Idea Transcript
April, 2012
Join the Revolution The large room could only charitably be described as a central hall - makeshift walls, a leaking roof and a mud floor (though it was impossible to verify that, as no inch of the floor was visible). As the camera panned across the darkened room, it became apparent that it was packed with hundreds of bodies jammed against each other. Closer inspection revealed these to be of young children and teenagers, and you wondered which cruel jailor had imprisoned them thus. The shock was to learn that all these children actually chose to sleep like this every night, because the alternative was far worse. If they stayed in their homes, there was a high chance that they would get captured by the LRA and whisked off to an unspeakably horrible fate. If at all they survived, they would be turned into child soldiers, or worse, sex slaves. The Lord’s Resistance Army, run by Joseph Kony has terrorized villagers in at least four countries in central Africa for nearly 20 years, killing tens of thousands of people. Mr. Kony, a sadistic, brutal psychopath of the worst kind, has been wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court since 2005.
T O D A Y KONY 2012-SPREAD THE WORD
'Invisible Children’ should be admired for what it has done, rather than criticized for what it hasn’t. April 20th was the designated day for all those who wished to speak up against Kony to take action. On this date, people around the world put up posters bearing Kony’s face in their neighbourhoods, and spread the message so that no one was ignorant of him and his crimes… and we can bring the 1st International War Criminal indicted by International Criminal Court to Justice.
“In a testament to the explosive power of social media, Jason Russell’s movie has made Joseph Kony and the LRA household names all over the world in a matter of a few days.” Having had some experience with making movies about emotionally arousing issues (though admittedly, not nearly at the level of this film), in my opinion, the movie was a work of art. It was incredibly well thought out. It had just the right amount of disturbing, pityprovoking, images, (though carefully nuanced so as not to be too upsetting), accompanied by a simple, relatable, understandable solution, and narrated through a personal, heart-wrenching story. The movie took us through a heart-breaking journey, elicited tears, disgust, and outrage, but at the end, it gave us a solution. It gave us a simple way to help, and harnessed and channelized all the powerful emotions aroused within us towards immediate action. The simple yet elegant solution the movie offered resounded within me. Russell said that we must keep Kony in the news, so that legislators are pressurized to act, so that there is political will to ensure that the US envoys stay in Uganda, so that the Ugandan army has a chance of capturing Kony. This focused action allows all of us to get involved and to play a role in stopping these unspeakable atrocities forever. I am personally fed up with the bystanders who bleat their fatuous criticism of Russell’s effort from the sidelines. It may be true that the movie has oversimplified the issue, but the overwhelming fact is that it is a very powerful and effective movie that absolutely nails its purpose, and in fact it is its very simplicity that makes it work. Invisible Children has also been criticized on the grounds that it focuses too much on capturing Joseph Kony, and too little on rehabilitating the soldiers who have deserted. To me, this criticism seems narrow-minded in the extreme. This problem can only be resolved at the root. Only once Kony is captured, can we really start the process of healing, efforts at rehabilitating deserters are futile, if more like them are created everyday.
Amira Singh, 12
"If at all they survived, they would be turned into child soldiers, or worse, sex slaves"
School Watch Class 6 Just a minute 1 st Aryan Sadh, 2nd Yashodha Jayal Result of Hindi Nibandh Lekhan Pratiyogita (Class 9 and 10) 1st Rishabh Chatterjee, Aadit Raj Gupta 2nd Rishabh Periwal, Tarana Gupta U12 football team played Blackburn Rovers Junior Soccer League and after 18 matches, VVS is leading by 10 points
1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 VASANT VALLEY TODAY PAGE - 2 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567
Yamuna Yatra 2012 The Yamuna Yatra is said to be a ‘coming-of-age-ritual’ at Vasant Valley. Each Class that goes on the journey, returns with something new, which they will remember forever. The Batch of 2014 too, had its own share of experiences...
"Lakhamandal was the first time that we had ever seen a clean Yamuna and this instilled a sense of hope in our hearts. " - Divya Shastri
"Our tiny tents were our only shelter in the freezing cold at Janki Chatti, where we spent two nights. It was here many of us finally relieved our systems, and I guess that’s why we now fondly remember it as Jaanki Tatti." – Ragini Kothari "The trek was long, and the decision to come on the Yatra hurt. But when we took a dip in the bubbling hot sulphur springs at Yamunotri and drenched our shoes trying to traverse the snow all around, it was worth it." - Namrata Narula
At Paonta Sahib
"We reached Dak Pathar, tired and dusty, thinking we would have no fun there. But we eventually ended up playing a cricket game with the local kids and despite the fact that if any one saw us bat, they would post it on YouTube…it was a game we’ll cherish forever. " - Sharanya Thakur "Almost everyone bought kara’s at Paonta Sahib. The emotions you feel when 6 dozen other people relate to your faith and what you believe in are ineffable." - Ranjit Singh
"Delhi was the first time we saw the polluted Yamuna in such close proximity since we entered the plains, and it was not just horrifying, it was revolting in comparison. At this point we truly understood the sentiments behind the Yatra; why it began and why we were chosen." - Pia Kochar
“Kharsali, Kharsali.” "It was sad to see the river in Vrindavan as it was black, dirty and smelt bad. But it was a lot of fun eating chaat and destroying our stomachs with an abnormally large amount of it." – Abhishek Dhawan
VASANT VALLEY TODAY
PAGE - 3
V VIQ Q- What do you understand by the term ‘Zugzwang’?
The River As it carves its way through stones, Melted ice from mountains, On its way it shrieks and groans, Sometimes stagnant or in fountains. It is a treat to the eyes, Like an angel in disguise. Somewhere blue, somewhere white A smile on your face when it’s in sight As I sit here writing this poem, The river flows past my eyes. It sends down my back many a shiver… Nothing beats the beauty of this river. Amnaya Sheel Khosla, 11
A few of the amusing answers we got: Viruj Menon - Oh, I’ve heard that before, it’s a Chinese word Aryan D’Rozario - An American phrase that means nothing. Amaya Kothari - Expelliarmus! Zugzwang! It’s a quite wellknown Harry Potter spell Malika Oak - A sound effect used in movies? Krishna Singh - The plant that the Zoozoos own, in Vodafone commercials. Zugzwang actually means a situation where one player is put at a disadvantage because he has to make a move – the player would prefer to pass and make no move (but is compelled to do so). In game theory, it specifically means that it directly changes the outcome of the game from a win to a loss.
Making New Friends
2012 Exchange Program
March closed with an excellent note this year...The Exchange Program of class 9!!! The Grace Church students arrived in India on the 19th of March, and after their tour in India, they came to stay with us in Delhi. The school arranged a visit to Dilli Haat, as well as to the light and sound show in the Purana Quila. It was amazing! In addition to this, the GCS students were taken for a visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they saw a collection of gifts given to the President. On the last day of the Program, we were all invited for a special dinner at Mr. Kapur’s house. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The food and the ambience were amazing! The next day, on the 27th of March, we were forced to say goodbye to our guests, who had left a powerful impact in our lives in this short period of time... Rishabh Chatterjee, 10
sauhanao sapnao sapnaa hO maora ik Baart maoM na hao Ba`YTacaar Ba`YT naotaAaoM ko baaro maoM na imalao samaacaar. jana laaokpala laakr Annaa nao raoknaa caaha Ba`YTacaar hO yah sapnaa maora hO yah sapnaa maora. kaSa Baart maoM maOM kuC garIbaI imaTa pata garIbaaoM kao pD,a ilaKakr ]nhoM kuC banaa pata. kaSa maOM BaI Baart ko ilae kuC kr pata hO yah sapnaa maora hO yah sapnaa maora. nae naalao AaOr saD,ko banavaata nae pula AaOr baaÐQa. Baart kao saurixat banaata hO yah sapnaa maora hO yah sapnaa maora. mau[-d Asad 9 sa
PLAYLIST 1. Glad you came - The wanted 2. Mirror - Lil’ Wayne feat. Bruno Mars 3. Off To The Races – Lana Del Rey 4. Warning Shot - MGK 5. Calling (Lose my mind) - Sebastien Ingrosso and Alesso 6. Ma cherie - Dj antoine feat. the beatshakers 7. Charlie Brown - Coldplay 8. Make Me Proud-Drakeft.Nicki Minaj 9. Sister – The Black Keys 10. Settle Down - Kimbra - Ranjit Singh, 11
1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 VASANT VALLEY TODAY PAGE - 4 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567
The Gun
Budget It seems, according to a majority of Indians the 2012 budget has been thoroughly disappointing as it lacked the required ‘boost’ or ‘thrust’ to push the slowing economic growth in India. It has been promised that black money will be curbed to a large extent. As much as I yearn for that to happen, unfortunately, I know it is unlikely to occur. It is heartening to see that the government plans to give importance to infrastructure for future growth, yet I don’t believe any of the projects designed will come out of their 2D blueprint considering the time it takes for our country to execute any of it’s plans. On the other hand, I am inconceivably happy to see that 20,000 crores are being taken out for rural development! It is ethical how the taxes have been distributed according to the person’s income and the hike in disability pension is absolutely necessary! As always, the budget has its pros and cons. Me, being a hopeful citizen of this country will just be optimistic and believe that everything will pan out the way it has been thought through, and aspire for a better and more successful India! - Ananya Gupta, 9
That powerful key to claim lives, Of children, husbands, soldiers and even wives. Physique, rather tough and bold Some cherish like a piece of gold. While others dread the mere presence of thy strength, Trembled to look at even at a length. No one dares looks down upon thee, For the fear of thy barrel holds the key. A mind; sharp, intense, quick and piercing Triggers feelings, thoughts, words which sting Burning the innocent insides of humanity, The unfortunate side of thy personality. The sight of thy restores law and order, Protects countrymen at the border. When thy talks, the word is final, Even to those that believe they’re spinal. Thy mind is governed by the hand of others, Sees not the relationship amongst blood brothers. For thy don’t kill people, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. - Zara Adil , 12
Aaja kI naarI kla kI saSa@t naarI ek naarI ek pUra caË hI. ]sako BaItr banaanao va badlanao kI Sai@t hO.}pr ilaiKt pMi@t DIeona maorIcaa[-lD Wara khI ga[- qaI. yah ek maSahUr naIit hOM. vaastva maoM, maOM [nakI baat sao pUrI trh sahmat hU^M. yaid hma Qyaana lagaakr saaocao, tao hmao pta calaogaa ik AaOrt ko ibanaa maanava jaI nahI pata. hma ijatnaa caaho AaOrt kao naIcaa idKa^Me, yah baat kBaI nahIM badlaogaI ik AaOrt Aaja kla ko samaaja ka ek bahut mah%%vapUNa- ihssaa hO, AaOr hmaoSaa rhogaI. hoilana kolar, [Midra gaaMQaI, imaSaOla baOiSalao, laxmaI baa[- AaOr madr TrIsaa, yah saba kuC maSahUr naairyaaoM ko naama hOM AaOr [na saba maoM ek samaanata hO – yah saba ek eosao Kanadana maoM pOda hue, jaao bahut Kulao ivacaarao ka hOM AaOr [na sabamaoM Aagao baZ,nao va naairyaaoM kao samaaja maoM bahtr AaOda donao kI vah AaOr [cCa qaI. hoilana kolar ko ijaMdgaI maoM k[- kiznaa[yaa^M Aa[- prMtu ]nhaonaoM ]na kiznaa[yaaoM ka saamanaa kr, Apnao va Apnao doSa ka naama raoSana ikyaa. ]sanao duinayaa kao idKa idyaa ik yaid AadmaI eosaa kama kr sakta hO, AaOrt BaI. Aaja kla ko baZ,to tknaIk va iva&ana kI vajah sao, pZ,nao va pZ,anao ko nae nae trIko ]%pnna hue hOM jaao baccaaMo kao ApnaI Aaor AakiYa-t krta hOM. yahaÐ tk ik Aba garIba laaoga BaI Apnaa pUrI jaI jaana lagaa rhoM hO Apnao baoTaoM kao ivaValaya Baojanao ko ilae. prMtu ek hI samasyaa hO. gaa^Mva mao rhnao vaalao laaoga Apnao baoTo kao hI pZ,anaa caahto hMO, AaOr ApnaI baoiTyaaoM sao saara Gar ka kama krvaanaa caahto hOM. yah sahI nahIM hOo, [saI ko karNa Aaja Baart doSa j,yaada Aagao nahIM baZ, rha hOM. [saIilae Baart sarkar nao k[- yaaojanaae banaa[- hMO ijasasao baailakaAaoM kao BaI iSaixat ikyaa jaae. Aaja ko [sa Baaga daOD, kI ija,MdgaI ko saaqa calanaa ek bahut mauiSkla kaya- hao gayaa hO j,yaadatr AaOrtaoM ko ilae . yaid AaOrt kao svatM~ banaanaa hO, ]sao pZ,anaa AavaSyak hO. ivaVa p`aPt krnao pr vah ija,MdgaI jaInao AaOr duK bardaSa krnao ko taOr trIko inakala laogaI AaOr dUsaraoM pr inaBa-r nahI haogaI vah Aa%mainaBa-r hao jaaegaI. yah [sa doSa ko ilae ja$rI hO. vah Apnao fOsalao Kud lao paegaI AaOr hmaaro doSa kI ]nnait maoM haqa baZ,aegaI . tqaa ek pZ,I ilaKI naarI ek saSa@t naarI hO. tranaa gauPta 10 sa
Jailbird "It is not power that corrupts, but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it."- Aung San Suu Kyi on receiving the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize. Aung San Suu Kyi, an inspiring and prominent political prisoner from Burma had been kept detained under house arrest for the seemingly unending period of 15 years. She had been subjected to confined existence since her National League for Democracy Party won 59% of the National votes along with 81% of the seats in Parliament, on 20th July 1989 to her recent release on 13th November 2010. The 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate also received the Jawaharlal Nehru award for International Understanding along with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Daughter of the "Father of Modern Day Burma," Aung San, she addressed half a million Burmese citizens at a mass rally calling for a democratic government, to no apparent avail since this was followed by a military Junta or coup. Aung San Suu Kyi follows the ideals of Our Nation’s Father, Mahatma Gandhi along with Buddhist philosophy imploring non-violence and the freedom to Speech. She is the epitome of dedication, strength and leadership and the world stands in awe of her. -Serena Nanda, 9
Fearless Aung San Suu Kyi
VASANT VALLEY TODAY
Charles Dickens Charles John Huffan Dickens He was a great writer. With every new novel he wrote His fame became brighter. He wrote many wonderful classics With characters that can’t be forgotten E b e n e z e r, Scrooge is my favourite Even though he was pretty rotten! Great Expectations and Oliver Twist Are read in every nation.. David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities Are filled with inspiration. Dickens wrote about the Victorian Period He truly was a great novelist. His classics are read in every school You should read his books, I insist! Tia Gulyani V- A
Girdhar Chandhok I- A
Getting Down To Work Fdn - C
PAGE - 5
Meri Dilli
Suryavir Vaidyanathan and Jaisal Chopra III - B
A Monkey in the Classroom On Monday morning, when I entered my classroom, there was something unusual. There were notebooks scattered on the floor along with a few banana peels.I looked around and was shocked too see a large, brown, hairy monkey sitting on my teacher's desk. “Look out!”, cried my friend. I realized just in time what she meant and I quickly shifted. The brown monkey landed exactly where I was a second ago. The monkey slipped on the banana peaels and went crashing into the food trays. The 'Strawberry Lite' went flying into the air and the rice hurtled across my classroom. Everyone was screaming and shouting. The teacher quickly called the zookeeper and told him to bring a van immediately. All that while, the monkey was hopping from class to class and scattering banana peels. Soon the van came. It was hard catching the monkey since he was sitting on a fan. Then the zookeeper threw a stone. It scared the monkey and it jumped down. It jumped all the way to the exit of the school! “Oh! No!” “It’s getting away,” cried the zookeeper. Now the monkey was only a big brown dot far away. Well, at least it’s not in my class. - Devaki Jayal, IV-B
The Crowd is Roaring The praises cannot stop pouring I have proved my sceptics wrong I am the new tech heartthrob You see I am the next Steve Jobs Karan Dhingra, the rebel in school, is the innovator of the year! I have invented a gadget that will blow your mind The world is my digital space, and there is no looking behind I gazed in blank space all day in school But that’s where this idea came to me, its so cool Its made life easy for man Friends cannot believe I can A mind reading sensor that automatically puts your thinking on the computer! I followed my intuition and heart The awards have taken a start No more writing with pen or typing - I have a dream, I am innovator of the year On Time magazine cover I have a dream I have achieved Like I always believed! Karan Dhingra V- C
'k'
lo aa r k sao
gairmaa hO maora naama gairmaa hO maora naama psand hO mauJao Kanaa Aama. ijamanaOisTk AaOr daOD, hO maoro Kola jaanavaraoM maoM AcCI lagatI hO mauJao vhola maorI daost hO Annayaa raoca ]sao gaMdo lagatO hO kaOkraoca. mauJao AcCa lagata h fuTbaa^la CuiT\TyaaoM maoM jaatI hU^M maOM maa^la. pZ,naa mauJao AcCa lagata Kolanaa BaI mauJao AcCa lagata. pZ,tI hU^M caar - ba maoM caahtI h^M na laDU^M iksaI sao. gairmaa raNaa caar - ba
1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567 VASANT VALLEY TODAY PAGE - 6 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567
2012… Is the End Near? 21st December 2012. We’ve all heard of this illicit date. The Mayans “predicted” the end of the world with one of their calendars. On this date, doomsayers assert that Earth will be ravaged by a smorgasbord of cataclysmic astronomical events. It’ll be the day Nature fights back. The day when the human race will be completely destroyed. Unbelievable, right? Almost impossible. Almost. Turns out it might not be as untrue as we think. Infact the recent earthquake in Indonesia has even scientists stumped. With an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.6 and an aftershock of 8.2, the earthquake wasn’t a mild one. But that wasn’t the surprising part. Earthquakes of this magnitude generally occur in a subduction zone, where tectonic plates one dives beneath the other into Earth. However this time it was an intraplate earthquake which is a usually smaller earthquake with a maximum magnitude of 6. This is the first time an earthquake of such a magnitude has occurred here. It seems strange. Like it’s almost a warning. A warning to show what’s to come. Maybe we’re reading too much into this. Maybe this is all nonsense. Or is it? Tarini Sardesai, 10 Entourage
THE TELEVISION HALL OF FAME A X C B B W P H W X A G
C F P I E S D O J C P O
A U F G J U L W A O N S
S M H B U P F I A M I S
T A E A S E E M F M G I
L D A N D R D E K U U P
E M H G R N E T N N H G
E E L T O A D Y T I U I
R N S H P T L O M T V R
W B Q E D U U U U Y L L
O P Z O O R R R O G B M
P E U R S A K M P F V Y
H A V Y I L E O P P S U
O J I L S S G T A O R P
M U T S U O T H P A R K
E L O D E X T E R E U S
L A E N T O U R A G E D
1. Famous crime solving duo comprising of NYPD Detective and author. 2. Set in the 60s, about advertising agency and a man named Don Draper. 3. “Penny, Penny, Penny…” 4. Brothers solving mysteries related to spirits and ghosts. 5. “Oh my god, they killed Kenny!” 6. Serial killer as a hobby. 7. Vince, Ari, Turtle, E, Drama - the original crew. 8. Greendale community college and its best study group. 9. The finest of the fine - Brought to you exclusively by the Upper East Side of Manhattan 10.Suit up.
The Big Bang Theory
South Park
Debating: Do’s and Don’ts On the 13th of April, a workshop on debating was held in school for all the interested debaters from various classes. The workshop was conducted by Mr. Logan, who has been involved in debating for the past twelve years. Like any debater, he was enthusiastic and passionate. He began by talking about how debating is in fact intrinsic to human nature. After all, since the dawn of time, people have been ‘debating’ over food, space, wealth, and so on. So every person is a debater at some point of time in their lives. Debating in a formal setting, therefore, provides a chance for our inherent capacity to debate to be showcased in an organised way, with both teams on a level playing field. As the workshop went on, Mr. Logan talked to us about some of the key points of Editorial Board parliamentary debating, one of the most popular forms of debating at the school level. He introduced us to some of the technical aspects of debating, Ananya Gupta, Arman Puri, Noor Dhingra, such as defining the motion and the format of a constructive argument. Rishabh Chatterjee, Serena Nanda, After the break, Mr. Logan decided to organise some in-house debating. Aakanksha Jadhav, Ananya Jain, Indraneel Roy, Each group was to define the key terms of the topics and give constructive Tarini Sardesai, Aastha Kamra, Bharat arguments. However, as the passion of debating took over, rebuttals and Somanathan, Namrata Narula, Pia Kochar, Sharanya Thakur, Vasudha Dixit, Akhila Khanna, retorts began to fly even before the arguments were made! Amira Singh, Ishan Sardesai, Rishabh Prakash The workshop was indeed quite an experience for all present, whether Editor: Vandita Khanna active debaters or not- and hopefully, it served to instill the love of debating in those who weren't! Sanjna Surya, 11