The year 2023 has been an impressive showcase of technological strides and remarkable projects. Despite the challenges of the lockdown, most communities have made a strong recovery.

At the end of the year, most teenagers are mixed with a cloud of emotions. The transition from one year to the next isn’t just a change in dates; it’s a marker of growth, change, and the passing of time.

As a teenager, I’ve found this year to be the shortest yet. It feels like months have sped by in the blink of an eye. It’s baffling, prompting me to sit down and devise a plan to figure out why this year has felt so incredibly brief.

To start, stepping into 9th grade marked a significant shift. New concepts in my grade 9 textbooks represented a considerable leap from 8th grade. I adapted quickly and dedicated most of my time to studying. However, I don’t think merely diving into school books caused time to pass by so swiftly, so that’s a theory I’ll set aside.

Another notion I’ve considered is that my time spent with friends, family, and relatives might have played a major role. I strongly believe that connecting with them, sharing emotions and thoughts, might have contributed to this sense of time slipping away. There could be other factors, but this feels significant to me.

Interestingly, I discovered that many others share this feeling. When I asked friends, their responses mirrored mine—they, too, felt that the year whizzed by. None of us could quite put our finger on why, but it seemed to be a shared experience.

I believe that teenagers like us had more opportunities this year to come together, strengthen bonds with friends and family, much like I did. Among us, there have been memorable moments—some joyful, some transformative. Personally, I’ve achieved new milestones and experienced personal growth.

Most teens are eagerly anticipating the new year. There’s an undeniable buzz about what’s to come—the chance to set new resolutions and personal goals.

Year endings also bring nostalgia. Generally, I miss all the fun we have had the past year which couldn’t be regained in the next one. Missing your friends as they shift onto a different school, your relatives as they shift onto different places. I miss the fun I had together as the years moved on.

Most teens, like me, have started evaluating what significant things that we have done this year. When most teens look back, some could have positive insights, and some negative. This is when we start promising ourselves that we’ll make the next year count starting from day 1 with new resolutions and promises to oneself. Hope we make it through.

One funny incident that I would like to reflect on is when I made a resolution in 2022, to write a diary every year. I got through the first year alright, but my year 2023 dairy still has half of its pages empty and I have completely forgotten to start it again.

For most teens, amidst the sense of various emotions, there can also be a sense of uncertainty. They may not know what’s about to come, and the end of the year might stir up their thoughts on what’s to come. It’s the time that teens should be brave and face all uncertainties that is to come in their future.

Basically, everyone is mellowed down by the end of the year as they enjoy the winter season. The upcoming festive holidays and the beginning of the new year brings excitement to a number of youths.

The end of the year isn’t merely the sum of 365 days; it’s a complex blend of emotions—joy, gratitude, uncertainty, and hope. For teenagers, it’s a rollercoaster ride of feelings, a time for reflection, celebration, and perhaps a few nervous moments thrown in.

This year has truly been eventful for me, and I’m genuinely excited about what the upcoming year holds. It’s an entirely new, fresh chapter that I’m going to indulge myself in, and I’m genuinely excited about what’s awaiting me next year. For the upcoming new year, my resolution would indeed be to continue my passion of reading and writing and go on to read more and more, all the while putting my best effort into publishing my upcoming books.

When I look at my 13 years old daughter’s busy school and social life, it reminds me of my childhood. The stark difference in terms of simplicity of things in all spheres like school, family, friend groups, handling technology and global exposure stand out.

I feel we had it really simple as compared to our kids. Missing one day of school was not a family discussion issue, holidays were not planned taking into account the school trips or annual days and going to ancestral homes was not dependent on kids’ summer camps. In short, life was simple.

While it may be true, I am amazed by the adaptive mechanisms of today’s kids. They have become multi- taskers inadvertently, in today’s fast paced life. However, somewhere it does play on their mental well-being. The rat race in everything, the peer pressure, the need to know it all sometimes becomes too much to handle. This leads to issues like self doubt, going in a shell, becoming a loner or even depression.

What if we are able to protect our kids from these issues using some in-built mechanisms? Having a positive self- esteem is one such way of ensuring that our kids navigate through the myriad of today’s asks and aspirations.

A positive self-esteem is nothing but having a positive and realistic knowledge of one’s abilities and the things one could achieve. It is the realisation of where one stands and how to march towards the goals one needs to achieve. These goals may be as simple as having a confident look or aspiring for a career.

A child with positive self-esteem harnesses his / her abilities to achieve things. But it doesn’t stop at just that. The child also is aware of the areas needing improvement and works on them to change them to strengths.

The importance of having a positive self-esteem has become more pronounced in today’s times with external factors like competition, peer pressure or desiring to have a certain way of life which greatly impact our lives today.

Kids who have a positive self-esteem, look at the outcome of things in a very different way than those who do not have it. The following table demonstrates a few everyday life approach to things –

From the above table, it is clear that kids with a positive self-esteem approach things in a different way. They are sure of themselves and are ready to take a stand if needed. They do not fear failure or are not afraid to be left alone in a situation. They certainly look at things from a learning perspective.

It is indeed a boon to have a child with a positive self esteem. For others, there are ways in which parents can help kids take stride towards this quality.

1. Accept your child’s uniqueness – the first and foremost thing a parent must do is to realise the uniqueness of their child. Comparison with other kids even when done with a good intention, is detrimental. A child who realises that the parents love him / her the way he/she is would definitely be more confident about self.
2. Be a good listener – give the time your child needs to tell you things. It may be as simple as a talk about a particular hairstyle that is trending, a new advertisement by a global football star or a famous online game that is a rage at present. One may not understand all that the child tells, but the time and intent shown by the parent in listening goes a long way in building self-esteem positively. It assures the child that there is someone who is always ready to hear then out even about seemingly trivial things. This further goes in giving the child the courage to ask for advice or listen to when it is being given.
3. Engage with their lifestyle – the instant comparison today’s parents have vis-a-vis their childhood or teen days and their kids’ lives today is inevitable. We must understand the changing times and learn to be in sync with kids’ lives today. We may not agree to everything but the will shown by us to know their world, helps them in developing a positive image of themselves. Our kids may bicker with us and throw tantrums but our validation or a simple acknowledgement matters the most to them.
4. Be an example of positive self-esteem – kids look up to parents in every way. If we are the bearers of a negative persona about ourselves, they would imbibe the trait. Presenting a positive image of oneself goes a long way in ensuring a positive self-esteem in the kids.
5. Give meaningful feedbacks – kids look for validation of things they do from their parents, teachers, peer groups etc. Always ensure that you give meaningful feedback. Praise the child for the good and then mention the things that they need to improve upon.
6. Let them fail, be ready to catch them if they do – This is a very difficult thing to do for any parent. We never want our kids to face failure. But nothing teaches them like failure does. It gives them a reality check about their abilities. While doing so, we just have to be present to hold their hand and guide them when they realize that they have failed and do not know what to do next.

Building a positive self-esteem is not a short term goal. It is a round the clock job where both the kids’ and the parents’ efforts are needed. A child with a positive self esteem builds a character that can withstand the pressures of life. Such traits have to be revised till they become a habit. It’s a task easier said than done. The most important thing however is to embark on it. So let’s begin this journey if not already on it. Joining ?

It was a beautiful evening. I marveled at the setting Sun as I slumped into one of the garden benches of my society after a long work day and the mandatory evening walk. I looked at the different groups of kids around. Some were getting ready to play while others were already in the thick of it. The little ones with their parents or caretakers throwing tantrums and a few groups busy on their phones glued to their Insta reels, Whats app chats or You tube presumably. A group of kids sitting on a nearby bench however, caught my attention specifically. They were engaged in an animated discussion. My ears perked up.

Child 1 – My mom is so cool. She never scolds me. She allows me to play video games for an unlimited amount of time without any conditions. Hah!

Child 2 – Wow! My dad also allows me to indulge in my reading activity but I must finish my studies first.

Child 3 – Is it? My parents are not concerned if I watch TV or play video games or doze off! Seriously! Can you believe it?

Child 4 – Huh! You know what! Your parents are so different from mine. I have to follow their laid out schedule for everything be it studies, play , sleep or funtime. Nhi to punishment. I guess I am the odd one out!

The discussion continued for a while before they decided to go for a round of cycling and zoomed past me on their bikes. The kids gave me some food for thought. I inadvertently started to recall my parents parenting style in comparison to that of mine. I also recalled the famous shloka-
लालयेत्पञ्चवर्षाणि दशवर्षाणि ताडयेत् ।
प्राप्ते तु षोडशे वर्षे पुत्रे मित्रवदाचरेत् ॥
which translates to –
indulge your child till he attains the age of five, discipline him for the next ten years and become his friend once he attains the age of sixteen.

I was intrigued by this topic and decided to do some further reading on it. It was indeed an eye opener as I never expected to find so much of scientific research being done on parenting styles and their impact on children’s development and mental health.

The research on parenting styles began in the 1960s. Developmental Psychologist Diana Baumrind identified four major parenting styles. Although many new styles have been added in recent years owing to lifestyle changes and the diverse nature of family units, these four are the ones most parents relate to.

• Authoritarian
• Authoritative
• Permissive
• Neglectful

Authoritarian
These parents seek to have full control of their kids’ lives. They feel the need to guide their wards through a strict regimented upbringing where there is a rule for everything and following it is non-negotiable. A punishment of some form is also resorted to if rules aren’t followed. While the intent of the parents is noble and has the well-being of the child at its core, studies have shown that kids who grow up with this kind of parenting style are good followers but lack social or empathetic skills.

Authoritative
This parenting style believes in flexibility and practicality. They create boundaries and rules for their kids but discuss and ensure that the child understands the reasons behind it. The must be followed rule is laxed here. Kids have their say and can express their thoughts. The approach is supportive parenting rather than punishing one. The parents understand the kids anxieties, desires and aspirations and ensure that they are met within their boundaries so that both the parent and the child are happy. Kids growing up in homes with this parenting style grow up to be independent and self-reliant while learning to weigh the pros and cons in any given situation.
Permissive
This style is also termed as Indulgent parenting by some researchers. In this type of parenting, there are no set of rules, no limitations, no boundaries rather open channels of communication. The child is allowed to make his / her decision with regards to all aspects of his / her life be it studies, pursuing hobbies, making friends , using social media( in the recent times) et al. They focus more on developing the emotional quotient of the child. There are no disciplinary actions for mistakes and things are sorted out by communicative methods. Punishments are seldom in the picture here. Kids of such homes are highly emotionally adaptive, creative and possess good social skills. On the flip side, the freedom that these kids enjoy tends to make them feel entitled at times or they may have difficulties in self-regulation.
Negligent
It is also termed as Neglectful style of parenting. Here the parents perform their basic duties of providing food, clothing and shelter for the child but the interactions between the parties is limited in other areas. This style of parenting may not be by choice every time. Recent changes in our lifestyles and work pressures have resulted in a rise of this kind of parenting. Kids who grow up with such parents become resilient not out of choice but as necessity. They might develop social awkwardness and may have difficulties controlling their emotions and outbursts.

Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Every parent adapts to a style with the best of intentions. As the kids grow up, the expectations from the child, self and society along with the needs to keep up with the changing times may nudge parents to adapt a mix of the above styles rather than sticking to one. The parents do mould themselves as per the situation and seek out the best option for their child.

Every parent is faced with different challenges and thus reacts to it in a unique way. Just put yourself in these styles and you can find whether you fit into one particular style or jump skip and hop from one to another as the situation demands..
So which parenting style do you have? All the best …

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails” – Dolly Parton
Having ranted about the negative impacts of the commercialization of festivals, as I sat back to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with the day’s newspaper, an article about the Great Banyan Tree of Kolkata caught my eye. The hanging prop roots of the banyan tree emerge new from a branch, then grow towards the soil and hold firm, eventually becoming similar to the main trunk while the original root and trunk still exist. This exquisite wonder of nature, got me thinking. Commercialization of festivals could very well be the new beginning to a more adaptive, inclusive celebration of a special kind that can spread across the globe and take our cultural heritage to places far and beyond.
Globalization is the main reason for the commercialization of festivals, no doubt. But we cannot deny that the very same globalization has made the world’s trade and economy boom across sectors, and made the world more interconnected, leading to the rise of new entrepreneurial opportunities and economic freedom. The commercialization of various festivals should not be seen only in the form of certain food stalls, handicrafts, loom retailers, etc. Commercialization manifests itself in various forms. The most major of them all is the economic boost.
While we might see festivals as celebrations and fiesta, businesses – both local and global see them as opportunities to promote their enterprise and products. An increase in sales, turnover and profit of these businesses in turn paves the way for increased revenue, job prospects and overall economic growth. Local vendors, businesses, crafters, etc., thrive, thanks to these occasions. No one can argue that the happiness index of people too will be at its peak during the festivities as they satisfy their shopping desires be it clothing and jewellery or decorations and renovations.
Arguably, another great impact that commercialization brings with it, is the improved infrastructure. Big businesses and malls are now looking to invest in the grassroots logistics for festivities. They want to provide a one-of-a-kind and better shopping experience than their competition leading to better outcomes, overall quality and creating unforgettable good experiences leaving the people to come back for more.
As many businesses have become more environmentally and socially aware, they are looking forward to finding ways to make festivals more sustainable and safer for nature. Most of them are now looking back at our very own roots, ready to appreciate and apply our cultural connection, taking our festivities global with changes adaptable to the respective human self and environment. Most of the businesses are aiming to reduce carbon footprints, wastes, etc. and involve the people to create awareness about the environment during the festivities.
Commercialization is the evidence of a more globalized world. It could be a boon or a bane, but let’s not forget that even the worst of poisons might sometimes be a cure. The time has come to look at the festivals beyond just joy and celebrations. The quibble for commercialization will continue nevertheless, the urge to progress is pushing people to embrace these inclusive changes while holding on to their cultural beliefs and heritage. We can board the train to growth, or alight and be left behind complaining. I have made my choice. Have you?

As a person who has undoubtedly devoted his life to books, picking a singular book to write a review on can indeed be challenging. Having explored many genres earlier, I have always been fascinated by the ‘mystery’ genre, which showcases detectives, crimes and so on. I have always been so intrigued by detectives so much that I have gone on to publish my own books on the same genre.

The one book that I would always recommend to anybody, irrespective of the age, would be that of the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ series, written by Arthur Conan Doyle. As almost everybody’s aware by now, Sherlock Holmes is a detective in London who solves crimes, mysteries and so on, accompanied by his friend Dr. John Watson. When I had first picked up the book, I immediately knew it was going to be a thriller, and got myself into it in no time.

Packed with joyous moments, unexpected happenings, scary twists and turns, spooky findings and other interesting components, this book deserves to be at the top of your bucket list on the next books to read. For a new reader of Sherlock Holmes, A Study In Scarlet is undoubtedly the place to start. Written in the perspective of Dr. Watson, this book gives a brief introduction about Watson, and how he had eventually met Holmes, from where they both became roommates in a house located at 221B Baker Street.

Initially, these two aren’t much on terms with each other. Dr. Watson always wonders why Holmes is busy most of the time. Eventually, he gets to know that Holmes is a detective, a fascinating detective who finds solutions to intricate problems very easily. Sherlock is utterly brilliant when it comes to detective work, but ignorant of most other subjects. This book also goes on to show how their bonds grows, as they uncover secrets and mysteries that remain hidden in the eyes of many.

“There’s nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.” quoted by Sherlock Holmes in one of the stories shows his perspective towards mysteries and how he approaches it. He’s a keen listener who gathers all the information very precisely, from which he is able to conclude theories about it without even having to investigate the place. This goes to prove that he is undoubtedly one of the greatest detectives to ever live.

Stories like that of ‘A Study In Scarlet’, “The Sign of Four”, “The Red-Headed League” and so on motivates me to continue writing in the field of detectives, and learn from Sherlock Holmes the skills on how a detective functions. As a person who has enjoyed his stories, I’m sure many more will.

Brothers Sam and Dave together dig a hole. Their dog accompanies them. The digging goes on. And on. And on. In search of something ‘spectacular’. The trio after having dug for ages, fall through the hole, and get transported to a different world. Mac Barnett weaves a seemingly simple, yet effective and hugely entertaining tale of childhood innocence and imagination.

Barnett is an American author of stories for children. Having gotten his work translated into more than 30 languages worldwide, his writings have sold millions of copies, while also bringing in the tagged along critical acclaim.

The writer states that he lies to his readers (children). As is the case with any good piece or art, this lie arises out of honesty and a pure intention. Having worked with kids at a young age acquainted him with the children’s worldviews and perspectives. The way in which children react to and receive the fictional world served to them is vastly different as compared to that of the adults. They buy the idea of something very wondrous fantastically unfolding in front of them with an immense amount of conviction. And that’s what sets them apart. It’s also in a way a testament to their unadulterated, pure perception of the world they inhabit and the emotions they feel.

Barnett’s books usually come with complementary illustrations which livens up the reading experience for children. It helps them immerse themselves in the colorful world built together with a seamless blend of text and images. The books don’t necessarily offer any predictable solutions to the regular children’s book conflicts. They instead seek relatability, and keep things fairly real, and equally childlike, both at the same time.

His titles include the likes of ‘The first cat in space ate pizza’, ‘The great Zapfino’, ‘A polar bear in the snow’, ‘John’s turn’, ‘The important thing about Margaret wise Brown’, ‘The wolf, the duck and & the mouse’, ‘Noisy night’, ‘I love you like a pig’ and many more. The ‘Jack’ series itself spans across a range of titles like ‘Jack and Santa’, ‘Jack at the zoo’, ‘Jack at bat’, ‘Too many Jacks’, so on and so forth.

Barnett talks about one of his earliest books titled ‘Billy Twiitters and his Blue Whale problem’, revolving around a kid who gets a blue whale as a pet, which eventually creates a mess in his life, gets delivered by Fed-up, the boy carries this whale everywhere from his school to other public places. Quite absurd. And humorously engaging.

A 30 day trial period for such whales floated by. A kid wrote back in a hilarious post stating that he would bet 10 bucks they won’t be sending him the whale. The kid named Nico received an official statement from a law firm (or something equivalent) stating that his whale is stuck in some custom duty conflicts, because of which the delivery is delayed. As an alternative Nico was asked whether he would like to talk to the whale over a call. Obviously the kid jumped in. And absurd whale sounds were played over the call, ending with a beep (which in itself sounded like a whale). The adorable Nico got back with heartwarming replies. He told the whale that he misses him. And continued to drop in voice notes every now and then, which the author heard, and smiled wholeheartedly. Nico kept the whale informed about all of his whereabouts, including his school life, the bond he shared with his grandma, and the timely Christmas wishes for his distant whale friend.

The indigenous people of New Zealand are referred to as the Maori tribes. Belonging to the Polynesian Islands, these people are famous for their art, culture, dance, music, and food. Their art is inspired by nature, has geometrical designs and the colours that play a significant role in showcasing a person’s social standing in the society.
The Maori tribes of New Zealand are known for intricate carving (Whakairo), tattooing (Tamoko), weaving (Raranga), and painting (Peitatanga). These are not just treated as art but considered to be a part of the identity of the Kiwis as it reflects their culture, their history, and explains their connection to their lands.
Let us have a closer look at each artform that give the Maori tribe a unique identity:
Carvings (Whakairo):

Image Credits: https://www.newzealand.com/int/maori-carving/ (NewZealand.com)
The three main materials used by tribals for carving are wood, stone and marble. The tradition of carving intricate designs is passed on from one generation to another, therefore, the designs are traditional.
Traditional Maori craftsmen often use this skill to create canoes, weapons as well as musical instruments. These carvings serve a narrative as well as an aesthetic purpose as the motifs include mythological figures like koru (unfurling fern frond) and manaia (a mythical creature).
Fun Fact: Maoris are famous for their carving skills on bones as well. They make jewellery out of bones. Specific shapes symbolise specific ideas which are unique to their culture.
Tatooing (Ta Moko):

Image Credits: https://titantattoos.com/?p=822 (Maori Tattoos)
The art of tattooing your body with a chisel is referred to as Ta Moko. While men usually have these tattoos on their legs, thighs and face, women get themselves tattooed on their lips and chins.
Also called Moko, these tattoos are a sacred art form that speaks volumes about the wearer’s status within a community i.e., his social standing. It is quite interesting to know that no two tattoos are the same and each tattoo depicts the ancestry of a person.
Fun Fact: Also called the Kiwis, people of New Zealand are continuing this tradition. Women still proudly get their lips and chins tattooed to further their identity in the society.
Weaving (Raranga):

Image Credits: https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/119880798/whitianga-artist-raewyn-hildreth-finds-identity-in-flax-weaving (Whitianga artist Raewyn Hildreth finds identity in flax weaving)
From intricate wall paintings to items of necessity, weaving is an important activity among the Maori tribals. The tribals would use materials like flax to make baskets and even skirts. The designs have a checkered and lattice patterns that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the work.
The patterns woven convey meanings and act as a visual language that communicate cultural values. The fact that art is universal can be seen very evidently here as woven cane baskets are used in our day to day lives in India as well.
Fun Fact: A woven basket called Keta is used by people routinely to hold or carry food. In the photograph above, the lady can be seen carrying woven corsets which shows that people adapt with changing times and utilise their skills accordingly.
Painting (Peitatanga):

https://www.prints.co.nz/page/fine-art/CTGY/Maori_Art_Design
Painting is also a form of art insanely famous among the Maori tribes. Loaded with symbolism and spirituality, the tribals adorn their carved wooden pieces with painting designs on them rather than on conventional surfaces like canvas. Natural pigments are used to colour the surfaces.
Fun Fact: The three main colours used in their artwork were red, white, and black. Red symbolises warmth and life; white for purity; and black represents the earth.
Conclusion
Maori tribal arts are a symbol of cultural legacy that narrate tales of ancestry, spirituality, and further a sense of community. Preservation of these arts is crucial for maintaining cultural identity and keep the modern generation abreast with the previous forms of art. As the artists adapt to changing times, these artworks stand as a testament to the resilience and vitality of Maori culture in the modern era..

It is a trend to emphasise the study of subjects like Maths, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. Humanities are considered a poor cousin of these subjects. In fact, it is with great reluctance, hesitation and embarrassment that parents express their child’s intention to study any subject of the Humanities. The embarrassment does not stop at that. Great pain is taken to explain or justify that Humanities,too, have a bright future. For a long time, choosing a career in Humanities was considered as a sign of being a loser in the race of life. The children of today are lucky because the parents have realised that choosing a career should also mean letting children choose to be happy. Probably, parents of this generation have learnt lessons from their own upbringing where they were forced to be doctors engineers or bureaucrats. Besides these three professions choosing any other career like cooking, instructor yoga, choreographer were considered to be an adjustment in life, never mind the fact that the children enjoyed making their hobby as their profession. The parents head as well as their esteem had to be held high. The success of being a parent depended upon the success of the children.
But gradually there has been a change. With the effort of the schools and the education system on providing a wholesome education parents have realised that Humanities play a major role in chiselling the personality of the students. Successive interviews and feedback from grownups who did well but who also highlighted the role of music as a great stress buster offered proof that subjects like music, painting, dancing reading writing were essential to keep sanity. With increasing awareness about one surroundings because that is where one has to live as well as work people have realised that government is not there only to govern but also needs a feedback from the people to perform well. Every profession, be it the services or any business is directly or indirectly affected by the decisions of the government. The country’s future for the next five years depends upon the kind of government it is gifted by the people of the country. And the decisions which any government takes for 5 years affects the country for the next few decades. With the world becoming a global village and the movement of people across the world it becomes all the more pertinent that every individual should know what is happening around the world. The decision of a country on one end of the globe affects the economies of many countries. Turmoil and conflict in one country affects many countries.
To make my point clear, I would like to quote the example of Ukraine- Russia war. How did it affect us? Well, dear children, you saw how many of our children were studying in the medical colleges in Ukraine and had to be evacuated under extremely dangerous situation. The debate that started after the children had been evacuated safely was why can’t a huge country like India have medical colleges to cater to this very important career. Why are we putting the safety of our children in jeopardy and also sending precious currency to other countries in the form of hefty fee. India is running short of doctors and engineers but the brain drain can be seen when such professionals leave India to serve other countries. In the case of Israel- Palestinian war, again the number of Indians serving in those countries made the country sit up. What a huge number of Indians serving away from the country!
India is a country with rich human resources but unfortunately, it is not being used fruitfully. We have rich flora fauna and the perfect climate (ignoring the concept of global warming because it is man made) besides a great topography yet we are lagging behind. Indians are known to be hardworking and there are innumerable examples of Indians who do extremely well in other countries. Why is it that such hardworking Indians have to leave the country, their families and move abroad in search of better pastures? What have the successive governments done to curb or halt this emigration? It is here that the study of Civics or Political Science comes in. We all have to be responsible as citizens. We have been given the right to vote under Universal Adult Franchise. We have to remember that we are equal stakeholders and shareholders in the future of the Country. But sadly, most of us do not take this role seriously. We do not go and cast our vote seriously. Even if do, we vote according to caste, religion, region or other petty factors. We do not vote according to issues like climate change, corruption or other serious issues that adversely affect us.
The study of Humanities, especially Political Science, is very important because we all are fortunate to be born in a democracy which gives us a choice to ask questions, criticise and protest. We, citizens of India, have the liberty of freedom, speech and expression. Only when we keep the government on its toes by keeping a watch on its activities would it perform responsibly and efficiently. Studying Civics teaches us to be alert and aware citizens. The subject Inspires us to lead our life as responsible citizens to which the government is accountable and answerable. Only when we carve a bright future today by electing a responsible government can we dream of a better future. And studying civics has become fun with all the cartoons and factual information provided in the N.C.E.R.T books. We have to remember that it is the Political System that frames laws for the economic and social system. If the Political System is not efficient, can we expect it to pass laws that augur well for the society? Thus, it becomes imperative for us to know about our elected representatives and their performance. And if you are bored and in need of some entertainment, please tune in to the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on the television. You will find your representatives in a slogan shouting contest and if you are lucky, you might see a walk out by some representatives. If you feel that becoming the monitor of your class is very prestigious then glance at the Speaker of the House and his/her helplessness in maintaining order in the house. You will get food for thought. And your interests in Civics as well as your Political System will only grow.