For those who haven't grabbed a copy of 'Hornbill' yet, here is the link.
Click on the link to read the text.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Preliminary Fun begins at the The Voiceworks Great Balloon Debate
Click on the picture to enlarge.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
A pettiness ( Verse by Priya Poddar)
After a long period (constituting of almost a quarter of an year) I found my inspiration. This is based on a real event that occurred during one of my mindless balcony visits. A little help was also given by Yiruma's 'When the love falls' (Epic music which is). And the reason, still is unknown.
A Pettiness
As strange an encounter as it couldn't be.
For this was just a small kid from the neighbourhood.
And this was but only another noon.
As his father, on went with his work,
drawing pictures in his mind,
his restless actions gave away the peace-less.
As in none my interests I observed him
Following a deer would have been less ardous
And this was but only another noon.
As his shadow followed him through the reality
He stomped his foot on the marble
On nothing appearing apparent.
As the clomp increased the pace and sound
the peace-less creeped in me
And this was only but another noon.
As the unnoticed reason was noticed for its absence
strict restlessness now settled in my being
which on a pursuit, was left miserable.
Why was he doing this? Where was the reason?
The miserablity was only aggravated.
And this was but only another noon.
Inflamed by the nothingness of the hap
on this another noon, I realised
There was a part of my own tender age
Which was lost somewhere.
UNCUT! (Priya Poddar shraes the unabridged version of her interview at The United World College, Pune)
The interview comprised of a whole day at United World Colleges, so that they would know us better. The campus was gorgeously beautiful ; it was like a paradise. About 30% of the current students were Indian, the rest came from various parts of the world.
We started off with a few games and activities. They divided us into various groups. Then we were taken for a tour by the students. Most of the work was handled by the students, in fact all, apart from the formal interview. We played some real nice activity-games, I would definitely like to share them with you in school. : D
After that, we were taken indoors, fabulous classrooms there were! We had been asked to bring an object of 'personal significance' for ourselves, to deliver a 5 minute presentation in front of the current students and alumni. They also had to throw at us some questions when they felt like.
So, I took my Bharatnatyam trinklets, which I have been using for the past 5 years, that's about the time I have been learning the dance. I told them how it was important for me to learn the dance in all its discipline, to not take it as a hobby class, , told them how I had mingled so much with the culture, customs, history of South India, so much so, that sometimes I wished I was born a Tamil. : D Then, they asked me dance a little for them, so i did. I believe they were impressed. : )
Then, it was the formal interview, where i believe I messed up, actually. There were three teachers, one Indian, the other two foreigners, one of them a woman. After the greetings, they asked me to describe Delhi, where I came from. So, I, practically a passionate lover of this city, praised it a lot, saying that it was like a mini India.
At then end, i concluded by saying that if one has lived in delhi, it is difficult to think of living somewhere else. The they were surprised, they asked me if I was selected, wouldI be able to put up in pune? So, I said that it would be a different way in which I'd be living here, which would be more like a hostel in Pune, where I would have things at my dispense, though in delhi, I am sort of catering to my own needs. I guess they were satisfied.
Then, they asked to tell me about my current school, I praised it a lot too, because I am a fan of G. D. Goenka, where I have practically come out from an opaque bubble i was living in. Then they posed the same question again, why I wanted to leave it.
I said it was about exposure, which would be much more in UWC. I don't remember then, but in between they asked me what I wake up to everyday. I said it was about a job, that I've been given, by God, and that I have to fulfill it.
At the basic level, it is 'living life', but for different people, living is different, for someone, it might be writing, for the other singing. I said that i believed that there was a vast, unlimited world of knowledge out there, and extracting that part, from wherever I can, really interested me. They asked me why, I said I had no reason for it, it just made me feel happy, just like thinking about helping people, doing that for Pakistanis someday, feeding dogs, etc.
Then, i don't know how, but the talks shifted to dogs, and as I said I loved dogs, one of them said, "that would be good, if you get selected, it would really help the huge lot of dogs we have here" I was like "Yeah, I would love to feed them day and night".
Then he said "Priya, here you'd be staying for 8 months of the year, the other 4 months you'll be spending at your home, as a part of the vacations, etc. Don't you think it would be a kind of betrayal from your side, when you''re away for a quarter and they don't have anyone to feed them?" "I would make sure make the arrangements for their food, somehow"?
"What if you can't find anything?
Would you be willing to stay back?"
" I will, if I can't find anything"
"What! You're not going to bother about your parents?"
"See,I do love them, but I am not so attached to them, I realize their importance, they've given me everything I have, made me everything I am, but, if i have to stay away from them, I can do that."
"You're saying you love your dog much more than your mother. I am gonna call up your mother and tell her that you said this."
"Sir, the fact is, she won't be surprised, she knows too very well"
And then, somehow they started talking about my dead dog, and I broke down! I have never been embarrassed about anything as much as that. It screwed up all my interview. And then they passed a joke, brought things back to normal. then they asked me a questin, "Priya, what if after a few weeks, you realize that you havent been selected, what would have been your flaw, you think?"
"I think my carelessness would be it, I mean it's like, sometimes rather than preparing for a test, I would be interested in reading a book"
"You think you've learned a lesson from it?"
"Sir, it's like, about people's perceptions.
For my mother, teacher, it would be a waste of time, I guess, but it is a blessing for me to have another day witha novel!"
"If you have to choose between a project work at campus, where You have to help people and a very lucrative book, what would you choose?" I was tongue tied, I said both were equally interesting for me, which was actually the truth. But they did not seem to believe me. They asked "If I gave you a piece of food, there's your dying mother and a dying dog, who would you feed it to?" I did not answer it. : )
They asked me if i wanted to ask something, i made a fool of myself by asking "what exactly is the relationship between students and teachers here?", when I had wanted too ask, what exactly is this place where I only see the students doing all the work, and teachers nowehere!
That's when i ended it. Then, it was meals,a lot of dancing, a lot of chatting with seniors, alumni, etc, hot chocolate. : ) Then, I slept, and the next day, we had a discussion over China-tibet issue. We also had an aptitude test, pretty easy one.
That's how it was. I wrote so much, I am sleepy. : )
Just pray for me , now that I have had a sight of the tinsel town, i don't want to lose it. : )
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Tips for writing a winning debate
DEBATE WRITING
Why to write: To persuade people. In a situation where you have to raise certain points to convince the audience that your point of view is correct, you write a debate. The success of your endeavour depends on the quality of the points raised by you.
What are the parts of a debate (paragraph wise):
Paragraph 1 - Opening statement: Introduce yourself, define the motion and summarize why you are
speaking for or against the motion.
Paragraph 2 - Main argument: proposition- present the main argument
Cross examination: raise some of the opposite arguments and refute them.
Suggesting alternatives: give some guidelines about the future
(you can divide more than one paragraphs in this section if the topic is vast)
Paragraph 3 - Closing statement: summing up the arguments and telling why people should accept their
side.
Don’t go beyond four paragraphs in all.
How to make it a strong debate:
1. Pick a side: when some people are writing debate articles, their common error is that they do not stand for their own sides firmly. For example, their statements may include "However, I think the opinions of pro/con are undoubtedly true" or "I have nothing to say against your comments."
2. Use a calm but forceful tone: you should firmly believe in what you are writing. The statements should not show an indecisive thought process.
3. Right on topic through the whole debate: make sure not to lose focus.
4. Show your position as quickly as possible: when some people write debate articles, they put down a lengthy introduction, and still do not state which side they support. Try to make a clear position within the few first sentences.
5. Using examples: your expression should not lack vitality. Write down a story, important event or your personal experience! The debate comes alive when it deals with people's daily life.
6. Write it logically as well as emotionally: logic makes the debate seem more accurate and firm, and emotion can touch the hearts of the readers. But be aware the correct mix is needed to make it effective.
7. Make few positive comments about the other side: although supporting your side strongly is important, making a few positive comments about the other side can make your opponent feel that you are a reasonable debater. But remember two things: one, put it down towards the beginning of your debate; two, later you have to prove that your aspect for your own side is more important than the one you previously stated for the other side. For instance; a debate on "Who would win the fight: Superman or Spiderman?" If you supported Superman, you could first analyze Spiderman's special abilities, and later you could show the readers that Superman has all the advantages Spiderman has and even beyond.
8. List: the article would be more convincing if you list all the points you want to raise in the debate before starting to write. This makes the article more organized. (This is not necessary all the time but you can do it initially to get a practice.)
How to turn your side into a winning argument:
1. Present yourself as a well mannered debater through expressions like: my worthy friend is right when he says that… but I would like to add…
2. Introduction: write a first sentence that draws in readers. Some great ideas include asking a question, using a quote or stating an amazing fact.
3. Pay attention to the word limit- 150 – 200 for a debate
4. How is a debate different from a speech: you don’t need to speak against an opponent in a speech. It is not as aggressive as a debate but you still need to be clear about the side you are supporting. Generally, the speech is written on such topics that are not very controversial.
There is a sample debate written below. Read it and see if you can spot the same ideas as written in the pointers given above.
VIEW
Respected judges, teachers and my dear friends, today I, xyz, stand in front of you to speak against the motion that work should be shut down to facilitate voter turnout. This idea is an absurd brainwave to aid voter turnout on Election Day. On October 13, the day Maharashtra goes to the polls, all commercial and industrial establishments, malls, and restaurants will have to shut because this would presumably drive people straight to the polling booth. This is against the very basis of a democracy.
In a democracy, citizens have the right not to vote as much as they have the choice of casting their ballot. Coercing them to vote either by making it compulsory as in Australia
Forced shutdown will also lead to economic losses. I accept the fact that people will be free in such a scenario but there is no way of ensuring that just because people do not have to show up at work, and have no entertainment hub to go to on voting day, they will automatically land up at the polling stations. If someone has decided to not vote, s/he will not, no matter what the incentive. So people should be left free to take their decisions.
C O U N T E R V I E W
Respected judges, teachers and my dear friends, today I, xyz, stand in front of you to speak for the motion that the work should be shut down to facilitate voter turnout. When the country’s financial capital has an abysmal voting record, it is time to take remedial steps. In that context, this decision is sensible.
Those criticizing the move for being too harsh or somehow violating democratic norms are making baseless arguments. The state authorities have stated that they hope to boost voter turnout, but they are in no way compelling citizens to turn up at the voting booths. And as for the closures, they are both ethically and legally justified.
All government sector employees and most private sector ones either have the day off or the option to take time off from the working day in order to vote. Why should restaurants and shops be exempt? The constitutional rights are being safeguarded, otherwise employees may have been forced to work on Election Day.
In Australia
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Portrait of a Lady: Introduction to Khushwant Singh
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Khushwant Singh, one of the best -known Indian writers of all times, was born in 1915 in Hadali (now in Pakistan). He was educated at the Government College, Lahore and at King's College, Cambridge University, and the Inner Temple in London. He practiced law at the Lahore High Court for several years before joining the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in 1947. He began a distinguished career as a journalist with the All India Radio in 1951. Since then he has been founder-editor of Yojana (1951-1953), editor of the Illustrated weekly of India (1979-1980), chief editor of New Delhi (1979-1980), and editor of the Hindustan times (1980-1983). His Saturday column "With Malice Towards One and All" in the Hindustan times is by far one of the most popular columns of the day.
Khushwant Singh's name is bound to go down in Indian literary history as one of the finest historians and novelists, a forthright political commentator, and an outstanding observer and social critic. In July 2000, he was conferred the "Honest Man of the Year Award" by the Sulabh International Social Service Organization for his courage and honesty in his "brilliant incisive writing." At the award ceremony, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh described him as a "humourous writer and incorrigible believer in human goodness with a devil-may-care attitude and a courageous mind." The Indian external affairs minister said that the secret of Khushwant Singh's success lay in his learning and discipline behind the "veneer of superficiality."
Among the several works he published are a classic two-volume history of the Sikhs, several novels (the best known of which are Delhi, Train to Pakistan, and The company of women), and a number of translations and non-fiction books on Delhi, nature and current affairs. The Library of Congress has ninety-nine works on and by Khushwant Singh.
Khushwant Singh was a member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Indian Parliament) from 1980 to 1986. Among other honors, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974 by the President of India (he returned the decoration in 1984 in protest against the Union Government's siege of the Golden Temple in Amritsar).
A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE BY KHUSHWANT SINGH
Ethnic jokes always target successful communities
Khushwant singh, Hindustan Times
December 04, 2011
Ethnic jokes are assumed to be in bad taste. Nevertheless, they flourish across the world. Their principal target is always the community which has done better than others. We have Bawaji jokes portraying Parsis as crack-pots. We have jokes about Marwari Banias who are busy making money. Most of all we have Sardarji jokes about Sikhs, being feeble-minded, although they have more to their credit than other communities. What is notable is that most of these are made by members of the community itself.
Unfortunately Sikhs have lost much of their self esteem and have become thin-skinned like other communities. They take offence at anyone trying to make fun of them. So it needed audacity to publish jokes about them. This has been now done with the publication of Bantaism — The philosophy of Sardar Jokes by Bhai Niranjan Singh Amrikawale (Rupa). You can take it from me that there is no philosophy behind this compilation. It is only a ruse to deter some ill-tempered Sardarjis from taking them to court. I reproduce a couple of samples of Sardar Jokes from the compilation:
Banta Singh was enjoying tea at a restaurant. He couldn’t help overhear the conversation at the next table where a young couple were seated. The guy asked the girl “How many cups of tea can a person drink on an empty stomach?” She thought for a while and replied, “I guess three.” Her friend smiled and said, “You are wrong.” The girl, a bit irritated, asked “So what is the correct answer?”
“Think about it. The correct answer is…one,” he said. “Once you have the first cup your stomach is no longer empty.” She laughed, and Banta Singh pondered over their conversation as they left. Such a nice joke. Something the wife would really enjoy, he thought That evening he asked her. “Well, Jeeto, how many cups of tea can you have on an empty stomach?” “I do not like tea,” she replied. “After five years of marriage don’t you even know that about me? Shows how much you care.” He parried as best as he could, telling her it was a joke. “What I mean is, if you did like tea, how many cups could you drink on an empty stomach?”
“Swaal paida nahin honda jaddon” (the question does not arise when) I don’t like it only.” After some persuasion, he managed to cajole an answer out of her. “Two,” she said. Banta Singh could barely contain his exasperation. “You stupid woman,” he hissed. “Too bad. If only you had said three, I would have told you such a nice joke.”
And: A Sardar from a village was unfamiliar with the concept of a race. On a visit to the city he chanced upon a marathon. He saw hundreds of people dashing down the road for no apparent reason. He asked his friend what was going on. The friend explained the concept of a race. He said the top three finishers would get gold, silver and bronze medals.“But then,” asked the Sardar, “Why are all the others running ?” Why indeed?
This joke highlights the stupidity of competition. It questions the many races one participates in through life, unwitting and witting: with classmates, siblings, colleagues, spouses, even children. The moment you leave the race, you realise the absurdity of it — the ab-Surdity, if you must.
For a community of less than 2% of the Indian population to produce a Prime Minister regarded as the ablest of the able, most honest of the righteous and humblest of the humble is a matter of pride. His wife, Gursharan Kaur, was the first wife of an Indian PM to discharge duties expected of the wife of the ruler of the country. The man who plans India’s future, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, is also a Sardarji. And till last year so was the commander-in-chief of the Army, General J J Singh. So envy is inevitable. And out of envy are born jokes to even the score.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The Voiceworks Balloon Debate
VOICEWORKS- The Literary Week
Name of the Event:
Taking the wind out of sails – The Voiceworks Balloon Debate
Class: XI Day: May 9, 2012
Details about Preliminary and Main Rounds (in points):
- Group division: XI A, B, C, will be divided into groups of 4 for conducting the interclass balloon debate.
- The premise: A person takes on a particular role and then we imagine that all these characters are together in a hot air balloon that is rapidly falling. One must be thrown overboard to save the others, but who will it be? Each participant must make a speech saying why they should be allowed to stay in the balloon. The rest of the class votes, and the loser is disqualified.
- Choosing the character: Each group of four will be given a theme – scientists, literary figures, painters, actors, etc. The teacher can suggest some names under each category and the students will be free to choose any.
- The rounds:
Click on the picture to enlarge.
5. The levels
Intra class: Each group will undergo three rounds and one character will be eliminated in each round. In the end, each hot air balloon will have one winner and the winners will be teamed in another balloon. The rounds will be conducted once again and the number of winners per class will be brought to four.
Interclass: The class winners will then be teamed up in a balloon (one balloon per class) and an interclass competition will be held – in the courtyard or the amphitheatre.
School level: The final group of four winners will present the debate in the Voiceworks presentation during the Literary Week.
6. Judging criteria:
10 - Content (facts and examples)
10 - Organization (introduction, body, conclusion)
10 - Presentation (voice modulation, punctuation
10- Body language (posture, eye contact); 10 - Language (vocabulary, creative expressions)
Total – 50
Suggested Characters for the Debate:
1. Alexander the Great
2. Cleopatra
3. David Beckham
4. Casanova
5. Julius Caesar
6. Elizabeth I
7. Cher
8. Leonardo Da Vinci
9. Caligula
10. Boadicea
11. Charlie Chaplin
12. Michelangelo
13. Nero
14. Florence Nightingale
15. Marilyn Monroe
16. Mozart
17. William the Conqueror
18. Louis Pasteur
19. Elvis Presley
20. Beethoven
21. Martin Luther King
22. Eva Peron
23. Diana, Princess of Wales
24. Thomas Edison
25. Genghis Khan
26. Margaret Thatcher
27. Lassie
28. Marie Currie
29. Marco Polo
30. Queen Victoria
31. Bob Geldof
32. Rembrandt
33. Christopher Columbus
34. Mother Theresa
35. Mickey Mouse
36. Picasso
37. John F Kennedy
38. Francis of Assisi
39. Sir Alf Ramsey
40. Van Gogh
41. Mao Tse Tung
42. Mary Seacole
43. Maria Callas
44. William Shakespeare
45. Mahatma Gandhi
46. Catherine the Great
47. Andrew Lloyd Webber
48. Jane Austen
49. Richard III
50. Helen of Troy
51. Alfred Hitchcock
52. Orville Wright
53. Sir Francis Drake
54. Mary, Queen of Scots
55. Andy Warhol
56. Charles Dickens
57. Henry VIII
58. Oliver Cromwell
59. John Lennon
60. Alexander Fleming
61. Richard the Lionheart
62. Marie Antoinette
63. Madonna
64. William Harvey
65. Robin Hood
66. Napoleon Bonaparte
67. Brigitte Bardot
68. Charles Darwin
69. Charlemagne
70. Garibaldi
71. John Wayne
72. Howard Hughes
73. Nelson Mandela
74. Isambard Kingston Brunel
75. Garfield Sobers
76. Andrew Carnegie
77. Winston Churchill
78. Emily Parkhurst
79. Donald Bradman
80. Christopher Wren
81. Lord Baden-Powell
82. Albert Einstein
83. Jesse Owens
84. Pele
85. Benjamin Franklin
86. George Stephenson
87. Mick Jagger
88. Karl Marx
89. Leif Eriksson
90. Amelia Johnson
91. Berry Gordy
92. Bob Dylan
93. Spartacus
94. Montgolfier
95. Errol Flynn
96. Christian Barnard
97. Henry Ford
98. Alexander Graham Bell
99. Bob Marley
100. Machiavelli
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