Traffic Safety Week

Date: 17 January 2015

Criteria of CAS – Service

Approximate time - 2 hours

Venue – D Y Patil International School, Nagpur

“Anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac.” – A Smart driver

At some point in life we all have complained about the traffic. It is funny how we get irritated with rash and idiotic driving when we are walking on the road and then we do the same thing when are driving. Our CAS coordinator and juniors decided to take the initiative of explaining traffic rules to the society. Our class with juniors planned the activity, but we weren't able to participate in all activities because of our submissions.

The activity in which we took part was a march we did near the school. The marched from our school to an energy plant, which is about 2 km away from our school. This was a new challenge for us. Our juniors and we made some board signs with traffic safety slogans. We carried it till we reached there. There we distributed pamphlets about traffic safety and also explain every employees about the traffic rules.

This was an amazing experience and wonderful opportunity to help our society learn more about traffic rules. Most of us know the rules but don’t follow it. I believe, the real courage is not in breaking the signal when there is a traffic police officer watching, real courage is in stopping and waiting even when no one is watch. We worked collaboratively for this activity and completed it successfully.

Human rights assembly

Date: 8 December 2014

Criteria of CAS – Service

Approximate time - 8 hours

Venue – D Y Patil International School, Nagpur

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” - Nelson Mandela

On the occasion of Human rights assembly our CAS coordinator gave me responsibility of introducing the topic and stating Substantive rights. I planned the activity.
I researched on the topic and then made points to speak.

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law, general principles and other sources of international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of 

Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups. 

There are substantive rights:

Ø Right to life

Ø Freedom from torture

Ø Freedom from slavery

Ø Right to a fair trial

Ø Freedom of speech

Ø Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Ø Freedom of movement

Ø Rights debates

Ø Right to keep and bear arms

Ø Future generations

Ø Sexual orientation and gender identity

Ø Trade

Ø Water

Ø Reproductive rights

Ø Information and communication technologies

It very important for us understand our human rights and help them who are unaware these. These rights are very crucial if you want to fight the crimes going on in the society.  I spent 2 hours in this activity. This activity was related to issue of global importance.

Pachmarhi Adventure Trip

“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure” - William Feather

Activity Started – 24 November 2014

Activity Ended – 26 November 2014

Approximate Time - 8 hours

Criteria of CAS – Action

I always dreamt about new adventures and new places but never got the opportunity to experience it. When my school introduced an Adventure trip to Pachmarhi I got very much excited and said yes. The plan was from 24^th to 27^th November 2014 from Nagpur to Pachmarhi and do some adventures activities. We do adventure activities to overcome our fears and rise and become a better person. I have phobia from height and fire. I always thought of overcoming my fears but never got the opportunity, I saw this trip as one. First of all we planned the activities we were going to do in Pachmarhi with our escorts.

Pachmarhi is hill station in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is famous for its other name “Satpura ki Rani” (Queen of Satpura). The name Pachmarhi is derived from Hindi words Panch (five) and Marhi (caves). These caves were believed to be built by Five Pandavas Brothers of Mahabharata during their exile. The town has been a tourist attraction because of its cold climate, beautiful scenarios and caves. The administration of the town is serving Indian Army. Tigers and Panthers have been spotted there. I pack all my stuff for this trip and got my mind prepared for any challenges to come.

Start of the Journey

In Bus

On 24^th morning we all gathered at school and we all were ready for the adventure waiting for us. We boarded the bus at 11am, we started our journey with melody of songs and excitement of our hearts. Pachmarhi is around 300km away from Nagpur, We enjoyed the 6 hour journey. Photography is my passion and this journey provided me a great opportunity to take photographs of beautiful nature. During the journey we played few games to take our minds off the dangerous mountain we were driving through. We reached there at 7pm, after that we checked in. Our hotel’s name was Paradise. My roommates were Jaidev, Kaustubh, Advait and Pranav. I and my friend Jaidev spent some time at the camp fire. We had our dinner then went to bed early as we had to wake up early.

Our ride in Pachmarhi

My group at the top of the Pachmarhi Caves Mountain

25^th Morning we woke up and got ready as our adventure was about to begin. Our first adventure was Pachmarhi Caves, which were made by Pandav brothers of Mahabharata. Here we DP students become leaders for our juniors. We divided them in different groups and leaded them throughout the trip. Our escorts guided us further. My group members were Advait Kolse, Prithviraj Shinde, Nakul Shinde and Ayan Das. It was a difficult task to manage these super excited teenagers and climb the mountain but I did it as I had the potential. These Caves are on a mountain and you should have a good will power and physical strength to climb these mountain. This was a new challenge I undertook. I worked collaboratively with my group while climbing this mountain as well I guided my group members. This was a great responsibility for me to guide my group members in this dangerous trek. It made me a little tense.

Me and my classmates at Caves

My group near Caves

We went to each cave during climbing the mountain. I showed perseverance and commitment in this activity. I and my group reached the mountain’s top first. The view from the top was beautiful, I never experience like it before. It was amazing.  Getting down from the mountain was also a difficult task. Before leaving I did one more activity which was Horse riding. My coach plus escort Mr. Manoj Singh gave me a quick 5 minutes lesson on horse riding. Horse riding was a new challenge I undertook. I was very scared as I never rode a horse before and there was no guide to hold the horse or to control him in a difficult situation. I sat on the horse hoping he will not throw me. As I started riding I started liking him, riding was fun but it also needed concentration and confidence. Only I and Manoj Sir rode the horse in our group, Manoj Sir had done it before but it was whole new experience for me. I experienced a new skill called Horse Riding and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Horse Riding

The next destination was B-fall, it is a hill near the town. We got there by our jeep and we traveled further distance by foot. There were many steps, my group’s Prithviraj got very tired during this process as he is overweight and also suffers from asthma. I encouraged him to continue. He got motivated and decided to continue. We reached there and enjoyed the fall. I also helped others to climb the slippery rocks. Sunset was near and we decided to go to Dhupgarh, it is the highest point in the Satpura Range. It has the famous sunset point. Dhupgarh is 1350 meters high. When we reached there the whole scenery was just awesome, it is very beautiful. If I call it Heaven on earth I wouldn’t be wrong. I got very emotional after seeing it as I never saw such amazing scenario in my whole life. After this tiring day we had a small party, all my stress was relieved after spending some time with my friends.

B-fall

Half-way B-fall

Sitting at B-fall

Sunset point

Enjoying the cold breeze

Beauty of nature at Sunset point

26^th Morning we went to Bada Mahadev that’s temple in a cave. After that we went to do few activities. We were given two choices either Zip-line or Rock Climbing. I chose Zip-line as I wanted to get rid of my height phobia. This was a new challenge for me and I accepted it happily and courageously. It is also called death slide. It consists of a pulley suspended on a cable, usually made of stainless steel, mounted on an incline. It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by holding on to, or attaching to, the freely moving pulley. Nowadays Zip-line has become a popular activity. I climbed the mountain, I was very excited for this activity as this was the moment I could come over my fear. They gave me all the equipment and hanged me with the cable. Now the only thing I had to do was to jump. I looked down and jumped. As soon as I did that for few seconds I thought I was flying. I was enjoying. I wonder how my fear become fun in just a second. We came back at the hotel and checked out. We boarded the bus at 2pm after lunch, I was so tired from all climbing and other activities I slept for whole journey. We reached Nagpur at 10:30pm. This was any amazing adventure which I will never forget in my whole life. What I take from it is more than experience its memories.

Zip-line

Zip-line also called Death slide

Group at Sunset point

Visit to Sevagram

"My Life is My Message" - M. K. Gandhi

Date: 14 November 2014

Criteria of CAS – Serivce

Approximate time - 8 hours

Venue – Sevagram, Maharashtra, India

Our CAS Coordinator giving information during the journey

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi born on 2^nd October 1869, is known for the independence movement he started in India and inspired the whole world with his nonviolent civil disobedience. In his childhood he got very inspired from the play of truthful king Harishchandra and his whole life he followed the path of truth.

Gandhi was a true idol in field of service. Our CAS coordinator thought to learn this art of service we should go to Sevagram. We planned the whole activity. Plan was to go to Sevagram and Vinoba Bhave's ashram. First we went Sevagram.

In 1930 Gandhi started his padhyatra from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, he decided not to return Sabarmati till India achieve independence. After his release from two years imprisonment Gandhi decided to make a village in Central India as his headquarters. In 1936 Gandhi established his residence in the village Shegaon which he renamed Sevagram “village of service”. After that Sevagram became an inspiring place as this village represents simple living. We planned the trip to see Gandhi’s legacy and learn art of simple living. It was 2 hours’ drive to Sevagram from Nagpur. When we reached there, we went to see Bapu’s cottage. The seven social sins have been engraved at the entrance gate of this cottage.

Politics without Principles

Wealth without Work

Commerce without Morality

Education without Character

Pleasure without Conscience

Science without Humanity

Worship without Sacrifice

There was a lady there who taught us who use spinning wheel (charkha in hindi). Charkha or spinning wheel is used to make thread out of cotton, Gandhi used this to make his own cloths. Gandhi lived on methods by which a man can learn to be independent. Like farming, sewing your own clothes, cooking and other arts. Then we went to Kasturba Gandhi’s cottage. She supported Gandhi in moment of life, whether it was the independence movement or being imprisoned for two years in Agakhan Palace, Poona.  In the cottage things which are displayed are Ba's Sari, Bapu's bed-sheet, jacket, Ba's seat, hold-all, Bapu's jute (shoes) Dari which have been kept in a simple wooden rack. Everything there represents simple living.

Then we went to The Last Residence

 This cottage which is modern than other cottages and situated near the Ba-Kuti, was built by Jamnalal Bajaj for himself and lived here for a short while. Later this cottage was used by the Ashram. In 1946, Bapu had a severe attack of cough and came up to live in this cottage under doctor's advice to cure his cough. He was taking a Sun-bath in the eastern varandah of this cottage.

On August 25, 1946, Gandhiji left for Delhi from this Cottage and then went to Noakhali. From there he did not return to Sewagram while engaged in his task of communal unity and peace making. He was martyred in Delhi on January 30, 1948. Bapu's wooden weight instrument and donation box are kept on the varandah of this cottage.

Then we went Vinoba Bhave's ashram. Vinayak Narahari "Vinoba" Bhave was an Indian advocate of nonviolence and human rights. Often called Acharya (Sanskrit for teacher), he is best known for the Bhoodan Movement. He is considered as a National Teacher of India and the spiritual successor of Mohandas Gandhi.

By this activity I have understood some ethical implication. 

Learning Guitar

Criteria of CAS – Creativity

Time - 8 hours

Venue – D Y Patil International School, Nagpur

Activity Started: 16 August 2014

Activity Ended:  30 October 2014

"My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am." - Joan Jett

First week: I always wanted to learn guitar. I will develop a new skill, playing guitar. I was very excited for my first class, Sir started with explaining me parts of guitar. 

Then he taught me finger exercises. Our index finger is 1, middle one is 2, ring is 3 and little finger is 4. These should be kept on 1, 2, 3, 4 frets and thumb should be used for support.  He gave a sheet of paper in which there were 11 exercises which he asked me to play and practice for the whole week. After I learned every exercise he asked me to play it to him twice. First time with eyes open and then second time with eyes closed. This week I attended 5 classes, 1 hour class everyday, except weekends.

Second week: Last week completed the finger exercises. This week we started with 'C' major scale, 5 shape, 3rd string root, one octave scale. This had 10 exercises with very long notes. He gave me the notes with marking of A1, B3, C*4, E1, F2, G4, C1 and D3. a, b, c, d represents notes and 1,2,3,4 represent fingers which should be kept on notes. This week completed 5 exercises. This week I attended 5 classes, 1 hour each.

Third week: This week i completed the rest of the exercises. And now have become very much comfortable with my guitar. There is a note, that always tap your feet with playing. This week I attended 5 classes, 1 hour each.

Forth week: This I did learned notes value. First is a Full-note, where you play C (or any note) and tap your feet. And tap it more tree times but don't play the note, it is called blank note. Second is Half-note, where you play C then a blank note then D then another blank note. Third is 3/4-note, where you play C then 2 blank notes then D. Forth is Quater-note where you play C, D, E, F and tap your feet with each note. Fifth is Eighth-note where you play 2 notes in 1 tap for eg CD, EF, GA, BC. Sixth is Sixteenth-note, where you play 4 notes in 1 tap for eg CDEF, GABC, CBAG, FEDC. With help of these Sir taught me Notation study. Notation is the name given to ways of writing music. I practiced all the exercises this week. This week I attended 5 classes, 1 hour each.

Fifth week: This week I learned short songs containing minor and major notes. Those songs where Happy Birthday, Twinkle-twinkle, London bridge, Jingle bell and Papa loves mama. I also learned a great composer's composition, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's C major composition. This week I attended 5 classes, 1 hour each. From next week I will start Hindi songs.

Abhyodaya Global Village School Visit

Activity Date – 9 October 2014

Approximate Time - 6 hour

Criteria of CAS – Creativity, Action and Services

From one week we were planning for this activity. I was very excited because this is very different from my daily routine and I also had an opportunity to help those students and that school. Bhagyashree Gandhi’s father started this school 2-3 years back. He had a dream that the children of villagers can become future entrepreneurs. Miss Bhagyashree Gandhi is trying to fulfill his father’s dream by managing the school. She is getting help by the teachers and some other schools.

I was given the responsibility of Grade 3. I was very excited and happy, because I was given the opportunity to help them. I also knew I was undertaking new challenges. Opportunity is a gift which is given to everyone but the thing which matter is do you seize it or not. I never say no whenever somebody ask for help or there is chance to help anyone. I planned activities which I was going to do there. I started thinking what I can teach them. The first thing came to my mind was greetings so used internet and I made some data with pictures from which they can understand. Second thing was nutrition habits, as they are very small they should know what to eat. Eating nutritious food is very important so wanted to make them understand this clearly. I also took prints of drawing which they can paint or color. In today’s world a child should know how to protect himself and be safe, I thought I will teach them that too.

9^th October morning we left school at 8:30 am and after 1 and a half hour journey we reached there. They welcomed us with flower bouquets and introduced us with the students then we attended their assembly. After that Bhagyashree ma’am showed as presentation on their school, it was very inspiring. We went to respective classes of which we were given responsibility of. I started with introducing myself and getting comfortable with my class. As per my plan I started with greetings. They just knew Good Morning and Good Afternoon. I taught them the others and made them understand when to say those. To make them clearly understand I made them do it with in pairs. They took interest in this activity and I was very happy looking at their smiley faces.

After that I taught them Nutrition habits, they knew about washing hands but no other things like when to eat and how much to eat, how many glass of water they should they drink in a day and what are nutritious foods. They listened to everything attentively, to check everybody understood I asked questions everyone, some answered some didn't so who didn’t understood I again taught them.

To fresh up their minds I gave them coloring sheets and they started coloring and also they helped each other in that by giving each other colors. Nowadays we can see this helping nature in kids only because they have a pure heart and soul.

Then I taught them how to be safe and what to do in dangerous situations. I was shocked by that they understood importance of this lesson and actively also asked question about it.

It was lunch time, we had lunch and after that I taught them football and learned it very quickly and started playing, though I love playing football I was unfortunately the referee. Still I loved it because watching those kids play with such joy was amazing.

This activity ended and we said bye. I learned a lot from this activity. I think I showed perseverance and commitment towards those children.