Not Many Takers For Yakshagana

Anika Sharma finds out why this traditional folk art is dying a slow death in Karnataka

It’s an art form combining vigorous dance, glittering costumes and distinct music with a distinct form of style and rhythm. Yakshagana plays are a stylistic blend of Sanskrit shlokas, refined choreography and ancient texts from the epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The result is an ethereal atmosphere on stage.

However, this traditional art form of South India, popularly known as opera in western eyes and Aataa in Kannada and Tulu, is dying a slow death. Considered as a living tradition and originally called Bayalatha, Yakshagana, popular in coastal areas of Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada, is losing its earthly folk character. Youngsters today are unaware of this rare and beautiful art.

According to Srinivas Sansthan, secretary, Karnataka Kala Darshini, Yakshagana is declining in popularity because there’s no awareness among the younger generation. “This art form should become a part of school and college curriculum, and should be properly presented. Youngsters will show appreciation and interest only if they understand the history and origin of Yakshagana,” says Srinivas. Yakshagana should be conducted in accordance with natya shastras and with dialogues and mythological scripts. “There should be discussions and seminars on this art form to attract the young. Children need practical lessons. It’s important to teach them this form of story-telling,” he adds.

However, Ganapathi S Hegde, a painter and photographer who has depicted this art form in his works, says: “For me, Yakshagana is a harmony of dance, acting, facial expressions and singing. I am inspired by it. But, now I feel there is an immense cultural difference and a generation gap. There is a lack of awareness among people, but my aim is to promote Yakshagana through my paintings and pictures,” says Hegde.

Srinivas, who has been running a Yakshagana academy for the last 15 years in Bangalore, says, “Many people, mainly school students and housewives from coastal areas, come for our classes at our institute but for most it remains only a hobby. Only 10-15 persons out of 500 from our academy have taken it up professionally. The government is doing very little to promote this art. It should give recognition to artists, promote Yakshagana the way it’s promoting sports and the tourism sector.’’

He adds, “It should lend us support, monetarily and by felicitating artists with some kind of state awards. The government did give us the platform of Janapada Jatre (a festival of folk arts) and World Tourism Day to showcase our talent, but we need more recognition. It should not only be promoting Yakshagana, but should also promote other folk arts like Teerukoothu, Tamasha, etc,” says Srinivas.

He believes Yakshagana can be used to create awareness about social issues. “The government should provide lowbudget stages in every nook and corner of the city so that artists can entertain and educate people through Yakshagana. We conduct various social awareness programmes on HIV/AIDS, women empowerment, national and communal harmony. The authorities should do something to recognise the artist along with the art form. It should also grant funds for Yakshagana troupes,” he says.

Yakshagana needs revival and maybe promoting children’s Yakshagana troupes can help revive it at the grassroots level.

FOLKLORE:

• It was started in the 11th century during the Vaishnava Bhakti Movement and is popular in Uttara Kannada, Shimoga, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod district of Kerala
• Famous Yakshagana poet adapted the Ramayana to Yakshagana in 1600
• There are two variants of Yakshagana —- badagutittu (a shorter and more modern form) and Tenkutittu (less exuberant costumes and accompanied by a Kerala maddalam)
• Also used in puppetry. There were some 30 string puppet troupes between 1910 and 1915

Karnataka: A state without enough power
10 April 2007, Tuesday

One of the biggest problems in India is the lack of adequate electricity. Karnataka is yet another state which is witnessing electricity woes that are hampering its overall growth. It’s time the government considered alternate energy sources.

KARNATAKA IS DOING much to attract investments, but is there the infrastructure to sustain all investments? One of the biggest problems here is the of lack of adequate electricity. Every now and then you hear of IT giants wanting to move to Hyderabad or even Himachal Pradesh, their prime complaint being lack of power. Power is being misused and stolen; never mind what noises the political bigwigs make.

The State needs 105 Mega Units (MU) per month, but it gets only 80 MU, inclusive of purchases from the Central Power Grid. It is in talks with the Central Government to buy 300 MU for consumption till April. Availability of water in hydel reservoirs has also dropped. The water level in Sharavathy Valley, which is the mainstay of hydel power supply in the State, has also gone down. The demand for electricity this year, has reached to 17,400 MW, resulting in a deficit of about 5500 MW during peak hours. Last year, almost 1100 MW was taken from the Central Government, but it is not possible to ask the Centre every time you have a deficit. Load shedding, therefore, has become inevitable in the State in both rural and urban areas.

Power theft is not something new. It has been around for years, but has been kept well under wraps by all those who line their pockets, cleverly couched in the category of “transmission and distribution losses” along with power leakage.

The farmers suffer the most, load-shedding in rural areas going up to more than six hours a day. Urbanites are slightly luckier, but they have to deal with frequent power cuts too. Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India, but its growth is being curtailed by power shortages. This would have an adverse effect on Karnataka’s economy.

The Union Ministry of Power is planning Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) in seven areas by July 2007. Karwar in Karnataka is one of the areas. It is also taking other initiatives to set up merchant power plants by private developers. But, all this can be successful only if the issue of power theft is tackled effectively by the government. It is unacceptable for a country that aspires to be a superpower to lose some 30 per cent of the electricity it generates, under the head of transmission and distribution losses.

The government should also try and find a methodology to generate more electric units for consumption, like windfarming, alternate energy sources, setting up diesel power generating units and laying a gas grid etc. It will be better to harness wind energy and set up various mini and micro hydro-electric schemes for power generation, rather than focusing purely on conventional means of electricity generation. With the entire world turning away from traditional sources of power, it is about time Karnataka used its vast pool of scientific talent to find new means of satisfying the increasing hunger for power in the state.

Let the Cauvery flow, quietly
13 April 2007, Friday


Karnataka did get a low share in comparison to Tamilnadu after the Cauvery water Tribunal apportioned water between the two states besides Kerala and Pondicherry. The need of the hour right now is to act with discretion.


POLITICIANS WRINGING their hands over the Cauvery Tribunal’s award and the impetuous reactions from various sections of the society in Karnataka have only left the state in the grip of a fear of riots.

The state cabinet decided to appeal against the award it considers unfair, in comparison to what Tamilnadu has been awarded. Kerala and Pondicherry, the other two states that are also downstream beneficiaries of the water from Cauvery may well follow suit.

What will anyone gain from all this posturing except to prolong the agony and stall the progress in finding ways is to optimize the use of this diminishing resource that nature alone can allocate, no matter what mortals decree or wish? The only way to disregard this tribunal is by damning for having done injustice to farmers of the Cauvery River basin.

The Tribunal apportioned 270 tmcft of Cauvery water to Karnataka, while Tamil Nadu got the lion’s share of 470 tmcft. Earlier the Karnataka Government had pressed for its original demand for 465 tmcft of water to meet its irrigation and drinking water needs.

Karnataka needs 408 tmcft for irrigating 2.7 million acres of land, and 46 tmcft for drinking water purposes. What was promised was not delivered. However, the final award has clearly stated that the proportion of water shared between the states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka should be the same, as in a normal year.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi, who welcomed the Tribunal’s award, has asked the Cauvery Management Board to seek clear guidelines on the award. It is a direct slap on the face of Karnataka by the Karunanidhi Government, which clearly wants to show that it means business. When Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy was busy reshuffling his ministry, Karunanidhi was in the national capital, two days prior to the Cauvery verdict.

This is the time for Kumaraswamy to actually learn some real politics from Karunanidhi and maintain silence on this issue. What couldn’t be done for so long cannot be done now?

Attempting to undo what’s done, can only mean hurting the farmers for whom crocodile tears are no substitute to irrigate their field. People do accept the reality and get on with life, instead of destroying public property and wasting productive man-hours on futile ego trips of politics. Discretion is the better for this state and all the states as such.

Musharraf’s 4-point proposal: A durable solution?
11 April 2007, Wednesday

We have witnessed many ups and downs in the efforts of India and Pakistan to settle the issue of Kashmir. A new development in this direction comes from Gen. Musharraf in form of a four-point proposal, but this will only ruin the relations further.

THERE IS something quite revealing about General Musharraf’s four-point proposal for Kashmir. In his interview to a private news channel, General said if India is willing to remove its troops from the highly militarized Himalayan region, Pakistan will give up its claim for Kashmir.

But, this will only ruin and contaminate the relations between both the nations. By making such comments, General Musharraf is inviting trouble for Pakistan on the global arena. And, by relocating the troops from the Himalayan region to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh would offer more room for the Jehadis. It will provide them with easy access not only to Kashmir, but to other parts of India too. It will move the terror bracket close to the much-guarded political capital of India.

Musharraf’s new plan can be described as “unilateral concessions” to India by Pakistan. But, Kashmir has been a much-disputed issue between both the nations for 58 years, and now it is time to show flexibility over this vexed problem. Musharraf’s proposal can be discussed between the two neighbours only if they work together and fight divisive forces. Musharraf seems to be under tremendous pressure from the US, and by offering such peace-making concessions to India, he hopes to settle with a quick judgment on the Kashmir issue.

India and Pakistan have progressed in several areas of the composite dialogue, including the launch of a bus service between the divided parts of Kashmir, the Khokrapar-Munabao rail link, the reopening of consulates, easy visa process and confidence-building measures on nuclear issues. But, this has still not helped in resolving the Kashmir issue.

What could be a better solution? Is the Indian Prime Minister going to bat an eyelid on the Musharraf’s proposal? Can’t say so.

The issue is complicated and it demands a strong peace dialogue between Foreign Ministries of both the countries. General’s proposal for Kashmir is just food for thought, and is only aimed at testing the public reaction. There is nothing concrete, new or substantial in his proposal. It is only to malign the Indian power.

Musharraf’s new proposal is only the repetition of the Katwari Plan that has been in the process of implementation for the last 10 years. The Katwari Plan only aims at “extricating” Kashmir Valley from India. Musharraf was sufficiently ambiguous in his proposal, and wants his domestic audience, especially the restive people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir to react. He wants to show the international community that he has kept his side of the bargain. However, there has to be a negotiation for settlement between both the nations, and the issue should be resolved in a sincere and purposeful manner. And, one can only hope that this time, both India and Pakistan will work together to find a solution.

Media in question?

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN EDUCATING THE UNEDUCATED?

Eunuch in a Delhi home - dancing on the tune of Tabla and Harmonium.

PHOTO BY: Anika Sharma

What role can Media play in educating the families of eunuchs, especially young eunuchs and also how can it educate the society about transgender, transsexuals, eunuchs, kothis and hijras? How many of us know who eunuchs are, and who hijras are?

How much space is given in the newspapers or on Television how many minutes/seconds are allotted to talk or discuss about such sensitive issues. The eunuchs are a part of society, and they too have a life…. then why are they considered different from the mainstream?

They are stereotyped by the society and are figures of rejection. Many of them have been the brunt of crude jokes. What is it that Media is doing in order to educate and inform the parents of such eunuchs? What is it that the Society is doing in accepting eunuchs and helping them in expressing their sexuality or sharing their sexual identity in the normal society?

Let's have a discussion and get this kickin' as future journalists. What are we going to do if someday we have to write on such sensitive issues? How are we going to deal with this section of society?

Anika Sharma

Check the link:

http://wearethebest.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/how-should-media-deal-with-eunuchs-hijras/

WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM ?

Journalism is a profession in which timely distribution of information is integral for public interest. In any country, public enlightenment is the forerunner of democracy and justice. The foremost duty of a journalist is to report facts, seek truth and provide a fair and comprehensive account of issues. Journalists should cover issues that are of human interest and have an element of investigation in it. A journalist’s credibility is always at stake and professional integrity is the cornerstone.

In today’s new and confusing world, media has showcased reality in form of sensationalisation. In journalism, sensationalism is a common complaint and therefore it is required that the journalist should take the responsibility to fix up the factual errors if persist anywhere in the story. Media needs to be bias and friendly. Accuracy is regarded as the core value in maintaining credibility in journalism. Investigative Journalism is a term that is used as an information-gathering exercise. It involves undercover work, which is to covert private detectives, spying and it brings an extra burden on ethical standards.

Investigative Journalism requires covering political corruption, studying social and legal issues, investigating issues concerning the society at large. The reporter analyses the details, submits the report containing immediate news. In this kind of journalism, a lot of scrutiny and fact-finding is done to yield results. Some of the major investigative cases in the history of journalism are The Watergate Scandal, The Booker Prize Case, Natwar Singh, Tehelka Case, Volcker Issue, etc. Even after so many years, Watergate is considered as the perfect example for investigative journalism. It requires critical enquiry and in-depth reporting and research. Investigative journalism has helped in bringing down governments, politicians and has triggered legislation. Journalism can be understood in many different forms in the framework of mass media. Investigative Journalism teaches how to relate itself with the legal system and to carve out a place for ethics in investigations and the influence of new technologies on journalistic practices.

The field of investigative journalism brings to the forefront what interests the society and affects people in particular. It affects human interests and fair governance. This means conducting in depth research, looking at public records, doing extensive interviews and checking and rechecking facts before publication. Investigative reporting is basically ‘fast journalism’ or ‘watchdog reporting’. It reports crimes, malpractices within the legal administrative system, injustice, and stories of human interest like reporting on environment, disease and other unfair practices.

This kind of journalism can instill fear in those who are wrong and can move public opinion. Terrorist activities, drug trafficking, money laundering and so on are brought to the notice of the world by investigative journalism. This journalism is what shapes democracy and protects the lives of the innocent. An investigative journalist is required to work within the confines of ethics written and unwritten, and the laws. It is news with the difference and means reporting the unknown, and the hidden. It is considered as the custodian of public conscience.

(Anika Sharma)

Is your wall plastered?
Posters are howling at the walls in your city, everywhere!!

Walls are plastered with posters all over the city. They tell you who’s coming on a tour next month, who’s won the elections, who’s performing tonight, and where’s the music concert happening. The walls are plastered deep with acres and acres of paper. Posters are ephemeral by nature, and when glanced once, they are plastered over in our memory as they are on the walls. Posters stuck on the campus walls, on government office walls, buses, traffic booths, and traffic signboards, create a very sorrowful picture.
Despite the notices issued by the Bangalore Mahanagar Palike (BMP) in January 2006, posters are still stuck on the walls outside the BMTC office, the Rural Development Building, on traffic signboards on MG road, Brigade road, and Shanti Nagar. The authorities have not taken any stern action against the people who are responsible for not keeping the city clean. Posters are simply howling at the walls. This is a menace to the commuters who travel across acres and acres of paper, and are not able to read the name of the destination they want to go to.
These posters announce nothing more than a cheap furniture advertisement, arrival of some VIP in the area, some kind of an election campaign, a dharna or a protest in the city, or about some fest in some college. “Why is it that we ourselves can’t take an initiative to keep our surroundings clean? Why is it that we need some kind of an authority to take action, or pass a judgement, or make an announcement? We can’t always blame the authority for not making an effort in this direction, it is the soul responsibility of each one of us to abide by the law, and follow the judgement,” said BMP employee (name withheld).
At the Rural Development Office on the Mysore road, it is clearly mentioned “Stick No Bills,” but we can still see so many movie stars filling up the space on the empty walls. Its not only about sticking posters, pamphlets, advertisement copies, ‘missing person’ notices, ‘wanted person’ posters by the police, but it is also about painting and writing the names of your political parties, and religious leaders on the walls.
There was a rule that was passed by the BMP that wall-posters would be restricted only to residential street areas. But, movie posters still reign supreme, because of the publicity by the distributors. With the State Government banning the sticking of wall-posters at public places, educational institutions, and places of worship, including walls of Government Offices, film distributors have found an alternative to this, walls of public-private companies.
The annual revenue generated from advertisement tax by the BMP is meager, and it is incurring heavy losses, said one of the officials at the BMP office. Advertisement posters are erected throughout Bangalore, without the authorization and permission of the BMP. The policy concerning banning of wall-posters is found in the by-laws framed by the City Municipal Corporation, under the city of Bangalore Municipal Corporation Act 1949. These laws were implemented in 1956, and are currently in the process of being amended.
Citizens are not allowed to stick posters in open and public spaces promoting events. According to the Karnataka Open Places (prevention of disfigurement) Act, 1981 (as amended), and notifications there under, sticking of posters on public and private property have been prohibited. Therefore, it is the need of the hour, for the authorities, and as well as the citizens to wake up to a clean Bangalore, and abide by the law.
The policy for sticking bunters or posters is strictly by the permission of the Deputy Director of Advertising, BMP. And, grievances can be forwarded to the grievance cell, or to the Commissioner of the BMP. If posters stuck on the walls by the concerned parties are not removed within the stipulated time, then BMP is liable to fine a penalty of Rs. 1000 against the concerned party. Also, authority is given to the Deputy Zonal Commissioners, Zonal Health Officers, Junior and Senior Health Officers, to remove such posters without giving any prior notice to the party responsible for affixing them.

By:

Anika Sharma

(Bangalore)

Shanti Bhavan

This is one of my very first artcile on Shanti Bhavan.......

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THE GEORGE FOUNDATION: A Beacon Of Hope For Rural India

If there is a God,
It rests in Shanti Bhavan.
If there is a heaven,
It is Shanti Bhavan
…… (Anika)

Students of Shanti Bhavan at the Welcome Ceremony.

COURTESY: IIJNM Photos

God is manifested in all of us, but one of the most magnificent projects run by The George Foundation is the Shanti Bhavan, and the Baldev Medical Hospital. Shanti Bhavan is nothing less than a wonder. It is an educational institution located on the outskirts of Tamil Nadu. Shanti Bhavan is a charity school run by the George Foundation in Balaganapalli, District Deveerapalli. It is approximately 35 kilometers away from the Hosur district. The George Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that is licensed under the Indian Trust Act, and is working for the welfare of the community. The Shanti Bhavan project was started in 1997, almost 9 years ago and it still has its values intact. The foundation is also running a charitable Hospital named Baldev and providing medical and health facilities to almost 16 villages in Tamil Nadu, covering 9 villages in Karnataka and few more villages on the outskirts of Andhra Pradesh.

Lush green trees surround Shanti Bhavan, it has a congenial and a harmonious environment. The school is spread approximately in 30 acres and has all the facilities that a child needs. The school provides education of International standards for the village children. Dr. Abraham M George, who is the founder of TGF, has invested almost everything for the betterment of the society, and to enhance the standard of living of the people who are below the poverty line. Shanti Bhavan is a place that will actually produce the future of India. It is because of the efforts of Dr. George and his magnanimity that Shanti Bhavan has kept together all its morals in place. The school is an amalgamation of principles, moral values and ethics. Children of the less privileged are offered quality education, nutritional food, clothing, stationary and most importantly love and care. Dr. George is a messiah for the downtrodden. He has shown exemplary courage and worked hard to carve out a niche in yeomen service.

The best we can be... mantra of Shanti Bhavan.

COURTESY: IIJNM Photos

It needs a lot of perseverance and determination to bring such projects to reality. The George Foundation is concerned for the dying destitute and serves them relentlessly. Human service is the most beautiful form of worship. The George Foundation is a beacon of hope and light to thousands of people all across the South India. The main motive of this organization is to promote equal values, and to eradicate poverty. It is an example of true love, brotherhood, compassion and humility. Dr. George and his foundation has devoted their life to those poorest of the poor by bringing love and joy to their faces and to those whom the world generally has shunned. Shanti Bhavan has lighted up with its soft glow the life of those children who were in strain and turmoil. No matter what status, station or religion these children belong to, life has its own challenges and TGF is helping them by preparing them to be responsible citizens by inheriting integrity.

The affiliation of the heart, the passion within and our very own nature makes us human. For the students of Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore visiting Shanti Bhavan proved to be a wonderful experience. The earth was smiling in green, and the day brought joy, happiness, love, and a promise of a rich fulfilling day. The George Foundation is dedicated to promote true democratic values and designate humanitarianism. After the trip to Shanti Bhavan, one of the students of IIJNM, remarked “Its indeed an honour. The children are so intelligent and understanding. Welcoming ceremony was the best and these young kids sung beautiful songs. I am moved with the whole concept of Shanti Bhavan, even I wasn’t so disciplined in my school days. After seeing the activities of the school and the project of the banana transplantation carried out by Dr. George, I am amazed. It would be a miraculous opportunity for me if I get to serve those innocent poor children who have to suffer a lot to survive. I want to eradicate those norms that are totally a menace to the society. I am truly overwhelmed by the whole idea and consider myself fortunate enough that I met these kids”.

The George Foundation also has a Tillany Museum for the artists who can display their work and paintings. The organization is also planning to introduce an art and craft programme for the village women so that they can be independent and can earn a living for themselves. Dr. George is contributing a lot for the welfare of the women and has given them authoritative positions in the banana fields and in Shanti Bhavan. This will be a great opportunity and women of the village would be able to support and feed themselves on their own. The foundation is committed to the service of humanity, women empowerment and lays emphasis on the betterment of the economically and socially backward people. The Baldev Medical Hospital and Shanti Bhavan are the two largest projects run by the foundation in India. Shanti Bhavan admits children from 3 and half years to 17 years and is affiliated to the ICSE Board. Shanti Bhavan has a water recycle plant and everyday approximately 60,000 liters of water is recycled. Children like Rahul, Rajesh, Rajni, Khusma are fortunate enough that they have got a home away from home, but a better one. The school has a music room with all the classical and modern instruments like flute, guitar, piano, tabla, etc. It also has an Ethel Caldwell Art Room where students can learn various forms of art from spray-painting, to toy making, colour cycle, etc.

If you want to see God then it is a must to visit Shanti Bhavan. This is the place where heaven meets earth and a bond of love, trust and affection is formed. It has been justifiably stated by one of the thinkers that the fact of life is - “Yesterday is already a dream, and tomorrow only a vision. So work to make every yesterday a dream and tomorrow a vision of hope”.

Written By:
(Anika Sharma)

Mantras Of Success

Success and hard work have always gone hand in hand. To achieve success, one has to have faith and determination to do something in life. To achieve success by individual effort is the greatest achievement. Nobody is a born genius, hardwork pays reward. It is important to maintain a balance between one's beliefs, ideas and the ability to work. The story of success depends upon the potentiality of an individual. To realise one's dreams and then to prosper in life is essential. There has been a tremendous progress made by mankind and it is the result of the constant endeavour of individuals in various walks of life.
Successful people are those who can easily differentiate between what's right and what's wrong. A person who reaches the top of the ladder knows how difficult it is to achieve success by overcoming conditions of stress. One should carve out the correct path and shall only move in the direction of one's dreams. Imagination in achieving success also plays a vital role. Heights of accomplishment are not gained quickly. Achievers are first fired with the imagination which drives their mind and body relentlessly to work hard for the goal. They are human gimlets.
However, every human being is born with a brain and a nervous system of vast potential. But it depends upon how each one of us display our abilities, use our skills and talents. It depends how a genius manipulates the brain to achieve success. An ordinary man can only fritter away in amusement. Hard work combined with persistent efforts and practice can only produce the desired results.
Human beings use all the forces and muster enough courage in order to make a successful assault. Similarly, failures teach us about our weak and strong points. Failures boost up our morale, correct our defects and make us better suited for the job. One should hit one's set targets in order to achieve success. William James says, "The human individual lives far within his limits. He possesses powers which he habitually fails to use". The human mind and body have unlimited reserves of stamina, and these reserves are usually tested in difficult times.
We should learn from our past mistakes and shall consider building a better foundation for a successful tomorrow. By increasing one's efficiency and capacity for work, a person can mark an expedition towards success. Relaxation, working hard and the zest to achieve more are the three mantras of success. The good way to achieve success is by walking on the path of the already successful people. Make them your ideal and your role model in life. Success will certainly come with a commitment to work hard. One has to struggle a lot and has to sacrifice. With time, success will be achieved.
Success is as real as an illusion, a mystery, a secret, but not without its key to the treasure trove. There is not only a single key to dame success. One should keep trying and trying. To seduce success, you should first categorize your priorities, target and objective. It is essential to have a sense of direction and a sense of perception.
Success can greet you only when everything is set in the right direction. It was Napoleon who said, "I can afford to lose days or hours, but not minutes". Time plays a very significant role and time wasted means an opportunity lost. Opportunities do not come again and again. Geniuses are made up of hard work and perseverance. Work is considered as one great law, a force that reckons the world. Patience is also essential for success in any field. It is patience that can turn the world up and down.
The mantras to achieve success are nothing but doing things in the way and manner we feel. Finishing work at hand, organising work and time, and forming the groundwork. Always have faith and determination to lead and rise. Hopes are the gateway to success and one should not give up easily. Success is going to touch your feet if you will muster patience and learn to prioritize all your activities.

Written By:
(Anika Sharma)

Life is precious, So never give up and dream.

Life is a beginning, a beginning with many beautiful dreams. My life is a projection of my own hopes and aspirations. I am a dreamer, i want to dream big and want to realise my dreams turning into positive realities. Life teach us many things and it has its own ups and downs. It is important to be faithful and honest with one's own self. To be successful in life, one has to listen to one's inner voice. For me, life is a continous journey, it is a never ending expedition. A dream that motivates me to move ahead with fortitude and courage and to believe that everything will fall in its place with time. I have always wished God to make me strong and bold so that i can face anything and everything that comes in my way. God is really kind and i feel a special bonding with the supreme. He has always given me whatever i have desired. I am thankful to him for he has always directed me towards the right path in life. He has guided my footsteps and has matched his own steps with mine holding my hand. I am not alone, because i know that the incarnate, supreme being is with me always. We dream in life only to prosper and to grow. And i take my own life as a dream. I wish to create a bond of love, affection, trust and mutual understanding with all my fellow beings. I want to build a world where there will be no hatred and only love will blossom. It is of utmost priority to realise our dreams and to work towards our goals. It is important to light up your life with dreams and to march towards a better tomorrow. Dreams can guide you to walk for life, because life is a dream.
By:

Anika

Quotations

DREAMS

• Dreams are the beginnings. You can create and become what you dream.
• Life is precious, So never give up and dream.
• Imagine the impossible, and reality will follow.
• It is easy to simplify your life. Just focus and go in the direction of your dreams.
• Biggest opportunities in life come from one's dreams.
• Dreams are the possibilities that can make your character.
• Always keep high expectations in life, and your dreams will follow.
• Dreams are eternal and magical. There's a touch of reality in them.
• Remove all obstacles in your path and learn to dream big in life.

COURAGE

• Trust your instincts and have faith in yourself. Rest will follow.
• Every beginning has an end. And every end has a new beginning.
• Accept yourself the way you are, and the world will respect you.
• Never lose your integrity and dignity as an individual. Courage is the foundation of your being.
• Don't feel inferior or small. No one can shrink your personal courage without your consent.
• If you can walk on small pebbles in your path, you can jump mountains too.

(All quotations are written by Anika Sharma)

Love...

WHAT IS LOVE ?

How important is it to love? How important is it to sacrifice your life for someone? Life is an ongoing process with our problems and worries never ending. The very foundation of any relationship or the very existence of humanity is nothing but ‘LOVE’. This is a four letter magical word that can make the whole world spin with its passion.

Love is the beginning of many beautiful dreams, it is a feeling of belonging and togetherness. There is no special day or time to express one’s feelings. With love comes happiness, sorrows, betrayals, mistrust and pain. Every human soul has two faces, one a reflection and another a shadow. Love beautifies everything within, and demands sacrifice. Life is meaningless without the presence of love. Whenever one experiences love, one gets involved with the other person. Everything changes from I and me, it becomes ‘we’ and ‘us’.
From being just a mere feeling, love has acquired a new meaning. With today’s generation being highly practical and realistic, love has taken a back seat. No one uses love with its etymological meaning.

It is a feeling, an emotion that can never die. Nowadays, people have acquired an approach and attitude that ‘I don’t care a damn!’. Is this is what we have been taught by our elders? No! We are forgetting our very own values, we have forgotten that our elders have given us whatever we have and love is what we have inherited.

We are bonded, and rooted by love. Every person is inseparable from the other, and love is entwined with one’s inner self. No one can survive alone in this world and it is a emotion that binds hearts together and unites two souls as one. It is a projection of one’s hopes and desires. Love is an expression that is always bestowed as a gift on someone willingly and without expecting anything in return. We find rest in the arms of the one we love. It is mutual self-giving and a very tender feeling. As we celebrate life, we also celebrate another’s personhood. Truly loving someone means completely giving up all our expectations.
I sometimes wonder what makes two people as one. Of course it’s love. There are no impossibilities in love and it’s the principle existence. Every relationship has a good and bad phase and there are many obstacles and hurdles in one’s path. God has created us and we have created love. He has sowed the seeds of love and we need to nurture it with care and dedication. Just as a coin has two sides in the same way love has two different perspectives associated with it. For some it is a joyful feeling full of happiness and tranquility. And for many, it is a disaster, a feeling of disguise and sadness. Love is a forbidden emotion which gives pain and makes one forlorn. Understanding one another is the sole aim of any relationship on earth. We are connected and linked with our fellow beings, the threads of love binds us together. We should always appreciate, love and care for our parent’s, friends, our neighbours and everyone who crosses our path in life.

Love is the other term for forgiveness. To forgive and forget is to love. There are three very important elements of love and they are- sacrifice, devotion and sincerity. Without sacrifice, one cannot devote oneself for the welfare of the relationship and if one is not sincere, no relationship can be successful.

Love is above society, above self-dignity and above God. It is the amalgamation of one’s feelings, thoughts, desires and hopes. We dream, we hope, we learn and in the same manner we love. It is a lifelong commitment of one’s self with the other.
Let us all commit ourselves for the betterment of our society and build its foundation on love and brotherhood. It is very important and essential for each one of us to love and foster the ties of oneness. We should overcome all obstacles and create a platform where we can easily express our thoughts and concerns. Let us appreciate our talents and subscribe to harness a bond of affection, trust and mutual understanding. We must love and experience this emotion once in life.

Anika

EMPTY WORDS...

EMPTY WORDS

‘Words’ are the strength of the human mind. They help in attaining a momentum for one’s thoughts and emotions. Human being depraves by indulging in empty words. It is an expression of one’s own inner self entwined in the spirit of words. The words that we utter are the reflections of our mind. The greatest guidance that man has is his inner voice. One should understand the power of words and should utter only elevating words.
Words often fail to express one’s desires. It becomes mandatory to listen to the voice of one’s own conscience. Man becomes capable of thinking great thoughts when he is intune with his inner self, and then whatever he utters becomes meaningful. Communion with the inner voice calms the mind and one becomes closer to god. We all have the need to learn from words. The words that we utter can sometimes be turbulent and destructive in nature. We should measure the depthness of our minds and should echo whatever comes from within.
A child is simple and straightforward in behaviour. There is no gift greater than the clean mind. Children have a clean mind, a clean soul. The words that they utter reflect the evanescence of their soul, and are innocent. There words are the purifications of their thoughts.
The power that is stored up in this mind is ‘incalculable’. When the body fails, its power weakens. The same is the case with the mind. When our mind is captured with anger, envy, greed and lust, then it waves into insignificance. As one thinks, So does it achieve. Bad words weakens our soul, Good words strengthens our will. Our mind functions as the spectacles. As is the mind, so is the view of the world. Man can become nearer to the supreme god if one purifies the spectacles of one’s mind. Mind interprets the world as good or bad according to its disposition. There are as many interpretations of the world as there are minds.
True words build man’s character. Truthfulness elevates man to divinity. Words help us in creating our identity and space in society. We are god’s creation and he has taught us tobe honest and faithful to our own self. Man can become great or small according to the use he makes of his words in life. When we become prey to anger, we lose all refinement. Bad words becomes a poison. They vomit vile thoughts and our system turns into a venom.
We all are responsible for whatever we say and do in society. There is an interconnectedness between our words, our minds and our souls. It is a vicious circle of life. Our words are the language of our minds. They help summon our strength and give us courage to move on. Mind and soul are the guards of our words. We should not blab words that are meaningless. Man should not turn into an intellectual dustbin. Strengthening one’s will-power with one’s words is a virtue. Good words leads to harmony and union. Empty words leads to discord and disharmony. When the equilibrium of our mind is disturbed, we tend to utter harmful words. Words that are of no use shrinks one’s personality. Enlightened words help us in attaining wisdom and are a source of knowledge.
Therefore, we should understand that pleasure and pain leave their marks in the mind. Moulding one’s words into one’s character is the supreme purpose of human life. Man is safe when the light within is shining steadily and the heart is also full of the light of wisdom.


Written By:
Anika Sharma