THE BIG QUESTION

Since I am inching closer to the completion of my schooling, there is this question, or rather a dilemma that bothers me whenever my mind has absolutely nothing to think about, in most cases in the sleepless nights. Not just me, but I think every scholar that goes through this phase has to ponder a lot over this one question “Which field to choose?” Class 10 is a pivotal year in every student's life. Earlier, you were on the backseat and going with the flow. But at this stage you have a lot going at the back of your mind boards, practical, projects and what not? To take a step back and contemplate about the stream to be chosen is a crucial yet dreaded stepping stone to your future. You definitely know that your decision will affect your entire life. You have to come out of your shell. You might have ten different logical reasons to choose different streams. But at the end of the day, the decision has to be yours and one that satisfies you to no regrets. For that, you have to know what you want from life.

Many of us feel that a field that we like would take a lot of sweat and patience. But that's not how it works. Our society has made some typical standards that it constantly tries to enforce upon us. “Civil Services is made for the most studious batch of people and that you have to study for years and years sacrificing all your enjoyments.” Why? Who said? The ones who never ever tried for it? Why would a child want to attempt any of these standardized fields if s/he has heard unsubstantiated statements like these since young? A negative mind will never give you a positive life. We have to normalize it. All fields are achievable as long as you have a sheer liking for it. Think about what you enjoy doing at the smallest stage. This is the moment. Push yourself, because no on else is going to do that for you. Give it a thought. Be it drawing, journaling, managing affairs or even playing. Don't just think about these two years that go into it. Rather dream about the big picture…the streams that would lead you to it. Thereby, you will know what stream to opt for. You will very soon discover that the answer to THE BIG QUESTION was just in front of you. Just don't forget, “The first step is always the hardest and winners are not different, they only do things differently.”

The Most Fearful Night

On the last day of my holidays, I decided to go for a jungle safari as I was interested in animals and watching them closely. I packed some essentials like water, some snacks, a mat, etc. After reaching the safari, I was paired with nine more girls, it was really awkward as I thought that I would be alone, but they were really friendly, so it wasn’t that weird. Soon the safari started. After some time, I felt pukey because of traveling in a car for too long so I told them that I was going to the restroom and then left. After five to ten minutes, I came out of the restroom and started to look for the other girls. I couldn’t find them so I tried to contact them but there was no network. I lost all my hope and started to return to the point from where we stared but when I was returning, I saw some shadows. I thought they were the nine girls but no, they were just some rocks. So that meant, I was lost. It was around three in the afternoon, and I heard some wolves howling, I wasn’t scared as it was coming from afar, so I ignored it and started to look for a place to rest. After walking for at least half an hour, I saw a tree. It was high and had a wide and deep place inside the trunk. I was really happy to see the tree because it was perfect to rest in.

It was getting dark, so I started to climb the tree. After climbing the tree, I placed my mat on the ground and sat there for two to three hours but soon I started to feel hungry and thirsty. Luckily, I had water and some snacks. It was around eight at the night I was sleepy as it was really dark and I heard some roars of tyrannical creatures but they could not harm me as I was sitting inside a tree and many animals can not climb a tree, therefore, I was safe. I wished that someone would find me and then I drifted to sleep. I woke up to the sound of some people calling my name, I was very happy because they were looking for me. I instantly got up and replied to their call and climbed down. I immediately recognized the nine girls, and they were with some search team members, I thanked them and the nine girls apologized for leaving me and not waiting for me. Then we went to the exit and the receptionist, and their team apologized for the trouble. It was the most fearful night yet a really good experience as I made nine new friends and tested my survival skills.

What Makes A Story Great

Stories are part of the history of every known society, where they serve to transmit knowledge,valuable information, imagination and creativity from one generation to the next.The four main elements necessary for story structure are- character, plot, setting and tension. A ‘good story’ is a well-told tale about something the reader finds relevant, intriguing, significant or utilizes its narration and storytelling to make it so.

As it is said,’Treatment triumphs Topic’. How a story is executed is more crucial to the reader than its topic. Building unique situations and tailoring a plot to push our specific protagonists to their breaking point is difficult to carry out and lay down for the progression of the story. The plot is most often about conflict or struggle that the protagonist goes through. Niel Gaiman is an expert at constructing unique plots known for his masterpiece ‘Coraline’, also adapted into a stop-motion picture, is worth a read.

Every plot obviously needs a world as its foundation, so world-building is an important key to having an immersive story that makes the readers feel riveted. The setting of the surroundings can change the atmosphere and vibe of the story completely. For example if the world is in a dystopian setting it will give the story a tragic feel, but if it is set in a mythical and fantasy world it will have a more adventure driven plot. World-building is a concept that in my opinion classic authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien dwelled upon in depth and know intimately, so checking out some of his popular works is definitely a recommendation for every bookworm.

Characters are the one of the most crucial elements in a story. A story needs ‘active’ characters meaning ones that make choices, cause events to happen and drive the story forward. An author wants to offer a different worldview and varying perspectives on life to the reader through their characters. This can also change how you think, help you understand the world and communicate with others better. Jane Austen’s stories feature characters that have depth and feel realistic, their choices and ambitions are quite relatable for many and it is easy to build an emotional connection with any of them.

Lastly, a story should not preach or tell the readers directly the moral but let the theme grow out of the story so the readers feel they’ve learned it themselves. A great story is one that is able to satisfy and inspire you regardless of finer details like its genre, setting, characters and all.

Harshita Singh

IX – A Gomti Nagar

Fun creates enthusiasm and energy … even though you are growing up, you never stop having fun.

Keeping up our promise of the holistic development of each child under our wings, the school organized “Fun Fiesta” after two years of gap due to pandemic.

Bright young active students of Pre-primary participated in different sports activities with great enthusiasm. Children came dressed up according to their races and marked their beautiful presence.

The parents cheered their kids as they participated in interesting races like- fish race, garland race, rabbit race, hula-hoop race and a special activity for the parents.

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By

Aadesh Ranjan XI-A Kanpur Road Branch

– By Aadesh Ranjan XI-A Kanpur Road Branch

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“Sky above, Earth below”

- By Aditya Pratap Singh

Class XI- C Kanpur Road Branch

Kanpur Road Branch

Dreaming, wishing and working to manifest it, are the three main aspects of life and a true example of this is our Founder Director, Mrs. Krishna Sood, who along with Mr. B.S Sood, dreamt of building an institution of repute, which could cater to the masses Throughout their life, they kept working towards realising this dream and indeed the three campuses of the Institution are a testimony to their passionate belief.

Every year, December 24 is celebrated as ‘Roshni - the annual children’s festival’ with verve and vigor to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mrs. Krishna Sood The day is always jam-packed with enchanting activities to make it memorable for one and all. This year too, the children from Playgroup to XII gave wings to their creativity on the theme ‘Dream it, Wish it, and Do it’. The festivities began with a special assembly after garlanding of the founders’ photographs.

The day resonated with relentless zeal and enthusiasm encompassing within its fold an array of events woven around the theme. To partake in the joy, the grand parents of pre-primary children were invited to narrate stories.

The artistic and creative expressions of the middle school students were displayed on canvas. The seniors marshaled up their writing, acting and team work spirit by putting up impromptu skits on the theme.

From The Eyes Of A War Victim

Dark clouds beneath eyes, Dark clouds in the sky. Not an explicit difference. The weapons replaced trees, Both with a hue of green. One burgeons life, The other prunes it -dead.

When you slept on rose beds, We had beds with serrated swords. How come we resided the same planet? Yet, lived in different worlds.

They egged us on to leave our homeland, But it was not as punitive, As when our homeland left us, Due to the berserk bombings - so repetitive.

I am a victim of death, I lost my breath, As my home had an uninvited guest! How could our weeps be comprehended? How could our wails be heard from afar? When the language they understood, Was of war. Only war.

Unspoken Unwritten

Something so strange, Hard to explain Of thoughts that hive Beneath thy mind Of force so strong yet subtle’s a chime, Show but effects in periodic time.

Of moments spend in labour and heat

The passion beneath shows impression so neat Of moments turned memory so soon In colours the actions thy mind has strewn Of life that breathe beneath still look ureal And sheds in sigh silent tears; In poems unwritten and pages lost Of battles won at one side’s cost.

‘Tis but strange And hard to explain

The ‘I’ that sings, Unspoken truths untold lies, Unwritten music in scented cries, Lacks the eye to the one that sees.

The Power Of Music

“Dear music, Thank you for always clearing my head, healing my heart, and lifting my spirits”

-Lori Deschene

Music is all around us. We hear it in the vehicle, at work, when shopping, in restaurants, and many other locations. Many establishments use music for purposes other than amusement. Music has the ability to impact people's mood and behavior, and it is no secret that it is utilized at every chance. Even before we are born, we are exposed to music in our mother's womb. Music is used to comfort, teach, entertain, serve as a medium to connect through its lyrics, medicinal purposes, and many other things. Music is utilized in a variety of ways to improve and enrich people's lives. It is a method of expressing sentiments and aspirations that are often difficult to explain verbally. One of the best uses of music is in the medical profession. Music therapy is found to have relaxing properties that can aid in the reduction of anxiety and the prevention of the detrimental consequences of stress (Stress and the Environment). This can assist by lessening the detrimental impact of the stress reaction on the body and mind. What is it about music that has such a powerful influence on the human mind and body? According to researchers, music with a powerful rhythm might trigger brain waves to match with the beat. The fast pulse promotes clearer thinking and attention, while the slower beat induces a calm, almost meditative state to help the brain. Its effects are noticeable even after you stop listening. Music is a practically universal aspect of religion because it connects to and delightfully elevates human senses, allowing humans to praise through a pleasant medium. Religion makes use of music to communicate one's devotion and enthusiasm.

Using music to promote products is an effective technique for a firm to capture the attention of a potential client or customer and persuade them to buy the product or service that they are offering. Jingles are frequently easier to recall than simple facts. Many businesses employ prominent singers or songs to promote their products. By employing music in advertising, the corporation hopes that the audience will link the song or tune with the product or service so that when they hear the song, they will think of the product or service. This is a terrific method for people to remember what they are selling. Music is sometimes utilized merely for amusement and is used to accompany numerous group and individual activities. Music is played at areas such as dance clubs and gyms to create a sense of strength and motivation to keep going. Faster music will govern the speed at which you exercise or dance, or will put you in the mood to undertake any of these activities. Music is nearly always utilized in films to create a sense of tension or excitement. It is used by tearjerker movies to hype an emotional reaction of empathy. As you can see, music is knitted into the fabric of our culture and will always be. Music has various applications and hidden meanings and applications. Who knew music could be such a powerful weapon with so many impacts on the human body and mind? Its abilities range from amusement and fun to healing, stress reduction, and establishing a blissful environment for us.

Sukriti XI-A

My City of Poems

Tapestry of Ruby red sonnets flowing like a river, Ballads giving the feel of forever, Empyrean epics glistening like the stars, Parade of nacreous narratives marching in the fortress afar. Architecture built through the canvas of metaphoric dreams, Doors painted with the murals of idyllic gleams; Elysian memories radiating as the streetlights, Mauve gardens reciting the bed time tales in the dim nights. I create societies depicting the prologues of my story, Clubbing the passages of my epilogue's Glory; My town of poetry narrates the untold odes and prose of yore, With the bygone muses unwilling to soar. Eventide's dew becomes the noctograph of any blind, The ambrosial cadence reflecting the pictograph of my mind. This is the City of My poem.

Tanya Srivastava XII-B

“ACCEPTING CRITICISM – AN ART”

Accepting criticism is an art very few people have been able to master. Most people try to avoid confrontation by denying what has been said, defending themselves, or trying to find a scapegoat. This negative attitude to criticism is in my view, a sign of insecurity. A confident person knows and accepts his strengths and weaknesses. An insecure person, on the other hand, tries to hide himself from the world. The spontaneous fear accompanying criticism is not there from birth; it is a product of education. By strengthening self- confidence one can unlearn this mode of behavior. Listening quietly without immediately interrupting, by trying to give explanations and excuses is in my opinion a precondition for differentiating between justified and unjustified criticism. Even if at the moment the criticism appears unjust and hurts, it could contain some grain of truth which one realizes later. If a person constantly interrupts the person criticizing and feels hurt, he then not only protects himself from hearing something unpleasant, but also robs himself of the opportunity to learn something about himself, thus constraints his further development. Many people are unable to differentiate between personal and impersonal criticism. They take every criticism to heart and immediately consider themselves a failure or an innocent victim. Whether the criticism is painful or not depends to a large extent on the way it is presented. No one can manipulate another person against his will. A truly confident person is better able to deal with criticism than an insecure person. Unfortunately, emotions see the matters quiet differently. Likewise, a bad conscience can trouble a person even when he had done no wrong, but merely failed to do something he assumes others had expected of him. From the rational perspective, criticism can be both necessary and salutary. It is nothing to be ashamed of because 'no one is perfect'. Besides not all criticism is justified. Some only criticize as a backlash from their inability to appreciate themselves.

Vibha Srivastava (Teacher)

Mathematics

The golden ratio and symmetry

Every construction’s backbone is Geometry Algebra and statistics help us all, In creating structures like school building, home or mall

Mathematics has made everything possible, By Identifying coordinates and making and making everything traceable It help us make combinations and find the probability it goes by the proof and enhances our ability To analyse and solve a problem

To learn to share by dividing candies and being awesome.

We see Mathematics in all little and big forms and it help us find the probability of thunderstorms

Kanpur Road Branch

Symmetry always help us all

And makes beautiful all creatures great and small

Trigonometry is used to find the distance between rivers

We also use mathematics to find the height of pillars

From counting stars and birds

To learning area, volume and law of Surds. In real world it has imaginary numbers

We maths in hand we can always create wonders

It is just to see it in the right way

All ideas are proved, none is stray It never stops but goes on till infinity

Look around you and you’ll find all example of mathematics in your vicinity.

Amay Singh VII – C

The Faces

Oh the warm dusty winds, Glaring at their happy faces, Touched my scars, My hopes of being happy seemed to be in bars.

Oh the levitating sun rays squinted my eyes, I see them getting ahead and flourishing so wise, I attempted to step in the race rather was thrashed down twice, Hopes were shattered like the breaking of an ice.

Oh the serene sunset felt like a lamp to the sky, The dejected emotion got me taking a walk alone, I again saw myself standing before those happy faces and sigh, Couldn’t help myself and mourn.

Oh the lonely moon amidst the dark heaven, Always comes at the time when I cry at my utmost level, Clenching my body into a cocoon, Maybe I’ll try again.

Rakshanda Mishra X-A

Opposite Day

I woke up on the other side of my bed With a dizzy head A voice came, “food is ready " It was my Daddy That day I didn't want to go and study! I went down and saw my dad cooking And that site was horrifying My mom came dressed like a Queen I said," You are looking like a heroine" She was keen!

Then I saw my little bro He was solving a complex mathematics problem, like a pro I asked, "can you solve this query? " He said just give me a diary He was being so brainy! I saw outside the window The moon was in the sky I asked myself," Why?" Do we have to go school at night? Pa said,"Pack your bags and stay quiet ". I said, "alright”!

I reached the school But it wasn't so cool Teachers were sitting on the stool And a student was teaching like a fool I entered my class Teacher with a book asked, "Do you know what the Earth revolves around? " I said, "Sun is what the Earth revolves around" Teacher (students) said,"No, it revolves around the moon. I check and saw he was right I was shocked standing straight and tight.

To the way home I saw a park Filled with men who bark I saw a dog doing exercise Which was looking nice There was a cat eating hot dog And a bat showing his power by lifting the log. Birds were swimming in the pond Fishes flying sky beyond.

I was shocked and fainted. When I opened my eyes , nothing was related I said to myself ,"what just happened" Oh ! It was just a Dream OPPOSITE DAY was the name given by my scream. When I told my friends about my vision They were laughing, making jokes on me . But at least this fantasy was amusing to me !

Atin Saxena

I Wandered My Mind

Just how I wandered my mind, Strolling above the world like a blind, Seeking through the endless beauty and kind, Everything about you I wanted to rewind. Loned up under the night of stars, You finally covered your light on my scars, Being a drunkard of your wine than any bars, Oh, my sweet moon, I was so high on cigars.

Resting on the throne of nights, To gaze your beauty they raise their sights, A peaceful night in this world of fiery fights, Your serenity caused filter to all their slights. Gazing those pearls or that star, Seemed like shining inside a black jar, I ended up gazing from so damn far, After all I wandered my mind with curses and scar.

Ishika Gautam X-B

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Comic Strip