As the New Year celebrations settle down and life gets used to the routines, a new season starts for the student and parent communities. Yes, – The EXAM SEASON. It extends from February to the first half of April, subject to the board-one studies.
For most kids, it’s usually a time of anxiety, apprehension, nervousness, oscillations between the phrases “Yes, I am prepared” to “Gosh, Mera Kya hoga,” burning the midnight oil to cover the syllabi, frantic phone calls, and trips to friends’ for notes, parent trips to the nearby photocopy shop, and extreme hunger moods from becoming an all-encompassing food gobbling machine to a resist all food creature.

The parents become reactive simulators vis-à-vis the mood of their kids. Yet, they endure these volcanic mood swings with a single-minded pursuit: finding means to lessen this very erratic behaviour exhibited by their child. They realize that it is not the time to question such behaviour but, to have a workaround so that the anxiety of kids trying to overpower their concerning emotions is replaced by a belief that they can do it.
Kids of all ages exhibit this exam behavior with or without their knowledge. We must become their sounding board, absorb the negative impact or its repercussions, and let them land safely in their quest towards preparedness for this exam. Easier said than done. As a parent, I try to follow a few ways:

• The Present Parent: It applies to all of us, whether we are at home, working from home, or going out for work. It is not essential to be with your child 24/7. What is essential is to be with them when they need us.
  1. For example, the revelation of a completely new topic in the syllabus might make the child anxious. When this happens, the child needs to communicate his or her thoughts, positive or negative, to someone. We need to be that someone. It does not change the fact that the new topic must be studied. Yet, the pent-up emotions of its realization are all dissipated once the dialogue happens. How? Well, once the child lets the parent know, many solutions to the issue also come into the picture, and the thought of “How can this be done?” changes to “Oh, this is how it can be done.”.
  2. Discussing one’s plan for covering the entire syllabus acts as a reinforcing mechanism for the child. It lets the child become confident in his or her schedule with the parent’s approval. Some insights or tweaks, as suggested by parents, also help the child to concretize the schedule and follow it.
  3. Many times, all a child wants from a parent is to be present. It’s like the presence of a silent guardian who will keep a vigil and let the child know if there is any deviation from the decided path.

• Food Supervisors: With the pressure of exams, be it boards or otherwise, comes the overdependence or reluctance of food to cope with.
  1. As parents, we must ensure that we provide them with the sumptuous and nutritious food they need for the added brain activity. We must try to balance the kids’ demands for 2-minute food preparations that satiate their taste buds with foods that would provide them enough energy to withstand the rigors of their schedules. So, a maggie can be enjoyed after the consumption of healthy fruits and berries.
  2. The mindset of having a constant intake of tea or coffee can be replaced with shakes or juices that are soothing to the eyes, tongue, and stomach.
  3. We must try our best to maintain their eating times for good body function. Let’s not forget that the satisfaction of having food before the brain starts sending stress signals as pangs of extreme hunger translates into a renewed vigor to start the study marathon.

• Sleep Managers: Kids tend to have erratic sleep patterns in a rush to prepare for exams. As parents, we need to ensure that they are getting proper rest amidst these preparations.
  1. Build a schedule as per their child’s study patterns. Some stay late at night to study, while many others are early risers. Reschedule other things to ensure a proper rest period.
  2. Ask the child to take power naps while continuing long hours of study. Studies have shown that it rejuvenates the brain and the body.

• Recreational Activities: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” As the exam days are near, one of the things that kids slash out from their routine is playtime. While playing for the usual times may not be feasible considering the syllabi and cognitive dissonance post-play time, some recreational activities are essential.
  1. Ask the kids to reduce their playtime rather than stop it completely. Suggest alternate ways to engage in activities like cycling for some time, a badminton match, or playing table tennis at the home dining table.
  2. Post-Corona kids still rely on gadgets for their studies, especially those in the secondary sections. Remind the kids to take “greenery breaks.” Ask them to gaze at the plants inside the house or outer spaces.
  3. Listening to music or playing an instrument( if they know) can also be a good recreational activity.
  4. Indulging in yoga or dance can also lead to meaningful breaks.
  5. Enjoy some light-hearted conversations with kids to give them a break from their monotonous study routines.

• Comparison – Out of the Window: This proves to be the most potent mood and morale damper. However noble the intention, comparison with anyone, must be avoided at all costs. This red line that results in the alienation of relations must never be crossed. As I have stated in many of my previous articles, nurture your child’s uniqueness rather than resorting to comparisons that hurt them.

• Inculcating excellence as a habit: Yes, we all want our kids to excel academically. Let’s not say otherwise. Yet, what we must focus on teaching or guiding them about is the right way to do it. Academic excellence is always welcome, but not at the expense of the child becoming a score-churning machine. It must become a habit rather than a good thing to have. Motivate and guide the child to study to understand the concepts rather than rote learning. It may not yield results in the immediate exam, but the inculcation of such a habit goes a long way in developing the persona.

• Words that matter: “You are doing great,” “I can see your hard work,” “Your desire to excel is evident in your efforts,” “Keep up the good work,” or a mere “shabaas” or “lage raho” is enough of an encouragement for any child. It costs nothing to say it yet the rewards are multifold.

Many of the above are simple to follow, like food and rest routines, while others are exams for the parents themselves, like refraining from any kind of comparison.

Who said being a parent is simple? What is simple, is the passion that every parent has to help in all ways possible to see the cynosure of their eyes evolve into mentally, emotionally, and physically strong individuals, who over a period of time, are ready to navigate the “EXAM SEASON” of life.

Image Credits: Ref

Does wearing patriotism on one’s sleeve make one more patriotic? Does patriotism come from the heart or by shouting slogans from the rooftop? How does one qualify to be called a patriot? In this era of ‘global village’ does the nation- state hold any relevance? With borders melting because of the penetration by Multinational Corporations in different countries how can we define patriotism?
Are we, the slogan-shouting generation, more patriotic than our grandparents who went about their lives quietly, discharging their duty and serving their Motherland by being responsible citizens? And then there were those people who sacrificed their lives fighting for India’s independence. They worked selflessly and tirelessly to unshackle the country from the chains of the colonial power. They published papers, wrote letters to the editor as well as petitions appealing to the masses to arise and fight the colonial power. They have been buried in the pages of history but have no regret for they served the Motherland. For the generations gone by, it was not an independence day or a Republic Day on which the nation had to be remembered and celebrated. Serving the nation was a part and parcel of their lives unlike today when many of us are not very sincere towards the nation but are the first to wear the garb of patriotism.
And where can we best showcase our feelings towards the great nation? The answer is obvious and very vivid. It is on the social media, the virtual world where we spill our feelings for India or motherland. We gush about our country, its rich culture and heritage, its diversity and how it was once a leading power, since ancient times. We talk about India’s contribution to the world harping on its various aspects of richness. We dig up heroes who are long forgotten. In the fervour of patriotism we ignore the stark reality. And what is the reality ?
The reality is that this nation can again become a superpower, a leader among leaders but to attain that potential it is the people who have to be sincere and honest. Are we sincere towards discharging our duties? It’s only when each of us gives one’s best without excuses can we prove ourselves to be real patriots.
The digital age has also led to the rise of extreme nationalism. If we are proud about the diversity of India then we should learn to respect it. Extreme nationalism is being engineered and designed. This can be a dangerous trend, because it leads to a new kind of authoritarianism which can gobble up diversity and the beauty of any nation’s rich heritage. The rhetoric can be dangerous. Technology can steward such rhetoric and populism is spread very quickly. The deepening of such nationalist sentiments which do not take into account the feelings of other communities can harbour danger for the entire state. The dangerous outbursts coated with religious sloganeering is a new aspect of nationalism in many countries, including India.
We have to remember that digitalization has also led to increase in globalisation and liberalisation. With the opening up of economies there has been, and continues to be large scale movement of people from one continent to another. So we have pockets of diversity in every country which needs to be accommodated as well as respected.
We’re seeing an increase in hate filled form of nationalism. In a world and in a country which thrives on pluralism such hate rhetoric can only damage the psyche of an entire generation. And what is ingrained once cannot be erased easily. And it is the young who are using the Internet to the hilt. We have to remember that the young have to step out of their comfort zone and maybe travel to different countries through different time zones for employment or for other assignment. Would such extreme nationalism be of any help to such young people?
Daniel Conversi, a political historian, author and a social theorist calls the phenomena where members of virtual communities come together to form a national consciousness as ‘long distance nationalism’. The people don’t meet each other but are still bound to each other by a common thread called nationalism. There are situations where such binding helps people to be psychologically strong especially when they are sitting on foreign soil. But slowly this comfort- binding can snowball into a group which can become a rallying point for bullying and suppressing.
There was a time when nationalism was a monopoly of the governments. No longer. Today, every citizen has one’s own take and space on nationalism in the virtual world . The political parties have cashed on to this wonderful phenomena of harnessing nationalism in the virtual world. Political parties have their dedicated teams which focus on social media and crafting new angles of patriotism . Various issues are discussed in a manner that opinions are also engineered and manipulated .
The cyber troops and the cyber warfare can sometimes prove more dangerous than wars fought by soldiers on land, sea and air .Nationalism in the digital age can affect events and politics of the entire country. Nationalism has graduated to digital nationalism where messages are shared as a sense of duty. And when it comes to the state and one’s identityirrespective of the country, the messages are made viral in seconds. The authenticity of the message is not checked. Facts do not matter where feelings become dominating. This leads us to the question whether our nationalism is as virtual as our virtual world?
It’s time to ponder….

Image Credits: Ref

I used to be a very shy kid. Yes, I was an introvert. I did my best not to mingle with people. Since I was not interested in talking to people, you can guess that I was not comfortable showing my emotions in public. So, I never danced except for some foot tapping in the school shows. And I tried my best to be in the last line, away from the public gaze. My mother tried to persuade me again and again to dance, but I simply told her that I was not interested. She must have realized that I hesitated to dance because a mother understands every strand of her child’s body.

This game of persuasion and refusal continued between my mother and I. It was fine until one day, when my mother told me, during my summer vacation, that she had signed me up for the school’s dance team. At first, I thought that it was nothing more than a joke but when I saw my mother’s serious expression and my name on the list of students registered for the team, I was shocked.

My mother was sure that I did not even know one step of any dance, let alone Bhangra (traditional folk dance of Punjab) or any Western dance form. I pleaded with my mother to let me stay at home and enjoy my summer vacation. I begged my sworn enemy, my brother, to convince my mother. He refused as he said that I should dance just as he did in school. He was happy that I had to ask him for help. I even called up my maternal grandmother to convince her daughter that I should not be forced to dance. I was sure of victory as my grandmother is very fond of me and only she can order my mother around. To my utter surprise, nay shock, she refused to come to my aid. In fact, she felt that dance would help me to get over my shyness.

Nothing worked at all on my mom, and I had to go and learn to dance. I wanted to go and hide in the wings. I tried to get side-lined but failed miserably. I was told, by the teachers, to dance in front of everyone. I thought that I would get laughed at or even get thrown out. Instead, I was told that my body was stiff, something I already knew.

I did not want this to be repeated about me again so, I kept practicing at school and at home and I slowly got better with my steps. I could feel my body getting more flexible and agile with every passing day. I even got a few compliments. I was really surprised. I started enjoying dance and the manner in which we can express ourselves. In the end, I was happy that I stepped out of the shadows and learnt something that I thought I never could. I confess that my mother was right about dance and the way it can change a person, even someone as shy as me.

Dance helped me feel confident about my body. It helped me to get rid of any shame I felt about my body. It helped me lift my spirits. I felt joy and happiness that I had never felt earlier. As a thirteen-year-old boy who was just stepping into his teens, dance helped me to deal with the changes that I could feel in my body. I learnt to feel comfortable with my body. The swaying of my body with the music transported me into another world. I am the first one to be on the dance floor now. It does take a minute for me to shrug away my shyness but then there is no stopping me. Dance helped me evolve. I found new friends in the dance group. I look forward to wearing the colorful dresses which transport me into a magic land.

I realized dance is power, fun and loads of laughter. Dance liberated me from the shackles of shyness. I realized that it is a form of therapy that can lift one’s mood. A few steps every day can keep away boredom, monotony, and depression. Dance strengthens the body and gives it a certain gracefulness. Dance can be the answer to many physical and mental problems. In fact, dance helped me to become a positively happier person.

Image Credits: Ref
“He watched her small figure disappear and brought the bag back to his shoulder to continue onward. But before he took another step, he looked at the tall mountain that touched the moon, its peak soaring into the sky as if holding it up. Misty clouds draped softly, but up where the mountain met the moon, Rendi thought he could still see what he expected to be there. There was old Mr. Shan, the Spirit of the Mountain, who sat at the mountain’s tip with the book in his lap.”

Born in New York, Grace Lin is a celebrated children’s author and illustrator, with more than 25 books to her credit as a writer. Lin writes about racial identity, cultural representation, harmony, peace and love. Incorporating the tender nuances of Asian-American life, with characters retaining these identities, while emphasizing upon the cultural diversity, with a lens that’s much more grounded and sensitive as compared to that of the generalized stereotypical versions available in the global pop culture. Colorful, vibrant and minutely intricate, Lin’s illustrations further raise the bar of her storytelling, with a steady engagement and a fun reading experience. Regular mentions or influences of folk tales and their legacy pave their way into Lin’s writings.

Her most popular titles include the ‘Pacy’ series and ‘Where the mountain meets the moon’ series. ‘Ling & Ting’, ‘Robert’s Snow’, ‘Fortune Cookie Fortunes’, ‘Bringing in the new year’, ‘The ugly vegetables’, ‘Olvina Flies’, ‘The twelve days of Christmas’, ‘A big mooncake for little star’ and many other titles constitute the long list of Lin’s body of work.

Lin has repeatedly spoken about her book ‘The Ugly Vegetables’, the making of it, and the inspiration behind the book. She reminisces her childhood memories where her mom used to grow Chinese vegetables in their garden, as compared to all the other adjacent gardens where flowers blossomed. This odd one out Chinese vegetables idea embarrassed her big time, especially being an Asian family living in the United States. But now when she looks back and revisits those days, the heartwarming and affectionate memories of those Chinese vegetables makes her smile and inspires her to write. An adorable childhood photo of Lin and her mother standing in that very Chinese vegetable garden also served as an inspiration for one of the primary artworks in her book, loved and appreciated by her editors and readers alike.

Lin has been constantly advocating for and passionately endorsing the idea of increased and steadily rampant awareness of diversity in children’s books. The significance of education revolving around race and culture has been one of the central things she keeps rooting for, while specifically emphasizing upon the importance of literary education through stories and books which paint a sensitive, nuanced picture of race and culture.

“Because stories are how we share our lives and what we truly mourn when they are lost. Stories are what connect us to our past and carry us to our future. They are what we cherish and what we remember.”

As the beautifully penned excerpt from Lin’s ‘When the Sea Turned to Silver’ states, the stories are what makes us who we are, and these stories allow us to embrace our vulnerabilities, become a better version, and celebrate humanity, and eventually return back to them when we feel the need to smile.

Image Credits: https://www.amazon.in/Before-Goodbye-Coffee-Gets-Cold/dp/1035023423

Funiculi Funicula is a magical cafe that allows people to time travel to the past, reunite with their loved ones, and make amends. Yeah, yeah its sounds very magical. But the journey comes with risks and rules. The risks follow as the travellers must have visited the cafe and must return to the present before the coffee goes cold.

Monji Kadokura, an archaeologist and professor, was always away from home with his wife and kids. Suddenly, his wife goes into a vegetative state while he is away, but he has one last thing to say her. Sunao Hikita is a woman who couldn’t say farewell to her dog in his last moments and is living with regret and agony, so she returns to the past to say goodbye. Hikari Ishimori couldn’t answer a wedding proposal, and she still lives with bitterness as she couldn’t answer, so she wanted to go back to the past to give an answer to his proposal and say goodbye for the last time. Mikiko Kijimoto deserted her father and left home to study in Tokyo six years ago. But her father unfortunately died after she drove him away.  So she wants to apologise to her father about everything, which is why she wants to return to the past.

Dead people receive more flowers than the living because regret is stronger than gratitude. This quote was written by Anne Frank. The reason I quoted it was that we take everything for granted; we never realise it until it’s gone. We take people and their memories for granted and they’re gone, and you’re still there with their memories. You can grieve or cope with it, but don’t live with sorrow until you die. Even if you get to spend 5 minutes with them, be happy. Don’t live with the regret of not getting to spend more time with them. Make it meaningful. Don’t be sad about the people you lost. Be sad about the people you’re going to lose. I really enjoyed this book before we say goodbye. I learned a lesson about not taking death as a joke and spending time with your loved ones. It was pretty convincing for me that your life doesn’t end when your beloved ones are gone. It’s okay to be happy.

From the lovely and lively streets of American cities to the cultured and historic landscapes of Russia, art has created its niche. Each stroke of a paintbrush tells a unique story and every colour furthers an emotion. The imagination of an artist knows no bounds and it is an art that has made these nations shine. While Russian art is more aesthetic as there is ample use of vibrant hues and floral designs, American art forms are more abstract, expressive and individualistic.

Here are a few amazing art forms from Russia and America that will give you a peek into their culture and history.

While Russia is famous all over the world for giving the best thinkers like Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky to the world, the same country has also birthed some of the most talented painters. These innovative inventions from the ancient ages have survived the test of time. Here are some unheard art forms from Russia that are still famous today :

Khokhloma: Dating back to the seventeenth century, artists practising this art form use black, green and red colours on a black background. Traditionally, people decorate their wooden household items like jars, table tops and cupboards by painting on them. The surface is first painted black and once it dries, bright designs are painted in vibrant hues on the surfaces. The patterns include berries and flowers and are painted with a special heat-resistant metal paint.

Matryoshka Dolls: Everyone has played with these dolls as a kid. However, little did we know that these nested wooden dolls have their origin in Russia. The dolls are painted to reveal a series of smaller dolls within. From the biggest to the smallest, these dolls are symbolic of a mother carrying a child within. The sequence of these dolls is painted in vibrant colours and is intricately designed which makes the sequence charming and endearing.

Gzhel: This art form stands for the blue and white intricate patterns drawn on ceramic surfaces. The art form got its name from the place of origin i.e. Gzhel, a village near Moscow, Russia. Floral motifs and many other orange-blue patterns are hand-painted by local artists on various pottery items like plates, teapots and even figurines.

Gzhel: This art form stands for the blue and white intricate patterns drawn on ceramic surfaces. The art form got its name from the place of origin i.e. Gzhel, a village near Moscow, Russia. Floral motifs and many other orange-blue patterns are hand-painted by local artists on various pottery items like plates, teapots and even figurines.

Americans are well-known for their rock music all over the world. However, a lesser-known fact about this country is that the Americans were at one point in time amazing artists. Their art influences Asian, European, African as well as European traditions. Here are certain art forms that you can try at home and have fun:

Sand painting: Sand painting is a unique art form in which an artist pours different colours of sand on a surface to create paintings. Crushed-coloured sandstones, pollen and charcoal are some of the materials used to create an artwork. This art form has a religious significance as its main function is to connect with healing ceremonies. Native Americans would make the patient sit in the centre of the painting to cure his or her illness and heal the patient completely.

Porcupine Quillwork: Porcupine quillwork is one of the most intriguing artworks. The quills are used to decorate various items of clothing and multiple accessories. To do so, the quills are dyed in the desired colour and seen through birch paper. Only a few skilled women could do this sacred art and had to recite prayers while performing it.

Totem Poles: Skilled artists use various tools like chisels and adzes to carve wood and make carvings. In the Native American culture, these poles are highly significant as they narrate stories and also tell about the spiritual beliefs of people. These poles can be anywhere between 40 feet to 100 feet tall depending on the cultural significance and the purpose of the artist making one.

Art knows no boundaries. We all played with Matryoshka Dolls as kids and painted in the sand whenever we got the chance. Therefore, it is all about exploring one’s creative prowess and understanding all humans face the same emotions. The art scenes in Russia and America tell interconnected narratives that reflect diverse landscapes. However, the common threads that bind them together are human emotions and willingness to express themselves through the medium of art. Both countries contribute majorly to art on a global level and there is a lot to learn from them for art enthusiasts.

Once upon a time in a bustling city, Leo, the brilliant inventor, created a marvel of technology – a robot capable of detecting liars. My invention, known as “TruthBot,” was a groundbreaking leap in the world of artificial intelligence. It could scan body language, monitor voice fluctuations, and analyze facial expressions with unmatched precision. TruthBot was programmed to seek out the truth, making it the most valuable asset for anyone striving for honesty and integrity.

As the news of my invention spread, people from all walks of life were eager to acquire TruthBot. Politicians, lawyers, and even ordinary folks saw it as the ultimate means to unearth deception. However, it wasn’t long before I realized that not everyone had noble intentions. One fateful evening, I found my laboratory broken into, and TruthBot was missing. The thief had left behind a scene shrouded in confusion.

The city was thrown into turmoil as accusations flew like bullets in a wild west shootout. All evidence pointed to one person, a mild-mannered librarian named Mr. Barnaby. His reputation for honesty had earned him the trust of the entire community. I couldn’t believe it. Why would Mr. Barnaby steal TruthBot, the very invention that could expose liars?

I embarked on my own investigation, using the detective skills I had developed over the years. It became evident that Mr. Barnaby had an unimpeachable alibi, and no one could provide any credible motive for his involvement. It was a classic case of all evidence pointing towards an innocent person. I knew there had to be more to the story, so I delved deeper into the case.

My first break came when I examined the scene of the crime more closely. I found a tiny piece of fabric caught on the broken window frame. It was not the kind that Mr. Barnaby would wear, but rather a material used by the city’s elite. This discovery was a stark contrast to the modest librarian.

Digging further, I discovered that Mr. Barnaby had recently become the target of threats, which he had reported to the local authorities. It seemed someone was trying to tarnish his impeccable reputation. There was a conspiracy at play, a nefarious plot to frame the innocent librarian and divert attention from the true thief.

I began to focus on the city’s most influential citizens. The more I dug, the more I realized that one person stood out like a sore thumb: Sir Reginald Blackwood, a wealthy industrialist with a penchant for secrecy. He had everything to gain from stealing TruthBot and ensuring that it never fell into the wrong hands.

My suspicions grew stronger as I uncovered Sir Blackwood’s connections to various criminal elements in the city. It was clear that he had orchestrated the theft to protect his own secrets, using Mr. Barnaby as a convenient scapegoat.

With the evidence in hand, I confronted Sir Blackwood, who initially denied any involvement. But when I presented him with the fabric and the connections I had uncovered, he finally cracked. The truth tumbled from his lips, confirming my suspicions.

In the end, TruthBot was returned to me, and Sir Blackwood faced the consequences of his actions. The city could once again trust in the power of truth, thanks to the unmasking of the real liar behind the grand theft. The case had all the elements of a classic detective story – a seemingly innocent person accused, a web of deception, and the eventual triumph of justice.

As I stood victorious in the heart of the bustling city, I couldn’t help but smile, for the truth had prevailed, and the world was a little more honest thanks to my invention, TruthBot. And thus, the tale of the stolen lie-detector robot came to an end, leaving a legacy of integrity and justice in its wake.

“A book, being a physical object, engenders a certain respect that zipping electrons cannot. Because you cannot turn a book off, because you have to hold it in your hands, because a book sits there, waiting for you, whether you think you want it or not, because of all these things, a book is a friend. It’s not just the content, but the physical being of a book that is there for you always and unconditionally.”

Mo Willems, author of the acclaimed book series ‘Elephant and Piggie’, and award winning books ‘Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!’, ‘Knuffle Bunny’ versions; is a wholesome example of how a childlike enthusiasm gets reflected from an adult with as much innocence and purity as that of a kid. The passion and conviction, with immense love for stories. And the very act of storytelling.

Born in Chicago, Willems began expressing through his art from the tender age of 3. He drew characters. Which later transitioned into writing. Willems is also an animator, and has illustrated a long list of books. His authored titles list begins with ‘Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!’. The book revolves around a bus driver and pigeon (who wishes to drive the bus). The driver is adamant on not allowing him to do so. He requests the readers to refrain the pigeon from driving the bus. And the banter continues further.

The book was rejected by countless publishers stating the very reason which the publisher who eventually published it stated – They all said it’s unusual. But as per Williams, whether is an ‘unusual’ pejorative or a positive, is the ultimate question. The dialogue heavy narrative with sketches of the pigeon stood out. It soon turned into a franchise with the Pigeon returning in the follow-up books ‘The pigeon finds a hot dog’, ‘The pigeon loves things that go’, ‘The pigeon has feelings too’; so on and so forth.

Willems emphasizes upon his inherent need to spark creativity and joy, leaving behind a sweet aftertaste, after having read his books. Also he intends his books to be read by kids and adults alike. Simple basic questions find their way into his work. The very purpose of being in a childlike sense is passed on to the readers. The idea of niceness, or the lack of it, is conveyed in a simplified manner. His books come with a sense of hyped up excitement, and he expects that excitement to translate onto the reactions of his readers while his stories are underway, being read in real time.

“All of the life-changing awesome words and pictures and ideas inside your library are useless without just one word outside your library – Open.”

Mo Willems innocently advocates for the act of reading, and feeling, and cherishing emotions. Just like his quote, it’s important for us as readers to be open and receptive to his unique ideas, more specifically his creatively novel approach, and his passionate storytelling.

Buckle up for an unforgettable ride with the adorable pigeons!

Come December and here we are at that time of the year again when chilly winds blow in the Northern region, hills are draped in a beautiful white blanket of powdered snow; frost laden rivers glisten in winter sun, days shrivel and berries swell, a golden glow of crackling fire from cozy fireplaces filters out from glass windows and homes are warm with festive cheer and savoury aromas. Aye, it’s winter and we are on the verge of welcoming another year.
A new year brimming with new excitement, new challenges and some brand new milestones to be engraved in life’s journey.

As we once again stand at this threshold we tend to look back at the going year with a tinge of regret… perhaps, about a place we wanted to visit but couldn’t, a relation which didn’t go as per our wish, a choice gone wrong… But more than these we are upset about things we meant to do but remained undone for an entire year.
And know what?
Without our realizing it, these become our New Year’s resolution- the glossy trendy version of our undone, incomplete stuff.
Year by year.
Remember, that dress you wanted to fit in still lying in the back of your closet, that haircut you wanted, that subject you meant to switch to, that trip, that blog you so wanted to write, gosh those heels you so wished to wear, that manuscript you wanted to mail to the publisher… Ah, the endless list of undone things.

So where exactly do we go wrong?
And How to avoid this next year? Unravel this with some homework tricks .

One – Create a 12 picture collage of the current year’s best moments. Best doesn’t mean to be the most glitzy ones but the moments where you felt loved, appreciated and valued, moments you’d love to relive.
One for each month.
Result – This exercise would remind you of the good times you had every month and if you can’t find even a single one for a month then you’d learn to ‘create’ these in the upcoming year, thus automatically filtering out some and adding certain other habits as well as people, Right?
On the practical side, it will help you delete the not so important pictures from your gallery giving a Lot more phone space! Trust me you’d Thank me later.

Two- Write down a minimum of 10 gestures or deeds you feel proud of, this year. It can be academic excellence, or change in your certain behavioural patterns, a good habit you acquired, a fitness goal achieved, a financial goal checked , a boundary you successfully set in a tricky relationship, or the ice you managed to thaw in a difficult one… anything which helped you grow and bloom as a better person.
Result – **This will point out that if you’d already done any of that, definitely you are already more loved and respected.

You’d feel a sense of accomplishment.
If not, make it a point to ‘find’ such situations to grow and help grow, I promise , on the eve of next new year you’d be looking back to a ‘richer’ life.

Three – Turn your dreams into goals
Dreams become achievable goals when you put a date to them.
Let’s say last year’s unfulfilled desires are – Reaching ideal fitness, Gold in science Olympiad , running a 10 km year end marathon, To be the editor of the school magazine. All these can be easily achieved by finding two hours daily.
See how –
For fitness- wake up an hour earlier than your usual time and you’d be exceptionally fit by 1st June.
This will help you to shine in the year end marathon on 1 October.
For science Olympiad – practice questions daily for one hour after school. You’re ready for 21st August.
For magazine Editor – read literature to broaden knowledge by switching screen time to book time. You’re ready to apply on 1st November.
By making a small difference daily dreams and wishes turn into solid reality. And homework one and two has already given you new goals to pursue! Write a date!

Lastly, remember what Bruce Lee said, “Be Water , My Friend”
Do not resist or struggle, neither surrender but find a way. Either wash away obstacles else turn around them, circumvent, jump over, pass under, do whatever it takes but reach your goal on time. In 2024 Be water.
Be unstoppable.

A country’s arts and crafts narrate tons about its history. The rich cultural tapestry embodies centuries of traditions, artistic innovation and even symbolism. African arts and crafts are very well known for their exquisite designs and textures.
Not only is it important to know about African arts and crafts, but it is also very important to learn how to do these. One can take inspiration from these arts and crafts to incorporate them into Indian artforms and make exquisite objects.

Go on and give it a read to learn more African artforms and crafts.

Basket Making: Artisans skillfully use natural and organic materials such as grasses, reeds and fiber to create intricate baskets. Some of the most intricate baskets are made in the Kitui region of Nigeria. The craftsmen use sisal and dye them to make striking colours. Ghana is also known for baskets made out of “river grass” or “elephant grass”. These exquisite objects have leather hands made of goat skin. The patterns on these baskets are either geometric or symbolic in design and are available in beautiful colours.

Mask Making: Masks have been a staple wear in the history of Africa. From diverse materials like animal hide to the very exquisite ivory, masks have been one of the most talked about accessories. Wooden masks are made with a small axe-like tool that creates nice curves according to the features of the face. Further details are added using a knife.

Pottery: Ounjougou pottery is the oldest serving style of pottery. Hand built by African women in their domestic compounds, this style of pottery served as a way of artistic expression. These pots not only served practical purposes in households, but also worked as ornamental pieces.

Jewels and More: Ostrich egg shells have been often used by Africans as ornaments. Various other organic materials like porcupine quills, bones, animal teeth, and carved stones were used to embellish oneself. African beadwork requires skill and is one of the best in the world. Men as well as women both wear jewels made with beads. From extravagant headgears to massive necklaces and bangles, jewels are an essential part of the attire.

Textile Art: African countries are well known for their textile. Whether it is designing or manufacturing, textiles like Bogolan, Ankara, adinkara or Kente are famous all over the world for their textures and designs. Conventional weaving, dyeing, and printing methods are used to create fabrics that further cultural narratives. The fabric from Africa is commonly known as brocade or basin fabric. Artisans employ various tools such as mud and calabash gourds to stamp, paint, and press designs onto the fabric.

From intricate beadwork to skilful basketry, African arts and crafts speak tons about the country’s history. Learning about these crafts not only add to one’s knowledge but also inspire one to try something on their own. These arts and crafts preserve identities, rituals of communities and give us a glimpse into the working of a society.