The Martiniere Post

OCTOBER EDITION
2024-2025

PARENT-TEACHER
MOOT COURT CONSTANTIA '24
MEEETING
In a display of sharp legal reasoning and public NUKKAD NATAK One of the most delightful aspects of
speaking skills, law students from across
PTMs is the thrill of overhearing teachers
Lucknow participated in the second edition of Nukkad Natak is one of the most relevant
the Moot Court court held at La Martiniere events in today’s political and social landscape. commend students for their hard work.
College. The competition, which simulates Giving groups of students a medium to express Moments like, “I excelled in math!” or
court proceedings, saw 28 teams argue complex their views on a pressing social issue in an “My science project was a hit!” can make
legal cases before a panel of esteemed judges, intriguing and creative way, Nukkad Nataks students feel invincible. Those
showcasing their abilities to think on their feet are the most efficient mediums to communicate
with the common public, and propagate a
affirmations can transform their
and apply legal principles in real-time. This
message to the masses. At Constantia, the perspective on their abilities, reinforcing
year, the cases centered on contemporary topics
relevant to the current social paradigm. This
Nukkad Natak perhaps the highlight of Day 2, the notion that hard work truly pays off.
with teams presenting a ‘Natak’ or presentation
competition not only provides students with a
on the topic, “Thookna Mana Hai” (Spitting is
platform to hone their advocacy skills but also Ultimately, PTMs at La Martiniere
prohibited).
gives them a taste of what the real-world holds College are a delightful mix of
in store for them. For many participants, it is a anticipation and excitement. While they
stepping stone towards their future careers in
can trigger anxiety among students, they
law. The competition’s highlight was the final
round held in the Spence Hall, where the
also offer opportunities for
finalists, CMS Gomti Nagar-1 faced off against encouragement and recognition. As
Seth A.R. Jaipuria. students navigate this blend of tension
and triumph, some gain a deeper
INSIDE EDGE understanding of their academic journey
and the crucial roles that teachers and
For all the cricket fans, this event is as intriguing
and attractive as Harsha Bhogle’s commentary
parents play in their success, while others
in the ICC World Cup. Inside Edge is a simply go along with their proxy parents
simulation of the auction for the Indian Premier not caring about anything else.
League, where each school is allotted a team PTMs might feel like a high-stakes
which they shall be representing, and using their
episode of their favorite superhero show,
skills, wits and prowess, have to craft the perfect
team within the budget of 75 crore rupees. but they also represent an essential part
The judges consisting of experienced legal
professionals, professors, advocates praised the
of the adventure that is education at La
participants for their thorough understanding Martiniere College. -Samar Karmakar, 11-A
of the law and their ability to engage with
complex legal concepts under pressure. Seth
A.R. Jaipuria emerged victorious and impressed THE ENGLISH EDITORIAL BOARD
the judges with their clear articulation, strong STAFF COORDINATOR-Ms Priyanka Ahlawat Chhikara

legal reasoning, and ability to counter their

WAR OF DJS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF- Adit Joshi
opponents’ arguments. The Moot Court CO-EDITORS- Virat Pandey and Krishna
witnessed a hilarious scenario in the semi-finals Day 1 ended with a bang, as the final event of the SECRETARY- Vinayak Tandon
MEMBERS- Priyam Khandelwal
when one CMS Gomti Nagar-1 team faced day was War of DJs. Being one of the most
Shauryawardhan Trivedi
another team from their own school, leaving looked-forward to events at Constantia, it Ali Siddiqui
spectators confounded. Students, teachers and certainly exceeded the expectations everyone had Dhairya Agarwal
even family members who attended the event of it. Pulsating beats and dazzling light shows Samar Karmakar
morphed the night into something electrifying for Pragun Agarwal
praised the competition as an enriching Vansh Sawlani
experience that pushed the students to grow. As all guests present, as the participants gripped
Ranveer Arora
everyone with their groovy tunes and music. The Joel Casey
the legal world continues to evolve, events like
auditorium turned into a dance floor as everyone Rushaan Farooqui
these play a crucial role in shaping the next
couldn’t help but move their body to the rhythm Atharva Jain
generation of lawyers, preparing them for the of the music. Every DJ was said to bring in some Jaden Cooke
challenges that await in the courtroom and Jishnu Gupta
real substance unto the tables to battle each other
Albert Burney
beyond. in this fierce fight for supremacy and catch the THE HINDI EDITORIAL BOARD
-Jaden Cooke, 11-E attention of the audience.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF- Karan Gupta
CO-EDITOR- Rishabh Kumar
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 THE MARTINIERE POST

TALES OF MART
E
SIV
U
XCL
E

MART GOES OLD-SCHOOL

Analogue walkie-talkies back in vogue
BUZZING WITH
as they counter the side effects of BRILLIANCE
excessive selfie taking, autocorrect Martinian boys are the new trendsetters with
mishaps and insomnia due to mindless excessive confidence and uncontrollable
awesomeness as they have now discovered the
doomscrolling.
magic potion for no bad hair days. The dynamic
BUZZCUT is the new campus trend.
A BLAST AWAY
FROM HOME
THE SCHOOL'S BOARDING
STUDENTS HAD A BLAST
(LITERALLY, WITH TINY
PIPE DOWN
BOMBS ROASTING THEIR
OWN BUCKETS) Woodwind section DID YOU KNOW?
CELEBRATING DIWALI banned from the
TOGETHER, PROVING THAT college orchestra due
EVEN AWAY FROM HOME, to their excessive use of LA MARTINIERE COLLEGE IS THE ONLY
YOU CAN FIND A TASTE OF smokescreens during SCHOOL IN THE WORLD TO HAVE WON THE
IT.
musical wars. ROYAL BATTLE HONOURS FOR ITS ROLE IN
THE DEFENCE OF LUCKNOW AND THE
LUCKNOW RESIDENCY DURING THE INDIAN
REBELLION OF 1857.

BOARDING HOUSE CALLING

Before we dive into the latest BHC, a quick heads-up: you might notice a slightly different vibe in this article. That’s because I, Samar
Karmakar of Hodson House, am stepping in for Joel Casey, the ever-passionate and fun writer who usually keeps you all entertained. Joel is
now in deep with his textbooks right now, preparing for his board exams, but don’t worry—I’ll do my best to keep the spirit of his writing
alive even if it means taking a few liberties here and there. Now, let's get into it! La Martiniere College, Lucknow, is back in action as the
boarding house springs to life again. With the under-15 cricket nationals now over, our beloved borders are back to the 4:30 AM SHARP
rising. That’s right—while the rest of the city is still asleep, the Mart boys are up. They go to bed with the moon still in the sky and wake
up with it shining above, getting only a quick rest in the Mart life. It’s all part of that good old Mart culture: a healthy mix of discipline,
determination, and maybe with just a little sleep.

Moving on, Andrew Eastwood is finally back in the boarding house after a month of suspension in the infirmary. He was suspended for
reasons we’ll keep confidential (if you want to know why, just ask your boarder friends in class). Let’s just say Andrew had plenty of time
to catch up on sleep in the infirmary and study for his half-yearly exams. Now that he’s back, he’s ready to jump back into boarding life
and also get back in the pool. Welcome home, Andrew! However, not everything is sunshine and roses. It seems the boarders have found
themselves sidelined for the "Constantia" event—a decision that’s left everyone scratching their angry heads. Rumors are that this
decision comes straight from the Fearless Leaders Chamber, but some of us suspect there might be a bit of interference from certain
characters in the LEO room (no names to be mentioned). It’s like there’s someone behind the scenes making all the decisions, and the boarders
are left following orders they didn’t choose. The new and inexperienced boys are getting all the tasks, while the older, more capable
boarders are being overlooked. Wherever the orders came from, one thing is clear—the boarders aren't very happy about this action taken,
but we are a rare breed, we take everything in our stride.

Plus it`s not always doom and gloom! There’s some exciting news as well: our Fearless Leader is back from his grand European adventure in
which he shared tales about his travels during the morning chapel. Whether it was the beautiful streets of Italy or the cafés of Paris, it
was a thrill hearing him recount his experiences. As he amazed the boarders with his stories, there was a collective sense of relief to see
him back—not just because we missed his presence, but also because we could finally catch a break from all those wild stories about his
trip. Europe was cool and all, but La Martiniere is where he now really belongs. As life in the boarding house settles back into its usual
routine, the dorms are filled once again with the sounds of early morning wake-up calls. Whether it’s welcoming back a friend from the
infirmary, dealing with unexpected rules, or listening to the Principal’s latest stories, there’s always something happening here. Here’s to
more fun moments and stories from the La Martiniere boarding house, and don’t worry—we’ll be back next month for more!
-Samar Karmakar, 11-A
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 THE MARTINIERE POST

A SPOOKY TALE
The village of Black Hollow was a place shrouded in darkness where the wind It seemed as if the whole world broke into a blanket of eerie silence, holding its
always seemed to carry whispers and the night never truly ended. For years, the breath. Edward felt the first prick of the unease but pressed on, forcing himself
terrifying legend of the ‘Headless Horseman’ had kept the residents of the village to laugh at the growing knot of fear in his mind.He knew that the horseman was
indoors and after sunset. There were hardly a couple of people who dared to step completely hypothetical. The sound of hooves, then instantly, shattered the pin-
out after the last rays of the sun vanished from the village. On the edge of the drop silence. A slow but deliberate clopping echoed through the fog, coming
village surrounded and hidden in the thicket of woods lived Edward-a quiet, rude from behind his back. Edward froze there and his heart started pounding in his
ears. He turned backwards, his lantern held high casting a faint yellow glow into
and stubborn man who never paid much heed to the old tales. He had heard all
the mist. At first, there was nothing just the dense fog swirling in the cold, chilly
the warnings as a child but unheard them thinking of superstitious and absolutely
night. Suddenly, the sound grew louder and closer. The ground beneath
vague. The tale of a headless rider wandering around haunting the night, looking
Edward’s feet started to shake and tremble. From the shadows emerged a
for a new skull was a very good story to scare the children. He instead of getting
humongous and monstrous black horse, its eyes burning like fire in the gloom.
nervous and scared used to laugh at it heartily even when his neighbours spoke in
Atop the horse sat a rider cloaked in tethered black clothes, looking impossibly
a hushed and serious tone about the people who had went missing over the years. tall and imposing but it was the absence of a head which sent a hard icy shrill
That autumn when the thick clouds rolled heavily in the sky and the fog got much through Edward’s veins. Where there should have been a face, there was only a
thicker and rolled slowly in the sky, Edward decided to prove that the legend was stump and the neck was severed cleanly. In one hand he held a large axe whose
absolutely nonsensical and truly a fake story. As the night of the harvest moon blade was gleaming with an unnatural light. Edward now understood whom he
slowly came, the night when the ‘Head-less Horseman’ was told to ride through had encountered-The Headless Horseman. Edward let out a huge scream but
the dark and dense woods, Edward set out for his quest. Armed with nothing there was no one else than him and the person who stood in front of him.
more than a lantern and his scepticism, Edward went out on the old road. The Edward staggered backward, terror clawing at his throat. He tried to run as fast
trees were silent, their branches twisting together like bony fingers that clawed at as he could but his legs felt like lead. The Horseman’s mount reared, its hooves
the dark red moon sky. The air was cold enough to pierce through his clothes. As crashing down with a sound like lightning and thunder. Then he raised his axe
he covered more distance and walked deeper onto the woods, the fog closed in high and then there was no escape. When dawn broke the next day, all that the
around him and the familiar sounds of the forest-rustling leaves, chirping crickets, villagers could find was his lantern. No one uttered a word. They knew exactly
sounds of bees and other insects vanished. what had happened the last night and the road would remain empty for many
nights to come.
-Arnav Swaroop, 10-A

DEVILS, THE ANGELS? हिंदी वाद – विवाद प्रतियोगिता

At first glance it might seem that I have intentionally included a paradox, however, I किसी भी छात्र को अनुशासन में रखना तथा भविष्य में उसके महत्व को समझाना शिक्षकों
assure you it is much more than mere wordplay to grasp your attention. So even without के लिए एक दुरूह कार्य है। विद्यालय के योजनापत्र में विविध प्रकार की गतिविधियों के
going into religion and mythology I would like you to take a step back and stray from समायोजन का यही लक्ष्य होता है। वाद-विवाद प्रतियोगिता प्रत्येक विद्यार्थी के अंतरमुख
the conventional notions of devils and angels. को प्रत्यक्ष लाने में सहायक होती है। दिये गए विषय का सम्पूर्ण ज्ञान जुटाना, क्लिष्ट कथन
को सरल भाषा में प्रस्तुत करना व प्रतिद्वंदी के भाषण को काटकर अपने को सही सिद्ध
We all know that Angels are supposed to be pure ethereal creatures, white and blissful. करना इस स्पर्धा से हमें सीखने को मिलता है।
That is what storybooks and movies tell us, but what is often overlooked are the minor वर्षों से चली आ रही परम्परा प्रतिवर्ष वरिष्ठ छात्रों द्वारा कनिष्ठ छात्रों को विरासत के तौर
things, and of course, the Devil is in the details (pun intended). The fact of the matter पर हस्तान्तरित की जाती है। वाद-विवाद प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन दो वर्गों में अक्टूबर
is that Angels are seen as the personification of perfection. माह में किया गया: जूनियर तथा कोल्ट । प्रत्येक सदन के दो-दो विद्यार्थी छात्रों को चयनित
किया गया। विद्यालय के प्रतिभागियों की तैयारी वरिष्ठ दिग्गज छात्रों ने करवाई। कोल्ट्स
These supposed “godly” creatures represent perfection and joy in our society. They का विषय - "इस सदन का मानना है कि नेता जन्मजात होते हैं, बनाये नहीं जाते" एवं
are the embodiment of happiness, but the world is not perfect. Humans are not perfect. जूनियर्स का "इस सदन का मानना है की चिड़िया घरों का अस्तित्व स्वतंत्रता के अधिकार
We all have our own dark sides. The question is where these parts are represented. The का उलंघन है।'' था।
answer is in the not so bright parts of life. प्रतियोगिता को ऑक्सफोर्ड स्वरूप में संचालित किया गया। हर सदन का एक छात्र पक्ष
तथा दूसरा विपक्ष में अपने विचार प्रस्तुत कर रहा था। वक्तव्य की समय सीमा ३ + १ मिनट
A great analogy to explain this would be the bright streets and the dark alleys. तथा उसके बाद प्रश्नोत्तर की अवधि दो मिनट थी। भाषा के उच्चारण, विषय-वस्तु, प्रश्नों की
Everyone loves to talk about the beauty of roads as they are. After all, they are the बौछार को झेलना एवं बोली के उतार – चढ़ाव के आधार पर माननीय निर्णायकगण ने अंक
first pieces of infrastructure we see but no one mentions the dark alleys. Now if you दिए। सभी प्रतिभागियों को विद्यालय के औपचारिक सफे द परिधान में स्पेंस हॉल में समय
really think about it the beautiful grand roads don't really get us to our destination. से पूर्व उपस्थित होना अनिवार्य था।
Think of a highway that gets you to where you want to be but in reality it is those इस आयोजन में अध्यक्ष एवं समय प्रबंधक की भूमिकाएं अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण थी। हिंदी के
gulleys you take that help you reach the remotest of places. सभी अध्यापक – अध्यापिकाओं, सदन - स्वामियों एवं आदरणीय प्रधानाचार्य महोदय के
अनुभवी योगदान से इस प्रतियोगिता का सफलतापूर्वक समापन हुआ।
The Devil could just be the protector of the neglected, the people disowned by society,
the ones deemed to be the bottom of the barrel, banished. To quote Lex Luthor, “The -Advay Singh, 10-A
devils come from the sky.” What might seem as a disingenuous remark at first might be

CRACK IT!
the truth. What if the Angels are the real evil in society, giving us the misguided
impressions that pretend to be perfect and are thus, celebrated? Should our actual
faults and drawbacks be neglected?

Now let us relate the above to the human psyche. From the time we develop a general
sense of right and wrong in the world, we are told to suppress our mistakes. We often
hide the faults we make from others in order for self-preservation, and when those
buried up emotions and regrets burst open from the heart, we suppress them yet again
to make an effort to chase that utopian personality of perfection; to be that angel.

Just imagine not suppressing those faults and letting them flow, confronting them. The
Devil might represent the imperfection of society, but do you think there will be
perfection without imperfection?
-Atharva Jain, 10-C

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 THE MARTINIERE POST

PHANTOMS OF
BLURRED MINDS
THE PITCH
It is more than obvious that the entire history of a historically rich sport like football
According to statistics, 9 out of 10 people have this problem especially in today’s
cannot be put into one article. However, its essence and the emotions it brings out of a
generation.
true fanatic can.
A blurry mind and messy thoughts mean that someone has so much on their mind that
Long before we had mobile phones to record spectacular goals or were brave enough
it's hard to think clearly alluding to a constant flow of thoughts.
to ignite flares on the pitch, we had Pele leading an emphatic Brazilian attack, Socrates
showcasing his magical samba skills with the ball, Beckenbauer acting as the foundation So,empirically speaking the term blurrymind translates to confusion, anxietyor stress.
of the stonewall German defence and Yashin putting his body on the line to save goals The main reason for blurry minds in today’s generation is confusion. Now does one
and then some, and all this was in a time when balls were made of heavy leather. In figure out that they are confused? All it requires is answering one simple question. What
today's digital era where football knowledge is based on the player cards you have in do you want to opt for as a career after you have completed 12th standard or even a
FIFA, such magnificoes have been reduced to mere posters with stats for skills. Modern more simple question: What are you going to opt for as a subject in class 9th standard or
fans of the beautiful game certainly envy the old-timers for only they were the ones in 11th standard?
who had a chance of witnessing the magical thread such players weaved on the field. Most of the answers of this question would be science and math and all these answers are
Rare vintage clips might pop up in your YouTube feed, but unfortunately that is where it the answers that have been spoon fed to you since you were in 1st standard. For example:
stops. You could go and ask a student of middle school, what career they want to pursue when
they grow up. Their answer would be a doctor or an engineer or a pilot.Go in solitude
As time went on and football started to become a global phenomenon, players were and ask yourselfthis question. When you try to find the answersyou would be confused as
seen as larger-than-life celebrities and icons. Many, like the dashing David Beckham,
what subjects to take as a student of class 9th or 11th or even what career to opt after
started curating their image in ways to inspire those who did not have anyone to look
12th.
up to. Thus began the era of the superstars. Jersey and ticket sales were at an all-time
This is because there are so many career options available and thanks to social media
high with borderline insane fans utilizing their vast arsenal (pun intended) to watch their
favourite footballer play. Clubs became families and players idols. The famous
platforms, they are open globally. Social media, known worldwide as a controversial
Galacticos squad of Real Madrid was one which ticked all the boxes for a successful platform, always has a way to do less work and quick ways to earn money which
team, with stars such as Beckham, Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane and Iker Casillas to confuses most teenagers on choosing their career options correctly. Many adolescents go
name a few, but, fact is stranger than fiction, and the team did not live up to its after these shortcuts, leaving their studies behind and some peers may find success in this
expectations. During this time, two thousand kilometres from the capital of Spain, one path but many who meet failure fall prey to depression and go on to regret their decision
could see a dynamic Scottish manager in Sir Alex Ferguson, leading his club to at their early ages.
unprecedented success in the top division of English football. Moving on, stress and overthinking during examinations leads to poor time management,
which may lead to being unable to complete the exam. Not only poor time management,
another side effect of stress is not being able to recall answersduring examinations which
Modern football has changed drastically from what it once was. From ball material again leads to wasting time on a single question.
to tactical formations, the sport is as far as it could be from the original. The Brainfog is a temporary condition that can make it difficult for you to concentrate, recall
transition to this phase was marked by the birth of two titans: Cristiano Ronaldo and or retain information, and complete tasks.
Lionel Messi. Year after year, the two virtuosos showed remarkable performances week
You may overcome stressand brain fog by meditating, eating healthy,
in week out, most notably Messi’s unparalleled 91-goal calendar year in 2012.
sleepingadequately, doing the things you love, going outdoors, and taking frequent
(phoneless!) breaks throughout the day.
No matter the occasion, football fans always find a way to steer a conversation
For most of us, brain fog is related to lifestyle or temporary stressors. But if your stress is
towards ongoing on-field rivalries. When things get heated, such rivalries spill out of
stadiums and lead to unwanted circumstances, which is why it is our duty to ensure accompanied by other symptomsand is significantly impacting your ability to function,
what happens on the pitch stays there. What fun is an El Clasico or a Manchester Derby if it’s worth talking to your healthcare professionals to rule out potential underlying
you are harassed post-match? conditions.

-Adwaya Srivastava, 11-F

-Jishnu Gupta, 11-F

THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCING SPORTS AND

ACADEMICS AS A STUDENT
When we think about school, the first thing that comes to our mind is academics, which is not entirely right. The main goal of school education is the all-round development and overall
growth of a student which includes many facets other than studies. Balancing sports with studies is essential in today's highly digitalized environment because it helps students grow in many
aspects and learn new things like handling stress, managing time, teamwork and social skills which will help them in succeeding in and out of school.

1. Staying Physically and Mentally fit.

The great Chanakya once rightly said that anything in excess was poison. If we spend all day with books on our table to study, our body activity will remain stagnant, so mixing in some sports
keeps us healthy and fit. We should play sports like football and basketball to keep us energized throughout the day and give our body a good workout session. In addition to physical benefits,
sports also keeps us mentally well. It has been scientifically proven that playing sports pumps the release of hormones named endorphins which makes us feel good and relieves stress.

2. Time management and Discipline

Balancing Sports and Academics teach us time management and discipline, which are valuable life skills. When students have to focus on both their studies, exams, homework and sports
practices they learn to manage their time more effectively by making a day schedule or planning their day out.

3. Improving Social Skills

In this digital era where everyone likes to use social media for conversations, sports helps us in improving our social skills. In team sports, communication plays an important role whether for
making strategies, boosting the morale of teammates, or giving out orders. Strong bonds, both in life and chemistry, do not break easily.

4. Importance of sports in schools

At home, children sometimes do not feel comfortable expressing their interest because parents think sports are just a waste of time or a leisure activity. So, in an academics-based society like
ours, schools should include sports in their academic programs and promote playing as much as they promote studying. They should host inter-school competitions, house matches and make
it mandatory for every student to at least take part in one outdoor game. By doing this students can find interest in games that they did not want to play before because of academic reasons.

Conclusion
Upon critical analysis of today's archaic Indian society, it is crystal clear that the dogma surrounding all co-curricular activities should be disposed of. Balancing sports with academics not
only makes us fit and active, but also helps us in improving in many aspects like time management, social skills and teamwork which will benefit us throughout our life. Schools and parents
should encourage students balancing both academics and studies for their overall development and growth. Maintaining a good balance between them will allow students to lead healthier,
happier and more successful lives both in and out of school.

-Vibhas Hamal, 11-E