IMPRESSIONS & EXPRESSIONS

• MY ENCOUNTER WITH JOY OF GIVING
  Sometimes I wonder if there is anything that can bring the whole nation together. I found the answer on one such occasion and I was lucky to have been a part of ‘The Joy of Giving Week’ (JGK). It was an occasion when everyone could give according to their wish. The movement was from September 2009 to 3 October 2009 also including Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday. The donor had to define the nature of giving whether it was one time skill, resource or money. I was very excited to be a part of it. At the same time I wondered that there, must be many people, who doubt if their little donation would help others. But we should not run away from small actions just because we are ill-equipped to do big things. We should remember that every drop counts. I made by donating clothes and money. I sincerely like to thank the mastermind behind this idea Mr. Venkat Krishnan, an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad who decided that all he wanted to do in his life was to promote the practice of giving. I would like others to promote the practice of giving because “Giving is not giving until it hurts.” Let your heart discover and enjoy the joy of giving.
  

  Meghna Sharma

  
  

  MY THOUGHTS
  My teacher told me to write an article,
  Which made me absolutely vertical.
  Should I write poetry or a prose ?
  Or bibliography of a rose ?
  Should I write something funny
  Or simple information on honey,
  At first it made me mad.
  But suddenly I become glad.
  To know what I had written
  By simply being practical
  Was actually an article.

  Shubhankar P. Kapoor, X E

  MY PARENTS OR GOD
  Yes, I am confused
  To whom am I thankful
  Thinking of the people,
  Who cannot see,
  Who cannot hear,
  Who cannot speak,
  Who are mentally not well,
  Who cannot walk on their own.
  I really thank God, for giving me everything.
  But can I neglect my parents,
  Who brought me into this world,
  Who have given me all the luxuries till now,
  Who have never scolded me for my mistakes,
  Who always forgive me ?
  Who always help and support me,
  I cannot explain my parents’ love and care
  God is not visible, that’s why,
  He has made parents – Just like HIMSELF.

  Aakash Dua, IX D

  NATURE
  The most precious thing,
  Is nature in which birds sing.
  It gives us everything,
  And in return takes nothing,
  Deforestation and pollution
  And for this only few have solution.
  The trees are decreasing,
  And the people are increasing.
  If you want to save your future,
  Then why are you destroying the nature ?
  Save trees, save trees,
  Save the precious water in seas.

  Himanshu Pahwa, VII D

• St. Mark's School, Meera Bagh writes to President Barack Obama

  NO UNIVERSAL DEFINITION OF TERROR Dear Mr. Obama, We are highly obliged to share our views on the widespread impact of TERRORISM. “Terrorism” usually refers to the killing of innocent people by a private group in such a way as to create media spectacle. The whole world has been a victim of terrorism and has suffered in terms of loss of precious human lives and property. As we know, there is no sanctuary or safe heaven anywhere in the world where terrorists cannot infiltrate. Over the last two decades, the terrorists, whatever be their nationality, have proved to the hilt that they can strike at any place at any time however impregnable could be the full proof defense of their target they aim at. Being concerned towards our world, we want it to be free of destruction of terror at any cost. Terrorism has not only affected INDIA but also other parts of the world. Take the recent case of the Mumbai blast, which has brought pain and loss to a degree that can hardly be imagined. Now, we would like you to tell your views on what you think about terrorism in India and in other parts of the world ? Who do you think are the main culprits ? What will you do to solve the problem which has terrorized the minds of the people ? We, personally, feel that the whole world should work together and take out a solution to this problem. Being the new President of US, we think that you will prove to be a responsible President not only for US but also for the entire world. Thank you, Shrishti M. & Harshpreet L. India

  
  
• READING A BEST SELLER
  It all started when Mrs. Geeta Rajan, our class teacher, suggested to us, the idea of having a book reading exercise with a group of students from Cortland City High School, New York, United States. By mid September, we started reading- the globally acclaimed novel ' The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini. In class, we often discussed with our teacher about what we understood from the text as we read the book. The students from Cortland High meanwhile deliberated about the book through blogs. Two students of our class - Kunal Malhotra and Manmohan Singh compiled all our efforts and have created a website under the guidance of our Class teacher, where our feedback about the book is posted. The link to the site is www.webstarts.com/kiterunnersms. It has been an enriching experience for us.
  

  Students of Class XIA

  
  
• E-PALS PROJECT ON GLOBAL WARMING AND ITS EFFECT ON PENGUINS
  We, the students were really happy when we came to know that we have been chosen to form an educational association with students of North Shore Middle School in U.S.A. We have sent the introductory letters about us to them and we have got a good reply. We have become their e-pals. We discussed about our families, culture and the Indian lifestyle. They also told us about their culture and their lifestyle. It was a golden opportunity to gain information about them. Now, we are going to start making presentation on the given topics. We have already sent some slides on the effect of Global Warming on Penguins.
  

  Prateek Bajaj VII F	Rohit R. Banerjee VID
  Pritika Kukrja VII A	AkanshaGoyal VII C

    

• THE WIND
  A strong gush, a whistle and squeaks at regular intervals....
  She extends her hands to the trees.
  Hoping to grab a leaf or two,
  They seem so appealing,
  Their branches trying to reach out to her.
  Instead she catches sight of the birds soaring high in the sky.
  Flapping their wings with all their might.
  To fly against the wind.
  The clouds bring a smile to her face,
  She claps her hands with glee.
  She spots a portrait up in the sky, much like her,
  And throws her head back and laughs.
  She was a picture, nearly five years old,
  Her hair swaying in perfect harmony,
  And her ribbons fluttering in the strong wind,
  Producing a rhythmic pattern.
  A strong gush, a whistle and speaks at regular intervals.
  

  NITIKA BHATIA IXF

  
  

• WAR AND PEACE
  People fight against each other,
  Not realizing enemies
  are their own brothers.
  There are disputes between two nations
  causing a rift in their relations
  Today war has a new definition
  It has become a topic of discussion
  But does this problem have any solution?
  Is this what we call a civilization?
  Or is it under consideration?
  It is impossible to persuade mankind,
  To do something to change their mind?
  Its high time he realizes
  Or it would be too late
  Man has to abolish war
  Or war will abolish him.
     
  AAKANSHA BAJAJ, IXD
  
  
• HOW I HELPED MY FRIEND WHEN SHE GOT INJURED
  It was a hot summer evening. We were playing in the neighbourhood park. Some were on the seesaw and others on the slide. Many children were running around trying to catch each other. There was laughter and giggles all around. Suddenly, my friend Jigyasa fell down and cried in pain. Her leg had a big cut and it was bleeding. I took her to my home which was near by and washed the wound with clean water. Then I cleaned it with Dettol and cotton wool. I applied some antiseptic cream and covered it with cotton pad to keep away the germs. She thanked me and went to her home happily. 
  
                                                                                                                                                    JHANVI MADAN, IID
  
  
• MY FEELINGS ON BECOMING THE VICE-HEAD BOY
  As the names of the Office Bearers being called out, my anxiety level rose with every name. The nervousness and tension was worth it as I was in for a treat. My name was the last one to be called out "Vice Head Boy of St. Mark's - Tarun Gupta". I was so ecstatic, that I ran down the distance amidst all the cheering, clapping and congratulations from my friends. Almost all the happy moments of my life, this was the coolest one!

  Tarun Gupta XI E

• STUDENT TOPS CBSE/ICSE PARIKSHA
  It was a great opportunity for me, Simar Kaur, XIC to have taken the CBSE/ICSE Pariksha. I went there with the motive of finding out how well prepared I was in Social Science as this pariksha is held before the CBSE Board Examinations. I was pleasantly surprised when I was informed that I had topped the exam. It was an awesome experience when I walked up to receive my award from the Education Minister, Mr. Arvinder Singh Lovely, at Shah Auditorium. I also received an I Pod and a woofer system. I take this opportunity to thank my teachers for having guided me throughout.
  

  Simar Kaur

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• THE BEGINNING
  How do schools function outside India? What is the classroom atmosphere like? These were some questions that kept working on my sensibilities. I was really curious and then got a chance to observe the difference firsthand when I was part of the Teacher Exchange Programme to Grums, Sweden. The difference is not very striking because children are the same all over the world . The difference is on account of factors such as the size of the school, the culture and other external forces.
  
  Our school has, of course carved a niche for itself in the home front but I wanted St. Mark's to have a name internationally too. That was when I came  upon www.epals.com through which I met Mr. Magnus Johannson. And the rest, as they say, is history. Both of us worked together for the 'Webba Webzine' and are currently working for 'Grumsmums'. We are now looking forward to our students visiting each other in the near future. And we are sure that it will definitely happen. After all opportunities don't knock door twice and once SMS get an opportunity, it doesn't let it go waste.
  

  Ms. Geeta Rajan