URBAN LIVING - A BANE OR A BOON

URBAN LIVING IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE ATTRACTIVE AMONG THE RURAL POPULATION OF OUR COUNTRY, BECAUSE OF THE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR ATTACHED TO THE URBAN LIVING.

MORE AND MORE RURAL PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO THE URBAN CITIES EITHER IN SEARCH OF EMPLOYMENT,  EDUCATION, BETTER LIVING CONDITION OR IN SEARCH OF HIGH PROFILE ENTERTAINMENT AVENUES.

BUT HARDLY DO THEY REALISE THE PROBLEMS THE URBAN POPULACE FACES AND THE STRESS OF URBAN LIVING, THE MASS MIGRATION OF RURAL POPULACE TO THE URBAN CITIES RESULTS IN OVERCROWDING OF CITIES, WHICH RESULTS IN INCREASE IN DEMAND OF RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES AND SANITATION NEEDS, AND HENCE THE COST OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS GO UP EXHORBITANTLY, WHICH RESULTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SLUMS IN THESE URBAN CITIES WHERE THE MIGRANTS SETTLE DOWN SINCE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD DECENT RESIDENTIAL ACCOMODATION.

THE INCREASE IN SLUMS CAUSES SANITATION AND HEALTH PROBLEMS, INCREASE IN OUT BREAK OF DEADLY DISEASES, AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS BOTH FOR THE MIGRANTS AS WELL AS THE POPULATION OF THAT CITY.

THE MIGRATION OF LABOR FROM RURAL AREAS TO THE CITY, CAUSES SHORTAGE OF AGRICULTURAL LABOR IN THE VILLAGES, DUE TO WHICH THE AGRICULTURE OUTPUT DECLINES VERY SHARPLY THUS CREATING A SHORTAGE IN FOOD PRODUCTS WHICH CAUSES HIGH INFLATION.

THE INCREASE IN THE POPULATION IN THE URBAN AREAS ALSO INCREASES THE BURDEN ON THE LIMITED INFRASTRUCTURE OF  URBAN CITIES, LIKE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC ON THE CITY ROADS  INCREASED BURDEN ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, RESULTING IN SHORTAGE OF DRINKING WATER, AND ENERGY NEEDS LIKE ELECTRICITY AND COOKING AND VEHICULAR FUEL NEEDS, CAUSING NOISE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION WHICH LEADS TO MANY HEALTH AILMENTS AMONG THE MIGRANTS AS WELL AS THE URBAN CITIZENS.

THUS URBAN MIGRATION IS A BANE BOTH FOR THE MIGRANTS AS WELL AS FOR THE URBAN CITIZENS.

Abraham Lincoln’s letter to his son’s Head Master

Respected Teacher,

My son will have to learn I know that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for ever scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.

It will take time, I know; but teach him, if you can, that a dollar earned is far more valuable than five found.

Teach him to learn to lose and also to enjoy winning.

Steer him away from envy, if you can.

Teach him the secret of quite laughter. Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to tick.

Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books.. but also give him quiet time to ponder over the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hill –side.

In school teach him it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if every one tells him they are wrong.

Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when every one is getting on the bandwagon.

Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad. Teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness.

Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders; but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob… and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.

Treat him gently; but do not cuddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order; but see what you can do. He is such a fine little fellow, my son.


Abraham Lincoln. 

Posted by: Sajini & Elizabeth

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Life!

NUTRIENTS?

• Protein- for building and repair
• Fat and CHO- for energy and growth
• Vitamins & Minerals- for good health
• Fibre- to prevent constipation
• Water- to remove toxins

Guidelines for healthy eating

-Include variety of foods to meet macro and micronutrient requirements.

-Fat consumption upto 35 % of energy.

-Low in salt.  

-Avoid excess fibre.

-Restrict sugary foods to mealtimes.

Helpful steps

-Change whole milk to semi-skimmed around 2 years.

-Fruits and vegetables to be 5 servings/ day.

-Serve meals at regular times, in a family setting.

WHY IS BREAKFAST IMPORTANT?

-It provides a major source of  child’s daily energy supply.

-Children who eat breakfast are better nourished.

-They can meet their daily need for essential vitamins and minerals.

-Children who eat breakfast learn better, are more alert and active.

-Offer quick and nutritious choices like juice, yogurt and fruit.

-Progress to 2 servings of cereal, 1 serving of milk.

OVERWEIGHT/ OBESITY:

RESTRICT or  BEST AVOID

High- fat foods- butter, cheese,chocolate, cream, ice-cream, potato chips, pastries

High- carbohydrate foods- cake, cookies, noodles, honey, sugar, sweets             

 Beverages- soft drinks, carbonated beverages, sweetened drink mixes

CALORIE BURNING CHART  (EXERCISE TIPS)

-Begin gradually.

-Be sure to warm up, cool down.

-Incorporate activity in daily living (walking, climbing stairs).

-Choose activities you enjoy.

-Wear comfortable clothing, good shoes.

-Do not exercise outdoors in frigid/ very hot climates.

-Drink a lot of water.

FOOD ALLERGY

Food Intolerance- it is a reproducible and unpleasant reaction.

Food allergy- evidence of abnormal immunological reaction to food.

Psychologically-based food reactions- emotions associated with food cause food avoidance. Emotions may cause unpleasant bodily reactions.

TARGET DIET

FIVE WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY

-Eat sensibility.

-Drink enough fluids.  

-Exercise regularly.

-Watch your weight.

-Get yourself checked periodically

-Laila and Asha

Todays youth and our traditions

               Coming up from its colonial past India today is one of the fastest growing nations in the world. After being dominated by the British for about 200 years the Indians especially urban people have developed a habit of copying the West. 

The problem is more widespread in cities and big towns.The people especially the youth are becoming more and more westernized.. Right from the way of their dressing till their attitude. This is because they are taken in by the glamour and Multi National companies.

The youth so often called as YOUNGISTAN has been neglecting its own very rich culture and traditions in order to adapt the Western ideas. They have their mindset that what the WEST is doing is right and one should follow it without hesitation. The youth of India does not perceive its identity as traditional  Indians any more. They think that their centuries old traditions are outdated and prevent modern development.They should learn from countries like Japan which is one of  the leading economies of the world and also one of the most advanced country in terms of modernization but it still follows and respects its old traditions and cultures.

In the end, I would like to  say BE WHAT YOU ARE and  not simply copy the WEST. Its high time that we realize that we need to foster and protect the  culture and heritage because without it India would no longer remain as INCREDIBLE INDIA.

Grade 1A singing in French

We found a moment in the library during our French lesson and recorded the song. Singing with no help from me :) our traditional Bonjour song. We are progressing nicely and kids enjoy the classes a lot. So do i.

Book release in grade 4

Children of grade 4 have had an exciting project as a part of the English class. They have written a book on their own! The day of the official book release has come and Mrs. Shetty was the guest of honor to release them by untying a pretty ribbon tied around the book. Not everyone was ready for the release but we had 5 shining writers who were. Sishir, Anoushka, Aryanvi, Mahati and Sahiti.

The rest will get a chance with the postponed release but I could clearly see it on their faces that they regretted not being done on time. Surely that was a valuable learning for them and in my opinion as long as kids feel they wish they did it on time, we are on a good way. The only thing we should fear would be indifference. I am sure everyone will now feel motivated to finish their books as soon as possible.

The children have picked their own topics, built their characters and have on average aimed for 3 chapters. The books ended up neatly decorated and over flowing with imagination of our enthusiastic authors. They will be placed in our school library for other children to enjoy their stories.

Elements of Magic by Anoushka

Space Ranger Jupiter by Mahati

A funny moment when release didn't go smoothly
because Aryanvi tied a knot to her ribbon :)

People are amazing!

Enjoy! (Click on the link)