You know how you go for a test but all the questions are out of the syllabus? That’s what happened on father’s day, but with a lot of dad jokes, love, and sportsman’s spirit, we were able to save it. Due to the heavy rains on the previous night, the scheduled basketball match didn’t take place, instead, it was replaced by a very interesting badminton match between multiple father-child pairs. Mark the date folks, we saw emerging Olympic players in Ekya ITPL on Saturday 18th June. Not only did we witness this beautiful bond between a father and his children but also the deep friendships students at ekya cultivate, Sashwat Srirangembar was right there passionately supporting his friend from the audience stands with loud cheers and thunders of claps to lift his spirits.
After a series of enticing matches, we were down to our final six pairs, for the qualifiers. Let me tell you, as a spectator I was on my toes. The Sarda’s kept hitting smash shots that were undefeatable, and the unforgettable Mr.Roy quickly became a fan favorite with the way he pumped energy into the crowd. Unfortunately, not everyone can win the medal. We saw an intense, nail-biting, edge-of-our-seats match between Roys and Sardis for our finals. The Roy family won with a smashing 7 – 3 beating the Sardis and taking the coveted first place, but I can confidently say everyone was a winner in our hearts.
Pre Primary- FATHER’S DAY
On Saturday 18th of June Ekya School ITPL saw a downpour of joy, love, and heartwarming moments. Though I saw him in the morning before leaving for school, everything about the event made me want to hug my father. To begin with, all the fathers were given a beautiful goodie bag dedicated to them by their children, followed by a photo booth where we witnessed gorgeous moments. To get the crowds energized, our wonderful hosts Rudra Ajay (12E) and Avinash V (12A) along with the teachers, lead them through a refreshing chicken dance. After this, we had a lineup of fun activities such as a bean bag race, pasta string necklace race, and a ring-rod race. After these fun races, our beloved hosts asked the kids and the fathers to talk about each other. We got some of the cutest responses, but a moment to note would be when a boy thought it necessary to stop the hosts from continuing just to tell his father that he loved him. Later, the families jammed to some tunes for a game of dance and freeze where they were busting out some of the most incredible dance moves seen till day. Lastly, I’d like to point out that some of these duos sported matching t-shirts, and flaunted them as they should. We ended the event with some tasty treats and comforting conversations.
Ruan locks - donating hair to cancer patients
Hello everyone! My name is Ruan. I am in 7th grade.
With the world changing almost overnight due to Covid in December 2019, we all knew that physical school had shut in March 2020. Barber shops were shut too. My first haircut during lockdown was funky and styled in layers by none other than my mother at home.
Soon after I wanted to try something different. I wanted to sport long hair like my hero, M S Dhoni. My mother was comfortable with the idea and allowed me to have my way of nurturing and caring for it week after week, day after day. As the results started showing she introduced me to the world of cancer patients in need of hair donations. She asked me to consider donating to a noble cause at the end of my journey with my style statement. My mother, Ar. Roopa Roy channelizes donations of refurbished woodwork to various under-privileged organizations through her work. Following in her footsteps came naturally to me in my way.
Cancer patients lose hair during the radiation therapy process which takes a long while to grow back only after the treatment is complete. Hair donation facilitates making wigs for such people helping them look and feel more normal and acceptable in our judgemental society. It boosts their self-esteem.
However, donating hair is not as simple as it sounds.
Donation hair needs to be a minimum of 6 inches long and a maximum of 15 inches long.
Donation hair should be free from exposure to any chemicals through hair coloring, perming, or any other hair styling sources
Furthermore while cutting the hair for donation it should be kept in mind and taken care to not fall or touch the ground. It should be collected in a cotton cloth bag, placed in a zip-lock pouch, and then sent to a specific organization dealing with the making of wigs for the purpose.
It’s time now to bid adieu to my long locks as I shall be back to physical school next week. I feel humbled to be able to contribute to a noble cause. I’m excited, it feels great! For girls probably it is easier to do this, but as a boy, I’ve had to answer a lot of questions. My mother has faced trolls of being too lenient or spoiling me with such freedom or style precedents at such a young age. She has faced them with panache every single time! I urge you to do something that makes a difference to the world, to mankind. To be kind enough quietly, strong enough mentally to make that difference count.
Last week I visited the school to prepare for the academic year ahead. Yet on knowing the reason she was all praise. I’d thus like to take the opportunity to thank Madhuri ma’am and Asha Ma’am for encouraging me to share this with you. Thank you!
Where did you go during the holidays? 8-year-old Aaryan Vittal from Bangalore went to his native place called Gobichettipalayam.
This time we went to my Achi’s (grandmother’s) native place (Gobichettipalayam) which is the hottest place I have visited. It is located in Erode district, filled with gorgeous greenery, farms, paddy fields, and running water creeks. Gobichettipalayam is also filled with villages, towns and streets, and buildings. My thaatha (grandfather) has named our building after me here!
The journey from Bangalore to Gobichettipalayam is a feast to the eyes with so many mountains, trees, water creeks, and green farms all along. We even crossed the world-famous Mettur dam every time, and the thermal plant at Mettur has two long chimneys coughing up smoke into the sky always!
Many people are sitting on highway sides selling their farm-grown fruits and vegetables. My Amma (mother) and Achi always love this fresh produce.
Not sure how many of you have noticed near the Karnataka- Tamil Nadu border, there’s a helicopter and jet on a building (do notice it next time when you are nearing Hosur from Bangalore or the other side).
When we arrived home, my Achi made some yummy lunch. Then I went outside and played basketball with my cousin. The best part was we went to the movies!
We spent time watching a movie called KRK in a theatre nearby –it's more fun to watch a movie in a place with people screaming and whistling throughout. It is generally silent when we go to watch movies in Bangalore. We had a big bowl of caramel popcorn and our family favorite – rose milk.
Then we returned to the complex and all of us played badminton. Unluckily, the shuttle cock fell out of the building, and we were unable to get it since it went through the thorny bush.
Next, we played football and I kicked the ball in the shed. My grandma went to the shed and pushed the ball down for me like Spiderman, then after a while, my amma and I went to a park called ‘Indira Park’.
It is a newly launched park. It has a fountain with music and lights, and a huge lovely lake where amma and I sat and watched all the birds flying back to their nests. It was such a peaceful sunset though we missed going boating as we were late.
It also has a children’s play area amidst a green garden. I loved this so much though we live in a garden city!
Then we went to a general store, which is named Jagan metal. There were many aluminum steel products, and many gold and copper products too. I got a steel mug for myself- and hey we can get our names engraved on all products here for free!
We returned home to a power cut. There was heavy rain and noisy thunderstorms. Achi lit a lamp and we talked to each other in the lamp light. I feel we connect to people better when we sit down and talk right.
Lovely rain, nice day and soon we had to sleep. Unwillingly we had to pack up and head back to Bangalore. Then we had a quick plan to visit the famous Periyar temple. We prayed to god and took some pics with my Achi’s new phone we bought at the store in my complex. Shortly after, we spotted a creek and saw geese, then we went back to the complex, took all of the luggage, and headed into the car.
We said our goodbyes to our relatives, and on our way back we watched the green paddy fields. It was a feast for our eyes. We spotted people selling ice apples (tongue), and we pulled over and had some yummiest ice apples.
I realize why villages are called the backbone of India, it is so full of life. I love the slow life here. It was getting very late, so we zoomed back to Bangalore.
Hey, did you guys also enjoy your holidays? Also, have you visited your native place? There must be something special and emotional about every native place. Also, are you guys excited for school reopening finally after two years? Let me know!
Aaryan Vittal
Grade 4A, Ekya School, JP Nagar
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