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Simi Shukla (15)

Illustration: Subir Roy

On my way to a distant land


A stranger asked me about my sand,
Filled with enthusiasm I answered,
'7 'm an Indian. "
He too was happy to meet an Indian citizen,
Having listened to so much about
My country previously
He asked me about Indian values.
Very enthusiastically
Therefore, I explained about
My co untry to him.
I said, '1ndia is the land of sages,
The land of pure tho ughts,
The land of actions, the land of dreams,
The land of ethics, the home of culture,
The milestone of truth, I said, "They dwell
The mother of legends, In the hearts of all Indians. "
The land of young, the land of old, He asked why India fosters all religions?
The land of Aryabhatta, I replied, ''Because secularism is
The land of the Buddha, The only functional ideology.
The land of Vi vekananda, Understanding everyone 's heart
The land of Gandhi, It nurtures every creature and abandons none.
The mother of all civilizations. . . " There is absolutely no discrimination
And lastly very proudly I concluded, In her heart.
'1ndia is the land of its own people. " Under her shelter every bud
Fascinated by so many qualities Blooms to become a flower,
He asked about the languages spoken It rejoices others with its periodic
In such a vast land, And lovely showers,
I answered, "Love is our language. " That 's why it's the best country
He then asked about the religions, Where I have taken birth. "
I answered, ''Humanity is our religion. " Listening to such words
He asked about our God, The stranger was impressed,
I answered, ''We believe in the one He also expressed his wish to see my land.
Who is the sole creator of this universe. " I felt elated saying with pride that,
He then curiously asked me about '1 am an Indian,
The monuments, buildings Yes, I am an Indian. "
And the sacred places, No. of pages: 1-48
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SHANKAR
The Annual Number, besiqes bringing with
it a bouquet of meaningful stories, fills
us
with a spirit of optimism. Another publis
hing year is over, but we have 365 more
days of
connecting with you-learning from your
experiences and getting our views across
! This
issue hence is dedicated to all our writer
friends. Thank you ever so much! It is becau
se
of you that Children s World is now 44 years
' young and getting younger by the day.
Your
touching tales occupy our thoughts and
leave us asking for more. Here is a beaut
iful one:
An old man was travelling with his son
in a train. As the train started, the young
man
appeared to be full of joy and curiosity. Now
and then he would stick his hand out of
the window. One minute he would enjoy
the wind blOwing through his fingers, the
next
he would exclaim: "Papa, see, all the trees
are moving backwards:' Then again he
would
say, "Wow! The clouds are moving with
the train:' Then he would say, "Look at
those
animals!" The old man simply smiled and
admired his son's feelings.
Beside the young man sat a couple who
felt awkward seeing a grown-up man behav
e
like a kid. Before long it started to rain.
The boy caught the raindrops in his palms
and
shouted with joy, "Papa, it's raining! See,
I can hold the raindrops in my hand:'
The couple now turned to the old man
and asked, "Why don t you get him treate
' d?"
The old man replied calmly, "We are return
ing from the hospital. I am so grateful to
the person who donated his eyes to my
son. Thanks to him, for the first time, my
son is

A . rI'
seeing things for himself !"

, w-
.
,_\V-
twO""a
yoU
ed S11", to thank
This space is for you.. .for your news
Respect w ouId like
et
t s supp t.
or
1
At the oU
and views! The best response wins a
o r a g e ment an d
prize! ur en c or
for all yo and also
se n dI ng a gi ft
Thanks .fo
r . favounte
ms In mY
Dear Editor
o e
m

p
,
g
publis : orld
Ch ldren's w
Children's W
orld magazin
e .
maga z
e is the best
ch . ldren's m b
agazine I ha
av e r ec elVed the .
IS
SI r, 1 h . parcel..It
ve ever read
It IS awes m in my life
e gI st er e d
e, amazing
o u g h r
of Love thr dIng
.
ished rea
, wonderful-I
1 have fin
words for It. have no
s for
Its stories, po
b o o k,
grea t .. that book. Tha k n
ems and Wor
are really fa d Hunts a 11
ntastic. Thou
n e s I n
a the s to feel th t
a
gh I'm a 13-y
ecause, 1
I'm not W Ill ear- 0ld ,
"mg to read an
b o o k b
y other mag
sendIn g th e
he GfI t 0f
akur , 'T
azine for
the tee s b . D r . T h le
' e 1nvisib
cause of Child
es-
the st,on . uch,' 'Th
ren's World.
Hunts m pI The Word
lI n g T o
he Hea d are eve
n
re me to cons
Love, 'T
ult a dictiona
was preVIous ry which
ly a task for
er y w e ll- g
v n 11
Girl' are oyed readi
me. Nowaday
.
. mY l1fe. 1 enj
the answer o s to find
Word Hunt a
a n t In n f or
re lev ce agaI.
I am ponder
.
hanks on
pages of a dI ing over the
ctIOnary. Bec
n d SI r, t
I ve Iearnt
ause of Child
r 's" UT u., a
the .... . . n.
ecIati, O
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a poem
a lot of new
r a p pr
e wntten
words which
.
me to Im ro ha ve he you h av .

] ed
t ly d,
publIshe
ve my vocabu
Sir, recen
1
reads ChI dr }
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lary. Now m
y mom als
U WIll
.
li k e .
It , I f it is
I hope yO
cause one da
to me. .
the story Ch y I shared
nd a copY Bangalo
re
ristmas' whi
please se G. DlV ya,
ch she found
Thus, I wou fabulous.
ld say:
"Twinkle twin
kle little star
Children's W
orld is a supe
rstar!"
R. Seles wins a prize for the best respo
nse.
R. Seles (13) , Congratulations!
Salem

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(ONTENTS't
19 When I Was AI ive
Pragya Gupta

5 Grandpa's Horse 27 Season of Celebration Or

A.C Tuli War


Shweta Kalra
11 Fleeing The Scene
Homagni Chaudhuri 30 My Awareness Towards
9 Spot The Differences
This World
16 A Priceless Gem Click For Fun
Guneet Kaur
Sarla Bhatia ACTIVITY
35 Wait ...
20 The Stranger Who Helped 10 Junior Word Hunt
Prerna
Me GeetaMenon
36 Tomorrow's World
Harshita Sharma ACTIVITY
Shikha Ruhil
The Marine Life
My Dream Car 31 One Line Says It All
Jaanvi Sadana
Siddharth Jain CAPTION WRITING CONTEST
21 The Dead Lady
. Who 45 A Walk In The Park 43 Word Hunt
Sobbed
Hari Varma ACTIVITY
Mohit Badoni
47 The Month That Was
25 Never Say Die
GeetaMenon
Ruchi Sharma
NEWS UPDATE
28 The Unique Literary
Conference
Parambir Kaur /

32 The Flash That Lightened


Up The Selvams
Vanisree

4 Treasure In Measure
Sunita Sinha
BOOK TALK
46 Polio-Free India-A Soon
37 Nest of Nails To-Be Reality
Toshi Goswami GeetaMenon
Focus
41 The Worst Experience
Nishikant Nayak

8 A Fearfu I Dream
Mahima Kaushik
14 A Mouse In The House
Shivang Singh
15 The Last Time
Shreya Dalmia
description more accurate,
U(f@@@lliHr O au all things that have quantity

UYAJ@@@(lD(f -
or number need a specific
measurement. The spheres

ID
G. Sharada
YOU know that
" "l 1f
<'---
_
of engineering and science
particularly demand facts to

D the gold ornaments


would have evaded
their purity and gold content
make measurement uniform
by devising units for various
measures, enabling the
be presented with accuracy
and the tools that enable
us to d o the needful are the
succes sfully if the unit of h u m a n r a c e i n t u rn to instruments and the units.
carat did not exist? Or that e x p r e s s i t s e lf in vario u s Yo u will b e a m a zed at
the age of fossils having died arenas-sports, engineering, the s i m p l i c ity and e a s y
many years b ack can still health, nutrition, computers, comprehension of the text
be known through carbon14 etc . Fro m i n c e p t i o n to p e rtaining to e n gro s s ing
dating or system of half- adoption, the j ourney was details relating to the subject.
lives? not without its challenges . The book thus brings to
All the se questions T h e i n c o n s i s t e n c i e s and the fore a very significant
pertain to one s i n g1 e ambiguitie s , owing aspect of scientific learning
entity-measurement. Our to d i ff e r e n t nations that it must be supported by
practical needs of daily life u s i n g d ifferent u nits for facts rather than hears ay.
require u s to measure all m e a s urement, led to the This is the amalgamation
the ti m e . C o n s ciously or standardization of measures. of obs ervation and theory
unconsciously every single The seven units thus came which h e l p e d K e p l e r to
person measures things to fo rm the b a s i s o f a l l proclaim the first of the three
around oneself and is thus measurements . Kepler's Laws of Planetary
also familiar with a variety The book thus strongly Motion.
of quantities in a variety advocates that to increase our This journey of numbers
of unit s . But why do w e knowledge and to make our and u nits thu s u nv e i l s
really need to measure? ,...----, tr e a s u red n u gg e t s of
Why do w e not go by the information, and hidden
general a s s e s s m ent of in this quantified d a t a
things around us? What Tlrl ealsure
, .v, !lI lJ
are the main attrib utes
do we mean by a standard
imJ of the book that lend it
unit of measurement?
The b a s i c q u e s t i o n s
Miea1sure
' !lI !J ..
a practical appeal.
With an attra ctive
G, Sharada
find a very tangible and cover, illustrations that
convincing answer in the s u i t a b l y d e s c rib e the
book Treasure in Measure t e xt, box items that
which i s a n interesting, provide additional
factual and comprehensive information and catchy
journey of a well-defined s u b - he adin g s , together
c
.... and systematic fo r m they make the book
or:
o
3 of m e a s urement which e nj oyable and easy to
VI
Z slowly and gradually read.
....
or:
c
....
evolved w i t h a g r o u p Sun ita Sinha
J:
U of people determined to A CBT Publication
nnua' umber

A.C. Tuli
Illustrations: Subir Roy

H E N T H E I R That was enough to set the You certainly deserve to be

W Grandpa came to
live with them for
a few days, both Siddharth
old man off. "Well, children,
tell me how much you think
I must have paid for it?" he
called a champion bargainer."
The compliment pleased
the old man. There was a
and Tania noticed that he quizzed them. twinkle in his eyes as he said
was clad in a new tweed M a k i n g a q u i c k gu e s s p hilosophically, "H aggling
coat. They had never seen Siddharth replied, "Grandpa, is an art, but you have to
him in that c o a t b e for e . I think you must have paid be a bit of an actor to be
Obviously it was Grandpa's about 2, OOO for the coat." successful in it. You must
recent purchase. And in their " N o , " r e p lied G r a nd p a , know the limits to which you
family the joke that never got shaking his head emphatically. can go while striking a hard
stale was that Grandpa was " T h e n you m i ght h a v e bargain with a shopkeeper,
a master in the art of getting paid 2,500 for it," hazarded who himself may be no less
things from shopkeepers at Tania . a mean actor in this line.
very low prices. So, Siddharth "Both of you are wide off "But, Grandpa, you seem
a nd T a n i a w e r e CUrlOUS the m a r k , " s a id Grandpa to have some magical power
to know h o w much their with a smile . "You will be of persuading shopkeepers to
Grandpa had paid to buy the surprised to know that I slash down their prices to
new coat. Also, how much the bo ught this coat for only the barest minimum," said
shopkeeper had demanded 950 though the shopkeeper Siddharth. n
:x:
for it. had demanded 1,800 for it." The old man had a wistful
"Grandpa, your coat " W h a t ? O n ly 9 5 0 for look on his face as he said,
looks gorgeous!" exclaimed this coat? I can't believe it!" "In fa ct, I d i s covered my
Siddharth. Tania cried incredulous ly. skill for bargaining when I
"You must have p aid a " G r a nd p a , getting a coat was very young. I was then
fo rtune, Grand p a , " added worth 1,800 for just 950 nineteen and living with
Tania. is nothing short of a marvel. my parents in my ancestral
nnual umber

village, now in Pakistan." 'Need a horse, sir?' that skinny, half-starved


Then, leaning back in his "I turned round to face horse, I would become the
chair, Grandpa began in a the shopkeeper. He was a laughing stock of my family
nostalgic tone. wily-faced, middle-aged man for my whole life. So I turned
"I once went to a big cattle with a ridiculous handlebar around to leave.
fair near our village," said moustache. Apparently, he "'Oh, Sir, listen to me,'
Grandpa. "I did not go with had disposed of his entire said the horse-dealer. When
the intention to make any stock of horses and ponies I stopped and faced him
purchase, but just to enjoy ear lier in the day, and all again, he said jovially, 'You
myself. It was a bright, that was now left with him seem to be in a greater
sunny day of late November. was this animal. Suddenly, hurry to go home than me.'
At the fair, the sight of on an impulse, I decided Then, he said persuasively,
so many cows, buffaloes, to have some fun haggling 'Come, give me 200 and the
camels, goats, horses, mules with him over the price of horse will be yours.'
a n d p o n i e s w a s m i n d his horse though I had no "I told him I had already
boggling. Besides, there was clear intentions of buying it. wasted enough of my time
a huge crowd of farmers and "'Ho w m u c h w i l l y o u talking to him. Darting a
agricultural labourers, all charge for it?' I asked him, quick, dismissive look at his
jostling, pushing and moving casting a disapproving look horse, I said, 'I would have
about briskly. One could at the horse. gladly parted with 200 if
hear constantly a confused "'If you had come earlier your horse had been worth it,
babble of human and animal in the day,' he replied, 'I but it is all skin and bones,
voices while the traders and would have sold you this as if it had had its last meal
their customers argued over horse for not less than 300. a week ago. But since it is
prIces. But now that I have almost your horse, you have the
"A l a r g e n u m b e r o f finished for the day and right to put any fancy price
eatery shops had sprung want to go home as early of your liking on it.'
up overnight all around the as possible, I shall give this "Once again I made a
arena where the cattle fair horse to you for 250.' move to leave . But this time
was going to be held. Mter "I shook my head saying the horse-dealer virtually
refreshing myself with a glass that if I paid him 250 for blocked my way and said,
of lassi and some sweets at 'I know I'll be starving my
a shop, I loitered around children by asking you
leisurely, enjoying the to pay me 175 for
cackle of excited this horse, but I
human voices have made up
striking hard my mind to
bargains. sell it to you.
There was, Now, do not
however, a be too hard
big surprise on a poor
C
....I
a::
in store for horse-dealer.
o
me. Just as I Give me 175.'
II)
z
w
was passing by "I knew that
a::
o
....I
a horse-dealer he all that bit about
:I:
U suddenly asked me, his starving children
Annual Number

and his being a poor horse " ' What? Only 75 for this success in haggling. The
dealer was utter nonsense. horse?' cried the horse horse I had bought was
Doubtless, he was a shrewd dealer, scandalized. ' Sir, I not bad. In fact, everyone
old trader who must have am selling you a horse, not in my family had a word of
made a handsome profit on a parrot or a pigeon.' praise for me when I told
his livestock earlier in the "I knew it was the most them how I had struck this
day when he sold his horses opportune moment for me profitable bargain. That
and ponies-except the one to play my trump card. So, horse remained with me for
that he was now foisting on taking out ten crisp ten a few years.
me. So, with a stern look on rupee notes from my wallet, " When I joined the army
my face I said I had better I said, 'All right, I do not and left my village, I gave
things to do than to waste want to be unjust to you. it to my younger brother. In
my time haggling with him Now you cannot say that short, the horse served our
over the price of a horse that I am not paying you a fair family, even in its advanced
would be of no use to me if price for your horse.' And old age till death."
I bought it. And this time I forthwith I thrust 100 into Both Siddharth and
turned my back on him with his hand. Tania had listened to
determination. " The horse-dealer, looking t h e i r g r a n dpa's h o r s e
" ' But won't you tell me, perplexed and peeved, looked buying adventure with rapt
sir, what you want to pay for at the money and muttered attention. n
:z:

this horse?' the horse-dealer something about the bad And then Siddharth said, ,...
o
;g
m
called after me desperately. times when a horse and a "Very strange, Grandpa, Z
vi
" Turning round, I gave sheep fetched the same price that you could get a horse :E
o
the quadruped another in the market. Grumbling for just 100. That sum ;g
,...
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appraising look and then thus, he pocketed the money would not buy even a hen
""

said, '75 is the right price and gave me the horse. today." .-
IV
a
for it.' " So, that was my first ' 'You are right, my child," ...
IV
Annual Number

agreed Grandpa, " But in horse-buying story. He had your recent purchase," both
1944, when I bought this brought gifts for Siddharth Siddharth and Tania said
horse, a hundred rupees was and Tania. So, pulling out of excitedly. " Won't you tell us
a handsome sum." his huge travelling-bag two how much these cost you?"
Suddenly, grandpa brand new blankets he said, " That's another interesting
r e m e mb e r e d s o m e t h i n g " These are for you." story," replied grandpa with
that had slipped his mind "Oh, Grandpa, these lovely a wink, ' 'but we will leave it
while he was narrating his blankets also seem to be for some other time."

I happened to see a dream,


Where I saw a dreadful fut ure.
There were no trades, no fairs,

A All because of the polluted air.

f'earft.f There's no gain in cursing the fate,


But check yo urself and

Dream Do not throw the polythenes around,


Do not dirty the children's playground.

Do not litter everywhere,


Mahima Kaushik (10)
Layout: Subir Roy Make your neighbo urs also aware.
Do not pollute water,
Do not pollute the lakes and rivers.

Once and for all stop it,


And let the guiding flame lit.
Then thinking of the future
Will not b ring a scream,
And no longer will there be,
Fearful dreams.

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Winner of February 2012

Bansari R. Dalal (11)


St. Kabir School
Navrangpura, Ahmedabad

' .""....",..."
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(( Geeta Menon

Fill in this crossword and send it to us on or before


April 25, 2012. THREE all-correct entries
will get attractive prizes. So what are you
waiting for? Get cracking!
(Xerox copies and faxed entries will not be considered.)

Across:

1. I go to bed so that I get


up at 4 in the morning. (5) 1. In the school we were asked to

3. __ away in the distance, a paint the eggs for which

train whistled, opposite of 'near' celebrates the resurrection of

(3) Jesus Christ. (6)


2. Violent anger (4)
6. I saw a policeman standing at
the traffic . (6) 4. I do yoga for _ hour every
day. (2)
8. Palestine Liberation
Organization was founded in 5. We _ went to see the puppet

1964, abbreviation (3) show, everybody (3)


10. __ Lake is in Srinagar, the 7. An __ a day keeps doctor
summer capital of Jammu and away. (5)
Kashmir. (3) 9. A place where bread and cakes

13. My daughter has a strong are made (6)


_ _to buy a Play Station, 11. If you __ the first ten digits you
--,-
wish (6) get 55. (3)

15. I was worried when my son 12. Flightless birds found in New
came back after his tennis Zealand (4)
match with a __ face, 14. PersonalAssistant, abbreviation
opposite of 'happy' (4) (2)
Turn to page 44 for the names of
16. I buy flowers for my
grandmother when I go to see her
three prizewinners of Junior Word Hunt
in the hospital, every day (5) (February 2012). Look out for prizewinners
of Junior Word Hunt (March 2012)
in the next issue. Keep your 'toes'
crossed till then!

(PLEASE FILL IN CAPITAL LETTERS. MAKE SURE YOU WRITE THE COMPLETE
ADDRESS OF BOTH YOUR RESIDENCE AND SCHOOL TO ENABLE US TO SEND
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:I:
U SCHOOL ........................................................... ..................................................................................
" ADA I will run a s mall locality i n Sylhet connected two main roads

D
'
away," Tabu said town. In the early 1900's four of Sylhet town. At the back
determinedly. He brothers built their houses of the houses was a jheel,
looked very upset. adjacent to each other while a large water body, p artially
Dada, Mr. De Chaudhuri, their ance stral home with overgrown with water
looked symp athetic ally at ponds and farms was in the hyacinth. B e fo re p r o p e r
his grandson. A long-time village . The brothers had roads were built and buses
resident of Jodhpur Park, studied in Kolkata. While two were known, boats and
he was addressed as D ada of them were lawyers, one barges came up the rivers
by all, even strangers . was an MBBS doctor from the and canals and were moored
When Dada asked, ''Why?'' Kolkata Medical College, and in this jheel that was weed
Tabu r e p li e d , " I h a ve to the fourth an engineer. free then. The houses were
because I have commited a The houses were on a s e p a r a t e d b y b ri c k w a lls
blunder. While I was filling motorable lane which b ut i n e a ch there w a s a
the water jug it slipped and
broke. And the water jug is
mother's favourite." Homagni Chaudhuri
"Please, Tabu, do not run Illustrations: Saurabh Pandey

aw ay, " D ada pleaded with


Tabu. "Because if you do, I
will have to go looking for
you . And then if I do not
find you, I will fall sick," he
reasoned. "Of course, I had
myself run away once," he
continued, but I was only five
years old then, still s m all
and not a big boy like you
of twelve years. Do you want
to hear about it?"
Tab u , i n s p ite of his
i m p e n d i n g t r o ub l e s , g o t
interested and settled down
comfortably on the bean bag.
He had not heard this story.
Tabu failed to imagine Dada
as a five-year-old. However,
he remembered his father
saying, ''Your Dada's stories
can be very interesting but
you do not have to blindly
swallow his every word. He
often imagines things ."
"It was a long time ago,
in 1937 . . . ," D a d a b e g a n ,
" . . . I was then i n Kasthghar, ,
small wicket gate so that four houses. interacting with each other.
the ladies and children could " O n e m o r n I n g , b e fo r e "While most of us would
move freely without having going out after breakfast, return h?me for lunch, for
to go outside the compounds. I noticed a large glass j ar the ones who lingered around,
Each house had a building with coconut sweets. I put lunch was no problem. They
called the kachari, directly o n e c an e stool on top of would eat in whichever house
facing the road. It was the another and climbed up to they happened to be in at
office block. reach the j ar of sweets . As that time. In each household,
"A clerk or two lived and my fingers touched the j ar, the seniormost member had
worked in kachari and the male suddenly the stool toppled a giant bed where all the
guests from the village and over and I crashed to the children were made to lie
the rural boys studying in the ground with a loud noise. down for an afternoon nap.
town would be accommodated In the fall I hurt my head A count would be taken in the
in its enclosed rear verandah. badly but the sight of the evening to check that each
Behind the kachari was the splintered glass j ar stopped child was back home. No one
courtyard which h a d the me from screaming. was worried; it was very safe
kitchens on the sides and M e a nwhile , on hearing for the children as the only
a garden in the middle, and the crashing sound, an aunt way to go out was through
after that was the main house. came there to investigate . the verandah of the kachari.
"By 1937, with grown-up The moment I saw her, I "Meals would be prepared
sons and their families, each ran! By the time she called In e a ch house by two
house had many members out to me to stop , I had B rahmin cooks and their
though sadly only one of the r e a c h e d the wicket gate helpers for fifty or even
brothers, the doctor, was still and from there I quickly m ore people at one time .
around. He was addressed disappeared." If it was a festive occasion,
as Boroda which meant the "1 made up my mind to like a marriage or a b aby's
eldest br other. Including stay away from home. A wise rice-e ating ceremony, huge
those in the kachari and the decision, as I knew mother fireplaces were set up in
se rv ants, each house had would b e very angry and the open where n e arly a
over fifty inmate s . As for slaps and knuckle blows on tho u s a n d p e ople came to
the children, cousins could the head would follow." eat. Children were strictly
form full football teams to D a d a c o n tin u e d , " N o w b a rred fro m entering the
compete against each other. i n this c o m p o u n d where kitchen except when called
"In the mornIng the I live d, o ft e n the h e a d for m e a l s . T h e B r a h m i n
children w e r e giv e n rice o f o n e house would h ave cooks were not to b e touched,
with boiled vegetables and a bitter argument with the e l s e they w o u l d h av e to
mustard oil for breakfast. head of a neighbouring house b a the a g a i n . And if any
No cornflakes or e ggs for on something as small as food container was touched,
N
children those days ! There an overhanging branch or that had to be thrown out.
rl
was no fruit j uice either s o m e t h i n g e q u a l l y s i l l y,
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but plenty of seasonal fruits and thereafter there would in the morning till four in

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were available. b e a b an on visiting that the evening.
o
"Those not going to school particular house. But neither "In each house there was
11\
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w

ever they liked, but of course, w e r e involved i n the s e for widowed ladies who did
II!
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within the confines of these fights or were stopped from not eat meat or fish."
Dada stopped and looked strawberries b ut the local Burma (now Myanmar). In
at Tabu, "Nowadays everyone produce-litchis, pineapples, those days he was friends
keeps asking what is to be j ackfruits, mangoes, etc. with many of the Britishers
cooke d, what Tabu would Often we were not satisfied and so he dressed like them.
like to eat and so on? In our with what was given, so we But now he only wore a
time we longed for in-between would go and pluck fruits dhoti. Mter the age of eighty
snacks but had no luck except like green m angoes fro m he had even refused to treat
when we visited a vegetarian t h e tre e s . That could b e patients. Baroda was very
kitchen. There, a grandmother dangerou s . The best trees fond of little children and
or a senior aunt would ask, were in Baroda's courtyard. w o u l d s p e n d hours with
"Do you want something to "Baroda had been in the them. But this was only till
eat?" On vigorous nods of our Indian Medical Service and they reached two years of
heads, tiny brass plates with worked as a civil surgeon in age. Mter that they moved
a little rice and some fried
vegetables were offered to us
from their share. These were
their meal time preparations
meant to be consumed by the
older people and widowed
ladies for lunch."
Tabu kept quiet, he wanted
Dada to complete the story,
but Dada now got up from
his chair by the window. If
D a d a was not gardening
or reading and writing, he
liked to watch the world go
by. The road outside their
house was a short cut but
a busy one at that.
Dada returned with a bar
of dark chocolate. Though
D a d a w a s not very fo n d
of sweets , chocolates w a s
so mething he could not
resist. Now he broke the bar
into two and gave one piece
of the chocolate to Tabu. "All
this talk of food has made n

me hungry," he said.
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"Those days," Dada :=
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continu ed, "there were no vi
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c h o c o l a t e s or co k e , b u t o
:=
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Tab u , what you would CI

have enj o yed were fruits


in p l e nt y. Not a p p l e s or
around on their own and from various houses and the don't you worry, you are
enj oyed plucking the leaves children were dragged away. safe here ."
and flowers . When older, 'So many of the m,' Boroda "In th evening mother
the se children would aim would grumb le, 'a swarm c a m e to visit D i d i m o n i .
stones at the fruits. They, of locusts and their number She was actually laughing.
the older children, in today's keeps increasing.' "Biku you are a brave boy,"
language became his 'class "That day, after eating my s h e s a i d , h i d i n g b e hind
. ,
enemIes . lunch in the neighbouring Didimoni. "Come home now
"Boroda, when in town,
' household, I was sitting on and do not break any more
would have to rush out at D i d i m o n i's b e d . She w a s j ars, they are costly."
intervals to shout at and known as a softie who gave By the end of the story
chase away the children who protection to many a naughty Tabu had forgotten about
were a constant menace to children reprimanding the running away. He went to
his beloved plants and trees. a n gry m o t h e r s thu s : O f his mother and confessed
If anyone was c aught, his course you have to teach courageously, "I have broken
ears were tweaked nice and them good behaviour, but your favourite water jug. I
hard. That child would run t h a t d o e s not m e a n y o u am very sorry."
away in tears, but the rest, m u s t h a r a s s t h e m when Tab u ' s m o t h e r s a i d i n
screaming wildly, would run they are with me. Every a reconciled manner, "It's
around, daring Boroda to child needs a secured place." all right, you did not do it
catch them. The loud noise Now s e e i n g me sitti n g intentionally. Accidents do
brought the mothers running hopefully she said, "Biku, happen at times ."

A MOUSE
IN THE HOUSE
Shivang Singh
Illustration: Saurabh Pandey

Once there was a mouse,


He lived in a house.
He sat on his knees,
And ate some cheese.
He lived in a big key-hole,
His best friend was Mr. Mole.
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He was chased by a cat,
o
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--' He really loved to chat.
a:
"
He had a bath with a rubber duck,
o
.... And with soap he removed his muck .
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3: He wandered around in a car,
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From the cat, he parked it far.
a:
o Once there was a mouse,
...J

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U He lived in a house ...
A shout that expressed our happ iness
A shout that said we were done,
A shout similar to
Many others given before us
Yet to us, our special one.

Shreya Dalmia And amidst the cheering in the dusky sky


Layout: Ankur Mitra A new thought dawned upon us,
Along with the last paper we had also
The dawn broke and soon I woke Left, for the last time
But as I sat I groaned and said, Our school hall.
"Another exam! my Boards!" This was it. It was over.
And clutched my throbbing head. This was the final end.
And not only for our Boards
Just then another thought hit me But also the days in school we'd spent.
And the frown turned into a smile,
It was my last Board, my last exam As a new chapter would open
No more studies for a long while! For us from tomorrow
This would all be long past,
No more six-seven subjects to be studied But before we stepped
No more physics, maths or chemistry, Into the first of the next
No more accounts, economics or commerce We would have to face this last.
No more geography or history.
And this irony of life
The last Class XII Board meant Hit us the hardest today,
These were now things of the past, Thirteen years ago we did not want
No school to dread, no exams to fear To come here.
Now only good times would last. And now we do not want to go away!

And as I went about the day It appeared as if the Heavens too


I tried to keep my excitement low, Were showing us just how n
:I:
For it was not fully over yet We had started here at dawn ....
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I still had one paper to take! And were ending at dusk now. m
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And as the hours eventually passed How we had reached this end and last '"
....
C
After giving the paper we came out, Was to us a mystery, l>
."
'"
And exhaled a long, deep sigh of relief Yet, little did we realize that tomorrow ;=
IV
a
And screamed a loud, joyous shout. This too would be a part of our history! .....
IV
Sarla Bhatia
...
Illustrations: Ankur Mitra

s VVE o p e n e d t h e
main gate, he was
gave him milk and biscuits
in plenty. At our home, he
hence Bubble and I had to
climb down the step s from
there. The heavy rain got used to pampering. But our eighth floor flat in pitch
had soaked him to the skin. in a few weeks he showed his darkn e s s . Even before we
The h e l p l e s s p u p l a y at true colours. Cutting shoes to had reached the sixth floor,
our door like an o r p h a n . pieces, spoiling our bed with the fellow stopp e d in his
My y o u n g e r s o n , Bubb l e , his wet paws or running into tracks. I knew of the misery
straightaway adopted him. milk bottles to scatter them that lay i n store for me .
That we were leavin g for became his nefarious and The stairs would have to
Calcutta the same day was routine activities. be washed and cleaned up
of no concern to him. It was I fumed, fretted and cursed before the neighbours got up
an a c h i e v e m e n t of s o r t s the day I let my boys bring for their morning walk.
to smuggle him i n a cane Kaizer home. My husb and My h e a rt n e a r l y s a n k
basket without letting the had gone on tour and I was when I opened the door the
c
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c.:: Indian Airlines ground staff all by m y s e l f in my b e d next morning and Mr. Basu,
0
3: know the contents of our when I felt Kaizer's paws. the caretaker of Minto Park,
\II
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... hand baggage . He. wanted to ease himself. walked in.
c.::
c Once in the air, he was the I t w a s the middle of the "Mrs . D ayal," he began,
-'
J:
u darling of the air hostess who night. There was no power, " e i t h e r you p l e a s e t o i l e t
-train Kaizer or you hand "Baij i, we h ave a small well. I want peace in this
him over to someone who cottage with a lot of open house."
lives on the ground floor. space. Please give him to Bubble too ca me along
You do not know the trouble me," Bidhan almost pleaded. but he raised no objection.
I go through in g e t t i n g "Look, this little fellow is He knew that he had lost
the compound cleaned up. priced at 800," Mangla put b e c a u s e of the d o g' s ill
This pet of yours is very In a poser. manners. That day Kaizer
ill- trained. We will m i s s "Oh, no," I intervened, "we went away with Bidhan.
the Governor's C u p t h i s don't want to sell Kaizer. It is I felt relieved and lived
year if K a i z e r continues for free but its new guardian the next few days without
to behave in this way. You must take care of him." any tension. But our house
know, Madam, Minto Park "Baiji, I will definitely love was not the same any more.
has been wInnIng this this pup of yours," assured The boys came home from
prize for the last ten years, Bidhan. their schools and walked
since the time I came here. "Of course, I believe you. into their rooms without a
Our garden is the best in But who will attend to him word. Kaizer used to bark
Calcutta and I cannot afford when you are out on your his head off as soon as he got
to have it spoiled." rounds?" a whiff of Vicky and Bubble
I was speechless because "At h o m e m y m o t h e r, in the lift. All my shouting to
there w a s not a grain o f brother and sister are there. silence him was an absolute
truth i n Mr. Basu's words. They will look after Kaizer." waste. The boys laughed and
"I will d e fi n i t e l y do "But it is quite costly to j umped with their pet.
something, Mr. Basu. Please maintain a pet dog, Bidhan," In Kaizer's absence I could
a c c e p t my a p o l o g i e s , " I I said and then added, "can no longer hear endearments
replied to him. you afford it?" like, "My beautiful Kaizer...
Since that day we started "Baij i, milk is no problem. My b lack honey. . . Oh, my
looking fo r a s u it a b l e And we are a non -vegetarian s w e e tie p i e a n d s o o n . "
guardian for Kaizer. It would family, therefore, meat and Each of us was quiet and
b e p ainful to again have bones can be given to him. forlorn. It was as if no more
Mr. B a su advise or warn Have no doubts, Madam," said chores were left for us in the
me. The word got round Bidhan reflecting tremendous hou se-no running for his
to everyone in Minto Park confidence in taking on the dinner plate, bread or milk.
of our intention. Not many new responsibility. It seemed our lives existed
days later Bidhan, the young I still persisted, "Do you for Kaizer. We all looked at
milkm a n , stayed b ac k to realize that there will b e the vacant spot where he
talk to me after handing expenses of medicines, inj ec used to sit every time we
over the milk bottles to my tions and doctor's fees too?" got together at the table
maid, Mangla. "I earn 1500 per month, for breakfast 01' dinner but
"Baiji, the gatekeeper tells B a ij i . I will e n s u r e that spoke nothing. The silence n
:I:
me that you w ant to give Kaizer is healthy and happy around us reflected the void ....
C
:>J
a w a y Kaiz e r, " he a s k e d , with us," was Bidhan's reply. within us. m
Z
'"
hesitatingly. Vicky came out of his room One day I told the milkman,
"Yes, Bidhan, we live so j u s t as this convers ation "Bidhan, bring Kaizer with
high up that p oor Kaizer was going on. "Mummy, it you when you come this
cannot move about freely," is enough. Give Kaizer to evening. The children are
I told him. Bidhan. He will keep him eager to see him."
"All right, Baiji. Tomorrow master. I suppose our wish Vicky said, "Mummy, I am
evening at 4 p.m. Kaizer will do e s n o t ma tter to hi m , " scared. I do not have the
be here for you to see. Only replied Bubble. courage t9 say... "
then will you believe that I "Nonsense. Bidhan cannot "Say what?" I was
have kept him well." claim rights on Kaizer in a trembling by then.
With b a t e d b r e a t h w e m atter of j u st two days ," "Perhaps Kaizer has met
waited fo r Kaizer the Vicky retorted angrily. with an accident. Bidhan
fo llowing day. Vi cky a n d "Kaizer is a priceless gem. once told us that his cottage
Bubble came home well before Baiji, I hope Bidhan has not is along a busy road."
their usual time lest Bidhan sold him off to make a quick As I listened to Vicky my
should take Kaizer away buck," said Mangla, skeptical heart skipped many beats .
without waiting for them. as usual. 'Oh, Lord, is it going to be
Even at the slightest sound "Dare he sell him! We will the same case as Masha's?'
Mangla would scurry to the lodge an FIR with the police," The horrifying scene of last
door only to return blank spoke Vicky with authority in year a p p eared b efore my
eyed and cursing Bidhan. his voice. He then directed eyes. The white, serene and
Four o'clock and then five Bubble, ''You go with Mani listless b o dy of Ma sha in
o'clock-there was no sign (our driver) to Bidhan's house Vicky's arms. I felt choked
of Bidhan with Kaizer We and make sure that Kaizer with agony and s elf-guilt.
were all panicky. is well. There should be no Why did I give Kaizer away
"Tha t milkman will not hanky-panky." to Bidhan? My conscience
c o m e , " s a i d B u b b l e with The evening p assed, still questioned me. Kaizer was
despair. Bidhan did not appear. Our j u s t two years old, a kid
"Why do you say so?" I worry showed on our faces. only. He would have learnt
asked anxiously. None of us could eat our to behave. Were not Vicky
"He is the dog's owner, the dinner properly. Suddenly and Bubble naughty too?
Further, they were a virtual
nuisance for the neighbours.
But would I every think of

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gIvIng Vi cky and Bubble sister for marriage with their hands and darted inside the
away. Just because Kaizer son. The boy is B.A. pass ... " house. Vicky and Bubble
was an animal, I did s o . "All right, that's enough. ran after him. One by one
Now I am the killer o f an Bring Kaizer at 4 p.m. today. we hugged him and kissed
innocent pup. No more excuses, please," I him and the house burst
I tossed in my bed with a was still restless. with hurrahs of j oy. I could
heavy head all night long. Bidhan could not gauge not b e lieve this burst of
I walked up to the main my pain and went away with h a p p i n e s s i n m y ho u s e .
door well before daybreak, disbelief at my concern for The boys had collected a
w a i t i n g fo r B i d h a n . H e Kaizer whom I was so keen heapful of cake, bread and
usually came at 5 .30 a . m . to b anish only a weeks ago. rusks on a plate, laced with
to deliver milk to us . I could We relived the agonising hard bones. But Kaizer was
hear the lift stopping at our moments again b e fo r e licking my feet, j umping at
floor. In spite of a throbbing Kaizer's arrival. We were all my hands, in the manner of
head full of doubts, I flung there. Vicky, Bubble, Mangla kissing them.
the door open . a n d I-t e n s e , q u i e t a n d I took a decision there and
"Why did you not come with scores o f unpleas ant then: "Kaizer is not going
yesterday? Where is Kaizer, forebodings in our minds. back, children," I said loudly.
Bidhan? Is he safe?" I was Bidhan appeared at the " T h r e e c h e e r s fo r o u r
panting with anger. door before time. We could Mummy! Three cheers for
"Baiji, maaf karo (forgive h e a r K a i z e r ' s t h r o a tful our Kaizer!"
me) . Some guests suddenly b arking even before opening Bidhan came back after his
came to our house. In fact, the door. And lo ! Kaizer round only to be astonished
they were considering my b o u n c e d o u t of B i d h a n ' s at the change of my heart.3

Life was beautiful for me


When I was in this world,
When I was alive.
Those childhood days spent Pragya Gupta (14)
In the caressing arms of a
Beautiful lady and a gentleman Far away from the world below
I called parents. I'm here with you, God,
If I was so dear to you n
Why? Oh God, Why did you Then why did you send me to Earth? :!:
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o
Call me up so early? ::a
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Z
So early, that l could not I'll cherish those days '"
:E
Even ponder on 1!Jhat I was doing? I spent with you, Mother and Father, o
::a
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My mum cries, my father weeps. I'll still remember you in this world, o

"
Oh! what sin did I do in In this world which comprises of ;lO
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My previous life? God and Me. a
...
N
'T he S tranger Who
Helped M e
s
Jaanvi Sadana (10)

I was reading a book The Marine


Harshita Sharma (12)
Illustration: Ankur Mitra

AST SUMMER I had to give an exam.


A L ife, a t h o u ght s truck my mind
that wouldn't it be wonderful to go
underwater? But there was no sea nearby.

L My friends were busy and my mom


was not well, so, I had to go alone.
I prepared my bag and went to sleep .
I became sad and soon fell asleep.
As I slept, I heard the glints and gleams,
the rustle and swirl of the water. I was
When I woke up, I was horrified to find thrilled to see myself amidst marine life .
that I was late! I rushed to the bus stop. I I was wearing a swimming suit, a pair of
was delighted to see that my bus had not yet goggles and was carrying an oxygen cylinder.
come. Then I saw it coming and I boarded the I saw various type s of fish like the jelly
bus. I went and sat next to an old gentleman. fish, the puffer fish, the horse fish, etc .
A little later, the bus conductor came to me I tried t o chase them but they were very
to issue a ticket. That's when I realized that fast. I wondered how they breathe as they
in my hurry, I had left my wallet at home! did not have nostrils . It was very exciting
I told the conductor, "I am sorry I have to see colourful and beautiful coral reefs. As
left my wallet at home." I w a s t h u s e nj o y i n g the m a r i n e l ife ,
"Then get off the bus, beggars are not s u d denly I turned b a c k . To my horror,
allowed," he replied in a rather rude way. I saw a whale coming after me. I swam
Then the old m a n sitting next to me as fast as I could and was able to escape
intervened and gave the conductor my bus fare. from there.
I thanked him and quickly took his phone All of a sudden, I heard a loud bang and
number and address. woke up realizing it was only a dream! These
My exam went off well. In the evening I days very few people like to go underwater
went to the old man's house to return the b e c a u s e it i s u nhygienic on accoupt of
money. He refused to take it.
Since that day I go to the old gentleman's
hou s e regul arly a s we b e c a m e fri e n d s
that day.

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Annual Number.
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.l . ....
,, .. _ ._' ;::'2'l

Mohit Badoni
Illustrations: Subir Roy

T WAS the fir s t t i m e morning and in the evening, all b y herse lf. She never

I that I was attending


a C h r i s t i a n fu n e r a l .
Mrs. C a s t ellino died l a s t
fro m five till midnight, I
was at the front office desk
of a sm all hotel ha n dling
had any friends or relatives
in India. Mter her husband
M aj or C a s tellino's death,
night. The only funeral that I all sorts of gue sts . There Mrs . C a stellino decided to
had attended was four years w ere businessmen, n ew ly stay alone in her bungalow.
ago when my gran dfather wed couples , families with The only other soul in that
had die d . My grandfather children, college brats house was a cat which
was cremated beside River flaunting their wealth and she kept fo r c o m p a n y.
Ganges at Haridwar. others who were there hiding M r s . C a s tellino s u rvived
Mrs . Castellino's body was from the world behind closed on the pension of her dead
found cold and lifeless in her doors. husband who had been an
bed. Brother Thomas, with My home was about two officer in the British Indian
the help of a few locals, had miles from the hotel. But if I Army.
organized her funeral at the took a shorter route, via the That day again , after a
local graveyard of YW CA. Camel's Back Road, I saved sickening and tiresome seven
T h e c o ffi n w a s l o w e r e d almost a half-a- mile's walk . hours at the front office desk,
inside, then covered with The Camel's Back Road was when I was trudging along
n

mud. a lonely road and the only the desolate C amel's Back
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C
I was doing my graduation visible thing on that one Road in a carefree manner, m
;>II
Z
fr o m M u n i c i p a l C o l l e g e . mile forlorn track was a huge thinking about the hot food '"

M y fin a n c i a l cD n s t r a i n t s bungalow that belonged to a n d c o z y b e d w a iting at a
;>II
,...

had forced me t o pick u p Mrs . C a s t e l lino called home for me, when suddenly c


"
a part-time j ob i n a hotel. Summer H all Cotta ge . something unusual caught
e
N
I attended my classes in the Mrs. Castellino lived there my a t t e nt i o n . I h e a r d a o
...
N
Annual umber
- . .

strange sound of somebody "Mrs. Castellino, are you "Son, would you do me a
crying at a distance. I tried all right?"I asked her. favour?" she asked me.
to concentrate on the sound "My son, for the past two ''Yes, ple.ase tell me," I said
and to follow it . My step s days I'm down with fever. to her.
led me towards the Summer My body is aching badly and "Will you call the doctor
Hall Cottage. I tried to recall I cannot even get up from for me?"
the sound. I thought I had my bed." She took a deep "Sure, I will call him right
heard it somewhere. It was breath while I stood beside now." I said, and left from
a sob of a lady in deep pain. her thinking how difficult it there.
Mter jogging my memory is to survive on one's own I was already getting late
more, I recollected where I when you are old. for work. Wa sting more time
had heard it before.
B e fo r e I could b e
sure about it, the
sound gave m e goo s e
bumps. I recalled these
were the sobs of
Mrs . Castellino. I
was sure it was
the same sound
I had heard a
couple of days ago.
The day before
yesterday, while
I was going
towards the hotel
for my part-time
job, I had heard
a sobbing sound
coming fr o m
Mrs . Ca stellino's
house. I had gone
i n s i d e , p r o b ab ly
for the first time,
to ask her if she
needed some help.
As I went inside,
through the
N
door that w a s
....
left open, I found
o
N
...J
a:
0-
..: Mrs . C astellino --.. ...
Q
...
0::
lyi n g i n h e r
bed in deep a g o n y.
o

III
Z Mrs. Castellino was an old
...
0::
Q
...
lady, probably ninety years
x
U old.
right away in contacting and all hotels were flooded again heard her sobs. I was
the doctor would encroach with tourists. Hence the next a fr a i d a n d d i d n o t even
further into my office timing day was again a busy day look towards the cottage. I
for which I would have to with seven hours of non- stop ran towards home shivering
stay back a few more hours tiring work at the front office and sweating in fe ar. The
after twelve at work. So , I desk handling customers and whole night I was unable to
decided to call the doctor the attending to their calls. sleep . The only thing that
following morning. After my hectic schedule I revolved in my mind was
As promised, the was once again at the Camel's the weak and feeble face of
next morning I w e nt to Back Road, heading towards M r s . C a s t e l lino a n d the
Mrs. Castellino's house with home . I never thought about humming sound of her sobs
a doctor. But she was already Mr s . Castellino until I In my ears .
dead. reached her house. Now once D a y a n d n i g ht I was
As I shook myself out of again I heard those sobs; my restle s s . I could hear her
this reverie, I realized the senses became alert and a sobs even during my classes,
sobs that I heard now were current ran down my spine . I h e a r d t h e m at w o r k . I
those of Mrs . Castellino. I h u r r i e d . t o w a r d s my heard them all the time .
I was h o r r i fi e d , but home a n d h e av e d a s i gh All I would think about was
after some introspection I of relief o n ly after I h a d Mrs . Castellino. A sense of
conclu ded, I was p o s s ibly crossed C amel's Back Road. guilt constantly pr evailed
j u st imagining them after After that day I never took within me. I should have
my late night schedule. C a mel's Back Road home h e l p e d h e r when I knew
That night after my dinner I even if I had to walk half a Mrs. Castellino was ill and
went to bed. Usually I dozed off mile extra. in pain. I should have shown
within a minute, but that day I A week passed by and I urgency a n d c a l l e d the
was unable to sleep peacefully. had almost forgotten about doctor a t that very moment.
Mrs . Castellino's sobs were Mrs. Castellino and her sobs. Immediate medical aid might
drumming in my ears which Then , on the seventh day, have saved Mrs . Castellino
kept me awake. I could not the skies opened up and it and she might have lived
erase the memo ry of her started raining heavily. The for a few more years. Now
pleading with me to call a whole night it rained. With I w a s convinced that the
doctor or she would die. The the result the route which ghost of Mrs . Castellino was
whole night the o l d lady I took home had knee- deep haunting me.
must have looked at the door water. The authorities had My b eh avioural pattern
expecting a doctor to walk in. blocked the road for repair started changing. Earlier, I
A sense of guilt gripped me. work and would reopen only rarely got annoyed on any
The next day was my off day after a month. issue . Now I lost my temper
from the hotel. After my classes, Now I had no option
I got busy with my friends and b u t t o t a k e the C a m e l ' s n
:I:
a soap opera on television. I B a c k R o a d to g e t h o m e . r
C
had almost forgotten about The mere thought o f Mrs .
:1:1
m
Z

Mrs . Castellino. Life takes Castellino and her sobs made III
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its own course aI\d gradually me restl e s s , but I had o
:1:1
r-

you tend to forget some of the choice. I moved hastily


C
U.11.,.t.t1:::
:
"

irrelevant things. the route. As I apprOCHA1r;U ::0


;=
IV
It was the peak season Summer H all C ottage
a
>->
IV
on petty issues. I was unable the lobby or the bedroom? I slowly peeped inside the
to sleep well or even eat I tried to follow. My footsteps carton. There lay two little
properly. I remained aloof. led me towards the kitchen. kittens, mewing! I sat down
Every moment I thought of I n one corner of the on the floor with my feet
only Mrs. Castellino and her kitchen lay a big carton. I drawn to my chest and back
sobs echoing in my ears. knew the sobs were coming resting against the wall. My
T hen one d a in t h e from that carton. 'Is Mrs. heart was beating like an
evening, while I was going Castellino's ghost trapped express train and my knees
towards the hotel, I again inside the carton? No, how were shivering. I took a deep
heard the sobs. I was already could that be? Spirits cannot breath and gently took the
frustrated. Today I decided be trapped. Then what was kittens in my arm.
to settle the score once it?' I was a bit confused. ' So it was the mewing of
and for all. I decided to do Slowly I went near the these little devils that was
something which I had never carton and tried to look haunting me all these days.'
dared to do all these days. inside. Suddenly a big black I took both the kittens
I decided to go inside the cat jumped out of the carton home. One was christened
house and tell the ghost of and ran towards the lobby. Agatha and the otherAmilo.
Mrs. C a s tellino to stop My heart was almost in my Mter a day their mother
bothering me. I f she is mouth. Lucy too joined me and her
annoyed with me, she can little kittens in my home.:l
kill me but it is difficult to
live with a ghost haunting
you day and night. I followed
the voice towards the
haunted house.
I w a l ke d a l o n g t h e
gravelled pathway and
entered the garden. The
front door was locked.
The nameplate of
Mrs. Castellino still
hung o n one s i d e o f
the door while on the
other side another board r
proclaimed the name of .
the cottage-Summer
Hall Cottage-in bold.
I b r o k e o n e o f the
window panes and
unlatched the window. I
jumped inside the house.
o
...
0::
The sobs were now more
o
3 clear a n d r a m p a n t . I
<II
Z
...
followed the voice; I tried
0::
o
...
to concentrate in order to
J:
U find the direction. Was it
Anual N umber '
,, " ';
'''''' c,.-- -- 'j

It is true that bullying is a


phenomenon that finds one
or the other form in almost
every school and college .
Certain elements believe
that might is right. And
the fact that his mother
taught in the same
Ruchi Sharma school only accentuated
Illustrations: Sanjay Sarkar Rahul's misery. The
bullies suspected that
he was gaining favours
on account of her being
there though that was
not the case.
Previously Rahul
studied i n a different
schoo l . But when his
parents constructed their
own house in West Delhi,
he had to take admission
in his mother 's school
as the school bus of his
A H U L WA S a n former school did not ply

R intelligent boy. H e
always figured among
the top three positions in
on that route.
Rahul bore things
. passively. He did not
his class. complain to his mother
He was creative and had for fear that they would
a v i v i d i m a g i n a.tion . I n harass him further by
the first term exams, his putting the tag 'Mama's
essay on ' M y j ourney in "'IIIrIltf boy'.
Space' impressed his English To offset the relentless
teacher immensly. bullying, Rahul began
However, Rahul was not to rest his spectacles
happy in the school . His half way down his
bespectacled face was the nose so that his eyes
target of much mocking and would be fully visible.
mirth. The bullies in his H i s m o t h e r could not n
:I:
class labelled him 'chaukha' fathom the reason for this r
C
or ' four-eyed', an aberration. change in appearance . She ;>C
m
Z
He was the butt of their alongwith other teachers vi
:E
jokes . He tried retorting but tried to tell him to give up o
;>C
r
C
the taunts only intensified. this undesirable habit as l>

United, these hooligans his eyesight would further ""


r=
N
were a formidable bunch. weaken. But Rahul remained a
....
N
adamant. Rahul suggested the name and topped in the admission
E ven then the bullies of the school which had a test displaying his grit and
continued teasing him. In track record of the most determination towards the
fact, Rahul found that the successful candidates in purpose.
situation had worsened now medical and engineering Rahul was on cloud nine
for the ruffians had started entrance exams. His father when the results were
calling him 'boodha' meaning was nonplussed. a n n o u n c e d . His trauma
'an aged man'. Some even He said, " With the marks would hopefully be over. His
called him nerdy. He was you have obtained in the parents agreed to the change
hounded by their barbs and Class X board exams, I am of school provided he wore
could not concentrate on his skeptical whether you will his spectacles properly. They
studies. From a cheerful and get admission there." explained that otherwise his
happy-go-lucky boy, Rahul Rahul had surfed the net eyesight would weaken and
became reserved, irritable and had all the required he would stand to lose.
and inflexible. He became information. Rahul understood that
emotionally disturbed. He said, " The school holds this was the last ditch effort
Someone w h o dreamt o f an admission test too." that would make or mar his
becoming an astronaut was His father said, "I will future and so promised to
feeling forcibly grounded. discuss the matter with your obey his parents.
All this affected Rahul's mother." Rahul found the atmos
performance in school. H i s parents discussed phere in the new school
His behaviour caused his t h i n g s a n d t h o u g h t it welcoming as compared to
mother a lot of distress. prudent to let him appear the oppressive atmosphere
After having taught for in the admission test.
many years, all methods Rahul worked diligently
and techniques of handling
a distraught child, came to
nought. He did not do well
in the Class X Board exams.
His performance was
just
above average. His father
fretted and fumed but could
not get to the crux of the
problem.
Taking him to a corner
one day, he had a man-to
man talk with him, Rahul
revealed his problem and
N
anguish. He confided that
.-<
o
N
--'
he felt choked in the stifling
Ii:
0-
environment of the school.
Q
...J
ex:
He then expressed his wish
Q
:: to change his school.
11'1
Z
...
His father said, " Which
ex:
Q
...J
school would you like to
J:
Y shift to?"
of his former school. and soul into his studies Ultimately he received the
Rahul was put i n the imbibing efficient study skills fruit of his labour. He got
ability section on the basis from his fellow students. admission in two premier
of his score in the admission He too joined the coaching engineering colleges. His
test. Nobody bullied him or classes. His schedule became success gave his parents
made fun of him because he hectic. Mter school he would immense happiness.
wore specs. attend the coaching institute Rahul had tasted success
He observed that all the classes and reach home late. because all his hurdles had
students there were keen to As time elapsed, he devised been removed.
study and learn. Even in free a three-pronged approach " So it had been the right
periods, his classmates would w h i c h was a balance o f choice, after all," conceded
be finishing assignments of academics, exercise a n d his parents.
their coaching classes for entertainment. He would In reality, Rahul's decision
medical and engineering reach school early so that to shift out was a form of
entrance exams. All heads he c o u l d p l a y f o o t b a l l , passive resistance aiming
would be visibly engrossed something he really loved. at avoiding the evil for one's
and all faces a study in In the evening he would own well-being. It had helped
concentration. watch T.V. for sometime. For him chart a new course of
I n spired by his fellow two years, he followed the life. After all , God helps
students, Rahul put his heart same routine. those who help themselves. :t
t

Season of
Celebration
or War
Shweta Kalra (12) .....

Illustration: Sanjay Sarkar

Season of celebration
Doesn't mean the season of every nation,
The wars that brew never cease
There are no boundaries and no ease.
Wars hold destructive power,
Never-ending peop le are sacrificed
For small slices of land.
Is it nice ?
We should feel ashamed of ourselves,
To fight for petty things in our life.
Be patriotic but not fanatic,
B l o o dy w a rs w i l l t h e n n o t p e n e t r a t e
In the deep core of our hearts.
The Unique
Liferature Literary Conference

Sto ry

H E WORD went round director delivered the s h e continued, "this too is

T that an e x c l u s iv e
literary conference was
going to be held. Now this was
welcome speech, greeting the
chief guest, the participants
and all the others present
a fact that everyone, from
the children to grown -ups,
like me in all my forms. 1
enough to bring the crowds there. Then he invited Story always prove to be a good
r u s h i n g to t h e a s s i g n e d to share her views with the friend when one is lonely. 1
venu e . The gathering was gathering. am everyone's favourite . . . "
beyond the expectations of S tory could not contai n Story was going on blowing
the organizers. her happiness for just being h e r tru m p e t w h e n there
Literature was the chief ther e . "I a m extremely s t a r t e d s o m e w h i s p ering
guest at the function. Being grateful," began Story, "for amongst the audience.
a stickler for p unctuality, having come across such a Someone in the audience
Literature arrived on time . rare opportunity to express said, "I really do not like
An ornate chair was placed my innermost feelings before reading a story . . 1'd rather . . . "
.

on the stage for him. you all ! B a s ically, a l l my Someb ody else said,
All the p a r t i c i p a n t s companions and 1 entertain "I can't stand stories . . . !"
Story, D r a m a , Poetry and you, besides increasing your Having come face to face
Prose-had made themselves k n o w l e d g e . It i s a w e l l with reality, Story realized

::::
comfortable in their seats. known fact that w e influence that after all she was not as
o
N
-' A n d t h i s v e r y fa c t h a d p e o p le's p e r s o n a lity . . . b u t popular as she had perceived
c;:
please d o not consider me
"'

made the event unique for herself to be! She soon wound
c
....
a::
the a u d i en c e . They w e r e conceited if 1 say that 1 am up her talk and occupied her
o
very excited a b o u t it a n d the most important of them seat glumly.
III
Z
w
waited imp atiently for the all. 1 know you will agree Now it w a s the turn of
a:
c
.... conference to begin. with me . . . " Then throwing P o e t r y to e n u n c i a t e h e r
J:
U Fir s t o f a l l , the s t a g e - a glance in all directions fe elin g s . P o etry w a s a l s o
etry D ra ma
Prose

very happy to be a p art of c a n b e c o nveyed thro u gh on stage. I n fact, I rule the


the conference. To begin with me in a few words, by using stage! I can actually claim to
Poetry burst into a poem at symbols and imageries, and be the most important part
once: so on. I ' m sure that I a m of literature. And I doubt if
"So different am I, literature's favourite . A n d anyone present here would
In size and stature. giving happiness t o peop le object to this statement . . . "
No doubt I am, makes me cheerful." Even though no one
The pride of literature . When Poetry was thus busy openly challenged Dram a's
I know that everyone, eulogizing herself, someone a s s e rtio n s b u t s o m e low
Likes my nature." amongst the audience voices coming from the crowd
The listeners were regaled whispered, "I don't like poetry. made it quite clear that all
with this novel expression. In fact, I cannot even follow those present there were not
Actually the assembly was it many a times . . . " of the same opinion.
taking keen interest in the And it did not take long Finally, it was the turn
proceedings and they were for Poetry to realize that not of P r o s e to a d d r e s s the
all attention. everybody is fond of her. congregation.
P o e t r y fu r t h e r s t a t e d The compere then Prose started off in a very
s e r i o u s ly, " I t i s m y g o o d requested Drama to share h u m b l e m a n n e r. " I h ave
fo rt u n e t h a t I h a v e t h i s his views with the gathering. my own existence without n
:r:
chance t o share m y feelings Drama started with great doubt and possess simplicity, r
C
;J:J
with you all. I have always felt confidence, "Basically, I have fluency and attraction which m
Z
vi
that I am the most popular n o c o m p arison with a n y j ust carry the reader along. :E
form of literature! I have got other literary genre . I a m I am sure many of you here,
a
;J:J
r
C
rhythm and everyone enj oys one o f my own kind! People must be having a liking for l>
."
reading or listening to me . . . enj oy reading me as well as m e ! S o m e t i m e s you come :r:J
;=
tv
a
So many s erious messages seeing me when I am enacted across parts of poetry, drama I-'
tv
or story in me . . . I rather to th e m . But listening to time spent with you today, is
take it as a compliment or their views in this manner going to be unforgettable for
you can call it my generosity. was a novel experience for us. Thank you very much."
I firmly b elieve that all of me as well." The audience, who h a d
us are making this world a Literature then went on to been a s i f i n a trance s o
better place to live in . . . " address its genres, "I would far, became very s a d when
Pro s e expres s e d many like to tell you all that each Literature finished his talk.
m o r e s i milar v i e w s a n d of you is in a class of your O n e of t h e o r g a n i z e r s
when i t finished, the hall own and equally significant. s u m m in g up the day's
reverb e r a t e d with c h e e r s J u s t a s you are different proceedings said, "The way
from the audience. Everyone from one another, similarly, you all, as audience , have
there w a s e nj o y i n g t h e the readers too have their thronged this place, clearly
proc eedings t o the hilt . It own choices and everyone indicates your enthusiasm
. .

w a s a u n I q u e exp erience selects their reading material and interest in literature .


after all, listening to all the accordingly. I just want to tell You have really made today's
genres of literature! you that maintaining a good p r o gr a m m e a complete
The c o m p ere thanked standard should be your top success. It is indeed tough
a l l t h e p a rticip a n t s a n d priority. We owe it to them for us to evaluate the job that
requested the chief guest as w ell (making a gesture Literature and its genres are
now to say a few words. towards the audience) ." doing for us. They spread the
Literatur e , fir s t of a l l , At this the p articipants light of knowledge and are
thanked the organizers: "We nodded in agreement. making this world a better
are grateful to you for having Now Literature was p l a c e . I p r o m i s e on your
provided us an opportunity speaking to the congregation, behalf that we shall definitely
to share our views with all of 'We owe so much to all of you! spend more time in their
you . Our thanks also to you It is only your interest in us c o m p any a n d insp ire our
for sparing so much of your which makes our existence friends and acquaintances
precious time for u s . The m e a n i n g fu l . I only wish also to do the same!"
speakers, you j ust listened to, that you would spend more The audience endorsed
are all my inseparable parts. time with us. It will boost this p r o m i s e with a loud
In fact, l owe my existence our morale to no end . . . the clapping.

Of Nature,
To make myself aware But people are destroying it
Of this shiny world, Not thinking about earth's future.
But its thinking is so old. I wandered here and there
I wandered here and there To make myself aware
To make myself aware Of my characteristics,
Of the honest people 's condition, That am I full of good qualities?
Against who m cruel people are The answer I got was
Making coalition. Yes, I am the best.
I wandered here and there I wandered here and there
To make myself aware To make myself aware . . .
ONE L INE
SAYS IT ALL!
(for age grou p 7-1 5 years)

A p i ctu re speaks a thousand words . . .


You r ski l l l i es i n te l l i ng u s what i t says
i n j u st a few wo rds.
See the pictu re . . .
Observe what i t says . . .
Write a caption . . . and
Send it to us .. .
Fast! Fast! Fast!
Best caption w i ns a prize!
Last date of receivi ng entries:
Apri l 2 5 , 2 0 1 2 .

HURRY!
4

Plant more trees, Plant more trees, plant more trees


Don't let our earth perish, Trees provide fruit, flowers and shade.
Greener earth is a dream, Protect them because we need them.
We all cherish. So that this God's gift doesn't fade.
Sangeeta Mishra (1 1), New Delhi Heba Ahmad (1 1), NOIDA
* *

Plant a tree once a year Have some kindness for others


Will make you cheerful for the whole year. And for the trees even more,

Ujjwal Aggarwal (1 0), New Delhi Trees sustain our dear life
* Then shouldn't we sustain the tree's life?
Kanisha Shah (13), Ahmedabad
Don't be mean,
*
Please go green!
Let us plant trees so that we can
Plant a tree,
Make our world green
For it will bring glee!
And can stop global warming.
Srijan Bhatia (1 1), New Delhi
* Rushabh Mehta (13), Anme,aaclaa
*
Trees give us health
Go Green to make our Earth a Queen!
But even then people are
Also, keep it clean to fulfil our dream!
Greedy for its wealth.
Mullick Gupta (1 1), Punjab
Unnati Jain (1 0), New Delhi *
*
Let's go, let's go, let's plant a tree,
Grow a tree every day, Let's make the earth pollutioin-free! Plant a tree, nurture it with care and love
To make the earth better, Deeksha Khan (8), Munirka As it gives you everything free.
That's the only way! * Pritika Mehta (I 1), Delhi
Sa!,tmya Verma (13) Plants are our friends
*
*
And we don't hurt our friends Plants make the nature beautiful
Planting trees together, Instead we encourage them And nature makes the world beautiful
Makes everyone happy forever. So, grow more trees. So, we should grow more and more trees.
Samrat Ganguli (1 1), Odisha Jahnui Bhambhani (1 0), Delhi Vinayak S. Gadad, Karnataka
* * *
with his busy parents . The
only time he got to do so
was duril1g their trip during
the month of May this year
which lasted for just about
four to five d a y s , a mere
fraction of the forty-five days
summer holidays.
His educated mother had
been happy as a homemaker
till a year ago b ut had to

Vanisree
Illustrations: Sanjay Sarkar

H E A D V E N T

T of inverters
undoubtedly b e e n a
blessing to those who have
has

b e e n vic t i m s of fr e q u e n t
power-cuts. But o n the flip
side, it has more or less laid
off whatever little time one
used to get to communicate
with the family members in
the event of a power-cut.
With due resp ect to the
b r e a k t h r o u g h i nv e n t i o n ,
courtesy To shib a , a break
in the c o n t i n u o u s p o w e r
s u p p ly i n R a m a n ' s h o m e
provided the much - needed
break in his life . For once,
the battery was not charged
enough to provide the family
even with the bare minimum
N
supply necessary to run a fan
....
or even a tube light, leave
o
N
--'
a:
Q.
aside the television, during

c
.... the humid July night.
IX
o
Raman, the only child of
Mr. and Mrs . S elvam had
III
Z
\U
IX
C been craving since a long
....
Z
U time to s p e n d s o m e time
Annual Number
", .. A4 -- .

step out of the house forced of almost thirty flats in the The July night did exactly
by inflation to share the their colony, his was among what perhaps the Se lvam
financial responsibility along the only four or five flats family had silently longed
with his father. where a tube light would be for since a long time-that
Ram an's p arents had glowing in full glory and that elusive time, with each other.
g o o d r e l atio n s w ith the they did not have to use a Ironically it was this very
neighbours , a n old couple , newspaper to fan themselves shortage of time that had
who gave assured them that as in earlier time s. prevented the busy parents
they must not worry about D e s pite the s e so - c a l l e d to check if the b attery of the
Rama n . It w a s only after luxurie s , R a m a n fe l t a inverter was charged or not.
Raman's p arents weighed vacuu m . For him the time Mer ages they were sitting
the pros and cons of doing s p e nt with his mother together and discussing how
a j ob that Raman's mother mattered the most. She was each of them was going about
decided to go the extra mile. his b e s t fri e n d who w a s with his or her work and, of
Once money started flowing always there for him, and he course, Raman's school. They
i n , m e e t i n g m a terialistic missed the way she used to were sitting in the covered
demands became the priority explain to him everything he balcony on the back enjoying
with the S elva m s . Within ever asked her. Now with her the light shower 's p itter
almost a year they had all busy schedule, a tutor had pattering on the acrylic cover.
the comforts they could ask been engaged to supplement They had not enj oyed such
for to be happy with. these needs . leisure hours in a long time.
Raman, who h a d j ust His mother got back from As they were enjoying their
completed ten years, bore the work by 7 .30 in the evening time together, Raman's eyes
brunt of this m aterialistic and then got busy with the fell on something flickering
mentality. The sudden shift dinner prep aration in the on the leaves of the jamun
in his life in the absence of kitchen. tree right in front of their
his mother at home was a bit She took repose by b a l c o n y. T h e o n a n d off
too much for him. He had got w a t c h i n g h e r fa v o u r i t e flickering was mes merising
adjusted the hard way to the television se rial that she and Raman was prompted
fact that he had to be all by had got used to, robbing him to exclaim, "App a (father) ,
himself from around 3.30 in of the remaining time before Amma, look at that j amun
the afternoon till the time his his father's arrival around tre e , it looks as beautiful
mother got back from work 9 .00 in the night . Things as a Christmas tree does on
in the evening. Sundays j ust had been mechanical for the Christmas Eve."
flew by with pending work past one year. Mornings had His p arents were surprised
at home or at ti mes with b e c o m e hectic a n d nights and exchanged a quick
relatives dropping in. saw everyone fagged out. glance. They realized their
Although he e nj oy e d it E a rlier, R a m a n e nj oy e d son w a s not aware about
when his father dropped him g o i n g out and c h e c k i n g the flickering phenomenon n
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by c a r which w a s b o u ght h o w m an y h o u s e s i n the which they knew well when r-
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on loan, he still could neighbourhood were affected they were his age. m
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not fat h o m as to why by the black out in the colony. Strange as it may vi
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his mo ther nee.d e d to get But he n o l o n ger e nj oyed have s e e m e d to them but o
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employed. doing so a s he had got used they did not take long to
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He also liked it when, in to the uninterrupted power realize that even a nuclear ""
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indeed it is. What actually


h a p p e n s i s t h a t when a
firefly breathes in, it takes
in oxygen that creates a
c h e m i c a l r e a c ti o n in the
l o w e r a b d o m i n a l r e gi o n .
This reaction generates the
light that shines through the
skeleton of the firefly."
"I know what a chemical
reaction i s , " R a m a n s a i d
excite dly, "it i s a process in
which one or more substances
interact and metamorphose
i n t o a n o t h e r . We l e a r n t
about it when we studied
photosynthesis. What are the
substances involved, Appa?"
inquired Raman.
" We l l , the chemical
called luciferin in the lower
to p a y. They the m s e l v e s Mrs . Selvam sat back abdomen of the firefly reacts
had learnt s o many things a n d decided t o e nj oy the with oxygen and produces
from their own parents and conversation between father light.
grandparents through stories and son, after all it happened There is also a belief that
and anecdot e s . But times only once in a blue moon. if you h a p p e n to ca tch a
had changed. Raman was listening to firefly without causing any
Mr. S elvam began, "The h i m i n t e ntly a n d a s k e d , harm to it you can get a
flic kering phenomenon i s ''What does biolumi . . . . mean?" wish of yours fulfilled. Make
because o f the fireflies which He could not pronounce sure to release it soon after
are very common during this the word but he was indeed you wish for s o m ethin g , "
warm, humid weather." curious enough to know more concluded Mr. Selvam.
Raman h a d obviou s ly about it. Just then the lights turned
not yet come across such a "Ap p a , could you please up.
fa scinating phenomenon in explain?" Mr. Selvam got up from his
his science class or in any " Ye s , of course, son, chair and remarked, "Mind
of the television programmes organisms that produce light you , they do not need an
that he had watched. So he are c alled bioluminescent inverter to keep themselves,
N was really excited. He asked, organisms. The phenomenon glowing."
....

They had a hearty laugh


o
"Appa, do you mean they wherein light is produced
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<l: produce light of their own by a chemical reaction a n d were going in when
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IX in their bodies?" i n the organi s m i s c a lled Raman spotted something
flashy on the railing of his
o
M r. Selvam a ffi r m e d bioluminescence. "
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Z this, saying, "Fireflies, also "Wow!" said Raman, "That b a l c o ny. H e let both h i s
w

p arents go i n and went to


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Z
U bioluminescent. " Mr. S e lvam s a i d , "Ye s , take a close look at the thing
flashing on and off. pro mptly covered it with o t h e r p e r k s . He w a s t e d
Raman's heart was his h a n dkerc hief. He n o time i n grabbing it. It
p o u n d i n g ; h e now k n e w then mumbled something was left to Mrs . Selvam's
what it was and immediately in his heart, looked at it disc retion if she wa nted
rushed into the kitchen and endearingly and wasted no to continue with her job.
fetched an empty j am bottle time in releasing it out of And you guessed it right,
a n d a l s o a h a n dk e r chief the j ar. she happily decided to quit
from his wardrobe . Raman felt light at heart her j ob !
H e carefully p l a c e d the as he prepared to go to bed. R a m a n ' s j o y k n e w no
glass b ottle on the firefly A fe w months later bounds . It was the purity
seated on the railing and Mr. Selvam got an excellent of his innocent heart that
waited for it to go further j ob offer with a considerable l o n g e d fo r a w i s h t h a t
into it; once it did, he hike in s alary alongwith eventually got fulfilled.

Prerna (16)
Illustration: Sanjay Sarkar

Wait...and let me hold your hand,


Wait and let me take your hand,
Lead me to a place of love,
A place carved of dreams.

Wait. ..and let me hold your hand,


Take me to a fairyland,
You 'll be the prince and I'll be your maid,
And the magic of love will prevail.

Wait...and let me hold your hand,


Escort me away from this cruel world,
This world which doesn't understand love,
To a world which is peaceful as a dove.

Wait...and let me hold your hand,


Take me to the field of trust,
n
A place with no misunderstandings, :I:
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Where I will be you and you 'll be me. a
....
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To m o rrow' s Wo rl d
Shikha Ruhil (12) Siddharth Jain (1 1)
Illustration: Saurabh Pandey
My dream car, my dream car,
Time and tide wait for none, It would take me very far.
It runs like Harbhajan. It wo uld run very, very fast
One day I woke up, And would leave Fl cars at the last.
And had a tea cup. It would fly up in the air,
I was astonished to know And also have automatic gear.
That the tea was served It would punish the bad men
By the robot, Asimo. And help the innocent if it can.
Then I went to school, It would be very, very big,
The day was really cool. And would be able to dig.
Robots were our teachers. It would have a petrol-making machine,
Teaching us on laptops and computers. And a large petrol tank.
But, unfortunately there was no one, Which would always help me in running
To share our feelings and emotions. Races and place me on top of the rank.
Then, suddenly, the alarm bell rang,
After seeing the time
I got up with a bang.
Due to the dream I missed my school.
That dream often comes in my sleep,
To tell the world, in future I will
Be really something different.
Nest of ,
\ I

Nails .
,,
/
-
Toshi Goswami
Illustrations: Saurabh Pandey

" OTHER, LOOK

M a t the m o o n , "
D ruv shrieked,
"it is mimicking the orange
sun!"
"H ave you again mis sed
the headlines-'Orange Moon
in 40 years in the November
Sky'? Didn't you read about
it in the newspaper that the
event is happening after a
gap of four decades?"
"A full moon does change
o n e ' s b e h av i o u r , " s mi l e d
D ruv darting towards his
room. He was in a hurry to
get b ack to Google search . mystici s m , It h a s fo u n d The king o f the j u ngle
"Who reads the paper these fr e q u e n t r e fe r e n c e s in lay listlessly before him. He
days?" he chuckled. R o m a n t i c l i t e r a tu r e t o o . was unable to wave away
He sat at his compu ter Dhruv had really discovered even a fly ! This death of
and surfed for: 'Orange Moon a l o t of i n fo r m a t i o n o n a king p aralysed him. The
in the November Sky. . .' and the moon-al s o about its only other witne s s to this
imme diately a world of gravitational pull which is scene was his fri end and
information opened u p o n responsible for high tide and guide, Jacky the Jackal. He
the subj ect. the resultant impact on the was also best known as the
The moon is said to cast sea animals. lion's provider. The chilling
a major influence on several That night, miles away, moment and the presence n
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ancient cultures like Greek, v e r y d e e p i n a fo r e s t a of the orange moon glued r-


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people worship the moon. p r e s e n c e of the orange in fear. :E
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b u t even on s p iritual ity, five big cats appeared to be
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mythology, astrology and more horrific. in a trance. The most agile, IV
graceful, strong and dreaded ''Beware of your spots, for sure The king p a nther s o o n
of all cats was confused. What you will be spotted." realized that Jacky has got
he had seen and witnessed The newly-turned king, the the devil's might as he went
had exhausted him completely. panther shot back, ''I am no for the panther's spots like
Horror reflected in his glassy less than a lion. I just need a rabbit goes for cabbage.
eyes-eyes which had j ust a thicker mane and a thicker When he reached the neck the
seen the king of the jungle die! tail. And you, my friend, will king panther almost missed a
Mer a prolonged lull and chew my spots up." The king heartbeat.
the orange moon still smiling panther further said, ''You will "Thank God! The mission
down at him, the panther was be my bodyguard and friend is over," sighed the new king.
stirred, inspired and locked in. as ever." The sun e merged in the
He sat in silence with head Jacky, sharp as nails, was horizon unaware of the orange
and heart strewn together, not flattered as he retorted, moon. When told the Sun God
as if meditating. But actually "How will you roar?" laughed, "Mimicking is the
he was scheming. With his ''You will spread the rumour best form of flattery," he said
lust for power and devilish that the king is nursing a bad caressing his ever-sleeping
determination, he was deeply throat," was his crisp growl. sepoys-the mountains-and
engrossed in making a nest of For once the very clever taking control of the sky, flaming
nails. No one could chill his Jack of all trades was non- it red. Seeing the first ray of
guts! With stars in his eyes, plussed. Thinking quickly, light, the birds broke into a
the panther looked into the the Jackal reeled out his melodious welcome song.
eyes of his friend, Jacky. demand, ''You will have to The animal world slept
Wings of greed have the give me absolute power and on peacefully. Panther the
same colour; it takes one to protection." king, exhausted by his own
recognize another. Their logic The k i n g p a n t h e r h a d schemes, too slept on dead
'4 was simple-it's the scheme no choice and hesitantly he to the world. He had strange
from heaven. They were but replied, ''Yes, yes, my friend dreams, dreams where his
merely puppets in the hands and comrade, you will be the words were the command of
of the Almighty. They were sole sharer of my power and the day. That he roared like a
destined to take over. domain. Let us now hurry, lion, the baboons fell from the
They now moved in unison, before the jungle wakes up." trees at his mere sight, and
as they pushed the dead lion The other witn e s s , the the bulbuls twittered away
into the swift river. With great orange moon, was alre ady non-stop when they saw him.
joy and relief they saw the fading out. The fear of personification
mighty body being swallowed Together they marched to evaporated, the p a nther's
by the roaring river. the lion's den. Well-assured, world had turned into a golden
Triump hantly they then the king p anther now lay mist of happiness. He romped
turned towards the golden down his demands, "Clean like a king. Lesser animals
N gates of their empire. Could the den and destroy the proof. were in awe and gave way to
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satisfaction and then sighed . Now there is no turning back. his whiskers in his sleep he
Walking still in unison, We can't make any mistake."
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z like Siamese twins, Jacky "Let m e eat your spots As t h e sun set o n the
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first," Jacky shot back with


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tickled the new king panther's western ridges, the edges of
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u ego as he mockingly warned, equal authority. the ridges started glowing.
Shortly the trees had stars the trees into shimmering and j e alousy a.re b orn out
in their curls; the backdrop silver. The berries appeared of i n fe riority ; c o m p e t i n g
was getting ready to welcome like rub i e s . The breeze with hatred t o kill is not
the new king. u n b u r d e n e d the tre e s a s the trait of a king. The king
King p anther got up with they shed their leave s , all is generous, compassionate,
the agility true to his trait shades of coral, covering the forgiving and fair and that is
but promptly halted in his ground like any landscape why he is royal," emphasized
tracks and rolled leisurely painter's delight. There was Jacky as he saw the imposter
on to his side . Then , with more activity in the j ungle king slipping.
regal movements, the new than the normal buzz. "Do not cajole me, my own
king emerged with ease and Jacky sensed king mother produced one," the
calm-the sign of a royal p anther 's ne rvou s ne s s . sly cat howled like an injured
highness. "It is full moon, don't you animal.
Sighting him the j ackal, remember? Time to rej oice, "They are extinct, the WWF
his fr i e n d , fa i n t e d . But to love and m a k e merry. survey claims that," Jacky
the black spots were still To day one gets loony," he . proclaimed emphatically.
churning h i s s t o m a c h , a said, comforting his worried The river w a s gurgling
reminder of a most eventful mind. joyously, hugging the entire
night. With a confident smile The two p artners in sin b oulder, like liquid silver
he then walked up like a and comrades of fear had mercury flowing and humming
puffed-up general to his seat forgotten the art of living the love song of nature. The
of command. with nature, having lost their whole j ungle seemed to be
T h e s e a s o n of S p r i n g natural instincts . Deception in a festive mood. The birds
w e nt b y a n d t w o friends was the only flag they now were twittering and gliding
became each other's alter hurled at the world. That in the sky. The petals seemed
ego . Their dep endency to had become their daily motto, laminated as moonlit breeze
keep the deception became their struggle and mirage. blew over them and escaped
their second nature, so much Convinced, king panther through its hallowed trunks.
so that they no longer feared adorned the highest s e a t All o f a s u d d e n t h e r e
of b ei n g sp otte d . In this along with his friend, Jacky, was pin- drop silenc e . The
day and age it is difficult the Jack of all trades. b i r d s sto p p e d twittering,
to dream of an utopia, but A ft e r soaking In the the monkeys went silent,
they not only h a d their moonlit j u ngle t h e king the snakes coiled back into
utopia, b u t were the king p anther as if reminiscing their p it s . The antelop e s
and commander-in -chief of said, "I now recollect few took a leap for life, and the
their utopia. such nights which were elephants trumpeted.
One day, as the evening wonderfully enchanting till Against the moonlight a
drew clo ser, the aroma of the year I got beaten by my black silhouette -moved with
night j asmine turned the king own brother, the black one, an assured cat-like walk. The n

panther's head heavy with the black sheep of the family. flowing parts of the phantom
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sleep . Uneasy lies the head Why, my own mother had silenced all thoughts. As if a :a
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that wears the crown. But to give birth to my enemy!" scorpion had stung them all. .,;
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not today. Telling a lie is one snarled the king panther. The black p anther o
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thing but living it is another. C


"Now, now, be calm. You are gracefully sat on the opposite
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."
The evening sky spread the king. These low feelings hill-a vantage position as if '"
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its golden sheen, lighting up do not suit you . Animosity calling it 'check mate'. Only a
...
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the full moon moved, gliding looked up towards the moon b y fear, j ealousy, revenge
s o l o w. The moon then shining on the i m p o s ter, and a desire to kill. He dived
slithered away t e a s i ngly the king panther. into the river, chasing his
b ehind the hill , s moking The king panther froze, felt brother, his imagined enemy.
the area black. Everything spotted and exposed. 'Could Quick- witted Jacky
a n d everyo n e l o s t t h e i r he doubt my authority or my apprehended that it was all
reflected glo ry, even t h e impersonification or both?' he over. His king had fallen!
black panther. feared. Today I have earned Hiding behind the tree he saw
Gingerly, the round pot of the wages of my sins, 'Oh the last of his king panther's
silver moved up on top of the God!' he said and swallowed death in the water. Mer all,
hill, spotlighting the beauty the rest of his prayers. it was a nest of nails!
'"
.... of the black panther. The The black be auty had Jacky r a n a n d ran for
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black p anther, set against b e nt down only t o drink mil e s , far away from his
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the si lvery m o o n , looked water. After a while, with r e p u ta t i o n of b e i n g the


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magnificent and was now utter gr ace a n d supreme second -in - command of an
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walking down maj estically indifference, it re-glided into imposter king. It could take
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..... towards the river. Meanwhile the king of disgrace and lie, after all,
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Coming close to the river he p anther was overp owered it was a nest of nails . . . :l
The Worst
Experience
Nishikant Nayak
Illustrations: Sanjay Sarkar

WAS in an elated mood

I tod ay. Even my worst


enemies seemed not as
bad as they were. I was on
top of the world and everyone
w a s t a k e n a b a c k b y the
change in my countenance.
My teachers too were confused
and pleasantly surprised to
see a more intelligent side
of me. The reason was the
recent olympiad competition
that I had won.
Soon I, a street smart but
poor and ordinary property
dealer's son, would be flying
to Singapore as part of my
scholarship.
I returne d home with a

mixed emotion of j oy a n d
pride. Joy, because I would
fi n a lly b e able to rid my n e arly s quelching a slug There was a distinct sadness
family of poverty, and pride, underneath my torn canvas in the hou s e . I wondered
for rising up to my father's shoes, hardly minding the what more G o d wanted
exp ectation s and bringing b itter- sweet s m e l l of the from us? Was he not tired
him a good name. vines that covered our of testing us. I slunk quietly
I hop p e d through the building. into my b e droo m, curious
unending line o f Mumbai's I reached our flat which, to know my mom's misery.
backyards, more commonly in comp arison to others, was The moment I stepped into
k n o w n as E W P s , fin a l l y like stepping into heaven my father's bedroom (which n
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reaching m y own house-a after an ordeal in hell, and all this while my mom had ,....
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white, but soot-blackened r a n g the b e l l . As u s u a l been trying desp erately to


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house which w a s home mom opened the door. But stop me from going in by '"
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more to fungi an.d vermin I smelt a different air in the offering an unexp ectedly :Xl
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Annuc Number

a dreadful shock awaited room was enough to tell me b u t h o v e r i n g a fe w fe et


me. where my mom had taken above it. My whole body felt
Dad was lying haphazardly off to. like a balloon ready to burst.
on the bed, gently moaning I was personally agonized I remained in this seemingly
and clutching his che st. I to see my father in such a partial coma watching my
was stunned beyond belief state. I asked my grandfather, father breathing heavily, my
and rushed blindly to the what was wrong with him. grandmother comforting my
fr agile fo rm on the c o t . He gravely replied that mom while in the background
My pa ternal gran dfather since my father was a heart I could hear sad music being
was standing near my dad, patient, he was right now in played. I was so upset.
his face revealing a mixed a very critical state owing I remained In this
expression of fatherly agony a n abnormal clotting i n motionless state for many
and concern. the heart's chambers . The minutes. And then I heard
My mom, who now had ambulance would be shortly the loud SHen of the
failed in her covert mission arriving to take him to a ambulance from the street
of p r e v e n t i n g me fr o m hospital . My gran dfather below.
entering the room of sadness, further informed me that I n a fl ash men dre ssed
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a: co uldn't s t a n d the s i ght Dad would be undergoing a i n white arrived with a
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control the tears welling up At this point my senses groaning father. I watched as
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in her eyes. A loud bang that went numb. My feet felt like the ambulance disappeared
echoed fro m the drawing they were not on solid ground in the horizon.
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Fill in this crossword and
send it to us on or before
April 25, 2012.
THREE all-correct entries will
get attractive prizes.
So what are you waiting for?
Get cracking! (Xerox and faxed
entries will not be considered'>
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names of Three prizewinners of
Word Hunt (February 20 1 2) .
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Across Down
1. The scientific study of birds (11) 1. The rescued women spoke fearlessly about
6. My father was put on a the moment he their to the police. (6)
reached the hospital. (4) 2. Lacking experience of life (5)
7. The fresh air brought to her 3. To come out of an egg (5)
cheeks. (6) 4. A round vegetable with many layers
8. He was given a new cabin with his name inside each other with a strong smell and
-, .ed on the nameplate outside the
__ flavour (5)
.
door. (4) 5. I worked with Child Relief and You for over
10. She left in a huff, then __ and behold! she a (4) .

returned. (2) 9. 'fuberculosis, abbreviation (2)


12. Transfer Certificate, abbreviation (2) 1 1 . Chartered Accountant, abbreviation (2)
15. The lawyer couple were put behind the 13. A hole in the tooth (6)
___ for murdering their servant. (4) 14. An island made of coral and shaped like
17. Rick Riordan is the who created a ring with a lake of sea water in the
the fictional character Percy Jackson. (6) middle (5)
18. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of 15. The teacher told the students to one
India is the independent regulator of the old dress each to donate to an orphanage. (5)
telecommunications business in India, 16. She wrote the list on a of paper. (5)
abbreviation (4) 17. All India Congress Committee,
19. The art of producing beautiful handwriting abbreviation (4)
with a special pen or brush (11)

(PLEASE FILL IN CAPITAL LETTERS. MAKE SURE YOU WRITE THE COMPLETE ADDRESS OF BOTH
YOUR RESIDENCE AND SCHOOL TO ENABLE US TO SEND YOUR PRIZES.)

NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AG E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOY/GIRL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLASS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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SCHOOL .............................................................. .......................................... ........................... ........... ................ ...... .


( February 2012)
Results
The prizewinners are:
1. Sukrat Mittal
DAV Public School
Kotkapura
Punjab

2. S. Vidhyaalakshmi
Cluny MHSS School
Ramakrishna Road
Salem

,A J 3. Abhishrey Gupta
" ", i
,,' Lancer's Convent
Prashant Vihar, Rohini
Delhi

\ I
/
- -- ANSWERS
'
",

February 2012) --::::-


Here are the ----V'
- ""
prizewinnersl
"I

, Afraaz Singh
Apeejay School ,

Model Town
Jalandhar
/

,....---
. I

Naman Rai Bajaj Aditya Kanathila


Lancer's Convent St. Paul's English
Prashant Vihar School
Rohini, Delhi Bangalore
A Walk In the Park That night I went for a walk
In the same park again,
Hari Verma And looked al th ld man
Illustration: Sanjay Sarkar With utmost

It was not every now and then
That I took a walk in the park.
But I always did this when
My whole life seemed to go dark.

Every walk I took in the park,


Every time I looked beside the palms,
I could see an old man
Begging for alms.


He just squatted there, 9 .

Never did he move an inch.
Mostly his palms being bare,
Waiting for the feel of a co in's cold touch.

He seemed quite strong and sturdy "


I wondered why he begged {Qr alm, e>-,
Because just in front of him w as a shop
t;
With a signboard that stated:
\..
"Help Wanted "

Maybe it was just because


He was lazy, I thought.

And left it in my mind, unthought.

Some days later, in a happy mood, 'II


I went to my child 's school.
I saw that man precario usly
Trying to cross the road.
And them I realized that he was a blind.

I was full of remorse,


And wondered why
I thought so lowly of him,
And after that I told my child
The very same day
That appearances can be deceptive.

A strange darkness seemed to grip me.


Maybe I felt it strange because I had
Never before accused someone of
Something he was not responsible for.
," ' '
. . . "

_JJ...' ......\" ;i.i, ,.;./


----______________________
-r-r
. ' At a two-day (February 24-25) Polio Summit 20 1 2 in New Delhi, it was announced that the World Health
Organisation (WHO) has taken India's name off the list of polio-endemic countries leaving now only three
countries in the list-Pakistan, Nigeria and Mghanistan. The status was granted to India on the basis of not a
single case of polio having been reported for over a year. India truly has come a long way-from 1 50,000 cases in
1985 to not a single new case in 2011-a remarkable achivement indeed! Now that India has been removed from the list
of polio-endemic countries, effort needs to re-inforced to remain polio-free for the next two years and achieve
a polio-free status. Lauding the hard work put in by over 23 lakh volunteers who ventured into even the remotest areas
to repeatedly vaccinate children below five years, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohap Singh said, " . . .team work pays."

Geeta Menon Layout: Subir Roy

E
VERY FEW months bright yellow camps viral disease which $fects the central nervous
spring up in every nook and corner of system . .It causes spinal.and respiratory paralysis.
the country, including railway stations It is passed from one person to the other via
and bus depots. Chilc;ken below thage of five conta;minated faeces. The early symptoms of
happily throng these."ICal@s as they get gifts lik poli<fnyeli includ , headache, tiredness
whistles, caps, sws, stickeI'S', tlRQ S() on. These an d stiffness ih t1le neck. some cases it leads
/:
are no ordinary amps-they are Pulse Polio to irreversible paralysis, ually in the legs.
Immunisation ql mps-where all children from \
Poliomyelitis becomes fatal wl m the chest muscles
#
0-5 years are v cinated periodically, at the same become paralysed and the patient is unable to
time, against t dr poliovirus. breathe.
"
One by one ung children are administered two While there is no cure for iK>Iio, it can definitely
drops of the ptlio vaccine by volunteers wearing be-,m:evoot@Jil. Thes of polio vaccine
bright yellow s Jirts. Then the children are made to oral vaccine and injected vaccine-both provide
hold out their Hmds so that their one fingercan be life-long prottion.
painted with the indelible ink. This is to ensure no pj
The first lio vaccine wh was developed by
child is left out. Jonas Salk in 1955 consis of an injected dose
Established by the Government of India in ofim\ctivat (dead) polio s, whereas the Oral
1995-96, following the Polio Eradication Initiative Polio e 'V), de loped by Albert Sabin
of the World Health Organization (1988), Pulse in 1957 ' used atte (weakened) polio virus
Polio Immunisation Campaign deals with ways widely used . countries.
to fight poliomyelitis through a large-scale The battle polio is far, from over. Since
immunisation programme in collaboration with Pakistan, and Nigeria are still in
various international the polio-endemic
institutions, state list, there is every
governments and possibility of the
Non -Governmental polio virus getting
Organisations which reintroduced into
aimed at 100% India from these
coverage. countries.
Poliomyelitis has Hence continued
existed as long as efforts and organized
human society, but action is the need of
the same became the hour. If we can
a major public keep the disease
health issue in late away from the world
Victorian times with for three years only
major epidemics then can we proudly
in Europe and the declare that India
United States. has been successful
Poliomyelitis is in eliminating the
a highly infectious disease completely :Ie
..
i(js

Feb. 8: Laxman Savadi, mistaken as pirates, were shot dead


J. Krishna Palemar and by the security crew of cargo vessel
C . C . Patil-three ministers of the Enrica Lexie in the sea zone off
NATIONAL Karnataka Government tender their Ambalapuzha, Kerala.
resignation voluntarily after they Feb. 16: The 10,000-crore central

Feb. 1: The Delhi-based were found watching objectionable funds scam of The Rural Health
intelligence and criminal investigation content on the mobile in the Assembly. Scheme in Uttar Pradesh turns
unit of the Income-Tax Department The BJP government In murkier with another health official
conducts searches at nearly 20 places Karnataka suffers another the fifth victim in the past one year
in different parts of the Capital and setback with Advocate-General found murdered at his home.
Uttar Pradesh in connection with B.v. Acharya preferring to resign The Indian Navy lashes out at
suspected tax evasion by companies from his post to giving in to 'pressure' the Italian oil tanker, Enrica Lexie,
associated with liquor baron and from the State government to quit for flouting the laid-down counter
multiplex businessman Gurdeep as Special Public Prosecutor In piracy measures which resulted in
Singh 'Ponty' Chadha and unearth the disproportionate assets case the ship's armed guards gunning
200 crores of Indian currency. against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister down two Indian fishermen.
Pcb. 2: Declaring the allocation Jayalalitha. Feb. 1T The Centre's
of 2G Spectrum by the Congress Feb. 9: The Special Investigation ambitious plan to create a National
led UPA government 'illegal' and an Team probing Zakia Jafri's complaint Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC)
example of the arbitrary exercise of frees Chief Minister Narendra Modi runs into rough weather with
power, the Supreme Court cancelled of all charges in the 2002 Gujarat several non-congress Chief Ministers
all 122 telecom licenses allotted pogrom against Muslims. attacking the move on the ground
on or after January 10, 2008 to A 39-year-old school teacher loses that it infringes upon the powers and
1 1 companies during the tenure her life when one of her students aged rights of State Governments.
of the former telecom minister 15 stabs her as he was upset at being In Mumbai Shiv Sena-BJP
A Raja. repeatedly reprimanded by her for Republican Party of India (RPI)
Feb. 8: The Supreme Court not doing well in studies. coalition WInS the municipal
takes the Union government Feb. 1 0: In a setback to General corporation election.
to task over the issue of age v.K. Singh, the Supreme Court Feb. 18: The CBI announces a
of the Chief of the Army Staff, refused to intervene in his plea reward of Rs. 10 lakh for information
General. v.K. Singh, saying the pointing out that the Army Chief, who on absconding senior police officer
government decision-making process accepted the government's decision AK. Jain wanted in connection with
went against the principles of natural in determining his date of birth as the much-talked about Dara Singh
justice and the Constitution. May 10, 1950, on three occasions, encounter case.
Feb. 4: A special court could not go back on his commitment. Feb. 19: After hectic negotiations,
dismisses J anata Party President Feb 13: Urdu poet and Jnanpith
. the Kerala police arrests two marines
Subramanian Swamy's prayer Award recipient Akhlaq Mohammad suspected to have fired the shots
for summoning Union Minister Khan, popularly known as Shahryar from an Italian oil tanker that killed
P. Chidambaram as an accused for (76) passes away in Aligarh. two Indian fishermen off Kerala on
allegedly conspiring with the then A powerful blast rips through February 1 5 .
Telecom Minister A Raja, in the 2G the car of the Israeli Embassy in New The crucial fourth phase of the
spectrum issue. Delhi injuring the diplomat seriously. Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections
Feb. 6: The United Progressive Feb. l4: Air India will no longer record a turn out of 5 7.20% as polling
Alliance government rules out enjoy the exclusive privilege over all passes off peacefully.
withdrawal of its order debarring bilateral air traffic rights with foreign At least 6 people killed and
four space scientists from holding countries as the government decides 40 injured in a stampede near the
any government post or being on any to allow all Indian carriers to use Bhavnath Shiva temple on the
official committees for their role in these rights. foothills of the Girnar hills in Gujarat.
the Antrix-Devas Multimedia deal. Feb. 15: Two Indian fishermen, Feb. 20: Even as the government
rules out a b p. il package for the Cabinet and embarks on a Himalayan
INTERNATIONAL .
cash-strappd ' gfisher Airlines, task of making the national unit
owned by liq\lo ron, Vijay Mallya, Feb. 1 : British Prime Minister
o
government work.
.
the private car r blames the Income D avid Cameroon leads an angry Feb. 13: Pakistan Prime Minister
o

tax authorities for the widespread attack on India for selecting French Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani formally
cancellation of flights. firm Dassault Rafale for a mega deal charged with contempt of court for
' eb . 2 1 : The Supreme . Court to supply fighter jets ignoring British refusing to follow its order to reopen
expresses its displeasure at the claims as MPs and the media accused corruption cases against President
Gujarat Government filing a New Delhi of 'ingratitude', arguing Asif Ali Zardari.
'spurious' criminal case against that Britain gave millions of pounds Feb. 15: At a meeting between
o

social activist Teesta Setalvad for her in aid to India. Defence Minister AK. Antony and
alleged role in exhuming the bodies Feb. 2: More than 100 people,
o
his Saudi counterpart Prince Salman
of post-Godhra riot victims in 2006 most of them students, feared killed Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud on Tuesday,
at Pandarwada, and extended the after a ship carrying 350 sank off the the two sides expressed concern
stay of the proceedings against her coast of Papua New Guinea. over the rise in piracy in the Indian
pending before a lower court. Feb. 4: Syrian forces unleash
o
Ocean region and agreed to "explore
oFeb. 22: New Delhi resists a barrage of mortars and artillery practical cooperation and an active
pressure from Rome for a 'midway on the battered city of Hams for role of the Royal Saudi Navy in the
formula', telling the visiting Deputy hours before dawn, sending terrified Indian Ocean Naval Symposium
Foreign Minister that the issue residents fleeing into basements and construct."
arising out of the killing of two Indian killing more than 200 people, in what Feb. 1 7= Germany's President
o

fishermen by Italian marines will appeared to be the bloodiest episode Christian Wulff quits in a scandal
now be decided by court. in a nearly 1 1 -month-old uprising. over favours he allegedly received
oThe Kingfisher Airlines file Feb. 6: A 6.8 magnitude earth

before becoming Head of State,
a fresh flight schedule with the quake strikes off the coast of the creating a major domestic distraction
Directorate-General of Civil Aviation central Philippines killing at least 44 for Chancellor Angela Merkel as she
(DGCA) bringing down its operations people and causing widespread panic. grapples with Europe's debt crisis.
to about 1 70 daily flights with 28 Feb. 7: President of Maldives,
o
Feb 28: Barnavernet, Norway's
o .

functional aircraft. Mohammad Nasheed resigns in the powerful Child Welfare Service,
oA massive avalanche in Jammu face of a mutiny by policemen that he announces that it has decided to
and Kashmir kills 17 soldiers. said he did not want to put down by award the custody of two Indian
oFeb. 24: Eminent aerospace force, handing over the reins of power children taken into foster case last
scientist Roddam Narasimha resigns to his Vice-President, Dr. Waheed. May to their uncle.
as a member of the Space Commission Feb. 10: The Supreme Court

in protest against the blacklisting of of Pakistan rejects the appeal filed


scientists involved in the controversial by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raja Feb. 2: A bloodbath at a football

spectrum deal between the ISRO and Gilani and asks him to appear in stadium in the Egyptian city of Port
Bangalore-based Devas Multimedia court to face contempt charges. Said triggers cascading protests
Private Limited. The Government sends a special
o
against the ruling military authorities
oFeb. 25: India, which has been envoy, M. Ganapathi, Secretary (West) and the security forces, which are
polio-free for over a year now, taken in the External Affairs Ministry, being accused of plotting the tragedy.
off the list of polio-endemic countries to Male to assess the situation in At least 74 people were killed and
by the World Health Organisation. Maldives . hundreds wounded.
Feb. 26: A major fire, first of the Feb. 1 1 : After India does the
o
Feb. 5: Despite a scintillating

kind in 45 years, rages across a large ground work of talking long hours to show by Dipika Pallikal, Egypt beat
swathe of Nagarahole National Park all parties about the conflict in the India 2 - 1 to clinch the SDAT-WSFU-21
in Mysore. Maldives, the United States steps in World Cup Squash in Chennai.
o Feb. 27: The Union Sports to ensure that the new government Feb. 14: The East Zone lifts the

Ministry writes to the International sticks to its professed mandate of Duleep Trophy for the first time, the
Olympic Committee urging it to cancel forming a unity government. match ending with two-and-a half
the sponsorship of Dow Chemical for Whitney Elizabeth Houston (48), days to spare in Indore.
the London Olympics. American recording artist, actress, Feb 25: Indian women's hockey
.

o Feb. 28= The CEl arrests architect producer, and model passes away team fails to rise to the occasion
Zahida Pervez for the sensational on the eve of Grammy Awards in in the final of the Olympic
o
...J
a: murder of RTI activist Shehla Masood. California. qualifier and lose to South Africa in
o
o Feb. 29: Two suspected members Feb. 12: Former Maldivian

New Delhi.
VI
of the Lashkar-e-Taiba who were President Mohammad Nasheed Feb. 26: Indian men's hockey

Z
w
a: planning to target crowded places in displays admirable restraint as the team qualifies for London Olympics
o
...J New Delhi arrested on the outskirts new President Waheed Hassan finally when they defeat France 8-1 in the
:t:
U of the city. gets his act together, names a new final in New Delhi.

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