CHRIZINE | ISSUE 1 Expressions 87 CYCLISTS OF BENGALURU BAT FOR DEDICATED CYCLING LANES ~ Nameera Khan | 3JOUH The cyclists of Bengaluru have always tried to and this discourages people from cycling in daily life make people aware of how beneficial cycling can be, and eventually go for fuel-based vehicles. “It is diffi- not just for the environment but for humans as well, cult if one doesn’t carry a mountain bike in the city both physically and mentally. Gradually, cycling has because the potholes and traffic are a hindrance,” transformed into a lifestyle from a hobby. It gives says Yuvraj, co-founder of Trailblazers, a cycling club stronger bones, helps in reducing stress level, boosts of Bengaluru. fat loss and i proves posture. After an hour of cycling, one can burn around 372 calories. Cyclists in the city One of the demands cyclists have is to make have expressed that the main roads are not conducive a cycling track in the city. The dedicated path will promote people to pick up cycling from a younger A design of the proposed pop-up cycle lane on the service road of ORR. Source: WRI India age. “The cycle paths are safe for cyclists and protect eco-friendly quality and the need to adopt methods them from fast moving vehicles,” says Yuvraj. As a that don’t pollute the surroundings. society, we should focus more on creating spaces for cyclists. The air pollution and global warming have “People must be encouraged to take up cycling made the city hot and it calls for an urgent need to for commuting daily not just for the sake of a take up cycling. This habit can reduce the number of hobby but to save the environment, too,” says Sunil vehicles on the road.”The pedestrians in a few areas Nanjappa, a cyclist in Bengaluru. Though construc- have motivated people to take up cycling. My team tion is not the only task, regular maintenance of the has been in touch with MPs and BBMP to develop same is required, too. “Even after the construction of more cycling spaces. We are working on a map as a cycle path, other citizens should ensure they don’t well,” says Murali Ramanth, a pioneer of cycling barge into the path as it might be risky,” says Santosh in the state. Cycling became a trend because of its Kumar, co-founder of Bangalore Hikers.
88 Expressions CHRIZINE | ISSUE 1 THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE A WAKE-UP CALL FOR INDIA ~ Kushagr Gautham | 3JOUH Before I broach the subject of how a war five for NATO and firm belief that Ukraine is a part of thousand kilometres away is a lesson in geo-pol- the Russian state; which it wishes to bully its way to itics for India, we must first have at least a super- achieve. To that end, Russia can afford to keep its ficial understanding of the conflict in Ukraine.In heel on Ukraine’s neck while Ukraine does not have 2013, the Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych the strength to successfully fight off Russia’s proxy was on the verge of signing a trade agreement with fighters, let alone a full blown military offensive. the European Union, only to suddenly abandon it at the EU summit in Lithuania, citing it would be detri- China, a superpower and regional bully, shares mental to their Russian trade. His actions sparked its borders with India. It has also annexed Indian massive protests with thousands of citizens territories and has engaged Indian soldiers in many gathering in the nation’s capital. skirmishes over the years. In terms of support The government attempted to from allies, India does not have any silence these citizens through powerful allies in the region. The intimidation, kidnappings, law powerful Western allies India has reforms, tear gas, rubber bullets didn’t send meaningful support and eventually, lethal ammu- for a nation so close to them so nition. The protests continued India should not expect a lot with grenades, charging of support travelling across the armoured vehicles, killing over a oceans for her, especially when hundred people. Having completely China has its boot on the world’s lost control, Yanukovych fled the country, economy as it produces almost every- assisted by Russian special forces. This was only the precursor to a proxy war with combined Russian thing these nations consume. separatist forces against Ukraine. This situation in Even support from Russia is unlikely as it has Ukraine is a tragedy. It has been called a number of cozied up to China as it burns it bridges with NATO. names by different sides; crisis, rebellion or conflict Whether or not India’s military might can withstand but it is unmistakably a protracted war. a war with China, is a matter I cannot comment on. India has still not been able to decide on a standard Recently, as most readers would have definitely rifle calibre or switch to a modern, reliable standard heard, Russia has sent massive reinforcements to infantry rifle. The ad hoc purchase of small quantities the Ukrainian border. Tanks, artillery and 100,000 of good weapons is not nearly enough to equip the troops. Above that, Russian landing ships are in the entire professional fighting force of India. Whatever Mediterranean sea as we speak, tying a noose on the reasons behind these issue may be, India best iron Ukraine from its South. Russia has a list of demands them out quick as it stands all alone in the face of the dragon wrestling its way into dominating South Asia. Image courtesy: Dim Grits | March 2021
CHRIZINE | ISSUE 1 Expressions 89 MOTHER EARTH Image courtesy: @lizarusalskaya | Instagram ~ Rupam Shukla | 1JOUH “Shall I laugh? Or sob? Shall I shout out loud out of happiness or mourn till I die? My beauty, which has been brought to me by this epidemic, is incommensurable. I used to glow the same, decades ago. But ever since humans became rapacious, I lost my beauty. The creatures, who were dying because of the deeds of my very dear children, i.e humans, are now enjoying liberty in my bosom. They are the happiest souls this time. Their happiness is mesmerizing me. But again, how can I not lament the loss of my children. I lost many children. Around lakhs. Is it not possible for me to witness only happiness? I think it was. If humans would not have destroyed me to this execrable extent, I would have bloomed like never before. It is really painful for a mother to see her chil- dren suffering. But I needed to show them how anguished I was. I am a mother, and apart from adoring my children, teaching them lessons at the right time is also my duty. I hope they will learn soon. I will again smile and every child of mine will prosper, like never before. I pray this because I am a mother. I am Mother Earth. Image courtasy: Freepik.com
90 Expressions CHRIZINE | ISSUE 1 ~ Ashvita Biradar | 2ECOH B I hear the voice, scratching my soul, The manifestation of dark and coal Am I this or have these thoughts made me so Answer to my question or question my question For these, are my mistakes they say? Who closed the door for joy and gay? For I try hard to come out of the dark and coal. I so want to enjoy the fresh breeze of air and bless my soul. But I fail in this exam of life, For I try hard to come out of the dark and coal. The voice that is struggling so hard, To win over my life, which I try to guard. To win over the synergy around, At last to win over the mere existence of my mind which is drowned? ~ Mayank Kumar | 1JOUH Image courtesy: Freepik To all those memories we made. To all those cries, we yell! An end to a journey that hardly began. Never knew that it would give much pain. But now that we are far, I wish to spend hours. I wish to be around you and get those vibes But nevertheless, I will keep them For next time.
CHRIZINE | ISSUE 1 Expressions 91 THE INFLUENCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON HUMANITY ~ Toshank Bhardwaj | 1JOUH The human race has undergone rapid changes possible. In my opinion technology has not only made and has aimed to become more and more advanced us advanced in every field but also has made us more with each passing day. Starting from sending post- efficient in our day to day chores. The world is also cards to writing email, we have seen it all. The world witnessing the rise of artificial intelligence. Although has become so advanced and fast that it has undoubt- this concept is not completely established yet it has edly come really close and tight knitted. The early indeed impacted our lives on a great scale. With the 2000s has witnessed the advent of the internet and help of this technology, the relationship between man advancement of technology at a rapid speed. No one and machine has grown stronger. No one would have would have imagined that our lives would become imagined a couple of decades earlier that our lives so dependent on technology that it will prove to be a would be so dependent on AI and technology. With part and parcel of our lives. this technology, we have seen some really commend- able achievements in certain fields like healthcare. Starting from using mobile phones to health services we are using technology in every way With Robotics in use, complex surgeries have Intelligence for that! An apt example of this is the been made simple and the success rate in critical Boeing 737 plane crash in 2019 which was a big set operations has gone substiantly high. According to back on AI. surveys, the youth across the globe are interested in investing in this technology and believe that AI Machine is slowly replacing the work of man has a great potential in the coming future. No one which comes with its own pros and cons. In my would have thought that our world would become opinion, AI is impacting our lives on a great extent so advanced that we could control our activities but the drawbacks of this technology are quite cata- with just a simple click. An excellent example of strophic. Indeed artificial intelligence is influencing this is the Internet of things which is brought to life our day to day lives but I believe that man will always by Google Home and Alexa which are programmes be the superior race and no matter how much this designed by Google and Amazon respectively. With technology advances, the human brain can never these devices, we can now just give a command to the be replaced and machines can never be relied on device to switch on TV or turn off lights or AC.Work completely. Hence, it is completely on us how much is indeed really simple for us and thanks to Artificial we want AI to influence our lives. Image courtasy: thisisrox
102 Expressions CHRIZINE | ISSUE 1 N.Aravind | 3BBAHC Meghna M | 3BBAT Riddhi Chhabra | 1JOUH
Dr. Anil Kumar Pathlavath Faculty, Department of Media Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) 1983-2021
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