Diwali in Nepal - Nishan Karki

We all celebrate various festivals, one of which is Diwali, or the festival of light. It is one of the biggest and most popular festivals in India. It is celebrated with immense joy, enthusiasm, and happiness.

Have you ever wondered how Diwali is celebrated in Nepal?

You may have, or maybe not.

Diwali is called Tihar in Nepal. It is also one of the most popular and biggest festivals in Nepal. It is celebrated differently in Nepal in contrast to India.

Tihar is marked by lighting diyas inside and outside the home. Still, unlike Diwali in other parts of India, the five days of Tihar include the celebration and worship of the four creatures associated with the Hindu god of death, Yama, and the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Laxmi. Nepal's various communities celebrate Tihar in different ways. People decorate their houses, make rangoli, light diyas and eat delicious food. Special foods such as sel roti, finni roti, and patre are eaten during Tihar.

The celebration of Tihar goes on for five days. The first day is called Kaag Tihar. On this day, we worship crows (kaag in Nepali ). We prepare delicious food and offer it to the crows.

The second day is called Kukur Tihar. On this day, we worship dogs (kukur in Nepali). We make marigold garland and put it around the dog's neck. Fresh and delicious food is also offered to the dogs. The third day is called the Gai Tihar. We worship cows (Gai in Nepali) on this day. We offer delicious food and put garland around the cow's neck. Goddess Laxmi is also celebrated on this day. She is offered prayers and puja. She is believed to bring wealth, prosperity, and happiness to people.

We perform Bhailo on this day. (At night, Bhailo is performed by girls and women.) The girls performing Bhailo are called Bhailini. The fourth day is called Goru Tihar. On this day, we worship oxen (goru in Nepali). Oxen are worshipped in the same manner as cows are.

We perform Deusi on this day. Both boys and men perform deusi. The boys performing Deusi are called Deuse. The fifth day is called Bhai Tika (bhai dooj in India). Bhai means brother in Nepali. On this day, sisters pray to Yamraj for a long life and prosperity for their brothers. The ritual involves sisters marking the foreheads of their brothers with a seven-coloured long tika. The brothers bring gifts to their sisters and the festival ends with feasting.

Now, let's talk more about Deusi and Bhailo. Deusi and Bhailo are Nepalese traditional folk songs sung during the Tihar festival. Children and adults perform Deusi/Bhailo by singing songs and dancing as they go to various homes in their community, collecting money, sweets, and food, and giving blessings for prosperity. At the end of these songs, the house owner serves food and gives money to the Deusi/ Bhailo singers and dancers.

Name: Nishan Karki
Class. 10 
School -Pestalozzi 

JOL Diaries November 23

Newsletter by My Good School

"This Children's Day of the year 2023, we are most delighted to bring you the first issue of our monthly newsletter, and we look forward to the middle of every month to get into the middle of your heart and mind with #JoyOfLearning".
Rishona Chopra, School Captain

The Significance Of Touching Feet - Shaurya and Soham

"It was a pleasure to listen to Soham and Shaurya talking about the importance of touching feet, which I always believed in as it has a cultural and scientific relevance. I am happy they both follow what Sunbeam stands for to always understand ancient traditions while having a modern vision!!! I wish them the best of luck in life! Jai Hind!"
- Amrita Burman 
Deputy Director Sunbeam, group of educational institutions, Varanasi

Season 14, Episode 1 Sunbeam Schools are teaming up a new series!

Touching feet, an act of paying respect, is a profound topic to listen to, from Ram's last act before leaving Ayodhya to Arjuna seeking blessings before going for the war. All this has the same act of touching feet and the exact reason for paying respect. But is it worth touching someone's feet, or is it just an abstract act of paying respect? Tune into this exciting conversation between Shaurya and Soham to know the true '' significance of touching feet''.

Thank you, Ms Varsha Banerjee, of Sunbeam School Lahartara, for your kind support.

Marta Vieira da Silva - Sakshi Jain (Journalist)

Marta Vieira da Silva

One inspiring female football player who has left an indelible mark on the sport is Marta Vieira da Silva, commonly known as Marta. Hailing from Brazil, Marta's exceptional talent and dedication have not only earned her numerous accolades such as FIFA World Player of the Year (first win) in 2006 and subsequent victories in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, Olympic Silver Medal (2004), Golden Ball at FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, UEFA Women's Champions League and many more. 

Marta's journey to becoming one of the greatest female football players is marked by resilience and determination. Despite facing challenges and stereotypes associated with women in sports, she persevered, showcasing unparalleled skills on the field. Marta's commitment to her craft has not only shattered gender barriers but has also redefined the possibilities for women in football.

Moreover, Marta's leadership both on and off the field serves as a beacon of empowerment. She actively advocates for gender equality in sports, using her platform to address issues such as equal pay and opportunities for female athletes. Marta's commitment to social causes amplifies her impact, making her not just a football icon but a symbol of positive change.

~Sakshi Jain (Journalism Club)

Life Is A Game Of Chess - The Game Of Life - Oshi Singh

Image courtesy https://www.pinterest.com, used by Oshi Singh for representation only.

In this universe, there is nothing more unpredictable than life itself. Yes, indeed, just a four-letter word: life. 

Life is very uncanny. Life is a gamble. Life is a game of chess, a game which shall prevail. We’ll never know what’s coming but are always yet to find out. Just when we feel ‘comfortable’, we’ll notice danger. We never know what’s the right move, yet we always try. Things keep changing. After all, nothing is permanent, but we always get a chance. A chance to try and give our best. 

It has been rightly and very beautifully said by the famous Cuban chess player José Raúl Capablanca, ‘You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win. You must lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player.’

People often say chess is a game of tactics and strategies but I differ. I don’t think that’s completely true. I believe chess and life are long-lost twins. No matter our plans or how well-planned they are, there is always a catch to it. It can be anything, anytime, but don’t ever stop trying because even though life may have some other plans, there are always new avenues and new chapters waiting to be unveiled. 

So, in this unreliable game of life, always be open to change and, most importantly, always ready for challenges. Life will keep throwing pawns upon us, but our aim should be clear until we checkmate all these obstacles. After all, actions speak louder than words, and our only word should be “Checkmate”. 

Oshi Singh

IX-C

Gyanshree School

IMAGE REFERENCE: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/807411039463898752/

Unveiling the Enchantment: A Quest into the Mysteries of Film and Music - Saikiran Sahu

"Film as dream, film as music. No art passes our conscience, in the way film does and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark room of our souls." - Ingmar Bergman.

The world of music and films is vast and diverse, with countless genres, styles, and cultures contributing to it. Whether you are a fan, a creator, or just curious, there's always something new and exciting to explore. People connect with film and music profoundly because art forms have an unparalleled ability to tap into depths of human emotion and experience. Films weave narratives that resonate with universal themes, offering a visual and auditory journey that allows viewers to empathise with characters and contemplate the complexities of life. Music transcends language barriers, providing a direct pathway to the soul. 

So, the club I would like to initiate is the "Film & Music Appreciation Club". We could once a week discuss different types of movies from various genres worldwide. The generation is more into movies, and these movies can teach a lot. Both film and music possess the extraordinary power to evoke nostalgia and trigger memories.

In the end, In a world that can often feel fragmented, film and music serve as unifying forces, connecting individuals through the shared language of emotion and the timeless pursuit of meaning. 

We would like to achieve this, and for that to be achieved, I would like all of your support!

People who have joined the club:

Simar Kaur- Intern Head at My Good School. She is a great thinker with a podcast of her own, "Two Girls One Mic".

Oshi Singh and - Vice Captain of My Good School. She is the most cheerful and passionate person I have ever seen. She also co-hosts a podcast called "Two Girls One Mic".

Rishona Chopra - Captain of The Good School. She is way ahead of her age. At such a young age, she has achieved a lot.

Anvesha Rana - Podcast host for the Learning Forward Podcast. Very enthusiastic and a good role model for us.

Anushka Kathuria - An intern at My Good School, participant in the My Guide Inside (MGI) pilot program at Gyanshree School. She is hard-working and is best at what she does.

I would be glad to welcome you all to this club! I hope we discover the world of Films and Music together!

Film & Music Appreciation Club Secretary -  Saikiran Sahu

Email Address -  saikiran17112008@gmail.com 

Image Courtesy -iPleaders.com

Importance of forgiveness - Nishan Karki

Forgiveness means letting go of negative feelings and attitudes towards another person. Forgiveness arises when we try to understand other people's feelings and show some sympathy towards them.

It is one of the most important human values.

Forgiveness can help both parties, i.e., the one who forgives and the one who receives forgiveness.

The paragraph written below is the famous mercy speech by Portia in the play The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

"The quality of mercy is not strained;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

'T is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown:

His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above this sceptred sway;

It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings,

It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest God's

When mercy seasons justice." 

In the above lines, Portia says that mercy ( forgiveness) is not a quality that is felt or shown under any compulsion. It is shown by humans as naturally as the gentle drops of rain fall from the sky to the earth below. Mercy is a double blessing. It blesses both the forgiver and the receiver, or the one being forgiven. It is the supreme quality that anyone, no matter how great, can possess. It is the most powerful quality in those who have the highest authority. It suits a king sitting on his throne better than his crown suits him. The golden rod of authority in the hands of a king is an indication of the force of his earthly power. The rod of authority is a symbol of the fear that kingship inspires in others, and it indicates the high dignity of the king. But mercy is something higher and greater than earthly authority, which is symbolized by the rod. Mercy occupies a lofty place in the hearts of kings. It is a quality and attribute of God himself. Earthly power acquires a divine quality when a man softens the hardness of the demands of justice by showing mercy.

So, the quality of mercy or forgiveness is one of the greatest possessions of people. In fact, animals also possess the quality of mercy, so why can't humans? The quality of mercy or forgiveness must be in the possession of every living being on earth.

 

Nishan Karki
Pestalozzi children's village society

Image Courtesy- Premium Times Nigeria