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I ______________ F:o:u :n der-Edit
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
d
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 }
e 's World be
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
CHilDREN'S WORLD
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar
Marg, New Delhi 110 002, Telephone:2
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Children's World 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this journa
l may be reproduced in whole or in
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t the prior written permission of the
publisher.
(ONTENTS't
19 When I Was AI ive
Pragya Gupta
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
A.C. Tuli
Illustrations: Subir Roy
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
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
,...
C
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."
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1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I"L
"A VIP on the move!" Your address for communication remains the same: cwmagazine.nd@gmail.com
"0
'"
I clicked this pic while travelling in a local train in ;=
Velankanni. Kerala. ,::; N
.....
a
Across:
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
YOUR PRIZES.)
o
....
0::
o
NAME........................................................AGE........... BOy/GIRL.................. CLASS.............. .
11\
Z ADDRESS......................................................................................................................................... .
...
0::
o
....
.......................................................................................................................TEL.............................. .
: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
c
.....
'"
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\
Z were allowed to play where the ladies nor the children a separate vegetarian kitchen
w
ever they liked, but of course, w e r e involved i n the s e for widowed ladies who did
II!
C
.....
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.
:I:
r
C
"Those days," Dada :=
m
Z
continu ed, "there were no vi
:i:
c h o c o l a t e s or co k e , b u t o
:=
r-
A MOUSE
IN THE HOUSE
Shivang Singh
Illustration: Saurabh Pandey
J:
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.
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
-'
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
Z
... 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
c
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Annual Number.
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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
mud. a lonely road and the only the desolate C amel's Back
::t:
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C
I was doing my graduation visible thing on that one Road in a carefree manner, m
;>II
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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
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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
...
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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
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lyi n g i n h e r
bed in deep a g o n y.
o
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...
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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 .
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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
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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
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class labelled him 'chaukha' fathom the reason for this r
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or ' four-eyed', an aberration. change in appearance . She ;>C
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He was the butt of their alongwith other teachers vi
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jokes . He tried retorting but tried to tell him to give up o
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the taunts only intensified. this undesirable habit as l>
Season of
Celebration
or War
Shweta Kalra (12) .....
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
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
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-' 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
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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
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very excited a b o u t it a n d the most important of them seat glumly.
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Z
w
waited imp atiently for the all. 1 know you will agree Now it w a s the turn of
a:
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.... 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
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)
HURRY!
4
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
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aside the television, during
c
.... the humid July night.
IX
o
Raman, the only child of
Mr. and Mrs . S elvam had
III
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U time to s p e n d s o m e time
Annual Number
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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
J:
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
Z
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
C
..,
He also liked it when, in to the uninterrupted power realize that even a nuclear ""
;::
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the event of a power failure, supply. fa mily h a d its own price
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. Annual N. umbe
- - "
Prerna (16)
Illustration: Sanjay Sarkar
Nails .
,,
/
-
Toshi Goswami
Illustrations: Saurabh Pandey
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
:I:
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..: both beamed with ultimate granted even by his friend. Oh, what a dream! Licking
Q
...
cr:
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."
0
=: stretched his legs.
III '
z like Siamese twins, Jacky "Let m e eat your spots As t h e sun set o n the
...
panther's head heavy with the black sheep of the family. flowing parts of the phantom
:t
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sleep . Uneasy lies the head Why, my own mother had silenced all thoughts. As if a :a
m
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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
:a
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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
:t
reaching m y own house-a after an ordeal in hell, and all this while my mom had ,....
o
house which w a s home mom opened the door. But stop me from going in by '"
:E
o
more to fungi an.d vermin I smelt a different air in the offering an unexp ectedly :Xl
,....
th a n h u m a n s . I hopp e d environment. It was not the delightful lunch and talking
o
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e c s t a t i c a l ly t h r o u g h t h e sa me b e -happy-with-what sweetly) to ten him about ::0
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IV
a l gae- covered pass agew ay, you-have reassuring attitude. what happ enend at school,
o
.....
IV
Annuc Number
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) .
(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.)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. . . . . . . . . . .
2. S. Vidhyaalakshmi
Cluny MHSS School
Ramakrishna Road
Salem
,A J 3. Abhishrey Gupta
" ", i
,,' Lancer's Convent
Prashant Vihar, Rohini
Delhi
\ I
/
- -- ANSWERS
'
",
, Afraaz Singh
Apeejay School ,
Model Town
Jalandhar
/
,....---
. I
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.
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. 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
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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