“Festivals give you a rainbow for the storm, a smile for every tear, a promise for every care, and an answer to every prayer.”
Prayers, God, New clothes, Flowers and most importantly, sweets. As you’ve heard many say, a festival is a time for celebration. There is this unique feeling I can sense when I look at people getting ready for any festivity. I simply cannot describe it. But, what I can describe however is, on the day of the festival, there is this feeling of glee and exuberance on people’s faces. Festivals are also believed to bind families together. I agree with that too. They are excuses to come together.
Tamil Nadu is a delightful state that can fill any traveller’s bucket list. It boasts renowned ancient Dravidian-style temples that will give you goosebumps just by thinking of how people constructed such massive structures hundreds of years ago. I’m from Tamil Nadu and I am proud to be a part of it.
Pongal is one of the most auspicious and propitious festivals practised in Tamil Nadu. It is the harvest festival of the state( and is celebrated annually around January. It is celebrated over four days and each of the days has different kinds of rituals. Pongal is a way of depicting our gratitude to Surya, the Sun God. It is a way of saying “ Thank you”. It’s a way of saying “Thank you for the sunlight you shower upon us for our crops to grow”.
As per the Tamil calendar, Pongal occurs on the last day of the month, Marghazhi.
Surya Pongal: Surya Pongal is the main day of this festival and is dedicated to Surya. People cook a sweet dish called ‘ Pongal’ that is made with rice, milk and jaggery which is offered as Prasad.
Maatu Pongal: Maatu Pongal is the big day for the cattle. They are washed, their horns are painted bright and their necks are garlanded with flowers, beads and bells.
Kaanum Pongal: On Kaanum Pongal, the last day of the festival, people typically relax, visit family and friends, go on picnics, and enjoy other leisure activities.
This is how we in Tamil Nadu celebrate our harvest festival and how we show our gratitude to the gods.
Ananya Arun
Grade 9A, Ekya School, JP Nagar
Exams can be stress-inducing, causing anxiety and worry among students. The pressure to perform well can be overwhelming, leading to sleepless nights. However, it's not all doom and gloom. Experiencing stress during exams can be seen as a natural response to a challenging situation. It enables students to develop coping mechanisms and resilience, essential skills that will serve them well beyond the realm of exams.
Exams bring a sense of achievement and accomplishment. Completing an exam successfully is a tangible validation of the hard work put in during the academic journey. This sense of achievement contributes positively to mental health, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, exams provide a structured framework for learning. They compel students to remain alert and organize their knowledge systematically, promoting effective study habits. The incentive to perform well in exams acts as a motivation, keeping students engaged in the learning process.
Exams are not merely a measure of academic knowledge; they are a preparation for life's challenges. The skills acquired during exam preparation—time management, self-analysis, and resilience—are invaluable tools for navigating future hurdles in college and professional life.
Let us look at exams as a catalyst for growth, contributing to the success of students in both their academic and personal lives. Embracing this dual nature of exams allows students to harness their potential and emerge stronger, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
And I speak from experience. My class has literally two people! Two! Including me. But those classes are very fun. Getting one-on-one guidance for doubts is not the only perk, but getting a much better understanding benefits as well. Also, since there are fewer students, it allows the teachers and students to fly through understanding topics which means you have a lot of spare time in class to chill or ask for PE! And the teacher will most probably allow it! That’s great! However, jokes aside, having less number of students affects your education massively. After being in such a class, I can't imagine what it is like to be one in 30 or even 60 students! Even imagining this makes me nervous. So, I guess the best way to say this is, that even though a class of less strength gives you a way more immersive education, classes with higher numbers give you more memories, fun and friends. And in my opinion, that is what matters the most.
SURYA JAIN Grade IX - IGCSE Ekya Schools, Byrathi
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