s4scratch

Picture Credit -  Pinterest LEADER  noun. /ˈlidə/    How to define a leader? Is that you? Or is it me? Maybe someone you know?     Well, the Britannica Dictionary defines a leader as a powerful person who controls or influences what other people do and leads a group, organization, country, etc. Leaders aren't just ones standing on stages, speaking just during political rallies; as school students, there are class monitors; as employees, we've managers; and as a community, political representatives. The idea behind this long list was to emphasize on the part that leaders are everywhere. It's not a rare sight, but one must have an appreciative lens.                Even after reading several definitions of a leader and watching videos on “How to be a successful leader”, here are some points that are stopping you from becoming your ideal leader: Vocalize your aspirations - comm...

Picture Credit- Pinterest “A journey of a thousand miles begins from a single step.”      The above-mentioned quote fits perfectly when it comes to tracing the journey that was the headlines of all news channels recently. It is easy to criticize or to be proud of an achievement, but what really makes any achievement worth celebrating is the emotional value added. This successful mission not only improved India's socio-political position globally but also turned out as a full-filled journey for our loved and respected APJ Abdul Kalam. It would be treacherous to not credit Kalam for this success; it would not have been easy carrying the first missile on the cycle. ISRO shared an image of the previous description when Chandrayaan-3 landed successfully and added a cherry on top of the cake. Pioneering stories are difficult, or in Frost's words- the road not taken is often full of challenges. When we hear success stories, we tend to ignore the capital investment behind the mi...

    The world we are in, the world we wish to create Isn't it interesting how you and I live in the same world, yet our worlds are so distinct? Distinct in shape, size, and number as well. You must be wondering what I just mentioned, and we live in just one world; the only world whose map we studied in our preliminary classes- with Asia, Africa, America, and other continents. But I beg to differ; I believe we live in the world we create- the world of our actions and their consequences. By actions and consequences, I am not pointing at the after-life philosophies. It simply means if we study, we shall pass; if we work hard, we shall succeed; and if we offer, we’ll get it back.  I have noticed the differences in our worlds when I look at my friends from comparatively lower financial classes. Instantly I feel grateful to my parents for providing me with my education. At that point, purchasing a book looks like a great deal from that friend’s point of view. Similarly, when I ...

Francis Bacon's famous essay Of Friendship comes to my mind right when I am writing this blog on friendship. His philosophic narrations along with individual opinions are the highlights of the text. I have had the opportunity to read them recently. When I came across the titles of the essays; it was attractive. I was impressed with how simple yet comprehensive it was to name the works this way. Let's not continue with what Bacon said about friendship, let me begin with why I wanted to compose this literary piece.      It was friendship day yesterday and I received warm texts from my friends from different institutions and places that I've made over this tiny life of mine. Feels good to be remembered, doesn't it? So here's my version of, Of Friendship .      It'll develop over the years or maybe in less time than you expect it to. You'll be surprised by the multifaceted wonders it has to offer you. Of meeting people who are not at all like you yet you'll...

       While going through the beautiful zoo at Dehradun, I spotted a bunch of bamboo trees. You must be wondering what is so special about finding a bamboo tree at a zoo, isn’t it very obvious as there will be wildlife and their habitat along with many trees. The tree had carvings! Scribblings on its stem! I read about scribbling on monuments and trees for the first time in class eight while reading a chapter in History. Now that I find any of them, it makes me wonder whether people who fail to keep their words in real life are inclined to show the world- their promises? Why?      Mostly, abuse or couples' names can be found engraved. When we love a person we should respect them in real life instead of writing on beautiful monuments, green trees, or furnished restaurants. Accidental cuts to trees are justified, we too get into accidents and lose our organs or are damaged. However, what about intentionally hurting, and how is it justified anyway? Mostl...

  22. 04. 2022     The English department at my institution (DSVV, Haridwar) has a restricted number of students along with professors. As a result, everybody knows each other quite closely. In other colleges, students do not get to see the professor due to the number of students and the ratio of faculties. It is quite the opposite for me, as a student here.      Being invited to a professor's house for a family event is a great honor for a student or at least it was for me. My HOD, Dr. B.P. Upadhyay, was all set with arrangements to get his daughter married. It used to be the highlight of every class, with all of my peers asking questions about the preparations. He used to update us after every class. The day came and we were invited. It was a Haldi ceremony , where family and friends apply Haldi (turmeric) to the bride for good skin and a good omen. Asking several times about the invitation and then actually being invited are two very different scen...

     I am traveling back home today. As I write this, I'm inside a train that's running at its full capacity. None of the seats are vacant; families are returning home to spend their summer vacation. Children with their families are excited and keep on asking where they reach and when will they reach their destinations. It's quite nostalgic to watch. For I've traveled by train since I was a child. From traveling with my mother to managing the whole trip alone now, I feel I'm growing and evolving. Instead of just saying hello to people in the same compartment, I can observe beyond the basics.  Story 1: I met a kid today who departed at the last station. He was a hyper child, and it sounded like his mother did not want him to socialize at all. It is sad to realize how people ignore the special needs of children with different physical abilities.   Story 2: A newly wedded couple is sharing the seat beside me. The bride can not stop crying. There might be several re...