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SEPTEMBER 2021 EDITION MERAKI

THE EDITORIAL BOARD Dear Students, The Editorial Board is pleased to present to you the efforts of the undeterred commitment of the student body to creativity that scintillates as surely as the beams of the sun! Amid hectic deadlines, extracurricular burdens, sparse time for recuperation and the demands of the ever hopeful ideals of the changemakers within each of you, we hope this edition serves you the occasion to indulge in the occasional repose and realise the wiles of craftsmanship. For what seems like an immemorial and immeasurable spell of time, our lives have converged over the virtual as well as the cosmic highways of shared privileges, concerns, hardships and the staunch adoration for one another that transcends all barriers. This edition of Meraki endeavours in earnest to preserve all sentiments felt and all the unheard emotions that have synchronically resonated within the hollows of our souls, as a reminder of the beautifully fragile humanity that thrums through our vessels and veins. We thank you for the overwhelming waves of artistry that have taken our inboxes by a storm this August and remind you that Meraki will forever be what you choose to make of it. Wishing you a serene read The Editorial Board 2021-22 Teacher in charge: Keerthi Sahni Teacher in charge:. Astha Chopra Teacher in charge: Rashi Pangasa Teacher in charge: Monica Marwah Teacher in charge: Anita Pratap Editor-in-chief: Sehar Chowdhry Editor: Aditi Bagga Editor: Alankrita Malhotra Editor(Hindi): Ojaswita Chand Editor (Art): Shazia Siddiqui Editor (Photography): Kyrah Wadhwa Cover Art by Vrinda Vij, IX-H

AFRAID Ankita Hedge, XI-D She hears the storm before she sees it The howling of the raging wind As it uproots trees The rain pouring relentlessly Drenching the pedestrians on the street She sits upright on the bed- shivering. The blanket around her shoulders her only comfort Her eyes move to the window And she takes in the sight before her The flower pots, all broken The clothes on the washing line, all soiled The clay models of the neighbour, all damaged The branches and leaves of the mango tree, all strewn on the ground The sky, all dark and grey

A bang startles her And as she scurries to close the windows A draught of wind enters past her A column of dust now lies on the floor A few raindrops glisten on her face and arms Then the lightning strikes She hears the rumble of the thunder The roar of the windswept trees Another tree falling with a crash And she winces Thunderstorms do not scare her- she does not fear them But they make her crave for company She wants to be comforted But she is alone She coaxes herself to stay calm She knows the storm will not harm her She secures the blanket around her And waits for them to return She does not want to be alone Thunderstorms do not scare her They really don’t But as she sits alone Hearing the storm raging outside She cannot help feeling a little afraid

Raghu Krishnan, X-D

Jayanti Yadav, VII-B The image depicts a person looking at the sea, through a window and personally I believe that the lockdown has made looking at things from afar glaringly evident and that as a result all human beings have been forced to look at not only things but also people from a distance no matter how close they actually are. The medium used is

PERFECTION Adya Choudhury, IX-I So many expectations, So much pressure, Everyone wants me to be, Something I am not. A fallen tree in a misty The ideal role model, wood… But that’s not me, They don’t see the insecure girl, Who’s hiding behind a mask. All the eyes peeping, Trying to probe my shell, Urging me to be perfect, Turning me into something else. Bliss; Reading books with I don’t want to change, a cup of hot chocolate on Just want to be me, There’s a limit to a rainy day... everything, I think I’ve reached mine.

Ishita Bansal, XI-A This artwork is a sketch of a female face. The idea behind the sketch is the portrayal of the suffering and pain of a woman. The colour represents how even after all the pain, women show their bright side and show their colourful nature and kindness. The sketch also represents how even after suffering they always remain charming and beautiful. It has been sketched with a pencil.

HAPPINESS IS INNATE Bhanavi Kouli, XII-H From the time when we are born till the time when we die, aren't we mostly in the pursuit of external happiness? But it is that which lies between these two extremes of our life cycle which provides us with happiness- and that is life itself. When we are given life in this Universe, we are given an opportunity to make the best out of this time on Earth. Hence this happiness we seek to find in our external world is like an illusion because it is something innate in us, we have the choice to create or bring out that inner happiness. We also have the choice to take everything for granted, but it is in our hands to decide what we choose for our lives to revolve around. When we set out to search for happiness, we will realise that we have been so busy in looking for it that we have overseen the little things of joy- which are in the present. For example, something as simple as, if we set out to the market in search of materials that give us happiness, we will realise that we have overlooked all the little things that could have been a source of immense joy, like the time spent with our family, or the colourful flags hanging as decorations in the market, and so much more. However, if we make the choice to stay rooted in the present, and cherish the little details of our life journey, then it will come to us dawning that true bliss, rather than being something tangible, is a feeling, a choice, a whole lifestyle, that is established in our gratitude for the present, which can be created or revived by our conscious affirmation. As quoted by the 14th Dalai Lama, “ Happiness is determined more by one’s state of mind than by external events.”

िहद का थोडा़ आनं द ली जये ये स सह, IX-B िहद का थोडा़ आनं द ली जये इस किवता क पं तयों से भािवत होकर, ये स सह 9B हमारे साथ यह किवता साझा करना चाहता ह|ै िहद के महु ावरे, बड़े ही बावरे ह, खाने पीने क चीजों से भरे ह, कहीं पर फल ह,ै तो कहीं दाल ह, कहीं पर मठाई ह,ै कहीं पर मसाले ह , चलो, फलों से ही शु कर लते े ह, एक एक कर सबके मजे लते े ह , आम के आम और गठु लयों के भी दाम मलते ह, कभी अं गरू ख े ह, कभी खरबजू ,े खरबजू े को देख कर रं ग बदलते ह, कहीं दाल म काला ह,ै तो कहीं िकसी क दाल ही नहीं गलती है , कोई डेड़ चावल क खचड़ी पकाता ह,ै तो कोई लोहे के चने चबाता ह,ै कोई घर बठै ा रो टयां तोड़ता ह,ै कोई दाल भात म मसू रचं द बन जाता ह,ै मफु लसी म जब आटा गीला होता ह,ै तो आटे दाल का भाव मालमू पड़ जाता ह,ै

सफलता के लए कई पापड़ बले ने पड़ते ह, आटे म नमक तो चल जाता ह,ै पर ग के साथ, घनु भी िपस जाता ह,ै अपना हाल तो बहे ाल ह,ै ये मं हु और मसरू क दाल ह,ै गड़ु खाते ह और गलु गलु े से परहजे करते ह, तो कभी गड़ु का गोबर कर बठै ते ह, कभी ितल का ताड़, राई का पहाड़ बनता ह,ै तो कभी जले पर नमक छड़कता ह,ै कभी िकसी के दां त ध के ह, तो कई ध के धलु े ह, कोई जलबे ी क तरह सीधा ह,ै कोई टेढ़ी खीर ह,ै िकसी के मं हु म घी श कर ह,ै सबक अपनी अपनी तकद र ह,ै कभी कोई चाय पानी करवाता ह,ै या कोई म खन लगाता ह,ै और जब छ पर फाड़ कर कु छ मलता ह,ै तो सभी के मं हु म पानी आ जाता ह|ै

Ishita Bansal, XI-A This artwork is of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, famously known as Gandhi ji or Bapu, father of the nation. It has been made keeping in mind his contributions and sacrifice for India. Hence, the foreground has been sprinkled with orange and green colours rese Indian flag. The artwork is a sketch and a little paint has been used for the sprinkling.

A SAILOR'S VOYAGE Ankita Hedge, XI-D Drawing a parallel between our current scenario and a sailors experience at sea. Row on sailor Do not lose heart Do not despair Play your part Struggle and fight The waves that swirl Hold on tight Let the flag unfurl The path is stormy Adversities great But do remember Fortitude is a trait However impossible The journey might seem Don’t you forget There still exists a beam Hope still resides In many souls Unwavering faith Fills the gaping holes

The ocean will try To capsize your boat Just hold the oars tight And stay afloat However tumultuous The waters might appear Remember, to your destination, You’re quite near So keep on going Come what may Do not give up Do not dismay Wilful and evil The ocean might be But to vanquish it You have to go on, you see Our thoughts are with you So is our love and trust You aren’t alone Remember that, you must Row on sailor Do not lose heart Do not despair Play your par

Ishita Bansal, XI-A

THE FLOOD OF BIJNOR Anika Gopal, VII-D We take this story back to the time when your grandmother was an infant. The time when peace reigned in almost every nook and cranny. The time when people did not litter the Ganges. The time when Ayaan and Araya lived in the fourth cottage to the left of the Sharma household. Every window of the house that Ayaan and Araya stayed in overlooked the beautiful, crystal clear waters of the Ganges. It would be natural to be scared of a flood or any water-related damages if you lived here, but no one was! Not even one person any of them knew, who had stayed in Bijnor, had ever heard of or had a memory of a flood there. Ayaan and Araya were twins. Though they looked different, they agreed, disliked and liked the same things. Where one was, the other you would find, too. They were both nine years old and were fondly called ‘The Troublemakers of Bijnor’. The twins loved their parents dearly and could not bear the sight of them leaving even for work. As luck would not have it, their father was posted to Agra at work. The children and their mother had been born in Bijnor, had everything of that dear little village in their blood, so they could not go with their father. This affected them very much indeed, and they were very sad for a few days but eventually got over it. The tradition at that time and age was that only the man had to take care of the house. Thus, young Ayaan took over the house with a little guidance from his mother, who he had been thoroughly attached to since birth. It had been a week and a half since Ayaan had been the man of the house, in charge of everything, when Mr Sharma came running into the house shouting as if his head were on fire- “Quick! Out of the house and away! The village is being flooded, run!” Ayaan was so shocked that he just froze in his tracks for a moment. The next moment, he was being tickled under his feet with cold water. Ayaan looked down in horror, and the next moment he was running. No, he was not running out of the house. He surely was not as selfish as that! He ran into the house and upstairs, yelling for Araya and his mother.

Too late! He slipped on the stairs and was swept out of the house the next second. He had hit his head and had not managed to save his loved ones. He immediately ran back into the house, forgetting about the water there, waiting to wash him away. He ran blindly up the stairs, or should I say, swimming up the stairs. He saw his mother and Araya trying to climb up on the table, to save themselves, but in vain. They saw him and yelled, “ Save your life at least! We will surely not be saved! You go!” Ayaan ignored them, fighting the water. Another wave swept him all the way down. He was just about to go in again when he saw a small boat near the door. He got into it and used two nearby sticks as the rows. He rowed the boat with all his might, all the way to the foot of the steps. He saw Araya getting swept downwards with the water. He leaned forward, caught her arm and pulled her inside the boat. She had drunk a lot of water. He turned her over and slapped her hard on the back a few times. She vomited the water and lay back in the boat, too weak to do anything. Their mother, who saw this, squealed in relief and ran down the stairs and jumped into the boat. She, too, was frail, so she did not do anything. Some onlookers saw this and ran in to help Aayan row the boat, with the two of them inside it. When Araya and her mother were revived, they heard the whole story, which was told with much excitement, from the villagers. They beamed with pride at Aayan and could never repay him enough. He was the hero of the day, and I think we should bid him goodbye so that he can sit and hold the moment...

THE POWER OF YES Nandini Tewari, IX-I Yes, yes is such a potent word that it can change our realities, perceptions and perspectives toward our lives and decisions. This small, three-letter word, though short, can change lives. It can alter our thinking, our deeds and take us to new destinations. ‘Yes’ gives us the power to believe, to believe that we can do and become anything that we want, that nothing is impossible unless we believe it to not be. This word can transform us, our future and how we look at things. But everything has its pros and cons, its advantages and disadvantages, similarly, the same rule applies for 'Yes'. This word’s powers are usually underestimated, which can backfire. Though this word seems to only have a positive ring to it, it can also sometimes result in shady endings. Saying yes to situations and people, knowing that it might not result well in the future, and agreeing to things which will cost us, maybe everything we have and more, are the evil capabilities of Yes. It is also a very persuasive, convincing word and a word that can have people against you for all the time you are here. It can get people by your side or to oppose you. It can get you to do or become the things you never imagined. So in short, ‘Yes’ can either make or break things, it can build futures or break them, and therefore, needs to be used wisely.

Avani Rudra, XII-D

OCEAN Vidushi Jain, IX-E The ocean breathes, her surface rises and falls with rhythmic ease, The shore is order and chaos, the land and ocean meeting one another as they please, The ocean as waves of blue-light move over unmeasured horizons, Seashells bloom upon the shore in the sweetest of caramel curls and twirls. Upon the bluest of waves come a million flashing lights, The waves become the pulse, the echo of the souls, The ocean shore is a living work of art, one that ever changes, The brightest of blue waves to contrast with the soft white-golds and greys. The ocean shore is the poetry of my dreamscape soul, for it built me of its hue, Those colours are so optimistically bright and yet so gentle too, The ocean breeze comes in playful waves, washing me over with a sweet-salty essence, In tousled updraughts, it brings a long-awaited relief to my bones. The ocean air has the ability to whisk my soul into a surreal space, Waves in a steady rhythm echo my heart with beautiful grace, The ocean breeze invites me to raise my eyes toward the denim horizon, Never was there a picture as enchanting as the ever-evolving ocean.

THE LAYERS OF LIGHT Amartya Ghate, VIII-B The piece shows an abstract form of a forest fire. It is inspired by the forest fires due to global warming. The medium used is acrylic colours.

Ankita Hedge, XI-D

खामोशी का बादल - वदंृ ा वज, IX-H कै से आ कब आ, िकसी ने ना जाना। कहाँ से आया कब जाएगा, िकसी को न पता। खामोशी क चादर ओढ़े, उस स ाटे क तलाशी म, कु छ ऐसा ले बठै े, िकसी ने कभी सोचा ही नहीं था खामोशी का बादल सर पर छा गया, तन मन पर काबू सा पा गया। कु छ बात कानो से जानी थी, पर खामोशी के बादल म गं जू ती ही रह गई। अपने हाथों क डाली सहारे के लए फै लाई कु छ देर बाद सहारा भी मला, पर तु समय के साथ पता चला, िक वह डा लयाँ बके ाबू थी। साथ रही, फायदा लके र गना तोड चली गई,

और िफर एक और बार मरे ी बात खामोशी के बादल म गं जू ती ही रह गई। बहती रही बहती रही, कोई आके तो देख,े यह ही सोच म कहाँ छप गई वो हं सी, जो कभी उतरती न थी। इं तजार का ही खले है य,े िफर एक और बार िकसी ने हाथ आगे बढ़ाया । इस बार थोड़ा डर डर के पकड़ा ये हाथ , िफर एक और बार अपनी डाली ये बढ़ाई। डाली बढ़ाने पे पता चला वो डाली भी खामोशी के बादल म छपी ह।ै साथ साथ चलते गए, फं ू क मार मार के एक सरे का बादल उड़ाते गए। िफर वो िदन भी आ गया, क वो डाली को जाना पड़ा। हम िफरसे अके ले रह गए।

ये सोच म डूब गए िक, आए ह अके ल,े जाना है अके ल,े तो परू ा समय अके ले ही िनकाल लो। ...। ये सोच म पता चला, क म टूटे ए भी चले जा रही ँ । ये भी पता चलने पर, म अभी भी चले जा रही ँ । एक दफा पीछे मड़ु के ा देखा, तो वो जड़ िदखी जससे मरे ी डाली चलती जा रही ह।ै वो िकरण देखी, जो मरे े टूटे ए प ो को जोड़ती जा रही ह।ै उस िदन पता चला, डा लयाँ आती ह, डा लयाँ जाती ह, पर तु हारी जड़ कभी उजड़ के नहीं जाित कभी भी ।

Chahak Agarwal, XII G

UNTRUSTWORTHY Adya Choudhary, IX-I Tangled in a mess of lies and deceit, Not knowing whom to trust, Everything seems suspicious, And seen through different eyes. I wish I could go back, To the life of before, When times were easier, And I had no fears. Before my perceptions changed, Before I was caught in the chaos, The confusion of the modern world, A world of lies and deceit.

Vidushi Jain, IX-E The design is a black rose floral motif. Usually, we associate the colour black with a negative connotation. But in contrast, black flowers symbolize rebirth and rejuvenation. Furthermore, according to psychological studies - black also gives protection from emotional stress. This art piece was made after the devastating second wave of COVID-19, to represent the ushering of a new dawn and to start afresh leaving behind the anguish and grief. The medium used is watercolour.

METAMORPHOSIS Nandini Tewari, IX-I Cook, feed, wash and raise For this were we only made? No dreams, ambitions allowed Lower your eyes and drop the pen now No freedom, it feels like a cage Of a bird, can’t escape Fold your wings and keep them aside For they will be no use to girls alike So, what should we do now? Zip our mouths or scream out loud? Settle down or fly around? Pan on the stove or pen on the poem? Fight for right or be out of sight? Unspeakables, we are not Silent speakers, we are not called Like the phoenix, we shall rise Flames and fires shall we light

Jayanti Yadav, VII-B The image can be used for a metaphor of being stuck in our houses for more than a year, has made daily activities like going out and seeing things extremely peculiar and strange. The only way that we human beings were left with to absorb beauty was either through a screen or through an invisible barrier that the pandemic created. While drawing the painting I had no intention of it being perceived in this sense but after the finished product, I realised how much of an invisible impact the lockdown has actually had on me that I subconsciously found it normal for things to be so close but so out of reach. The medium used is

MY POISONED OASIS Tamanna Mishra, IX-C I'm here in this desert You're the only oasis I see But I feel it's in my mind Is it really you, or is it just an illusion? I'm crawling, I'm squirming, I'm begging for relief But all I see is an oasis This desperation I feel it slipping Away from my grasp, away from my reality Is it really you, or is it just a dream But I realise it's who I want you to be You're the parasite to my tree Ever snatching, ever gnawing at my sanity You're the end to my ecstasy You were supposed to be the water to my parched soul But you're just the poison to the honey And this epiphany was my escape from this naïve reality Cause you're my poisoned oasis And I'm the fish Desperate for your water But intoxicated with the poison you cater I'm a fool Just an unsuspecting naïve thing And you're the predator Eating away at my reality She cannot help feeling a little afraid.

NITHILA'S BAKING Nithila Malviya, IX-E CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES Gooey chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate buttercream frosting and star sprinkles.

UNICORN CAKE A three layered yellow, blue and pink cake, layered with whipped cream and topped with unicorn colour theme icing and star sprinkles.

WINDOW Shristi Kedia, X-H A box. A thing. An object with 6 faces. If one ever got trapped in it, one would try to break free. But how? She would use her hand. But not alone just that. She’d use her strength, and soon enough, her other body parts would accompany her to help her release. She pushes using her other arm, her legs, at times even her back. She’d give in her best to get out of that box that makes her feel suffocated. All because she doesn’t want to die. And she goes on. She doesn’t give up because she’s brave. A person is just the way they are created. So is a woman. But it’s she who chooses who she wants to be. Then why do we deny her identity? Why do we try so hard to modify her in such a way that is satisfactory to us? We encounter and include thousands and thousands of stereotypes in our lives but do we stand up to them? Everyone knows how to tweet and address a problem but does anyone know how to solve the problem at hand? Or does everyone just run after commenting on the problem and proving what the problem is? Nobody tries to put forth a solution, instead just elaborate on the problem. Does a doctor prescribe medicines for his patient or keeps telling them about their illness? There is a need, an urge for a voice. A voice that initiates an earthquake. A voice that creates a difference, not only in her own life but in many others. A voice that gives strength. A voice that gives motivation and inspiration.

In order to break free from the box, the person will at least have to try. Without even trying, how is she expected to get out? She needs to step forth and put forward her hand. That’s when her other body parts, her strength, her motivation, will also join her to help her break free. Hence, the ultimate motive of this essay being, take a stand. If not for others at least for yourself. You are very important and it is you who can create a change. Fight the situation. It starts with you and ends with many. Only if you put forth a hand will the others join. Only if you take a stand will the others stand too. Fear will pull you back, no doubt. But simply let that fear know that you are brave, you’re breathing as long as you’re alive, you have the strength and no power in this universe can pull you back from taking a stand once you decide. Every other time you see injustice near yourself, put forward your hand. Try to stop it and emerge out victorious. An opening, a stand is all that is required. Lastly, all I have to say is that remember in your soul and mind ‘Do not give up’ because you have a long way to go.

Ishita Bansal, XI-A

Spider-Man: Into the Spider- Verse: Movie Review -A. Khrukreihrii, VI-B Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’s main plotline is that the movie’s villain, Kingpin, accidentally put different versions of Spider-Man in the same dimension. The movie’s main characters, the different Spider- Men, have to find a way to get back into their own dimensions without letting Kingpin know that they used his technology to do the same. I personally liked the movie a lot, not only because of its high-quality animation, but also because of its soundtracks and action sequences. I loved how the directors tried to make the movie humorous but also heartwarming at the same time. One thing I did not like about the movie was that it spent far too much time introducing its characters, but I understand why the directors had to do that because not everyone would have been familiar with those characters since they only have been introduced in the comics. Overall, I would recommend this movie to a friend or a family member as it is very fun to watch it over and over again. It is also a great way to spend time with your family or friends. I would rate this movie at 5 stars because it checks every box you can think of while watching an animated movie.

Chahak Agarwal, XII-G As the winds of change blew, the dust on the road remained static, resisting the change. The sky, on the other hand, took on new colors, like a child who got her hands on a new crayon box. The trees and the buildings, stood by silently, Observing. Watching yet another dawn blossom. Alankrita Malhotra, XI-C

Thank you! Raghu Krishnan, X-D