1 - National Institute of Fashion Technology

ABOUT THE BOOK
W
hen you start college
as a fresher it is very
hard to make a mark
in a crowd where everyone is
trying to get involved in something or the other, and stand
out. The idea of this book was
formulated in an Introduction to
Communication Class where our
dear teachers Rakhi Ma’am and
____ Ma’am noticed the writing
talent that was present in the
first year students. One thing
lead to another and the Idea
of a First year’s book was readily accepted by everyone. This
then started the formation of a
book which would showcase the
talent of NIFT Mumbai’s 2015
Freshers batch. The book is a
step by the Literary Club to give
every first year student a chance
to come forward and make a
mark. The book not only gives
a chance to budding writers but
also gives a platform to aspiring
photographers, illustration artists and graphic designers.
The compilation of the entire fresh fresher’s works is
this book called RANDOM
THOUGHTS.
1
Ideation and Compilation By
Arpit Anand, Literary Club President
Nishita Karun, Literary Club Secretary
Content By
Foundation Programme
Editing By
Akansha Bhatia
Anurakti Srivastava
Designed By
Nishita Karun
Nadiminti Sarvani
Cover Designed By
Meher Malhotra
2
Foreword By
The Director
3
T
he Youth dreams of places
that have never been ventured into. It has the capacity
of rendering old theories obsolete
and form groundbreaking new ones.
Its perceptions vary differently, in a
multi-hued, multi-faceted manner.
And this is the same Youth which is
the bridge of tomorrow that leads
us from ‘today’ into the ‘future’.
And this youth is represented by our
talented freshmen.
It gives me immense pleasure to
welcome you into the inaugural
launch of ‘Random’, the annual
college book published as the first
of its kind, by National Institute of
Fashion Technology, Mumbai.
With hours of dedicated efforts
and innumerable hours, days and
months later, we finally have the
much awaited and celebrated with
us.
As the Director, it is with great
pleasure, I say that it is the combined efforts of our young freshmen, respected teachers, my fellow
colleagues and the ever so active
and diligent literary committee, that
has led to the successful journey of
‘Random Thoughts’ from merely a
bunch of articles to a full-fledged
book covering numerous topics and
opinions, displayed in an extremely
creative and resourceful manner.
With great delight and humble satisfaction, I present to you ‘Random
Thoughts’, and welcome you to an
enchanting insight into the Young
Mind.
Nilima Rani Singh
(Director, NIFT Mumbai)
4
Foreword By
The Joint
Director
5
I
t is my sincere pleasure to welcome you all to the first edition
of ‘Random Thoughts’, the annual
college book of National Institute
of Fashion Technology, an endeavor
undertaken to showcase the exemplary writing skills of our first year
students.
This attempt is the first of its kind,
and shows the successful integration of the importance of writing
displayed here, at NIFT. The pieces
featuring in this edition were written
in the academic year of 2015-2016.
The involvement in writing has been
diligently done by the newest addition to the NIFT family, the young
and talented freshers.
6
Each section of ‘Random Thoughts’
has a thematic focus and has been
presented in contexts of myriad
fields. Students have been allowed
to explore and showcase different
perceptions of reality and their opinions in a humble and consolidated
manner. I would like to take out
this time and congratulate the sincere efforts of the Literary Committee and the active participation of
the students who have successfully
led to the publishing of ‘Random
Thoughts’.
After much anticipation we welcome
you to the inaugural edition of ‘Random Thoughts’.
Brijesh Deore
(Joint Director, NIFT Mumbai)
Foreword By The
Chairperson,
Foundation
Programme
7
W
ith great pride and pleasure in my heart, I welcome the readers to the
very first published edition of the
annual college book of National Institute of Fashion Technology which
is the culmination of the thoughts of
young minds. This has been the result of hours of devoted efforts and
enthusiastic participation of young
talent, the budding fresh faces of
NIFT Mumbai.
As the chairperson of FP Department, I believe that it is within the
youth lies immense potential and
the fire to conquer the world. This
book has been the first of its kind,
with a picture that these young
minds have painted about the world
of tomorrow.
It is a combined and devoted effort
of the FP department of NIFT Mumbai, the team of the hardworking literary committee and various faculty
members who have made ‘Random
Thoughts’ into a success that it is.
I welcome you all to the enthralling
experience of ‘Random Thoughts’,
and wish you, a very happy reading!
Prof. Jomichan S.P.
(Chairperson, Foundation Program)
8
EXTRAORDINARY BY CHOICE
S
he’s in her late forties. She’s beautiful; she’s the epitome of modernism.
How do you picture her, when you
read those words? Here’s my guess: a tall,
slim, middle-aged woman wearing a pair
of trousers and a classy button-down shirt,
sunglasses perched just above the hairline.
You’re notw even close. As appearances go,
she is an Indian female corporate-worker.
She lost her youth years ago, in the laugh
lines that now surround her dark eyes.
But even today, you can see a determined
young woman peeping through them; the
young woman who dreamt of a successful
future and worked towards it with all her
might. This grown-up lady smiles down at
her past self, thinking, ‘Just you wait, little
girl; life has a lot in store for you.’ She has
experienced struggle, luxury, failure, success, grief, happiness, and other things, of
which she seems to regret none.
If ithasn’t yet become obvious - she is my
mother. At least, that’s one of the many
roles she plays. When she goes to work, she
dresses in a crisp ethnic suit, with her shoulder-length hair let down, a no-nonsense
brown tote hanging from the crook of her
arm, and a determined look on her face. The
friendly domestic help carries a laptop bag
as this woman trots up to a well-worn sedan
that’s about to complete its decade. The car
may give in any day now. But, she settles in
behind the wheel, starts the ignition and
that’s how you know she’ll make the car
survive yet another day. Together, the woman and her ride zoom off into the buzz of
morning traffic, towards another office day
packed with hard work and caffeine.
She’s not perfect, but she’s nothing short
of remarkable. She spends her weekends
Kanika Kalra
juggling her various responsibilities, yelling at anyone who interrupts her when
she’s hurrying about the house. She takes
it upon herself to ensure that everybody
goes about the day as per schedule, which
involves making her youngest child do basic things like bathing, and negotiating the
day’s chores with her older children. Yet,
somehow, at the end of the day she manages to gather enough patience to sit and
listen to her kids talk about their lives.
I wonder how an ordinary person can do
all that. When you are a daughter, a wife,
a daughter-in-law, a mother, can there be
enough of you left for you to be your own
person?
This thought induces varying emotions in
me. First comes pride at the fact that I was
born to a woman of such calibre. It almost
makes me believe in myself. Then, panic
with a pinch of dread. Will I be expected to
achieve all that? The realization makes me
want to burrow into the ground and hibernate for the rest of my life. As the panic dies
down, I feel a dull throb of sadness, mixed
with a sense of loss. There are so many
things I want to do in life. Surely, she must
have had dreams of her own? There is so
much about her that I don’t know. Her childhood hopes, her teenage dreams, and what
became of them as she began to shoulder
new responsibilities. I promise myself I’ll ask
her. For once, instead of telling her my stories, I’ll ask her to narrate hers.
In the end, from a tangle of emotions, one
emerges victorious: respect. Respect for the
girl who chose to shed her sensitive skin
and don the toughened hide of a woman.
Respect for the woman who decided to become an extra ordinary one.
9
“The light that came through”
“Little Celebrations of Joy”
10
Harshita Gaur,
Swani Kulkarni,
FEMINISM AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
N
o, don’t run away, don’t avoid the
term. Don’t treat it like a taboo. It
is about time we talk about it. What
is feminism?Feminism by definition is the
belief in equality of both the sexes; belief
that men and women should have equal
opportunities, privileges and rights. People
often mistake feminists for ‘man-haters’,
which is not at all true. I am a feminist and
I don’t hate men. I surely do hate people
who believe in the patriarchal society, that
believes women to be inferior and that
they “belong in the kitche
India has experienced horrifying rape
incidents and injustice towards women.
Female infanticide, domestic violence,
molestation at school and work, unequal
pay, dowry, acid attacks, eve teasing, the
list just goes on and on.
Why does a three year old girl need to
worry about her skirt flying while she plays
in the park? Why does a woman need to
worry about giving up her career when she
gets married? Why does a young college
going girl have to feel conscious about
her short skirt while she walks on the
street when married men, double he age
shamelessly stare at her bare thighs? Why
does a rape victim need to hide within the
walls of her house while the rapist roams
on the streets without guilt?
This needs to stop. Punishment should
be granted to rapists, eve teasers and
molesters. The judicial system needs to
show such people that sexual harassment
is not a forgivable offence. The society
needs to stop accusing the victim. The rape
Neelam Kudale
was committed by the rapist intentionally,
and it is not okay. “She was asking for it”
is not the right approach. No matter what
clothes she was wearing, she cannot be
blamed for that.
Mothers need to teach their sons to respect
women instead of limiting their daughters
from growing. ‘Boy’s will be boy’s’ is no way
to approach a boy’s nature. The boys who
are given the liberty to act as and how they
like, rape and molest woman, are those
who easily get bailed out of the police
station. In Delhi, Jessica, was killed, shot in
the head, in a club, everybody witnessed
it but they withdrew from helping her get
justice when they were threatened by the
convict.
Let me give you a simple example: how
many lady drivers do you usually see on the
road? Women drivers are criticized, stared
at, looked down upon.
Indian women need to be empowered. We
need more women drivers on the road,
more lady employees at offices, CEO’s,
pilots and AIS officers. We need to educate
the girl child, employ women in industries
and factories. Indian women can grow
with the right opportunities. With more
opportunities in hand we women can prove
the patriarchal society wrong and soar to
greater heights, making India proud. So
join me in my struggle to promote Indian
women. India is my country, and these are
my people. It is my job to do my part to
make it a better place to live in.
11
“There is a world where hope and dreams can last all
time....quoted Ariel”
Sethu Lakshmi, Group
12
GOING HOME
Mehar Malhotra
C
onfused young people turning into adults; still kids at heart. This previous
line aptly describes the personality of most candidates at the first day
of admission counselling. My mind knew that these were the last few
days before I went off to college - the last few days in which I could enjoy
being with my parents - but my heart denied it, refusing to accept reality. I
wanted time to stop. It surely wasn’t some kind of disaster; a part of me knew
it was all for the good, but most of the time, the fear of leaving my parents
behind overcame the feeling of elation that came with getting an admission
in college. The days seemed ordinary enough on the surface, but the mixed
feelings filled me with anxiety.
I am reminded of this today because I currently have similar feelings filling my
soul, for today I am going home. I miss my bed, and I miss the food over which
I used to argue with my grandmother; I long to have good old, home-made
dal. Perhaps material comforts are not what I should be missing about home,
but I do. This has made me realize that the easy-going life, full of comfort,
which I have enjoyed since birth, is nothing short of a gift to me from my
family. That is not to say that I wasn’t considerate or grateful for it before
coming here, but now, the realization has deepened.
I do enjoy being more independent, and doing my daily chores myself provides
a sense of satisfaction, yet, somehow, the thought of going home brings with
it tears of joy.
Yesterday, my mom called me and said, “I will put your favourite bedsheet,
baby. Your room will be as you left it.” I don’t remember my mother ever
before giving a thought to which bedsheet I prefer. As for my father, I know
he misses the 3 AM coffee I used to make for him, and I am dying to be able
to whip him a cup again. Even though my sister and I never did anything but
fight, I’m surprised to realize that she is the only one I have bought any gifts
for. I can just imagine her jumping with joy when she sees them.
It’s just beautiful, the feeling of going home.
It’s not that I am sad here, and it’s not just me; we are all happy here, but
home is home. Maybe it’s because it’s the first year, and I am fresh out of
my cocoon; maybe the feeling would fade away as time passes. But for now,
I can’t wait to ring the doorbell at midnight and say, “Dad, your parcel has
arrived at the gate, please collect it.”
13
“In journey we never know what may be our next
destination.”
Ruchika
“The Mornings are so much different when you get up at
home.”
Sourav Mandal
14
OUR MOTHER, OUR MIND
Jessica Toppo
M
other Nature, just like a mother, sacrifices her everything for our
happiness and comfort. She gives selflessly, nurtures us lovingly,
heals us naturally and overall gives us the opportunity to live our
lives. However, even after stripping her of her resources and exploiting her
glory, we have failed to return her favour, which today many take for granted.
Starting from the NIFT campus itself, it’s sad to see coffee cups scattered
around the campus café despite the availability of dustbins. In the girls’
hostel, girls dump their litter right outside their doorstep, making the hallway
dirty. On the roads and in parks people blindly litter just to save themselves
the trouble of reaching a dustbin and throwing litter into it. It seems that the
biggest possible monument that we possess is the dustbin, which people have
perhaps mistaken to be meant for visual satisfaction or outdoor décor.
What people fail to comprehend is that the environment deeply affects our
thoughts and emotions. Cleanliness is neither just a matter of respect or
gratitude towards nature nor is it the rectification of our bad habits, but it
is a matter of tranquillity, it is medicine for the mind. People should not only
keep nature clean for their physical well-being but for their mental well-being
as well.
This is a wake-up call for everyone to extend the fences of their gardens,
open the doors of their spiritual houses wider and apply the principles of
cleanliness beyond their homes, gardens and religious places.
14
“ Nature is the silent care taking friend.”
Arnav Bhandari
15
THE HEAT AND DUST OF MEDIA TRIALS
Damini Joshi
F
lirting with the dark side has always
been fascinating to us, maybe because
we live in the light. Taboos pique our
interest and murder, is the greatest taboo.
Death, conspiracy, desire, shock and
horror when served on a platter by the
idiot box, creates a dramatic atmosphere.
We, consider it our duty to understand
the motive behind the crime to predict,
prevent and protect.
With every new murder case in the country
comes a new storyline to be called ‘The
breaking news’ for the next month, a new
family deprived of privacy, a new national
villain and a new ‘Trial by media’.
Sometimes we sympathise with the
killer and call it a ‘crime of passion’ and
sometimes we judge the killer on every
aspect possible, enough to entertain
ourselves and the social media.
The first responsibility of the media is to
report only facts and not telecast a panel
of so called “experts” feeding their skewed
opinion to the viewers.
A recent example is the Sheena Bora
murder case – “The mother of all murders”,
as called nowadays. With every new news
telecast the nation gets acquainted to
Indrani Mukerjea, the most horrendous,
greedy and ambitious social butterfly.
Is Indrani an irresponsible mother who
gave up her own children for a good
life? Why not? A single mother with an
uncertain future who went through the
trouble of giving her children to her parents
for adoption to ensure their secure future,
instead of resorting to the easy option of
an orphanage, is highly irresponsible, isn’t
it?
Our prejudices touch heights when we
trust Siddhartha Das’s (father of Sheena
Bora) statement that “Indrani can do
anything for money” who himself never
cared to acknowledge his fatherhood until
the gruesome murder of his daughter.
Presenting a character sketch of the killer
provides fodder to the media like nothing
else, but considering the basic fundamental
rights of the killer while doing it seems
absolutely unnecessary to the reporters.
Yes, she has committed a heinous crime,
but judging her on her personal choices is
not justified on our part.
We can never forget the contribution of
media in cases like that of Jessica Lal or
Priyadarshini Mattoo, but media is at the
verge of losing its high moral ground if it
indulges in highly opinionated analysis and
hurried comments.
We need to ask ourselves, what is the role
of media? Is it to play the prosecutor and
the judge or is it to report the facts?
16
“Somebody gets hurt when you change colour.”
Arnav Bhandari
17
LGBT RIGHTS
O
ne of the Fundamental Rights of the
Indian Constitution is the Right to
Freedom, which includes freedom
of speech and expression. But, is this right
really available to all? Take a minute to
think about it, and you would come to the
same conclusion as I did – not everyone
does. The Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals,
Transgender + (LGBT+) community enjoy
all their fundamental rights. Or so it would
seem.
We talk about making our nation a
developed nation, a super power, even. We
feel pride in new schemes, like Smart Cities,
that we believe will make us a successful
economy. But is development really
possible, when citizens of the country are
not free to be who they are and love whom
they want to?
A major chunk of society views LGBT+
people as suffering from an illness –
something that can be cured by a priest or
a pundit - simply because their preferences
are unconventional. Is this the mentality
we expect from the citizens of a so-called
developing nation?
Some of the most influential and famous
people belong to the LGBT+ community,
including Dominic Dolce, Stefano Gabbana,
Jim Cook, Jessie J, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Nikita Goel
We need to understand and accept that it’s
their choice, their life, and their feelings.
Who are we – or the Government, for that
matter – to judge them for that? Are we
really so insensitive as to deny somebody
the very personal choice of whom they
can love and marry? Where did we, as a
society, go wrong?
In my opinion, every person should have the
freedom to love, and to marry, whomever
they want to regardless of gender, because
in the end it’s their life, and they should get
to live it however they choose to.
To the people against LGBT+ rights, I ask
you this: can you imagine constantly
having to pretend to be someone you’re
not, to be pressurized into living a life you
never wanted for yourself? Keeping that
in mind, is it really surprising that many
LGBT+ people suffer from depression? Try
putting yourself in their shoes for once,
and imagine having to live that life.
For us all to live in harmony, for our nation
to go from developing to developed, each
and every citizen needs to be granted all
the basic rights – including the right to
love, marry, and be the person they want
to be.
18
“Herritage and culture don’t teach to deny.”
Arnav Bhandari
19
WHAT GOES ON IN AN ARTIST’S MIND?
Priti Bhengra
A
rtists are born from imagination. The more we let our
imagination run wild, the more we find a hidden artist
in ourselves.
Most of the time artists are born in the boredom of a class
when the notebook becomes the platform of creating
something new using God’s greatest gift of finding beauty
even in a drop of water. Finding a different world in everything
we see is an artist’s greatest talent.
This change that comes over a student in a boring class might
seem like a waste of time but is metamorphosis from a bud to
a flower.
20
“In admiration of the beauty i found in an ancient egyptian artwork called head of Nefertiti- 3300 year old bust
of a queen who was considered to be the most beautiful
woman at that time “
Yasheeka
21
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Apoorva Chaudhary
I
was once walking down the Park Street, feeling off. In a lost moment, I looked
around to hear a mouth organ player pass me by. Within a second I felt
uplifted, and hopeful. Little instances like these are enough to understand
the power music holds - power to entertain, influence & heal.
In terms of social influence, it is no secret that many cultures, subcultures &
movements were centred on the theme of music. The Heavy Metal scene;
the Rock n’ Roll scene, with The Beatles originally being known to have
popularised it; the Hippie movement which holds its roots in psychedelic acid
music - artists like Janis Joplin & Bob Marley aimed to spread the ideals of
Peace and Love to a larger population; the Grunge scene, and Nirvana being
the band synonymous with the subculture. Such influence is not just limited
to specific groups. In the 80’s, Gloomy Sunday, now known as the Hungarian
Suicide Song, was a depressing song which was believed to be the reason for
18 suicide cases all over the U.S. Its depressing lyrics were supposedly found
on the suicide notes of the victims. Ever since, the original version of the song
has been banned & banished.
Talking about music as a therapeutic tool, nowadays its heeling effects are
very much acknowledged. Music Therapy is being used to treat various
psychological & mental ailments, most commonly for curing depression,
Bipolar Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, etc., and the statistical success
rate is very high. Of late, in spiritual practices like meditation, Space Music
is being used to enhance the state of mind induced by the exercise. I once
visited a rehabilitation centre and I noticed that music & chants were being
used by people to keep themselves sane.
Recreationally, as we all know, music is the number one choice all over the
world. When you’re eating out, food automatically tastes better when there’s
good, loud music playing along. I also remember going out for late night
drives with friends; the windows down and speakers bursting. There would
be no better way to make my day.
To conclude, I don’t think life would be “life” without music.
22
“ Infected Dj smoke “
Prahlad Singh
“We will never achieve the shades of nature.”
Sourav Mandal | Group C
23
THE LATENT LOVE
Ashima Singh
A
little girl, whose love was confined to
chocolates and flowers, she was too
young for “the love”. But there was
this boy she had a strange feeling for. She
wanted him to visualize her as a rock-star,
his dream girl. Ah! Childhood fantasies.
She was thirteen when she had her first
heartbreak. Drastic changes flooded her
life. She lost her innocence and was more
aware about the cruelties of life. But
through her hazed teary-eyes, she could
see his face. She could feel the warmth of
inner happiness.
She was sixteen when she was home for
a few days during her summer break. Her
dream came true; she met him…after
seven years. The meeting was flawless .He
sat there and gazed at her, she nervously
shifted her eyes. Her heart was happy. She
realized how much she loved him, how
much she longed for him. Those eyes, the
smile and the voice fascinated her. She
recalled how they used to play together
and how he came to the station to bid
her farewell when she left for a new city.
She was a kid then, but somehow, she
remembered.
She tried to fall for other boys and she
did. She fell in and fell out. But he was her
covet. He had a girl and they both were
very much in love. His girl was beautiful
and everything he longed for. Our little
girl knew they were made for each other.
She didn’t want them to break the bond.
How it would have felt, she had been there
before. Her heart blessed them although
her mind cursed them.
She turned twenty four. It was dusk and
she was listening to the chirruping of the
birds in the veranda when her mother
came in. She handed her an envelope
and left. It was a wedding invitation, his
wedding invitation. Yes, he was marrying
the girl of his dreams. She felt numb,
closed the door of her room and sat there
on her bed staring blankly at the floor. She
tried to hold back her feelings but at the
end emotions came crashing and slid over
her cheeks. She could not help but cry
even though she knew it would happen.
She tried to kick these thoughts off and
tried to make herself feel happy for him.
Somehow she made up her mind to attend
the wedding.
She went on the stage to congratulate him
on his happiest day. In that one moment,
she knew he was gone forever. She
managed to fake a smile as he hugged her.
The photographer asked her to smile for a
photo. She tried to smile, but tasted her
tears instead.
24
“In the war between religion and commitment, love always loses”
Priyanka Tiwari
25
SURVIVORS
Katyayni Raj Sharma
I
‘No doubt they’ll soon get well,
The shock and strain
Have caused their stammering,
Disconnected talk...
Men who went out to
Battle grim and glad,
Children, with eyes that hate you,
Broken and mad.”
n the 12th grade I had the privilege of reading this poem, SURVIVORS by
Siegfried Sassoon. Through this poem Sassoon talks about the life and
trauma of being a soldier. He shows the view of a combatant and that of a
non-combatant in a satirical piece of literature.
He talks about how civilians assume that soldiers would come back unaffected after war. Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD occurs following a
life threatening event like military combat, natural disaster, terrorist attacks,
serious accidents or violent personal assaults.
People who suffer from PTSD often experience nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty in sleep and emotional numbness. Every one in three returning troops
is diagnosed with serious PTSD. In 2009, 245 soldiers killed themselves. On
an average, five duty troops attempt suicide every day.
Is this normal?
As non-combatants, we have very stringent opinions about the world on the
other side of the rainbow.
We assume that because they are strong and have experience, they would
come back unscarred from war. But in reality, if not physically then mentally
they are just wounded birds who need our complete and absolute support.
As a responsible citizen and a sensitive human being it is our duty to understand the plight of our soldiers who risk their own lives for our well-being,
26
“Warriors survived not because they were lucky but because they didn’t know the meaning of defeat”
Arnav Bhandari
27
THE READING BUG
Aesha Shah
H
“Read, not to conflict or confute,
But, to weigh and consider…”
appy indeed is a person who has inculcated the habit of reading in
his schedule. Such a person is never lonely or sad, for he always has
books with him, in his solitude. Reading, they say is ‘food’ for thought.
She grew up in a family wherein her father was a writer and her mother, a
teacher. Never did she like reading or even glancing at the images in fairy
tale books. Every night before bed, her grandmother would pat her head
while she slept in her lap and recite stories of kings and queens of different
lands. Not even one night did she sleep before the tale was over, she was
so interested!
As days passed by, her grandmother grew old and eventually one day,
passed away. There was nobody now who would read her stories. Every
single night, the emptiness in her heart grew.
One fine day she picked up the same book granny used to read to her. As she
read word by word, her eyes got drenched in tears. Droplets from her eyes
fell on the paper and she realised that it was reading that kept her connected to her grandmother. Nostalgic, she recalled all the days spent with her
grandmother, as if her grandmother was right there, reading along with her.
Since that day she read every night. Even the fragrance of paper mesmerized her now. Through reading, she grew, not only as an individual but also
helped others grow by inspiring them through her thoughts.
Therefore, each one of us must grab that book we want to read, not only to
attain knowledge but also to gain experience.
To grow, to flourish and to develop.
28
“A ray of hope even in the shadows.”
Priti Bhengra
“Smallest things are the most beautiful”
Sourav Mandal
29
CHILD AGAIN
R. Mallika Iyer
I
always thought that I have an aptitude for design. And since I joined
NIFT, I was given so many assignments where I could portray my quality,
but ironically I could generate absolutely no ideas. Facing this dilemma,
I recall my coach telling me to always think like a child before I left for
college. Throughout my childhood I was eager to become an adult, but now
that I am one, I realize that being a child is much better. An adult has many
pre-formed opinions, thoughts, fears etc. And this is a hindrance to their
autonomous ideas.
“Think like a child”- It is such a beautiful advice. Indeed, we won’t feel
burdened if we think carefree without worrying about the judgmental eyes
staring at us.
Also being in a fashion college, it is expected of me to look presentable at
all times. But when I was a child I never worried about what I wore. I had
this one rainbow colored frock which I extremely adored and I used to wear
it to every other occasion just because I loved it! It never bothered me
what other people thought.
Life is changing, not that I am complaining! I surely do like this adulthood,
but I always miss the innocence in my eyes that made everything believable
and exciting. I miss that part of my childhood when I believed that Santa
Claus and Tooth fairy were real. I miss that part of my childhood when I
didn’t even know what judgment was and that people do it. I miss that part
of my childhood when I could be me for me. I miss it all; I wish I could be
that naive, humble, carefree child again.
30
“Let us unveil the real faces of wonder beneath those
masks of pure ignorance.”
Rachi Aggarwal
“When happiness is not late night parties but high swing
rides.”
Arnav Bhandari
31
TALKING ABOUT POVERTY
Shristi Sheron Singh
T
he major issue but something that is very really discussed by youngsters today is “Poverty”. This is a major issue in which people living
is a country lack even basic amenities like food, shelter and clothing,
and this condition is very prevalent in India because of the inequality that is
present on the name of caste, religion and region. But only few people want
to be involved this topic because it isn’t that easy to be involved with the
poor people as we consider it to be the dirty work that the government is
supposed to deal with. Their living conditions only break our heart when we
see them in movies or read about them in books. After all in the end it is not
actually their fault that they are born and brought up in an atmosphere that
is not even fit for stray dogs. The whole issue today lies because of unequal
wealth that has been passed on in generations so who are rich are very rich
and who are poor don’t even stand a chance.
There should be some kind of balance in our society in order to reduce the
gap between the rich and the poor. In India because of poverty the whole
country is lacking many fields such as in the field of development as you all
know that because of large amount of poor people in the country as the major proportion is either slums or village area. These areas are highly under
developed because hygiene is not present, education is skimpy and houses
just are four walls of bricks. Many national and international organizations
are working for this agenda and maybe will make a difference in the future
years. But it shouldn’t be just them, but us too because I’m not saying that
we alone can make a difference but a little bit always counts. If these major
issues are solved India will become a more powerful and a more developed
country than it is today.
32
“Even today some people are struggling to live.”
Arnav Bhandari
33
COMPLEX HUMANS
Ananya Gangakhedhar
W
e humans are the most complicated beings roaming on the earth.
We have the most complexed brain which functions in bizarre
ways that leads to different consequences. But it’s not just that,
each brain follows its own, making us all unique individuals. As the brain has
different parts to focus on what we feel, we sense, we think, we talk, and
with all this we judge not just the world around but even our counterparts.
This is the reason, why man-even after being a social being has problems
with him around. Life is not black or white but is a wide range of colors. It
can’t be right or wrong, because all these terms are very relative and life
mostly lies in the grey regions. A thing may seem right to a person but on
the other hand it may not fit in terms to someone else. We all are unique
and we all have a different perceptive to look at things. And with different
perspective the not so existing concept of right and wrong changes.
Then how can we judge people still being in our shoes? Though traces in history prove that we have evolved-which is the product of adaptiveness. Are
we really adaptive and adjusting in the true sense? Let’s ask this question to
ourselves. We all try so hard to imprint our choices and opinion on people
and not accept the way they are. If we want everyone to be likes us. Why
try so hard to be different from the rest. We are complex and complicated
to designer. And that is the only reason why we still haven’t deciphered the
actual working of the human brain. With all this, let’s be proud to be what
we are as individuals and respect others the way they are, because if we try
to be all similar we will soon call each other clones.
34
“No two people think in the same direction.”
Arnav Bhandari
35
PENPALS
Divya Padmanabhan
“So do you use facebook?”
someone had asked me once. They were a little startled
when I said that I don’t.
“But I write letters”, I said.
W
hen I first got into junior college, I had a hard time making
friends. I was terrible at conversations, and a complete introvert.
There was so much to say but no one to speak to.
That is when the idea of having penfriends struck me. Ever since I was a
child, my grandfather used to tell me stories about his hobby of collecting
postcards from all those places he had been to, because he did not have
the money to buy a camera. My father irked an interest of collecting coins
and soon I became a compulsive hoarder, with bus tickets, train tickets,
stamps, currency and souvenirs from different places.
Letters are little gift boxes (except that they are flat!) with words that
people use exclusively for you, and of course weird handwritings and addresses. Suddenly even names like “Aditya” sound exotic. There is something in writing letters that gives a funny satisfaction. No fonts, no font
sizes, no emojis or hyperlinks. Plain old words, all broken down to mere
feelings and thoughts. Today, I have received letters from different countries of the world with postcards, stamps, coins, pictures and small snacks
too (how cool is it to taste Slovak yoghurt flavored tea, or Canadian maple
flavored candy?)
Most of all, you get to know that no matter where people are from, what
race or religion, they’re mere skin and bones and brains.
You know so much about them, but never really meet them. Just like facebook.
36
“Not all those who wander are lost”
Sethu Lakshmi
37
SEEING LIGHT THROUGH DARKNESS
Trupti Pange
H
ow many of us really think about others, about those less fortunate
than us? I guess not many. We always want things we don’t possess
because of the human quality of greed. Once upon a time even I was
among those who are never satisfied with what they have. Around that
time, my friends from junior college decided to jointly start an NGO for the
elderly, along with an environment club. I decided to subscribe and become
a member of the NGO. Till date we have visited two old-age homes and, one
orphanage and initiated a tree plantation drive. The most recent visit was to
the Andhakshi Ashram, a home for destitute, blind and mentally challenged
women, in Andheri West, where I learned something important about life.
Two of my friends and myself, we were allotted the work of talking to the
blind while the others played games with the kids there.
We approached a woman in her late 20’s. While we were having a conversation with her, I realized that she sounded so happy about everything. She
had completed her Bachelors in Arts, worked at the State Bank of India and
knew almost all of the latest bollywood songs. Her parents lived in Uttar
Pradesh while she lived in Mumbai. I was awestruck at the fact that she
could be so happy in spite of all the darkness in front of her eyes. That’s
when I realized cribbing over a small thing was shallow, when we have a
thousand reasons to smile and thank God in our life. We need to stop complaining about everything in our life. If a woman like her is able to see the
light through the darkness, we are capable of much more.
38
“Those beads of light
that connect reality.”
Pujashree Vatsa
“Aiming towards the sky,
rising very high.
No obstacles can stop,
from reaching towards
the top. Sun is alone, not
anymore,
never stop rising,keep
asking for more.”
Rachi Agarwal
39
SEMI-BIDAAI
Sakshi Sangai
Funny, Mother had never hugged me like that before.
On that day there was nothing that I could abhor.
And on the next day when she made two rotis less,
No tears, but I knew that she was in a mess.
It is my last day at home,
Out there I will be all alone.
Grandma looked at me and started registering my face,
It was the arrival of my semi-bidaai date.
It isn’t so sad after all,
Two hours a day, I spend attending their calls.
A part of this new place is mine now,
I miss home, a little less. I don’t know how.
Will I ever miss them, the way they miss me?
Call me selfish, but let things just be.
40
“She was like the moon. A part of her was always hidden”
Sethu Lakshmi
41
THE LAST YEAR OF MY SCHOOL LIFE
Akshara Khare
Holding my mother’s hand in mine
Dabbing my eyes with the other
This is the first memory of my school life
My budding days I remember
Moving from school to school each year
The above meaning of school life grows transient
I now had to cope with Maths, Science, English, and Hindi
These thoughts are still persistent
Even as I write this poem, my eyes begin to cry
The reminisce is full of joy
How I wish I could hold on to these days
Slipping out of my hands as I sigh
With blessings showered upon me
Knowledge & values embedded in my mind
I open doors to a new world
Saying fond farewell with a smile
In a few months I’ll be an Ex- Student
NCS my Alma mater & me a part of Alumni
As I treasure all what exists
I promise to keep the flag flying high.
44
“Everybody has a wild side that they keep hidden.”
Harshita Gaur
“Every road is leading somewhere good or bad.”
Pujashree Vatsa
43
LOVE
Divya Padmanabhan
Because of you,
I am here,
Or here at all, honestly.
On those cold winters days,
There is someone,
Who’d sit next to you,
And the warmth when your knees rub,
Is enough to melt the snow away.
Your irises,
Aren’t just eyes!
And your lips,
Aren’t just lips.
They make you,
And break me.
For,
Every time I see you,
My heart breaks,
Because this work of art that I see,
Isn’t exclusive to me.
Yet,
Just like the seas stay still,
And billions of stars and hearts admire them,
Only the fishes know,
Their depth.
Your rhapsodic voice elates me,
Even when times are tough,
Just an aloha,
Keeps my clock going.
Sometimes I wish,
You get to see all that I see,
Even though it’s just our first step,
There are a zillion conversations to keep.
44
“Those paths that make you happy with memories.”
Rachi Aggarwal
“True love lies in nature.”
Sourav Mandal
45
DARWIN’S THEORY FRUSTRATED
Akshara Khare
Three monkeys once sat on a tree,
Discussing things as they ought to be
Said one to the other,
Mow give me an ear you two,
There is a certain rumor,
That seems to be untrue,
That man descended from our noble race,
This very idea is an utter disgrace.
As no monkey ever deserted his wife,
Slaved his babies or mined HIS LIFE,
Or passed them on from one to another
Till they scarcely knew who is their mother
Now there is another thing,
That a monkey won’t do,
Is to go about everywhere,
And get in a stew.
Or use a gun, a club or a knife,
To take a fellow monkey’s life.
True! Man was created without any fuss,
But Brother! Surely he never descended from us.
46
“In a world where they may be studing the humans.”
Arnav Bhandari
“Balance is the key to everything”
Arnav Bhandari
47
THE DRESS
Diksha Sachan
“Oh so short” as he whispered
Her mother came forward and called all the misters
To give him a lesson, the chivalrous men came to her rescue
To respect a woman, they indeed knew
Empowerment is this what I call, she thought
When the men came forward and really fought
This is the world where we want to live in
Where dresses don’t portray, what is really within
Passion, compassion, love and power
You have what the world needs in this hour
So stand up for yourself and don’t follow the herd
Wear the dress of courage and move forward
Let the count of your endeavours exceed all limits
Until it’s effortless to keep high our spirits.
48
“Blues are not always depressing, they have a certain cool
and calmness to it, which should be lauded.”
Aishita Johri
49
STILL WAITING FOR YOU
Priti Bhengra
Another day has arrived,
Another lonely one for me.
I’m thinking of you still
Why does this matter to me?
Thinking of you, I still laugh.
Thinking of you, I still cry.
This matters to me so much,
But I really don’t know why.
I guess I still love you.
I guess I still care for you.
I don’t know whether it’s right or wrong,
But, I’m still waiting for you.
50
“Textures are proof
of memories washed
ashore”
Prahlad Singh
“Life is a mirror and will
reflect back a thinker
what he thinks.”
Swani Kulkarni
51
BOUND FEELINGS
Priti Bhengra
Popped open with the victory speech was the champagne,
But what from the victory had he gained,
Deep in his heart was the pain,
Since hung from the rope, was his wife with no hope.
The torchlight only showed the fungus on her body,
While he was away impressing the company’s CE
The next day’s newspaper highlighted his gain,
But not his more deeply felt pain.
REWARD
Priti Bhengra
The picture on the wall of the house showed history,
But a new life began outside the house under a tree.
She sat down to write a story,
That talked about the world’s glory
Even though the many emotions in her,
Her thoughts could not stir
For she sat through the storm and rain,
With no food and in pain.
Finally she found her heart settle on a happy couple
Even in their old age they found happiness and protected each other from trouble
The story she wrote was neither for her exam nor to gain a reward,
But the lesson she learned was more valuable than the marks she had scored.
52
““Almost nothing need be said when you have eyes.”
Unati Shaurya
53
MY BEST FRIEND
Shraddha Rao
My dearest friend, you’ve left me
Standing all alone.
My body’s numb with sorrow,
I’ve forgotten my way home.
I’m lost, depressed, and frightened,
For you’re not here with me.
And somewhere deep inside my heart,
My best friend you’ll always be.
I know you couldn’t help it,
And you didn’t want to go.
But, nonetheless, you left me,
Sad and all alone.
Although I have my parents
And other friends so close,
I don’t know why it is
But I love you, friend, the most.
Your kindness unto others
Has rubbed off on me.
You helped me out when times were tough,
And you helped me to truly see.
You have been so good to me
But now I let you go.
I know you were a true friend
And for that I love you so.
For as long as I can remember
You’ve helped me to be strong.
And given me the courage and faith
To keep moving on.
So with my sad and heavy heart,
This part comes to an end.
But I will not say goodbye;
You’ll always be my friend.
54
“Friends make the journey worth travelling.”
Arnav Bhandari
55