Ce que l'indépendance signifie pour moi - Rishona Chopra

 

Language: French 

L'indépendance n'est pas le droit de faire ce que l'on veut mais le droit de faire ce qui est juste. L'indépendance est l'essence de la liberté, le sentiment que nous ne sommes gouvernés par personne d'autre mais que nous avons la possibilité, tout comme les autres, d'explorer et d'apprendre. L'indépendance est un droit qui est beru fondamental et notre besoin mais de nos jours ce besoin est devenu un désir. Beaucoup de gens n'ont pas l'indépendance nécessaire pour prendre leurs décisions dans la vie, faire ce qu'ils veulent, étudier et ne pas vivre sous la domination de quelqu'un. Alors ne prenons pas notre indépendance pour acquise car c'est quelque chose de spécial.

Translation:

Independence is not the right to do as we wish but the right to do what is right. Independence is the essence of freedom, the feeling that we are not ruled by anyone but have the opportunity, just like others, to explore and learn. Independence is a fundamental right and our need, but nowadays, this need has become a want. Many people don't have the independence to make their decisions in life, do what they want, study and not live under the rule of somebody. So let's not take our independence for granted because it is unique.

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI 
Gyanshree School

The flame must keep burning - Rishona Chopra

Diwali or Deepavali is a time to brighten our homes and hearts. The messages of beauty, newness and freshness carried by the festival are being observed and celebrated differently in various parts of the country. Mythology shares that it honoured the return of Sri Ram to the kingdom of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile when people expressed their joy by lighting Diyas (lamps) to welcome him. So it is a celebration of victory and a return to self-governance or sovereignty. But like every other festival, rituals followed during Diwali hold deep spiritual significance. It becomes truly festive and more meaningful when we understand their purity and imbibe them.

Preparations begin with cleaning, painting or even renovation in many houses. What does this spiritually signify? It is a message for us to clean our minds. We need to cleanse it to remove thoughts of anger, criticism, rejection, resentment, hatred, hurt and jealousy. The weight of all this negativity we have been holding on to is weakening the soul. Paint the mind with new colours of peace, love and compassion. We also need to clean our words, actions and behaviour. This has to happen every day, not once a year, so we eventually reach a stage where we have a constantly clean and pure mind and body.

Regular practice of meditation and imbibing spiritual knowledge shared by God help us achieve the stage. Gifts and blessings are exchanged during Diwali. Spiritually, it is a message for us to empower and care for each other. A blessing is a high and pure energy vibration we create in our thoughts and express through our words. We have all experienced that the blessings of saints, parents, teachers, family and friends have created miracles in our lives. Irrespective of people’s sanskaras and behaviours, we empower them to change their sanskaras when we create only pure thoughts and words. Our blessings radiate to them to become their reality and change their destiny. Not just on a festival, our every thought and word every day should be a blessing. 

Giving blessings is the easiest way to receive blessings. 

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School