extended ... September - October Edition looking at firsts a collection of novel emotions and experiences This month’s theme 1 Lakshmipat Singhania Academy is an institution seeped in values of innovation, service and collaborative education. The year - round activities such as fests, Inter - House events and National and International endeavors do justice to its position as a competitive yet close - knit community. The newsletter – 361 degrees, extended – which follows is an attempt to amalgamate the school’s identity and passions into one whole through the perspectives of those who make it what it is – the administration, faculty, students and support staff. Given the pioneering nature of the October Edition, the theme chosen – Looking at Firsts – is the Editorial Board’s attempt to magnify the beauty of a beginning and celebrate it in all its glory. T he Editorial Board: Students : Pratham Gupta, Rushil Khajanchi , Harshita Goenka, Kanika Bhagat, Muskan Choudhury, Kshitij Murarka Teachers : Srabanti Deb, Manoj Kumar Das, Kanak Shankar Mukherjee, Jaya Misra, Sutirtha Roy Ghatak, Amritah Sen T he Editorial Committee: Students : Kusha Srivastava, Drishti Lilha, Sakshi Madhgoria , Anvit Meharia, Ishan Jain , Varenya Mehrotra , Khushboo Gupta , Yashika Jodhani , Krisha Sureka , Harsh Ghoshal , Chitrak Nandi, Harshita Saraf, Harshika Tawar, Bhavya Parakh, Saket Jaiswal , Harsh Choraria, Harshvardhan Jalan 2 Contents In this edition, you can 3 ........................ 1 ............................................ 2 - 4 ... ........................................................................................................ ............. 5 - 6 .................................................................................................................................................. 7 ....................................................................................................................................... 8 ........................................................................................... ...... 9 ..................... ................................................................................................................................. 10 ... ................................ 11 ....................................................................................................................................... .... 11 ... ..................................................................................................................... 12 - 16 ▪ Explore a comprehensive school calendar furbished with important dates and holidays. ▪ Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about issues pertaining to the reopening of school and conductance of exams from the administration ▪ Gather information about this month’s inter - house events and catch a glimpse of the current house scoreboard. ▪ Celebrate with us the success of Iris’20, a competitive platform for psychology enthusiasts ▪ Acquaint yourself with all the laurels that members of the student body have won for the school this month. ▪ Read what our alumni have to say about various aspects of college preparation and get some clarity on the question, “What next?”. ▪ Indulge in community service and learn what several of our students are doing to uplift society ▪ Discover the true essence of Gandhi Jayanti celebrated on the 2nd of October. ▪ Get introduced to one of our student - led initiatives – LSA Mun Club – and find out about its functioning ▪ Navigate through literary and artwork by students, based on our theme, that showcases their creative faculties P age October ’ 20 Sun Mon Tue Wed T hur Fri Sat A ‘beginning’ is a concept that breathes freshness into the experience that follows it From the first syllable of the morning prayer to the foremost encounter with a friend, every start brings with itself distinct emotions Today, we present the introductory edition of our newsletter to celebrate the beauty of a beginning in its nascent form Here’s presenting to you our curation of heartfelt firsts as we ourselves catalyse this new venture : 361 degrees, extended - T he Editorial Board from the editorial board ... November ’ 20 Sun Mon Tue Wed T hur Fri Sat 4 1 P age Yes, we are ready to welcome back students provided we get consent from parents. We will start classes irrespective of however small the group is. Another factor that is important and needs to be considered is the notification from the state Government. As soon as we get a nod from the Government we will start our classes. We would also conduct orientations with parents and students to explain the precautionary measures we have taken to ensure the safety and security of our students. CBSE is trying to find the ways on how to evaluate students for their practical examinations . They have even taken the opinion of teachers and other stakeholders on this issue. There might be questions based on whether or not practical examinations can be part of the written exam or not ; or then the Board might decide to test the students on the basis of their knowledge gained from teachers performing experiments virtually.. It might also be that after the reopening of schools, the students may be asked to do some experiments and get assessed for that . These are all assumptions and we will have to wait for some time more to get a clear directive from the Board. NEP 2020 will bring paradigm shift in the teaching - learning process. All educationists are trying to interpret the implications and effect in their own ways. We are working to disseminate the crust areas of implementation with our teachers and shortly we will have sessions with parents too. The success of any policy depends on its implementation. There will be guidelines by the Government on how to implement it in schools, moreover we feel we are equipped to see our Academy in a new light under the National Education policy. Online teaching or rather blended learning will continue even after the reopening of schools. We are working to merge offline and online teaching in an effective manner in our Academy. I believe Technology will play a vital role not only in blended learning but also in organising some interesting activities in the field of literature, performing and visual arts and what better platform than a virtual one You will be glad to know that this year we went through the complete admission process and other closely related formalities, virtually! We have our robust plans ready to take care of students once they are back to school. Some of our teachers are trained professionally to keep the Academy ready for our students. We already have framed various committees and assigned tasks to them. But we need parents’ consent to welcome back our students . In view of the current pandemic situation, can you provide us with a definitive answer about whether the Pre - Board E xaminations would be conducted online or offline? If offline, what safety measures would be put in place to prevent transmission of the virus? The New Education Policy brings with it drastic changes to the current education dynamics. How does the school plan to implement and incorporate these? Students have not been able to access the laboratories for the entirety of this year and are inadequately prepared to carry out experiments. In lieu of this, how will practical examinations be conducted? The LSA Live facility has been immensely beneficial for students irrespective of the grade they belong to. Would this be continued in the future as well? What other online activities does the school plan to continue to conduct online? Is there a conclusive answer as to when the school would reopen? Would students be provided with a choice to either attend school or not at the discretion of their families? How would the school ensure social distancing amongst other safety measures? - meena kak Director, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy 5 2 P age - ANJALI CHOPRA PRINCIPAL, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy What is the one issue that you will focus on when it comes to the re - opening of the school? Safety and health of our students and staff would be our prime concern when the school reopens. The infrastructure has already been developed adhering to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. We have also constituted important committees and assigned new roles to our staff to ensure robust adherence to the protocols. We would lay a great emphasis on the mental health of our children as well. The new post - pandemic environment will require a huge shift in the mindset — both social and emotional. To help our students’ and parents’ adapt to the new normal, regular counselling and orientation sessions will be held. How has your role changed from Head Mistress to the Principal of the school? I have cherished my 25 years association with LSA -- from being the Middle School Coordinator to being the head of the primary department, and now heading the school. This journey has been immensely rewarding and fulfilling. As the head of the Primary Department, I was responsible for its all - round management. Now, my responsibilities have amplified, and I enjoy dedicating my efforts, catering to the needs of the entire LSA family. As you took over the Principal of the school during the pandemic, what challenges have you faced running the school virtually? The pandemic is an unprecedented reality that none of us anticipated or were prepared for. Taking over the charge of Principal and running the school during this difficult period was initially overwhelming. At the very onset, amongst a host of various other issues, we faced, was the highly challenging task of transitioning to the online mode of education. Resolving the teething issues required a lot of time and attention, but fortunately, with the active support of the IT team, the teaching staff as well as the students, we resolved the issues rapidly and then set off on a smooth sail. Another important challenge was to look after the emotional well - being of the students. For this, our counsellors have been conducting regular counselling sessions offering support to parents and children. Your message to the students during the difficult situation? We need to tide over the difficult times with a great deal of positivity. Students are not attending school due to restrictions and hence, finding themselves isolated and lonely. Empathizing with their concerns, I urge them to regularly reach out, connect, share. They must make use of their existing virtual networks to coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with their friends and family. I also urge all my students to stay positive, strong, and resilient. Let us all come out of this period, better and not bitter. Let the lockdown not affect our spirits but instead unlock our true strength. Be safe! Keep Healthy! 6 3 P age How did you prepare yourself to take up the responsible post of the Headmistress of LSA? Would it have been better if you had taken up your office in normal situation than in pandemic? Which area of administration you found difficult to handle during pandemic? Your message to students during this difficult situation It was quite a sudden change in my life, and I was completely unprepared. It’s true that I was unaware of what is going to happen. My Director has been my guiding light in every step that I took. She moulded me and crafted me. I went through numerous trainings and workshops which gave me an insight into becoming a school leader. I kept learning and then the journey began. Of course, it would have been better if I had taken up my office in the normal situation, but like it’s said “All that happens, happens for the good”. So, I guess it has been a blessing in disguise that I got the time and space to understand my duties and responsibilities at ease. I also got the unique responsibility of heading a virtual school. In what ways was the lockdown a learning experience for you? I have learnt to live with the bare minimum, be comfortable with what I have and also be grateful. The lockdown has taught me how to distinguish between what is truly valuable in life and the momentary façades really is! The area where I faltered was management. It was very new for me, and quite a few times I was misunderstood. Being away from each other, it felt quite hard to handle my teachers. I wanted to be both humble and stern, but soon realized that the virtual world had taught me a new concept – Be An Inspiration! Ironically, the pandemic has created such an unforgettable experience. But, if we view it with a positive mind set, we believe that skills and qualities can be cultivated through effort and perseverance. I would thus like to remind my students to be grateful and resilient in these trying times. Make the best use of family time and work hard towards doing something for the nation! - Jayati Goswami headmistress, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy 7 4 P age INTER - HOUSE elocution COMPETITION Our institution takes pride in fostering an environment of healthy competition. In that spirit, the four houses — Vayu, Agni, Jal and Prithvi — continuously challenge one another through a myriad of inter - house events in an attempt to conquer the scoreboard. If you’re looking to know more about these versatile and intriguing activities along with the houses’ positions, you’re in the right place! 9th of October, 2020 witnessed the young participants of Classes 1 and 2 confidently exhibiting their elocution skills on a virtual platform. Each one mesmerised the audience with their outstanding performances, making it difficult for the panel of esteemed judges to come to a decision. The poems on the themes ‘care for nature’, ‘peace’, ‘save animals’ and ‘celebration’ kept the audience glued to the screen. HOUSE LEAGUE BOARD Vayu Agni Jal Prithvi 115 100 125 135 agni house 8 5 P age INTER - HOUSE Parliamentary debate COMPETITION The first edition of a British Parliamentary Debate, the Inter - House Parliamentary Debate Competition differed from the conventional Oxford - style debate in the procedural flow, by integrating the aspects of team work and extemporary rebuttal into it. While the concept of a proposition and opposition to the motion was kept intact, the participants were required to split the postulates amongst a team of four, each with distinct roles to play. All in all, it was a unique form of a debate, and coupled with the ethos of the online platform, it successfully honed the critical thinking and analytical skills of all participants, despite being apart. INTER - HOUSE Public Speaking COMPETITION The Inter - House Public Speaking Competition, which took place on the 10 th of September, was a remarkable experience for all the students and teachers. The students were well prepared for the competition and spoke eloquently on the topics. They expressed themselves with confidence and the contents were well researched. jal house PRITHVI house 9 6 P age The proceedings of the opening ceremony started off at 9 AM. It emphasised on – ‘Mental Health During A Pandemic’. Students and teachers are at the forefront of a struggle, to deal with the pandemic while handling their academic responsibilities as well. Let us find out a little more about the events hosted this year! CATHARSIS Believing in the phrase “our creativity is the essence of who we are”, the event catharsis aimed at bringing out the inner artist within us. An impressionistic poem was sent to all the participants who then had to paint whatever came to their mind on reading it. PROJECTION Projection was an event where the participants were required to create a film pertaining to the topic – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). CONFLICT CONVERSATION Conflict Conversation was a practical simulation of the Freudian unconscious. According to it, the unconscious human mind has three segments - the id, superego and ego. The participants had to use their words in wits to reach an achievable solution, assuming the role of the aforementioned segments. LUMINARY Luminary was an event where the participants were required to play the role of a counsellor to their respective subjects. It aimed at exploring the core elements of a psychologist, which are communication and problem - solving. PSYCHOLOGIST’S PARLEY This event was in form of a Panel Discussion wherein each participant had to represent a certain School of Thought (Psychology) and deliberate on the topic, ‘Work from Home - Managing unfamiliar work pressure and family life.’ BLURB Blurb was an event designed to explore the marketing skills of the participants keeping in mind the ‘color and consumer’ psychology in a bid to create the best product possible. QUIZEPTION Quizeption, an engaging mind sport, aimed at testing students’ knowledge of psychology through an interactive quiz. T he Innovation behind the name IRIS For the second year in a row, the city’s only Psychology F est was hosted by the Psychology Department of Lakshmipat Singhania Academy on 16 th October, 2020. Seven engaging events were conducted as a part of this fest, with three of them being live - streamed on the official YouTube channel as well. 10 7 P age What students require in schools today is not just academic lessons We need a schooling system that helps students understand themselves, their emotions, and mental duress, while teaching them how to build healthy and functional relationships as well as develop resilience and team spirit Nowadays, even companies consider not only a student’s overall academic performance but also their holistic development while recruiting for various jobs Resurgence ’ 20 L S A took part in Resurgence, a Business Fest hosted by Bishops Cotton Boys School, Mumbai My event, Triangle of trade, was a marketing event, one of the best events I have come across There were 3 rounds, putting us through tough situations and showing us how things work in real life The fest was wonderful and I learnt a lot Erudit ’ 20 Our school took part in Erudit’ 20 , a fest hosted by Allenhouse Public School, Kanpur on the 8 th & 9 th of September, 202 o It was the first time that I took part in a fest organised by another school In the beginning, I was very tensed and frightened, but on the day of the event, I didn’t feel the same because everybody in charge made me feel comfortable and was extremely helpful All in all, it was an amazing experience, and I really enjoyed being a part of Erudit’ 2020 Collosus ’ 20 Our school took part in Collosus’ 20 , a fest hosted by Christ Junior College, Bangalore from 23 rd to 26 th of September, 202 o It was the first time I took part in an Inter - School Commerce fest, so in the beginning, I was quite nervous However, It was a brilliant experience, and a great opportunity to understand the world of marketing, in a way that was challenging, and fun at the same time Colossus ’ 20 Our school took part in Collosus’ 20 , a fest hosted by Christ Junior College, Bangalore from 23 rd to 26 th of September, 202 o Christ Junior College’s Commerce F est, Colossus' 2020 was an enriching experience I participated in a marketing event where other students from all over the country took part in it too Our event lasted for 3 days, with hefty tasks coming our way, we had to work overnight as well as under time constraints The event was more than just about winning, it taught us about time management, to pitch our ideas, and most of all we got the chance to meet others who had similar thoughts and goals Even though we couldn't be on the top, we learned and we had fun S.S. Model UN Conference Our school participated in the Sri Sri Academy Model United Nations, held on the 16 th, 17 th and 18 th of October Apart from cherishing the spirit of debate and foreign affairs, it was a commendable blend of the art of putting forth statements as delegates, in line with the allotted portfolios, as well as the online adaptation during the pandemic Although the awards come second and the experience comes first, our school still secured some noteworthy positions in the conference : Unnati Kumar - Outstanding Delegate Khushboo Gupta - Special Mention Harshita Saraf - Special Mention Varenya Mehrotra - Special Mention All in all, it was an enriching experience and there was a lot to learn, especially by listening to other speeches throughout the course of the three days 11 8 P age AARUSHI SUREKA Aman Himatsingka Vanshvardhan Chomal Manav kanoi Akshat goyal Why UCLA ? Firstly, what does education in liberal arts do for you? I would say it makes you think in ways which you were incapable of thinking . It teaches you things which are very relevant to your life, while also preparing you to pursue a career in your major (these are essentially the skills employers in every field are searching for). At UCLA, you'll get to interact with students from one of the largest and most selective applicant pools in the US. At the same time, you'll receive opportunities to study or do research under the guidance of faculty members, such as Andrea Ghez and Terence Tao, who are Nobel Laureates or Fields Medalists or at the top of their field. UCLA is located in Westwood, the heart of LA. It one of the most vibrant student communities in the world. This gives you the freedom to experience the most fascinating student life, while simultaneously focusing on academics. Finally, for those who are wary about the reputation of their college, UCLA is ranked the #1 Public University in the Nation by US News and World Reports. In what ways do you think being an LSA student gave you an edge over other candidates? The best part about being a student at LSA is the support and cooperation offered to us by the teachers. My teachers always confided in my ability to balance my curricular and co curricular activities. They never restricted me from actively taking part in all fields despite having great academic pressure. The freedom to explore helps in personality development. While being a humanities student, I was never discouraged from participating in commerce fests or trials for the Space Settlement Design Competition. Our teachers are very adjusting and allow students to manage work outside and within the school by being flexible with deadlines. Also, we are offered a simplified process to get LORs and predicted scores which greatly supplement the application process. What is your advice to students prepping for CLAT? For all those who are preparing for CLAT or any other competitive exam, there are two things you need to wrap your head around from the *get - go.*Firstly, what matters is your relative performance compared to your fellow aspirants and not your absolute grades. Secondly, only with regular and constant hard work will you be able to achieve your goal. Law is not as boisterous as you might see in movies and shows like Boston Legal or Suits. That being said , I do personally feel it's extremely engaging and a noble endeavor. Preparing for an examination like CLAT requires the ability to be magnanimous to yourself in the face of failure. Believing in yourself and not giving up is the prime necessity. Also, starting your preparations from an early stage, say class 11 or 12, always helps. Set realistic goals for yourself and commit to the constant grind. One thing I can tell you for certain is that keeping a calm head in the face of adversity and making the required sacrifices will go a long way in ensuring your success. According to you, which parameters are essential for identifying a college that will be a good fit for you? A very common misconception that people have, is that you must go to a college that is ‘ranked’ better than others, but I believe that you should choose a college that is a good fit for you. Your intended major also changes a lot of things. Undoubtedly, a well - reputed college does help in internships. Factors like the college size, class size, and communities on campus are important in terms of the college. Your ability to pay also decides a lot of factors like whether you go to a private or a public college/ what kind of state you live in (states like NYC are very expensive). It's not necessary that you will be happy in a college that is ‘ranked’ very highly, so invest in a college that is well ranked but also matches other choices. Factors like how big the city is, if it’s a metropolitan, the weather, etc. may also be major parameters. What advice do you have for students wanting to get into Ashoka? Ashoka is one of the few universities in the country which follows the liberal arts pattern of education, making it a great option for those who would like to experiment with different subjects or even study multiple subjects. What really sets apart the learning experience at Ashoka, is the stellar faculty comprising of some of the greatest academics of the country. Since the university follows a holistic admission process, you will be required to write essays, give an aptitude test, prepare for an interview, and furnish details of your co curricular activities. Remember that the admissions team is trying to get to know you through your application. So make sure to put forward your story and unique potentialities through your essays, co curriculars and interviews 12 9 P age SAMBHAVI DUGAR, Vi - c For the past one month, I have been teaching English alphabets along with two - letter words to my domestic helper’s granddaughter. Due to the lockdown, she has been staying with us since the local trains are not running. She is a 7 - year - old girl and is curious to learn. I am a part of a social initiative called “ S amta", which is a program by G yandeepak NGO and T hinkerminds foundation. It is a 6 month online teen mentorship fellowship where we are assigned a child from G yandeepak NGO and we have to act as their mentors for this period. We are tasked with becoming their friends and helping them in their day to day lives. We get to teach them the things we know and guide them using our experience. We have to do a minimum of 2 , one on one sessions , with our mentees every week. URVI MURMURIA, xi - C I served lunch to many small children in my locality. I felt very nice and I enjoyed feeding the needy children. My parents do so quite often and they have motivated me to do the same. Black Polythene is a youth - led organization that aims to destroy the stigma surrounding menstruation and promote menstrual freedom and hygiene. So far, we have raised enough funds for about 1.5 lakh pads through endeavours such as workshop week and merchandise sales. 30+ volunteers regularly help us with our task Moreover, a chapter of our organisation has been set up in the USA. When asked about what inspired me to co - found Black Polythene, I always say that it was a simple yet fervent desire to contribute to a more inclusive world. My greatest takeaway from my experience as a co - founder would be that I have not only learnt to be more grateful for the things that I have, but have also evolved into a much more vocal, aware and benevolent individual. I started Black Polythene to help those in need but it is only now that I understand the different ways in which it has helped me. MUSKAN CHOUDHARY, xii - A FUNLINE is a community service organization started by six school going students, who wanted to lend their hand to helping the underprivileged. I was one of the volunteers at funline - pens down event. We had a vocabulary enriching workshop with many fun learning activities for kids aged 5 - 10. It was a wonderful experience interacting with those kids , making them play games, doing activities and seeing them enjoy. With the funds collected, s tationery items will be bought and donated to the underprivileged children. Being a part of it made me really happy. SHUBHAM AGARWAL, xi - a MISHIKA GOYAL, xi - a 13 10 P age Gandhi Jayanti Hordes of satyagrahis had set out on the Dandi March from the Sabarmati Ashram on 12 th March 1930 , all clad in pristine white khadi As always, Gandhiji was at the forefront, leading and emboldening his followers along the way Thousands would throng to listen to him wherever he stopped, internalizing his idea of Satyagraha (insistence on/holding on to truth) and pledging to agitate for freedom in a non - violent yet resolute fashion The emphasis on Ahimsa (non - violence), over brute force to fight the oppressors, truly made Satyagraha a unique concept Gandhiji’s ideals are as significant today as they were 70 years ago The stress on ‘Make in India’ echoes Gandhiji’s idea of Swadeshi, which he popularized by spinning khadi, advocating the development of indigenous industries His efforts to bring all Indians together under the umbrella of the Indian National Congress by promoting secularism and condemning casteism are stirring Gandhiji’s emphasis on seeking the truth, as mentioned in his autobiographical novel, 'My Experiments with Truth', is an intellectually stimulating and inspiring piece of work, which will lead the readers to seek their own truth On the 2 nd of October, the world celebrated the 151 st birth anniversary of perhaps one of the greatest patriots to have ever lived. The LSA Model United Nations club is a platform to learn debate, world politics and the art of diplomacy This club has created skillful and unbeatable debaters in the past and is continuing to do so The most extraordinary feature about this team is that it functions independent of faculty members! Peer - to - peer learning has proven extremely successful in teaching students Students, especially newcomers feel a sense of comfort and ease when being taught by their seniors Seniors pass on their personal experiences and practical learnings to their juniors The Kolkata MUN circuit has seasoned and skilled participants , e ach delegate possessing unique skills and aiming to outshine competitors It is our pride that our students, trained in this very club, are amongst the winners Through weekly sessions, the students are taught the intricacies of diplomacy, the art of persuading people, and to have the upper hand in all situations During the pandemic, online sessions have continued The club has weekly workshops, followed by simulations, so that the students can learn what to do and apply it simultaneously The student review has been extremely positive Further, the success and efficiency are made evident by the number of awards won in competitions This club has created nothing but champions in the past 6 years - Varenya Mehrotra, X - B T he Lakshmipat Singhania Academy Model United Nations Club 14 11 P age - Krisha Sureka, XI - C The first five minutes you spend trying to do a task may not feel very significant in terms of the work you get done, but they actually are the most important five minutes of the time you put into the activity Most of us regularly procrastinate because we are afraid that even the most minimal tasks will take up a considerable amount of time This rule helps us overcome the fear of beginning something as it frees us to decide the course of the activity depending upon how it made us feel in the initial minutes Once we delve into a task with the intention of only investing negligible time in it, we aren’t forced to think of its repercussions and gradually develop a positive sentiment towards it This progress motivates us and that further ensures our success As our exams near, this could prove to be one of the most effective ways to help students prepare thoroughly Amidst an apocalyptic year, the Government of India took a significant stride towards reforming the colonial face of the restrictive education system of India through the introduction of the National Education Policy, 2020. This revolutionary policy intends to reshape the rigidity in the choices of curricular and disciplinary programs available to students, by adopting a more assimilative, holistic and flexible academia in educational institutions, right from the grassroots level. Stuck in the fast - paced sociometry of the current era, it is rather conspicuous how the conventional methodology of rote learning continues to plague education in India. The most noteworthy impact of this reform will be opening up of unexplored opportunities in the sector of higher education. A vibrant and dynamic educational forum will also foster inclusive personality development in students, as well as lay particular emphasis on fully harnessing the creative potential of each child. The scope of imagination and curiosity, coupled with critical thinking gives an innovative edge to knowledge, but was seldom encouraged by the hierarchy prior to the NEP. The unhealthy race for top grades that we are pushed into, even as preschoolers, is a direct impact of a memory - driven and prohibitive environment in schools. However, with the coming in of the NEP, the criteria for assessing the abilities of aspirants in colleges, as well as recruitment agencies will be rectified, thus taking the pressure off students who have been drilled to view grades as the gateway to success and social acceptance. - Harshita Saraf, X - B 15 12 P age looking at firsts BEGUN AGAIN After 10 years, he was approached by his father Alarmed, he stepped back farther and farther. Not being used to talking to even his brother After the tragedy that befell his mother. His father said, gentle as a fawn, "Do not be afraid my son, it is time for a new dawn." Paralysed with shock, he didn’t reply, So he heard, "Son, her death is now long gone by." "Listen to me closely, You see that garden, kept quite nicely?" To this he said, "Mother’s garden looks pretty and gay, But somehow, different as if it's begun another day. Why is it so father?" His father said solemnly, "It’s begun afresh And it’s time our lives too refresh . He says as brightly as the sun, "This will be A new beginning for all of us to see, I’ll love you as I should, And I know you too would." They smiled at each other with tears brimming. The best part was this was only the beginning. It was a new start, all for the better Death had torn the couple apart B ut the tale of the father and son Was not so soon to be done Although some time had been spent in vain, But now closure had been gained And their love, once lost, had begun again. - SAMPRITI BANERJEE, VIII - B MY FIRST TRIP TO HUNGARY Did you know that fear drives us? If we weren’t anxious, we would not be able to do half the things we did. Fear does two things, either it makes you stay in your comfort zone or leave it. From all my experiences, I have learnt that one must use fear, to expand their comfort zone. The first time I ventured out of India, all alone, was for three long months to Hungary. I was intoxicated with excitement to leave. Suddenly, the elation of leaving for an adventure dissipated while I was at the airport. That enthusiasm turned into fear and anticipation. While it was alright to be scared, at the same time all that I had been excited for vanished. All I could think about was the possibility of something going wrong. And anything could have gone wrong. But the minute I stepped out and I was greeted with warm hugs, love and affection by the numerous people at the airport, my fear evaporated. All that was left was excitement, joy and anticipation of what lay ahead. - RUSHIL KHAJANCHI, X11 MY FIRST VISIT TO A ZOO Yug Agarwal, VI - B 16 13 P age DURGA PUJA - Prishaa Sinha, XI D DURGA PUJA - Sakshi Madhogaria, XI - D a collection of novel emotions and experiences A Lesson LEARNT IN LOCKDOWN Life teaches you through experiences, and each day offers you a new experience. Once you learn to handle the situations arising from these experiences, that’s a new beginning. From waking up in the morning, to hitting the bed at night, I could never find time to even realise what it takes to make a day fulfilling for me. Coming from a family with two working parents, I learned to take care of my basic personal needs. I completely ignored the household chores, as they were taken care of by the house helps. But with the coronavirus pandemic around, following the lockdown norms for everyone’s safety, the house help stopped coming. Initially, I didn’t realize how hard this was affecting my parents, as I never knew the pain that goes into it. Days passed. I realised my mother was suffering from backaches almost every day. I could barely help by giving her a glass of water or by heating food in the microwave. Then my father had a conversation with me, and told me how important it was for everyone in the family to help. According to him, there is no such work made only for a man or a woman. We should do everything that comes our way. That was the day I started to try. I tried mopping the floor. I realized the pain that one feels. I started helping out in other chores too. Now when I look back, I remember the day when I was made to understand what I should do, and today I see myself as a changed person, who can wash clothes and lay a table. I have learnt a lot during the lockdown. My parents who were mostly busy, were now at home. I could have my meals with them. Especially while helping in the various house jobs, I used to chat with them for hours, and each day I got to know them even more. All this was a new beginning for me, towards being an independent person and a loving child. (And yes, my mom’s backache is better now!) - SAMARTH RAMAN, VIII - B 17 14 P age looking at firsts START AFRESH Everyday is a new beginning, When the sun dissipates the darkness, Every tomorrow is a new beginning, To do your incorrect work all over again. Every day many desire and many fail, But keep hope as this is not the time to be assailed, Accomplish goals that you have set, You'll be able to achieve them I bet. Every beginning gives a new opportunity, Try to use them to make your destiny, Every beginning is a healthy tent, Where there is no place for disappointment. Every beginning gives new opportunities where new perspectives can be embraced, If you think deeply you’ll find hundreds of new, beginnings you can work upon, Thinking of which you’ll be amazed. - TANVI JAIN, VII - C THE BEAUTIFUL BEGINNING OF A BUTTERFLY’S LIFE Anikaa Nagori , XI - B The newsletter that we created was our way of enclosing ‘eight floors’ within fifteen pages. It represents a piece of the ver y institution which has equipped us with the appropriate knowledge and skills to produce something of this sort. Every facet of th is newsletter has involved careful deliberation and magnanimous effort on our part and we hope we have delivered to everyone’s content. We thank the administration for investing their faith in us and request the parents and students to do the same so t hat we can continue this venture and establish a meaningful connection between the school and the ones associated with it. Concluding note form the Editorial Board 18 15 P age a collection of novel emotions and experiences The Beginning of my Life It was my first Birthday, a very special day, It was raining, and the rainbow made me feel like I wore a crown. There was plenty to like about this day, Like this pitter - patter sound of the rain, That took away all my pain. The smell of the Earth, and the cooling breeze, I thanked the rain God cause the Earth is his. My mother baked me a birthday cake, And a frosty yummy mango shake. I watched the rain pouring down, In my new red birthday gown. I became a year old, my mom told, “My kid grew up.” And also, gifted me fluffy teddy - bears, She knew what I wanted, planted a soft kiss and down came my happy tears. I was so happy that I hugged her tight, And saw her smile so bright. The windy weather tells me not to bother What I like the most when it rains are my seven colored rainbow friends. My best friend wished me and said, “Your eyes are beautiful and brown.” The full rainbow made me feel like I wore a crown. Though the scenes from the window were hazy, These memories would be clear and never fade. It was these surprises tha