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February is a month with its own beauty. With the landscape turning into different shades of brown and trees shedding their leaves we are reminded by nature that life is a cycle where the old gives way to new. It is a joy to see leaves dancing their way to the ground. They twirl and turn as they make their journey from their lofty abode to the ground. Come February, many find no beauty in this starkness and bareness. But as one grows older one appreciates this time as the moment when life starts anew. The old and decayed give place to fresh lease of life. The gardeners have a tough time raking in leaves and weeds. One can hear the grumbling of the gardeners who have to work overtime to keep the gardens neat and tidy. But they go about their work systematically and with lots of hard work for they look forward to getting the garden ready for the spring when flowers would fill every nook and corner. Their hard work would pay dividends then.

There is another set of the population which dreads the month of February. It is the children who find this month dreary and challenging. With ‘eggjams’ around the corner, February is the month which shouts for hard work. Parents and children move around with tension writ large on their face. Everyone waits for the date sheet with bated breath. For those who are appearing for board exams, it is a different game altogether. The very mention of board exam brings forth doubts, despair and sad exclamations. Life appears to be a burden. Each mark counts. It is a hurdle that needs to be crossed. For the younger ones, it is sittings with the parents who oversee the minutest of details. It’s not exams but a war game. Strategies are made and unmade. Timetable is chalked out where students designate specific time for each subject. Parents threaten, cajole and pamper their wards. It is, indeed, a tough month.

Many questions flash through the mind: Why exams? Why studies? Why do grades matter? Why do I have to study a particular subject in which I have no interest? There are no answers. One has to plod on. Well, dear students, I agree studies are tough and exams do play spoilsport. But then we are not so disciplined that we do our work diligently. We like to take shortcuts. Thus, there has to be some measuring rod to tell us about our weaknesses and strength. The exam system might be flawed but when we live within a system we have to learn to make the best of it. It is the same as life. We all desire things but there are many times when things are not doled out to us on a platter. We have to surge on. We take reluctant, hesitant, baby steps but at the end we do reach somewhere.

There are many schools that are changing the way children are being assessed. There is emphasis on holistic development. I agree three hours does not qualify to assess you for the hard work put in the entire year. That particular day might not be your best day. But despite all these hiccups, we need to give our best. Grades matter but they should not be made a priority. The intake of knowledge is important. That is going to help you throughout your life. Thankfully, there are a lot of fun activities in schools. Classrooms have become more interesting. Teachers try to bring out the best in each student. The books are informative with pictures that speak a thousand words. They are colourful and engrossing. Technology has helped in making learning fun. Your parents are a great help as they are well versed with the different concepts. If they are unable to teach you because of lack of time or because of lack of clarity of a particular subject, they are more than willing to hire tutors for you. All said and done, you are a blessed lot.

Thus, February should not be mourned for as the month of exams. It should not be associated with hard work depriving you of partying and having fun. You can snatch moments of fun. You can talk of it being the month that would make you one year wiser and one year older. Every rung climbed would help you graduate into the tough competitive world where you would have to slog hard to earn your ‘moolah.’ Your workplace would not allow you time to grumble and choose. Take this month to peep into the hectic life ahead. But, believe me, the slogging and working hard has its own benefits. We have often heard, ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ Hard work and keeping yourself occupied weans you away from thoughts that can be depressing and low.

Your identity is made by your ‘karma’. It is up to you to craft your destiny. You will see people taking the short path to success. There will be times when you would not like to work hard. You might feel that you did not get the reward that you expected. This is a temporary phenomenon. My guide, Dr T.R Sharma, who guided me during my Ph.D. gave me my first lesson on the very first day when I went to meet him. He said, ‘If you want to work with me, you will have to work very hard. I am a hard taskmaster. You have to remember that hard work never goes unrewarded.’ His words were intimidating. They were scary but I felt rewarded when he made me complete my doctorate degree within three years which was the stipulated time. I took no extensions. Everyone lauded me for it was a record of sorts. His words proved true. The appreciation brushed all my doubts away. Hard work is always rewarded.

So, enjoy the last phase of winters. Bask in the soft sun. Pick up your books. It is the perfect month for studies. You don’t need to make your hands dive into the quilt to keep them warm. Even if there is an electric cut you can continue to study as it is not hot and humid. You can eat to your heart’s content as the winters gets with it goodies for your large appetite which is a characteristic of the winters. Eat, pray and study to climb one rung higher. It is fun to be seniors in school. It’s a matter of few days and then the beautiful process begins of buying books, bag and stationery for the next class. So happy studying! May you score well and soar high.

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Someone has aptly said that creativity is not something reserved for the artists, poets and geniuses, nor is it a bolt of lightning to strike someone, but a way of life. Everyday work performed by everyone becomes creative when it’s conducted with new ideas, optimum precision, zeal and happiness. Then it becomes a choice – a choice to live life the creative way.

Parents often think, creativity is inborn, their child either has it or not, but the truth is, it is as equal a skill as it is a talent, and parents are the catalyst, the first catalyst in children’s creative journey as parents alone can provide a suitable environment to let creativity bloom.

Often, being creative is considered synonymous with having artistic or musical inclinations, which though is not incorrect, yet is not the complete picture either. Creativity is a life skill, basically, brewing up new ideas. It is a core component of a child’s personality which supports development of qualities like flexibility, cheery disposition, optimism, self-appreciation and self-confidence. Creative children perform any task with an eye for details, excitement, thriving for beauty and efficiency. In return they gain satisfaction and enjoyment from the process.

Nowadays, changing social and family dynamics have forced parents to provide children with flashy toys and hi-tech gadgets right from a very early age. This limits a child’s imagination, hindering creativity. We, the modern age parents either become entirely oblivious of our children watching age inappropriate programs, reality shows, playing noisy games, or we over-pamper them like helicopter parents not letting them inhale without sanitizing every breath they take! We need to RELAX and treat them as intelligent people who need just one thing from us – our time. Dr. A. Witham once said, ‘Children spell love… T-I-M-E.”

And No, the time we talk with our sister on the phone about their shenanigans, doesn’t count; nor the time when we shop for them from the costliest place or take them to swanky restaurants for dinner with our friends.

The time we cuddle and play with them, run or are at a swing with them, when we eat together- just we, the child and the food, when we converse with them, converse as in ‘we listen to them and respond accordingly’ not they listen to our, ‘sit straight-eat fasts’… that is the time we actually spend with them. In such moments we create positive memories, build strong emotional bonds -an essential step for children to understand and express themselves.

Limited screen time for children and fixed screen time for parents provides extra hours, relaxed minds and new ideas making simple activities like baking a batch of cookies for guests, folding clothes, or arranging the dinner table as playgrounds of creativity- try new arrangements for all three! Remember, there are no wrong arrangements, just different ones.

We parents do not need to be rich, gifted or well trained; our everyday experiences make us rich, this world full of wonders is our gift, and life, the best training we can have. Feeling excited about being a parent wins us 90% of the task. The best part is, there are no perfect parents, only happy ones.

John Muir once said, ‘ The power of imagination makes us infinite.” So, we must let them imagine and daydream, but ensure they must act too, to make those aspirations come true ; let them explore, introspect, and make them understand that creativity is a source of joy.

When Jim Rohn said, ” The way you do one thing, is the way you do everything” he must have been talking to the moms and dads of the world, because a creative child grows up to be a creative Educator, creative Entrepreneur, a creative Chef, a creative Mommy or a Creative Manager. They uplift and enrich whatever they touch.

To be the catalyst for such amazing development, we parents need to convert our homes into a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, knowledge and play. Our lives must be an amalgamation of acceptance and discipline, routine and liberty…making it a cauldron where ideas simmer and dreams crystallize, where the child can spice up the recipe irrespective of the outcome, then we’ll get a magic potion of creativity sparkling all around us

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We often use the above phrases to motivate or encourage people to achieve simple tasks or gigantic goals. They are the culmination and recognition of many things along with the hope of attainment of the desired objective like –

  • Recognising the efforts taken by the individual
  • Expressing confidence in the individual’s ability
  • Giving strength and reinforce self-belief
  • Pushing the individual to look past the vulnerabilities and focus on the goal
  • Accepting the challenges endowed and acknowledging the individual’s mindset to still carry on
  • Giving credence to all the hard work put in and wishing for a positive outcome
  • Letting one know of the support they have in all spheres physical, mental or emotional

Simple terms like the above do wonders for uplifting the spirits of anyone. We see its usage in simple things like when a child learns to ride a bicycle, play a musical instrument, gives his first exam, participates in a sports event etc. Yet, the greatest impact of these can be felt in the most important aspect of any student’s life – ACADEMICS.

Exams are looked upon as a means of testing the child’s capability to imbibe, apply and reproduce all that’s taught. Students gives exams throughout out the year in the form of periodic tests, half yearly, annual exams, internal assessment, class participation and so on. There are some exams which are more important than others. They have an everlasting impact on the student’s life, yes – 10th & 12th Board exams.

These exams are not given only by the student but by the entire family. The main part of studying and giving the exam is done by the child. The parents slog throughout this year providing the additional infrastructure in terms of extra class arrangements, its transportation, nutritional food intake, discussions & teaching wherever possible, ensuring a stress free and calm atmosphere at home conducive for better concentration and so on.

The preparation of these exams begins in the previous classes itself. The amount of importance attached to these leads to stress build up, nervousness, self-doubt in many. THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC OF “YOU CAN DO IT” & “ALL THE BEST” COMES IN.

They help the child in overcoming the anxiety of the boards, reassuring that they are not alone battling it out, do away with the self-doubt, and renew the efforts again that might have taken a hit due to all the negativity. Saying these to the kids doesn’t cost us anything but it gives them that little push, little solace, little nudge, little comfort that they seek.

A thumbs up, a smile, a firm handshake, a hug, a pat on the back or head let them know of the immense love they are surrounded with. They have a domino effect wherein one small positive thought takes them to their ultimate goal of doing well in these exams.

A child may know a subject but the exam jitters set in a vicious cycle of confusion, chaos and poor performance. In times like these the mention of these phrases by the parents, peers, teachers put the child at ease, helps them to regain the lost focus and confidence and ensures that the toiling of many months is fructified into a stellar performance.

Similarly, when the child gets caught in the trap of feeling that he has not done enough or should give up mid-way, these phrases help them to get back in the groove of “this is achievable, I can tackle this and start afresh.”

Let’s make it our mission to pass on this positivity to as many students as possible and contribute in our own small way in their success.

Wizkids wishes all the students of Std 10th & 12th –

All the best!!!

We believe,

You Can Do It!!!

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“The Earth has music for those who listen,” said George Santayana.

Our lives would not be the same without music. Sounds of nature are fascinating since they are not always played on a music system. We constantly encounter it since we are surrounded by nature all the time, and it plays a crucial role in our lives. The way that nature exposes us as people is peculiar. Every hour of the day and the advent of a new season are signaled by a special piece of music. For instance, many people use a rooster’s loud crowing to signal the beginning of the day, which serves as an alarm clock. Seasons can be identified by paying close attention to the noises made by animals. For example, it is a common belief that the arrival of monsoons is indicated by the loud croaking of frogs, and when the koel stops singing, it means that the season of spring has ended. All these sounds have a profound effect on a human being, and the following are the ain benefits of listening to the sounds and music of nature:

  • Relaxation of mind: Our minds need a break from gadgets. Phones, laptops, computer screens, television etc. take up a lot of our time. It is very important to spare one hour away from technology and go out for a walk wherein you allow yourself to observe nature. Chirping of birds can be relaxing and it leads to release of the happy hormones in our brain.
  • Awareness of surroundings: By going out for leisure walks in the woods or even in a park, one can observe nature and learn a lot from it. It is a must to know about birds that are there in your immediate area, so that you can recognize them from the voice. Birds are beautiful and very intelligent creatures. By learning all about the birds that inhabit your surroundings, you might develop the habit of feeding them as well as interacting with them.
  • Improves focus: It can be relaxing to hear birds singing, frogs croaking, or just to be completely silent in the woods. You may be able to focus better on your academics and have better concentration as a result. You can strengthen your ability to concentrate by paying close attention to the sounds of the bird chirping.
  • Recognition of animals through their sounds: Understanding and being familiar with the sounds of various animals is a wonderful place to start if you want to increase your general understanding of them. Using a book with buttons for many types of animals and their sounds, young children frequently begin learning about numerous types of sounds through it.
  • Connect with nature in a new way: Ringtones of our phones often replicate sounds that have been taken from nature. Consciously or unconsciously, all of us want to stay as close to nature as possible. By going for a walk in the forest, we can do that without any help from the gadgets. Listen to all kinds of sounds carefully to.

Therefore, music is all around us. Due to the easy availability of music on our gadgets, we have completely forgotten about the melodious music that nature provides us for our entertainment as well as relaxation. To improve and better understand natural sounds, you can play a sound detective game to expand knowledge and skills. This will make you more knowledgeable about animal sounds and bring you closer to nature.

The chirping of the birds, the rustling of the leaves, and the flowing of a river through a forest all have a meditative tone to them; you just have to have patience and lend an ear. Give yourself five minutes of complete silence, and you will realize what beautiful things nature has in store for us. It has been rightly said by a wise man, “Heaven is under our feet as well as our heads.”

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“We have eyes, and we’re looking at stuff all the time, all day long. And I just think that whatever our eyes touch should be beautiful, tasteful, appealing, and important.”

Eric Carle, born on June 25 1929 in Syracuse, New York was an American writer, designer and illustrator of children’s books. Having written and illustrated more than 70 books across his heartening writing career, Carle made a name for himself as a respected children’s author in American Literature.

A red lobster illustration created for an advertisement helped Carle land a significant collaboration for a picture book. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? published in 1967 immediately became a bestseller, which eventually helped Carle pursue writing with numerous opportunities in hand. He soon published his first books as both author and illustrator named 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Carle was a nature enthusiast, influences of which can be seen in his work. His books help children explore the world they inhabit in a more fun, lively manner. They also have the ability to better children’s intellectual growth, their creativity and understanding of storytelling as an artform. Carle’s writings were colorful and full of life. He used to meticulously select the colors, shapes and the overall nature of his illustrations.

Carle had once himself mentioned, “With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates—will they be friendly?”

He always strived for children’s learning and making their process of absorbing information more fun and engaging. His books and their aesthetics highly complement this motive and the thought process riding behind.

Why Noah chose the Dove, The Grouchy Ladybug, Papa please get the moon for me, All in a day, Polar bear polar bear what do you hear, Today is Monday, Hello Red Fox, Little cloud, Dream Snow, Panda bear panda bear what do you hear, 10 little rubber ducks, Baby bear baby bear what do you see, Friends; these and many more classic titles add up to the list of Eric Carle’s illustrious body of work.

Across his long writing career, Carle’s books sold 138 million copies across the globe making him an all-time great figure in the field of literature and to be more specific as a children’s author earning him immense amount of respect in children’s literature.

Eric Carle has been awarded with numerous honorary degrees from colleges and universities in the past few decades. He has also won the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his career contribution to American children’s literature.

Carle’s writings have taught children to become visually expressive and aesthetically pleasing. The values and emotions form the core and help children become more receptive and emotionally mature with time.

The master had once himself mentioned, “I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born. Indeed, in both cases, we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books, I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.”

Immerse yourself in Carle’s imaginative, vividly vibrant and purely heartwarming world. It’s time to turn the art of learning into a fun-filled activity.

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Republic Day celebrations are one of its kind in India. It’s a mark of respect for the Constitution of independent India and the values and credo adopted by our nation. Indians celebrate taking back the sovereignty of their own country on this day. Without the valiant sacrifices of people who valued this country and its people above their own lives, real independence from colonial authority would not have been possible.

In Delhi, on this day, the parade is conducted by the President and arranged by the Defence ministry. The Prime Minister pays floral tribute in the form of wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate in memory of the martyrs.

With the Constitution coming into effect on this day in 1950, India found its own identity. The country moved on from becoming a colony to an independent entity for whom a period of immense struggle lay ahead. The essence of awarding people on this day is that their struggles, endurance and consistency have been recognised, their hard work has been acknowledged, and their success is being celebrated.

The Prime Minister honours courageous citizens, young people and service personnel who perform acts of exceptional bravery, along with highly accomplished people in a variety of disciplines for their contribution to make India known on the global map.

A varied category of awards and honours are bestowed by the Government in the lead up to this day. This article is a humble attempt to throw light on all of them.

Republic Day awards and honours include:

Padma awards: These award winners are announced on the eve of Republic Day and felicitated in March or April. These were instituted in 1954. There are 3 main types of Padma awards.

  • Padma Bhushan: Awarded for distinguished service of higher order.
  • Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. and
  • Padma Shri: Awarded for distinguished service.

The decision is made by the award committee constituted by the Prime Minister and headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and 4-6 eminent personalities. The recommendations are made by the PM to the President.

Awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President, a medallion along with a replica to the awardees.

Gallantry Awards

These awards are bestowed upon law enforcement officers who protect life and property, help in averting crime or arrest criminals.

The highest military honour given for acts of bravery and gallantry is the Param Vir Chakra. The Maha Vir Chakra is the next highest, followed by the Ashoka Chakra. On January 26, 1950, the Indian government established these awards. They are given out twice a year, on Republic Day and Independence Day respectively. The Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra are more honours in the same category.

Medals and ribbons are presented to the award winners.

President’s Police Medals also known as President’s Police and Fire Service Medal: These awards are conferred to members of law enforcement for meritorious, distinguished and gallant service. These awards were instituted in 1951. The awardees are conferred with a ribbon and a medal which is 35 mm wide, dark blue with silver edges and a broad central stripe of crimson.

Bal Puraskar: Originally called the National Child Award, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are conferred upon brave children between the age of 5-18 for their brilliant performance in fields like sports, innovation, social service, scholastic, arts and science, and bravery. It is conferred in the week preceding January 26. The award has 2 categories:

  • Bal Shakti Puraskar
  • Bal Kalyan Puraskar

The awardee is presented with a medal, a cash prize, and a certificate.

Civilian Lifesaving Award: Instituted in 1961, these awards are meant to honour ordinary citizens who perform extraordinarily in times of stress. There are 3 categories of this award, namely, Sarvottam Jeevan Rakshak Padak; Uttam Jeevan Rakshak Padak, and Jeevan Rakshak Padak.

The rewards include a ribbon with blue edges and thin green stripes, and a cash prize ranging from Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs 1,00,000.

Other awards like President’s medal for Home Guard and Civil Defence and Correctional Service Medal are also presented to honour meritorious acts of gallantry as well as courage and are also presented on Independence Day.

The government recognises deserving citizens of all ages based on their talent and labour.

Recognition and appreciation are strong motivators that boost morale and serve as an example for others. Awards are a symbol of appreciation for the work done and the hardships one faces in order to succeed. Such accolades inspire a person to be a good and responsible citizen of the country and motivate others to achieve in their chosen fields.

It is indeed befitting that these brave sons and daughters are awarded for their contributions to the nation when all are celebrating the spirit of nationalism.

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Warm greetings to all!

Books are a uniquely portable magic – Stephen King

Books are enjoyed, savoured, or rather devoured by people of all ages. But there are so many genres and flavours of books. In the midst of all these varieties, mystery stands out as the most popular theme of choice.
What I have for you is a brilliant, edge-of-the-seat adventure mystery – 39 Clues #1 – The maze of bones – An incredible and amazing book that can take you to places that you have never been before, instigate deep curiosity, and the urge to flip those pages.

The Cahills are the world’s most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini are related to them, yet their family power is lost because of some perplexing reason.

In this first book – The maze of bones, in the series of 39 clues, just minutes before her death, Grace Cahill, the grandmother of Dan and Amy changes her will and leaves her relatives to face a great dilemma – accept 1 million Dollars or chase a clue leading to the most dangerous life-threatening treasure hunt expanding across the globe leading to the source of their family power.

And now, the hunt is on. Young, but brilliant Amy and Dan must decide what is more important – hunting for clues to reveal the secret or accept the one million dollars, a truly entertaining ride.

The author of this book, the first in the series is, Rick Riordan. He is one of the bestselling authors and is well known for other books like Percy Jackson, Apollo’s trail etc., and he surely doesn’t fail to satisfy.

I loved reading this book – for the clues were very intriguing, exciting and adventurous. It kept my brain stimulating and saved me from boredom. I did not want to put the book down even for a second and I grabbed the next book in the series immediately. That’s how interesting and spectacular it was. I did not miss out on suggesting this fabulous read to all my classmates at school, and without doubt, they loved it.

If you are really looking for an adventurous, mystery and suspense book, then I would say, go for it. Your mind will be blown away and you will not be disappointed.

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Parties, clubs, cozy markets, facilities at the drop of a hat, the jeeps and gypsies with uniformed drivers: these are what the people see the life of the defence personnel and their families. The Bollywood movies only add to the misinformation by showing couples swirling to music with gay abandon. Soldiers singing in the barracks as they partake their food in the ‘langar’ (community kitchen) all adds to the glamour. But peep behind the smiles and the glamour. You would see a little fear in the hearts of parents, wife and children of the soldiers. Every time there is a terror attack in any part of the Country, it is families that are on tenterhooks. That telephone ring can shatter dreams in a jiffy. The same telephone, the mobile is also a lifeline. It connects a soldier with his family who tries to catch precious moments through this dainty instrument.

Every time an air warrior takes flight for a sortie, the family goes around their lives but with a silent prayer on their lips. Their dearest son, husband and father is in the air with a mean machine. When a ship of the Indian navy sails and the soldier-sailors wave to their families, the latter pray for their safe return. Well, some of the daring soldiers are cloistered in submarines, many metres (anywhere up to 800 metres), below the waters. The soldiers and officers serve the nation sacrificing comforts at every level. On the other hand, the wife steps into the shoes playing the role of the nurturer and the provider. The children have their own issues. Missing their father’s hug every night, missing him on the parent-teachers meeting (though as the brats grow up, it comes as a relief) as well on their birthdays and school shows are just some occasions.

Its not all play. The transfers, called postings, are a tear-jerker. Saying goodbye to friends and classmates is an ordeal in itself. Thankfully, the social media with the Facebook, WhatsApp has solved this problem of connectivity. Just when you become familiar with the market, the library, the eating joints and the surroundings, its time to move. Adjusting to a new environment, a new school tests one’s patience. The packing takes its toll. The defence wives are very careful with every penny as each penny is earned with great sweat and toil. The husband/father might be sitting in knee-deep snow in a bunker at the Siachen glacier or in the desert of Rajasthan with the wind blowing sand even into one’s food.

The children know the tough defence ways. It is a tough job being in the Forces and they have to be honest to their parents. They see their mother multi-tasking in the absence of their father so they have to be of assistance to her. For a long time, the houses which were given to families when the soldier was posted to a non-family station, often called field area, were called ‘Separated accommodation.’ It sent a wrong message to the people outside the Cantonment that the accommodation was for couples who had separated, namely divorced! This anomaly was corrected and the word ‘separated accommodation’ was deleted from usage. It became tough for us, children, to explain to our friends in school that our parents were not divorced. It was a common lingo for kids to tell each other their address by saying that one lived in Sector A, B etc or in the ‘Separated quarters.’ This language and lingo were not misunderstood in the Cantonment but created a storm when used casually with our civilian friends. Thankfully, it was rectified.

And don’t you think that with our fathers away we had unbridled fun. The entire Cantonment kept a watch on you. If you tried to zip on the two-wheeler, the Military Police is always there to reprimand you. They are stern and firm. Cantonments have a life of their own. The energy is pulsating. There is a sense of loyalty and dedication. Families huddle together when in grief. They celebrate when there is a joyous occasion. The soldiers are missed during festivals and other joyous occasions. So, the family learns over a period of time to treat everyday as a festival. Many a times, the bread winner of the family gets leave when the children are taking their exams. Imagine, seeing your father after six months, that too in the midst of exams. And your father would have to leave as soon as your exams end. What an unfortunate coincidence! So, what do the brats do? They study in advance keeping their days free for their hero in uniform!

Life is just not easy but life is made easy by cherishing moments. When a soldier tells his children that he is posted to one of the troubled areas, the lump in the throat is obvious. But it is not to be spoken, shown or expressed. The ‘Naam, Namak, Nishaan’ is not only embedded in the soldier of the Indian army but in the entire family. The ‘Touch the Skies with Glory’ is just not a part of Chapter 1 1 of the holy Gita but the motto of the air-warriors and their families. The skies are the comrades of the brave. The ‘Samnovaruna’ (Be auspicious unto us, O Varuna) is a prayer not only of the sailor of the Navy but of his entire family. May this tribe of courageous soldiers and their families grow, prosper and live long!

Here is wishing every child of the Defence Forces a happy year ahead. Be proud that your parents have made you a part of a very august institution. Work hard, party hard and give your best to your family and country. Let your friends learn a lesson from you and your role models.

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY TO ALL READERS!

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For last year’s words belong to last year’s language

And next year’s words await another voice.

-T.S. Eliot

It’s that time of the year again, when nights are long and days are short, when the cold wind blows and sun sleeps under a blanket of thick fog, snow falls down in feathery flakes… and

we stand at a threshold of time from where we bid goodbye to one year while heralding another. Amid the soft winter glow, we enter in a brand-new year embarking on a new path for the next three- sixty- five days.

We welcome the new year with resolutions and promises, set new goals, reflect on past mistakes, and hope to do better than the bygone months in all aspects of life.

However, a question arises: isn’t every day a new beginning?

Or every week or at least, every month?

Interestingly, the answer is, YES!

Amazing, isn’t it?

That we all have a prospect of new beginnings at our very hands every day; that we can start again every day! In fact, not just some specific day, but ANY day, ANY hour, ANY minute; all we have to do is to tell our brain to grasp this knowledge! The knowledge co- existing with us invisibly like oxygen in the air.

So, what an incredibly empowering feeling that we all can start something good, something constructive, something of our choice ANYTIME in our lives, that we don’t have to wait for a new year or a new month or next Monday for that. Any day suits it, and Any time is the best time.

Reminds us of Michael Altshuler’s words,

” The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

All we have to do is to accept ownership, the fact that we are the pilot Indeed and start working accordingly. The first step towards which is to move out of the comfort/lazy/confused zone and plan a path.

We can start by planning our day, when successful in following it, can move ahead to planning our week and perhaps, the entire month.

A week’s planner seems to be a safe way to start it, especially for children.

Let’s take an example of Vanya- a book lover, cricket crazy, student of class 8th. She can make a weekly plan about the title of the book she will read, days on which she’ll play cricket and the study related topics she needs to finish by coming Saturday, so that she can have a relaxed Sunday for some leisure activities.

A strong recommendation is to plan by writing on paper, the old way.

Ah, I hear you. The tech-savvy zen X, Y and Zee, I hear you, but trust me here that by being able to ‘ touch’ and ‘ feel’ your plan on paper gives you a certain tangible assurance which won’t be there in Android Notes or MS sheets. Though these options are not entirely ruled, pen and paper are the most trusted tools in planning. A paper pinned in front of us somehow gets a life of its own, whenever we don’t go according to the plan, it has the ability to flutter and mock us in a way no Excel Sheet or WORD document can!

And, Do Not confuse planning with making a timetable, which is for schools and institutions, where professionals manage it in detail.

Make a simple and achievable plan like, for Vanya – memorizing and finishing one chapter of English Reader in two consecutive days say- Monday and Tuesday, one hour solving math problems everyday, an hour for storybook on Friday, cricket on the ground for an hour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday… something like this.

The second step is, to Act on the plan.

Religiously.

Third step is, Review.

A weekly plan MUST be reviewed at the end of every week, so that you can judge (if) what went wrong, and identify the area of improvement in yourself as well as in your plan. Trial and error make you a master planner and a goal achiever.

Remember, what Winston Churchill said,

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

So, review and amend.

Fourth step is, Repeat.

Plan. Act. Review. Repeat.

Do this and find a new beginning every week. Not only does this boost confidence, it teaches an invaluable life skill — introspection. Remember, there’s no fixed guidance to teach introspection, the simplest way to cultivate it in a child is to nudge them in planning their days, their weeks, their lives.

Introspection is the only way to know ourselves. Looking within we identify our issues, weaknesses, strengths and desires, and knowing ourselves is the beginning of wisdom.

A plan can ONLY be formed when we KNOW what we WANT to achieve and expect – from our day, from our week and later as we grow up, from our lives.

Introspection, planning, acting on it, faltering, may be failing at it, starting again, reforming a better plan…helps us realise our inner nature and make choices, take decisions. Vanya from the previous example, will immediately choose to play cricket over TV because she has clarity regarding her desires as she had introspected while planning her week.

Last but not the least is to not be afraid of making errors. Each mistake presents a new beginning as Paulo Cohelo said,

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.”

Let’s not wait for life to come say hello, but chart out a plan, act, review, revise and life will be an incessant wonderment of sunshine hope with beautiful possibilities. F. Scott Fitzgerald once said,

It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.’

Let’s never forget it.

Posted on by admin

We all have dreams. Dreams – to become a certain someone, have certain possessions (materialistic / spiritual), travel to coveted destinations, acquire some skill or to have quality time with self and family. Having these makes us happy. Is that only what they achieve? Well, certainly not.

They set wheels in motion, make us embark on a journey to make the dream a reality. They start a series of actions on an individual’s part which takes him / her closer to make the dream come to life.

A small girl watches her sister riding a bicycle. She too aspires to ride one day. The journey begins with her observing how the elder rides, trying to get on to the bicycle to get a feel, nudging the sister to take her piggybacking and asking the parents to take time to teach her to ride. All the above do not always make her fulfill her dream. Yet, the child pursues relentlessly till the time she learns riding and enjoys the thrills of it.

A high school student aspires to become a chef. He dabbles in the kitchen trying out new recipes, learns the traditional cooking methods, studies the science behind it, dishes out the recipes among friends & relatives to gauge responses and works on them. He doesn’t stop at it but studies hard to get to a culinary school of his choice. The happiness of donning the coveted head chef’s cap and dishing out food to customers is the realization of his dream of many years ago.

Wizkids too started with such a dream. A dream to provide a platform for kids to challenge themselves and identify their innate talents. What started out as a dream in 2020 has now become a family of thousands of kids showcasing their talents and getting recognition for it. It’s indeed a moment to cherish. Do we stop dreaming? Definitely not. Much remains to be done.

We aspire to be the go to digital platform for kids across the length and breadth of the country to showcase their uniqueness and creativity. Easier said than done. But we strongly believe that small steps and a continuous march along with our trusted stakeholders – the parents, we shall be able to achieve it.

One such small step is the launch of ALL INDIA KIDS PREMIERE LEAGUE, a uniquely structured contest for kids who want to test their readiness to face the world be it in oratory, analytical thinking, artistic skills or emotional intelligence. It’s an attempt to provide a level playing field to kids in metro, towns and villages and bring about healthy talent growth.

Kids Premiers League (KPL) is just the start. As we usher into 2023 the dream is getting bigger and better. The dream of becoming that one companion of every child in India who dreams to learn, acquire, imbibe and grow. There is no stopping now.

So come all let us forge ahead hand in hand and trudge along believing in our dream –

मैं अकेला ही चला था जानिब-ए-मंज़िल मगर

लोग साथ आते गए और कारवाँ बनता गया