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Remember back in school when we used to have 'free' periods? When a teacher is absent and a substitute comes in? Yeah, those periods. Remember what we did then? Well, some students would immediately start begging for a PE or sports period (which most of the time wouldn't be permitted), or they'd all go down on the floor and start playing hand cricket. Some would read a story book that they borrowed from the library, and the artistic ones would start sketching cartoons or dresses. And what was I doing amidst this noise? I was finishing my homework. Billy: .... Me: .... Billy: Ew, you're such a nerd, who studi- Me: IN MY DEFENSE, I thought it was ironic that I finished my 'home' work in class. Billy: You're a ner- Aaanyways, there was something about that soft murmuring in the background. It wasn't loud or disturbing, it simply harmonized with me solving maths. For some reason, my brain associated this external noise with my studies. So, even after school, my mind started to look for that noise whenever I sat down at my desk. It wasn't until recently that I realised this behaviour of mine. I noticed that while doing any work, I usually have random monotonous sounds playing in my earphones- like rain sounds, coffee shop white noise, or the same song on repeat. This was my subconscious effort to induce something known as flow state. What is flow state? In Gen-Z terms, it's what we all mean when we say "Getting in the zone" or "Locking in". But technically speaking, Flow is a psychological concept that was first recognized by Csikszentmihalyi (homework for you to learn how to pronounce the name) . On his quest for happiness and the purpose of life, Mihayli observed various artists who became so engrossed in their art form that they felt detached from reality. They became one with their activity and forgot about their physical existence. Time dilated, worries withdrew, and their skill synergized with the challenges in their work. Studies have shown that when in flow, productivity increases by 500% [ mentioned in the introduction of this paper ]. After learning about this fascinating state of mind, it's only natural to question: How does one reach flow? For this, Mihayli stresses upon two factors - Skill and Challenge. He says that this state can be achieved with the balance of both these factors. Do you understand why? No? (Even if you did, you have no choice but to read my explanation). Consider this- If Skill > Challenge– Let's talk about the most basic skill- Reading. Say you're reading a novel. If the novel has no suspense or if you're extremely smart and able to predict the next part, then reading becomes boring. Your activity isn't provoking or challenging enough to keep up with your skill. So, sooner or later you'll stop. If Skill < Challenge– If you're reading about Quantum Physics. No further explanation needed. If Skill ≈ Challenge– When there is a good mix of both of them, your skill tackles the challenges and this in turn rewards the brain. So the brain wants to continue the activity, and thus you're in flow. Say if Billy is an athlete, activities like running might put him into flow. If Billy is a pianist, practicing new sheet music might help him flow. But obviously, it's not immediate. You should persist through the first few minutes of your activity. Yes, this means removing distractions and forcing yourself to focus for a bit. And once you let flow kick in, you become a river. Your task becomes soo in-tune with you that everything else disappears. In that moment, the only reality you'll experience is the effortless effort you're putting in. That is.... until your phone rings or a notification comes, or an inner thought is loud enough to completely distract you. Billy: Sigh... Now you're scolding me for being distracting? You're such a ner- Uhm, well, I'm heavily guilty of being distracted too. But the point im trying to make is– In a world where technology and its marketing has advanced such a high scale that it holds all our time and attention; and in a world where everyone is concerned about the focus levels of the young generation, it seems that we have forgotten the value and inner joy of work and its challenges. It's pretty ironic- we don't work because it's tooo easy, but we also don't work because it's tooo hard, but reels and Italian brainrot just slaps right. We should realise that it's okay if we don't support large tech companies with all our free time. And that it's okay if the task you have to do is turning into a monster. Spend a while to find that right balance between your skill and your challenges for that monstrous task. Trust me, nothing slaps right than flowing with flow. So, prioritize the uncomfortable work, watch yourself slowly get in the zone, and it will lead to you being satisfied with yourself. With that, I'll go crib about my project while listening to rain sounds. Yeah, okay, Billy, call me a nerd. Signed, Ann. If you'd like to learn more about flow, I recommend you start by watching this Ted talk by Csikszentmihalyi himself. He talks about how he stumbled into psychology—it’s always interesting to hear how people find their path. The video also quotes artists and businesspeople describing flow, even before it had a name. Hearing how they spoke about it really made me realize how powerful this state can be. So yeah, you could give it a shot.

Among us, there live a group of—oh wait, Billy, quick, give me a name. "A name? Uhm, okay... Muthuswami Nagarajan Krish—" "Yikes, no. Just a short name." "Well, okay, how about just Krish?" "Yeah, that's good. As I was saying— Among us, there live a group of wanderers. Curious wanderers. One such wanderer found her way into a neighborhood. The neighborhood she entered was placid but held some troubles for her kind. But she was hungry and lost. By her size, it was clear she was just a child. She had a beautiful snow-white coat and a melodious voice. A girl from one of the houses saw and heard her. The girl’s family had cared for wanderers like her before, so she knew exactly how to help this hungry little one. She brought out some food and waited patiently for the wanderer to trust her. Slowly, the little one approached. She liked the food and soon began playing around with the girl. Usually, the wanderers would leave. The family expected her to be gone by morning. But the next day, she returned. She wasn’t just looking for food—she was looking for love and shelter. And so, it was official. The wanderer was now part of the family, and they decided to call her Krish. Krish loved that house. She explored as far as she could but always found her way back. The neighborhood kids adored her. They played with her, spoke to her, and made her feel welcome. As Krish grew, she became more independent. She found food on her own, made friends of her kind, and even stood bravely against the dangers she faced. Nature has a play planned for everyone, and Krish reached the stage of motherhood. She gave birth, and oh, how she loved her children. The family stayed by her side, helping her care for them. But her kittens were wanderers too. With time, they strayed further and further until they lost their way back to their mother. It worried Krish, but she stayed strong. The next time she gave birth, the family wanted to keep them safer. They locked the babies inside and made sure Krish could stay close to them. For a while, things were good. The small family had found happiness in a big, dark world. But life doesn’t always play fair. One unfortunate night, when Krish and her children were outside, the dangers struck. They came for the weak and the small. Krish’s instincts flared. She hid her little ones away, shielding them from sight. And then, she stood her ground. She fought. She fought with everything she had. She had always been brave, but this time, she was facing more than she could handle. The threats grew louder. They ganged up on her. Still, she stood her ground—until she couldn’t anymore. That night, Krish took her last breath." So, who was Krish? And why did I ask Billy for that name? Krish was a stray cat my family and I adopted. No one really gave her a name, she usually just responded to a meow. But I liked to call her Sweet Peas. She was my idol. A symbol of courage. She never shied away from meeting someone new, never feared being on her own. She was smart too, she recognized danger zones and kept away. I’ll miss Sweet Peas. I’ll miss her meows and the way she ran toward me whenever I put out food. She inspired me. This blog is a tribute to her. Here are a couple of pictures of her- August 2023, Her as a little kitten April 2024 Her with one of her first kittens The latest picture I took of her with her kittens Signed, Ann

It was 5 PM. The last exam was over. You can see your result staring back at you on the computer screen. ' It's good, but it's not good enough ,' is the only thought running through your head.  'I can do better next time,'  but this was the last exam. ' Oh well, at least it is over,' so you wait for the wave of relief to wash over you, the "liberating" feeling everyone talks about when it's all over. Seven hours later, when you find out that there are no more alarms to set and no more formula sheets stuck on the wall, it hits you, ' This is it, it's the end.' It's a relaxing thought; you don't have to wake up with the burden to work harder than yesterday. It's an exciting thought; the most dreadful chapter is now closed. The idea of a new beginning and the freedom to do what you want without feeling guilty made the past years worth it. Just as you're coming to terms with your success, Billy walks in; 'Are you happy?' Billy asks. 'Yes, of course I am. I did it! I survived.' 'True, but did you reach your goal?' There's just silence. The air seemed to stiffen. You always knew in the back of your mind that this conversation was bound to happen. 'Walk with me, Billy. There are a lot of questions.' This blog is dedicated to Billy, the annoying little voice in our heads that forces us to face reality. Billy and you step outside. The wind is chilly and the world looks dark. As you begin walking, Billy looks at you. You understand this look, Billy is a curious child, he wants the answers. 'Do you know what it feels like to be thirsty, Billy? Like after a long day in the summer heat?' You ask. 'Yes, I know. It happens quite often.' Billy replies. 'Picture it. Now imagine that you come back home to drink water from your bottle. The few drops of sweet nectar hit your dry throat, but then it stops. It isn't enough to quench your thirst. That's exactly how seeing my result today felt like. I know what the best tastes like, however, its quantity does not satiate.' You said. It takes a while for Billy to process it. 'Does this mean you failed?' Billy asks. 'Yes and no.' 'Well, how did you not fail? This was your dream and you could not achieve it.' 'I know.' Your answer stunned him, 'Then, how come you are okay with it?' he asked out of astonishment. This question hits you hard. 'I am not okay with it, Billy. But I have a choice- to either carry this hollow and negative feeling of being unsatisfied or learn to overcome my dissatisfaction,' you reply. 'But you came so close, can you not try again? You cannot let this go. What will the others think of you? What will you think of the others who did it? Can you sit with it?' 'I get where you are coming from, Billy. Maybe this so-called 'failure' is what I should face. There's a reason failure teaches a lot more than success. One can never fully appreciate coming 1st if they've never come 2nd. One can never be truly happy for others unless they are happy with themselves. Making peace with oneself during such moments of dissatisfaction is what makes a well-rounded human.' Billy looks away into the night. He seems to come to a realization,' So this is it? You're just going to let it go?' 'It's hard. But I'll have to learn how to.' As the moon shines and as our Mother Earth spins, happiness becomes a choice. In modern reality, everyone strives for 'success'. No one is willing to settle for anything less than perfection. While working towards your goal is hard, seeing the beauty in imperfections is harder. -Signed, Ann.

I was born with two hands, two legs, two eyes, and one brain. So was my brother. Whenever I talked too much, I had to quieten it down and be more ladylike. Whenever my brother cried, he had to toughen up like a man. On my birthdays, I was gifted dolls. As for my brother, he received cars. Whenever anyone needed financial advice, they would approach my father. Whenever anyone needed advice on hospitality, they always went to my mother. This is not my story. It is the story of the majority of the household where the woman is expected to look after the home and family and the man is the breadwinner. You could argue that such acts are too minimal to focus on. However, the roots of gender inequality arise from such psychological and cultural differences. Gender equality is a part of the 17 sustainable development goals. Then why these differences? If Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits the state from discriminating against anyone based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, why these differences? If the first movement of feminism began in 1848, then even in 2023 why these differences? Any gender is just as smart, capable, and powerful as the other. Everyone deserves a chance and platform to prove their abilities. We are all born with two hands, two legs, two eyes, and one brain. The difference in one chromosome should not limit anyone's capabilities. Let's make one thing VERY clear Feminism isn't a war on which gender is better, it just signifies both are equally good. Feminism aims to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes. This fight for equality dates back to centuries ago. Thousands of nameless souls have throughout history fought for the politically equal rights we enjoy today. Despite their ongoing efforts, the societal mindset on equality still has a long way to go. Even today, intelligence IQ is seen more as a male character. Even today, emotional empathy is seen as feminine. It is unfair because any human is capable of feeling and thinking. These traits cannot be boxed into different genders. We as a society must accept this fact and reflect it in our actions. India has less than 17 percent women researchers as a whole. Women comprise only 3.8% of the Indian army (the world's second-largest army) Come on, logically women make up 50 percent of the world population. Women also have two eyes, two hands, and one brain, the same as any man. Shouldn't any percentage we take show 50 percent? And here we are, where the percentage is less than half of expected. Although the change is happening, it is very gradual. We need to carry it forward to ensure that the ratio remains 1:1 for any field. That is equal. Every gender comes with its own pros and cons in the society. However, since the beginning, women have faced a major part of inequality. Agent Goose has rightly described the life of an underrated Heroine. In her blog, we are going to highlight the story of Mileva Marić which is greatly shaking and should be known by the world. Do check her blog on Mohana Priya T writes Handing over to Agent Goose, Over from Agent Duck Duck. Signed, Ann Hatti and Mohana Priya T

The swift gliding of the stick over the violin strings is in sync with the pitch of words. Now, wait for it... the flawlessly timed beats on the drum slowly inspire your feet to move and sing along. It's all beautiful! 'Confession- the past week, Spotify was my most used app' ' ... Spotify? That app with the green wifi logo that plays ads.' 'Yup, that's the one.' Um, yes, so... Spotify- Since the past few months, it has earned its spot as one of my favorite apps. Which rightly puts me in the category of a music lover. In doing so, I've noticed that songs and music tend to be addictive. And I decided to find out why people often engage in listening to those melodies because, at its core, music is nothing but a sound. How is it that a mere sound has the power to affect our emotions and thoughts? Here goes the Wikipedia knowledge I was able to gather- (Advance apologies for the upcoming science-y stuff) As per physics, music or sound is nothing but a mechanical wave. It follows the definition and characteristics similar to that of a water wave. But what makes music have an impact on our moods and thoughts? How does a simple mechanical wave trigger emotions and the aura around us? That's when biology comes in. The ear picks up these sounds and sends them to the brain (via action potential). During this process, the ear also controls the volume and frequency at which sound enters. Welcome to the brain! Here is where the important work takes place. Certain parts of the brain work together in analyzing and decoding these sounds. And the areas that carry out such processes happen to be in charge of emotions, memories, language, etc. Thus, giving music access to some of the integral parts of the brain. Okay, I know what you're thinking- Ann, so what should I do? How's this going to help me? Ahh, well, do you have Parkinson's disease or dyslexia? Yes? Then music therapy is going to help you maintain your dopamine levels. And are you a child? Yes? Wonderful. It means that music can enhance your verbal intelligence. But to be influenced by any music does not depend on your age or health. Be it the strings on a guitar or the beats of a drum, it can widely affect anyone. For instance, when the lyrics of a song are in tune with my thoughts, I feel understood, not alone, and hopeful. Most certainly providing a sense of calmness. It allows us to lose touch with reality and also reconnect to it. Sometimes, a particular piece could resonate with a memory or a person. Songs also help connect people of all kinds. History has proven countless times how they can stimulate oneness among people. It stood for a sense of freedom. Even today, it is a powerful form of communication. Forming connections via music is not limited to a certain age. I've seen 12-year-olds bond with 50-year-olds when a song comes up on the radio. Heck, people make friends because of songs and artists. No more awkward silences when you meet new people; fill the gaps with music! And on an individual level too, music helps us fight our battles. Be it inspiring motivation or unwinding after a long day, I think it is fair to say that- no matter how many different varieties of this art form come in, music, as a whole, is constantly changing lives. Songs are more than a background distraction. They come with their own stories. And the same song can spell out different words to different people. It could mean anything from a happy memory to difficult times. So the next time you listen to a pleasant sound, try and be grateful to whosoever made it and obviously, your brain. Signed, Ann. P.S: Because this is a blog about music, here are some of the artists and songs that I play on repeat- The 5SOS, Older, OK, Kids are born stars, pov, and Coping.

"I remember the very first day of my school. I woke up with a start, getting ready for the day I was looking forward to. I remember being friends with everyone; every teacher would smile at me. I was the bes-" Yeah, no. No no. I jus- I just cried for 2 weeks straight. I guess I was scared to see so many unfamiliar faces and would cover my face behind the handkerchief pinned to my shirt. Ironically however, as the days turned to months and then years, I began calling it home; not because it was a building I spent every day in, but because of the people there. As strangers turned to friends, I began to understand the power of friendship. Like every single relationship on Earth, friendship too starts with a give and take. In the context of school friendships, it starts with the gives and takes of notes. Eventually, it may morph into mutual care, support, a pinch of love, and tons of teasing. What is that? What about respect? scoffs. No no no, there is no such thing as respect between friends. Not when you've heard them laugh like maniacs, cry rivers, and use fewer brain cells than a jellyfish. Despite their silliness, these are the same people who turn your face to smile effortlessly, hear all your worries, and lend a hand to pick you up whenever you fall. During the journey, friendship does not involve obligations or judgment. In my opinion, the most necessary thing to realize is that- friendship is meant to ease your life, not add to it. It's just an understanding and acceptance of each other's interests while being able to share yours. It is about cherishing pure joy. It is, obviously, accompanied by flaws and fights. But true friends will stick around for those disagreements, the hugs, and the laughs. Though it may look a little different for everyone, it remains about the positivity and happiness you gain with them. To me, a true friend is someone who forgets your birthday (looking at you, Sarah) but always brings you last-minute chocolates. A true friend schedules calling you, but it always goes an hour beyond (Crystal, hey there!). A true friend never texts you, but always talks the most when they see you (Need to learn to type, Maria?) A true friend makes the most unrealistic plans (cough, Akshara, cough) but always reassures you that it will all be okay. I met all these friends when we were excited to buy our very first mechanical pencil. They stayed until the moment us owning phones. I met all these friends when we would wait for the last school bell to go home. They were the people with whom I played kho-kho, shoe-chan, and tag. They were the people with whom I could joke about classes and whine about exams. From our old pinky promises to new pinky promises. (Let's face it, pinky promises are unbreakable) They were the people because of whom I cried not only on the first day of school but also on the last. But someday, we may have an actual last conversation, last laugh, and last memory. Sometimes, they drift apart. We choose different paths. And at the end of the day, friendship is not a forever journey. When the story concludes, the moral is to have grown from what the other person gave us. It's to continue having the person's best interests and best wishes at heart. So go on, and let your true friend know you will lift them. Make sure your true friend still loves being annoyed by you (only the easily irritable ones are the keepers). Teach them your birthdate. And talk to them every time you see sights of darkness; they never fail to bring the light to you. Appreciate their presence and keep laughing with them, will you? Signed, Ann

"In a land far away from ours, there was a sparrow-" "Ann, sparrows are in our land too. Why far away?" "Yeah, well, it adds to the mystery, you know! Like, ooh, what's in a faraway land? Then- BAM - Sparrow!" "...." sighs "Anyways- The baby sparrow was looking around confused while she was entering a newly built nest. She had never seen the others looking down at her with smiling faces. But, they would bring her worms and nibble her head sweetly. So, sooner or later, she was comfortable around everyone there. As a couple of days passed, someone else flew into the nest. The others would run up to the 'someone' and ecstatically welcome him. He had a big tummy with tall legs. He walked with his back slightly hunched towards her. He would carry our little sparrow and try to caress her little wings. Afraid, however, she would hide behind the ones that made her feel at home. Gradually, she would warm to the 'someone'. He would show her to spread her tiny wings and stand aside whenever she failed. He would watch her pick herself up and loved seeing her fly. Our little sparrow here hated rising with the first ray of sunshine. But 'someone' would put out her stool and brush to start her day. Grumpily, she would accompany him for his morning flies, and she as opportunities to complain about her wings hurting and tell stories of her other birdie friends. She bugged him with a lot of silly questions (which one would visibly see the answers in front of her). But in response, he would teach her the knowledge he gained living in the faraway land. She would amusingly listen to him talk about his varied interests- from his annoying morning chirping to his fascination with the Earth and Space. She always thought it funny how he never stuck to one and kept looking for new interests. Now, as the sparrow is growing up, she has begun asking questions with her mind. And he is answering them empirically and showing her the right pathways. Any night she cries, he makes sure to hear them out and guarantees her that things will all be okay. She's still out in the faraway land learning to straighten her back. She still watches him fly into different gases of interest. She loves hearing his approvals and hates being the reason for his exasperation. He's still out in the faraway land, supporting her arching back. He's still watching her fail and try to fly." To the 'someone' who helped me fall in love with nature and walking. To the 'someone' who makes me laugh with the stupidest jokes ever. To the 'someone' who always supports my curiosity at any time. To the 'someone' who I see everyday age with wisdom, to my Father- A happy half-century, pa! Waiting for my cake Love, Your sparrow.

I love sleeping. So naturally, I'm a dreamer. Those hours are the sweetest bliss of my entire day (sometimes there are nightmares- but we don't talk about that). Eight (or ten) hours of bizarre stories in the form of dreams. Hm, dreams. When five-year-old me would hear it, she would immediately picture a pink sky with rainbows and tons of chocolate. At present, however, I describe it as a pile of books under a lamplight, but with chocolates, of course. Turns out, now, when I think of the word 'dream,' I tend to realize that the path towards it is a rough and rugged terrain. Although the description changed, the idea did not. I ask you, 'What can dreams be?' 'Anything, Ann. A dream can be anything.' 'Uhmm, yeah, sure. Like my dream of living with Doraemon.' In this context, however, I'll be speaking of achievable dreams. So my dream of playing hide and seek with Doraemon is highly questionable. A dream can originate from a hobby or an experience, and with time, it can turn into a passion or a life goal. For example, it could start with you visiting a science museum. Or it could be the thrill you get when you help people. Be it going to XYZ college, traveling the world, or being an artist, the idea of a dream is so attractive. It gives a sense of direction to life. It fuels motivation. It allows room for more and more people to take huge leaps. When I asked my friends what a dream was for them, they were so diverse from each other. Yet, most people consider dreams as their very purpose in life. It was amusing that dreams are viewed as a 'do or die' indicating how near and dear they are to a person. No matter how varied dreams are, they unite people under the circumstances of effort and work towards their particular destination. Though dreams are viewed differently by every one, the determination to achieve them and the anticipation to live them remain the same for all. Just a vision of seeing yourself out there, is inspiring. Hearing the stories you've always wanted to be the main character of is uplifting. It is insane how much joy a simple image brings. And that makes you question, what if it's true? What if the intangible becomes touchable? Nonetheless, dreams can be hard. It can be overwhelming to put it into action. It is scary to take a step forward when you are completely unaware of how the outcomes will be. And for that, I'd like to share an experience where I worked toward a failed dream: Ever since the sixth grade, I've wanted to get a 100% in all subjects for my 10th board exams (yes, I was a nerdy kid). I did work for it. I calculated and recalculated my accuracy and the marks I should get. In the end, I did not get what I wanted. It felt as though I let down the sixth-grade me. But, in hindsight, I'm grateful I dreamt of having top grades. Due to this, I grew as a person. It showed me my capabilities and just how far I can go. And that's the success of a dream. Whether or not you will get to live it word for word, you get to go through a unique journey that will take you someplace truly beautiful. Don't be so afraid of failure that you fail to start your journey. I know, it takes a lot of effort, motivation, self-control, and consistency. It becomes especially hard when you've already started your journey but it had to stop. And that's fine. It's alright to restart your journey. When you're climbing a mountain and feel exhausted, you take a break. But you continue because you know the peak is waiting for you. You can see it. All you need to do is retrace your previous steps and climb forwards. You can do it! I know you can. Your book still awaits completion, so go finish it :) As APJ Abdul Kalam once said, "A dream is not what you see in sleep. A dream is something that does not let you sleep." And with that, I'll hit the bed to see more dreams. Signed, Ann.

"Now that 2023 has started, I will be studying every day. I will exercise 5 times a day and eat only leaves. Like 2023 is going to be my grind. I'll be working hard for 26 hours a day. New year, ne-" The above scenario is a perfect example of what I like to call- 'The 31st of December' Or 'D31 Effect'. The D31 effect is a common phenomenon wherein a person is heavily motivated on the 31st of December which leads to decisions and resolutions of high standards. The result of the effect tends to be giving up. So, it's the end of another chapter, huh? It's a goodbye to 2022. The year that brought the Omicron wave of Covid, the invasion of Russia in Ukraine, the coronation of King Charles III (RIP Queen), the 22nd Fifa world cup, and the win of Captain Jack Sparrow! After a long pandemic, it was quite a rollercoaster for the world. How was it for me? The same- a year filled with a couple of ups and many downs. One of the biggest highlights of the year was that I had not one but two M&M's chocolate bars! Whoever came up with it has my utmost respect! Regardless, 2022 was a confusing time. I had to say goodbye to some of my best friends and teachers. Graduating from my school of 10 years and having to go to an entirely new place with a sudden shift in the atmosphere was tough. The year was a reality check for me, and that hit hard. Staying at home during online classes with less supervision gave me a free pass to do what felt 'easy'. After two prolonged years of finding the easy ways out, I was unable to adjust to offline life again. I realized I had to relearn self-control and self-regulation. I realized the importance of some commonly overused words in life. The importance of discipline, consistency, and effort. Unfortunately, however, I only just understood them and was not successful in applying them. Why? Because I spent the year questioning why I couldn't go back to the past. I spent the year failing at even trying. I spent the year with so many doubts, cries, and fears that I was unable to give myself a chance at anything... I found it tense to climb many steps this past year, pretty sure I tumbled down a few. All I wanted to do was distance myself from the hardships. I wanted to run away from the places of uneasiness. But I learned that resilience matters- being able to pick myself back up. And it's got nothing to do with the amount of time that it takes to get up. This is not a night-long journey though. It is not in a day or week's time that I can simply get rid of the distractions and start being better on the spot. It is a process. It will take a while. There will be struggles and yet more tears on the way, which are inevitable. So for 2023, I do not wish for it to be all rainbows and sparkles or to be filled with rain and hail. But rather, I'd like to find the light within and go at my own pace. The world out there is harsh, yes. You'll have to work hard and instill values of discipline, yes. It is a rough path and full of bumps, yes. But you have to learn to build trust within yourself and push through, and eventually, you will be able to do that and look back with pride. And you can do it, yes! So tell yourself, what should the new year be like for you? Signed, Ann.

You are afraid to enter. 'What if they judge me...? What if they hate me...? What if they see right through my clothes...? I don't want to be here...', You take in a deep breath and push open the door. The others don't notice you there. Your neighbor smiles at you as you take your seat. You smile back. 'Wait, was her smile fake? Maybe sarcastic? Why would anyone smile at me? I'm nothing special...' You're washing your hands at the sink and look up at the mirror. 'When did I get that dark spot? Did I always look like that? Maybe if I just suck my stomach in a bit...' You submit your work and someone says, "Great job! Looks like you improved a lot!" You reply with a cheery thank you. The genuinity in the smile of your neighbor returns. The days pass; all good ones. But the more you look down on yourself, the more the positivity seems to fade away. One day, you're lying in bed. It's cold. Everything appears to be lopsided. 'I just wish to do something right. I have no self-esteem... I don't like how I look... I hate myself... Like, am a bother to everyone around me, worthless... I want to feel in control! In control of anything.' You decide to control the numbers and calories on your plate. You eat very less. You measure everything you ingest. You begin to starve yourself. To stop the hunger from hurting, you eat a lot more food, stick a finger down your throat and vomit it all out. You allow this awful process to continue for days. Nothing feels right, though. The cold and the numbness has taken over completely... 'I don't want to leave my room. I- just want everything to be normal.' But counting your food is the only thing that makes you feel in control... Facts and Stats Sometimes, when people feel overwhelmed, anxious or confused, they might turn to food. Either their feelings are poured into food or their emotions stop them from consuming any. By doing so, there is harm to their mental and physical health. That is an Eating Disorder (ED). There are many types, Anorexia Nervosa (AN) where one eats close to nothing as possible and overexercises due to the fear of gaining weight, Bulimia Nervosa (BN) where one eats food but ends up purging it out through the body through vomiting, laxatives, overexercising, etc., Binge Eating Disorder (BED) constantly binging on food even when not hungry and seeking comfort in it. (There are so many EDs out there. However, these three are some of the most common and most known). Today, we live in a society that teaches us to compete, succeed, and ultimately be on top of the world. Today, we live in a society that criticizes vulnerability and struggles. Today, we live in a society that wants to see the best bodies around us. Today, we live in a society that expects perfectionism without showing our tears. When young children and young adults are exposed to society, they come up with new ways to hide their fears and cries. One of these rising ways is - Eating Disorders. Although the number of people diagnosed with eating disorders in the world is low at 9%, it cannot be ignored how high the death rates are. Here are some statistics: This image is taken from Wikipedia: Also, it is to be noted that according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NHIM) Anorexia has an extremely high death (mortality) rate compared with other mental disorders. (You can learn more about them from the official website of NHIM here). Naturally, when a person experiences such disorders, it becomes important for them to go through treatment and help overcome them. But unfortunately, only 10% of people with eating disorders receive treatment, and of those, approximately 80% do not receive the proper care. This is heavily concerning because about 70% of people with anorexia and 50% of people with bulimia recover within five years. Five. Whole. Years. What about India? Where does our homeland stand? It is hard to say because, sadly, there are barely any studies have been done by an official body and there are no nationwide surveys on the issue. You can check on the internet, but you will not find a completely authorized organization providing the stats on the same... Spread awareness to spread wings Eating disorders do not revolve around food, so many more factors and feelings contribute. The feeling of being in control of anything, the low self-confidence, the fear of being judged, the world of beauty standards... Food just happened to be a way out of problems. Food, which is supposed to be fuel to the body, suddenly feels like an extinguished fire. It becomes harder to wake up in your own skin. It feels overwhelming to step outside. The numbers on the scale become an obsession. You will want to stop it, but it calls you back even louder. Within a few months, it becomes an unnoticed habit. You stop wanting anyone around... But what really can help, is reaching out to the right person. Reaching out to a trusted one who is not facing the same problems. Many times, people do not know what's happening to them unless they talk about it. So, we as a society should understand that these are facts; Eating disorders are very much real, and it completely affects one's physical health and drowns out the light on one's mental health. The first step to comprehending these facts is - spreading awareness: The more the people know about it, the easier it is to understand. It should be okay to talk about mental struggles, body image, and eating disorders so that people with these struggles come forward and conquer their fears. This will only be possible when we are aware and open-minded about the situation. We as a society, should be more understanding and accepting of vulnerability and body image issues. We as a society should make it easier for everyone in the society to live in... Not make anyone feel less... If that really is hard to do so, try putting yourself in anyone's shoes, no one is on a straight path. No one. We all have bumps along the way. Instead of allowing the people around us to think that those bumps are mountains, we should allow them to understand that it is just another hurdle to cross over. Once again, if you feel like you are unable to talk to anyone, do consider reaching out to a professional. Nothing comes before physical, mental, or emotional health. Signed, Ann.

Numbers, numbers, numbers. Ranging from negative infinity to positive infinity; numbers hold a lot of value. Not only in terms of Math but also terms of communication and day-to-day uses. Mohana: But Math is not only numbers. Math consists of letters and symbols as well. When you observe the subject as a whole, you will notice the excessive use of English as well as Greek alphabets. For example, x, alpha, beta, theta, psi, pi, lambda, ga- YES. So we use a lot of numbers in our everyday life. They are in many forms like; Time, money, distance, statistics in newspapers, weight, marks... Some of these numbers are always stuck in our minds. They are stuck in the form of an obsession. Here's what I mean- "I have to get 90 marks this time." "I have to lose 5 more kgs." "I have to eat 40 grams more." "I have to spend 7 hours studying." "I have to get rank 1." Do any of these sentences seem familiar? Were these numbers ever used extensively? Or perhaps as a source of motivation? You might be thinking of these numbers at this very moment. The number that you think brings you success. The number that you think will solve your problems. Did you ever give these numbers the power to take control of you? It's not uncommon. Especially when these numbers surround us. It is just one search away to see how much weight you should lose to have the perfect body. It's just one search away to see how many ranks you jump when you get one mark more. It's just one search away to see which job gives you the biggest paycheck. It's just one search away from toxically obsessing over these numbers. It's so easy to get carried away and link numbers to our emotions. We spend hours trying to quantify our identity. We lose touch with reality while aiming at them. We start to view numbers as success... as happiness... as respect... In actuality, numbers are supposed to be no more than a measure. It's just a tool. It simply presents you with a graph so you can check your progress. The graph can have ups and downs. We need to perceive the ups and downs as learning, not failure. That always seems to be forgotten. By consuming ourselves with these numbers, we give them power. Besides, for a person who does not know numbers, they're just squiggly lines and shapes! And we give those mere designs the power to direct our life! When we allow those numbers to hold so much power; It paints the world of color to black and white. You begin to see the world as 0s and 1s. Numbers are here to show you an outcome. Numbers do not show you your entire process. Numbers, by no means, can show you the amount of effort you put in. Unfortunately, there is no unit to measure your efforts. Numbers are used to saying, "I scored 45% in my exam." but never used to say, "I put in 100 units of effort for my exam." When will we stop limiting ourselves to these numbers and start seeing how beautiful the path is? When will we stop using numbers to justify our level and start using words to describe our journey? Today, let's have a start. Let us use the power of words and the tool of numbers to begin saying- "I will put in best effort and get any amount of marks." "I will choose to look past the scale and take care of my body." "I will spend more quality over quantity of hours studying." As Mohana said, life is not just numbers. There are so much more words and symbols. Mohana: I said Math, not life. ....were the last famous words of Mohana... Signed, Ann.

Deepavali. Diwali. The festival of lights. The time of the year when both days and nights are bright with lights and colors. Any idea why it's celebrated? It's to celebrate the return of Lord Rama, Lakshman, and Sita from 14 years of exile. The day Rama returned to Ayodhya, the entire city spent the night with lamps, dances, and pure joy. Returning to one's hometown after a long time is a mix of happiness, nostalgia, sadness, and cheer. It was a feeling experienced by my parents this week. That's where we're going to; the places where it all started. Halsangi- It's a small village in the Indi Taluk, Bijapur District, Karnataka. It houses about a few thousand people. It was ruled by the brother-in-law of Adil Shah. This village holds a lot of importance to some of the famous and respected poets of Karnataka. One among them was Sir D.R Bendre. Sir used to come to the village to seek knowledge from Madhura Channa. He would sing songs on the rooftop and talk to the people of Halsangi. The remains (such as nails and hair) of Sri Arbindo Ghosh lies here and is worshipped. Sri Arbindo was a freedom fighter and a saint who is respected worldwide. He studied the soul on a higher spiritual level. In every house at Halsangi, you will see a picture of Sri Arbindo. It is believed that the soul of Swami Vivek Ananda and Sri Krishna guided Sri Arbindo. Sir's main ashram is situated at Pondicherry. The samadhi (tomb) of Madhura Channa is located here. He was a great writer whose alma mater is literature and he was also a deeply spiritual person. He wrote a book called Nanna nalla, which describes his devotion towards God. Unfortunately, his work was not as widespread as it deserved. Madhura Channa was strongly influenced by Sri Arbindo. It is said that during Madhura Channa's funeral, D.R Bendre ran from his car and jumped in the grave to offer his last prayers to his senior. The samadhi of Madhura Channa: There is also a legend about Jakkavva. While constructing the fort around Halsangi, there was a part of the wall which kept falling. A sage advised the people to build it with a pregnant lady at the bottom. A room was thus constructed for Jakkavva, the wall was built and it never fell. It still stands today. The first picture shows The Jakkavva Fort. The second picture shows the inside of the fort. Lachyan- Compared to Halsangi, Lachyan can be considered a city. Lachyan is a town at Indi Taluk. It was the place of summer vacation for my paternal family. The Mutt (kind of like an ashram that also provides social services) and samadhi of Sadhguru Siddha Lingehwara Maharaj is present at Lachyan. Swamiji had a Jeevan Samadhi (live burial). He brought the fame and dignity that Lachyan holds today. People from nearby states come as travelers only to visit the Mutt. Both these places, Lachyan and Halsangi, as little known as they may be, hold great emotional value to families who grew up there. Seeing our old home, the first school my grandmother taught, her students recognizing my father, the old neighbors we spoke to... It really is these little things that make the bond stronger. Gol Gumbaz- Gol Gumbaz- One of the most known monuments of North Karnataka. Located in Bijapur, it was constructed by Adil Shah in the 17th century and holds the remains of Mohammad Adil Shah. The mausoleum is incomplete due to the death of Adil Shah. You can find undone forts and solitary pillars located around the area. Gol Gumbaz literally translates to - Round dome. The artwork around the dome is purposely designed to make it look like a lotus: Once you enter this magnificent building, you will be hearing screams and shouting from the people inside. Why? Inside the dome, whatever is spoken echoes 7 times! So, you know, we have to test it out obviously. And people can communicate through walls. One can speak into a wall and the other should press their ear to the other end and it works like a telephone system. This is also a monument that is tentative to be a world heritage site under UNESCO. It is a beautiful place and the engravings are so precise and delicate, almost as if it is machine made. 10 outta 10, must visit. The museum (opened recently) gives insights into the way people lived during the reign of the Adil Shah dynasty. The crockery, carpets, coins, arms, and armory used are all collected and placed in the museum. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures, so how about you go there and find out on your own? ;) And now, we're at the end of our travel series. What did we learn here, kids? No matter which place you visit, the sunsets are always pretty. No matter which place you visit, be sure to learn about its stories, myths, legends, and history about it. That makes it all the more exciting. Each place is filled with a different aura. The more you explore the more you know. Between you and me, here's a little secret. I was forced to go on this trip by my mum. Were there sad noises from me at the beginning? Sure. But am I glad I hopped on the journey? Yes. It is truly one of the most fun things I've done in a while. I only wish we had more time to go into detail about each place. So kids, if your parents force you to go somewhere, just go. You may never know the secrets and tales you uncover as you go. Whether Diwali or not, let the lights of our history shine. When is that possible? When you provide oil to the lamp. Signed, Ann.