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Ekya / January 12, 2022 Posted by : administrator

Indiscriminate use of Social media by students during the pandemic and its impact 

  • Sreepriya Unnikrishnan

Social media addiction among teens and young adults has increased multifold during the pandemic.  It is considered a behavioral disorder in which the individuals are totally captivated or trapped by social media and are unable to free themselves from its clutches despite clear consequences and drawbacks. Teenagers engage in some form of social media or other or if not several, on a daily basis (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Twitter, Discord, Video games).

This has led to increased indiscriminate and blind consumption of media, increased dependence on social media as a way to feel good, losing out on physical social engagements, causing a negative impact on learning, strained relationships with family and friends.

A very important cause for concern is the decline in mental health as a result of increased Social media addiction and also the fact that Social media is an easy platform for online aggression, cyberbullying, impacting the emotional wellbeing of children. All this has led to a decreased focus on academics and a decline in academic performance.

FOMO or ‘Fear Of Missing Out is apparently “that uneasy and sometimes all-consuming feeling that you’re missing out on or not being included in what your peers are doing”, which is another main reason why teenagers are unable to be off social media.

The only way to save our youth from the fangs of social media addiction is not to totally deprive them of their engagement on Social media, but to prevent addiction to it by way of supporting them and guiding them to engage with social media safely, responsibly, and effectively.

We need to remind them to balance their time spent online with chores, homework, spending quality time with family and friends rather than being cooped up in front of the computer or phone screens all the time. It is important to keep a watch on the activities the children are engaged in instead of allowing them to be all by themselves and engage liberally with social media.

While this is indeed an uphill battle, we still can have an influence on the way our children see the effects of social media, helping them make the right decisions.

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Ekya / March 26, 2024

The Hot Garlic Soup Inspired by ‘The Last Leaf’ by O. Henry

Sue and Johnsy, two young artists, shared a small flat on the third storey of an old house.
Johnsy fell ill in November. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. She would lie in her bed, gazing out of the window. Sue sent for the doctor. The doctor said to Sue, “Johnsy’s condition is not so serious yet. It seems she is unable to recover because she has lost the will to live.”
Sue became extremely worried for Johnsy’s well-being and mental health. She tried to make Johnsy interested in the things around her, but Johnsy never replied with more than a noncommittal hum.
One day, Sue was painting when she heard Johnsy counting backwards. Sue looked out of the window and saw an old ivy creeper climbing on the brick wall. The ivy was shedding its leaves in the strong gust of the wind.
“They are falling faster now,” whispered Johnsy. “Three days ago there were so many leaves. Only five are left now.”
“It is autumn,” said Sue, “and the leaves will fall.”
“When the last leaf falls, I will die” said Johnsy with finality. “I have felt this for the last three days.”
“Oh, that’s nonsense,” replied Sue. “Why do you believe your fate is tied to those old ivy leaves?”
“Human life is fleeting, just like those ivy leaves,” said Johnsy. “I got sick just as the ivy started shedding its leaves. It must be an omen. The last leaf will fall, and I will slip into slumber forever.”
Sue sat on Johnsy’s bed, kissed her and said, “You are not going to die. Plenty of people fall sick in autumn, and they recover soon enough. Do you want some soup?”
“I don’t want any soup. My time is almost up, I’m sure of it,” murmured Johnsy.
Sue decided to change tactics. She was not going to give up on Johnsy.
“It is true that human life is somewhat fleeting, but that’s exactly what makes life valuable. Do you not want to see what life has to offer before you slip into slumber? Will you not miss the cool breeze waking you up, the warm embrace of sunlight? Do you want to give up the feeling of the paintbrush gliding over the canvas?” Sue quavered.
“Look beyond the ivy to that tree over there,” Sue continued. “Even that tree is shedding its leaves, but it is also growing new leaves. It is going to live for many more years, just like you.”
Johnsy contemplated for a while. Then, she looked out of the window and smiled.
“Perhaps I will have some hot garlic soup. You made me realise that life is worth living after all.”
Written by Aahana,
from grade 9A

Ekya / March 22, 2024

Importance of Literature in a Classroom.

"Literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity" - P.T.Barnum

We as humans are social beings. We can't imagine our lives to be solitary. Literature facilitates us to understand and communicate with one another in society. It helps us explore the world around us and is a medium to express our views and experiences. So it is of vital importance that the students are introduced to literature at a young age.

Literature is necessary for students as it helps them to develop imagination, improves vocabulary and language skills and even enhances creativity. Literature helps them understand the world outside their home and school.

It is disheartening to see that literature is often not put on the same pedestal as other technical subjects like Math or Science. where it shouldn't be the case.

Literature includes different types of texts like stories and fables, myths

and legends, poetry and drama or even informational texts that help them explore other subjects. It prepares students to read and understand the real world.

There are one too many benefits of including literature at a young age. It is like an exercise for the brain, keeping an individual mentally active and stimulated.

Exposure to cultures from different countries brings in a sense of respect and tolerance, a feat possible through literature. It motivates one to appreciate different lives and their ways and also to graciously disagree with something that may not be right. The different characters the students are introduced to become a source of inspiration. They start to imagine themselves in varied situations. they learn different solutions to problems they come across.

More importantly, reading is fun and literature develops an inclination toward reading and makes them self-learners.

It can be concluded that literature is a gateway to nurturing a child’s life skills more than any assignment or task

can ever do.

Written By:

Shruthi Prakash

English Educator - Primary

Ekya Schools BTM Layout

Ekya / March 22, 2024

A Day to Remember: Juniors Bid Goodbye to Seniors with a Spectacular Farewell Party.

As the academic year draws to a close, emotions run high at our beloved school. The time has come for the juniors to express their gratitude, love, and affection for their departing seniors.

And what better way to do this than by throwing an unforgettable farewell party?

The air was buzzing with excitement as the juniors meticulously planned every detail to make it a night that their seniors would cherish forever.

The audio-visual room was transformed into a place of nostalgia and celebration, adorned with decorations to welcome the seniors. Each performance was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. Each video played, spoke volumes about the memories shared and the bonds formed throughout their academic journey, blanketing the atmosphere with a mix of joy, laughter, and a hint of bittersweet anticipation.

Our seniors were all dressed up to the nines for the occasion with the girls in a blue and white saree and the boys in black suits.

But how did all of this come to be? I am a grade 11 student and let me take you through behind the scenes of this event and how we prepared for this event.

  • Many girls formed a group and decided to dance to “Paint It Red” and “All Is Well”. Everyone’s efforts are to be appreciated as they come up with new steps and formations. Well-coordinated teamwork led to an amazing performance that got everyone cheering.

  • Meanwhile, my batchmate, Lara,  and a few teachers were preparing to sing songs dedicated to the seniors. Lara sang a melodious rendition of “When You Believe” and the teachers sang a medley of songs which got the seniors singing along as well!

  • The boys planned on dancing to the song “Galti Se Mistake” and their performance was full of creativity and humour. The choreography was inspired by the original music video of the song and they worked hard together and taught each other the steps. This performance got everyone giggling and cheering so loud!

  • It did not end with the students, even the teachers chose to step into this grand celebration. They danced on a variety of songs and each song made the seniors hoot louder. Even though they had a very busy schedule they would still take time and dedicate it to the dance practice during after-school hours. Huge kudos for their coordination and effort!

  • Mohana and Arshia came up with a very engaging script which had the attention of the audience. A small game was organised for the students where they had to write something good about one of their batchmates. Everybody put their hands together and made 32 crowns of appreciation for their seniors. A video of the seniors was made including photos and videos of their dearest memories. Last but not least, our teachers also prepared a video message for the seniors bidding farewell and wishing them the best for their future endeavours.

The day finally came. The 10th of February came. It was the day - the day for which we had been preparing for days. The graduation.

The place was set, the background screen was ready, the mic was ready and the sound system was ready. Our seniors came one by one and the auditorium was filled with chatter until the anchors came in and the event started.

After a few minutes, the head boy gave a heartfelt speech, followed by the chit game of affirmations then Lara’s beautiful performance.

The girls donned black kurtis and sunglasses and danced to “Paint It Red”, which got a round of applause. The seniors loved the “Galti Se Mistake” dance by the boys for its creativity and comedic execution and what made it better was the shorts with shirt and tie combination. The dance finale was to the song “All Is Well” which got the audience cheering for the dancers with lots of enthusiasm.

Then a video filled with the memories of the seniors was shown which made most of them emotional. The dance which everybody was eagerly anticipating started - it was our beloved teachers who completely rocked the stage with their amazing performance.

Then a few teachers gave a very emotional message followed by songs dedicated to their students. The event came to an end with video messages by the teachers,  a crowning ceremony and high tea.

In conclusion, the event was successful, and enjoyed by all the students - juniors, seniors and teachers. It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s contribution and teamwork. It was an emotional roller coaster for everyone and a day which will never be forgotten.

Written By:

Stutee Samantray

(Grade 11, Ekya BTM)

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#StudentBlogger: Learning At Ekya By, Ekya School JP Nagar

Learning is a life-long process, there is no end to it. A person who stops learning is equivalent to being dead.

My journey of eight months as an Educator at Ekya, J.P. Nagar has been a sweet and very educational one. There was something new that was learnt every day, that not only impacted me as an educator but as a person on the whole. I have always believed that the kind of people one surrounds themself with, defines the kind of person they are likely to become. And any person that surrounds themselves with the crowd like that of EJPN is likely to undergo a positive transformation. There are new things that we learn, unlearn and discover. At Ekya JP Nagar, every day is a new, exciting day.

In retrospect, my organizational skills have gotten better. At Ekya, the smallest of the details are planned with precision and not simply rendered unimportant. In order to be organized at such a level of precision, it requires one to stay committed to doing the best. With the regular learning audits and observations, I have always been motivated to do my best. I have understood that what I can do is way beyond my imagination. The feedback given to me was valuable and has been instrumental in helping me become a better teacher and provide my students with a wonderful learning experience.

Not all days are good days. I have experienced both highs and lows during my 8 months at Ekya. But the support and encouragement from the leadership team have helped me get over some of the hard days. The teachers in the leadership team set excellent examples for the rest of us to follow, learn from, and model out to the students. They help create a conducive environment for the rest of us to work in. They stay true to the word ‘Ekya’ by creating an inclusive environment for all of us - One never feels left out.

At Ekya, you not only become a better teacher, but also a better person. Some of the practices followed at Ekya, for example - beginning the day with good things, grounding activities, SEE learning has made me a better person. I have become more mindful of my surroundings and the people around me. I am able to navigate through my emotions in a better way and stay positive.

My journey so far has been full of learning and transforming into a better person. Looking forward to many more exciting days, full of learning, at Ekya.

#StudentBlogger: The Life of a Snowman By, Sristi Bora Grade 9A, Ekya ITPL

The forest creaks and sways as the harsh winds blow against it. The sturdy pine trees covered with snow stand still, buried deep in the ground. There are no signs of any animals since they have all gone to sleep until spring arises. The birds have migrated away from here too but I mean, who can blame them right? It’s winter and everyone is inside their houses drinking hot chocolate while watching movies. The only one that’s out here smiling right now apart from Joe the caretaker is me.

 I’ve been here for approximately 15 minutes now but I’m going to make it quick because my time is running out. I am a snowman and the only time you can see me is in the winter when it snows. You must be wondering how I got stuck in the middle of the woods right? Well, a group of kids came out of nowhere, built me, took some pictures and left. I got bored and thus I am documenting my life, I don’t have much to do anyway. An average snowman lasts for about five hours before melting away into a giant puddle of water, stones and a carrot. We snowmen don’t really do much apart from smile. We don’t eat, we don’t sleep, we don’t do anything really and we are really low maintenance (but then again we are inanimate so it makes sense).

Even though I don’t get to be around for long, I really enjoy the fun people have building us and playing around in the snow. The kids who just built me for instance were having a great time building me. Building snowmen is one of the greatest and most time consuming winter activities. However it is definitely worth all the hard work because at the end you get a snowman like me! One thing all us snowmen want to do in our short lives is feel the Sun’s warmth, like Olaf in Frozen. That obviously won’t work but one can always dream right? There aren’t many adventures we go on since we are stationary but the view is quite nice from here.

Well that’s basically my autobiography. I was going to talk about just my life and that’s it but I ended up talking about a lot more things. My life is pretty short so I had to add a couple more things to make it sound more interesting. In case any of you were wondering about the life of a snowman, here it is. Alright, I’ll be signing off now because it looks like those kids are back with a scarf. Good day humans, see you next winter.

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