HOW I SPEND DURGA PUJA:

Durga Puja is one of the main festivals of the Hindus. Six days in the Bengali
month of Ashwin are observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Saptami, Astami, Navami
and Vijayadashami. This festival marks the victory of goodness over evil and the
empowerment of Femininity. Durga puja is celebrated with pomp and grandeur
both in my locality and at my house.

The house is decked with flowers and banana plants. The Durga mandap is
decorated with garlands, lights and Rangoli. On Panchami we all go to bring the
idol home. The rest of the days go in a daze as we take part in the puja, wear new
clothes, share bhog and prasad with friends and relatives, dance to the rhythm of
dhak with dhunuchi in hand and have fun to our heart’s content. On the auspicious
moment of Sandhi Puja we all light diyas in front of the goddess and pray for the
welfare of all around us. On Dashami we have the rites and rituals of Sindoor
khela, Baran and Kolakuli. We touch our elders’ feet to seek their blessings and
distribute sweets and other homemade delicacies as a mark of social amity.

The Vijaya brings a few tears to all our eyes as on that day we have to immerse the
idol and wait for another long year for the return of our Uma who brings joy and
enlightenment in our souls.

USES AND ABUSES OF INTERNET:

The rapid development of science and technology has brought us humans from the
age of cave dwelling to building sky scrapers. It has brought us from the dawn of
thinking to the zenith of civilization and advancement. But in the midst of all this
positivity we have dug a deep grave for ourselves as well. The most important gadgets
and machines made by us are capable of reaching us incurable harm and danger.

An international computer network connecting other networks and computers from

companies, universities and other institutions in order to quick exchange of
information is called "Internet". We are living in the age of computers. Internet has its
own merits and demerits. The uses and abuses of internet depend upon the user. It
gives information about every field of life. Access to necessary information has got
easier. One may take advantages from encyclopedias and dictionaries with the help of
internet. It gives a co-ordination with whole world and its interests. Internet brings the
world closer. Internet has so many advantages, if it is used positively without caring
for any of its false means and attractive charms. The students waste their precious
hours on sitting on internet without taking any positive and constructive benefits.
Computer hacking is very common by the use of internet. Some extreme minded
people can steal through the use of credit cards and net banking thus giving a steady
boost to cyber crime.

Authorities of different countries are stepping forward to put a bar on this destructive
habit. But individual awareness in the field is the only possible way to get rid of this
danger.

HOW TRANSPORT SYSTEM CHANGE OUR LIVES:

Before invention of wheel, one group of early man would remain isolated from
other communities. They could move only in a walking distance area. The
invention of wheel had changed the early man life, entirely. His social region had
also expanded, with time.

As time passed by, early man changed to a civilized person and refined the design
of wheels. We have also improved to better Means of Transport now. Earlier, man
could only ride on horses and other animals, bullock carts and handmade boats but
at present we can travel in air and space. Bullock carts and pony of earlier time are
now replaced by buses, cars, scooter, cycle etc thus changing the isolated groups of
human beings scattered near and far into a world community where crossing
oceans and conquering peaks are no longer labeled as impossibilities. But along
with the boon of speed and comfort has the come the curse of recklessness and
casual behavior which results in uncountable deaths and casualties each year.
Human life has lost its value in the craze of racing, in the adrenaline rush of speed.
Moreover a high density of vehicles has caused heavy congestion on roads and a
rapid increase in the level of air pollution.

Therefore as the consumers of the gift of an advanced transport it is our duty to

raise the general awareness to prevent careless death and such other cruel events.
Moreover we must have a check on the number of vehicles on our road in order to
restrain the pollution level for the bright future of the generations to come.
WHAT DO I FEEL ABOUT MY MOTHER LAND:

The land that shelters us, feeds us and nurtures us like a mother is known as our
motherland. Patriarchal society such as Nazi Germany has called their home as
Fatherland as well. The concept of motherland has come from the idea of
possession and ownership and the emotion related to it has come from the feeling
of raw nationality and human pride.

My motherland India is a very vast nation, covering a big area. It starts from the
mighty Himalayas in the northern side and ends in Kanya Kumari towards the
southern end. It starts from hills of Assam in the eastern side and ends towards the
Bay of Kutch in the western side. My motherland being highly populated is the
second most populated country, just after China. Since independence in 1947 India
is making a remarkable progress in Medical Science, Agriculture and Industry.
Now it is a big independent land. Glorious names like Mahavir & Buddha, Rana
Pratap & Ashok, Mirabai & Shri Chaitanya, Pandit Jawarahlal Nehru, Kalidas,
Ravindra Nath Tagore, Sardar Patel, Subash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi
are attached with my motherland. It is known for its rich culture & heritage
worldwide. Indian land is an ancient land. My motherland is proud of its ancient
literature such as the Puranas, the Upanishads, the Vedas and the Bhagwat. India is
capable of producing spices, oil seeds, wheat, rice and cotton on its own. We own
the third largest armed force in the world in spite of which our land is known as the
beacon of Peace and Ahimsha. We are also blessed with beautiful flora & fauna.

I am very concerned about the Indian economy because India is considered as a

poor country. Here people are struggling for basic needs such as clothes, shelter,
food and education. Mothers, daughters, sisters and wives are still behind the veils
of fear. Lack of empowerment, financial stability and social respect mark the
ultimate defeat of my motherland. I think it to be my sacred duty to serve my
country with utmost loyalty.

A BORING RAINY DAY:

Rain when it comes after a long parching summer tastes sweeter than honey in our
lives. In a tropical country such as India we wait for the torrential rains to save us
from the melting hot summer days. But when we enter into the long stretches of
rain and depressions, storms and floods, water logs and harassments, it gets
extremely boring and tedious.
On the weekends when it is raining I just love to spend my day inside my home.
But when it rains on week days it really seems so boring. Reaching school
becomes troublesome and if a holiday is declared it becomes sadder. I terribly miss
my friends and my classes. Something about rainy days makes me feel so lazy and
so cozy. I just feel like snuggling into my bed reading story books or watching TV.
There is nothing much to do in the chilled weather, so I feel like sleeping a lot and
eating spicy snacks. The aroma of fried homemade snacks spells some kind of
magic on me. I really feel very hungry during these days and I keep on munching
all day long. I prefer having them with puffed rice or khichri, with hot tea or a cup
of coffee. I spend my whole day lying on sofa in my pajamas and watching the
pitter patter of rain drops outside the windows.

Although my days just get boring and lazy it makes me very sad when the news of
flooded areas and distressed people reach us. Their agony makes me feel truly
horrible as this sort of situations are unimaginable to us city dwellers.

My Hobby / My field of interest beyond studies

All work and no play makes our life dull. So we need fun activities too. Hobbies
are activities that are fun, entertaining and relaxing. They can be educative as well.
Hobbies are the means which help us spend our leisure in a useful manner.

My field of interest beyond my daily schedule of studying has taken me to the

game of 22 yards. Cricket is my passion and being an all round player is my
dream. The Indian team of players and the rich legacy that has been left by them
and their predecessors in the world cricket are worth worshiping. My favorite
player of all time is Virat Kohli. His aggression and style in the field reminds me
of an angry tiger pacing back and forth. I am also a great fan of the two equally
great team leaders, the two incomparable captains our country has ever received -
The Prince of Calcutta Sourav Ganguly and The Captain Cool MS Dhoni.
Whenever there is a game with India in the field I try to set aside all my work and
make time to watch it. Even I take daily coaching and practice sessions in spite of
my busy schedule for playing cricket my dream is to play with the blue jersey on.
Even if if does not come true I think I will never let the game go from my life.

Cricket not only gives me fun and pleasure but it is also a game that teaches us
several life lessons. Team spirit, discipline, hard work, physical labour, exercises,
strategy planning, patience are a few effective lessons that help us not only to stand
up in the game but also to stand strong in our lives.
A Memorable Summer Vacation

While I enjoy going to school, I love the month-long summer vacation

as much. I get to do many interesting activities. I get enough free time
during the vacation to pursue my hobbies of reading, playing cricket and
watching TV to my heart's content. Each and every summer thus
becomes a memory of happiness. But the one that came last year is the
most memorable of all.

During my summer holidays my parents generally plan a nice holiday

for the family. We go to interesting places and learn many new things.
During our last summer vacation we travelled to Shillong. The journey
hours were full of suspense as I have never been to the mountains
before. We boarded the State tourism hotel and until then I was not very
convinced that I would be able to like it. We were given a room with a
long open verandah. On entering the room I was the first to open up the
shutters. When I faced the never ending ranges of the mighty mountains
I felt like facing something heavenly. The picturesque beauty of the
Himalayas spellbound me. I like to take photographs of the beautiful
landscape and the local people in the different places we visit. The bright
blue sky, the vast expanse of green and white, the waves of mountain
with the silver snow clad peaks, the unforgettable sunrises and the
pleasant sunsets have all been captured with great love in frames by me.
The extravagant natural beauty, the flora and fauna, the welcoming
behavior of the locals have made me feel at home during this period.
The snow ball fights, the frost bites, the cold noses and sleepless nights
we spent there still give me a happy smile.

The trip is although one of the many trips that I have taken with my
family it has been the first time for many things. It was my first time in a
hill station, a first time in the Himalayas and many more. But in all these
initial scopes the mountains have mesmerized me. I feel that I have to go
back there, if not sooner then maybe later in my life. The feeling of
peace and solitude has to be felt again.