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Every year, I come to know that winter has arrived by struggling to get out of bed. Every day I try to get out of my bed and fail to do so about ten times. It is very difficult for me. To leave the comfort and warmth of my bed is like third degree torture for me! I, once, told my mother that going to school violated my human rights. Her glare at me said it all. Suddenly, I felt hot and cozy. Jokes apart, I love winters mostly due to the fact that I love the snow. I mean yes, it is bad for people living in the regions where it is common but, for me, a person who lives in the plains, it is special. I pester my parents to take me to a place high up in the hills so that I can play in the snow. I love making snowman with my parents. They look down upon it when I start building it but then in the end, they do join in. It is on my wish list to visit the igloos made in Manali every year. Four young local boys came up with the igloo making idea. It was covered by the media. I read about it in the newspaper. I added it to my bucket list of wishes.

It was in the news that even our honorable prime minister Mr. Narendra Modi stayed in a Dhyana gufa. I want to experience first and what it would feel like to stay in a cave like that. I want to experience what our P.M felt like when he stayed in one of those. In North India, winter changes the lifestyle of the people, the food and the customs. I, personally, love hearing what the grown- ups around me have to say about the cold, and by far the thing that I hear most is “Oh! These winters are the coldest ones yet.” Each and every year this same line is repeated over a thousand times. I love wearing my winter clothes. I don’t sweat and it is fun to go cycling with the wind hitting your face. My little secret- I fill a bucket with hot, steaming water and let the washroom be covered in a mist. The washroom becomes cozy and I scribble things on the mirror. While my mother keeps reminding me to hurry up, I enjoy in my world of mist, fog, demons and dinosaurs appearing to attack me while I fight them back.

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A hero is someone who inspires people to do good while standing up for what is right. Here are 10 ways to become an ecological hero so that your actions motivate others to do their bit for the environment.

  • Conscious consumption: An eco-hero ensures that all resources, whether they are renewable or not, are used wisely as well as judiciously. To protect Earth’s resources, an eco-hero will make sure that nothing, from food to fuel, is wasted.
    Being considerate towards humans as well as towards animals is a conscious step towards nature conservation.
  • Become a planet advocate: An eco-hero will defend what is unjust. He would kindly ask someone not to litter or waste electricity by turning off unnecessary lights or fans and keep checking if someone is wasting water while brushing their teeth or keeping the tap on when not in use.
    Remember: An eco-hero does not have to be intrusive in other people’s lives and is always polite.
  • Promote hand-me-downs: Among many possessions, collecting old books, games, or clothes might be given to younger cousins or students in your class. This will demonstrate how useful recycling and reuse are.
    Also, objects have memories associated with them. Passing on your belongings can enable you to attach fond memories to objects and make it an enjoyable experience.
  • Raising awareness about other environmental heroes: To be an eco-hero, it is your duty to alert folks about those who are contributing to the environment. This will inspire people around you to study their activities and educate themselves as to what can be done at a micro level to save the environment.
    There are many NGOs that are working relentlessly to save the environment. Therefore, studying their efforts and course of action on a macro level can help you to be an eco-hero when you start at a micro level.
  • Lead by example: To be an eco-hero, you must lead by example by carrying out your responsibilities in a practical manner. Taking part in afforestation campaigns, raising awareness among your peers, and maintaining a clean environment around you are a few actions that will motivate others to imitate your actions.
    Fun Suggestion: Instead of distributing sweets on Diwali, you can cut old water bottles, turn them into pots, and gift saplings to your friends.
  • Monitor your carbon footprint: You may lessen your impact on the environment by turning off the air conditioner and disconnecting electronics when not in use. Numerous apps can assist you in monitoring your carbon footprint.
    Some of the ways of reducing your carbon footprint are taking your own bag to the market instead of buying a carry bag, minimizing your intake of non-vegetarian food, drying clothes in the sun instead of using a dryer.
  • Ride bikes: For running errands nearby riding bikes seems to be a more sensible option for an eco-hero instead of going in vehicles that run on petrol or diesel. Not only will it save fuel but will also cause less pollution and prove to be a more enjoyable option.
  • Respect animals: Animals play a vital role in maintaining our environment. Simple practices like keeping bowls of water for birds in summer, adopting as well as feeding stray animals, and being kind to them are some of the practices that you can adopt to be an eco-hero.
    Fun Fact: Marine animals can capture, eliminate, and store carbon dioxide from the Earth’s surface. For example, whales weighing up to 50 tons can store large quantities of carbon. Once contained, this carbon is trapped in the carcass, taken to the sea floor, and sealed off from the rest of the universe for eons. This phenomenon is termed Deadfall Carbon.
  • Avoid food wastage: Wasting food is a terrible habit. Worldwide, millions of people perish from famine. An eco-hero always watches how much food he consumes and will ask for a second helping if he feels like he needs more.
    Changes in one’s personal lifestyle are the first step towards bringing about change at the macro level. Such habits, if imbibed at a young age, can make a world of a difference in the way an individual leads his or her life when he or she grows up.
  • Take up gardening: By learning about plants, you can grow environmentally friendly plants. There is evidence that some plants, including Aloe Vera, English Ivy, and Snake Plants, among others, can lower indoor air pollution levels. Along with the Wallflower plant, Common Ivy, Neem trees have been shown to filter outdoor air.
    Fun Fact: Many child counselors suggest gardening as a therapy. Therefore, if inculcated at an early stage, this hobby can play a major role in the development of the personality of a human for the better.

Understanding the environment is crucial if we want to save it. An eco-hero will contribute and motivate others to work for a better planet through his deeds. It is not harmful to ask for assistance. Joining an NGO or forming a team to have a bigger impact is a good way to accomplish the aim because it will foster team spirit and turn it into an enjoyable activity.

Today more than ever , there is an urgent need for good samaritans to play their small parts in the bigger framework of being an eco conscious global community. Let’s embark upon this journey and become an ECO HERO for the greater good.

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“Quietness is an essential part of all awareness. In quiet times and sleepy times, a child can dwell in thoughts of his own, and in songs and stories of his own.”

Miss Margaret Wise Brown and her phenomenal writing prowess is evident in this extremely thoughtful and wisdom driven quote. Also called ‘the laureate of the nursery’ for her endless list of achievements, Brown is considered one of the most renowned American writers of children’s literature.

Born on May 23, 1910 in Brooklyn, United States, Margaret went on to pursue a Bachelor’s in English, followed by venturing into writing books for children while also dabbling between her other stints. Her writing credits ran across more than a 100 titles.

Brown rejected the idea of children’s literature being considered a synonym to the likes of fairy tales and fantasy stories. She introduced newer horizons for children’s writing. Brown reportedly believed that the children of those age groups don’t really care as much about plot or structure as much as they did about the action. This went on to be termed as the ‘Here and now’ approach to writing which Brown sincerely stuck to. As per one of Margaret’s professors, she enjoyed writing sound and color driven pieces.

Brown’s first ever manuscript ‘The blue grey kitten’ was published under the title ‘When the wind blew’. Her collaboration over ‘Five Little Firemen’ celebrated simple, ordinary, routine things; thus championing and elevating the ‘Here and Now’ approach further.

Brown believed children’s literature was one of the purest fields for experimental writing. She has also put across her minute observations while narrating stories to children, where they would be unattentive many a times and instead just focus on the colors visible around, fur of the apparels at an arm’s distance, so on and so forth. She put all of these observations to use by incorporating them into her writings and cementing her brand of storytelling.

‘The Little Island’, another of Brown’s renowned works, was filled with meticulously detailed observations. ‘The dream book’ made readers venture on a journey filled with dreamy characters and animals. Brown’s most widely received, popular piece of work ‘Goodnight Moon’ was an intentionally slow paced, poetic piece of narration. Surreal and hallucinatory in nature, the book went on to become an acclaimed and a highly original work of children’s literature and developed a legacy of its own over years and decades. The book also leaves a lot of questions open-ended, thus also subtly introducing the idea and concept of ambiguity to children at a very young age.

Margaret Brown’s long list of unique and original titles go on and on. Her impact on the way children consumed literature opened up newer doors for children’s literature back in the day. And it must have also influenced hundreds and thousands of potential authors across the globe.

“A child’s own story is a dream; but a good story is a dream that is true for more than one child.” That’s Miss Brown along with her invaluable, precious wisdom. Pick one of her books and allow your sensory receptors to sign up for an unforgettable adventure.

Cherish the memory, expand your reading, introduce yourself to beautiful, lively literature. It’s time to be ‘Here and Now’.

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Book Name: The Diary Of A Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank

This is a non-fiction book which was initially the diary of the thirteen-year-old Anne Frank. This book gives us insight into what it was like to be in hiding during war.

The reason I was intrigued by the book, when I first learnt of its existence, was its reality. Unlike other fictions I have read, it was not edited or tweaked as far as I could tell. Instead, the book consists of extracts from Anne Frank’s diary.

On July 6th of 1942, Anne Frank and her family went into hiding at the building ‘Prinsengracht 263’, which is now referred to as the ‘Secret Annexe’ as they didn’t want the Nazis to capture them.

The book was created by her father-Otto frank, who extracted and turned her entries into ‘The diary of a young girl’.

The book goes over the many struggles and achievements that are faced by Anne. I would give this book a rating of 9/10 and would recommend it to anyone who is going through a calamity.

the-diary-of-a-young-girl

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“Poetry comes alive to me through recitation.” ~ Natalie Merchant

One can’t find a heart which is not stirred by poetry, especially when the verse is being recited with a passionate fervor.

Poetry in itself is an extraordinary perception of the ordinary, a lyrical expression of the prosaic, an imagery of feelings, and recitation gives canvas to that imagery, beat to the lyrical expression and the extra boost to the poet’s perception of the ordinary.

Hence, a child must be introduced to recitation from an early age, a reason our academic curriculum essentially consists of oral assessments with separate sections for reading and recitation.

According to an article ‘Reading Aloud to Children’ published from San Diego,”If children know eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they’re four years old, they’re usually among the best readers by the time they’re eight.”Besides this, recitation helps in developing poise and focus, enhancing public speaking skills and controlling pitch. Let’s dive deeper into these beneficial aspects of it.

First the Why

Phonemic Awareness

Recitation helps young learners to speak and enunciate better with well formed sounds. Children who recite poetry as a routine are found to grow up as confident orators and sensitive readers as they understand pitch, voice inflection, volume and the rhythm of the language.

The Power of the Pause

Practicing recitation helps the child to develop a natural understanding about where and when to take a pause, which in turn creates the importance of punctuations in his/her mind.A well punctuated sentence turns out as impactful speech and vice-versa.

Memorization Skill

Children learn to pick up visual patterns and auditory sequences in poetry. Practicing recitation develops these skills and forges the link between audio visual ability. This benefits the child in learning new languages, reading comprehension and mathematics.

Now the How

Be Honest

Choose poetry which you really feel about. Are you passionate about nature and her various hues? Rhapsodize. Or do you feel for social causes? Speak up!An emotional connect is not necessarily a beautiful connect, it can be a bitter memory, a sad experience, a societal issue .. anything. Honesty gets you connected with your audience. Remember the ‘Gully Boy’ character?

Go Uninhibited

Yes! The only rule is to have no rules! Within the limits of decency, voice your piece with full emotional energy. For example,in the below given poem by JAMES MCDONALD, immense possibilities are present for myriad expressions.

” Today at school my teacher said,
I wonder what you’ll be?
When time has passed and you’ve grown up,
And the world is yours to see…”
Read it full and practice.

Be Sensitive

When reciting someone else’s poetry, be sensitive to the poet’s voice. Understand the poet’s emotions and voice them through your body language and expressions. Composed or excited, joyful or relaxed, witty or distressed … discern the feelings of the poem and emote.Sample this by Rachel Field,

” Something told the wild geese
It was time to go.
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered,—‘Snow.’
********* Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,—
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.”

Notice the tone here. Though there’s nothing in it to be sad about, yet the tone is not joyful, instead it’s serious and sober .The mood is sombre -about migration, about change, about loss and healing both.Hence, a composed and emotional recitation, neither upbeat nor dejected would bring out the emotions of it.

Thus, a powerful recitation is an integral part to ‘feel poetry’ and to make people realise and enjoy its emotions.

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At the onset of winters I hear a few people comment with a wry face that winters make them sad and forlorn. On the other hand, I love winters. Why? There are so many reasons. I look around and see Mother Nature laughing in the riot of happy colours of flowers. The yellow and orange Marigold, the Chrysanthemums in white, maroon and yellow, the Hollyhock and the Larkspur nod their heads, greeting one and all. They are a treat to the eyes. And the trees are lit up with bright leaves. There is no dull moment. Nature is busy celebrating life. I like winters because one does not hear the whirring of the fans and the silent humming of the Air-conditioners. No closing doors after every second. You can breathe in fresh air. Winters are environment friendly too. The cars become comfortable and the ride in the car does not remain an ordeal as in the summer months.

For Indians who enjoy food, well, winters offer delicacies to keep your body warm. It is an unforgettable sight to see vendors with their fantastic ware of groundnuts, gachak and jaggery. The hot clay pot that they keep on the groundnuts to keep them warm emanates just the right kind of heat to make the groundnuts crisp and ready to eat. People sitting by bonfires and enjoying a chat makes you believe that technology has not eaten into everyone’s life. For the fortunate ones like you and me, snuggling into one’s favourite spot with a book in hand is the ultimate luxury. Of course, the tea, coffee and pakoras make their way towards you too. Well, we are generous people who don’t believe in saying ‘no’.

As the days grow shorter, people complain that they have to be indoors for a longer time. For me, it is spending time with myself and my family. As people settle into their homes early every evening, a calm descends. There is a stillness in the air that lets you sit and think peacefully. The commotion slows down and gives a respite to the tired souls. For me, it is a time to introspect. As I go for my walk, with the early evening Sun warming my back or throwing its soft rays on my face, I feel refreshed. As I look in the direction of the Sun, it is not as harsh as the summers. Its reddish orange glow offers hope for the next day. The birds chirp as they too, have to retire early for the day. They frolic around making the most of the daytime. As winter reaches its peak, one comes to the end of a year. Living through another winter means we have lived another year well. It also means that we are gearing up to say goodbye to yet another eventful year of our lives and to say ‘welcome’ to the next year.

So, children, pick up a book, go to that cozy corner with your favourite blanket and cuddle up. You will remain out of harm’s way and make your parents smile as they remember their childhood and the happy winters they spent with their parents and grandparents. Happy snuggling!

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The sun rising in the east, birds chirping early in the morning, a flower bud blooming, sleepy kids getting ready for school, frantic parents setting up everything before starting for the office, teenagers scrambling to get into the class before the professor. All these seemingly unrelated activities have one thing in common – the start of a new day, a new beginning. The pace , timing or means may vary; yet all are directed towards the common goal of starting afresh, anew.

The month of December ushers in a similar vibe. It’s the last month of the year. Kids look forward to the winter holidays, parents for a much needed respite in the form of a holiday or a simple “me – time”. Everyone is filled with excitement of some kind. Winter sets in with shorter days and longer nights. It seems even nature decides to take it slow.

While all look forward to celebrating the new year, one should also reminisce. About what one might ask. Well, about the good times & occasions celebrated over the last 12 months, revel in the happiness of accomplishing a goal, fondly remember the ones that left us, laugh out at the goof ups and fumbles, miss a beat for the lost out opportunities, learn from mistakes and feel good about new acquired possessions that may be materialistic or others.

Spending one’s time doing the above would be a waste some might say. We beg to differ. Taking time to do the aforementioned activities would help us judge how far we have come and where we should channelize our energy next. It would serve as a road map for our preparations for the future by knowing our strength and improvement areas. It would set a bar for us of what is easily achievable and how the bar can be further raised. It would help us to set realistic and achievable aims for our future. We would be better equipped to face the new challenges coming our way. While one might argue that it can be done at any time of the year: we all know resolutions are made only at the beginning of the year irrespective of the duration for which they are followed. 😊

For example kids enjoy winter break with full gusto so that they can start their preparations for the final exam with renewed vigor. Parents look forward to a holiday to rejuvenate themselves for embarking on a new journey of personal and / or professional goals.

Spending a little time to take stock and plan for the next won’t hurt right??

So let’s pause for a while to begin again, to take stock of our strengths and weaknesses, equip ourselves with a new resolve and walk on into the new year with head held high and eyes full of dreams.

We wish that all our readers do so and make the best of their time. Here’s wishing for a new beginning for all into 2023. A beginning that brings joy, happiness and accomplishment. A new start to long held plans, sidetracked projects and of course a healthy & meaningful life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023 TO ALL.

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Elders and Teachers are next to God as they tell us how to lead our life. They show us the way to success. They teach us many things about life and the world. They give us knowledge about everything.

Knowledge given by our elders can never be measured. It is a fact that there is nothing in this world that is equal to the knowledge they can provide us. They can mold us into a great personality. So, we must respect them and should show our love towards them.

Teachers are the ones who build a good nation and make the world a better place. A teacher teaches us the importance of a pen over that of a sword. A good teacher is like a friend who helps us in all our troubles. Teachers are the second parents who help the students balance their lives and spend maximum childhood time with us like our parents. We can therefore get their blessings.

We must say thank you from the bottom of our hearts to our teachers and elders as they love us a lot and appreciate us. They put many efforts to make us one of the most shining stars of the world.

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Can you have a companion who showers you with unconditional love? I guess so; if you have a 4-legged friend, irrespective of whether you have had one already or if it’s your first one, it is one of the most joyful experiences…

Covid was at its peak when my daughter, a single child, started pestering us for a Puppy.

It was a huge responsibility, a Commitment to take amidst a lot. She was relentless. We decided to ask a friend to bring home a 2-month-old Lab. The minute the little pup and my daughter met, it was like they had known each other for years; he held onto her dress and never let go; How could we say NO to that little fur ball running around so happily in our home…That’s how he came home; she named him CASHEW.

The first 3 months were sleepless nights. It was like having a newborn…. But the positive side to it was that when there was so much negativity and sadness during that time, we, as a family, were in a Cashew world. He kept us all super busy. We had no time to think!!!! We were busy trying to save our Furniture, Socks and Towels, shoes, and even hairbands. Even the switchboards were not spared! We baby-proofed the whole house!!!!

He is 2 years now, a lot calmer, and a charmer with all age groups. He just makes them feel special, and all he asks in return are Belly rubs n non-stop playtime…He deals with all of us differently.

His Akka(sister) is his partner in crime, and he is her best friend who knows ALL her secrets. Most of all he is her Morning Alarm, wakes her up showering her with kisses…even on weekends 😊

He is even a part of my daughter’s friend group. He falls under the “Annoying younger sibling category” when they get together. He wants to know what they are up to!!

He is quite a well-behaved boy and guards his grandma when his parents are not around.

His Appa is his Master – No one is allowed to love him more than him 😊

With his Amma, she is his constant! She must always be around to take care of him!!

Over the last 2 years, we as a family have had some changes in our lifestyle; we have become a very disciplined family, waking up early even during weekends, and going on long walks together. Any animal we see we tend to empathize with them. My daughter says they all look like Cashew. She has so much empathy toward all pets and the Elderly. Somewhere she connects them…We are not allowed to speak loudly or have arguments that upset him.

He is a part of everything we do…There is always a positive Vibe at home. Somewhere he is a godsend. When you see his innocent eyes, you see so much love, filling your heart with happiness. To all the kiddos pestering their parents to get a pet Go get one. It’s a responsibility that needs to be shared with the Parents. It’s an experience, but it’s also a commitment …… They say Dogs do speak and love you unconditionally, but only to those who know how to listen and reciprocate …

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“In a Wonderland they lie, Dreaming as the days go by, Dreaming as the summers die: Ever drifting down the stream- Lingering in the golden gleam- Life, what is it but a dream?”

A fitting sequel to ‘Alice’s adventures in Wonderland’, the above-mentioned excerpt from ‘Through the looking glass’ is the legendary Carroll at its literary best. The brain and soul behind two of the most celebrated books of English Literature since the very inception of Literature itself, Lewis Carroll was born on January 27, 1832 in Daresbury, Cheshire, England.

An author, poet, teacher, photographer, mathematician and illustrator, Carroll donned many hats and did justice to them all quite convincingly. Being an avid reader since an extremely young age, Carroll’s love for literature was evident all throughout his growing up years. During the same, he wrote poetry and short stories, contributing heavily to the family magazine ‘Mischmasch’, following it up by sending them to various other magazines later. His work got published in all sorts of publications ranging from the national publications like ‘The Comic Times’ and ‘The Train’ to the smaller ones like ‘Whitby Gazette’ and the ‘Oxford Critic’ with most of his text relying heavily on humor.

A romantic poem called ‘Solitude’ happened to be his first piece of published work back in 1856, which also led him onto the path of fame. Carroll’s child characters in his novels were influenced by real children (especially girls) who were his acquaintances in and around the church and his hometown.

In 1862, Carroll began working on his to-be greatest commercial success in the years to come. It took him 2 years to come up with a manuscript named ‘Alice’s Adventures Under Ground’. In the coming years with multiple improvisations and modifications, the novel was finally published in 1865 under the name ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. The book is based on stories he told to amuse Alice Liddell and her friends. The book was a runaway success, earning Carroll loads of money, admirers and appreciation. In 1871, Carroll published the sequel of the same named ‘Through the Looking Glass’. The two books filled with wit and puzzles are today considered amongst the most admired children’s books in the world.

This was followed by a poem named ‘Hunting of the Snark’ which was published in 1876. After a span of a couple of decades, Carroll returned to his ‘Alice’ world with a two volume tale of the fairy siblings ‘Sylvie and Bruno’ and ‘Sylvie and Bruno Concluded’ published in 1889 and 1893 respectively.

The rest of Lewis Carroll’s body of work includes the likes of ‘Phantasmagoria and Other Poems’, ‘Rhyme? And reason?’, ‘A Tangled Tale’, ‘The Nursery Alice’, ‘Pillow Problems’, ‘What the Tortoise Said to Achilles’, ‘Three Sunsets and Other Poems’, ‘The Manlet’, etc.

Carroll’s writing was characterized with humor, satire, fantasy and a childlike nature. Many of his philosophies were also based on his games. Lewis Carroll over years, decades and centuries has inspired authors across the globe. His seemingly simpler humorous stories had layers of meanings and nuances with many amongst them influenced by life learnings, experiences, beliefs, philosophies, etc.

As once mentioned by the legend himself, ‘One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.’ Inherit the wisdom and allow Alice to enter your world.

Happy reading folks!