Give peace a chance

A bright sunny morning of 15th august, Independence Day, little did the tiny tots know that what a dreadful plan was awaiting them. They were all dressed in vibrant colors, playing near the beautiful lake. The sun rays were falling on the water and the shimmer was getting reflected on their pink cheeks .Their innocent eyes were dazzling and dreaming of the magnificent evening. Though some kids were a bit tensed about their performance. After all, they had been practicing for this day for months. There was a transient peace in the air.

The chief minister of Kashmir was invited to be the chairperson for this grand celebration. Far away from this peaceful piece of earth, in some corner of a dark, dingy forest five masterminds were planning to put the school ablaze. It was a meticulous plot and it seemed like nothing could stop them now. As planned they were carrying dolls and many other gifts for these innocent kids and flower bouquets for the teachers and the chief guest. The beauty of these gifts conveniently hid the grotesque reality underneath. They marched towards their destination with full determination.

At the spot, there was a high security arrangement but they posed as school staff carried fake identity cards, which proved that they were school staff. They started unwinding the bombs hidden in the stuff they carried and arranged them in every nook and corner of the school. The much-awaited program was about to start as the chief minister had arrived. The kids recited rhymes, danced to patriotic tunes and a play main theme was to bring about peace amongst the two nations.

The master mind among the terrorists, the one who had planned the entire execution of this baneful activity was watching the performance with full attention. He was absolutely engrossed in it but then he realized that all this was a mere play, far from the truth of life. So he walked out of the auditorium. As he came out of the place, he found no one outside. But far off, he saw a little girl; sitting in a corner all alone trying to do something. So he walked towards the little child and saw that the girl was trying to paint something since long but could not do it upto her satisfaction .So he asked her," what are you trying to do?"

She answered," Uncle. I am trying to draw a flag of India and Pakistan tied together. The Indian and the Pakistani soldiers are saluting it. There are no barriers at the border and a temple and a mosque are situated close to each other. The people are hugging each other as if they have found their loved ones after 50 years of independence." So the man decided to help her and drew it for her. When she saw the picture, there was a tinkle in her eyes. She was elated, she planted a kiss on the man's cheeks and ran with the picture directly into the auditorium. This incident brings back the memories of his child to him who was now in a far away land. It reminded him of the way in which she used to come running to his dad and kissed him in exactly the same manner.

Suddenly it recurred to him that it was almost time for the bombs to explode .His conscience started asking him."How can you be so demonic? How can you put so many angelic lives into a deep sleep? Will you ever be able to face your own child? Will you ever be able to rest in peace even after death?" There is a sudden change of mind and he diffused all the bombs. He walked towards that little girl, picked her up, kissed her on the forehead and said, "Thank you! You have given me the biggest gift in life. You have taught me the lesson of love and peace." With those words, he gathered his fellow-men and left the place.

Why not make it celebration with a purpose, and share a resolution that will help unite our local, national and global communities.

Doomed for being part of a Deemed university

After giving numerous competitive exams,we,the students,got into our dream colleges,the colleges which had the status of a DEEMED university.Suddenly on 18th Jan,2010 the central government has decided to shorn off its deemed university status.However to safeguard the interest of approximately 2 lakh students enrolled under these universities,the government has decided to revert the colleges back to their earlier parent university.This decision has jeopardised the life of the students.It makes us feel homeless and lost in the milling crowd of competing students.There are instances where the students have come all the way from corners of this country,leaving behind the opportunity of being a part of some other reputed colleges which still continue to be deemed.The motive of the government in taking such a drastic decision is to reform the education system but this in turn is DOOMING the lives of the students studying in these DEEMED universities.

Deemed university has the right to have their own set of rules,fee structure and syllabus.Now suddenly being reverted back to some other university,the entire system and process of studying and scoring changes.Life totally changes for us.This in turn takes a toil over the students studying in these colleges.All our dreams of passing out from a reputed deemed university is shattered.

We scored very good ranks in both national and state level entrance exams to make our way into these colleges.We studied as much as our other fellow friends who still continue to be a part of other deemed universities.What we want to ask the government now is how is this going to reform the education system and why should we suffer?If the sole interest of the government is to put a check on the so called "family fiefdoms",then why not give them a chance?Why punishing us?What was the mistake on our part?Its a punishment for the students in disguise.Our future is at stake.We are getting a feeling that we have been demoted.Will just demoting 2 lakh students reform the entire education system?