hard to restrict yourself from spending more than one hour ... · The recent coalgate scam has...

Is the concept of coalition

government suited to a coun-

try like India?

a) Yes b) No c) Maybe

To vote, log on to www.theglobaltimes.in

80

%

10%

Puducherry is situated in

POLL RESULTfor GT issue September 17, 2012

90%

72%

54%

36%

18%

0%

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 www.theglobaltimes.in

Coming Soon

THE GL BAL TIMES

Krishna enchants tiny totsin the next edition...

Brainwaves, P 4

Heritage special, P 5-8

Too many changes, P 3

Results as on September 25, 2012The correct answer is (C) all the aboveThe correct answer is (C) all the above

Status of the weekExams: When Fridays do not feellike Fridays anymore and you tryhard to restrict yourself fromspending more than one hour onthe net. *Crying*

Snigdha Shahi, AIS Noida, XI

Did you choose news anchoring overprint journalism?I stumbled into anchoring by mistake. I

started off as a reporter and became an

anchor, somewhere along the way. An-

choring is more challenging it is all

about getting out and doing more. When

you’re anchoring, you need to build a

one to one connection with the audience.

How was your first time in front of thecamera, LIVE?My first time LIVE in front of the cam-

era was when we launched News

Tonight. Every time NDTV launched a

new channel, I anchored, and every time

we faced some crisis. The first time the

cue up failed, the second time too, and

the third time, when we launched NDTV

24/7, all the machines failed.

Your take on the craze of journalism,particularly news anchoring in India?Journalism, especially news anchoring,

is quickly evolving as a, popular profes-

sion for all the wrong reasons like ap-

parent glamour. Everyone wants to be on

the camera, but it’s a hard job. After 5-6

times, when people have complemented

you, the excitement starts to wear off. It

is easy to say that I want to get into jour-

nalism, but in the long run you have to

be genuinely interested. Hanging out in

the heat for long hours, trying to get a

glimpse of something or somebody or

preparing for a documentary is tough.

Does the internet pose a threat to theconventional form of media?No, the internet only furthers the reach

of news. It ensures that people can now

stay updated with the breaking news all

the time, on their phones, communica-

tors, iPads, etc. Social networking sites

like Facebook, Twitter, etc give people

a chance to participate in discussions

and be more involved. So, internet here,

definitely acts not as a threat, but as an-

other medium of news.

In an age where news channels show-case the life and times of godmen at theprime time slot, is the quality of popular

news channels degrading?Frankly speaking there has been a sub-

stantial degradation in the news quality.

There are some news channels which be-

lieve in showing sensational news re-

lated to astrology and Godman at prime

time instead of hard hitting news which

affects the common man. They are basi-

cally chasing TRPs. However, the gov-

ernment’s decision to digitalize the

channels will help curb this practice.

Message for the budding journalists atAmity?If you do decide to take up journalism,

be very sure that this is what you are

going to be doing for a long time. De-

velop a love for news, be excited about

breaking news and find inspiration. Seek

inspiration from the common man as

well as legends. If you want to be a good

journalist, be hard working, passionate

and determined, and success will come

your way. G T

… says Vikram Chandra, CEO, NDTV in a tête-à-tête with Snigdha Shahi and Isha Misra, XI J,

AIS Noida. Read on to discover one of the most crucial men behind the success of NDTV...

10%

Love news, not glamour

INSIDE

Bhawna Tuteja, GT Network

“While transferring or alienatingnatural resources, the State isduty-bound to adopt the method ofauction.”

Supreme Court

The court gave its ruling in

the light of the 2G

spectrum scam. For the

government, the ruling meant an

end to its discretionary powers.

For the industry, it meant an

upscale in prices. The coalgate

scam has stirred the debate again

after India Inc asked the govt. to

use auction as the medium to

allocate resources. But is

auctioning really the way out?

Auction, no wayAmidst the various disadvantages of the

auctioning process, increase in costs is the

most obvious. The aftermath of the coal-

gate scam saw power and steel companies

oppose the auction of coal for the very

same reason, as an increase in cost of

power was inevitable. Auctioning may ben-

efit short term goals like revenue maximi-

sation, but it ignores long term aims like

development of a particular market.

Of course! Why not?However, not all are against the ‘A’

word. The process of auctioning could

“indeed be successful in effectively dis-

tributing natural resources” if conducted

fairly, says FICCI. Several countries are

already following the same procedure for

allocation of natural resources. “Auctioning

is a good idea. However, only Indian com-

panies should be allowed to bid. Foreign

companies, if allowed to bid will work for

their own vested interest and not for the

country,” says Amlaan Kumar, IX H, AIS

Noida.

If only; T & C applyAuctions: Allowed. Terms & conditions

apply. Checks and balances in the auction-

ing process is a must to ensure optimal uti-

lization of natural resources, and hence

promote public welfare. If opted, several

factors need to be taken into account such

as government policy, public interest, so-

cial and economic welfare objectives, the

extent of value addition, geological charac-

teristics of the natural resource etc

But, not always“If fish in Kerala are auctioned, what will

happen to the fishermen? The principle

cannot apply to all natural resources,” ar-

gued Attorney

General Vahanvati,

challenging Supreme Court’s 2G verdict

canceling spectrum licences. Auctioning

certainly is not a universal solution.

The middle wayIf the SC terms allocating natural re-

sources on the basis of first come, first

served as “unconstitutional”, then auc-

tioning may not be the best either. There

definitely lies several options to be ex-

plored between the two extremes. It’s

time we find the middle way.G T

The recent coalgate scam has stirred a debatewhether or not auctioning natural resources could bethe best way to optimally use them

While the grown ups debate on whetheror not natural resources should be auc-tioned, the tiny tots of AIS Saket havetheir plans ready, in case natural re-sources are up on sale some day…

I would like to buy wind because wind is

a good alternative source of energy. Its

truly said “wind is a blowing treasure.

Arush Singhal, III A

I would like to buy earth as I want to be

the king of this world. As I am very just

and fair, I would not allow anybody to dis-

turb my beautiful nature.

Parth Khullar, III C

I would like to buy space as I would be fa-

mous for being the first person to buy such

a vast and unique property.

Abhilasha Kuba, III C

I would like to buy sun because it gives us

sunlight which helps us to see, and also

keeps us warm.

Rachita Khuntia, IV A

From air to water, everything is impure

today. But fire is the only particle which

is pure that is why we worship God with

fire (havan). Hence, I,’d like to buy fire.

Resham Talwar, IV A

Natural resourcesG

raphic:D

eepak

Sharm

a

Snigdha (R) and Isha (L) in conversation with Vikram Chandra

Vikram Chandra reads GT

Pics: Lakshay Manwani, ASCO

If fish in Kerala

are auctioned,

what will happen

to the fishermen?

Attorney General

Vahanvati

Tam

il N

ad

u

& K

erel

a

All

th

e

ab

ove

An

dh

ra

Pra

des

h

YOUTH POWER Stage I

THE GLOBAL TIMES | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 20122Puducherry is the birth place of SubramanyaBharathi, the great Tamil poet and the worldfamous director M Night Shyamalan.

Muskan Mittal, AIS Pushp Vihar, V C

2012-13

Youth Power is by far the only event

(refraining from using the word com-

petition), which helps you grow as a

person, gives you a chance to make

others’ lives better and where every-

body is a winner. All thanks to Youth

Power, my team and I were able to

educate so many people about the

importance of saving our national an-

imal. Personally too, it taught me the

importance of believing in oneself

and working selflessly! Moreover, it

also brought home the significance

and necessity of organisational skills

and streamlining your efforts.

Bhuvan Ravindaran, XII,

AIS Noida, YP Winner 2011-12

YOUTH POWERmakes adifference

Having dealt with human trafficking,

cyber crime and illiteracy amidst several

other causes, YP 2012-13 ventures into

new areas this year. Take a look at a few

popular social causes this year:

•Drug abuse •Neglect of the elderly

•Educating the poor •Food adulteration

•Child labour •Protection of stray ani-

mals •Eve teasing •Helping the disabled

•Teenage suicide •Hazards of plastic

•Anti tobacco

It was amazing getting

to interview YP candi-

dates, especially, be-

cause we could relate to

them, albeit this time the

tables had turned (quite

literally). It was fun sit-

ting on the other side of the table and

getting to experience a totally different

version of the same procedure. Also, you

get to know as to what is expected out of

you during these interviews.

Simran Sachdeva, XI,

AIS Pushp Vihar, YP Team leader

2011-12 for Anti Human Trafficking

I really cannot express in

words how amazing it

felt to be a part of the in-

terview panel. My expe-

rience of being the one

asking questions instead

of the one giving an-

swers was amazing. It was refreshing as

all my YP memories came alive. I loved

experiencing the authority of a judge, es-

pecially for Youth Power, which has al-

ways been close to my heart.

Kashish Minocha, XI,

AIS Saket, YP Team Leader 2011-12

for Woman Empowerment

Having given the inter-

view last year, I know

what the contestants go

through during the inter-

views. I could relate to

the excitement of get-

ting selected and fear of

being rejected. Being someone of the

same age group, I could understand the

level at which the students think. Be-

sides, it was amazing to see the passion

and zest of the YP aspirants this year.

Sarina Mulchandani, XI,

AIS Vasundhara 6, YP Team Leader

2011-12 for Prevent Cyber Crime

It’s different onthe other side

While some were cooked with thegrilling; others were left hookedon with an informative insight.Youth Power 2012-13 interviewsturned on the heat on the YP aspirants, compelling them to puttheir ‘best word’ forward.

It was a wonderful brain storming

session. Throughout the session

we had to wear our thinking caps

to come up with innovative ideas

and convince the judges.

Vishruti Saraf, X, AIS Saket

Insightful is how I would like to

describe the YP 2012-13 inter-

view. It helped us to know the

areas where we could improve our

project and present it better.

Vasundhra Kaul, XI, AIS G 46

We were all very nervous, but the

smile on the judges’ face com-

forted us. They grilled us but they

also listened to our plan with keen

interest and gave us suggestions,

on our project.

Ridhima Chaterjee, X, AIS G 43

It didn't seem like we were giving

an interview; it was more like

sharing our thoughts with some-

one who cares to listen. I felt like

I was talking to a friend.

Aastha Singh, X, AIS Noida

The journey from the interviewee to the interviewer is a long one. The team leaders of YP 2011-12 havetraveled the road less taken and come a long way. A part of the interview panel this year, here’s what theyhave to say on being on the other side of the table.

Heal the world

I wantto do itagainYP finalists 2011-12 have beenthere, done that and they want to doit again. Meet the YP finalists of lastyear as they wish to get cracking ontheir second innings.

We worked really hard last year, but

I don’t know what went wrong and

we could not bring home the trophy.

But this year, we wish to come back

with a bang and win the coveted tro-

phy this time around.

Tarunika Gaur, X, AIS Vas 6

YP finalist 2011-12

Youth Power has changed my mind-

set from – ‘we are merely a part of

the society and it is not our duty to

change it’ to ‘we can change the so-

ciety, and one day the entire world’.

Here’s hoping that I make it through.

Mehak Goyal, XI, AIS Saket

YP Finalist 2011-12

When I participated in Youth Power

last year, I discovered that YP is a

bag full of exposure, fun, social work

and a platform where we could do

our bit towards bringing about a

change. Agreed, it's time consuming

and requires quite a lot of hard work,

yet the joy of being a part of some-

thing so huge is unparalleled.

Dhvanni Chawla, VIII, AIS MV

YP Team Leader 2011-12

One small step. A giant leap. As the fifth season of Youth Power begins, the aspirants are all set to

take their small steps to make big differences. The journey of Youth Power 2012-13 has begun with

a bang as 84 teams from 8 branches of Amity International School aspire to be Youth Leaders

Hooked, booked & cooked

The journey begins

YP aspirants face the

heat at YP 2012-13

interviews at AIS

Saket and AIS PV

(inset)

YP aspirants at AIS Gur 43 during the interview

YOUTH POWER

Stage - I

3Learning Curve Education & Enhancement

Many tribes of Andaman wear bones and skulls of theirancestors as a sign of respect towards their ancestors,which looked like cannibalism to ignorant outsiders.

Akanksha Reddy, AIS Mayur Vihar, X A

THE GLOBAL TIMES | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Send your answer to The Global Times, E-26, Defence Colony, New Delhi - 24

or e-mail your answer at [email protected]

Name:.................................................

Class:...................................................

School:................................................

What is the edible part in cucumber?

1) Epicarp, mesocarp and endo-carp and seeds

2) Mesocarp and endocarp

3) Endocarp, placentae and seeds

4) Mesocarp, endocarp, placen-tae and seeds

Amity Institutefor Competitive Examinations

Presents

FOR CLASS XI-XII

Brainleaks-53

Last Date:

Oct 4, 2012

correct entries win attractive prizes3

The concept: Central Board of Sec-

ondary Education (CBSE) plans to in-

troduce Pre Announced Test (PAT) from

the year 2014 for all subjects in class X

and selected subjects in XII. The CBSE

in the recent past had introduced assess-

ment reforms like the school-based as-

sessment system and "Continuous and

Comprehensive Evaluation’ (CCE). This

new concept does not exactly allow stu-

dents to carry text books inside the exam

halls, but plans to inform them about

four months in advance about the chap-

ters and paragraphs from which analyti-

cal question would be asked in the exam.

The Purpose: The objective behind in-

troducing the new format is to bring

about a change in the learning process

inside a classroom and make students

more analytical. The idea behind giving

four months’ period is to help the student

acquire in depth knowledge of the sub-

ject and related concepts. According to

CBSE Chairman Vineet Joshi, “The

move would help test the 'Higher Order

Thinking Skills' (HOTS) of students be-

sides helping them to stop relying on a

‘rote-based methodology.” He said the

new format puts to test the analytical

skills of the students as they don’t have

to answer simple or direct questions.

Proposed date: CBSE is likely to issue

a formal notification to affiliated schools

regarding introduction of ‘Open Book’

examinations in December. The pro-

posed change aimed at enhancing the

quality of education is likely to come

into effect from 2014.

The debate: The student community

which is grappling with CCE and

changes in the competitive examination

pattern gave a mixed response to the

news. Here is what they had to say:

"The idea is preposterous. CBSE au-

thorities seem to be making a joke out of

the class XII examinations."

Chhavi Sahal, AIS PV, XI

"The new pattern would enable the stu-

dents to score better, but they have to be

prepared to answer a volley of complex

questions. The PAT format of assessment

would not be an easy one".

Shailja Chandra, DPS R K Puram

The traditional system of examination

followed in India only tests the ability to

absorb a large volume of information,

quick memory recall and writing speed.

It serves the elite students who have the

family ecosystem to bear the expenditure

for tuitions. The vast majority does not

have access to these facilities and hence

finds it difficult to get into prestigious in-

stitutes offering higher education. On the

other hand, the ‘Open Book’ format

would promote critical analysis, integral

to students’ understanding.G T

The culinary skills of students of

hospitality management were

put to test at a competition

jointly organized by Amity School of

Hospitality (ASH) and Nestle India on

September 7, 2012.

The competition aimed at encouraging

interaction between industry experts and

students, saw over nine institutes from

across Delhi participating in the event.

Some prominent names included Ba-

narasidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel

Management, JIMS Lajpat Nagar, IEC

greater Noida, Sunderdeep Group of In-

stitute, Manav Rachna University, IICA

and Amity School of Hospitality.

The teams were adjudged on four pa-

rameters- menu planning, food prepara-

tion, taste and texture by eminent chefs

and professionals from the industry. The

judges for the event were Chef Tony

Smith, Executive Chef, Crowne Plaza,

Greater Noida; Chef Rakesh Kaul, Ex-

ecutive Chef, The Atrium & Shailender

Sobti, Food & Beverage Manager, Hotel

Claridges. The guests of honour for the

event were Nita Baluni, Director HR

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, Sudhir

Arora, Executive chef, Oberoi Flight

Kitchen, Krishan Kumar, Sr Correspon-

dent, Hospitality Biz and Sanjay

Goswami RM, Nestle Professionals.

The competition was successful in

bringing new talent to the fore by

demonstrating creative ideas and trends

to drive forward different cuisines. The

event concluded with Maj Gen KJ

Singh, Vice Chancellor AUUP blessing

the participants with kind words of wis-

dom and giving away prizes.

IICA won the first prize while Banarasi-

das Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Man-

agemen won second and third prize. .G T

The cookery

competition

organized by ASH

in accordance with

Nestle India was a

gastronomic delight

and brought to fore

students’ culinary

sensibilities and

creativity

Institute: Medical Colleges ap-

proved by the Medical Council of

India and Dental Colleges approved

by Dental Council of India

Eligibility: NEET 2013 National

Eligibility cum Entrance Test 2013

Course: MBBS/ BDS

Application Forms: Dec 1, 2012

Last Date of Submission: Refer to

website

Examination: May 5, 2013

Website: http://www.mciindia.org

SCHOLASTICALERTS

What’s cooler watching robots on television or watching them in action? The Maze-o-

Bot at Amity University, Noida was able to generate the same excitement and euphoria

Ans: Brainleaks 51:

(a) 0 <M≤1

Masterchef hunt

Arohan Sharma

Amity School of Engg &Technology

With robots becoming increasingly life

like and intelligent, it is hard to imagine

a future without them. It won’t be an ex-

aggeration to say that soon robots are going to play

a prominent role in defence, sports, homes, hospi-

tals and offices. If robots hold the key to our future,

then how can the science wizards at Amity be far

behind. Amity University, Noida kicked off its first

technical event of the session on September 6, 2012

with Maze-o-Bot, a competition in which robots

compete with one another to cross the maze.

The event organized by Autobotz-The Robotics

Club of Amity University saw over 200 robots, in-

cluding the five robots provided by the non techni-

cal club competing with each other. Chhaya Chor-

dia, Director, Amity Hostel inaugurated the event

by driving her robot through the maze.

The event aimed at applying classroom learning to

practical use. Technical events of this stature are or-

ganized in few prestigious colleges like IITs. Dr K

M Soni, Dy Director, ASET and Prof Vivek Kumar,

HOD Mechanical and Automation Engineering, en-

lightened the students with their presence.G T

Opening doors to the future

Educational reforms and revamp seem tobe the flavour of the season The proposalby CBSE to introduce ‘Open Book’ format

in the year 2014 has created quite a flutter in thestudent community who are trying to get familiarwith CCE and the newly introduced JEE exampattern, Shubham Sharma of Amity School ofEconomics reports

A robot car looks all

set to hit the tracks

Hospitality

students all set to

sizzle the taste

buds of the judges

Winner of Maze-o-Bot Abhinav Bhadwar

of ASET receiving award from Chhaya

Chordia and Dr KM Soni

Too manychanges,too soon

The Medical Council of India and

Dental Council of India have notified

that Central Board of Secondary Ed-

ucation would be conducting the Na-

tional Eligibility cum Entrance Test

for admissions to MBBS and BDS

Course for the academic session

2013 -14 on May 5, 2013.

The admission to MBBS and BDS

Courses in the institutions approved

by the Medical Council of India and

Dental Council of India are sub-

jected to merit position of candidates

in the National Eligibility Cum En-

trance Test (Under-Graduate), 2013.

The syllabus for this examination as

notified by the Medical Council of

India is available on website

www.mciindia.org.

Source:http://aipmt.nic.in/aipmt/Docs

/PressRelease.pdf

Taruna Barthwal, ACCGC, CareerCounsellor & Resource Coordinator

AIPMT is now NEFT

Gyan Vigyan Science & Technology

THE GLOBAL TIMES | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 20124The Nicobar islanders no longer restrict themselves tothe traditional costumes made of coconut leaf andpetticoats; they have now adopted modern clothes.

Reshal Sharma, AIS Vasundhara 6, V D

Veeshal Beotra, Amity Institute of

Information Technology

Your brain is composed of mil-

lions of brain cells. When these

cells, called neurons, communi-

cate an enormous electrical activity is

produced in the brain. This electrical ac-

tivity produces brainwaves.

Types of brainwavesThere are four main types of brain-

waves/bands. Frequency of each are

known to influence the state of con-

sciousness in different manner:

Beta brainwave: It is the most effective

brainwave frequency. Individuals in this

state are fully awake and alert. Hence

this state is associated with cognition

and concentration.

Alpha brainwave: This state

is achieved when one has just

woken up from sleep or is in

the transit of waking up and

sleeping. This state is ideal for

stress relief, positive thinking

and a peak performance.

Theta brainwave: This band

occurs most often in sleep but

are also dominant in deep medi-

tation. It is associated with bene-

fits like increased creativity and

super learning.

Delta brainwave: It is the lowest

brainwave pattern. They are generated in

state of deepest meditation and dream-

less sleep. People with high amounts of

delta brainwave have been found to have

increased empathy and access to the un-

conscious mind.

The useful

frequencies in alpha, theta or delta stage

are accessible in conscious and sub con-

scious states when one sleep or attain a

stage of near sleep.

Accessing the brainwaves So, now the big question popping up in

your head or

better, brain

is, how do we

access these states of brain,

consciously? The easiest method to do

so is a technology called Brainwave En-

tertainment. This involves using audi-

tory and visual stimuli to affect your

state of mind. It works on the phenome-

non of ‘Frequency Following Re-

sponse’. In simple terms it is the ability

of human brain to respond to a particular

visual or auditory stimuli and follow it,

which means if we apply a stimulus of 6

Hz of sound then the brain will start at-

tuning to this frequency and start gener-

ating theta brainwaves within about 6

minutes of the constant stimulus. The

brainwaves responds to some frequency

of stimuli. Some popular softwares for

access to the brainwaves are Neuro pro-

grammer, Mind Workstation and Natura

Sound Therapy.

For more, visit www.techites.com

G T

Ever wondered what keeps your

brain ticking? It’s the brainwaves

A ride on thebrainwaves

Namrata Gulati, GT Network

Founded by Megha Bajaj, Wonder of Words

(WoW) is a spontaneous, out of the box idea

that has grown to over 25,000 students in 5

states, 300 teachers, 125 online workshop partici-

pants and 9000 fans on Facebook in just two years!

What is WoW all about?

WoW aims to make the world a little more WoW! How? We

have online workshops on healing and writing. The healing

workshops help people understand their sub conscious. The

writing workshops help youngsters and adults to explore them-

selves through a world of words. We help students express bet-

ter and even get their works published. WoW has training

programs for teachers and students wherein perception, em-

pathy, structured writing is taken care of. WoW has come up

with I am WoW booklets with worksheets for students from

LKG to 12th std. A worksheet may have letter writing to God

to encourage feeling of gratitude in them.

How did WoW happen? August 5, 2010 was the turning point of my life. I was

teaching kids at home and writing books back then. Sud-

denly, I had a urge to help those who want to write better

& publish. Just for fun, I logged onto Facebook and put my

status update as, “Thinking of starting online writing classes.

If interested, mail me,” and forgot about it. When I checked

my mail at night, twenty people from across the world had

mailed me saying they wanted to join!

WoW has an interesting team behind its success. How do youfeel about it?WoW consists of people who really believe in their

dream of making lives more wonderful. Saloni

Patil, an MBA from US believed

in the cause and became our

brand manager. Nandhitha Hari-

haran, the CBSE English topper

from Chennai had been a part

of WoW and has played a key

part in module development. Writer Jamuna Ran-

gachari joined the organization as she had a

passion to write and wanted to make a differ-

ence in people’s life. We’re happy that we

have set an example for others.

How does WoW make a difference in the livesof children & parents?

We had a young boy whose English was good, but

confidence levels were low. We helped him write an article for

the Times of India and it actually got published. The way his

achievement was celebrated by his peers and teachers made

him see the potential in him. As part of our teachers training

program activity, we made the teachers express gratitude to

the principal of a school. The principal was moved to tears.

Our healing workshops have created

a lot of impact.

Your message to Amitians?When I was in sixth class

my English teacher told

me that I will never

learn English. Today, I

have written seven

books and I train Eng-

lish teachers. At the end

of the day, your inner

voice gains importance

over all the rattle. .

Next week, look out forTenzin Lekshay in theYoung Turks series

G T

WoW writing...Haven't we all been there, writing re-

vising, editing, and then re-revising

and reediting. Rarely are we satisfied

with what we have written at the very

first go! But don’t agonize over it, let

your work be for a while, a few days if

need be, forget all about it and then

come back to it afresh. If you know

there are problems with your work

which you can’t seem to fix, try getting

it read from a friend or colleague for

valuable feedback!

WoW life...You ask for apples and life throws

lemons at you. Not everything in life

will work out the way you expected it

to, but that’s just life! We need to have

faith and believe that whatever hap-

pens, happens for the best. If you are

having problems in your relationships,

be it at home or with friends, give it

time, look away for some time. Then

when you revisit, you might see the sit-

uation in a completely different light

and come up with solutions. Don’t be-

come obsessive about making it work

that very minute!

(Contributed by Megha Bajaj,Founder, Wonder of Words, Mumbai.To WoW yourself more, log on towww.wonderofwords.org or email [email protected])

G T

WoW yourself!Wonder of Words brings you tips to help you

improve your writing skills and lives. Simple

steps make all the difference!

Correction: Arush Singhal & Chitraksh Tarun, are from AIS Saket, not AIS PV

as mentioned in GT page 4, issue dated September 17

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Wordsmith: Megha Bajaj

Andaman & Nicobar Islandsand Puducherry 5


Varun Datta

AIS Vasundhara 6, V D

As the Andaman and Nicobar Is-

lands are mostly inhabited by

tribals, no specific and spe-

cialised cuisine has developed over the

years. However, due to the rich flora and

fauna and extensive sea food available

in the area, the cuisine mainly revolves

around sea food. From locally caught

fish, coconuts and bananas to dishes in-

fluenced by neighboring countries, the

cuisine is deliciously eclectic.

The traditional cuisine of the island in-

cludes fish such as Yellowfin and Dog-

tooth tuna, coral trout, crabs, lobster and

prawns. The natives also hunted wild

pig. They were believed to eat human

flesh (which has been proved wrong

now), which is why the place was re-

ferred to as the ‘Islands of Cannibals’.

The modern cuisine is influenced by the

Indian mainland in the West, Burma in

the North, Thailand in the East and In-

donesia in the South. Thus, tourists can

find restaurants serving TandooriChicken and Rogan Josh as well as lentildal and idli. Thailand is represented by

stir fried dishes and noodles. Traces of

traditional Andaman cuisine are evident

in the dishes created using local fish,

shellfish, coconut and banana. Andaman

is a heaven for sea food lovers. Fresh

crabs, oysters, prawns and other sea food

are the order of the day. The islands pro-

vide visitors with an opportunity to taste

a variety of flavours.G T

Shivangee Gupta

AIS Saket, X C

The most fascinating island in the

Andaman is the mysterious North

Sentinel. The North Sentinelese

are considered to be the most isolated

people on Earth. Attempts by the An-

daman tribal authorities to contact them

have been greeted with angry arrows.

Once, an Indian explorer set on an expe-

dition with her team to meet the tribe, but

they were shot poisonous arrows. Several

attempts later, they realised that the Sen-

tinelese were fond of rice biscuits. So,

they carried sacks of rice biscuits. The

tribals recognised the biscuits from their

familiar smell and didn’t shoot any ar-

rows! They realised that the boatmen are

good people and allowed them to come

to the shore. The explorers spread out to

explore the islands but soon, a photogra-

pher’s camera slipped and hit a tribal

lady. The team was driven away and their

cameras destroyed in suspicion!G T

From natural

clothing to modern

costumes, the dress

sense has evolved

Suspicious Sentinelese

Kala paani’scolourful society

Irina Srivastava, AIS Vasundhara 6, V D

Along with the native tribals, the Andaman

islands are home to descendants of hun-

dreds of prisoners from all parts of India.

These islands are also popularly known as KalaPaani (black waters). Do you know why? No, not

because the water here is black but because these

islands were used by the Britishers to keep indian

freedom fighters as prisoners.

Social life: Among the Andamanese, there is a lot

of social mixing without any inhibition or tradi-

tional social restraints. Inter caste and inter creed

marriages are allowed. The Andamanese believe in

the spirits of the forest, the sky, the sea and in the

existence of the souls of their dead ancestors. They

follow ‘Animism’ as their religion and it means a

fear of the evil spirits of the wood, the sea, disease

and ancestors. They have a rich collection of music

and songs which are sung while dancing or at work.

Occupation: Hunting and honey collection are

men's jobs, while the women and children collect

roots and tubers. Some tribes depend upon agricul-

ture and poultry. The craftsmen make beautiful de-

signer ornaments as well as finger bowls and table

lamps with shells. Mat-making, crossbows and

miniature canoes are important

handicrafts. There are

various medium

and small in-

dustries

t o o ,

producing polythene

bags, fitting pipes,

fibre, glass, etc.

Recreation: An-

damanese are childishly

fond of games and indulge in

indigenous sports like blindman's-

buff, leapfrog and hide and seek.

They also like to play mock pig, turtle hunts, mock

burials and ghost hunts. Swinging, swimming,

throwing, archery and wrestling matches are held.

The culture of Andaman is very interesting. People

live harmoniously and maintain a unique culture.

Religious, cultural as well as modern fairs are cel-

ebrated with great enthusiasm by all people.

(With inputs from Priyal Bhasin, V C & Avi Prabhakar, V D, AIS Vasundhara 6)

G T

Much as they would

like to stay aloof from

the rest of the world,

the Andamanese have a

vibrant social and

cultural milieu

Foodie’sparadiseThe cuisine is seafood centric, with

traces of local fruits and veggies

Anshuman Bhasin, AIS Gur 43, IX A

Andaman and Nicobar gearThe native tribes of this untouched land

are yet to be influenced by development.

These tribes who have spent eons in

thick forests still go naked. The Sentine-

lese tribe wear nothing for clothes. Nev-

ertheless, the Jarwas flaunt jewellery

made of shells and barks. The Car Nico-

bar people no more wear petticoats and

costumes made of coconut leaves but

have switched over to more modern

clothes. Same is with the Onge tribe;

they now cover themselves with local

clothes. Shompen tribes wrap them-

selves around their waist only. However,

the Christians, Sikhs and Hindus in the

island wear conventional clothes like us.

Dress the Puducherry wayThe culture of Puducherry is very

colourful and vibrant. It is quite similar

to the culture of Portugal, Kerala, Tamil

Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The tradi-

tional costumes of people in Puducherry

are tailored in Indian style. Women wear

long skirts, saris and blouses. In modern

parts of Puducherry, men wear shirts and

pants. Nudity is banned in the Union

Territory of Puducherry. G T

The tribes of AndamanRamsha Matin, AIS, Vas 6, V D

� The Onges are semi nomadic, fully

dependent on nature for food.

� The Jarawas have inhabited the is-

land for at least a thousand years!

� The Sentinelese are the hunting,

fishing tribe and are very hostile.

� The Shompens live in the interiors

and are very shy indeed.

Hitesh & Sidhika Bhasin, II D, AIS

Gur 43 dress up in tribal wear

Dressing ’em up!

State Celebrations

Students of AIS Gur 43

dress the Puducherry way

Not only the scenic beauty of Andaman and Nicobar Islandsattracts all, the craft items made by local peasants areequally enticing.

Priyal Bhasin, AIS Vasundhara 6, V C

Pic courtesy: AIS Saket

6

Nayantara Mudur, AIS Noida, IX A

“Auroville wants to be a universaltown where men and women of allcountries are able to live in peace andprogressive harmony above allcreeds, all politics and all nationali-ties. The purpose of Auroville is to re-alise human unity.” - Mirra Alfassa

Auroville is a universal town-

ship which is built to accom-

modate a population of up to

50,000 people. The purpose of Au-

roville is to propagate human unity, in

spite of diverse backgrounds, cultures,

religions and nationalities.

The InceptionThe concept of Auroville - an ideal

township devoted to an experiment in

human unity - came to Mirra Alfassa,

lovingly called the Mother, in the

1930s. Mirra Alfassa was Sri Au-

robindo’s spiritual collaborator and

oversaw the functioning of the Sri Au-

robindo Ashram in Pondicherry. Thus,

the Sri Aurobindo Society began spon-

soring the Auroville project in the mid

1960s. It was also backed by the In-

dian Government and the United Na-

tions Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The beginningOn February 28, 1968, nearly 5,000

people assembled near a banyan tree

in the complex, for the inauguration

ceremony of the new township Au-

roville. The banyan tree is now the

centre of the township. The ceremony

was attended by the representatives of

all Indian states and 124 other nations.

Each representative brought some soil

from his/her country. These soils,

along with Mirra Alfassa’s 4-

point Charter, were sealed in a white

marble-clad, lotus-shaped urn. The urn

is now positioned at the focal point of

the amphitheatre.

Auroville todayAuroville is, by far, the only interna-

tionally endorsed ongoing experiment

in human unity and the transformation

of consciousness. It is also involved in

research for sustainable living and

the cultural, environmental, social and

spiritual needs of mankind. The city

is located in the state of Tamil Nadu,

however, some parts fall under the ju-

risdiction of Puducherry. It is barely a

few kilometres inland from the Coro-

mandel Coast, around 160 kms south

of Chennai and 10 kms north of

Puducherry.

Who are the Aurovillians?

The people of Auroville come from 45

nations and their age ranges from mere

infancy to over eighty, averaging

around 30 years. Due to this multicul-

tural and multi religious background,

these people can be said to represent

humanity as a whole. The population

of the township, while constantly

growing, currently stands at approxi-

mately 2,160 people, of whom nearly a

third are Indians. G T

Shivi Jindal, AIS Mayur Vihar, X B

The Cuisine Solaire Pour Tous, or

Solar Kitchen, the collective

kitchen of Auroville, takes its

name from the huge solar bowl that is in-

corporated to harness solar energy for

cooking. The solar kitchen was designed

as a major collective kitchen for the Au-

roville community in December 1997.

This collective solar kitchen is a shining

example of reducing strain on conven-

tional energy sources in buildings by effi-

cient structural design, less energy

intensive building material and use of ap-

propriate technologies for construction.

Sustainable cook-inThe solar energy panel demonstrates the

innovative use of solar thermal energy for

cooking meals for 1,000 people, thrice a

day. Throughout the year, approximately

1000 lunches are prepared daily, of which

540 go to the schools, 200 go out by

tiffins and about 260-300 lunches are con-

sumed in the dining hall.

Scientific set upThe fibro-cement base of this stationary

solar bowl faces south. It is 15 meters in

diameter and 7 meters above ground

level. The sun’s rays, trapped by a huge

hemispherical mirror, focus on a cylindri-

cal boiler, which follows the sun’s posi-

tion by means of a computerised tracking

device. On a clear day, sufficient steam at

a temperature of 150°C can be generated

in this boiler to cook two meals a day for

1,000 people. Building this bowl has been

one step towards the future. This bowl is

currently producing steam for cooking,

but eventually the heat that is trapped

could be used for a variety of purposes

such as pumping water, producing me-

chanical power, industrial process heat-

ing, etc. One can envision the whole

industrial zone running on solar energy.

Solar model The solar energy model being used at Au-

roville, if replicated in other parts of the

country and the world has the potential of

solving the problem of sustainable living.

It is just a question of orientation. Au-

roville has shown to the world the fruits

of scientific planning and consolidated ef-

forts. It is up to other people to learn from

it and sustain their future. G T

La Cuisine Solaire The solar kitchen dishes out 1,000 lunches daily for the Auroville community - 540

for schools, 200 for tiffins and 260-300 are consumed in the dining hall

AurovilleThe City Of DawnA model township with a futuristic vision of housing people from diversemulti-cultural backgrounds, Auroville is a global village in every sense

The AurovilleCharter

The Auroville Charter states the

following:

� Auroville belongs to nobody in

particular. Auroville belongs to

humanity as a whole. But to live

in Auroville, one must be a will-

ing servitor of the Divine

Consciousness.

� Auroville will be the place of

an unending education, of con-

stant progress, and a youth that

never ages.

� Auroville wants to be the

bridge between the past and the

future. Taking advantage of all

discoveries from outside and

from within, Auroville will boldly

spring towards future realisations.

� Auroville will be a site of ma-

terial and spiritual researches for

a living embodiment of an actual

Human Unity.

India, the land of profound

heritage teaches us at every

corner, the harmony entailing

various ethnicities, cultures

and traditions sewed together.

The treasure of art, architec-

ture, philosophy, dance and

music makes the country rich.

A land as diverse as its people,

tells the story of unity in diversity.

At Amity, the students are fostered with incul-

cation of traditional values, the rooted beauty of

India. The students learn to appreciate the bun-

dle of beauty that their country is. With regular

awareness programmes, heritage quizzes and

monthly celebrations at Amity, students gain

knowledge of the cultural institution called

India. We aim to celebrate heritage keeping in

mind the impartation of knowledge about vari-

ous states. The months of July and August at

Amity experienced a spread of Union Territories

Andaman & Nicobar and Puducherry. This edi-

tion of The Global Times unfurls a fine painting

of customs and faith that these Union Territories

are all about, exampling how diversity is artisti-

cally unified to form a composite as a whole. G T

Dr Amita ChauhanChairperson

Beauty ofHeritage

Published and Printed by Mr R.R. Aiyar on behalf of Dr (Mrs) Amita Chauhan

from E-26, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024 and printed from HT Media Ltd,

B-2, Sec 63, Noida (UP). Editor Ms Vira Sharma.

� Edition: Vol 4, Issue 28 � RNI No. DELENG / 2009 / 30258

Both for free distribution and annual subscription of Rs. 600.

Opinions expressed in GT articles are of the writers and do not necessarily reflect

those of the editors or publishers. While the editors do their utmost to verify

information published, they do not accept responsibility for its absolute accuracy.

Published for the period September 24- 30, 2012

I am very happy to learn that

Amity International School Va-

sundhara, Sector-6, Ghaziabad

has dedicated three months

(from April 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012) to the cel-

ebration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the

school. I am delighted that over 2000 students

from the school, ranging from Nursery – Grade

XII, have gained knowledge about our Indian is-

lands through a variety of activities in the period.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a unique archi-

pelago and are one of the most beautiful islands

of the world where the ecology, forests and ma-

rine bio-diversity have not been disturbed at all.

The thick green forests and clean blue waters of

the sea contribute to its unparalleled beauty. The

islands are historically very important and form

an inseparable part of our freedom struggle. The

Cellular Jail is a sacred monument where our

freedom fighters were confined and tortured by

the Britishers. These brave sons of our country

went through inhuman and unbearable suffer-

ings for the freedom of our motherland.

Presently, the islands stand as a true example of

‘Unity in Diversity’ and are popularly known as

‘Mini India’ where people from all regions, re-

ligions and cultural backgrounds are living to-

gether in absolute peace and harmony along

with the most primitive tribes of the planet who

also inhabit some of the islands in the archipel-

ago. The islands are one of the finest tourist des-

tinations in the form of beautiful beaches,

marine life which can be observed by snorkeling

and scuba diving. One can also walk through the

winding trails of equato-

rial forests. I hope that

the students of Amity In-

ternational School will

visit the islands to have a

better insight of the cul-

tural and historical as-

pect of the islands.

I convey my congratula-

tions to the staff and chil-

dren of the school in

taking this excellent

initiative. G T

Lt Gen(Retd) Bhopinder SinghLt. Governor, Andman & Nicobar Islands

Sanaa Srivastava

VI B, AIS Vas 6 at

Auroville Matrimandir

Andaman & Nicobar Islandsand Puducherry


State Celebrations

The letter sent by

the Governor

The major occupation of the Andaman tribes is hunting andgathering. They hunt not only on the land but in water as well.

Avi Prabhakar, AIS Vasundhara 6, V D

Governor’s Message



State Celebrations

The Ten Degree Channel separates Andamans from theNicobar islands in the south. The highest point of theislands is Saddle peak at 732 m.

Sumukh Srivastava, AIS Vasundhara 6, V C7

Diverse corals and baffling ma-

rine life dwell in the emerald

blue waters of the immense seas

in the Andamans. You have to see it to

believe it…

A jolly good place! Jolly Buoy is a ma-

jestic island where one can enjoy snor-

keling, sea-bathing or just chill in the

beaches! The place is popular for its

under water corals and pristine clear

beach.Take one of the glass bottom boats

to enjoy a closer view of the coral

colonies. Jolly Buoy is an ideal place for

scuba diving and snorkeling.

The Saw Mill: Chatham Island at Port

Blair houses India’s largest saw mill, the

Chatham Saw Mill. You can watch the

entire process of logs being unloaded,

sorted, cut, planed and finally stored in

vast godowns to be shipped off to the

mainland. Huge saws, with about 200-

300 teeth, grind their way for two to three

hours before their teeth need to be

sharpened again.

The Museums: The Forest Museum

displays decorative pieces made of fa-

mous woods like Padauk, Marble,

Peauma, Gurjan and Satin Wood. The

Samudrika Museum is divided into

five sections: the history of the islands,

geography, people, marine life and ar-

chaeology. It houses a remarkable ex-

hibit of coral and shells, and a huge

relief map of the islands’ topography.

Another one, the Anthropological Mu-

seum displays tribal essentials and arti-

facts such as boats, weapons, clothing,

etc. A well-stocked library provides in-

valuable references to tribal culture.

The highest point: Mount Harriet is the

highest point near Port Blair. The lush

green environment and the serene at-

mosphere brings peace to the heart.An

ideal place for sunrises and sunsets, treks

and picnics, the islands were the summer

headquarters of the Chief Commissioner

during the British raj.

The Bird Island: Chidiya Tapu, situated

33 km south of Port Blair possesses lush

green mangroves with numerous chirp-

ing birds. The Sylvan Sands and MundaPahar beaches make it an idyllic picnic

site. If you are lucky, you might catch

sight of baby crocodiles too!

Kala Paani: A national memorial now,

the Cellular Jail stands three stories high

with a total of 698 cells. The Sound and

Light Show is a must watch.G T

Yug Shankar

AIS Saket, X C

The Andaman and Nicobar is-

lands are famous for the cellu-

lar jail more popularly known

as Kala Paani. The exact reason be-

hind this infamous name is still in the

dark. Some experts say that the colour

of the sea water is black, either by it-

self or by the reflection of the thick

black clouds, which almost always re-

mained overcast. However, many

scholars believe that in Sanskrit, Kalliterally means time of death. So KalaPaani meant ‘water of death’ or ‘place

of death’ from where only the luckiest

returned. The British began to refer to

them as 'black waters'.

The islands have a history of trans-

porting hardcore criminals. The British

instructed the jail authorities to treat

the inmates with utmost unkindness.

So, Kala Paani virtually meant ruth-

less treatment of the prisoner till death.

Expatriation to Kala Paani was worse

than death penalty. Although the is-

lands are beautiful and neither the

sand nor the water is black, the British

colonial government had created cir-

cumstances that led to the island being

called Kala Paani. The term is inter-

woven with the trials and tribulations

faced by the prisoners who were forced

to live a hell like life. However, the

revolutionaries who endured such

harsh treatment and made sacrifices,

immortalized the islands.G T

Sea, Sand and the SunSea, Sand and the Sun

Neither the sand nor thewater is black, butcircumstances named itKala Paani!

Point of no return

Sporty fun in the oceanAnushtha Mittal & Diksha Sahni

AIS Gurgaon 46, X A

Water sports at AndamansOnce known as the black waters, the is-

lands are now a relaxed tropical island

outpost. Crystal clear water, superb

corals, kaleidoscopic marine life and

some virtually undiscovered sites make

these islands a world class diving desti-

nation. Diving and snorkeling facilities

are available in the Havelock islands.

Boat trips to otherwise inaccessible coral

reefs and islands like the Neil Island are

also organised. Little Andaman provides

various game fishing opportunities too.

You can also enjoy Kayaking here. Strap

yourself up in your kayak, haul on your

helmet and have the time of your life!

Best time: November to April

Puducherry adventureThe French Riviera of the East,

Puducherry, is famous for its golden

shores, beaches and backwaters. Water

sports here include scuba diving, snor-

keling, rafting, water skiing, banana boat

rides, etc. If you have a passion for

thrills and are ready to brave the sea,

then water skiing is just the sport for

you. You’ve got to experience scream-

ing at the top of your lungs while being

thrown away in the air!

Best time: October - May

(With inputs from Advitya Gemavat,AIS Gurgaon 46, VIII D)

G T

Muskan Mittal, AIS PV, V C

The best way to start your Pondi ex-

perience is to walk. So, walk along

the way to:

Aurobindo Ashram: The Ashram is lo-

cated in the eastern part of Puducherry;

you can go there by boat. The focus of

community life is the Ashram’s main

building, which consists of a block of

houses, including those where Sri Au-

robindo and The Mother lived. At its

center, lies the Samadhi, a white marble

shrine where their bodies are laid to rest.

The Ashram provides food, clothing and

shelter, as well as medical care. There

are libraries for study and facilities for a

variety of cultural pursuits. Fragrance of

fresh flowers and the pristine atmos-

phere would tranquilize your soul.

Paradise Beach: The beach can be

reached by boat. Beautiful palm trees

would escort you to the golden sands.

The sea was a bit rough but did not seem

dangerous. The beach is indeed very re-

freshing and calming. Make sure that

you visit this one!

Other attractions: French War Memo-

rial, Jawahar Toy Museum, Pondicherry

Museum, Raj Niwas, The Statue of Du-

pleix, Botanical Garden and Aquarium.

Do visit Puducherry to experience an

inner calm. G T

Pristine Puducherry Best time to visit: Oct - March

Weather: Pleasant in winters which

are from Nov-March

How to reach: By train to Villupu-

ram; then by taxi to Puducherry.

You can also fly to Chennai, then

take a taxi to Puducherry.

Pic: Shivank Gupta, AIS PV, VI E

Collage: AIS Pushp Vihar

Andaman Tour Guide

Sirat Kaur Gill, AIS Saket, X C

Once you visit the Andamans, you ought to take back somesweet and happy memorabilia…• Message in a bottle - a small glass bottle filled with a bit of

local sand and a scroll inserted which says ‘Love from An-

daman’ or ‘Memories of Andaman’.

• A colourful gift pack of scented candles or locally made

diyas decorated with sea shells, and drift wood inscribed with

something significant or ‘A&N’.

• An anchor made of local wood with Andaman& Nicobar

inscribed on it.

• Small pieces of drift wood artistically mounted on a

wooden base with A&N written on the base.

•A&N T-shirts found at the Anthropological Museum.

•Miniature replica of the Cellular Jail or the tsunami memo-

rial column would make a good souvenir.

Sweet SouvenirsPic: Shivank Gupta, AIS PV

The majestic land ofAndaman offers somethingfor everyone... Shivank Gupta, AIS Pushp Vihar, VI E,

brings a first hand account of Andaman

Pic courtesy: Shivank, VI E, AIS PV

The majestic

Cellular Jail which

gave the name

Kala Paani to the

Andamans



State Celebrations8

Kanava Ahuja, AIS Saket, X B

IngredientsRaw bananas ....................................4

Garlic ....................................2-3 pods

Green chilli ....................................2-3

Dry red chili......................................2

Curry leaves ..............................a few

Fresh coconut (grated) ..............½ cup

Curd ..........................................2 tbsp

Urad daal & chana daal ....1 tsp each

Mustard seeds ............................¼ tsp

Cumin seeds ..............................½ tsp

Hing (Asafoetida)....................a pinch

Ghee ..........................................2 tbsp

Method�Peel the bananas. Boil them with salt

and turmeric powder.

�Heat the ghee in a pan. Add hing.

�Next add Urad daal and Channadaal. Wait for them to turn slightly

golden.

�Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds and

red chillies.

�Add curry leaves as the seeds start to

splutter.

�Now, add finely chopped garlic and

chopped green chillies. Cook for a few

minutes on slow flame.

�Chop banana into pieces and add to

the pan.

�Add the curd as well and cook for 2-

3 minutes and sprinkle salt.

�Add freshly grated coconut and im-

mediately remove from fire.

�Garnish with fresh coriander leaves

and serve hot. G T

Raw Banana Curry

Sirat Kaur Gill

AIS Saket, X C

I was born in the jungle...

I know it as you know

the lanes in your city.

I have seen it come alive

when the heavens above shower it,

I have seen it morose when the sun blazes on,

I have seen it blossom beautifully in the

winters,

I know the biggest and the tiniest creature

in this nature’s machine,

I know their role as you would know

the nuts and bolts and levers of an engine.

I am as much a part of the jungle,

as the jungle is a part of me.

It defines me, it sustains me, gives me identity.

The generous river, the tiny rivulet, the lake-

they are the lifeline of the jungle and

hence me.

The jungle is my temple, the plants and the

creatures are my deities.

You would offer sacrifices and fast for your

Gods – so that they protect you.

I, on the other hand, protect my God from

indiscriminate use

so that they, in turn, help me flourish.

Are you a farmer?

Would you raze down all your crop?

Are you an industrialist?

Would you demolish your factory?

Are you an owner?

Would you destroy your private property?

Then, what made you think that I would

destruct the one thing that keeps me going?

What made you think I am nature’s offender?

I, who of all the things, uphold

the power and sanctity of the nature,

condemned to be a slayer of the same?

Look around you… what do you see?

A wooden desk, is it?

Where do you think it came from?

White paper to write down your knowledge

An ethnically designed living room

with handcrafted pillow covers

And what is it that you have in the corner?

The Big Striped Cat ..stuffed...

to speak of your escapades?

Big SUVs to commute and ever vertically

bound huge buildings with metal frames to

stay in

The oh-so-enticing street, full with shops,

selling myriad things, calling upon you

to buy them...

Exotic jewellery, art with

half nude men and women...

intellectual magazines which

speak for me and my likes...

Books which glorify the nature..

tours in nature’s bounty...

wildlife photography which

leaves you wonder struck..

...continued on pg 9

Vijaya G

Teacher, AIS Noida

1.Which Hindu God is associated

with the Andamans?

2. What was the name given to

Nicobar islands by the Cholas?

3. What is the cap worn by local

policemen in Puducherry called?

4. People in Puducherry, keeping

with the tradition of their French

antecedents, still celebrate this day

on 14th July every year.

5.Why is the year 1954 significant

for Puducherry?

6. This special International festi-

val celebrated in Puducherry in the

month of January attracts hordes of

visitors each year .

7. Which Indian renamed the An-

daman and Nicobar Islands as

‘Shaheed Dweep’?

8.In this famous dance

of Puducherry, performers disguise

as vaanars to celebrate the victory

of Lord Rama over Ravana, and

dance to the beat of two drums.

9. Which island is home to India’s

only active volcano?

10. What are streets in Puducherry

called?

Answers

1.Handuman, the Malay

equivalent for Hanuman

2.‘Nakkavaram’ or ‘naked

man’ or ‘land of the naked’

3.Red kepi

4.The Bastille Day

5.It was the year Pondicherry

was returned to the Indian

Union, when the French re-

linquished control

6.The International Yoga

festival

7.Netaji Subash Chandra

Bose.

8.Gardi dance

9.Barren Island

10.They are called ‘Rue’ due

to the French connection.G T

Know Nicobar

POEM

Born in theJungle

Apoorva Bansal, AIS Saket, X C & Siddhant

Nair, AIS Mayur Vihar, X A

Andamans are home to many extraordinary

species of animals, which are slowly inch-

ing their way to the endangered list. It is

well known for prized shellfishes, exotic species of

butterflies and moths.

Palm thief: Imagine relaxing on a serene beach in

the Andamans, sipping coconut water until… you

see a huge crab climbing a tree near you. Yes, the

coconut crab is a common feature here. These

colossal creatures are the largest living arthropods

of the world. They are also called palm thieves or

robber crabs due to their ability to climb huge palm

and coconut trees and crack open coconuts with

their pincers. The creatures dwell in crevices within

rocks, burrows made in sand, coral rock and porous

limestone substrata along coastlines. The soft white

meat of the coconut forms the main part of the

crab’s diet besides fruits and leaves. Considered a

delicacy, Southeast Asian people and Pacific Is-

landers enjoy consuming the coconut crab. Coconut

crab’s eggs are considered the most valued. This

crustacean can be boiled or steamed and is used in

various recipes, distinctively used in coconut milk.

It has become an endangered species due to its in-

creasing consumption in the island.

Floating elephant: They were once a common

phenomena in the Andaman. But today, floating

elephants such as 60 yr old ‘Rajan’, a giant elephant

weighing 5 tons, is the last of its kind. He swims

for 10 minutes twice a day under a pursuer. He

overcomes a distance of 500 yards in that given

time period, before he returns to the shore again.

Narcodam Hornbill & Nicobar Mega-pod: This

rare hornbill is found at only one place in the world,

Narcodam, in the Andamans. The Nicobar Mega-

pod, a wingless bird, is found in the Tillachang

Sanctuary in the Andaman. Both these birds and the

fragile ecology of the Andaman are now facing a

direct threat from proposals floated by the coast

guard and Indian Navy.

The Navy wants to construct a structure for test fir-

ing a dummy missile in the Tillachang Sanctuary

and the Coast Guard wants to construct a diesel

power station as well as a road by chopping the

dense forests of Narcodam. Both these moves, if

implemented, will have a serious impact on the en-

dangered species.G T

Where elephants float…Unique are the ways of Andaman, even

more unique is its animal kingdom

Tribal art by AIS Saket

The majority of local inhabitants of Pondicherry conversein Dravidian languages of Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.French is spoken mostly by educated elites.

Tishya Roy Choudhury, AIS Vasundhara-6

Tribal mask by AIS Saket

Pic courtesy: AIS Saket

The Sentinelese weaponry consists of javelins and aflat bow, which has an extremely high accuracy againsthuman-sized targets up to nearly 10 meters (32.8 feet).

Sanjana Chopra, AIS Saket, X C9Mosaic Junior


Pratha Bhatt, AIS Vasundhara 1, VIII A

IngredientsKhoya ....................................................................................225 gms

Coconut (dry & ground)........................................................225 gms

Cardamom seeds (ground) ..........................................................1 tsp

Ghee ..........................................................................................1 tbsp

Sugar......................................................................................1/2 cups

Water ........................................................................................2 cups

Almonds (grated) ....................................................................1/2 tsp

Pistachios (grated) ....................................................................1/2 tsp

Method�Mix khoya and coconut and fry them lightly in ghee on low heat.

�Add cardamom and mix well.

�Prepare one-string syrup by dissolving sugar in the water.

�Now stir the coconut mixture into the syrup.

�Grease the plate and spread the grated nuts on it.

�Spread the prepared mixture evenly and allow it to cool.

�Now with the knife, cut it into desired shapes.

�Turn them over so that the nuts covered part appears on the top.

�Nariyal ki burfi is ready to be served! G T

Anjali Singh, AIS Vas 1, VIII A

Once there was a poor boy

named Anchit. He was very

kind hearted. He lived in a

small hut near a thick forest with his

parents. One day, when Anchit was

going towards the forest to cut down

logs he saw a bag full of gold coins

and he thought that he should go

back to the hut and tell his parents

about it. After his parents saw the

bag, they decided to help other vil-

lagers too, but they had no clue that

the the bag was magical. When it

was opened, a genie suddenly came

out of it.

The genie looked at Anchit’s father

and said, “I will grant you three

wishes.” The father asked “I want

every villager to have a job so that

they can earn.” Mother added the

second wish, “Peace should prevail

here and everyone should be

happy!” The genie smiled and asked

Anchit to make the last wish. Anchit

thought for a while and said, “Genie,

I want all the children in the village

to have enough books to study. And

please give them a good and caring

teacher. ” Suddenly, a book appeared

in Anchit’s hand and a few children

surrounded him. The genie said,

“You are their teacher from now on,

wise one!” G T

So what did you learn today?

We should share our happiness

with the less privileged.

Painting Corner

My name: Bhoomika Sharma

My School: AIS Gur 46

My hobby: Swimming

My favourite sport: Badminton

My favourite food: Chhole BhaturaMy favourite sweet: RasmalaiMy favourite bird: Parrot

My favourite animal : Puppy

My favourite movie: Bol BachchanMy favourite fruit: Mango

My favourite vegetable : Carrot

My favourite country: Paris

My favourite mall: Ambience Mall

My best friends: Sara and TanyaG T

Deeksha Singh

AIS Vasundhara 6, IV C

It’s Me

Vaasvi Sharma, aged ten,

is the rainbow child of

AIS Noida. From debating to

sports, Arithmetic to Science

and even Arts, the little one is

multi-talented and has a stunning

collection of awards and certificates.

Her list of achievements in the year

2011-2012 include- winning first po-

sition in English story narration,

hockey relay race (inter

house competitions) and

inter school competitions.

The little one has won a

prize in Hindi hasya kavitasammelan and was also awarded for

the best speaker in a Hindi debate.

Vaasvi has clinched four medals in

National Karate tournaments too.

“I have worked hard for each com-petition. I am happy that my parents

feel proud of me,” says Vaasvi. G T

Wisdom Tale

The tale of themagical bag

If there are ten cats in a boat and

one jumps out, how many are left?

None, they were all copycats!

☺ ☺ ☺Father: Do you like going to school?

Son: The going part is good, as is the

coming home bit too, but I don’t like

the in-between time too much!

☺ ☺ ☺Teacher: Class, we will have only

half a day of school this morning.

Class: Hurray!

Teacher: The other half is this

afternoon! G T

Rainbow kidRainbow kid

Illustration: Deepak Sharma

Vaasvi displaying her prizes and

certificates

Look. Observe. Think.

What fuels this lifestyle?

Where do things come from?

Certainly not out of thin air? (you wish)

They come from the ever bountiful jungle...

from my home to your home...

However the jungle doesn’t mind...but then

you want more...and more....ceaselessly...

You take as much as you want ...

ignorant (or is it feigned?) of the consequences.

Why is it then that I am being labeled as the one

‘responsible’ for degeneration of the jungle?

Alas the balance is disturbed...

You wake up. You decide.

Protect. Conserve. Preserve.

I couldn’t agree with you more

The jungle and its beings need to be saved.

Question is, from whom?

I won’t blame you...I would blame

the ideas which are destructive...

Ideas which are more powerful

than men themselves...

which compel you to think in a certain way...

Even you are but a peg in the larger structure...

but you have the capacity to change...

You can change things if you want...

one small step at a time would also do.

But then you blame me.

I am the one from whom

the jungle needs to be shielded –

the place I call my home

and creatures with whom I co-existed

even before you could say ‘development’.

Zones must be created

which are inviolate...no humans

Human includes you and me as well..

yes I am a human...just like you...

The similarity ends with the homogenous term

I am vastly different from you.

My lifestyle is not destructive...

though you have made it out to be so

It’s not a question of me versus the jungle.

Though you have made it out to be so

I was never apart from the jungle...

though you have distanced me from it...

For you it is something ‘out there’

that needs to be protected...

For me, it is my very existence that is at stake.

You then talk in a language

that I don’t understand...

You speak of ‘rehabilitate’ and ‘relocate’...

You then justify it by saying ‘scientific’,

‘sacrifice’ for the ‘good of the nation’...

What science I enquire, as told by whom?

You simply answer science, modern science

What happened to my traditional science?

You reply ‘backward’...

Why am I the scapegoat, I question?

You answer ‘somebody’

Whose nation I ask?

You say ‘ours’...

Ours. That includes me as well, doesn’t it?

Then how come I was never consulted?

Why am I being alienated from my Universe?

Why am I being deprived of

my only means of survival?

Why am I being sucked into your cities

and made to live on streets and pavements?

Why am I being denied

to decide my own course?

I am being pushed to the brink.

My back is to the wall

I prefer to die fighting than die in apathy

I am doomed either ways. G T

POEM Continued from p8

Hitesh Kumar, II D,

AIS Gur 43

in a tribal attire

Newsletter

THE GLOBAL TIMES |MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

10 Junior Jottings

To know more about Amiown, follow us or post your messages on our Facebook page @ ‘Amiown - The Caring School’

Thechildren learn through all their

senses and this exploration starts

at birth itself. Amitots under-

stand the learning through sensorial ex-

periences of a child.:

Pink Cubes:were used to make a tower

to visually distinguish between sizes.

Sound Bottles: created enthusiasm

among the toddlers whilst they discrim-

inated between loud and soft sounds.

Texture: was felt through varied mate-

rials such as vegetable, paper, cloth,

leaf, touch-and-feel books.

Walking and Jumping: on bubble

sheets and soft mats was done to differ-

entiate between the feel of both.

Play and Emote: The Sand Play table

dealt with tactile exploration.

Feel and Know: the temperature of

water kept in two different glasses to

tell apart hot from cold.

The sensory play activities contributed

to the brain development of the toddlers

at Amitots.G T

Math is everywhere!

Keeping the im-

portance of the

same in mind, a workshop ti-

tled ‘Developing Mathemati-

cal minds in early years’ was

conducted by ACERT at

Pushp Vihar for the Amies

and their parents. The usage

of math in everyday life was

explained and the acceptance

to the subject was increased.

To enhance the logical-math-

ematical intelligence in little

children, the art of helping

them to make connections be-

tween math used in daily life

and that of math taught at

schools, was discussed.

Though, at a very early age,

the young minds may not be

able to do calculations but the

relationship that they make

by interacting in their own

environment, lays a solid

foundation that eventually

leads to better absorption of

mathematical concepts.

The workshop focused on

problem-solving skills, logi-

cal & analytical reasoning,

estimation & precision and

number skills. The pre-math-

ematical skills like one-to-

one correspondence, sets &

sorting, patterns & number

skills, which develop interest

and aptitude in children were

discussed in detail.

Games and activities were

suggested to the parents that

build the logical-mathemati-

cal skills in children and

adds to the rich arithmetical

experiences in their early

childhood days.G T

Sense yourSENSES!

Pushp Vihar

To celebrate the role of the com-

munity helpers in every society,

a class presentation titled,

‘Everyone is aWorker’, was planned for

the Amies. Each class displayed the art

work made by the children on different

community helpers assigned to them. In

this class presentation, varied activities,

dramatizations, tools & equipments, dis-

cussions, pictures and videos were used

to impart knowledge about the commu-

nity helpers.

An introduction of helpers like doctor,

electrician, plumber, carpenter, dentist,

vet, astronaut, chef and beautician was

imparted to the kids. The children had

come with their parents dressed up like

professionals, who they wanted to emu-

late in their class presentation. The exu-

berant little ones arrived with confidence

and talked about their chosen careers.

The kids also spoke about their chosen

jobs and explained what tools are used

by the professionals they enacted. The

involvement of the parents was also

highly commendable.

The little ones were taken to a potter

and to a cobbler by their parents. They

spent considerable time with them. The

children in the midst of their learning,

got a tattoo done by a beautician. The

vet, dentist and pediatrician educated

the kids on healthy living, whereas the

gardener introduced them to a variety

of plants from the garden. In the class

presentation the favourite tour of the

kids was to a bakery with its scrump-

tious treats like doughnuts, fruit cakes,

muffins, pizzas, burgers, etc. which

were made by the kids using paper

plates and clay.

The highlight of class presentations was

the Helpers’ Parade. At periodic inter-

vals, the parents and the children were

called to join the parade that was taken

on a school round to the beat of a drum;

the chain was welcomingly cheered by

an eager audience.

This class presentation left the kids im-

mensely happy and excited with a bun-

dle of knowledge that the Amies had

achieved, all through fun and play.G T

LittleAmies learn through creative fun and play about the important

roles that various community helpers play in a society

Work for a Cause�

�

�

� �

� �

Sum-Up

�Actor: Adhiraj Chauhan

Enacted: Construction worker

Says: I am a construction worker. Here

you can see me working hard and

building Amiown School for my

friends.

�Actor: Samaya Chauhan

Enacted: Dr (Mrs) Amita Chauhan

Says: I am Amita Chauhan. I have

contributed to my society by creating

a chain of schools. My mission is

uplifting the less privileged girl child

by opening up ‘Amitasha’.

�Actor: Samara Chauhan

Enacted: Ms Sapna Chauhan

Says: I am Sapna Chauhan. My dream

of nurturing young caterpillars into

colourful butterflies has come alive in

the form of Amiown.

�Actor: Sanjana Chauhan

Enacted: Baker man

Says: Pat a cake, Bake me a cake. As

fast you can. This is what our friends

tell us, when they see us.

�Actor: Arya

Enacted: Gardener

Says: I am a cute gardener. Do you

know that plants need water to grow?

�Actor:Yuvansh

Enacted: Coolie

Says: I am coolie no.1.

�Actor: Uday Singh

Enacted: Army officer (Major)

Says: I am Major Uday Singh, an

Army officer. I serve my country with

full enthusiasm and pride. Jai Hind!

Parents attend the Math workshop

Amies learning the different feels

Teaching ChallengesIdentifying and teaching chil-

dren with learning disabilities

is the biggest challenge the

teachers confront today. The

first step in this direction is to

have a holistic understanding

of the concept of learning diffi-

culties. Some of the areas that

need a thorough understanding

include:

� Where learning happens i.e

the brain and its functions

� How learning takes place i.e

the processes involved in learn-

ing from input to output

� Why learning is difficult for

these children ie the reason be-

hind why some children strug-

gle in the process of learning

and understanding their features

� How to manage children

with learning difficulties in the

classroom ie the strategies to

support students

Certificate Course

Teaching children with learning

disabilities, by empowering

them with the right knowledge,

skills and strategies, Amity

Centre for Educational

Research and Training

(ACERT) is conducting a three

month course about to

commence at Amiown Pushp

Vihar Centre from October.

Course Title:

Certificate for Management of

Children with Learning

Difficulties

Course Objectives:

� Understand the needs of

children with learning difficul-

ties in classroom

� Understand how learning

occurs, where learning happens

and why learning is different.

� Identify the learning disabil-

ity, the causes and its manifesta-

tion in the child

� Identify children with learn-

ing difficulties in the classes

� Develop skills and strategies

for management of children

with learning difficulties

Eligibility: Teachers with mini-

mum two years of experience

Duration: 4 months, twice a

week for two hours (Tuesday

and Thursday)

Time: 2:30pm to 4:30pm

Contact Details

88-266-98199, 9811032656 G T

EmpoweringEducatorsAmity Centre for Educational Research and Training empowers teachers to

address children with learning disabilities with its special course on

Certificate for Management of Children with Learning Difficulties. Read on...

Registration Open

11School Lounge Celebrating Culture


As much as Puducherry is known for its beaches,shopping centres and eating outlets, this place is alsoknown for its magnificent Franco-Tamil architecture.

Dipanshi Bansal, AIS Vasundhara 6, VIII D

Reel in as all branches of Amity International Schools celebrated the rich and diverse culture that

the Union Territories - Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry are well known for

Heritage CallingAIS Mayur Vihar

Aruja Gangwani & Ayushi Jain

AIS Mayur Vihar, X D

At Amity ‘Modernity blends with

tradition’. Keeping this motto in

mind AIS MV organized an exhibition

on the land of beaches and shells- An-

daman & Nicobar islands and India’s lit-

tle France, Puducherry, the two Union

Territories of India on August 17 & 18.

An array of activities depicting the cul-

ture, cuisine, festivals, costumes, dances

and handicrafts of the states were con-

ducted. Students got a glimpse of the

Parisian ambience and tropical humidity

of Puducherry through a mesmerizing

musical performance. An educative

power point presentation provided

ample information on the rich heritage

of the Indian archipelago.

Traditional masks, pen holders, vases,

jewellery crafted by students were out

on display. However, the highlight of the

display, were the mouth watering local

delicacies. The two day colourful exhi-

bition got an overwhelming response

from the students as well as parents.

AIS Vasundhara 6

On August 8, 2012, AIS Vas 6 organ-

ised Heritage Exhibition showcas-

ing the scenic beauty, handicrafts and

cultural heritage of Puducherry and An-

daman & Nicobar Islands.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the

Chief Guest, Shri Suresh Bansal, MLA,

accompanied by Dr. Mrs. Amita

Chauhan, Chairperson Amity Group of

Schools who appreciated the efforts of

the young ones.

Life size sculpture of Mahakala Temple

and Jarawa tribes were on display at the

exhibition. Beautifully prepared Col-

lages, paintings, shell-work artifacts,

handmade bags, etc were displayed by

the students.

AIS Vasundhara 1

In an attempt to familiarize the parents

about the heritage day celebrations on

Puducherry and Andaman & Nicobar Is-

lands, AIS Vasundhara 1 organised an

exhibition on August 18 in the school

premises during the Parents Teacher

Meeting. The exhibition showcased the

paintings, handicrafts and artwork of the

two states. All the exhibited items

crafted by the students depicted the cre-

ativity of their nimble fingers.

During the exhibition the students ex-

plained the parents about the govern-

ment, festivals, tourism, culture and

various facets of the two Union Territo-

ries. While the parents got a detailed in-

sight of the rich heritage of Puducherry

and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, they

also got to enjoy the authentic cuisine.

During the exhibition some students at-

tired in local costumes of the states pre-

sented the traditional tribal dance forms

of the islands.

Special assemblies were also conducted

on various dates by the students of

classes Nursery to X to mark the grand

heritage celebrations. G T

AIS Noida

Carrying forward the message of

Dr (Mrs) Amita Chauhan,

Chairperson Amity Group of

Schools that all Amitians must be well

versed and appreciative of the diverse

culture and customs of different places

of India, AIS Noida celebrated the her-

itage of Puducherry and Andaman &

Nicobar Islands.

The students enthusiastically indulged

in designing typical handicrafts of the

two places such as jewellery boxes and

stuffed tortoise (class I), masks of

peanut shells, bookmarks of dry flow-

ers (class II), flower pots of ice cream

sticks (class III) and designer bottles,

organic lotus, palm leaf painting, photo

frames (classes IV & V) etc.

In a special educative assembly, the pri-

mary wing showcased the famous ‘Kite

Festival’ and ‘The Masquerade’ to mark

the celebrations. G T

Crafting glory

SpecialAssembly

AIS Saket

Amity International School Saket

celebrated the rich heritage of

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

and Puducherry on 31 July 2012. Various

competitions like Inter house quiz com-

petition and inter house food arrange-

ment competition were organised to

mark the celebrations. Students of

classes V-VIII participated in the quiz

competition which comprised questions

on various aspects and less known facts

of the Union territories.

While the quiz competition garnered

great likes from all, the inter house food

arrangement competition became the

highlight of the day.

The competition saw the teams from

classes IX-XI dishing out authentic

recipes and cuisine of the states. Prinic-

ipal Dr Rekha Rannade interacted with

the children and discussed the recipes in

detail. She also tasted the food and ap-

preciated the flavours and presentation

skills. The judges too were equally im-

pressed with the authenticity and pres-

entation skills. They could not resist a

second helping.

Apart from the competitions an exclu-

sive art exhibition was put up by the art

department wherein paintings, collages,

patch works, paper macheworks, handi-

crafts- masks, bead strings, and clay

models were displayed. G T

Food for heritage

Sonali Batra, Teacher, AIS PV

Andaman & Nicobar Islands and

French Riviera of the East-

Puducherry came alive in its

full glory during the heritage celebra-

tions at AIS Pushp Vihar. The celebra-

tion was kick started by setting up

colourful and informative boards on

them in April, May and July.

With an aim to apprise the students

about the various facts and facets of the

two states, ten minutes of each assembly

were exclusively dedicated to the her-

itage state presentation.

Famous folktales of Puducherry were

narrated to the primary students, helping

them understand the fusion of French

and Tamil culture in an easy manner.

Videos depicting the tribal life of

Jarawas and other tribes of Andaman Is-

lands were aired for the primary wing.

All classes from KG to XII maintained

special heritage class boards showcasing

the social life, music, language, art,

paintings, tourist spots etc of the respec-

tive UTs. Regular handouts and work-

sheets pertaining to the theme were

given to the children and they were also

assessed on the same.

The children had a great learning expe-

rience and the heritage celebration of

both the Union territories was done with

fervour and interest. G T

AIS Lucknow

AIS Lucknow celebrated the

spirit of Andaman Nicobar Is-

lands & Puducherry through a

host of activities. A special assembly

was conducted by classes VI to VIII on

July 23, 2012. The program started with

an introduction of the historical and po-

litical importance of Andaman & Nico-

bar Islands and Puducherry. As a part of

the celebrations, students presented a

graceful dance highlighting the cultural

aspects of Puducherry. They also pre-

sented a skit showcasing the French in-

fluence on the culture and architecture

of Puducherry. A heart touching skit de-

picting the atrocities of the Britishers on

the imprisoned freedom fighters at KalaPaani, the cellular jail was presented

next. A foot tapping tribal dance by the

boys had the audience spell bound and

grooving. The program ended with a quiz

based on the heritage of Andaman &

Nicobar Islands and Puducherry.G T

AIS Gurgaon 43

In keeping with the idea of re-

specting and celebrating the di-

versity of states and cultures in

India, children of classes I to V of AIS

Gurgaon 43 celebrated the unique tra-

ditions, arts and crafts of the tiny

Union Territory Puducherry on Au-

gust 8, 2012. Dressed in traditional at-

tire, they performed a lovely Ghatam

dance to the beat of rhythmic music.

Garlands and fresh plantain leaves

were used as backdrop to depict the

land of Shri Aurobindo Ashram in

Auroville, sea beaches and the famous

Matri Mandir. Coloured hand woven

mats were on display; accompanied

by authentic mouth watering delica-

cies of the region. G T

Exhibit in union

Activities galore

AIS Gurgaon 46

Aspecial assembly was organ-

ised by AIS Gur 46 in the

school premises where stu-

dents of various classes presented the

traditional ragas, songs and folk

dances of the Union territories. The

mellifluous tunes and the dance steps

had the audience riveted. The celebra-

tions continued as students of class III-

V indulged in mask making activities

and prepared scrap books, collages and

brochures showcasing the diverse art

and craft, places of interest and culture

of the two places. G T

Treasure trove

On a culturalsojourn

Sculptures

of tribes at

AIS Vas 6

Land of beaches and shells

Andaman at display at AIS Vas 1

Little Chefs

of AIS Saket

Heritage celebrations at AIS Noida

Heritage display

boards at AIS PV

Tribal dance performances at

AIS Lucknow

AIS Pushp Vihar

In search of trade, the Portuguese, French and Dutchcame to Puducherry through sea routes. Puducherrywas a very lush part of the Indian continent.

Shashwat, AIS Vasundhara 6, IX A

GT Travels to Assam

Bag PackTHE GLOBAL TIMES | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Variety12

The cat isout of bag

A scintillating soir

Like any Sunday afternoon, I was

sitting on the couch, watching

TV and munching popcorns and

out of the blue, my dad announced, “We

are going to meet Vikram Seth”. I could-

n’t believe my ears, I mean who would?

My excitement knew no bounds. With

butterflies in my stomach, I literally

started jumping on the couch like crazy.

From then on till the big day, I started to

picture how meeting a wordsmith like

him would actually feel. After a long

wait, the day arrived and I got ready to

meet the author of the monumental love

story ‘The Suitable Boy’.

Dressed in a simple sweatshirt and black

pants, he looked like any other ordinary

person next door. With many interna-

tional bestsellers to his credit and a huge

list of awards and accolades to boast of,

Vikram was indeed a picture of humility

and simplicity.

When asked how he manages to keep his

readers focused and engaged, he replied,

“I look around, I observe.” And his ob-

servation skills came to fore while auto-

graphing a copy of ‘The Suitable Boy’

for me. He was sharp enough to notice

that names of all my family members

had six alphabets. Something I don’t

think many of us would have ever taken

note of! The man’s a genius and there’s

a good reason to believe that he inher-

ited his genius from his mother, Leila

Seth, the first female Chief Justice of Hi-

machal Pradesh. Though short, the meet-

ing was very fruitful. These kinds of

opportunities come once in a lifetime

and I am glad I grabbed it! G T

Secret gift

� Thomas Cook Travel Book Award � Commonwealth Writer’s Prize � Padmashree� WH Smith literary Award� Crossword Book Award� Pravasi Bhartiya Samman � EMMA for best book � Irish Times International Fiction Prize

BOOK REVIEW

A dream meeting with novelistVikram Seth was like a Godsent opportunity for Mahima Ramnani, X B, AISMayur Vihar. Join in as sheshares the precious momentsspent in the company of theliterary genius.

Navya Khanduja

AIS Saket, VIII C

Sometimes I look in a mirrorand there’s nobody lookingback. I know I have a reflec-

tion. Or maybe it’s something else…

It’s not all easy to describe this amaz-

ing supernatural thriller in a few lines,

there’s so much to say. But once you

start reading it, you won’t be able to

keep the book down. ‘Gifted-Out of

sight, Out of mind is here to give you

sleepless nights, and tempt you to read.

The mesmerizing story revolves

around Queen of Mean Amanda Bee-

son, the most popular girl in Meadow-

brook Middle School. All of a sudden,

she begins to have strange experiences.

The meanest girl suddenly starts to feel

sorry for people. And one fine morn-

ing, she gets the shock of her life when

she finds herself in the body of one of

her victims, Tracey Devon, the ugliest

girl in school! Nightmare!

She slowly starts getting accustomed

to being Tracey and learns about her

secret life. Ignored at home and school,

Tracy had the ability to become invis-

ible. When Amanda finds herself in a

special class that Tracy attends, the

definition of “gifted” acquires a whole

new meaning.

Read on to know if Amanda is suc-

cessful in her mission to rescue Tracy

from gloom and get her life back on

track. Well, we are surely keeping

some secrets, so grab your copy. G T

Got some clicks with GT while on the go? Get them featured!Send them to us at [email protected]

Title: Gifted: Out of sight,

Out of Mind

Author: Marilyn Kaye

Genre: Fiction/Thriller

Publisher: Kingfisher

Recommeded age: 14-17 Years

Rating: ��

One strap over the shoulder, other hanging loosely by your side, a bottle in the

side pocket and a brand logo on the back. That’s the definition of a cool bag!

Ambika Mathur & Sanjana Garg

XI, AIS Noida

Akshat Jain, 5, is all excited about

his new Ben 10 bag. Next on his

wish list is having an Angry Birds

bag. From tiny tots to high schoolers, these

days it is not very difficult to find a student

sporting a Nike, Adidas or Reebok bag! Now

it doesn’t matter if your bag carries books or

not, rather the most important commodity is

the bag itself!

If it’s a must for a girl in junior school to

have a customized Barbie rucksack, then it

is quintessential for boys to have their

favourite cartoon character strapped on their

shoulders.

However, for some, it is all about having the most

vividly coloured and dazzling school bag to flaunt.

Going to school would not have been so much fun

without a new Ben 10 bag or a Dora stroller for this

young brigade!

High schoolers are no different. A majority of them

settle for nothing less than a Nike, Adidas or Puma.

Convenience has given way to looks, design and

brand. You are not considered cool enough among

your peers if you don’t possess one. So these days,

markets are flooded with bags of all makes & style.

Cashing on this latest fad or fascination of the chil-

dren are bag manufactures, they have a complete

range of Disney themes,Hannah Montana, ChhotaBheem, Dora and Angry Birds loaded in the shops to

lure the little ones and parents alike.

“I love Angry Birds and I have made up my mind

to buy a bag, a bottle, stickers and stationery items

that have Angry Birds on them. Angry Birds is a big

draw this year as Disney characters make a despair

bid to hold out as old favourites,” says Aman Jain,

a student of class IV, AIS Noida.

“Brands like Disney, Battle Force 5 and Dora that

have flooded the markets have spoilt the kids com-

pletely. I find it difficult to say no to my son and

have to give in to his pleas. But going to school was

not so much fun in our days as it is now”, says

Amity parent, Rakhi Budhwar.

Although the fad for bags has taken everyone by

storm, it’s here to stay! So rush to the market to grab

your favourite one to make a fashion statement.G T

Model: Akshat Jain

AIS Noida KG G

Dishita Jallan, AIS Noida, II M, dances to the music of The Global Times in Assam, as the Assamese folk dancers

merrily perform the Bihu dance to celebrate the Bihu festival (harvest festival).G T

Awards and accomplishments

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