some‐‐never.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Mehvish Manzoor XII

Tears seem to be a very simple word, but its not just a word it is much more than that. Tears are our real friends. There are some moments when our best friends leave us, but tears, they are always with us in happiness, in grief, in solitude all the time.......chemically tears are only salt and water, but these are those who accompany us when we are sad , when we are happy , when we miss someone, when our parents scold us, when someone hurts us, when we lose someone very dear and even when no one is there with us........ only tears are there.

My tears are more dear to me than my smile.

They always come, when i need them even for a while.

They are not like a smile which seldom comes.

They remain always with me here there and everywhere.

Sometimes they roll out due to fear and sometimes due to someone very dear.

I pray to God to accept my sincere prayer not to make my tears run away because they are my best friends and i need them every now and then.

“ No

one wants to die, yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. It is life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Your time is limited, so don't be trapped by dogma which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. I have always wished that for myself. Now, I wish that for you .Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Steve Jobs

“

Rise

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

13

My Lord

Sumaira Gull XI

I have always shed tears to overcome all my fears but understanding is what they lack mocking me behind my back the love and touch of care is searched but found no where hope was there but is now no more darkness in my heart is at the deepest core but i won't give up i won't i will ask them to hurt me no more Hatred and pain all over me suffering is all around what i see God! give me peace strengthen me with ease your faith is what will make me live only in You MY LORD i believe !

Teddy Bear

Zainub VI

My cute teddy bear With it everything I share It always listens to what I say Sitting on my lap all day

The Sea

Areshva Mir VI

The waves are high The waves are low Some parts are deep Some not so It's so beautiful With tropical fish Being over there is Everyone's true wish The blue waters Touch the golden sand It's the most enchanting land The white seagulls Fly overhead Every child ill Will jump out of bed From creatures great To creatures small From seabed's deep To icebergs tall This magical land What could it be Its nothing else but The great majestic sea.

It cannot talk And cannot walk It cannot sweep And cannot weep It cannot lie And cannot cry My sweet little teddy bear Of which I always Take care.

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Amazing Facts  A snake can live without food for at least one year without losing weight.  There were some dinosaurs that were as small as hen.  Ass is an animal that sleeps while standing.  A hill in South America changes its colour every day.  An owl has vision 100 times sharper than human beings.  Dolphins can imitate human speech or even laughter.  One gram of venom of a king cobra can kill 150 people.  The largest lizard is 135 kg in weight which is known as Komata dragon.  A humming bird weighing 2 to 3 grams eats about 25 kg food per day.  Cockroaches have been known to live for weeks after their heads are cut off.

Go ahead & Giggle ….

Instant health booster: Laughter is indeed the best medicine. A hearty laugh feels good and is shown in studies to bring many benefits.

Boosts immunity: T‐cell antibodies which fight infections appear to increase with laughter ,the physical response to humour.

Improves your mood: Wit and distressing emotions can't occupy the same mental space‐laughter can actually block out bad feelings.

Eases aches: Researchers have repeatedly found that humour may increase pain tolerance.

Relieves stress: Several studies have shown that levels of cortisol (stress hormone) drop substantially in response to laughter.

Change in outlook: Humour relieves negative thoughts associated with physical and emotional health complications.

So keep laughing hah‐hah –hah

“ History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.

B.C. Forbes

“

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

15

Damini's diary.…..

Hishma Nazir XII

An hour of white robes, a day of mourning, a week of protest, a month of remembrance and 'nothing ever happened'…. The pigeon sheds a feather as my story reaches its spine, people gather at the crossing to protest my savage murder as I lay here tightly gripping the bed sheet, with quivering lips and closely shut eyes. I am choked, I want to shriek and mourn my pitiful present, the inner screams of my tormented soul cascade ruthlessly down my body yet fail to pass beyond; I never heard silence this loud!

As I struggle to open my eyes which have been soaked in the delicacy of my father's dreams, my lids shut down automatically, for the reality of my present is too harsh for my eyes to face. I am brutally murdered, I suddenly become a headline of the kind any girl wouldn't ever dream of, I am mourned by the entire nation and equally suddenly would I be forgotten too, I know. My soul weeps out in the darkness of my pitiful present, shrieking out loud to be heard, seen and let out‐ only to face the echo of its own screams; I indeed never heard silence this loud!

The restless soul of my peacefully laid body would dolefully roam down the streets I was born in, along the paths I dreamt of being to and through the alleys my soul was robbed off‐ leaving me acceptable to none. Like any girl, I too dreamt of being popular and desired to be known far and wide.

With the kind of name I have now gained, I feel like living a life of that girl in the slum in filth and destitution and be known to my family and my family alone! My life now is like that night of hopelessness and helplessness you await to end sooner than soon. Silence, solitude and darkness suddenly become home. That something inside me chained struggles to shriek out loud to relieve the weight of my tormented soul, pacify myself with the echo of my own screams and retire gradually to an endless sleep.

The mirror appears an enemy for it reflects my reality‐ which will float unaccepted till my heart beats its last. As I raise my head, my eyes for the first time can't gaze into their reflection; what used to be held high with pride falls gradually to acute. My soul dies a death every time it comes to terms with its present and I am long dead before the doctors declare me so!

Till the culprits of my savage brutal murder are hanged to death, my oppressed soul would continue to be oppressed, innumerable times in ways innumerable when a girl is teased, a lady is harassed, a woman is raped or a wife is tortured.You talk of freedom and preach of freedom but do not let us act so freely. It is easy to talk of nouns; 'freedom', 'security' and equally difficult of having them in the verb; no woman could proudly narrate of being 'free' and 'secure'. Delhi lit its lanes with candles to express social awakening to heinous crimes; the same lanes turned dark when asked for help at the critical hour. People in spacious cars didn't bother to lift two helpless youngsters in dying conditions up to a hospital, back home they relax a while, change and take to streets to celebrate a Diwali with lit candles!

They suddenly protest my rape in their leisure time! Lighting candles won't help; try to awaken your conscience which is in a dark, deep slumber.

Of having survived in a country like India, I would have soon been dreaming a dream; of being viewed like an ordinary girl in the crowd just like the one standing next to me is; of being counted as just another human being! I would have been struggling to show the world that I still can sense and feel, that when they pinch me I still get hurt, I still possess those five senses; I still am a human! With the doctors declaring the tottering body of my long dead soul, critical, their line becomes a headline there in my nation…. As the world prays I survive, I may perish‐I pray!

And finally the chilly air enters my lingering body for once to never leave back; I breathe my last.

Thank you God, I am dead for I know the people who today lit candles down the streets, shrieked out

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

slogans at the top of their pitches and were flamed into anger are the ones who tomorrow, if I somehow managed to survive, all would cast shameful looks at me and view me not like a human but a hoodoo for themselves and the nation. The girls in my neighbourhood would be threatened of being accidentally found anywhere around me. I would be denied a normal, respectable life. I am happy, I am no more. I am leaving the streets of this city to never come back to the horrifying lanes of my past. But, I would choose to be reborn in this nation‐ 'my' nation if my death turns out to be a sacrifice in ensuring that no Damini meets a similar fate, in the history of this country, ever again.

“ The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved “

for ourselves or rather loved inspite of ourselves.

Victor Hugo

Give it a thought....

Footprints in the Sand “ One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you."

“

Mary Stevenson

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

17

Leaving my childhood behind

Hishma Nazir XII

I still think about that 7th birthday, that sense of elation of overwhelm.

It takes courage to admit that you have been stupid and ludicrously so. The fervor with which I spruced up the 13 birthday candles on the first day of the 13th year of my being. The sense of acclaim filling my yet juvenile heart, now strikes me with awe. Could I be exultant at something so frivolous and rather superficial? Each passing year seemed like an ordeal and I was blithe at “THE END”, jubilant at getting old with each passing day. It seemed well‐suited at the time, leaving our childhood and childishness behind.

This body lives for the present yet the past holds moments unforgettable specially the days of my infancy.

How often did we perpetrate mistakes ,like when in the jitters of my first day at school I even forgot to take my schoolbag. How I once lost my pencil box and lunch box on the same day and that morning when I dropped my water colours on the dining table. But everything was overlooked, laughed at and forgotten but this childhood thing is pretty impatient. It comes and goes.

All the while we stargaze for a magic wand to make it hurry somehow and when it does we grieve in nostalgia. We wish for the return of the lost days of cradle and sincerity but all in vain and sure enough, we do start singing the blues. “I wish I had…..” this line gets so embedded in our phraseology that we can't get enough of it! I fancy rehearsing my nursery rhymes again. Jack and Jill seemed silly at the time, if I had any idea of what lay ahead; even Humpty Dumpty might've appeared adorable. The pretty frock which at the time made me look like the little red riding hood now mirrors a lost treasure on once upon a time fairyland filled with Prince Charmings, Snow Whites and Cinderellas! This is not depression neither is it gloom that we wish for the speeding Porsche. The fact that daddy's little girl has grown. Finally she has a driving license.

No more bugging Pa for a lift. How ironic that no longer do we stick around till the stroke of midnight on a new year's eve, as if it is just another passing day. To think that you'll be counting your grey hair after a few more years puts a big lump in your throat. How unfair that after years of copied assignments, shared lunchboxes, stupid jokes and silly nicknames we have to go our separate ways. Live separate lives with aliens who have no idea about the pranks we played on our dead set grade teacher.

How unfair! Today we are the rebellious 12th graders and next day job seekers for some uptown posh firm. But no matter what “LIFE GOES ON EVEN AFTER THE THRILL OF LIVING IS GONE” and optimism teaches us to hope for the return of non age…..and return it does, over the hill…life comes a full circle after all….

“ The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, but as long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over. And so we have to labour and to work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams. Those dreams are for India, but they are also for the world, for all the nations and peoples are too closely knit together today for anyone of them to imagine that it can live apart.

Jawaharlal Nehru

“

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

He Made My Day These are one of those days -when I find myself laugh at the simplest of things.

Those days, when I sip A cup of tea and whisper His name.

Those days, when I'm bewildered

By His mercy, His benevolence, His love for all forms of life on Earth.

Yes, it's one of those days.

Which often come when my heart smiles.

They splash their feet on the sparkling water And bid adieu until the next meeting.

Yes, it's one of those days, that make my heart shine with joy.

However transparent they may seem, their warm hands are so inviting.

One of those days, when I thank my Creator for making me thankful.

Where I ask Him to increase my love.

One of those days, where I find respite from Satan's whispers.

A bounty; this day.

So beautiful, so enchanting.

I'd want to shout out

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Hameeda Syed XII

words of kindness, make somebody's day.

Ruffle a kid's hair -just how they do it in the movies.

I want to hug every girl I meet Pat every hardworking woman I visit Smile at every cat I see And wink at every dog I puff my chest upon.

But I'm content with praising.

And so I praise Him. I praise His Creations.

I can never seem to get through.

Yes, this day is certainly that day.

The day I look up towards the sky, The day I stand awestruck when I see beauty.

The day I smile when I see Love for Him. The day I marvel when I see His home.

Have you ever had such days?

When you feel you can't get enough of God's beauty?

Or has He just chosen this very trait for me?

I shrug and continue swirling my cup of tea.

Thank God, I have tea -unlike others suffering in the world.

Yes, I know what day this is.

This day marks my thankfulness -the day I praise every creation of His The day I lower my gaze when the accursed whispers.

The day I wear my battle suit.

Definitely that day.

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

19

Handicap - A Burden Or A Challenge

Usheem Syed XII

The physically challenged need support of course, in terms of assistive devices like wheelchairs etc, but maybe there is something else that paralyses their life more than the pain and inability to live to the fullest. Behind every handicap lies a very complex psychology, which makes them yearn for independence. Our first thought of a disabled, probably neglects the other side of the person. We hardly realize the intricate threads of emotion that have been sewn into them. Doctors might not be able to cure many a disabled people, but people like you and me can perhaps avert, as well as support the disabled. I know a person who has fallen prey to poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio and an easy vaccination could've prevented her from polio. She spent her entire life serving her brothers, sisters and their families... However, today when she is in ailing discomfort, sick and bed ridden, she considers herself a burden on everyone who helps her. About four decades ago, she refused to marry. Why! She never even sought any proposals. And this is all thanks to her ever impaired thoughts. A person is never disabled by the things he does, more than his thoughts. Behind every great invention and every accomplished personality, there lies a great thought, and a desire for independence. We may; as a society, accept the handicap of such people but it is apparently more important to heal their ideology and make them feel no different.

Very recently, a group of taboo infested people killed nurses in Nigeria, against the use of the polio vaccine. The role of education is indeed rising exponentially nowadays. Now for instance, a child can be disqualified from his race to independence, by the irrational disease of illiteracy. If a society is literate enough to educate its people about such an asset of science, we can successfully cherish the decrease in death rate and call ours, a developed society.

20 AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Imperfect yet Flawless

Hazika Bashir Bhat XII

The vale of abating snow, of Lal Ded, Nund Reshi, Mehjoor, of wilted chinar leaves, unsung heroes and forgotten warriors, the land of the brave and the heroic, of beauties and beasts, saints and shrines, parodies and prodigies, the valley of my Kashmir. The snow clad Himalayas give a fleeting glimpse, a foretaste of the valiant populace who brave chilling winters, freezing waters, and dying men.

The silent Jhelum heading forward with patience resembles the never ending endurance of the survivors; it gives a glimpse into the hearts of the hushed outlasts waiting to be burst open and wide. The steadfast thud of boots heading towards that beckoning voice at the crack of dawn speaks volumes on the enduring faith of their owners, devotion that even withstood the disaster of the quake. The epic never does change one bit. The silence of early morning and the hubbub of late evening glorifies the hope of yet another day, yet another era.

The rays of the shining sun, however feeble present evidence of the approaching spring and departing gloom. Yes,when sounth is near. the flakes of falling snow on the silent cedars in the secluded woods celebrate the refreshed world. Such beauty is absent elsewhere. Yet the fact remains that people bestowed with a wondrous abode and ever sustaining comrades can be naïve enough to go about seeking solace in the glare of the basking sun; baffling somehow but disquieting even more. What is more serene than the drooping snow? What is more enthralling than that sneaky star? The pale sky above the chilly carpet is a healing bruise on the face of a daring warrior, let the new life come. Look in the eyes of the prosaic ancient, there is a world in there, speak to the heart of the juvenile youth, there is a universe waiting and see through the bluff of the illusive tot there is wisdom disguised. No other creed can equal the warmth of the folks of my Kashmir, surpass the grace of the majestic pine which fell and rose, lowered yet poised. Hitherto thwarting the wounds by the occasional devil, we continue to live and not just survive emboldening the belief “ecstasy imperishable”!

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

21

Jhelum Tears

Madeeha Majid XII

It's silent in here. Vacuum sounds.

It's blank in here. Archaic words.

It's lifeless in here. Misplaced souls.

And not so far, Jhelum flows.

From the place where you stand, I know she looks wonderful.

Serene, like she was meant to be.

From the place I am in, I know she's sorrowful.

Suffering like you cannot see.

And somehow, Jhelum flows.

Winter's child, you should have stayed aloof.

Look what warmth did to you.

Shivering grounds, the sun burnt your roof.

Look what came to be true.

I wonder how, Jhelum flows?

Mountains stand still. Covered with ice-head.

Your heart is frozen. Even more dead.

Like the spring heat, slowly makes the glaciers flow, You wait for a simmer to deice your heart, to let go.

Of the cold that dwells inside of here, Of the wishes that went right up in the air.

Vanished.

Wait, for Jhelum flows.

Once in a very long time, while glancing at former years, I wake up from the slumbering rime, and the snowy hills, as spring nears, let streams open.

Jhelum flows.

I let loose the rills, and gushing brooks come to you.

Like tears. Waterfalls. Floods. And Jhelum flows.

The Dear Departed Madeeha Majid XII

It is the date that has left me entirely wounded. I still remember the ice cold body of my Daadu lying there and all my family members (around him crying and craving for his last ''Good Bye''. I consider myself to be very unlucky for not getting the last chance to meet him as my books snapped off that chance.

Those cries of anger and frustration are still echoing in my ears. The last words I heard that day were my father's ''woh guzar gaye'' 1 After that everything went blank and then all I could hear was the loud noise of the silence. I still remember the poem I wrote for him few years back and he was overwhelmed. “You entered my life and came To brighten my life like a flame The first step that came from you I sensed a friendship coming through Something is for sure It's never too late for a door To be opened to someone to adore On whom you can always rely To never let anything make you cry Even if it does I'll make them dry I thank God again and again For sending me an angel that will remain Inside my heart deep in my brains".

Since the day he left , there is the gruesome loneliness around me. I wish I was there with him till his last breath, he would have cherished that moment as our last minutes together. My family lost its ears and eyes that day. His energy, enthusiasm, vigour and vitality made him one of the most important cogs in the wheel of our development.

Now I know the meaning of 'human transient feet' better than I did last year. You never know if you will have another beautiful moment together with your loved one.

So give as much time as you can to your grandparents and parents because you never know what will happen tomorrow. I just have his memories left with me and nothing else. But I know that one day I am going to meet him again and a new love will blossom. The silence of my soul within me is screaming loud to meet her best friend � my Daadu's soul.

All I can say is that 'its silence silences' till I meet him again. "When you don't know anything in your life, don't lose the book (Life) just turn the page," this quote of my Daadu is what's helping me to move on.

22 AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Female Foeticide

Usheem Syed XII

Banning an all girls' show while the boys are attending interviews, this is called gender chauvinism. Offering compassion to a relative who has delivered a girl after two others; that is believing in patriarchy.

It is necessary for all of us to know why women empowerment is a much debated topic, especially in India. If not in every corner of India then at least certainly in places like Punjab, where there are 35% more boys at the time of birth than girls. The UN children's agency UNICEF says it's a problem of "genocide proportions" and that 50 million women are missing in India because of female foeticide and infanticide ‐ the killing of baby girls. Local farm worker, Bimal Singh ‐ like thousands of people ‐ was left without income, and so he thought it was good news when a neighbour offered his 16‐year‐old daughter Basanti a job in Delhi. They never heard from her again. Tens of thousands of girls disappear in India every year. They are sold into an ill fate of domestic slavery and into marriage in the northern states of India where the sex ratio between men and women has been skewed by the illegal ‐ but widespread ‐ practice of aborting girl fetuses. According to another article by Natalia Antelava, a BBC World Service, reporter.

In Calcutta she managed to see a man who sells girls for a living. He doesn't want to give his name ,but speaks openly about the trade."The demand is rising, and because of this growing demand I have made a lot of money. I now have bought three houses in Delhi. I traffic 150 to 200 girls a year, starting from age 10, 11 and older, up to 16, 17," he says."

In places like Haryana, people are rich and own huge farmlands, owing to which they want sons who can inherit their property. The main reason behind female foeticide‐ Dowry. People who consider girls a burden do so because with the birth of a girl, there comes a bill of the dowry that has to be paid. So it is this pile of filthy money, that people have considered costlier than life. A mother who sugars doctors and commits such a crime, many years later has to hunt for a bride for her son. Female feticide is a punishable offense, and so is determination of sex. Places like Kashmir are a good example of literacy where women are comparatively well respected... But.. Does the recent acid attack victim have to tell a different story? And the 'All girls' show that so often quits? Hearing such tales and once again, the need for sympathy, for a woman who has three daughters, predicts a silent aroma of male chauvinism in our society as well.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

23

Sixteen Years

Henna Bashir Hamdani XII

The end is nearing I see it as a new vista, a new opening Where another end is beginning A stage I am passing Sadly crossing My heart wants staying But time has no stopping I walk here, I walk there: Myself consoling As my life lies undone, mercy begging For me to live, though I am clinging To the old memory lane, it's a tearful parting Heart is within continuously beating Every beat is apprehensive and repeatedly pleading I love the life I lived sixteen years, confusing The fact that it is leaving Can it never come back? I keep asking Useless question! No answering Though the end is nearing I must keep striving To make a living All things enduring Wish life could have a better meaning

My Sister

Abdul Wasi II

I have a cute little sister who is so sweet With small soft hands and cute little feet She calls me Bhaiya, I call her Sis I give her chocolate and she gives me a kiss She likes to dress up with a ribbon and a lace And I like her best with a smile on her face.

Spring

Tooba Owais VI

Out of the cave! Out of the hole!

Bear, rabbit, little mole, Hatched from eggs in a nest, in trees!

The birds are back and So are the bees. The flowers bloom.

The leaves are green‌ How do they know when it is spring?

Peer-Pressure Just to look cool or to be a part of a cool gang, students start misbehaving. They think behaving negatively is the only way to become famous and that too very quickly. Popular adolescents are more vulnerable to peer pressure. They think drinking alcohol, smoking up, taking drugs etc is cool and this influences other students too who are less well known because even these less known students have an urge to become popular .Everybody wants to get noticed and they feel smoking etc are the fastest ways to make themselves noticed. Also some of us have a strong will power but some of us do not and it becomes difficult for them to resist this .Researches also show that being in the popular crowd may also be a risk factor for mild to moderate deviant behavior.

Peer pressure is most commonly associated with youth as they spend large amount of time in schools colleges and coaching centers that they did or did not choose themselves and hence its seen that they lack maturity to handle pressure from friends. Peer pressure is basically an influence that a peer group or individual exerts, that encourages others to change their attitudes values or behaviours. A person affected by peer pressure may or may not want to belong to these groups. But the fact they aren't aware of is that even if they get popular by doing these negative things, that fame is not going to last forever and by the time they realize this fact either they are addicted or it's too late. There is only one way to deal with peer pressure. It is learn to say "NO".

24 AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Love Nun Chai, but Beware of Excess Salt Noor'ain-Ansari XII

If we could end our love affair with salt we would save tens of thousands of lives in Kashmir and millions around the world, says a new finding. Reduce to half, daily consumption from 9‐12 gms a day, the goal set a decade ago, could prevent 2.5 million deaths due to heart diseases and strokes globally.

Professor Graham Macgregor of the Wolfsan Institute of Preventive Medicine at Barts and the London Medical School, a lifelong campaigner on the dangers of salt and author of a review of 34 trials involving 3,000 adults published in the British Medical Journal said the findings showed a “modest reduction” in salt consumption led to significant falls in blood pressure.

“This will … reduce strokes, heart attacks, and heart failure. Furthermore, our analysis shows a dose‐response relation — that is, the greater the reduction in salt intake, the greater the fall in blood pressure,” Professor Macgregor and colleagues said.

“All countries should adopt a coherent and workable strategy to reduce salt intake. A reduction in population salt intake will have major beneficial effects on health along with major cost savings in all countries around the world.”

The World Health Organization recommends salt consumption is reduced to 5‐6 gms a day but Professor Macgregor says this does not go far enough.

Doubts about the wisdom of reducing salt have been raised in the last two years by rival researchers. A review of 167 studies by Niels Graudal of Copenhagen University , Denmark in 2011 found while cutting salt reduced blood pressure it increased hormones and fats in the blood that “could be harmful if persistent over time.”

Professor Macgregor said the review was flawed because many of the trials were short term and thus irrelevant in the context of a public health recommendation for a modest reduction in salt consumption over a long period.

He also dismissed two papers in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2011 which claimed lowering salt increased heart deaths rather than decreasing them. They had many “methodological flaws,” including errors in assessing daily salt intake.

So next time when you ask your Mama to brew a cup of Nun Chai make sure salt in your cup is within limits.

GANDHI JAYANTI CELEBRATIONS

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

25

Electronic Media – Anything but a boon!

Mukarram Wahid XII

I would like to begin by referring to three incidents, a 53 year old slashed his neck while talking to his girlfriend on Skype, a young boy who was mercilessly killed at a tuition center in Mumbai, and of course the cold blooded murder of Asrar Mushtaq. In all these three cases the Electronic Media had a role to play.

Is the Electronic Media still a boom? What can be seen today, is that the Electronic Media takes one away from the reality of our lives, it makes us violent and aggressive, and it also weakens our capacity to retain what we hear or read. However, the Electronic Media is to be viewed not just as a mode of communication that has had certain effects on society, but rather as a social phenomenon i.e. in the context of the various social, political and economic processes that have actually determined the nature, functioning and impact of this mode of communication. In that regard one cannot ignore the role of Modernism, and it is in this context that I would like to put forward the following two points:‐ Firstly, the Electronic Media as a consequence of being conditioned by Modernism is a propagator of it. It cannot be denied that it is the Electronic Media that has played a leading role in the spread of Modernism amongst the youth, and the consequent loss of heterogeneity in our world.

Modernism through the Media continuously calls the youth towards a worldview that accepts no other.

Clearly, we cannot afford the youth to either think or function in that manner.

Secondly, although the electronic media decimates information more efficiently we must remember that information does not necessarily represent quality. Undoubtedly, the Media has provided the youth with loads of data and information but quite visibly has failed to transform them into knowledge and wisdom, for had it been otherwise the world today would have been much more selfless and therefore more harmonious.

Finally, I would like to conclude by quoting Dalai Lama from his “The Paradox of our Age”:‐ “We built more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication;” Although it cannot be denied that the Electronic Media has helped us communicate better, man no more is in harmony with virgin nature, with other human beings or with his own self, and when viewed thus, the Electronic Media is certainly not a boom for the youth of today.

Dipsites attended International Life Skills, Values, Gender, School Health & Well Being Summit on 16th, 17th & 18th December 2013 at Ball Bhawan New Delhi organised by CBSE in collaboration with Expressions India.

26 AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

GREEN ECONOMY : Does it include you?

Zainab Raina XII

The first thing we all need to know is what basically a green economy is. To put it in most simple terms, a green economy is one which results in the following three conditions: It should result in improved human well being.

It should result in social equity.

It should result in significant reduction of ecological risks.

So, any country which satisfies the following three conditions can be termed as a green economy. Now, the question posed to us today is 'Is India a green economy?' My answer is a clear NO. My views are not borne out of cynicism but very authentic arguments. I am not denying the fact that India is trying hard and has the potential to become a model green economy but what needs to be realised is that there is a huge difference in being a green economy and striving to become one. Today, not just India, every nation is pressing hard to create its own green economy design but that does not make every nation a green economy. Certainly not!

Well, you all will be shocked to know that India produces 5% of the world CO2 emissions. We all know that India is a developing country and Indian economy continues to grow apace with an estimated 9�10% growth for 2011�12. As a result of this continued economic growth and the huge population, the CO2 emissions is likely to increase.

Yes, India is starting to build up momentum; cycles were replaced by scooters which are now being replaced by cars and with those cars comes the increased CO2 which the world fears.

Well, Why is India not a green economy?? After all, we have a huge population that can work towards it.

Why don't we make this shift? We will generate green jobs, we will cut down on pollution and we will eradicate poverty too. Also shifting to a greener economy creates opportunity for jobs, so that also solves our unemployment issue.

How simple does it sound, but is it really that simple? NO! The basic requirement to shift to a green economy is to create jobs in all sectors and all companies, which is not possible in a highly corrupt nation like India where every single person, from the labourer to the minister is focused to mint more and more money for his own selfish interest.

As a matter of fact, India is the 4th most corrupt nation in Asia, Kashmir heading corruption in all the states. We all know that Kashmir is gifted with tremendous natural beauty, but it very painfully is one of the most polluted states. The very famous Dal Lake is also losing its charm because of high rates of pollution.

The Indian nation is estimated to have a third of the world's poor, statistics revealing that 41.6% of the total Indian population constitutes the poor. Recently, The UN Development report targeted India as a major environmental polluter but being a developing country, the main aim of the Indian government is to eradicate the poverty and strengthen the economy, irrespective of the damage to the environment.

It is clear from the above mentioned facts that India is not a green economy, actually very far from it. It still is long ahead for India to go green!!

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

27

Nostalgic Kashmiriyat - An Illusion or a Reality?

Mukarram Wahid XII

What needs to be noted is that the popular usage of the term “Kashmiriyat” is devoid of what that term actually signifies. The use of this term cannot be constrained by definitions provided by politicians or people in the academic world, for most definitions fail to capture the essence of that traditional spirit that this word actually ought to represent, and to take this argument even further, we do not need such a term, for it is being both overused and misused. The spirit of harmonious co‐existence, which is the central theme of “Kashmiriyat”, is real, though it has been misrepresented. My talk can therefore also be treated as a reinterpretation of that spirit, one that had no name but was fully realized and actualized.

That for me constitutes the “reality” of “Kashmiriyat.”

Now, how does “Kashmiriyat” continue to define Kashmiri culture? The answer is partly clear from my initial assertion, that “Kashmiriyat” is a “reality;” meaning that in as much as “Kashmiriyat” is a “reality” it is not subject to change as a result of the accident of being hit by conflict. The “reality” of “Kashmiriyat” lies not in an abstract philosophy of pluralism, but in a concrete realization of universal brotherhood, rooted in the particularity of one's own tradition. What we mean by this is that true “Kashmiriyat” is rooted in an organic and natural feeling of love, compassion and mercy towards one another, rather than an artificial bond created by man that is based on the assumption of giving up or weakening one's particularity. It is thus, that Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims continued to be loyal to the particular values that made them distinct, yet remained loving neighbors of each other. This feeling still remains amongst most Kashmiris, Muslims and Pandits, with the Pandits more than willing to come back, and the Muslims ready to welcome them. The hindrances have been created by conflict; and since Kashmiriyat is more of a spirit, the effects of conflict fail to take away from it the quality of being “real”. As long as we as Kashmiris keep alive the true spirit of “Kashmiriyat” in our hearts, we just need to wait for the right moment in order to give expression to that spirit. Undoubtedly the resolution of the political problem of Jammu & Kashmir offers the best “right moment,” but any other opportunity can and must be utilized.

From the perspective we are considering, Modernism is a far greater challenge to “Kashmiriyat” as it seeks to define or redefine “Kashmiriyat” from a point view that undermines the traditional basis of “Kashmiriyat.” I have no answer to this argument, but would like to express a desire to see Kashmiri Culture resist this dangerous trend of succumbing to Modernism.

Finally, I would like to conclude by reiterating my basic theme, that is, the indicators of “Kashmiriyat” are not the prejudices and stereotypes that have developed over the years or the unwanted incidents of violence and aggression that take place, rather “Kashmiriyat” is to be understood and felt as a spirit beyond all of these relative situations, and when viewed thus, “Kashimriyat” continues to remain a reality in our times. The biggest proof of this is a 'longing', a “nostalgic” feeling towards “Kashmiriyat”, to live once more as we used to, despite all that has happened.

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

Share our similarities, celebrate our differences Zainab Malik XI

There are different people in this world. People belonging to different religions, cultures and faiths. But still we stand together, stand united despite all the differences. There is a need to celebrate our differences because God has created this world and made it diverse and varied, yet beautiful. If everyone was to be the same and there would have been no difference, living in such a world would have been like living in a prison. Seeing the same four walls every day. Same opinions, same perspectives, same objectives and same goals. No individuality. Imagine living in a world with only deserts all around us or for that matter only water or forests. It would be like a painting with no colour. It would be all the same without conflict. But this painting looks beautiful when all the different colours blend in perfect harmony.

And the world is beautiful because it has everything from water to mountains to forests.

I would like to mention my birth place, Jammu& Kashmir as a strong example of unity and diversity. It was in the valley that Buddhism reached the peak of its glory; Hinduism extended its frontiers into Shaivism and Shaktism. Islam acquired a new meaning in the practice of Sufism. Jammu and Kashmir is a place where different religions have been living together from centuries as one family, without communal violence. Its highly rich heritage and culture is a result of all these different people working together and being respectful and tolerant.

I quote BarbaraStreisand, an American singer‐writer.

“Just imagine how boring life would be if we were all the same. My idea of a perfect world is the one in which we really appreciate each other's differences ;short tall, black white, democrat republican, gay straight. A world in which we all are equal but definitely not the same”.

We are black, we are white. We are tall we are short. We are rich we are poor but at the end of the day we are all human beings, we are the Homo sapiens. We are from Africa, we are from Asia, we are from Europe but we belong to the same world. It may be difficult sometimes to live in a world with so many differences, but it is not impossible if we stand together, united. All we need is acceptance and tolerance.

And to celebrate our differences and share our similarities is a must because if we don't, the result will be total chaos. Like a few decades ago many fascist regimes like Hitler and Mussolini tried to justify their race being superior to others. This ended in human sufferings and killings. People around the world are very different, but at the time of need, at the time of global crisis we all stand united. No one tolerates injustice. No one tolerates hatred. And despite all the differences we share some things that make us all humans.

One of the best examples in the world where diversity is huge and yet is celebrated is INDIA. India is a vast country with a total of 33 million sq. kms. It is a country where more than 1,650 languages are spoken. Indian civilization stretches over 5000 years and provides the most distinctive feature in the coexistence of unity in diversity. A grand synthesis of cultures, religions and languages, and of people belonging to different castes and community has upheld unity and cohesiveness despite the foreign invasion. It is the synthesis which has made India a unique mosaic of cultures. Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and Christianity are the major religions besides 22 constitutionally recognized language and 100 dialects. There is diversity not only with regard to racial composition, religious and language distinctions but also in pattern of living and life style. India has a constitution providing guarantees for people of diverse religions, cultures and languages. It covers people belonging to all social‐economic strata. (Statistics: Internet)

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The greatest challenge we face in creating compatible relationships is our ability to respect and accept each other's differences. We need to acknowledge the differences and celebrate being diverse and yet be united. We need to ensure our survival as human beings and ultimately to create a unity of one human family.

I quote William Sloane, a Christian clergyman and long‐time peace activist. “Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without.”

What we need to do is use diversity as a unifying force rather than uniformity. We are different and yet we have certain things that we share. We all have emotions. We breathe the same air; our blood is the same colour and we live on the same world. That's what we need to keep in mind and celebrate being unique and different and yet being the same human family.

SPECIAL EID ASSEMBLY IN URDU & ARABIC

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

The essence of beauty is unity in variety Khadijah Jalid XI

Taking a look at the nature around us, we see the clear blue sky, the bright fiery sun, the serene lakes, the magnificent mountains, different kinds of flowers, trees, birds and animals, and how each complements the other, making it look mesmerizing to the viewer. That's the creation of the Creator from which emanates the beauty of UNITY IN VARIETY , a lesson to different places, traditions, culture, backgrounds, religions, all belonging to a single human race, Mankind! Besides the beauty, this diversity is a prerequisite for life on earth and to maintain the balance of life sustaining cycles. Will the world look as vibrant as it does if it just has a single species of flowers? No doubt the monotony would consume the beauty. Likewise, God created people – from different places, traditions, culture, background, religions, all belonging to a single human race. All around the world people have different faces, and languages but we appreciate each other's beauty and uniqueness. Even identical twins may not be the same in all aspects. God's creation is indeed beautiful because of its diversity. All of life; all of nature; all of history, and all the universe is based on the principle of interdependence, and the fact that everyone needs what someone else has, and everyone has what someone else needs. Only God is totally independent and self� sufficient. All else, and everyone else is interdependent. To live in peace and harmony, we ought to embrace the differences amongst us and let not these differences become the dividing walls between nations and communities leading to resentful relations, conflicts and wars.

Religion is the basis of our spiritual life but sometimes it's the religion itself which teaches us tolerance, patience and harmony that becomes the cause of displeasure and animosity between different communities. We need to learn to accept and respect other religions and let not religions be a cause of hatred in our hearts for others.

The colour of our skin which depends upon the kind of pigmentation cannot be the reason of us being discriminated. In the 19th century and even the 20th, people with darker complexion were treated like slaves and not as equals. This shows how terribly humans can fall and feel superior even due to something as small as their skin tone. All of this disrupts the peace and brotherhood in the world. Our skin colour can't decide how beautiful we are and what treatment we deserve, because beauty is only skin deep, and nobody can rule over us or under estimate us because of our complexion.

We should be tolerant and absorbing to other cultures. Our nature should be assimilating. The diversity in every aspect of society serves as a source of strength and wealth. The different ways of worship and belief represent underlying uniformity. They should promote a spirit of harmony and brotherhood. This is beyond all considerations of religious, regional, linguistic and sectional diversities.

My own state, Jammu and Kashmir is a place where people following different religions live together. Nevertheless harmony, through centuries, has been disrupted by miscreants; yet people still live like brothers and sisters without any discrimination on the basis of religion. They live as one, and that is what beautifies Jammu and Kashmir and makes it inspiring to the other nations. J&K is rich in culture, food, tradition, and customs, but regardless of this variety, it still serves as the symbol of unity in diversity. Jammu and Kashmir is a blend of various cultures living together in peace and love, sharing their differences and celebrating the uniqueness. The valley sets example for the other communities to promote unity, love and peace in them and accept the diversity, as it is. As a human, I think we all should protect our culture, to enhance the beauty of our diversity. India is a land of rich and diverse culture and traditions, a Land where people follow various religions, be it Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism,

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

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31

Christianity, Parsi, Judaism, a land where people speak different languages, but we all have one thing in common, which is we all are Indians. We stand as one big nation with strength and love, we stand as a nation with dignity and pride because of only one reason that is Unity in Variety. The bond that we share as Indians is unique, it is a special bond which is unbreakable, it is the bond of strength, it is unity.

People from every nation, culture and religion if unite under the common banner of humanity, the world will surely become a finer place to live in. When true unity flourishes in the world, there would be no wars and bloodshed as every nation would consider the other nation as its own and there would be brotherhood among all. There would be no discrimination among people coming from different places, religion and races. It's our responsibility as the citizens of the world to bring in love and friendship from the different parts of the world and live together as one big universal family; after all universal brotherhood can be our most precious possessions. One of the biggest changes the unity in variety brings is peace in the world. Some people live in dilemma that peace can only be attained when there is unity in similarity but the truth is peace can only be achieved when there is unity in variety. Diversity (variety) finds its value when it is coupled with unity, and unity finds its value in variety. Let no boundaries and barriers make us keep our love and togetherness bound till our country, let us share one shelter, our planet earth, with love and oneness, it is our responsibility as a human being to not only concede one another but to live together as one. We can only experience the real beauty when we all walk on this world hand in hand, knowing the differences and accepting them with open arms. The borders dividing the countries should not be the division of love and diversity of our world. Our strength lies in the oneness of the communities, in UNITY IN VARIETY.

D.P Dhar Memorial Trust / DPS SRINAGAR felicitates JKBOSE Class 10th topper

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

The Beautiful Power of Diversity

CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS

Illahay Jalali IX

All one A relation for life In this World Let diversity unify Let beauty titivate Let strength intensify our bonds Let diversity motivate Face the world With one mind With one life With one soul Forever bound As we dot the ground Like the dew drops The silver threads That Rain down We are pearls We lightly tread Yet then we shine Together brighter A new find Glue that never breaks We are one The life of all The lace for embroidery Unity's call We are a thousand pages A book in the making Conveying the story of ages The never�ending adventures Compilations of journeys The voyage of expression The expression of beauty A symbol of strength

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

33

Celebrating Unity in Diversity

DIWALI CELEBRATIONS

Haaika Shah IX

As I look around, I see so many faces All belong to different races.

All colors sit together Diversities of any kind don't matter.

They meet and greet with love and affection Not expecting the other's perfection.

They unite and walk hand in hand Though all belong to different lands To show that at heart they are one Feeling the same breeze and brightness of sun So, as the moon and stars so diverse Unite to form the universe Let's all celebrate diversity As it forms the basis of unity

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, SRINAGAR

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AFTAAB ZAAR 2013-14

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D.P. DHAR MEMORIAL TRUST LEARN TO GIVE

Delhi Public School, Srinagar Athwajan, Srinagar - 190004, J&K Phones: 0194 2467286, 2467550 Fax: 0194 2467669 Email: info@dpssrinagar.com Website: www.dpssrinagar.com