Themes in Student Articles
STUDENT ARTICLES
Student Articles by Volunteer Authors
Introduction by Venkat
More than Pihu’s travelogue, the title she gave this article says it all. The very essence of our living and meaning to our existence is in surmounting the mountains within. With self-awareness, we realize the presence of unexplored versions of ourselves and it takes conscious effort to become that version. This then brings greater awareness, thus resetting the cycle for another mountain journey within. The real trek to a high mountain with unfamiliar terrain is physically demanding but mentally it parallels the inner mountain journey in the excitement, struggle and self-realization.
Pihu has depicted here, her trek to Ladakh, Ganda-la pass as part of her school group’s expedition, with the plethora of emotions she went through from the beginning to the end. The details of the trek in sequence and events are well covered and engaging. The experience is more cherishing and beautiful to read with the reflection and wisdom in Pihu’s thoughts. Kudos to Pihu and best wishes for her to reach great heights as a writer in future.
Foreword by Venkat
The best tools to capture the attention are exaggeration, miniaturization or something unusual. These not only carry some entertainment value but also trigger curiosity. That is how art binds with creativity, innovation or the spirit of inquiry. Gurubaran in his usual peppy style brings some entertainment and curiosity into learning some geography and history through (as you must have read already) weirdly shaped (international) borders. This article is a treat to read and inspiring especially to those who dread the subject of geography. Kudos to young Gurubaran on this one!
Be entertained and enlightened on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of four bizarrely shaped international borders as Gurubaran describes with a touch of humor!
Foreword by Venkat
History is not just a sequence of events but of people, power and decisions. The events are dynamic and may have had a fair chance of being something else, steered by different decisions. And often decision-making is never so straightforward as it may seem on the face. In this wonderfully detailed description of the French colonial rule, Gurubaran highlights the great influence and reach of the empire. The fact that it still has overseas regions and collectivities may not be so well known to the current generation. Hence this strikes the attention and provides the trigger of curiosity to understand France and the colonial history better. It is well written with all the relevant information in place. Readers are welcome to add or provide information in the comments that could be of interest to note in this subject.
Explore the pieces of French history that shine through in this beautifully collated research by young Gurubaran. Well done!
Foreword by Venkat
The milk was poured, and so beamed the eyes of the cat. Smacking its wafer lips, the cat drooled over its impatient dish. Then came a rat, and so rolled its dreamy eyes re-evaluating its current investment over a quicker dividend. Much like the smart cat 🙂 we all are driven by two things. Needs and desires. From these sprout our reasons, beliefs, motives and actions. If they are practical in the context or fruitful in their endeavor demands a separate discussion. It must be fairly clear that the ultimate ‘genes’ behind the pleasant (or unpleasant) external manifestation of the reasons in words, motives in thought and actions in behavior are those set of needs and desires. But we tend to forget them and interpret people by what we receive of them, in sensory perception alone. Prisha, in her logical narrative sets to inquire into nature of our reactions to others and the ‘collateral damage’ caused by the wrong use of words in speech. Her personal incident and experience serve to elaborate on the nature of the matter. She guides the argument well on why words are important and on the construct related to differing views. So it is apparent that words spoken must be in intention, conduits to understand the person who spoke them and not demons to shoot our emotions on.
Reflect on the nature of human relationships, arguments and words in this well thought article by young Prisha.
Foreword by Venkat
Belief does as much to action as imagination to thought. Belief and imagination are two distinct ‘taste buds’ in our cultivated taste for interpretation. Needless to say, each person has a different taste for the same thing. Fiction and myth have a much larger role than to depict figments of imagination. Entering into the realms of the unreal, takes us out of our usual thinking patterns to see the real in a different light and to question our beliefs. Navya ventures into questioning the ‘existent’ fictional characters and their representation in our beliefs in a logical and persuasive effort in her article. As she finally draws the reader to the comforting (or discomforting) fact that fiction works best in the fictional world, it underlines the reason why fiction is meant to remain unreal. The taste of the unreal brings new differentiation and nuances in our tastes of the real. Navya brings her fresh and thought provoking view of the world of ink and fable to give us good food for fable!
Explore and feel the sharp inquisitiveness as Navya guides on her track of thought studded with many relevant questions.
Foreword by Venkat
White pepper moths are better visible (and more vulnerable to predators) on dark barked trees. Such moths will understand safety better than black pepper moths on dark trees with lesser reasons to fear. Pihu comes again in her second article, power-packed with thought provoking questions to ponder over. She explores the living conditions of the slum dwellers in the city and discovers the hard realities of their lives. While there are organizations that work hard to bring support and care, there seems a lot to be done still. Not just in the support channels but in realigning the perception of the privileges which many of us may take for granted. The best lever to bridge the divide between the rich and poor is in changing the mindset and not in material or financial distribution. Pihu is spot on in her persuasion to open one’s eyes to the lives in the slums who gasp for shelter and as insecure as the white pepper moths on dark barked trees.
Brace up for some stunning questions on life as you go through Pihu’s bold exploration of the slums in a wonderful exposition of her message.
Foreword by Venkat
An octogenarian student of mine recently told that age does not matter to be a guru. Now, I have the fortune to say the same thing to a young 4th grade boy who is also literally Guru by name! Thank you dear Guru for the enlightening information on rail gauges which I never knew before your sweet overview on the same. Keep up the good work of researching and studying!
Explore the coverage on railway line gauges in depth and breadth as Gurubaran provides insights on the four major gauges neatly summarized with a global view on the usages!
Foreword by Venkat
Reading Pihu’s powerful article made me wonder if watching too much of spectator sports has made people spectators everywhere in life. Her message on bystander intervention is well articulated and it unveils several other issues as well in this conundrum. There is much more to it than morality, negligence or insensitivity. In general, in our lives, action comes quicker, when the risk (to oneself) of not taking it, is clear in understanding. The risks from Corona virus infection set a clear reminder on the hand-washing ritual which is an age-old practice in well educated families. Taking the example cited by Pihu, of a murder in a public place, highlights the need for some “social drills” to better understand an armed and violent mind, the related threat perception and social skills to manage the situation. Beyond that comes the much needed ‘safety perception’ from the local systems of governance. Very few or none would want to involve when the perception is of losing safety, in being included into the legal purview by virtue of the involvement and uncertainty in the redressal process.
It is refreshing to read these from a young student expressed so coherently both in meaning and in purpose! May this article be the spark for Pihu to make a difference in the world.
Foreword by Venkat
While there has been great advancement in technology and connectivity giving us better reasons to stay home, there is a new hope to make travel quicker (and easier) than ever imagined. The hyperloop – the upcoming travel wonder – works on the principle of levitation and reduced air resistance leading to very high speeds. Young Gurubaran shares this exciting discovery in his own lovely words. He is a curious boy with deep interests in studying geography, urban city planning, country flags and trains. His dream is certainly everyone’s dream as well – to travel to cities in India in minutes. May it come true soon!
Explore the exciting dream of a new paradigm in land travel through Gurubaran’s sweet writing which was inspired by a dream during his sleep!
Foreword by Venkat
Things do not always turn the way we expect them to. Yet a disappointing outcome can become a relishing experience of being together, of gaining a new perspective and of understanding oneself better through the act of narrative writing. Young Manasvi did just that, with her beautiful recollection of the travel and experience in an expressive style! Congratulations to Manasvi for such a love for writing at a very young age. Best wishes for a wonderful life and future.
Explore what to (not) expect at Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary in Manasvi’s easy-to-read style, baking her disappointment into a sweet experience!
Foreword by Venkat
There are fashions in trend and there are trends in fashion. Yet like door knobs to the door, accessories can enhance or diminish the fashionable looks. It is no different in a language. Phrases are the same accessories potent with abilities to beautify the literary expressions. Writing in effect is the integration of many art forms. Sometimes we shape or add things like a clay potter and at other times, we chip out things like a sculptor to enhance the effects. Diya presents an interesting piece where the fashioned garment is fully made of accessories (phrases in the literal sense!).
Explore the world of phrases for the love of language in Diya’s pleasant words!
Foreword by Venkat
This writing is a special one, not just for the refined attention to a sensitive topic but also for the beautiful choice of title that says it all! It is true that we identify ourselves with those who have similar interests, looks, beliefs and aspirations especially when we are young and not yet clear on our own identity. Life itself in a way parallels the life cycle of the moth or butterfly. As we grow wiser, we distinguish the butterflies from the moths and later find that there is no difference between them in the feelings, needs and the will to achieve. So it doesn’t matter after all where we come from or how we look just as the various colored candies ultimately expose the same sugary, sweet soul. And this sets one free in its truest sense indeed. The truths about under-representation, minorities, feeling secluded etc. are like butterflies and moths. One cannot catch it just by jumping on them or by chasing. It needs that quiet pause and attention from a distance to observe what is going on. A great one to feature among the articles here and thanks to Swetha for this contribution.
Explore Swetha’s experience and the touching message in words that hit straight yet gentle in the way it builds on itself!
Foreword by Venkat
When experiences become memorable, we have long-lasting memories to savor the wonders of life. Saanvi’s lovely memory of scuba diving reflects her sharp observations, sweet spontaneity and beautiful feelings shared straight from the heart!
Enjoy the sweet little story by Saanvi of a Scuba diving experience garnished with a dash of all the sensations of a tangy-sweet jellybean!
Foreword by Venkat
To find such intricate logic in perceptions coming from a 13 year old is pure delight indeed! Ahana is also gifted in expressing her thoughts laid in good structure, words with an impactful ending. Congratulations and best wishes to her journey through life. Utopian dystopia is apt and more positive than dystopian utopia. The argument is well presented by Ahana and yes she is right on the perils of wishing for a ‘perfect’ world. Perfection like many other abstractions exists in and is experienced in the mind alone.
We as humans have two major limitations – limitations of our senses (the amount and the detail in information we can take in) and dual nature of the physical (at a point in time, we are physically either in a place or not but our mind can be in multiple places at the same time!). And these limitations vary with our age. Even if the world were to start with the so called utopian world, these limitations would ensure things ‘normalize’ into the ‘imperfect’ world as it is now. While these limitations seemingly separate us on the physical plane based on dualities (for example: two people not hearing the same amount of information, interpret two different realities of the same thing), they bring us together on the mental plane when the mind sees the non-dual nature of life and things. So wonderful to read this writing and to share my views on the same. Thanks to Ahana.
Enjoy the perfect (not utopian) experience of thoughts through the wonderful magical world of words that Ahana creates!
Foreword by Venkat
In this beautiful article by Ahana she contrasts the beauty of Switzerland with the searing issue of global warming of Earth. The power of the ‘Contrast’ is not only the ‘nut and bolt’ in her wonderful message but also of the parts where we are held in the framework of life. Without contrasts or differences which hit the eye (and the heart) one would never care to understand others’ needs, appreciate the value of what one has or become aware of the latent and unforeseen problems. While the beauty of Switzerland is comforting (and enticing), it has brought the discomforting reality to the eyes. It inspires for good action, more to protect the natural beauty around us than to create more Switzerlands around. Excellent and wonderful flow of thoughts from Ahana. Keep it up!
Experience the heavy jolt of inspiration from the bubbling joy of Ahana’s words from the Swiss Alps!
Foreword by Venkat
A knife is a weapon to hurt, a means to protect, a tool to cut open and a part of cutlery for food – all in one. Our outlook on incidents, circumstances and people is no different. It all depends on how we use it. Prisha’s beautiful narration beams a powerful message – of looking at problems positively as challenges and not as helpless obstacles. The incidents she shares bring clarity to the message. Wonderful writing with words of wisdom at such a young age. Wishes and blessings to the budding writer!
A wonderful article garnished with heart-warming anecdotes serving an inspiring message!
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