THE CARMEL BAND

by Rhea Khanna
9-B

The school band has always been a success on all of the functions organized in the school. It was always in the lime light because of the immense hard work they had put in and their positive attitude towards it, today it has reached great heights and is known for its talent all over the school. This band started on 25th July 2009 and from that very day all the students have been putting their heart and soul together to get all of this in place and to achieve great success. However the band was not a solitary effort. It was a cumulative effort of almost 30 students. There were many more people involved behind this achievement. Special trainers and instructors were called from south India to teach the children to get their notes perfect and all those melodious tunes. Raju sir and Paul sir had given their best efforts so that the students of Carmel could be treated to something different from their original routines. The students stayed late in school and practiced. Even after school ended they spent 2-3 hours in the campus getting all their notes perfect. Sister Swati, the principle of the school was also very encouraging and used to stay late with the students making sure that they did not have any problems during their practices and also provided refreshments for all the students as practicing in the blistering heat is not everyone’s cup of tea. But as it is said

"Hard work pays and is never a waste."

Now the school band has been playing on every occasion and has been appreciated by all the guests present there. Even on our annual day which was the "biodiversity exhibition" the school band was given a chance to show the parents their skills and talents and was greatly praised. Even the media could not stop praising it in the newspapers that how great the band of Carmel convent is.

Simran Angrup a student of the Carmel band says that” it is just a beautiful experience playing in the assembly every morning which has actually given me a chance so that I can discover myself even better."

Sukhmani Singh another student of the Carmel band says that” I have been greatly honored to play on the occasion and it was great fun with everyone and I know these days of my school life are just very memorable ones."

We all hope that it maintains its success and keeps on making Carmel proud.

"Long live the Carmel band"

EARTH DAY !

EARTH DAY!

The need to protect the earth is increasing everyday. To spread awareness for the same, Carmel convent celebrated “earth day” on the 21^st of April. Students of all classes took part enthusiastically and hoped to protect mother earth.

Tiny tots of class 1 and 2 had a general discussion on ways to save the earth. Class 3^rd students planted a few saplings and learned how to recycle paper and tins. Anya a student of third class said, “we learned how to recycle paper , tins &, plastics bottles & not to cut down trees .” The students of 4^th and 5^th class took part in a rally and held vibrant and appealing charts and banners and walked around the school premises. The passerby’s stopped to have a good look at this little marvel and it turned out to be quite a success.Rehmat a student of class 6^th commented,”we enjoyed reciting and writing slogans.I would like to spread the message,that – don’t destroy your nature recklessly because she loves you selflessly.”Class 7^th conducted plays and dramas,depicting the increase in problems related to our earth.Class 8 students used paintbrushes and sketch pens as weapons and competed in a poster making competition. ONE OF THE SUPERVISORS, ANU MA’AM SAID,“THESE KIND OF ACTIVITIES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO INCULCATE THE LOVE FOR MOTHER EARTH In THE CHILDREN . IT ALSO BRINGS OUT THEIR TALENTS.THE GIRLS’ CREATIONS REMIND US THAT WE ALL SHARE THE SAME PLANET AND SHARING EARTH MEANS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT WE USE AND HOW WE USE IT.”Students of class 9 had conducted a survey last week of the plants, flowers, trees of Carmel. They had covered the entire green belt of the school. The survey included the uses, age, location and special features of the plants. The information collected was displayed beautifully. According to Manju Ma’am (class teacher of 9^th A) “I am really happy that children have made a sample for others in conserving the beautiful nature. They have really put in lots of hard work and it’s really good to see them working so enthusiastically.”Class 10 marked the day by making paper bags, made of recycled paper, painted t-shirts, made bookmarks and exhibited posters.Riya,a student of class 10 said,”we had a lot of fun making posters. All the students initiated to go home and plant a tree.”

Students have the biggest stake in environmental protection. They are strong medium to disseminate environmental knowledge and concepts to the largest possible audience. Carmel’s earth day celebrations had it’s own grace and beauty and the students successfully spread the message.Remember, ' IT’S YOUR MOTHER CALLING.DON’T KEEP HER ON HOLD...!'

The world is ours to take,

-By

DEEKSHA BHARDWAJ

For a long time, I as a reporter have been in a quandary as to what to write. Should I be writing about India’s glorious triumph in the world cup? Or maybe Anna Hazare’s fast which seems to have brought about a revolution amongst the Indian generation to fight corruption head on? Maybe it should be about Japan’s courageous response to one of world’s greatest catastrophes? But maybe I need not look too far, or too big. Because alas! At the end of the day, these are not the problems that WE are going to be fighting for, as of now. These are issues we can follow from afar, not influence.

India’s triumph in the world cup as elating as it was, was a result of the team’s conscientious efforts and not ours. Fact is that they would have worked equally hard for either a win or a loss. Looking at the way the Indian electronic media seems to work had we lost the cup to Sri Lanka, there would have been numerous news flashes JUST to criticize and not to appreciate. Is that how capricious we are?

Now lets talk about Mr. Anna Hazare, a social activist who’s name I’m sure you hadn’t heard until a few weeks back. How many of us know that Anna Hazare, “started his career as a driver in the Indian Army in 1963. He spent his spare time reading the works of Vivekananda, Gandhi, and Vinoba Bhave; they inspired him to become a social worker and activist. During the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, he was the only survivor in a border exchange of fire, while driving a truck.” I will accept I didn’t. But his determination to help India fight the evil of corruption persuaded many to look up this man of extraordinary resolve and exemplary courage. He has brought about a revolution. A new will to fight for what is right. But how long will this last? I’m sure in a few days he too will be forgotten and so will the cause he’s fighting for. Until ofcourse another such man emerges from within US to take a stand for another such cause. Till then we will sit back and watch. Watch as our country suffers the ravages of corruption at the hands of a few politically driven individuals.

Japan showed immense will power and strength after the gigantic tsunami struck. Ever since, the world has been contemplating the great apocalypse. It is a clarion call. Maybe our end is near. But if there is anyone to blame, it is solely us. The human race. And our negligence and disregard for our planet. Japan has put in its best efforts to beat this calamity, just like they did after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And they will emerge better off than before. How many of us have even the resolve to fight our daily problems?

These issues are too major, too vast for us. What we need now is ability to control our own lives. To think for ourselves and to not be driven like cattle. If we know that a person is corrupt, we need to speak up and not wait for another Anna Hazare. Problems are a part of life, we need to learn how to solve them. Its like one of my teacher’s always said, “A problem comes with its solution. Its like this.. If you guess what’s in this basket, I’ll give you half the eggs and if you can guess how many there are, I’ll give you all 20”

The answer lies within the problem itself. What we need is a positive outlook and determination. The world is ours to take. So why not take it?