Author: B.K. Birla Public School, Kalyan

Bhagyashree Jagiasi
VIII – D

Unpopular opinion: Self-awareness is overrated This generation is possibly the most self aware amongst all the generations. And as we know, the easy and constant exposure to the internet highlights the importance of being self – aware and “knowing ourselves”. And,well, being self-aware isn’t a bad thing in itself, it sure can be a huge task to get things done if we are stopped by someone who is supposedly supposed to help us! That’s right, I’m talking about ourselves, our awareness of ourselves proves to be extremely useful in some situations and useless (probably not completely) in others. Being self- aware and “knowing yourself” is the internet’s new hot topic. The Internet’s full of articles on how to “know yourself” how to become more self aware and stuff but when did not knowing yourself become a problem? Now, I’m certainly not trying to imply that being self aware is a bad thing in itself, but too much of it is just as harmful as not being self aware. Being self aware is double-edged. In an attempt to make ourselves better people, we constantly criticize ourselves and in turn get nothing done. If we are too self-aware, as students, we get NOTHING done because we live in constant fear of disappointing ourselves and those around us. At times, we should just do things. For instance there’s this amazing opportunity of taking part in a speaking competition, why should we not take part in it because of the fear of failing or messing up? Being too self aware makes us miss out on even bigger opportunities. Self- awareness is one of the important aspects of self-help. True self help isn’t done in order to become something instead to connect with reality as it is.

Rashi Punjabi
8D

Realities Of The World

Discrimination. This world itself can ruin a person’s  life.

Why are some people treated like kings and queens but others are expected to be their slaves ?

 We do live in a democracy but our minds are  still in monarchy .
Whether we agree or not we all help in this discrimination.

Who are these people to judge us by our race,colour,gender or caste. They expect us to tolerate everything but if we do react, we are sensitive?

Racism and discrimination can spoil lives without violence its like a slow poison it is so quite and subtle . Everyone including the government promotes Racism.
Why do all these government forms need to know the caste of people?
If a person goes to buy a house just because of race or caste they are not allowed?

Why is this happening? Aren’t we all equal don’t we deserve equal treatment?The bitter truth is its not our differences that divide us its our inability to reconginise , accept and celebrate those differences

Harina Utwani
Grade X

Tranquillity in the woven distress~ White

Ananya Kharade
8-A

The Extras Bringing Out the Extra: Remembering the Forgotten Background Artists

A film is recognised by its charismatic leads and its euphonious music… but never by its ‘extras’. No beating around the bush, we all turn the television off the moment the credits roll up because we are intrigued by each second of a film… until the story ends— happily ever after, for the characters, at least. The viewers, on the other hand, have to deal with the teensy, trifling names of the credited people and we all think, ‘Who even puts up with these credits? I mean, I’m out.’ The point is, let’s call a spade a spade. ‘Extras’ don’t get credited enough. The name itself is so incredulously demeaning! And by the way, if you think that playing a background role is a fantastic chance to talk to the literal actors, I am so sorry to break it for you but background artists are strictly prohibited from talking to the actors. So… no encaptivating autographs? Sadly, yes. The disparaging treatment is not only given on-set but we, as viewers, do contribute to it as well. Oh, before you exclaim modestly (or rather, mendaciously) that you never shamed an extra, recall all the times you found such jobs menial, whether you voiced it out or not. These so-called “inglorious” errands are actually adding all the cinnamon and pepper to the mix and you’ll never even know! Imagine what a laughing stock the actor would look like dancing with no supporting artists! Well, you get the picture. So, what do you do? Uh, no, you don’t really have to rally about it on the streets (let’s hope I didn’t just give maniacs another crazy idea!) but let us all start to change out standpoint! Let us all notice the next time we watch a film and think, ‘Hmm, that artist there has honestly done an incredible job.’ And also, let’s suffer the menace of the credits from this point on because it feels seriously terrible when no one’s interested in knowing that the amazing work you did was done by you (saying from many experiences). You might think that in a world where climate change and global hunger are problems awaiting to be tackled, such problems are a waste of time discussing upon. But I bet, you never felt what’s called as ‘sonder’. A feeling of eccentricity on the realisation that everyone is the lead of their own life, the centre of their own story. And the ‘extras’ are not the ‘extras’ of their story. They too want to be applauded and recognised but we instead choose to devalue their work. The bottom line is, let us make up for all the times we condemned the work by ‘Remembering the Forgotten’.

Aarchi Chetwani
10-B

COLOURS Like every day and every person, all colors represent a different emotion. Though every color represents different emotions these emotions might be different for each person, for instance, consider the color Orange for one person it might represent power, motivation, and enthusiasm but on the other hand, it also might represent calmness of sunset with the birds chirping in the sky. Colors are divided into two categories warm colors and cool colors. Colors like Yellow, Red, and Orange are used in fire and go under the warm color category and colors like Green, Blue, and Violet go under the cool color category. The earthy green color represents balance, harmony, love, support for one another, and communication with each other. The bright sunny Yellow represents humor, fun, lightness, intellect, personal power, and logic. The lovely red represents vitality, an increase in physical energy, stamina, stability, and passion. The deep blue indigo represents calmness, love, kindness, honesty, love, truth, inner peace, emotional peace, and depth. The Violet represents meditation, universal art, imagination, and intuition. Now that we know what each color represents we must bring all these colors into our life so that it results in a perfect, spot-on painting.

Harina Utwani

Space (day 2)- “DEEP SPACE”

“How would you describe a word like space?” asked the slender woman standing on the wooden stage covered with red velvet curtains and decorations, as she saw the lights brimming over all the young people sitting on the seats that seem to have no end after they began from the first row. There was silence for a few minutes before the lady spoke again. “I am waiting! I will ask some students randomly so you all better be ready with your creative answers.”

The lady waited for a few seconds and pointed towards a short, plump girl with dusty brown pigtails, and continued, “The one with cute ponytails. Yes you.” The girl fumbled for a couple of fractions, blushed and stood up, taking the mic that was passed to her by the helpers standing on every second block.

“Good evening, Ms. Wales. I am Eve from grade nine. Umm, I would define the word space as something I can occupy. Uh like say the stage you are standing on. There is a lot of SPACE up there for me.” Eve explained as she smiled up at the judge like she had won something great.

The judge gave her a little smile and continued with her session, “Okay…. so something that you can occupy. Fine….. Next is you- the guy with black, dazzling spectacles.” she pointed towards a thin, handsome boy who wore gigantic, black spectacles.

“I am Jonah. I would describe space as something that no one has occupied and neither is supposed to be occupied. An area much needed for survival. Like there is space between the seats. If I remove the spaces, the seats would feel suffocating.” He said and the chain continued.

“I am Aron. As a developing scientist, I would like to describe space as something that starts where the orbit of the Earth ends.  somethings that is made up of galaxies and planets, something that has no ends for researching.”

“I am Nina, I would describe space as something I have always wanted mentally. Like, don’t disturb me cause I really need some space to breathe.”

“I am Jessica. I would describe space as privacy, like yes, please give me some space to live my own life and don’t ever dare to come into my space where I would be totally uncomfortable.”

After so many answers, Ms. Wales finally showed up a hand indicating everyone to stop as she exclaimed, “Look at everyone of you! So many answers I would be opening a questionnaire on Instagram and close the session right away.” everyone started laughing.

As there was enough silence for the mindfulness of a human mind, Ms. Wales continued, “Perspective.” She asserted. There was so much silence, it felt as though everyone had actually travelled into the orbit of space.
“It’s all a matter of perspective. Some described space as something you occupy or don’t want to fill in. The other students said it would be the space that physics describes and some described space as something needed mentally for survival. It’s the same with problems, obstacles, difficult situations and life. It all depends on the way we look towards certain things and you can never blame someone for not understanding your words, situation or mindset. Everyone has a different mindset and approach towards different things.”

There was a sense of shock, surprise and realization on everyone’s face. And suddenly everyone started clapping. Ms. Wales chuckled and came closer to her mic. “It only got us thinking into one place.” she stated with sarcasm.

“Deep space.”