Shillong, the Scotland of the east, is always a place of wonder and one of my favourite cities. I was fortunate to participate in ISRO’s YUVIKA 2023. This article is a humble attempt to share this unique experience with the readers.

It is a special two weeks residential programme that ISRO designed for school children aimed at catching them young. The goal of YUVIKA is to teach young students the fundamentals of space technology, science, and applications.

THE VENUE : North East Space Application Center (NESAC)

It is as pretty as the picture, nestled in the midst of pine forests. YUVIKA students are accommodated in the outreach block which has an academic block and a hostel. I had never ever imagined introducing myself on a mic and it happened. I was caught off guard and messed up on my first opportunity. But what amazed me was that the scientists were way too friendly, interactive and simple in handling things. I have never had an image of any scientist in this way.

The accommodation, stimulating interactions and interesting activities made it a wholesome stay. The lectures about space were fascinating to me to learn about our bright sun,the twinkling stars,our earth, planets, galaxies, and the cosmos which can’t be fitted in this little space.

Recalling the activities & experiments in which we participated in the programme still excites me. It was made possible with a lot of patience and hardwork of the scientists. They made us work in a new team each day to ensure mingling with all participants.

1. ROCKET ACTIVITY : My most favourite activity was Rocket activity that helped me to learn about the insides of a rocket evidently. It was amazing to see our rocket fly high up in the sky. It is clearly a big deal in making an enormous rocket for ISRO.
2. SOFT LANDING: The activity on soft landing was spectacular. As they gave us a task of dropping an egg tied with a balloon from a height without breaking. I thought it would break but we were fortunate my team’s egg landed smoothly. It was enthralling to know that we can do awesome things as a team and if we try wholeheartedly and confidently.
3. ROBOTICS: We had a complicated robotics activity in which we assembled a joystick control car. The beauty of this car is that it can detect humidity, temperature and air pressure. We saw many magnificent drones which actually can be used for remote sensing.
4. GOOGLE EARTH SESSION: This session was informative and we learnt how to see the other planetary surfaces using google earth. It was thrilling to look through a real Telescope but unable to see much as it was a gloomy starless sky.
5. 3D TECHNOLOGY : We were also introduced to 3D technology and making our own 3D glasses. The concept of remote sensing balloons helped me relate to the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon over the arctic ocean by the US army.
6. PRESENTATIONS: We were assigned with a team wise project presentation. The topics ranged from birth and evolution of stars, tectonic plates and seismicity,plantation in other terrestrial planets, the red planet, food and space technology, designing of spacesuits and the uses of 2.5D.
7. QUIZ : They also conducted a quiz program on space and I was delighted to win the third prize as a team.

This program helped me in many ways –

• Improved my confidence level. My anxiety and stage fear got reduced due to the various presentations in the workshop.
• It made me get obsessed with scientists, stars ,planets, our cosmos & many more! The scientists had guided us entirely throughout the program.
• Space careers are not only about scientists and engineers; we can even become a space artist.
• Made many friends and a lifetime of memories

I also want to share a few tips learnt from the interaction with the scientists.

• They advised us to understand every topic from our school curriculum rather thean rote learning.
• We were told to stop learning for marks and develop interest in science.
• We have to question everything in order to learn and understand our cosmos.
• Read more books on science and space.

Anyone can become a scientist if we have passion, compassion and patience. We need to know more about the universe and its evolution, so that no one can fool us. The space is for everyone.

Even if you are not a scientist you can still appreciate your planet, your neighbouring planets, the shining stars and the Universe. There is always a scope for a career in space science as what we know till now is just a drop in the Ocean.

Traditional Art measures the cultural sophistication of a place, and has even been used to record the history of our ancestors. The most astonishing part of the world of art is that it is common to all the civilizations in the world and has transcended boundaries.They are the legacy bearers of the past and a crucial link and testament of our traditions, beliefs, and faith.

The beauty of these arts is that the boundaries of its various forms are porous.

Visual arts have been in existence since ages because they illustrate one’s feelings. Since paper was invented much later, people started expressing themselves by engraving and drawing on walls as that was the most convenient way possible. The ancient murals and wall art from the Mayan civilisation, the terracotta, and stone statues from the Harappan civilisation, and the Nefatari Playing Senet painting from the Egyptian civilisation to name a few are some of the artworks that have survived for centuries. They continue to be discussed by sociologists who are trying to comprehend the society of our ancestors while also serving as an inspiration for young artists.

A simple work of art like a painting can make us cry, throw us in a fit of rage or laughter, wonder, exclaim in amazement, confuse us, and make us more aware of our conscience.

Art has a unique place of its own in culture. Rather, it would not be wrong to say that art is culture and culture is art. Art can be used to identify oneself. For instance, tattoos were not always a part of the hippie culture that originated from the Western culture in the 70s.

In the Maori tribes of New Zealand, men received Mataora tattoos on their faces as a symbol of nobility. Traditionally, these designs were termed as Ta Moko. Although the tradition died down when the country was colonised but has revived as one can never part with one’s culture, history and this is how art allows one to preserve the legacy of ancestors for the future generations..

Something similar can also be traced to the Philippines where Batok artists from an ethnic group called Kalinga ink Apa Whang-Od tattoos on people. All these artists are trying to keep a 1000 years old tradition alive and maintain an identity of their own. The Gond artists of central India also carry a similar legacy.

Traditional artforms also play a major role in running the local economy while providing sustenance to local artisans. The world is teeming with creativity, from Australian Aboriginal art to Colombian pottery, Peruvian cloth painting to complex Mexican artwork. The Japanese artform of origami is an extremely intricate artform wherein you can create two- and three-dimensional figures and shapes.

The Buddhist artform of Thangka requires a lot of precision and is an intricate genre of painting that can enhance the visual appeal of any space. To master this art, an artist must have a spiritual understanding of the religion and Nepalese culture.

The art of decorating parasols in the village of Bo Sang in Thailand is another unique artform. Cotton and silk paper covers with floral designs on a bamboo frame by farmers serves as a souvenir for tourists. A three-day umbrella festival is celebrated every year in Bo Sang and is a major tourist attraction.

Fabric painting in Uzbekistan and other parts of Central America is also gaining significance all over again. Ikat is a traditional art of fabric dyeing before weaving them into fabrics. Something similar can also be found in Indonesia where wax is applied on parts of fabric to prevent dye from penetrating in those areas and creating designs accordingly. These patterns and designs are called Batik patterns. Owing to their popularity, UNESCO has designated this artform a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Every culture has its own distinctive ornamental wooden objects with intricate carvings. A prime illustration of craftsmanship can be found in the elaborate cuckoo clocks from Switzerland, the Irish bog oak sculptures, and the Mexican carvings of legendary animal images on copal wood, the famous wooden toys made in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. The wood carving technique used in Mexico is known as alberijes, and it includes carvings of owls, rabbits, coyotes and other birds and animals.

Glassblowing is another unique artform that was first invented in Syria. The art of shaping molten glass into various kinds of designs and creating beautiful ornamental objects needs expert craftsmanship and a lot of finesse. At present, the city of Venice in Italy is known for housing some of the best and the most skilled glass blowers in the world. A blend of Roman experience and precise craftsmanship acquired from the Byzantine Empire allowed people to adopt this art and master the techniques.

The wood, ivory, sandalwood and stone crafts from different parts of India, hand have been handed over from one generation to the next.

Power of art lies in a community’s shared story as it is a medium of expression. Since humans are governed by the same emotions everywhere in the world, art forms have the power to transcend physical boundaries and appeal to our senses and emotions in the most powerful sense of the word. Therefore, it has been rightly said that art has the power to sustain life.

The transmission of traditional arts has occurred from generation to generation. Having survived the assault of mechanical and digital worlds, they have still managed to maintain their footing today. It is imperative that children are aware of this significant contribution to the national and global cultural heritage.

With this new series on traditional art and crafts from India and other countries, we hope to educate our readers about their significance and encourage them to try to learn them. So, plunge into the enlightening, mysterious, and enchanting realm and be transfixed. This section of our next month’s issue will feature the fascinating and varied traditional art and craft of India.

Rohan and Rama are siblings studying in std seven in a school in Delhi. Rama is the group leader for the Science group activity involving an experiment of seed germination and a digital presentation on the same in the class. Rohan, on the other hand, is the main protagonist of a street play on the topic of “ Save Trees”.

Both Rohan and Rama were completely busy in organising their groups, doing the activity, making the presentation & placards so much so that no time was left for studies. The situation came to such a stage that their parents felt the need to talk with the kids about the studies being neglected.

Parents Mr. & Mrs. Patil decided to have a meaningful dialogue with them. The discussion went somewhat like below –

Mr. Patil – Rama & Rohan! We have observed, for the past one week both of you have been devoting your entire time in doing some projects rather than studies. What is the purpose of doing such group activities? Only you two are slogging, we do not see other kids involved at all?

Mrs. Patil – Your unit tests are approaching ? How will you revise for the subjects?

Rama – It’s not like that at all ma & pa. We are learning a lot while doing our respective project activities. Isn’t that right Rohan?

Rohan – Yes, we are learning much more than the subject knowledge while performing these tasks.
Rama is the team leader of her group. She had to assign the duties to each of her teammates. In doing so she assessed her friends strengths and accordingly asked them to carry out the tasks.
She is also coordinated with all so thet the project moves ahead smoothly.

Rama – Rohan while participating in the street play has leant the different ways to make placards, nuances of speec delivery and a better understanding of the topic which is common to many subjects like science, social science & arts.

While doing these activities we are learning the concepts by practical application, learn to work in groups, plan and execute and learn the topic for life.

The parents were amazed to hear their kids’ views. They tried to remember if they had used any such project activities during their school days. All they could remember was engaging in group activities during PT period, annual function, exhibitions or doing SUPW crafts.
Doing activities to understand subject matter , its interlinking with other streams and using tools to accentuate the information to be provided was unheard of.

They realised that with the technological advancements and digitisatio, the very structure of kids education had changed.
The three Rs of yesteryears – Reading, wRiting & aRithmatic are no longer enough to equip today’s kids to wade their way through the labyrinth of information overload, extreme competition and higher self- expectations and self-awareness.

The Patil household is representative of all of us in varying degrees based on the learning curve of the kids.? Do we not often seem to rue the fact that kids today, be they in kindergarten or higher secondary classes have a much busier life than ours?

It is true that the world around us has completely changed from what it was 20-30 years ago.
Televisions have been replaced by smart ones, blackboards have been replaced wth whiteboards, dishwashers, washing machines, ready to eat, online deliveries, digital payments, internet to name a few have changed our everyday living. We have adapted ourselves to fit in this mold.

Then why it becomes so difficult for us to realise that our kids cannot rely upon only the traditional educational ways to sustain and survive today. Discarding them completely is not the way for they are the fundamentals and basics. What is needed is to accentuate and empower these basic skills with a new set that would allow our kids to be present and future ready and be flexible to adapt to changing times.

The need of the hour is for the parents, elders, teachers and mentors to realise what these skills are. A lot of research has been done to identify these and they have been termed as the 21st century skills. We shall learn and understand about them in the next part of the series.
Continued……………….

The book, Geronimo Stilton – The Kingdom of Fantasy (1st book in the series), is about a mouse named Geronimo. He goes on an adventurous trip to save the Queen of Fairies in a heaven-like world. This book is written by Elisabetta Dami.

Geronimo Stilton, finds a golden staircase in his attic that leads to a door. He steps into the door and finds himself in the magical world of the ‘Kingdom of Fantasy’. ScribbleHopper, guides him in his adventure.

I liked the book for every magical creature in it. There are pixies, fairies, giant scorpions, evil witches, the list is endless. One more thing I liked are its pictures and lettering in between the story. They keep me wanting to read the book.

I would like all my friends to read this book and the others in the series. They are fun to read.

“But on paper, things can live forever. On paper, a butterfly never dies.”

Tenderness! Delicately woven lyrical thoughts. And breathtakingly real visual landscapes. Jacqueline Woodson, best known for titles like ‘Miracle Boys’, ‘After Tupac’, ‘Brown Girl Dreaming’, etc; brings with her tons of optimism and top notch artistic purity.

With writings directed towards children and young adults; Woodson explored sensitive and socially relevant topics through boundary pushing themes revolving around the subjects of race, gender, classes, sexuality, etc.

Born in Ohio, Woodson moved around with her family during her early growing up years. She began narrating her stories at a fairly young age. With immense clarity, she realized and identified her dream of becoming a writer even before heading into her teenage.

Woodson’s writings largely dealt with some deeper philosophical questions. Her sociological approach towards storytelling turned her into one of a kind children’s author. A sense of exploration, introspection, reflection; these emotions and feelings lingered in her text, retaining the much needed seriousness while dealing with children’s subject material. And it made her readers more aware. More thoughtful. And more curious. Icing on the cake, a poetic flair to her writings elevated her textual tonality manifold.

Woodson once quoted, “I’m writing about adolescents for adolescents. And I think the main difference is when you’re writing to a particular age group, especially a younger age group, the writing can’t be as implicit. You’re more in the moment.”

She has openly vocalized her thoughts on children’s literature, more specifically how children receive and react to such literature. And how she feels it’s important on her part to undertake one such task of writing for adolescents with sheer responsibility.

She continues, “They don’t have the adult experience from which to look back. So you’re in the moment of being an adolescent and the immediacy and the urgency is very much on the page, because that’s what it feels like to be an adolescent. Everything is so important, so big, so traumatic. And all of that has to be in place for them.”

Her first book ‘Last Summer with Maizon’ had empowering female characters and dealt with the ideas of early adolescent friendship. A critical success, the book was praised for the sensible handling of its social layers and deep understanding of children’s worldviews, especially during a particular age in their growing up years. It was followed by 2 more books, ‘Maizon at blue hill’ and ‘Between Madison and Palmetto’, turning this into a trilogy as a whole. The books also touched upon the supremely serious issue of self doubt and the idea of one’s identity.

‘Autobiography of a family photo’, ‘Another Brooklyn’, ‘Red at the bone’, ‘Feathers’, ‘I hadn’t meant to tell you this’; the long list of the titles in Woodson’s illustrious body of work goes on and on.

“Then I let the stories live, inside my head, again and again, until the real world fades back, into cricket lullabies, and my own dreams.”

Jacqueline Woodson’s tenderly disruptive writings have evoked a range of emotions in countless readers for decades. Her legacy is here to stay. Another day, another veteran making her way. Into our bookshelves. And into our hearts!