On Emotions–XII M

It all began, three weeks ago, when one of 12 M’s students decided to show her classmates a video she felt represented a burning issue in our lives.A day or so later, when we started bouncing ideas off each other for the topic of our final special assembly, we came back to that video – the “Look Up” video, and its theme, of the negative effects of technology on emotions and relationships. However, a lot of us felt jittery about taking up such a sensitive topic, as presentations related to it tended to get preachy.

So, we all decided to broaden our perspectives, and put a scientific twist on it (we are a science batch after all). We decided to analyse the scientific and psychometric causes behind common emotions, and how these emotions get influenced by the relentless pace of modern life.

In order to put our theories on the technology v/s emotions debate to the test,we decided to conduct a psychometric experiment. We asked ten students of both the 11th and 12th grades to stay back for half an hour after school, to help us out with our assembly. They neither knew each other, nor did they have a clue about the exact kind of help they were providing us. We then segregated them into two groups, took away the phones of one group, and told the other group that they were free to use their smartphones. As they waited for twenty minutes for someone from our class to come and brief them on what we needed them to do, little did they realise that they were being taped the whole time, with a hidden camera. We observed some very interesting behaviour in both the groups, which sometimes followed our theories on what would happen, and sometimes surprised us.

When we got down to the actual research of the science behind various emotions, we were startled by some of the facts. For example – did you know that scientists have already isolated the molecule responsible for causing stress? Or that there is a kind of phobia called ‘Ephebiphobia’, the fear of teenagers?

Some psychology students of the class decided to present the results of a relevant test they had conducted as part of their coursework, an emotional adjustment questionnaire (i.e. a test of the extent to which a person can maintain his balance and calmness when faced with difficult or provocative situations). They found, that a shocking 84% of respondents to the questionnaire had unsatisfactory emotional and social adjustment.A day before the assembly, we started scripting the presentation. We decided to keep the speeches to a bare minimum, and instead tried to focus on presenting our findings, and on having a fruitful discussion.

We tried to frame our discussion questions in a manner that would make our audience tell us what they thought caused this catastrophic breakdown in modern-day emotions and relationships. Simultaneously, we conducted discussions in each of the grade 11 classrooms. We found that although the 11th grade was slow to warm up to the discussion, they confirmed our suspicions and told us that our relationships are indeed changing drastically. As one student said, our emotions are becoming our e-motions.

Ultimately, the assembly turned out to be a great experience for everyone involved – including the presenters. People who would never have spoken in front of an audience started coming forth with opinions. The entire class participated in the preparations and final presentations. By addressing this issue, we believe that all of us have had revelations about the true nature of human emotions. Our final special assembly was truly a unique experience,and we bid it an e-motional farewell.

Advertisement

Beneath the Camouflage–XII E

Guns blazing, adrenaline pumping, protected by a uniform of leaves and grease… isn’t that how we imagine our soldiers due to the image publicised by popular movies?? But just like Sylvester Stallone in ‘Rambo’, not everyone who survives gets the respect they deserve.Some become martyrs and some remember the battles they fought every single time they look at their handicapped limbs. But most importantly, they are forgotten by the people they protected and the country they love. And this injustice is exactly what the students of class 12 D and E wanted to bring to the limelight and change.

So while we sat in the classroom, shooting ideas for possible topics, the reason this suggestion definitely got our attention was because it was unconventional, as not many would dare to think that something worthwhile could be done about it and hence was unique. Once all of us decided that we wanted to follow through with this, with the help of our class teachers and Akanksha Ma’am, we got down to the business of exactly how we go about presenting our definitely avant-garde topic.

As the discussions began only a few days before “D Day”, we began to realise that unless we actually got the perspective of the people who’ve experienced the things we’ve only read about, we wouldn’t be able to be able to send out a heartfelt message. So some of us decided to interview ex army and ex navy personnel about the things that proved to us that pride was more than just a feeling and that discipline took a lot more than following a routine. In the 2 days that followed, other than informative placards, 10 minutes of making others reflect upon their actions (or rather the lack of them), countless hours of editing videos by the tech team and hectic preparation, we also spent almost 3 hours debating with our beloved Ajit Sir, asking questions on the true definition of patriotism, that begged us to look into our minds to find something more than electrical impulses, which ergo helped us put forth meaningful questions to the others.

As for the assembly, the presentation was twofold, with class 12 and parts of class 11 basking in the aura of our chief guests, Commodore Homipal Singh and P. K. Mishra, father of our classmate Shashank Mirsha, while class 11 experienced a first-of-its-kind assembly within the classroom itself.

The presentation, which began with a play/mime, set to the reverberating recitation of a poem saluting our soldiers and their sacrifices, showcased exactly that in a wonderful manner and was followed by little tidbits of information regarding existing campaigns to stop the injustice retired defence personnel face, job opportunities present and the changes others would want to see in the three tiers of defence forces. Everyone listened in rapt attention (and silence) to everything our chief guests had to say, because it brought up some interesting points about the meaning of war and patriotism, the necessity of peace and discipline and the need to follow orders which helped fuel the avid discussion that followed. With the help of about 8 questions covering a wide spectrum, from financial to ethical to practical aspects of war and the military, the diverse views and ideologies of young minds were revealed, since so many of them offered a mixture of opinions and raised questions that definitely got everyone’s grey cells firing up, getting ready to contradict or to support another’s point of view. And with our chief guests also joining the conversation from time to time, it really seemed as though the mike was a vital life source, proving exactly why this issue needed to be addressed.

Since the point of our assemblies is not just to present a particular topic, but to do something before and after its completion to keep the ball rolling, we have taken the initiative to write letters to the real stars of our country and invite you to join us in our mission to bring about a small but essential change with the help your own letter; to make sure that our brave hearts know that we truly respect them and are grateful for their service to this country, because showing them we care is truly the need of the hour.

Political Drama 2014 –XII A

Amidst the ongoing political drama and Modi Sarkaar slogans, kindled by the need to select a topic for our special assembly, some of us from class 12 A decided to hold an election in the school. The idea was pitched to our own class first, and the excitement spread like forest fire. The idea was simple – 3 parties, 3 leaders, campaigning and voting. For the main assembly, what’s better than a face off among the three party leaders!

Every one of us got into the preparations. Like always, time was an expensive luxury. But we were determined to put up a good show. We divided the class into 4 groups, the three parties – Bhajipav, BAAP, and Cornflakes (I’m sure you can see the pun) and an Election Commission. The excitement at the start was tremendous, but as time passed, we realized that things weren’t that easy.

Our goal was to make other students aware of the election process. The EC laid down a code of conduct, which the parties were determined to violate. The debate for the assembly was prepared. Through the process, the leaders realized a great truth – politics isn’t easy. Even making false promises isn’t easy. The scrutiny by the opposition is indeed tough to handle. Moreover, the media! Media is one huge problem in itself.

As the days passed, the parties got ready for the campaigning. With all sorts of slogans and promises in mind, we set out, with the EC always behind our backs. We were all around the school, in the corridors, in the classes, on the terrace, going to students and begging for votes. The students were bribed with chips, and the teachers with fancy cards! Speeches were narrated in each class, trying to get the most attention from the students. The EC then went around with our high-tech voting machines…smartphones! You do have an app for everything!

The fun ended here. Now was the time to be serious. The final assembly was near, and we had to yet script the debate. This was the crux of the whole idea. This is where we open the students’ eyes to the ongoing issues and debates. The leaders now had to become the actual leaders they were imitating. We researched day and night about our respective parties, following the news and discussing the political issues and views among ourselves, with our parents and teachers. What issues to take? What questions to put forth? The task was difficult. After a lot of input from our teachers, we finalized a script.

Feeling like real, kurta-clad politicians, we took charge of the stage. The debate began and the satires were well received by the active audience. But most intriguing were the students’ responses in the following group discussion. Should we compromise a clean government for a youth government? Are the freebees offered by the political parties to lure the poor into voting justified? There were varying mindsets and opinions on many such questions, which got a chance to be voiced out in the assembly.

On the whole, the experience was a mind opener. The healthy debates among ourselves, discussing political parties, going to the depth of an issue, reading about the allegations and speeches of the leaders was indeed fun. We learnt a lot about the working of the Election Commission. It was a hard time managing 700 students; imagine a country with 400 million voters! What can be a better ending than – Jai Hind!

Change Initiated

                                                                                                                    The Students of class XI-M got their sign-ages up at Mumbai’s Nair Hospital

Making Navigation Easier .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                     

Little Efforts to A Big Cause.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

XI-M

How many times do we feel that a certain problem is “not my responsibility”?

It could be cleaning your brother’s room, or just randomly offering to do chores that may not be yours. This is something quite trivial in fact, consider the situation;

A man walking in front of you on the street throws a can on the road, following a napkin and an impressive amount of phlegm.

You might be noble and tell him to not do that again and take the garbage home but are you noble enough to think of throwing that napkin and that can (no not the phlegm, of course) in the next garbage bin you find? Would you consider that your responsibility?

Let’s be honest with ourselves Most of us would walk on. Most of us wouldn’t even bother saying anything to the man. Heck, some of us in fact would be the man. Or the woman. whatever.

Uncle Ben had rightfully said and i quote, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

How many of us think we have ‘powers’?

We have the power of education. The power of being privileged and not having to worry about the next time we’ll be lucky enough to savor edible food in our mouth.

All that’s left now is to realize we in fact do have responsibilities. Responsibilities beyond making our parents happy and scoring above 90%, beyond getting the perfect skin and the perfect hair.

This brings me to the “little experiment of change” that we undertook.

SIGNAGE.

 

We get lost. Not talking about the lost in daydreams during Thermodynamics but really, physically lost.

Consider the first day of school. We had no idea where we had to go. NADA. Our class teacher has to tell us repeatedly about where the washrooms and the canteen were. Looking back on it, we think it wouldn’t be such a bad idea for the school to have a map. Or signs indicating where the washrooms are. At least that would help the school from not being such an impenetrable maize to the newbies.

That was the inception of ‘PROJECT NAVIGATOR’.

Our immensely talented and meticulous Creative Team created floor maps for the school which can now be found on every floor landing, a School map put up at the reception and an area map which helps you not to go wandering about the Podar Educational Complex with a not so inconspicuous question mark on your face.

We also came across a major loophole in government hospitals.

They lacked proper signboards. You’d be lucky to get a receptionist to help you. If you needed a blood test and was asked to go to a certain ward you had to ask a dozen people on your way be it patients, doctors, interns and they’d help but not a signboard in sight to guide you there.

We’re talking about a place where ‘an emergency’ is a word that surfaces at least 10 times a day with the thousands of patients visiting per day. A hospital not having appropriate signs to guide you in an emergency is just preposterous. Yet true.

Thus began our quest to make the difference we could.

We targeted the reputed Nair Hospital and made colourful, attractive sign boards guiding people to the washrooms, wards, etc.

We recently received a thumbs up from the hospital to put up our signs in the OPD building and will be going there to do the same whenever we get the chance.

A project like this, a goal to complete really taught us responsibility. And the fact that we actually did something that would help people for the long haul has made all the difference.

-Sharanya

(11-M)

XI-B

Not so long ago, the procedure of the school’s special assembly was revamped. Our date of presentation, that is to say that of class XI B, came as a joke the first time we were told; no one took it seriously. Days passed with no progress regarding our topic. But soon it dawned on us that something was to be done if we didn’t want to make a joke of ourselves on stage.

So an array of topics came about, ranging from eradication of social evils to something as commercial as piracy. One of my classmates even came up with brain-disorders. I wonder how well that would have gone! Anyway, we settled for Animal Rights and Piracy. Then again, days passed with no progress on presentation ideas, but not for long.

 

 

One day, Akanksha Ma’am, came to meet us in the Physics Lab. She asked us what our topic was going to be. We had a short discussion and Animal rights and piracy were ruled out right away. There and then we finalized a topic previously rejected: SCIENCE v/s RELIGION. Regarding the ideas, instantaneously, people came up with something or the other, some very impressive, but no so feasible. However we ensured her that within a couple of days we would be on track.

So we all got to work. Most of us had discussions with our parents as to what they thought is the relationship between religion and science. When we met in class, we all agreed on two things. The first being, that it wasn’t Science v/s Religion but Science and Faith. We replaced religion with faith so as to bring about inexplicable superstitions and to avoid any anti-religious comments. Secondly, we decided that we would hold a survey within the school and online to understand what views people from different sectors had, regarding the idea of God.

 

 

Most of us divided ourselves into groups, one to work on the survey, another to prepare the PPT, another to script our flow of things, another to research our topic. Unfortunately, initially not many volunteered but soon we managed just fine.

In a week’s time, research was done, PPT was almost made, drafts of the flow were in the making and then we sat down to gather creative minds for ideas on how to stage the topic. A bomb sequence was rejected. Finally, we came up with enactment of a few superstitious beliefs, a small talk on Vedic science, significance of the number 108 and the divine sound, OM. We also decided to present the clauses of the Anti-Superstition Bill. We interviewed a few teachers, and got their opinion on the topic.

All along we kept asking Akanksha Ma’am for her inputs. They served to be really helpful. If it wasn’t for her and the enthusiasm of our class teacher, Ms. Neeta Tuli, we would be nowhere and clueless as to what to do.

 

We had a fine presentation, and the lively talk on “Quantum Physics” and “Reality” by Shyam Sir kept up the mood. The crowd was amazed on learning the turnout of our survey, 600. That is quite delightful, indeed!

As a class, most of us had a changed viewpoint on Science and Faith. Non-believers now supported the idea of a Supreme Being, while the other confused lot had a strong stand that both science and religion explain the same thing but in an altogether different language. Having suggested the topic myself, I didn’t realize its scope initially but was amazed once I researched in this sector.

Here’s what Anurag Mall, a student of our class has to say;

“Science and Faith, to me seem to be two sides of the same coin. They both never meet, but are trying to explain the same thing. This topic was well chosen by the students of XI B and also well presented. This was a learning curve for all of us and new things about mythology came to the forefront in the process. I never really knew the importance of the number 108 to the Hindus, the significance of chanting of mantras, the superstitions followed if someone sneezes, and their link with science. These things and more were explained very well by the students of class XIB. My faith was lost, but, through the presentation, these students revived my faith completely! Thank you guys!”

 

Lastly, I would like to leave you with some food for thought, “Did God create Man or did Man create God?”

Shaurya Malik
On behalf of Class XI B

 

 

XI-D

The topic of our assembly, ‘Young India, Change India’, came up as a result of hours of discussion and contemplation. It is a topic that, as the youth, is very close to our hearts.

A lot has been spoken about the current scenario of our country. From the lack of proper laws, to the improper implementation of the existing ones, from scams, to economic setbacks, it seems India is facing a crisis in every possible field today.

 

We all talk about the India of our dreams. But, have we ever worked towards achieving it?

We talk about how there should be forums that ensure that we know what is going on in our country. But, did we ever try to find out if any such forum actually exists?

We felt that the need of the hour is involvement of the youth in matters that affect the country. That’s when we decided that we will take a small, but concrete step towards achieving the India we keep idolizing.

First of all, we divided our class into five groups, namely: Environment, Sports, Education, Culture, and Safety and Security. These groups made extensive researches on the myriad of problems that the particular field was facing, and some solutions to it. All of the discussion was recorded as a video for further reflection and contemplation.

One of the most important forums in our country is the Right to Information (RTI). We all know it exists, but most of us fail to understand its true potential. So, a few days prior to our assembly, the next step our class took was by organizing an RTI Workshop as a part of our Little Experiments of Change. The workshop, conducted by Mr. Ruben Mascarenhas, condensed the complex procedures of filing RTI applications into simple and easy steps. It also allowed each one of us to file an application at the end. We now know exactly who to address applications to, what are necessary details to be given and most importantly, what is the true extent of information that can be extracted under the Act.

The next workshop we took up was one conducted by The Blue Ribbon Movement in association with the organization, PRAJA. It was based on the BMC Complaint Management System. Mr. Sunny Chedda enlightened us about how exactly the BMC complaint system works and what must be one’s approach to lodge a complaint with the BMC. We now know that the BMC is just one phone call away, and that one phone call to the number 1916 can improve the situation of our city.

Then finally came the day of the presentation. Here, we shared our experience of the two workshops with our schoolmates and our teachers. This was followed by an animated and passionate discussion about the country and some solutions to its problems.

 

The assembly may be over, but the experience and knowledge that it imparted will stay with us for a long time, and hopefully will help us act as young catalysts of change.

Anushka Gangwal, XI-D

 

XI-C

 A certain class, its difference with the others, was lying only in the numbers of its primary contents – its students. A staggering fifty four uniformed identities, their outfits not serving the purpose of uniformity in the least as the array of pitches and voices, the range of expressions – sombre and solemn faces closely studying or attempting a pretence of observing the syllables etched in their neat, immaculate books, chuckling girls pointing out flaws in every soul who was unfortunate enough for his luck to desert him, hardy boys flexing their biceps in exaggerated actions often accompanied by equally unearthly claims of hours spent at the residential gym; and the buffet of personalities that created a cocktail that was at times – a soothing remedy for the negativity of life and times and at another point – a bittersweet drink to celebrate the joys and gifts we receive during our journey to the one, common, ultimate goal. This is the cocktail, we call – 11C.

       

It was a pretty ordinary day – a dull morning deprived of its usual portion of annoyingly bright sunlight that forces our despotic eyelids to expose our yet recovering eyes from the comfortable and seductive wake of sleep. Observing the less than average condition of both the attention span of students and the general atmosphere and weather, easily visible from the extensively windowed room, our class teacher decided to close the book and brought up an altogether new topic. Incidentally, our first exams of Class 11 also happened to be looming around the horizon, still distant enough to not evoke any alarming feelings inside us. He proposed – why shouldn’t we try and see how much we could accomplish with just ourselves and our friends? How far could we crawl without the guiding hand of our teachers or the close presence of our parents? This being our first test in an altogether new, alien realm of academics – it would be the perfect lab for the observation of our experiment and a final prognosis of the conclusion the day we got our exam results. Our proposition was named – “Little Experiments with Change”.

After the grand naming ceremony, by which time most of the inhabitants of Class 11 C had been ensnared by the cunning net of interest and curiosity that was weaved by our class teacher. Various problems that were likely to be faced by us were duly brought up, hesitant and intermittent at first, however imitating the unsure drizzles that herald the confident, boasting thunders that accompany later. Questions and answers poured in torrents till the point where all the class teacher had to do was stand back and smile at his own creation, beholding the clash of titanic ideas and challenging solutions. Finally, with interventions by our teacher, we decided to form voluntary groups wherein each member’s doubts relating to exam preparations, schedules of study and customized preferences for laying siege on the fort of our subject syllabi would be created and implemented. The mode of communication was declared as WhatSapp, a quick and efficient messaging app for those who already do not know and suits the purpose of supporting instantaneous debates and discussions most effectively to achieve common goal sets as set by respective groups. It was a start, a promising entry into the abyssal world of higher academics, but a cave where each one of us definitely saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

     

Further discussion on the matter, on another day, when the sun shone its usual bright, the skies again resuming their lustre and sheen against the backdrop of the luminance, the pigeons continuing to flap noisily against the windows and perching precariously on the ledges; led us to believe that we should share this style of study among the community. However, things were easier said than done. How could we present this intricate idea to the world outside? How could we begin to make the vague idea of united responsibility and joint accountability seem acceptable and even to the extent of mutually profitable? It was a trying question – but our teacher had been instrumental in rounding us all and essentially creating a hive mind – a channel of thought we were all a part of. It was this very idea that struck him and no time was lost to communicate the same. The concept of hive mind could be applied to our theme – “Little Experiments With Change” too! All we had to do was to tweak the title and we realized what our teacher had been trying to materialize. We were the change. We were all components of a colossal tide – a tide very much like the one that had been used upon the world around Noah as argued by The Bible eons past – a tide that wrought destruction upon created life. But we look at it from the other, more serene and peaceful perspective – a symbol of rejuvenation – a fresh start. We too were very much the same. Contemplation of the idea brought a form of lush happiness; one whose intensity grew exponentially as we gazed at the new title etched upon the board – “Little Experiments OF Change”.

        

XI-A

Self-defense workshop – a step forward

In modern India, women are no longer respected, they are considered inferior to men who believe they have every right to dominate over women and do as they please with them. This superiority complex is the main reason for the increasing crime rate against women. Day after day we read about women being molested, raped and subjected to other unspeakable tortures. Horrific crimes like the Shakti Mills and Nirbhaya incidents shook the consciousness of the nation and led to widespread demonstrations for better legislation. But most of these pleas fall on deaf ears and the women are ultimately left to fend for themselves. Keeping this current state of affairs in mind, RN Podar School took the initiative to organise a self-defense workshop to empower the girls of the school, teach them practical techniques to better defend themselves and give them the mental strength and confidence to tackle such situations.

On the day of the workshop, the hall was filled with 63 girls, all enthusiastic and full of energy. The instructors’ team led Mr. Vijay Kamble gave the girls a pep talk on the nuances of self-defense before beginning the course. The initial warm-up was followed by simple chops and blocks to get the girls used to the rigours of the art. This was followed by more practical techniques to be used in emergencies. “You could be attacked at any part of the body and even from behind”, said Mr. Kamble and warned the girls to remain prepared for any eventuality. This was followed by a few of the girls using their newly learnt techniques on the instructors; indeed one of them even managed to floor one of the instructors, earning a round of applause from the other participants.

The workshop was followed by another talk by the instructors. “Maintain a confident body language so that the attackers think twice before attacking”, said Mr. Kamble. “Hold your head high, and look straight while walking. Walk with one hand in your pocket. Bad guys don’t know if you have a weapon ready to use. Try to be practical rather than spectacular.”

Then Mrs. Avnita Bir, the principal also spoke to the participants. “It is imperative to be aware of your surroundings when travelling alone. Don’t keep your attention focused on your gadgets; be alert and look-out for suspicious people. Keep the numbers of your family, close friends and the police on speed dial so that you can contact them easily”, she said.

The workshop was an extremely knowledgeable experience for the girls. “Post the workshop, I am confident of taking care of myself and I would go ahead and help a woman in distress too!” s

We were immersed in drills. My body quickly adapted to aggressive physical contact, and instinctively “knew” how react in order to defend and free myself. All of these scenarios sounded terrifying, yet they helped us to experience and free ourselves from discomfort and anxiety. This went far beyond mental preparation and taught us how to turn the tables on an attacker. No situation left me frozen in fear or pain”, was the view of another participant. Most of them were even keen to recommend this to their friends.

The words of Mrs. Bir aptly summed up the need for the workshop, “Knowledge is a great weapon! We believe that it is only when awareness is created, when people engage in discussions, and word is spread, that we can start a joint movement to increase the safety for women and girls in India.”

-Aneesh

The Power to Overpower:

Following a rising spate of crime against women a Self Defense Workshop was conducted by R N Podar School, Santacruz (organized by its students of class XI –A) to train students on 27th September, 2013 for the girls of 11th and 12th grade. This workshop came to life as a result of the recent discussions and demonstrations concerning women’s and girls’ safety on the streets of India.

While the most obvious benefit of this self-defense workshop was the ability to defend oneself against an attacker, there were numerous peripheral benefits observed, such as increased confidence and mental strength to surpass any challenge. The instructors, Mr. Vijay Kamble and his team, were entirely skillful. The quintessential techniques were practical, intuitive, effective, empowering and easy to learn.

There was a fervent assemblage responding to the instructors in resonant voices. Right from the start, they were immersed in the drills. All of these scenarios sounded terrifying, yet after a while, they instinctively “knew” how to react in order to defend and free themselves. As rightly stated, “If you look easy-to-meddle-with, you’re in for trouble miss! Hold your head high, and look straight while walking. Projecting a confident body language is going to send a signal to a possible attacker: Whoever said you aren’t strong enough, can go take a hike.” “Post the workshop, I am confident of taking care of myself and I would go ahead and help a woman in distress too!”, said one of the students.

As observed , the difference between fear and terror is in knowing what to do. When we know what to do, fear is a motivating ally. When we don’t know what to do, or have never experienced it, we will freeze in terror because we have no clear goal on how to respond. The difference is in the practical training. In the daily roller-coaster of life, forget practising ‘severe karate chops’ and opt for more practical measures to keep safe.

Mrs. Avnita Bir, the principal of the school, said, “Knowledge is a great weapon! I believe that it is only when people engage in discussions and are made aware, and message is spread, that we can start a movement to secure women and girls in India.”

-Vibhuti

 

 

XI-F

I am an eleventh grade commerce student from R.N. Podar School with a keen interest in Banking and a genuine passion for social welfare. I strongly believe that financial inclusion of under-banked and unbanked sectors is the need of the hour, since financial insecurity is the root cause of all socio-economic evils. This will positively contribute to the Indian economy and to the progress of the nation as a whole. However, a massive chunk of the Indian population is ignorant of the banking sector and we have adopted a project that addresses this very issue at the grass root level.

    

My fellow students and I have begun our beta-project on financial inclusion through financial literacy, which we call ‘Project Samriddhi.’ It aims to create awareness about financial and banking products and reach out to the urban poor and rural India through the rural population working in urban areas. The ultimate objective being financial security for every family through creation of bank accounts, life insurance policies and Mediclaims since this section of the population is most vulnerable to financial crises. It is also to be noted, at the base of the pyramid, most households have single bread earners and hence, the dependency on this bread earner is monument

Within our limited resources, we have been able to achieve the following:

We have educated the support staff (peons, cleaners, junior lab staff, etc) of our school. Based on their level of education, we have divided them into two groups and customized the content to address their specific needs, under the guidance of our teachers.

            

Our content comprehensively covers various practical aspects like the procedure for getting an Adhar card to facilitate the opening of a bank account, details about NFAs, instructions on how to fill a cheque, how to withdraw and deposit money, importance of life insurance, medical insurance, utilisation of savings like FDs, recurring deposit schemes etc and advantages of formal credit from banks. We students, are in the process of getting a group insurance policy for the support staff of our school.

I’m sure you would agree that only the youth has the power and the fervor to bring about a revolution which is your dream. It is inspirational to see so many people and organizations who have taken it upon themselves to transform the Indian Banking sector and we, the youth of the country aspire to be a part of this endeavor, given an opportunity

Taking this further, here is a video on how to fill a cheque.

Mahima Dev

11-F, R.N. Podar School