Yet another birthday nostalgia

Birthdays remind me only one thing that my days in this world are counted. Going back to my childhood birthdays were special as we were twins and would wear new dresses same in colour. Mummy would prepare payasam. It is still vibrant in my memory.

Every birthday is the next step to death day. The fundamental question that one would ask at least once in his life time is – Why do I live? Where am I going to? What shall I do with my life? How to lead my life? Where do I find happiness? Is my life meaningful? How can I lead a life of contentment and happiness?

Birthdays are the days of immense possibilities. It opens a ne horizon in one’s life. It is a giant leap in one’s life. From the cosy abode of one’s life he/she abruptly plunges into a world of uncertainities, joys, sorrows, distractions, hope, despair, faith, fristrations, disgust, fulfillment, love, lust, greed, desire, expectations, kindness, betrayals, darkness, separation and struggles.

Should the Wizard Hit Mommy, CBSE, 12 Standard, NCERT Solutions, Summary

The story poses a moral issue whether the parents should always decide what the children should do or let the children do what they like to do. Children dream and live in their own magical world. They are devoid of despise, ugliness and petty differences. They are pure at heart. The story raises a moral question, “Should Wizard Hit Mommy?. Jo feels that he must. Jack says that it would be wrong because a mummy is always right. She should be loved and respected.
Clare was carrying their third child. Jack would tell a story to his daughter Jo out of his head in the evenings and for Saturday naps. This custom of story-telling began when Jo was two–year-old and it was continuing for the last two years. Each new story only differed a bit from the basic tale. There always was a small creature, usually named Roger, for example, Roger Fish, Roger Squirrel, Roger Chipmunk etc. He always had some problem and he would go to the wise old owl. The owl would tell him to go to the Wizard, who would perform a magic spell that solved the problem.

Journey to the End of the Earth, Class12, CBSE,NCERT

Tishani Doshi, a famous writer, poet,and writer exposes the geological phenomenon of separating various continents and water bodies from one compact landmass that tells us about the existence of human race on the Earth. Six hundred and fifty years ago, no human race existed on the Earth because the environment was not favourable. When the dinosaurs faced extinction, the mammals started existing and after the separation of the landmass, the human race started flourishing on the Earth.

Summary

The narrator boarded a Russian research ship. The ‘Akademik Shokalsliy’. It was heading towards the coldest, driest and the windiest continent in the world, Antarctica. His journey began 13.09 degrees north of the Equator in Madras (Chennai). He crossed nine time zones, six checkpoints, three bodies of water and at least three ecospheres. He travelled over 100 hours in car, aeroplane and ship to reach there.

Six hundred and fifty million years ago a giant southern supercontinent Gondwana did indeed exist. It centered roughly around present-day Antarctica. Human beings hadn’t arrived on the global scene. The climate at that time was warmer.It suported a huge variety of flora and fauna. When the dinosaurs became totally extinct and the age of mammals began, the landmass was forced to separate into countries as they exist today.

The purpose of the visit was to know about Antarctica.It is to understand the significance of Cordilleran folds and pre-Cambrian granite shields; ozone and carbon, evolution and extinction. 90 percent of the earth’s total ice volumes are stored in Antarctica. Icebergs are as big as countries. Days go on and on in 24 hour Austral summer light.

The most hotly contested debate of our time is whether West Antarctica Ice sheet will melt entirely or no.If we study the history of the Earth Antarctica is the place to go. Antarctica has a simple eco-system and lacks biodiversity. It is the perfect place to study how little changes in the environment can have big repercussions.Scientists warn that further depletion of the ozone layer will affect the lives of the sea-animals and birds of the region. It will also affect the global carbon cycle.

The burning of fossil fuels has pollutted the atmosphere. It has created a blanket of carbon dioxide around the world. It is increasing the global temperature which is visible at Antarctica when we see ice bergs melting away.If the global temperature keeps on increasing the human race may be in peril. “Students on ice” is a program which provides the students an ample opportunity to understand how increase in global temperature can be a threat to human existence. Geoff Green thinks that high school students are the future policy makers. They can help in saving the Earth from ecological dangers and the effects of global warming.

The Enemy, Class 12, CBSE, Summary

Dr.Sadao Hoki was an eminent Japanese surgeon and scientist. He had spent eight valuable years of his youth in America to learn all that he could learn of surgery and medicine there. He was trying to discover which would render wounds entirely clean. Dr.Sadao’s house was built on rocks above narrow beach that was outlined with best pines. It was on a spot of the Japanese coast.

Dr.Sadao knew that they would be arrested if they sheltered a white man in their house. The wounded man was a prisoner of war who had escaped with a bullet on his back. Since Japan was at war with America, harbouring an enemy meant being a traitor to Japan. Dr. Sadao could be arrested if anyone complained against him and accused him of harbouring an enemy.

The gardener and the cook were frightened that their master was going to heal the wound of a white man-an enemy. They felt that after being cured the white man will take revenge on the Japanese. Yumi, the maid also was frightened. She refused to wash the white man.Hana rebuked the maid who had refused to wash a wounded helpless man. Then she dipped a small Dean towel into the streaming hot water and washed the white man’s face. She kept on washing him until his upper body was quite clean. But she dared not to turn him over.

Dr.Sadao and his wife, Hana had told the servants that they only wanted to bring the man to his senses so that they could turn him over as a prisoner. They knew that the best possible course under the circumstances was to put him back into the sea.However, Dr. Sadao was against handing over a wounded man to the police. He carried him to his house. He operated upon him and extracted the bullet from his body. He kept the white man in his house. He and his wife looked after him and fed him till he was strong enough to walk on his legs.

It was the seventh day since Dr. Sadao had operated operated upon the young white man. Early that morning, their three servants left together in the afternoon, a messenger came there in official uniform. He told Dr Sadao that he had to come to the palace at once as the old General was in pain again. Hana tried to cover his mistake by expressing regret and admitted that the General’s illness was enough. Dr.Sadao told the general about the white man. Since Sadao was indispensable to the General, he promised that Dr. Sadao would not be arrested.

The general promised to send his private assassins to kill the man silently and secretly at night BC and remove his body. Dr. Sadao left the outer partition of white man’s room open. He waited anxiously for three nights. The servants had left their house. his wife, Hana had to cook , clean the house and serve the wounded man. She was unaccustomed to this labour. She was anxious that they would get rid of the man.

Dr.Sadao told Tom, the white man, that he was quite well then. He offered to put his boat on the shore that night. It would have food and extra clothing in it. Tom might be able to row to the little island which was not far from the coast. It had not been fortified. The water was quite deep. Nobody lived there, as it was submerged in storm. Since it was not the season of storm, he could live there till he saw a Korean fishing boat pass by. He gave the man his flashlight. He had to signal twice with his flashlight at sunset in case his food ran out. In case, he was still there and alright, he was to signal only once.

Dr.Sadao gave the man Japanese clothes and covered his blonde head with black cloth. In short, Dr. Sadao helped the man to escape from Japan. At the same time, he also got rid of the man.

International Baccalaureate (IB) -An International Curriculum suited for the global village

IB programmes are offered for students aged 3-19. They challenge students to excel in their studies, and encourage both personal and academic achievement. The IB supports schools and teachers to provide a rigorous, high- quality education offering professional development that improves pedagogy and leadership.

Research from leading institutions shows that IB students are more likely than their peers to succeed in higher education.

There are three programmes in IB.

1.Diploma Programme

2.Middle Year Programme.

3. Primary Year Programme.

There are more than 4000 schools that have chosen to teach IB programmes with its unique academic rigour. These schools employ over 70000 educators teaching more than one million students world wide.

The Tiger King ( NCERT solutions for Class 12)/ CBSE

It is said that power corrupts. The tiger king is a satire that mocks the vanity of people who are in power. The writer reminds us of the days of autocratic and eccentric kings under British rule. They ruled with fear. They were not interested in serving the people or public welfare. Instead they spend their time in useless persuits.

The maharaja of ft pratibandapuram tried to escape from the fate that was predicted by the chief astrologer that he would be killed by a tiger. The king took up a tiger hunting campaign. He was successful till he killed 99 tigers and hundredth one eluded him till his death.

The irony of fate brings an unexpected end to the maharaja. The hero that killed 99 tigers could not kill the only one that was left. Ramaswamy Aiyer Krishnamurthy, known as Kalki, his pen name tells that he would let us know why the king was called “The Tiger King”.He promises the reader that he will not go back on his promise even if he is under the threat of an attack by a Stuka Bomber aircraft.

The Tiger King was a man of undefeatable courage. However, Kalki says that there is no chance of meeting the tiger king who is already dead and has reached heaven. The tiger king had a very interesting death. When the tiger king was born, astrologers had predicted that one day he would die. It is a meaningless prediction because as a matter of fact every one has to die one day.

The astrologers also predicted that the child would grow up to a brave warrior, a hero and a champion. After saying this they stopped talking. When they were forced to continue, they said that what they would reveal just then was a secret. They said that the tiger king was born under such a star that he would die one day. This is again meaningless that everyone has to meet his death one day.

The Third Level by Jack Finney (CBSE Standard 12

It is a short story written by Jack Finney. The story envisages ‘time travel’ wheji inre the io ji in Character, keywordskeywords tries to travel through time after finding the mysterious Third Level at Grand Central Station.

Charley was an ordinary man. He is 31 years old. He is wearing a tan garbardine suit when he stumbles onto a street. He looks like ” a dozen men”. He passes on the sidewalk.He is trying to get home to his wife, Lousia.

Charley tells us that he likes to explore Grand Central Station and that he is always finding new tunnels and exits to explore.

Charley begins the story by telling us he knows there is a Third Level to the great Grand Central Station even though the presidents of the major railroads would tell us otherwise.He tells us he has already spoken to a psychiatrist friend named Sam about his findings. Sam describes Charley’s experience as a “walky dream wish fulfillment.He says that Charley is unhappy and looking for an escape from reality. Charley is certain that it is a mistake. Sam says that Charley’s hobby of stamp collecting is a “temporary Refuge from reality.”

Charely finds evidence for the existence of the third level when he discovers a letter to him dated 18th July 1894 from Galesburg.It seemed that Charley’s friend was not as incredulous of the third level as he appeared.

Conditional sentences

Conditional sentences are framed with two clauses. One main clause and a conditional clause using ‘if’ or ‘unless’. Conditional clause denotes a cause and the main clause a result or a consequence.

Xero conditional
Example: If water freezes it turns to ice.

This conditional is used to express universal truths or general truths or scientific facts. Given the action the result is certain and infallible.

First Conditional
Example: If you study well you will pass the exam.

It is used to express possible and very likely results.

Second Conditional
Example: If you studied you would pass the exam.

It is very unlikely.

Another type of this conditional is imaginary condition.

For example: If I were a bird I would fly.

Third conditional
Example: If I had studied I would have passed the exam.

It is a rejected condition showing regret.

Note:

in the zero conditional both clauses are in present simple tense.

In the first Conditional the conditional clause is in present simple tense and the main clause is in future simple tense.

In the second Conditional, the conditional clause is in past simple and the main clause is in simple past.

In the third conditional the conditional clause is in past perfect tense and the main clause is in past perfect tense.

Are text books necessary in schools?

Just think about the time before the invention of printing technology and books. Were seekers of knowledge learning nothing? No. They also lived a full life. Life itself was a book for them. The oral tradition was guiding them. They lacked nothing. Their memory was sharp.

Now the focus of education is shrinked into the selection and completion of portion in text books. It curtails the creativity of the students. It deprives the learner from manipulating his natural abilities. The danger here is reliance on text books for acquisition of knowledge and study.

Text books can be used as one of the tools for facilitating teaching-learning process. Beware, Every text book contains knowledge and not wisdom. The text book is an umbrella term. It can be personal experiences as well. It can be others experience. Electronic gadgets also are text books.

Text books might give a sophisticated outward appearance to teaching learning process. However, it is an illusion. They in fact limits the system of education. They condition the education system.

Text books put immense pressure on children as well as teachers. Completion of syllabus becomes the sole purpose of education and those students who memorize the content is branded as the best student. Teachers who complete the portion is branded as the best teacher.

The textbooks are prepared by some companies for making money. They publish erroneous content as well.

Masha and the Bear

It is a beautiful folk tale.

Question and answers

1.Where did Masha go with her friends?

Answer: Masha and her friends went to the forest.

  1. What did Masha do when she lost her way?

Answer: She walked all over the forest looking for her friends.

3.What happened when the bear came back to his hut in the evening?

Answer: He was pleased to see Masha.

  1. What plan did Masha make to escape from the bear?

Answer: Masha told the bear to let her go to her village to take some pies for her grandpa and grandma. She hid inside the basket of pies which the bear took to her house.

  1. Was Masha clever? Give reasons to support your answer.

Masha was very clever. She thought about a plan to escape from the bear. She succeeded in executing that plan.

Education system in India

Before thinking about this enti

let us reflect on what was Indian education system in the remote past.

What was

In simple terms, it was a Gurukul system where the students stayed with Guru or the teacher and learned from him.

The teachers were the final word and sole possessors of knowledge. The syllabus included life skills and common notions about life.

What is

The arrival of British people changed the education system in India substantially. It laid emphasis on Western liberal thinking and learning of English Language. Now, the system is not at all promising. It is an utter chaos. It is hypocritical. A great danger is looming. It creates a generation that values only fluency in English.

It conveniently forgets that English is just one of the languages. English mastery is not a criterion for knowledge. It does not respect the core values of Indian culture which can in fact be the guiding star for the entire world.

What should be

I would like to address this heading by the following sub headings:

Teaching

In my opinion, teaching is not a destination but a journey which begins from the womb and ends at the tomb. Teachers are not just those who appear in the classrooms but those who influence and interact with the child throughout the teaching-learning process. However, to be practical when it comes to schooling where teachers’ role is significant, the teachers have to be versatile personalities. He/she has to be a mentor, parent, friend, guide and a reservoir of knowledge, skill, understanding and wisdom.Teaching should be holistic which suits to nurture the innate nature of every learner.Teaching must be dynamic and ever growing.It should be adaptive and adoptive to fit into the transformation happening in the society culturally, institutionally, psychologically, technologically and physically. Teaching cannot be limited to the four walls of the classrooms or to some syllabi with prescribed textbooks. Rather, it should be life-based, skill-based and aptitude based.

To sum up, teaching-learning process is a serious, intellectual and cultural activity in this modern multi-cultural scenario.

Learners

Each human being is a learner. Nowadays, the difference between the learner and the learned has been minimized. Learners learn better in a group. A healthy rapport should be maintained between the learners and the educators. The focus of education should be the learners.Learners should grow improving their skills, developing good attitudes and realizing their potentials.

Parents’ role

Parents play a vital role in education. Both formal and informal education are not complete without parents’ involvement. Parents need to be psychologists as well. They have to guide, counsel and direct their children. They need to be role-models from whom they can draw inspiration and energy. They should make their kids self-responible and self-reliant. As teaching is a collaborative endeavour which substantially sprouts at home, parents’ involvement in teaching learning process is Sine qua non. The formation of the child is not the sole responsibility of teachers but it encompasses the whole hearted co-operation and constant grooming.There must be healthy and timely interference and interaction between the parents and their children. Frequent parents teacher meetings would enable us to realise this vision. Orientation or awareness programmes for parents can also be conducted to realise this noble end.

Discipline

Discipline should be a fundamental value in one’s life.It should be realised than insisted among students.The quality of one’s life depends on how disciplined one is. Discipline is not adhering to some rules and regulations. It should make one organised in her/his thoughts, words and deeds. A disciplined person fruitfully makes use of his time. A disciplined one is morally good. Ethical principles guide one to choose between right and wrong, good and bad, desirable and undesirable, and acceptable and unacceptable.

Use of Technology

Nowadays, technology has facilitated the formal education easily accessible to all and sundry. However, it should be manipulated with caution. It should be our tool. It cannot substitute class room teaching. Chalk and talk is still relevant. Technological advancements beautify, modify and improve the system of education.It minimizes the laborious burden of documentation.

Assessment and evaluation

The assessment and evaluation of the child’s progress must be skill-based and value based taking into consideration the attitudes and aptitudes of each learner. It can be carried out with standardised tests as well as practicals, seminars, research and constant updation of the tools of evaluation and assessment. The assessment of the student improves the quality of education. Evaluation judges what the students have learned during the course of study. Different assessment methods should be used. Evaluation should be both quantitative and qualitative. It should be both formal and informal.Neverthless, a reliable and authentic outcome should be the sole objective of such a process.

Real wealth

To be wealthy or to be healthy; which one would you opt for? To be wealthy for those who are healthy and to be healthy for those who are wealthy. Do they go hand in hand?

To be healthy is an ambiguous phrase. It has a deeper meaning which penetrates into the varied dimensions of one’s personality. It is not a physical phenomenon alone.

Wealthy man is not the one who has a big bank balance. He is the one who has a broad mind and universal thinking. He has a global perspective. He is a world citizen. He is not narrow-minded. He does not act with selfish and ulterior motives.

If one saves more than what is necessary for the next generation the latter becomes lazy. They will lead a n extravagant life and squander the hard earned money of their parents. The richest man is the happiest man. The poorest man is the unsatisfied man.

Happiness mantra

Happiness is the ultimate aim of whatever one does in his life. It is a byproduct of what we are. It has nothing to do with your past.It has no bearing on your future. It is embedded with now, the present moment.It lies in living one’s present with purity and politeness.

Once there were two patients confined to their beds in a single room. One was lying beside the window and the other was near the wall. During the evening, thell one who was near the window used to describe the beautiful sights outside- the beautiful lake, thick trees, pleasant passers by etc. And one day he died. The other patient asked the hospital management to shift him to the window side. As soon as he was shifted he looked through the window and found a scary sight. Nothing was spectacular. He asked the nurse. The nurse said, ” he was blind and could see nothing. Perhaps he was trying to keep you happy by describe ing beautiful things.”.

Loss and pain are not tragedies but to surrender before them is. You cannot trace back the past.The amputated leg cannot be rejoined. Trying to do so is futile. Instead try to run without that leg. Such killers of loss and failure give hope to healthy ones. Try to accept what cannot be defended.Try to accept what is unchangeable. That is when happiness and satisfaction sprout. It is better to make others happy than to make yourselves happy. It is better to give self confidence and courage to those who are with you and depart from this fragile World!

To be happy in one’s life one has to seek other’s happiness. Making others happy adds happiness to your life as well.

Tips for happiness

  1. Be in the present.
  2. Learn to forgive and forget.
  3. Breathe consciously.
  4. Make others happy.
  5. Try to be a giver than a receiver.
  6. Be like a child.
  7. Thank God for your life.
  8. Don’t be anxious about the future.
  9. Think about your nothingness.
  10. World without you lacks nothing.
  11. World forgets you after your death.
  12. Your deeds are forgotten.
  13. Your thoughts are fleeting.
  14. Do not take yourself very seriously.
  15. Life is a happening and becoming.
  16. Life cannot be defined.
  17. Love and live unconditionally.
  18. Always think about other’s welfare.
  19. Make a living by loving your life.
  20. Count your blessings than your losses.
  21. Begin always anew.
  22. Do not compare yourself with others.
  23. Do not compete with others.

Difference between ICSE and CBSE

Many parents, students and teachers are really confused about the subtle difference between ICSE and CBSE which are the two prominent syllabus followed in India.

In fact, the difference are the following.

  • CBSE is a board and ICSE is not.
  • CBSE focuses on Science and Maths where as ICSE lays emphasis on English Language and Arts.
  • Most of the universities in India and abroad accept both the syllabi.